Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
Mick and www.pristinebodyworks.co.uk are moving workshops but his brother has been working through some of the jobs needing to be finished on MIB. All the brake lines - solid and braided flexi - have been changed. The servo has been mounted in its final spot and the wiring has been worked through. The fuse box was replaced with a blade type fuse box and it's now inside the glove box. In fact, there is pretty much no wiring under the engine bay now. The ECU is going to Lukaz at BMW-ECU-Tuning and he's removing EWS and installing his 243bhp map. I've spoken to a couple of people who've used his services and they were all happy but I'll still have it mapped live - eventually. 
Mick is going to get the arches shaped and crack on with the paintwork next.
The race car is also still being painted. It's being done in sections, so that the cage etc is all covered properly. I did think about leaving the new rear firewall in plain aluminium (it does look pretty!) but I figured it might glare on sunny days? Anyway, I opted to paint the whole car white, inside and out.
I'm still trying to find some wheels for the race car too. Ideally I want a 15'' crosspoke in staggered 9 & 10J with a 0 offset. In fact, staggered 8 & 9J would probably be better, as getting the rims on and off can be a real PITA with the Group 2 arches in the way. You have to slide them up from beneath the arch lip. Using wheel bolts makes this a little easier although I would usually prefer to convert to studs. The other solution would be using removable fasteners to mount the arches, but I'm not sure just how feasible that really is?
Next time I post it'll be with pics of the painted race car.
Mick is going to get the arches shaped and crack on with the paintwork next.
The race car is also still being painted. It's being done in sections, so that the cage etc is all covered properly. I did think about leaving the new rear firewall in plain aluminium (it does look pretty!) but I figured it might glare on sunny days? Anyway, I opted to paint the whole car white, inside and out.
I'm still trying to find some wheels for the race car too. Ideally I want a 15'' crosspoke in staggered 9 & 10J with a 0 offset. In fact, staggered 8 & 9J would probably be better, as getting the rims on and off can be a real PITA with the Group 2 arches in the way. You have to slide them up from beneath the arch lip. Using wheel bolts makes this a little easier although I would usually prefer to convert to studs. The other solution would be using removable fasteners to mount the arches, but I'm not sure just how feasible that really is?
Next time I post it'll be with pics of the painted race car.
strummerville said:
I'm really enjoying this thread. Makes a cracking alternative to a Mk2 Escort!
I think they make a bargain alternative. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djv_2AEN6vIWell the car isn't quite painted yet. They've made a start though.
The final gussets have been fabricated and welded in too.
The column has been dropped slightly, as the seat is going to be floorpan mounted, in order to get me as low as possible in the car.
Hopefully we are close to getting the car down to Cornwall for the final engine & box install. Hopefully.
More delays due to poor quality of the arch kit from Pesch Motorsport in Poland. There are just so many repairs needed but hopefully they're nearly all done now and the final paint can be done.
Hopefully I've found some staggered crosspoke design alloys in 8 & 9J x 15 with a suitable offset. I quite like the Minilites but the crosspoke look more period. I've been thinking of using an E46 M3 engine, instead of the 2.3 on triple carbs. A reliable 320+bhp would make this a seriously quick car but I would also need to upgrade the E21 LSD to an E12 sideloader so it could cope with the extra grunt. In an ideal world I'd fit an s14 but they're just way too expensive now.
I'm hoping tomorrow will finally see the car in paint at last.
Hopefully I've found some staggered crosspoke design alloys in 8 & 9J x 15 with a suitable offset. I quite like the Minilites but the crosspoke look more period. I've been thinking of using an E46 M3 engine, instead of the 2.3 on triple carbs. A reliable 320+bhp would make this a seriously quick car but I would also need to upgrade the E21 LSD to an E12 sideloader so it could cope with the extra grunt. In an ideal world I'd fit an s14 but they're just way too expensive now.
I'm hoping tomorrow will finally see the car in paint at last.
Windymiller said:
So whats happening with the arches then? Is the fibreglass delaminating or something?
Looks that way, or something similar. I've got some replacements coming from a UK supplier but I'd expected more of these. I'm replacing the bonnet too. I know they're only for race cars but some folk seem to think race car = poor quality! I've noticed a lot of rusty cars being advertised as 'ideal drift or track car'. Surely if you're going to be driving any car flat out, for most of the time, you'd want the best example you could get? Especially when you consider the cost and amount of work involved in fitting a decent cage!Well the poor quality arches have finally been repaired. We threw the fibreglass wings in the bin though, as they were just rubbish and wouldn't have coped with the arches being hung on them. A couple of used steel wings courtesy of eBay have been chopped out and repaired instead. It's coming along.
Have had to reconsider the engine choice. I had agreed to buy an m20/2.3 with triple carbs but the seller now ignores my calls, texts and emails. That's his choice obviously, but being a dick about it isn't what I expect from supposed 'professionals'. I thought he had a better reputation than that, but obviously I was wrong. I try and treat people decently and fairly so expect the same in return. Rant over!
Have had to reconsider the engine choice. I had agreed to buy an m20/2.3 with triple carbs but the seller now ignores my calls, texts and emails. That's his choice obviously, but being a dick about it isn't what I expect from supposed 'professionals'. I thought he had a better reputation than that, but obviously I was wrong. I try and treat people decently and fairly so expect the same in return. Rant over!
Just painted the boot and mounting fuel cell and swirl pot. It's only a 12L tank (with a 2L swirl) but I'm keeping weight to a minimum and sprints and hillclimb aren't too long generally.
Am thinking of just going with a 2.5 from an E30. The 170 brake should still be enough to make this fun.
Am thinking of just going with a 2.5 from an E30. The 170 brake should still be enough to make this fun.
Final arch goes on and thanks to Stanced UK Ltd we finally have some staggered 8 & 9J rims to fill them. Cage & inside is being painted again today, after paint reacted and had to be stripped back. It's coming along though.
I can't decide what engine to go with? I think m20/2.5 is the simplest option, an m52/2.8 is a cheaper route to more power but a hot m10 would be period and still great fun.
Cage & inside is being painted again today, after paint reacted and had to be stripped back. It's coming along though.I can't decide what engine to go with? I think m20/2.5 is the simplest option, an m52/2.8 is a cheaper route to more power but a hot m10 would be period and still great fun.
TheDoggingFather said:
Wow, awesome projects, but you must be one busy dude!
Thanks. Well, after being messed about and let down over the triple carb'd engine, I've been looking at alternatives and trying to decide what to go with. The easiest and cheapest option is m20/2.5 and about 160'ish bhp. I could go with an s50/s54 and get close to double that power, but I would also need to upgrade the diff to cope, which will cost me nigh on £4 - 4.5k including the engine. The 3rd option is a Honda s2000 engine and 6 speed box. The OE LSD could just about cope I think, although it would be close to its limit. I then thought of this.....
A supercharged 1.9 twin cam which will give 200bhp, a heap of torque and a cool noise. The current LSD will also be able to cope, which would save me a few quid. The install will be considerably cheaper too, plus replacement engines are a couple of hundred quid, not a couple of thousand.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLTs3ENdHI4
E30Addict said:
Good to see it's progressing nicely. I think that a supercharged M42 would really suit the car - a good amount of power whilst keeping the weight further back so that it's nice and nimble in the corners.
O/T I saw your LSB E21 recently while collecting a car from the same bodyshop and the paint finish in the engine bay is incredible.
I must admit, I'm quite excited at the prospect of a supercharged m42 going in it. The other option was an S2000 engine & 6 speed box, but have never been a fan of using non BMW engines.O/T I saw your LSB E21 recently while collecting a car from the same bodyshop and the paint finish in the engine bay is incredible.
I can't wait till my road car is finished. Mick does awesome paintwork and the whole car is really coming along. Mind you, I haven't seen it as recently as you have. Had the body prep been started or were they still on the wiring?
Chatted to GKD about their SC kits today. GKD have been pretty thorough in their development and bought an e36, an e30 and a z3 to be sure the kit will fit without any issues. This will be the first e21, but I don't see there should be any problems. It'll sound awesome!
Valance and spoiler done. Bodywork next.
Valance and spoiler done. Bodywork next.
Stuart Thompson said:
This is getting really exciting now, is the car just for sprints/ hill limbs, or are you planning racing it ?
I'm not sure what it will be eligible for with a supercharged m42?The thing I'm looking forward to most is Brands Hatch, no matter it be a sprint, track day or race.
A bit more progress yesterday. I have a few more aluminium panels to make up, but it's really taking shape now.
Engelmann mirrors are just about the only aftermarket ones that suit an e21.
The only problem has been the crappy arches from Pesch. They are absolutely useless, but fortunately I have a UK supplier now and they're first class.
Engelmann mirrors are just about the only aftermarket ones that suit an e21.
The only problem has been the crappy arches from Pesch. They are absolutely useless, but fortunately I have a UK supplier now and they're first class.
Just about got the poly window kit in and working through other jobs, like alloy dash panel etc. The suspension is Gaz and the brakes are a Wilwood conversion.
My only thing at the moment is engine choice. Whilst I really like the idea of 200bhp from a supercharged m42, it means I would go from ModProd class to Sports Libre. That means I go from competing against modified road cars to competing against sports racing cars, where difference in performance is large. In the large sports libre class, I'm going to need to mix it with the single seaters to do well in class. So, I may need to look at running an m10 instead? I can get a 2002tii lump for reasonable money, including Kugelfischer injection. I know that's only 130bhp (on a good day) but with a cam and some head work, I think 150-160 is achievable. I could always fit Webers for extra cool?
My only thing at the moment is engine choice. Whilst I really like the idea of 200bhp from a supercharged m42, it means I would go from ModProd class to Sports Libre. That means I go from competing against modified road cars to competing against sports racing cars, where difference in performance is large. In the large sports libre class, I'm going to need to mix it with the single seaters to do well in class. So, I may need to look at running an m10 instead? I can get a 2002tii lump for reasonable money, including Kugelfischer injection. I know that's only 130bhp (on a good day) but with a cam and some head work, I think 150-160 is achievable. I could always fit Webers for extra cool?
Edited by e21Mark on Thursday 22 May 05:03
Well we're going to stick with an m10, big valve head and rally cam, twin 40's and 4 branch exhaust manifold. It'll be simple, reliable and period correct. It'll also be more affordable and means I can get these.
I should be able to get 150-160 bhp with some porting of the head, so it'll still be fun in such a light car. The car was due to come home tomorrow but the forecast bad weather means it'll be Tuesday now. I'm excited!
I should be able to get 150-160 bhp with some porting of the head, so it'll still be fun in such a light car. The car was due to come home tomorrow but the forecast bad weather means it'll be Tuesday now. I'm excited!
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