Discussion
Well my engine is now finished and should be back with ARM tomorrow. 
CP pistons
Arrow rods
ARP bolts
New main and big end bearings
Reground crankshaft
New valves
Grp A oil pump
I want to go the extra mile this time and paint the block etc. I'm going to mill the raised lettering etc on the cam cover instead of leaving it all black. I thought about Evo 2 spec but it's too pricey and I know I would screw it up if I tried DIY. I did think about covering the air box in gold heat reflective tape but I'm not sure how effective it would be? It might look a bit bright too?!
CP pistons
Arrow rods
ARP bolts
New main and big end bearings
Reground crankshaft
New valves
Grp A oil pump
I want to go the extra mile this time and paint the block etc. I'm going to mill the raised lettering etc on the cam cover instead of leaving it all black. I thought about Evo 2 spec but it's too pricey and I know I would screw it up if I tried DIY. I did think about covering the air box in gold heat reflective tape but I'm not sure how effective it would be? It might look a bit bright too?!
Edited by e30m3Mark on Tuesday 9th January 21:00
S14 back and sitting where it should.
Trying to make sure everything is done and done right.
Picked up a Becker manifold from the USA. It's not going on yet, as it's still not arrived, but will go on eventually.
JC Racing did a great job with the ITB's and the cam cover turned out great.
Really growing to like the look now cars sat on Compomotive / Nankang.
Just waiting on a few parts now but well on the way to finally having it back.
Trying to make sure everything is done and done right.
Picked up a Becker manifold from the USA. It's not going on yet, as it's still not arrived, but will go on eventually.
JC Racing did a great job with the ITB's and the cam cover turned out great.
Really growing to like the look now cars sat on Compomotive / Nankang.
Just waiting on a few parts now but well on the way to finally having it back.
Edited by e30m3Mark on Tuesday 16th January 13:39
Edited by e30m3Mark on Tuesday 16th January 13:44
DoubleTime said:
That's looking great Mark.
Fingers crossed your dark days are long gone and you have many a great blast out in it this year without issue.
Certainly hope so! Fingers crossed your dark days are long gone and you have many a great blast out in it this year without issue.
All being well, I want to take it to Germany this Summer and drop in at the 'ring. There are a couple of UK track days planned too.
Oil cooler etc arrived today but I still need a fuel pressure sensor. I was looking at inline ones but am unsure if there's a better solution? Apart from that and a speed sensor, the Stack dash is ready to go in also. All I need to do then is arrange transportation to get the mapping done.
Yes, I must admit that although the expense is an extremely bitter pill to swallow it's worth the effort to see it looking as good as it does. The Devil is in the detail as they say and the ITB's etc really gave the engine bay a lift.
The coil packs are Ford Zetec and the leads are custom Magnecor.
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes? Anyone know Rad-Tec?
http://classicalloyradiators.co.uk/products/225/E3...
The coil packs are Ford Zetec and the leads are custom Magnecor.
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes? Anyone know Rad-Tec?
http://classicalloyradiators.co.uk/products/225/E3...
Ive only ever had one Mishimoto product and that was a header tank for my old STI Impreza. It lasted 3 weeks before the welds cracked and it started pissing water out all over the back of the engine.
I can honestly say if that’s the quality of effectively a box welded together then the radiators don’t appeal at all.
The car looks awesome though, good to see its back once more. I partly blame you for looking at E46 M3’s as a result of this thread
I can honestly say if that’s the quality of effectively a box welded together then the radiators don’t appeal at all.
The car looks awesome though, good to see its back once more. I partly blame you for looking at E46 M3’s as a result of this thread
Well the good people at Rad-Tec are supplying one of theirs and the reviews I've seen suggest they're a good quality product. They asked for the engine spec' and power, which suggests they're not a generic, one size fits all rad. Anyway, I look forward to seeing it when it arrives.
I've also ordered a new brake fluid reservoir as the original looks so grubby and is about the only bit spoiling the overall look under the bonnet. I know it's a bit OCD but never mind.
E46 M3's are about the only other model I like. I took an E36 M3 saloon to the Autosport show last week and it was just not for me. It drove OK and had decent Bilstein suspension, but it just wasn't special enough. I didn't think it was very quick either. I'd love to build a decent E46 though, but it'd mean selling the E30 first and that won't be happening for a fair while yet. Unless someone wants to offer me an indecent amount of cash though? I might think about it then. Maybe.
I've also ordered a new brake fluid reservoir as the original looks so grubby and is about the only bit spoiling the overall look under the bonnet. I know it's a bit OCD but never mind.
E46 M3's are about the only other model I like. I took an E36 M3 saloon to the Autosport show last week and it was just not for me. It drove OK and had decent Bilstein suspension, but it just wasn't special enough. I didn't think it was very quick either. I'd love to build a decent E46 though, but it'd mean selling the E30 first and that won't be happening for a fair while yet. Unless someone wants to offer me an indecent amount of cash though? I might think about it then. Maybe.
e30m3Mark said:
Yes, I must admit that although the expense is an extremely bitter pill to swallow it's worth the effort to see it looking as good as it does. The Devil is in the detail as they say and the ITB's etc really gave the engine bay a lift.
The coil packs are Ford Zetec and the leads are custom Magnecor.
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes? Anyone know Rad-Tec?
http://classicalloyradiators.co.uk/products/225/E3...
Thanks Mark, im awhile away from needing to purchase but its good to know what you've used. Have you any idea what crank sensor you've used also? I think ill buy one as soon as so i can sort a bracket out for my trigger wheel.The coil packs are Ford Zetec and the leads are custom Magnecor.
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes? Anyone know Rad-Tec?
http://classicalloyradiators.co.uk/products/225/E3...
The rad looks good, and with the reservoir its going to look better than new under the hood! I think once its set to trouble free running you'll not want to sell it, its going to be awesome!
I hope so. It's been a source of so much disappointment and expense over the past 18 months and my Mrs hates it.
Well the exhaust and manifold is back on. Supply issues (with the system) have meant staying with the OE manifold and Supersprint system but that's no hardship really. Nearly all the Stack sensors are in now, including fuel pressure, but I still need a speed sensor. I thought I had one in the kit but evidently not. It's all these added smaller expenses that add up and before you know it you're another £1k into it.
Anyway, I'll try and find out which crank sensor was used although Zetec seems likely as I think that's what DTA suggest?
Well the exhaust and manifold is back on. Supply issues (with the system) have meant staying with the OE manifold and Supersprint system but that's no hardship really. Nearly all the Stack sensors are in now, including fuel pressure, but I still need a speed sensor. I thought I had one in the kit but evidently not. It's all these added smaller expenses that add up and before you know it you're another £1k into it.
Anyway, I'll try and find out which crank sensor was used although Zetec seems likely as I think that's what DTA suggest?
e30m3Mark said:
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes?
Is this only in relation to their E30 M3 offering or all products? What is the problem?Have been considering their rad for my swap.
s62 said:
e30m3Mark said:
The only other thing I have been considering replacing is the Mishimoto rad. It was fine with a stock engine but I've heard so many horror stories that I'm questioning whether it could be contributing to the cooling woes?
Is this only in relation to their E30 M3 offering or all products? What is the problem?Have been considering their rad for my swap.
If you want to give the Mishimoto one a go though, you're welcome to have mine.
Edited by e30m3Mark on Sunday 21st January 08:38
e30m3Mark said:
I think they're simply unable to cope with anything other than a stock engine. I know of at least 3 cars now, where they have been at least a contributing factor, to overheating. As I think Steve mentions earlier in the thread, even a stock rad should be fine for a car with my engine specification. Their oil cooler (used in the ARM rally car) ruptured due to the oil pressure. Hardly what you want from a cooler supposedly meant for competition cars. A GrpA rad from Muzzi Motorsport is £1150! Needless to say the Rad-Tec is significantly cheaper.
If you want to give the Mishimoto one a go though, you're welcome to have mine.
Ok, I was actually thinking of this one, know people have used them for S85 swaps:If you want to give the Mishimoto one a go though, you're welcome to have mine.
https://www.mishimoto.eu/bmw-e36-aluminium-perform...
That looks better than my old one. Hopefully it will do the trick for you.
Well we fired my engine today! We turned it straight off again but it's good to know it fires at least. The new radiator should be here within a few days and is quite a bit thicker than the old one. It also has a SPAL pull fan that sits engine side of the rad. This was as suggested by Rad-Tec. I also opted to have it powder coated black to protect against corrosion.
Now the ITB's are refurbished I can use the TPS adaptor I got from Massive Lee. The mounting bolts are 1mm larger than the OE bolts (as well as being shorter obviously) so it would seem the metal inserts in the TPS need to be removed. Once mounted, the ITB's can be set up and we should be close to breaking the engine in prior to mapping. We're getting close now.
Well we fired my engine today! We turned it straight off again but it's good to know it fires at least. The new radiator should be here within a few days and is quite a bit thicker than the old one. It also has a SPAL pull fan that sits engine side of the rad. This was as suggested by Rad-Tec. I also opted to have it powder coated black to protect against corrosion.
Now the ITB's are refurbished I can use the TPS adaptor I got from Massive Lee. The mounting bolts are 1mm larger than the OE bolts (as well as being shorter obviously) so it would seem the metal inserts in the TPS need to be removed. Once mounted, the ITB's can be set up and we should be close to breaking the engine in prior to mapping. We're getting close now.
Well I got the adaptor and TPS fitted once I finally sourced some 5mm longer allen bolts. It's only a small thing but just looks so much nicer than the Heath Robinson effort before.
Right now I'm fabricating a carbon panel for the dash display. The sensors and wiring loom all went in simply enough but I think I'm going to replace the old AFM gauge with one from AEM. There's been so much more expenditure than I'd expected though.
The rad is being made today, although powder coating will add a day. I've also opted to go with a sucking fan as per works cars. Once that's in it'll finally be time to sort mapping.
Right now I'm fabricating a carbon panel for the dash display. The sensors and wiring loom all went in simply enough but I think I'm going to replace the old AFM gauge with one from AEM. There's been so much more expenditure than I'd expected though.
The rad is being made today, although powder coating will add a day. I've also opted to go with a sucking fan as per works cars. Once that's in it'll finally be time to sort mapping.
Edited by e30m3Mark on Tuesday 23 January 12:17
Well, in an effort to make sure everything is 100%, we noticed there was a very slight air leak on the ITB's and despite have a few used rubber mounting blocks none were good enough. Luckily the local dealership were able to help out but that's nigh on another weeks wages to add to the final bill.
The exhaust manifold arrived yesterday but, despite being in a bloody huge box, I escaped the lottery which is ''import duty'', so I guess there's a saving there? It's a part that someone bought, put on a shelf and forgot about. The manufacturer still exist but they said it's a ''good few years'' since they last made an E30 manifolds. I got it for a very good price indeed but I won't be fitting it for a little while yet, as I need to have a system made to go with it rather than chop about my Supersprint system. I'd like a side exit but the fuel tank currently resides where the silencer would go, so that's a good excuse to fit a fuel cell in the spare wheel well alongside a swirl pot and dual pumps. Not that I've given it much thought.
The exhaust manifold arrived yesterday but, despite being in a bloody huge box, I escaped the lottery which is ''import duty'', so I guess there's a saving there? It's a part that someone bought, put on a shelf and forgot about. The manufacturer still exist but they said it's a ''good few years'' since they last made an E30 manifolds. I got it for a very good price indeed but I won't be fitting it for a little while yet, as I need to have a system made to go with it rather than chop about my Supersprint system. I'd like a side exit but the fuel tank currently resides where the silencer would go, so that's a good excuse to fit a fuel cell in the spare wheel well alongside a swirl pot and dual pumps. Not that I've given it much thought.
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