g33k's e30

[u3b3rg33k]

So, I've got an older bmw 325 (e30), and I love to drive it.

So I just took bought a new differential for it to replace my stock open diff.

I went from a 3.73 open to a 4.27 torsen. Turns out, my old diff is actually a clutch pack lsd, and it's toast!
this is what came out when i pulled the plug on the old diff:
http://www.e30tech.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6390&d=1264986544
Something in the back of my head tells me that is not what gear oil is supposed to look like.

[u3b3rg33k]

I just re-discovered my own thread while looking for a place to post this:
KqvnRHoJ4Tg

Not my first ice race, but it is my first in car video.

[plymouth]

I love e30s! and good job that race looked quick.

[noisycricket]

You can probably still sell that diff for a lot of money.

Err I mean... yeah that thing is JUNK, tell you what, find out how much shipped to 44111 and I'll give you that plus ten bucks for your trouble... ;-)

[MilesFox]

How prone to headgaskets are these? I was with a buddy car shopping when he was eying up a 325 convertible. It drove ok, but there was milkshake under the cap and 'fresh' oil. Dude wanted 2200, but we offered 1500, like it was not a problem, and accepted like it was no lowball. But we walked away from it, as dude needed a car to drive for practical sake, rather than one as 'project daily driver'

[u3b3rg33k]

AFAIK, headgaskets are not a terribly common problem, barring overheating warping things. Mine has 200k on it and has never been opened.

As for the diff, I intend to rebuild it some day.

[Rex_Saugerty]

do a 2.8 engine swap :)

[u3b3rg33k]

Lol, I want to do a 3.2 engine 'swap.'

[Rex_Saugerty]

would be fun to do sr20det aswell :)

[u3b3rg33k]

lol, but the 3.2 looks just like the 2.5, and has 72 more horsepowers. It also bolts right up.

[noisycricket]

What 3.2 is this?

I've seen a 3.5 in an early E30. That engine bay was front to back ENGINE, even more so than your run of the mill 2.5/2.7 E30s. I'm surprised that he had room for a radiator!

[u3b3rg33k]

The metric mechanic 3.2 rally m20.
A bored stroked high comp every trick in the book motor.

[Rex_Saugerty]

The metric mechanic 3.2 rally m20.
A bored stroked high comp every trick in the book motor.


i have only one question :) how much? :D

[noisycricket]

If it's from Metric Mechanic, don't ask :)

[u3b3rg33k]

Just short of $9,000 as of a while ago.

Also on the list:
Custom bellhousing + TR6060 with .5:1 6th gear. big engine gearing, but I've done the math, and it's perfect for the 4.27 rear end and the extra torque from the MM3.2. It'd also be nice to be running at 2k rpm @ 70mph, rather than 3500rpm @ 70 with the .8 5th gear I have now.

Now I just need a spare $15K for the parts...

http://www.metricmechanic.com/pdfs/metric-mechanic-m20-engine-booklet.pdf

[Rex_Saugerty]

is it for dd or for races? if for races keep the gear ratio shorter :)

[u3b3rg33k]

The TR6060 would be for everything. The gearing is longer, but I already swapped from a 3.73 to a 4.27 diff, so it'll take 1st, 2nd and 3rd a bit closer to stock overall (well, not 3rd). right now, 1st is stupid short. 4th won't change (still 1:1) 5th moves a bit, and I'd gain a .5:1 6th.

Here's how it works out:
1st ---2nd--3rd--4th--5th--6th
12.68 8.97 6.23 4.27 3.16 2.14___4.27 diff + TR6060
16.35 9.39 5.98 4.27 3.46 n/a____current gearing
14.29 8.21 5.22 3.73 3.02 n/a____OEM gearing

You can see, that even with the TR6060, I still have a shorter 1st, 2nd and 3rd than stock, while gaining a nice highway gear. The added torque of the 3.2 should make up for the slight difference in gearing from what I have now, and make the 6th gear usable (2000rpm @ 70mph), while saving me a little bit on gas, and unnecessary engine internal fatigue.

As for 3rd gear, I'd actually like it to be shorter. @ NHMS, I'm usually running out of 3rd just before I need to hit the brakes. If it was shorter, I could gain by shifting again, but right now it'd be pointless thrashing of gears. Don't forget, the engine I don't have yet (and lets be honest, won't for a long time) has 72 more horsepowers...

[Rex_Saugerty]

oh it;s a six spd :) that explains a lot :)

[irish44j]

dammit man.....you need to do a better thread here so I can steal all your e30 rallycross secrets! lol...

[u3b3rg33k]

Ask away!

AF9MRSAMnec

[u3b3rg33k]

wow. Time for a bump!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/300977_309545922389374_114105318600103_1282792_209 3376969_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/389107_309546205722679_114105318600103_1282793_184 8155158_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/391509_308342685843031_114105318600103_1279754_170 0695362_n.jpg

[u3b3rg33k]

Hey folks, I finally bought something with a boxer engine in it, and it's not a Porsche.


A little "OT" but I don't care.