New to BMW's

Pulled the top end off. The head is still within BMW spec, but not perfectly flat. Has a little fallout near the front most oil passage. BMW says the head can be within .1mm transverse and .05mm longitudinally, so chocking the oil drip (common corner on the head to leak) to the combination of the VR gasket and the slight fallout. The block is perfectly flat to my surprise, but good for the MLS gasket. I have the old race car head that will go on it for now, had it shaved with a 30ra finish, well within the 50ra needed for a metal gasket. It needs new guides but will only be on temporarily so that we can do some flow research on another head to compare ported to stock on the dyno at a later date.

Will post some pics later.

Took a break on the appearance and am doing some "maintenance".

isnt an MLS HG a little overkill for an NA m20 ?

also .. where did you get hex key studs for the head ?

Originally Posted by fcsteve

isnt an MLS HG a little overkill for an NA m20 ?

also .. where did you get hex key studs for the head ?

Who said anything about N/A besides building some N/A headers for fun and to see what happens. The gasket is .020" thinner, bringing the stock CR back to the b25 standard.

8mmx1.25x40mm set screws and stover nuts (like what's on the driveshaft and guibo), no more spring washers to deal with. Also got new studs for the center of the intake and t-stat housing, they are all available at any wholesale fastener supply.

It's always the little things huh? Anytime I take something off my 454 it gets painted crinkle black with stainless hardware.

Your ride keeps getting cleaner. Looking good! Any planned date to have it on the road?

1984 325e
2000 323i

Forced,
Have really enjoyed watching the progress with your car, sir.

Good stuff.

Originally Posted by e^2

It's always the little things huh? Anytime I take something off my 454 it gets painted crinkle black with stainless hardware.

Your ride keeps getting cleaner. Looking good! Any planned date to have it on the road?

1984 325e
2000 323i

My manifold and valve cover are powder-coated matte black and then the raised fins were machined for a uniform look. The hardware is black oxide and zinc plated for the nuts. The studs will eventually rust, but it will take a while, probably be changed again before then. Got a new motor I will be building to swap in the future.

Thanks! Not sure how much longer. Changed the shocks/dampers to Bilstein and one of the rear shock mounts were trashed Ordering a new one. Have to still put the accy's on, TB and harness as far as the engine goes. For the exterior, still have to tighten up the bumpers/trim and replace the rear window spline.

It's tough, though, we will be at the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge Oct. 7th with a new car that's just a shell right now, plus regular shop business is doing good.

Originally Posted by 01325

Forced,
Have really enjoyed watching the progress with your car, sir.

Good stuff.

Thanks!

Got Hagerty insurance now, 280 clams a year $10,000 replacement


She's running and back together

Radiator is dripping FTL. Needs a new tune as well. Got to move some stuff around the shop to get it out and take some pics.

Took it outside and hosed it off. Still need to fabricate something for the fogs, might even go with the Hella's. Also need to re-finish the rear spoiler and install the rear chrome window splines, but satisfied so far with the results...

Quick vid in parking lot.

not really feeling the eyelids man... im sorry

ewww...eyelids. but the rest looks really nice.

That's OK. They are easy enough to remove, but I like them.

Originally Posted by ForcedFirebird

That's OK. They are easy enough to remove, but I like them.

I like them FWIW. I like this car,,a lot.

Forced, I know this has been mentioned but what engine is in this car and what rear end are you running sir.?

For the record I like what I see. For me it goes deeper than the wheels, eye lids, etc.

I've stated it and stand behind it.

There is some serious craftsmanship going into this project....and I LIKE IT.

As Forced said, they're wheels, held on by four lug nuts, they can be changed.
That aint what this car is ALL about, not by my estimation.

I envy the ability to do the stuff Forced firebird does. Grew up around people like that...never really had those skills myself,,,but I marvel at the talent level.

Truly do.

And I'm a noob too,,,big whoop.

...

steve is right about the side skirts though. other than that i like the car. and its your car if you like the eyelids keep them

FF, please feel free to click the 'Report Post' icon at the top right of a post; this will alert me and other mods that a thread / post needs our attention.

Overall the car looks great we need an official photo shoot and vids

Originally Posted by markseven

Overall the car looks great we need an official photo shoot and vids

Thanks! What's "official"?

Cell pic when she went to sleep....



Have to move a few more things out of the garage at the house to keep it there at night, but it's running great for a daily. Took all 4 kids to school on Wed, they had smiles from ear to ear the whole time.

Originally Posted by ForcedFirebird

Thanks! What's "official"?

Anything except cell phone pics. Perspective shots of all four corners, interior shots, nice backgrounds, you know.

looks good mate keep up the good work

Thanks

Just did a carfax on it. Thought I was 2nd owner, but am 3rd. 2nd owner bought it in 1999 with 46k miles and from 05-07 (when I bought it) it only saw 1100 miles! Came back clean overall, though - 2nd owner brought it to CT and it failed one emissions test (only tick mark on the report), then passed the next day. Ended up in my hands back down in FL 1/07 (74k miles). It had an engraving on the underside of the valve cover "Vista BMW 9/89 lash" guessing that was a valve adjustment and is the local BMW dealership. Must have been stored away for some time for it to have 46k miles in 99 lol.

Scored a spoiler finally. Still has the OEM sticker on it Can't wait to install it. Never been painted and has perfect studs.

Haven't been driving it much, got an adjustable cam gear from the kids for Christmas and the Delphin car has been parked in the garage. Been busy repairing e30 24v swaps lately, and have a new project car but will post about that later.

Originally Posted by markseven

Anything except cell phone pics. Perspective shots of all four corners, interior shots, nice backgrounds, you know.

Almost ready for a shoot Found OEM fogs today, need to polish up the lenses a bit, and install the rear chrome window spline.

Got the spoiler on this afternoon though