New to BMW's

Nice! I drove my eta last night first time since it's sat for at least 8 years and about 5 miles from home it starts cutting out and sputtering. Gonna drop the tank and clean her out now.....

Well, the "budget stroker" is getting boring. Even with the 2.93, it pulls great for an m20 after the compression raise. It's about 9:1 now, only slightly higher than a stock b25, soooo.

I picked up a seta m20 and used the head for the casting on a jobber. Also have a nice low mileage head that will get rebuilt and shaved, but since the head is going to the machine shop, figured the block might as well too. So, took apart 2 m20's to get the eta rods/crank and i pistons. The block is going to get decked 2.5mm or so depending on the height of the head after it's cleaned up. This will give about 10:1 or so depending on what's taken off the head vs block since the block machining raises the CR higher than machining the head, the chamber gets smaller as the head height is decreased. Cam is yet to be decided, but this is a common setup with good results, should be close to 200 at the crank, it's been proven to yield 175-ish WHP with the stock software and 288.

This will happen over time, haven't ordered the rings, bearings, cam etc until all the cleaning/machining is done. We also have another e30 sedan being built that's priority over the Delphin car (24v swap for the sedan), as the Delphin car runs great as it sits. Just have a bad feeling about the block surface since it's developed yet another oil leak between the head and block. The new block will have a fresh deck surface to eliminate this (not just the head this round). Since the new car is getting boost, the Delphin car will stay N/A m20-powered.

Anyways, obligatory pics. Nothing pretty yet, spending time on personal cars at the shop is limited. Customers generally don't like seeing you work on your own stuff lol. seta block was completely torn down and the b25 had the pistons pulled. Hopefully the seta block will pass for tolerances and the b25 block doesn't have to come apart to replace it.

i miss being able to work on my car in a shop.

Got the pistons cleaned up in an ultrasonic tank, block is all cleaned up and a coat of paint applied. Ready to go to the machine shop tomorrow

did you change the drain plugs?

Originally Posted by downhiller

did you change the drain plugs?

The Welsh (freeze) plugs? No, they are in perfect shape, there's dust on them from wire brushing the block. This was a perfect running seta motor and the 2.5 block out of the race car when it was swapped for a 2.7, again, perfect running condition. Just want to get the compression up now that this car is staying N/A.

Nice car sir. I admirer your attention to the little details. Keep up the good work.

Sent from my LG-MS690 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by e30inthe626

nice car sir. I admirer your attention to the little details. Keep up the good work.

Sent from my lg-ms690 using bimmer app

+1

Well, wasn't sold on the silver, so the block was tanked before getting the final decking and painted black. Had .102" (2.59mm) taken off the block to put the b25 pistons back up to the deck. It would have taken .078" (2mm) to get to the stock b25 compression height which would bump the CR quite a bit with the added stroke, and we know the b25 can have .6mm taken for a .035" quench and bump the compression, so this is the best of both worlds. I will have to get the spare head machined along with e 3 angle valve job and clay the pistons to see if the valve reliefs need to be notched further, along with getting the burette out to see just how much compression we end up with, but it should be up there. With an unshaven stock head, this would be 10.02:1 static compression.

Pulled the e30 out of the rain and snapped a quick pic of the two before they meet for real lol.

Hey! I'm super late into this forum. I just recently purchased an E30 325e thats running the m20b27 and I'm looking for a reliable source for parts. Also I am also reppin the chrome DBs but I'm wondering where I can get my hands on one of those lower valence pieces... I don't like mine. I have posted a picture, it is not mine, but it is identical.

I read this whole thread, love what your doing. It's definitely given me some ideas. Keep it up, it looks good!

The bumpers are polished, not chrome, they take quite a bit of maintenance to keep nice since clear dulls the appearance. Thanks for the compliments!

Any idea where I'd be able to order that lower valence peice?

Originally Posted by JDUB_306

Any idea where I'd be able to order that lower valence peice?

It came on the car. 1986 and 87 325is and 325es had them. The 325is air dam has two extra holes in the center to feed the oil cooler air, the eta motors didn't have an oil cooler, so less slots.

you are decking it the same amount i have mine... PS you will love it... i wish i could custom tune a chip like you can tho

and Jdub i have that lower valence piece you want PM me 30 bucks plus shipping and its yours!

Originally Posted by noexceptions325

you are decking it the same amount i have mine... PS you will love it... i wish i could custom tune a chip like you can tho

Did you go the extra .6mm? How was your valve to pistons clearance? I have a head that's never been shaved that I'm going to clay, but just curious.

Not related to the engine build, but scored these today, complete with center caps. Going to follow the same color scheme as the Sportmax wheels, but they will be BBS RS

They need refinishing but couldn't pass up the deal I got on them. About 10% of what people pay for them refinished, woohoo!

Car is totaled. Avoiding hitting another car with passengers and slid into a median. Frame is bent.

Bought this one as a replacement. 1990 Delphin sedan, auto grey cloth.



and this one as well. 1986 es with beige leather, 5speed...

Ouch. Hope everyone is okay.

Originally Posted by markseven

Ouch. Hope everyone is okay.

Thanks, yes. Had a choice to hit another car or go through the turn lane on a median (I was alone). ABS haven't worked for some time and it was raining. The angle of the car, speed and size of the opening didn't match and the car went 55 over an 8" tall median, missed the bushes, jumped a few feet in the air and came down on the front pass side and landed a few feet from a small tree.

Strut tower moved up 1" as well as back, wheel hit the firewall, the roof crinkled between the sunroof opening and door, door doesn't line up. No airbags, but the e30 is strong and kept me safe so I can continue fathering my four kids. Cars can be replaced, but this one will still be missed.

sorry to hear that dude...at least you were in a BMW.

ouch

Wow, lose one buy two. I like your style. Are you going to pull the motor/good stuff and put it into one of the two new e30's?

Sorry that was late. I have been out of the country for quite sometime.

The interior from the Delphin coupe will go in the Delphin sedan and will be on DD status for a while. Have plans for the Zinno, but will talk about that later

Love that Zinno coupe.

Well the Delphin sedan is registered and on the road. Strange driving an e30 auto. I have found myself trying to push in the clutch a few times when starting it lol. Nothing has been done to it yet besides checking fluids. I hate the exhaust note

We go the Zinno in the shop and started cleaning her up. Here is after a wax cleaner and the first stage of the polishing...



Yes, it has a trailer hitch lol...



Making friends with the s52 318 and the Hamann e36...