I figure I should start a thread, if for nothing else to fill my time. 

 

 

Per my other post I picked up a 2000 BMW 323IT.  From the factory it came with a M52b25.  stock 168 hp and 181 ft/lb torque, AKA slow.

 

the PO had the insight to swap in a M54B30 + 6 speed from a BMW 330i ZHP.  Those put out 235hp with 222 ft/lb torque.  needless to say it is a good bit quicker than it was stock.

 

Car has some issues that need to be addressed, but it is rust free and in pretty good shape considering the age.

 

   

 

 

 

First thing first was the rims, they were from a 5 Series BMW so the offset was incorrect resulting a rubbing with too many people in the car.    Bought a cheap set of 3 Series rims off craigs list and threw them on.

 

 

 

 

Next the PO swapped in some Xenon headlights from a later model 325it, but he did not swap in the aiming function so they pointed down to the ground all the time.   I am not a fan of everything that would need to be retrofitted to make them work so I ordered some stock halogen housings + morimoto D2s 5.0's projectors to swap into place.   I will be using the OEM ballast and bulbs so it is a "cheap" swap.  

 

 

Other things to address

 

1. front suspension needs to be replaced

2. clunk in the rear on shift makes me think the rear bushings are aging so I will do those.

3. paint needs to be cleaned up and clear coat fixed

4. oil level sensor is on the fritz

5. OEM radio needs to be put back in so steering wheel functions work again

6. headliner needs to be fixed. 

 

 

Once that is all sorted I wil move onto stage 2. which is a few more ponies 

 

A low boost turbo setup ( 5-8 psi using a hx35 sized turbo ) should get me in the 300 WHP range, which is more than enough for me.  

 

 

Control arms have been replaced now.

 

had to buy new control arm bushings as I could not get the arms out of them without ruining the ones I installed lol.   oh well

Today I spent a few minutes fixing hte clear out on a small area.   I also got some trim pieces installed that were missing.   color isn't %100 but it is close enough.

 

Big fix was there is a "DISA" valve in the intake which simulates longer intake runners up top in the rpm band and shorter runners down low by opening and closing.

 

 

there is a Oring on the valve that the PO thought to use some RTV on, rather than by the $5 oring and replace it.  The vacuum leak was causing some O2 codes and rough idle and elevated idle while on the brakes.  

 

Went down to ACE, spent $0.65 and got a new oring and fixed it up.

On my vw there is a what's called swirl flaps, it's a spacer that goes the length of the plenum. Designd to push more air in at lower rpms I think. They avantualy wear out and brake, causing some pieces to go in engine and damage. Not sure if yours same or similar. I had mine disabled in full open position. You can buy a spacer kit I believe to eliminate it. 

I prefer to keep it as it is a simple design on the m52 and m54 engines and works well to fatten up the torque band.

Replaced the steering coupler this today.  I can say that the old one was really bad resulting in the car jumping around on different surfaces and shimming on deceleration.  

 

I am kinda thinking the front end was fine, but oh well.

 

I like seeing the work you do.... but I'm not a huge fan of seeing your feet 

When I make it back to the states I'll have to come check this thing out!

Slammed a deer tonight.

 

 

Needs a new hood, fender, radiator support, radiator, headlight, airbox.

 

Mulling over next moves.

 

 

 

Made some progress and ordered some parts.  I can get it back on the road for ~500 and looking back to normal for ~1000.

 

 

Got everything broken pulled off and banged out the mounting and wheel well.

 

 

 

Crazy how easy all that folds in, need to make a brush guard