Going away from my roots

[M3Alpine99]

After 2 different E36 builds over the course of almost a decade of BMW ownership I lucked into an E30. Luck struck twice since my first E30 was stupid cheap(free) but I simply wasn't in the place to 'build' a car. Well this time when I found a 2 owner California car I jumped on it. So... onto the E30 action!

*Warning* Bunch of build photos in thread. If you want to fast forward the pics from today in a 'done' state are at the end. There are some fun pictures and commentary along the way and I put a lot of time/work into the build so far so if you have the time... enjoy the read/photos.


Massive Build Thread if you want to do LOTS of reading:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1334602


Seller Photos:




1988 325iS. 145,000 miles. Clean. Low Miles. I had to have it. Off to Mississippi in the vert(now gone). Quick day trip and we brought here home... The plan was a 24v swap and basic shocks/springs, plastic bumpers and some euro goodies. I started stockpiling parts to get this thing up to speed:

[M3Alpine99]

Decided that it would be good to prep for audio install and get those parts:





Fun parts started to arrive and I picked up a local deal that was unplanned(this is where the budget was adjusted and dumb stuff started happening). I realized the IE3 and Bilstein Sport just wasn't going to work for me. Handled/felt great but the front just wasn't at the proper height. Needed more spring rate as well...





And the motor came out... and more parts...

[M3Alpine99]

Local 24v swap heros from here on the forums really helped with the actual swap. With work and my limited garage space and horrible driveway they knocked out the physical swap... progress photos...





Enjoy the time lapse...



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9iA8uyxMyk[/ame]



And she runs... and drives... And what would be the BEST thing to do? Drive her home and rip the whole thing apart right? Totally... best idea ever. So we did work. Also all trim was removed for cleaning... 48 hour this thing must get back together:






It all got back together. And all was well. Except I sold my suspension so it sits and waits. More things get cleaned. Awaiting the new suspension. Did some minor upgrades:







Since the car was down waiting on suspension I dove into the Audio:

[M3Alpine99]

Cleaned/Painted to make it look nice!







And we have goodies!







And we start the install...







Final cleaning...

[M3Alpine99]

So it is together and 'finished' so I took it on a break in run...


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86CaamuNlQ[/ame]



But she really isn't finished yet... MORE goodies and the final touch:







And there you have it. Finished. It runs great. It drives great. It stops great. It slides great. It is just so much damn fun. The final touches are still in the works. A couple more things to make it a little more different and a little personal input. Also the real kicker will come when a supercharger kit deal pops up...


For now... enjoy! I know I am! Before someone says anything. The front is down a LITTLE bit from the first set of photos. 2nd set shows current height. Total mileage is ~200 miles. Waiting for them to settle. Then they will come down just a little more.


Basic Rundown:

1988 325iS
OBD1 M52 - TRM 93 Octane Tune
ZF320 Trans
UUC flywheel/segmented Kevlar Clutch
Cardinal Interior Swap
Ground Control(550/750) w/ Koni Race Inserts/Shocks
Rota Slipstream 16x8 et20 w/ 225.45.16 KDW2
UUC Big Brake Kit

[e30bmw]

I'm still looking for a find like you got, but I can't really find an E30 in the SE.

[Nomade30]

I refreshed this page like 20 times waiting for you to post the done pictures.

I like it, only things I would change is the shift boot and ebrake boot and put on plastics.

[Mooseiah]

Oh, you actually finished it? Meh, you didn't really even do it yourself, had to get all those others to help you. Is it even faster than an e36 328? Kinda silly in my opinion.

Also I expect you will be doing a full write up on exactly how to do this swap in detail correct?

[CrazyxMidget]

saw the new pics on flickr... looks awesome

[LagunengrunE36]

Looks great, man. Nice job.

[mpower5266]

Oh, you actually finished it? Meh, you didn't really even do it yourself, had to get all those others to help you. Is it even faster than an e36 328? Kinda silly in my opinion.

Also I expect you will be doing a full write up on exactly how to do this swap in detail correct?

Such a pretty car, and nice work, Halston.

[e30bmw]

Oh, you actually finished it? Meh, you didn't really even do it yourself, had to get all those others to help you. Is it even faster than an e36 328? Kinda silly in my opinion.

Also I expect you will be doing a full write up on exactly how to do this swap in detail correct?

I see what you did there.

[Tatalalicious]

OP you are my new role model

[rGrissM3]

wow halston it turned out absolutely sick. I advise you get some new side skirts of some sort, then an mtech rear and you're golden. Car is pretty radical

[dcskate102]

Im loving the porno red interior

[generic]

Very nice.

[e34 life]

5 lug, more low, bumpers.

but damn

[artifact]

Everything looks really good to me; not overdone but still great looking. The only things I'd do would be to swap on some plastic bumpers and get rid of that purple tint on the rear window.

[Relax]

Looks great!, I want an e30 they look like so much fun.

[PsychoCemia]

Definitely slick. Looked great today at the meet

[BavarianMW94]

A very sick e30! but at the end of the day...it still has metal bumpers

[snosk8luke]

THis car sets the standard. Awesome Halston.

[propcar]

Very very nice Halston. Can't wait to see it in person, hopefully at the next Autox June 4?

[bmdubbayoo]

sick little e30 there...

[gregbmw]

Damn thats a sexy e30. That is basically what I want to build. Hopefully I will begin later this year.