Project E30: The ULTIMATE Street Car

[filthyeuropean]

Hey guys,

Starting with an introduction, my name is Cassidy. Finally building the E30 I have always dreamed about. I started as a VW/Audi guy and moved into the BMW world. I have owned several modified cars, all of which I built myself. Before crossing over to the darkside, I had a VR6 turbo Corrado. It made 469whp/412wtq on the stock 180k mile motor. I got boost happy, melted a piston. Ended up building it to the nuts. Took it too far, was no longer a street car. No power steering, no radio, horrible to drive on the street. Ended up having a loss of oil pressure on the new motor, then sold off the parts. Here are a few photos of it, not the best shots.

Melted OEM 180k piston:


Almost together:


Rolling:


Blown up w/built motor:


Decided to get out of the car thing for a while.. Well, it didn't last longer than ~6 months before I had the E30 goal in mind. I wanted to build the ULTIMATE street car. I wanted something that could haul plenty of ass, handle well, fly up a twisty canyon, and make it home reliably afterwards. It wasn't going to be a daily driver, so it wouldn't see a ton of mileage. I am not a show car guy, looks do not mean much to me.

I searched for months to find the kind of car I needed. I really wanted an early 318i- economy car with no extra crap (no cruise control, manual windows, etc.= LIGHT). Finally found one with minimal rust for $800. Not the cleanest body ever, but then again, looks don't mean much to me. It ran and drove, and had only 124k miles on it!

Here it is the day I picked it up (again, sorry for the cell phone pics, I promise they will get better):


Well, after driving it home, it was time to get started. After less than 24hrs of owning the car, it looked like this:


To get it there, it required GC coilovers, Koni yellows, RX7/G60 BBK, TRM C1 wheels, and some DZ101 tires. Oh, and new control arms, sway bars, SS brake lines, etc.






Dont mind the rust.


To be continued.

[JuCo]

Looks like a fun project cant wait to see the progression.

[attrack]

looks like your on to something new and exciting, always cool to watch progression. That Corrado must been pretty peppy

[wazzu70]

The VR6 motors from the top like that freak me out. The cyl seperation is so unique in a good way.

Whats the plan for the engine? Staying M10 or going a different route?

[Sniz]

Very cool!

[filthyeuropean]

looks like your on to something new and exciting, always cool to watch progression. That Corrado must been pretty peppy

That Corrado certainly moved. Was useless though, FWD with understeer and no traction even with a LSD.

The VR6 motors from the top like that freak me out. The cyl seperation is so unique in a good way.

Very unique. They can make a ton of power reliably, but don't flow well at all. Also have super narrow rod bearings that spin easily. It is time for a real 6.

Whats the plan for the engine? Staying M10 or going a different route?

I couldn't stay with the M10, coming from a torquey turbo 6 cylinder. Time for something that can make real power, a 24v.

New update coming soon.

[Arctic98M3]

Nice! That VR6 engine in your original post is blowning my mind. That thing must have a wacky looking crankshaft.

[Boosted E30]

Sweet good to see yet another e30 under the boost knife, you will enjoy this far more then your corrado.

[filthyeuropean]

Here it is with the 180k motor. Check out the BROKEN sub frame that caused the engine to move a ton. Music wasn't my choice.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxLxBlWm-Wo&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]

[wazzu70]

Figured you would go with 24v but figured I would ask

[whitecord]

nice looking forward to this.

[Sniz]

engine sounded healthy!

that powerband cant hold a candle to a 24v setup, you'll love it.

[futureroadracer]

Looks good. I really like the wheels!

[filthyeuropean]

Well, that was fun.. Now time for an interior revamp. This was a Saturday project, took only a few hours, made a WORLD of difference. Interior was nasty before, turned out pretty well.

Before:





Got lucky to score a car with a crack free dash!


Minimal rust:



A small hole had to be taken care of:


After:




Brackets for Recaros:

Pile-o-bolts





Because street car:


Forced induction coming soon.

[FISEVEN]

Nice

[smokinbimmer]

Can't wait for this. I want to build a turbo street car next summer. I can't wait

wanted: late model e30, SoCal.

[kamotors]

keep up the good work

[AA98M3]

Looks like youre on the right track, on point man!

[rowleym]

Subd

[AHenry014]

i too once had a VRT and came to the darkside. The FWD thing kills the experience IMO. mine was stock motor and trans and was running 12-14psi on meth when i got done with it.. I had it dynoed at ~10psi, no meth, on a 95degF day, lots of humidity and it made 265whp. Im guessing it was making a little over 300whp just before i parted it out.

[rt turbo]

Looking forward to watching this one. My buddy Haris built an AWD turbo Corrado. Was pretty fun but always broke trannys/drivetrane parts.

[filthyeuropean]

Thanks guys. Big updates coming soon.

[filthyeuropean]

I forgot a few photos from the previous posts, here is more of the suspension setup:




Late night lollipop POR15-ing:



AKG rear subframe bushings, diff mount, Revshift 24V swap motor mounts, and some delrin CABs and trans mounts.



I had to get the car where I wanted it visually before I did the swap/turbo setup. I believe this is the last installment of boring photos.

Tucking bumpers:





Painting the front trim, pretty faded after 20+ years.


After:


I know the other trim is ugly, but not too concerned right now.

Preparing the M10 for removal:


Forced induction content:

Precision 61mm billet wheel BB (old PTE/Garrett unit using a 35R turbine wheel). Has a 0.82 a/r T3 turbine housing.. quick spool for the street, may go larger T3 or T4 in the near future, Precision 46MM WG

Stay tuned for updates.

I suck at photography, SO many steps that I didn't take photos of.

[Nomade30]

Very nice build.

I don't see any headstuds, where they at? PM me.

[zenn0ne]

Thanks guys. Big updates coming soon.

Your doing great, when its all set and done your gonna love that little e30 keep up the great work

Sent from my Hoopty on full boost!!