rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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1981 BMW E21 323i M50 2.5 24vrob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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Nov 26, 2009 17:50:48 GMT
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I don't think I've put this one up before? Anyway here is my current project, a rusty and battered 323i E21. I bought late spring with the intention of getting it ready for the summer... not a chance. The deadline changed to October, that didn't happen either and currently it's still not running! Some of the keener people may remember my black E21 316 getting the same engine conversion, I basically gave up on that car for the time being as I had dismantled it so much and I thought buying another E21 and swapping the engine over would be quicker. It probably would of done but being me I bought a rusty basketcase. The plan is to rob the black car of it's good bits and make this my track whip. Getting it home ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/CARS/P1040952.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/CARS/P1040953.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/CARS/P1040950.jpg) I struck I deal with Edd/B&D since I lacked the time (and skillz) to weld the sills up, I swapped him a rotten mini clubman estate for the welds ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) hey, who remebers this? I will never forget it... ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) anyway, heres some progress pics I took tonight whilst doing more welding ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183232.jpg) so its had sills, most of the inners and outers and strengtheners..... ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183234.jpg) butted the sills on just under the lower swage for a good fit and seam welded for strength. ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183233.jpg) thats the rear inner under where the petrol tank lives ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183231.jpg) both front floorpan/A-posts look like this now. ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183230.jpg) some chassis leg action. ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183229.jpg) theres something missing here.... ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183237.jpg) stuck in some sufficiently thick plate in, welded inside and out. its the side of an old forklift ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183240.jpg) all buttoned up tonight ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183239.jpg) flitch panel/drip rail was fecked too ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183241.jpg) not any more. other side only needed a small repair ![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/arthurdaley/P8183236.jpg) next up is rear strut tops. you can imagine how much I'm looking forward to that ![:-/](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/undecided.png) then the boot floor, zip up the paint drains and that will be my work done!!!! end transmission ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) More later!
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2011 3:28:19 GMT by rob0r
E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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Nov 26, 2009 20:11:33 GMT
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Massochist ??
Brave man.
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Nov 26, 2009 20:44:12 GMT
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An E21 with an M50. Excelent plan man ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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1981 BMW E21 323i M50 2.5 24vrob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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Nov 26, 2009 22:40:24 GMT
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M50 bolted onto the 323i subframe with 323i engine mounts ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070353.jpg) Bolted up to the 323i transmission with no mods, no custom gear linkages/props for me ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070348.jpg) Clears the servo, and not in shot the 328i exhaust manifolds ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070342.jpg)
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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1981 BMW E21 323i M50 2.5 24vrob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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Nov 26, 2009 22:40:51 GMT
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Radiator, radiator and electric fan mountsE36 328i is a good fit, better than the smaller M42 radiator in fact. 323i radiators have the rad openings in the wrong place and with the 328i I know I've got more than enough cooling capacity. So I bought one and made some bottom mounts ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070621.jpg) I didn't fancy fixing the electric mounts on with the ties which go through the fins of the radiator, so I over engineered a metal brace doubling up as the top rad mounts and nicely secures the kenlowe fan. ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070626.jpg) Close, but fits lovely, zip ties are temporary until I find some bolts to secure the top of the rad. 328i Exhaust manifold modification:The situation is that the exhaust manifolds will actually clear the steering linkage with this engine in the tilted position using the 323i subframe and mounts, but you won't get a downpipe on it... Here's the manifolds unmodified ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/M50/DSCF6032.jpg) When I tried to mount a downpipe I realised it wasn't that far out... so I hacksawed the manifold nearly the whole way through and manipulated it to give me the right amount of clearance, here is the result: ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070602.jpg) I just needed to fill the existing gap, luckily I found a perfectly sized strip of scrap metal: ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070605.jpg) ZAP! ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070607.jpg) The result: ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/P1070608.jpg) The exhaust flange was behind the steering knuckle previously so I've made a lot of clearance, but it's still going to be tight. I should be able to fit a downpipe flange and bolt it up nicely, and I don't have to worry about much engine movement against the steering linkage since I practically solid engine mounts. Worst case scenario is I have to lop the flange off and weld the downpipe straight on, then I'll have all the clearance in the world.
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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Mark
Posted a lot
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Posts: 3,818
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Brilliant work mate and glad you saved this car from certain death!
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BMW 320d (fridge on wheels)
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Fantastic work! Makes me miss my old E21, should be a real weapon this
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1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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Nov 28, 2009 19:04:35 GMT
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Wow! I had not noticed this before, should be an awesome wepon alright. Nice one
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1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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1981 BMW E21 323i M50 2.5 24vrob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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It's about time. Tom and Misky (E21 addicts) came over this weekend to kick me up the ![](http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/underwire/2009/11/fox_60.jpg) and get the car in gear. Misky was on welding and chopping duties while me and Tom was on mechanicals, though I often was the parts biatch made to run errands... Day 1, Thursday 25th Feb:I took the day off work to get started on the car and to try and sort the condition of the workshop. I'd been working in the workshop in this state for several months... I'm messy ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8151.jpg) The car still hadn't run with everything needing doing, the back axle was off, the front suspension needed swapping, the boot floor was missing, no brakes, no interior, no wiring etc etc etc. What a mess. ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8152.jpg) First thing I did was fit the accessory belt, since this a chained engine. The M50 E34 donor had PAS and aircon so it needed a much shorter belt. I chopped the old one and wired it up to the right length, took it down the motor factors and got the right one. If needs be let me know and I'll tell you the specs of my belt. ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8157.jpg) Finally I tidied the workshop, end of day 1 Day 2 and 3, Fri-Sat 26-27th Feb:Did a few jobs before the cavalry arrived. They arrived Fri lunch and got stuck straight in. Misky looking on at the hi-viz bloke working on my car... ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8161.jpg) Oh, it's Tom! ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8164.jpg) This is what greeted Misky after I chopped the rot out a few weeks ago... ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8136.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8138.jpg) Me and tom got the rear axle into place and fitted with polybushes, and a special 100% LSD. We also fitted my shortened 323i struts with E30 bilsteins. Tom made some sexy brake lines, fitted the goodridges and the wilwoods. LOVELY ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8171.jpg) Misky meanwhile chopped the boot floor out of my 315 field racer and matched it perfectly in the 323i boot, the guy works fast so I didn't get any in progress shots of the passenger side! ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8177.jpg) E21 hover car ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8167.jpg) Since the M50 is hard against the passenger side getting to anything underneath the inlet is near impossible. A lot of fuss can be saved if you take the gearbox out and fit it onto the engine off the car, as well as the starter, and also ensure all coolant pipes under neath the inlet are bolted on! We had to remove mine. Edd and Tom made short work of removing and refitting it Day 4, Sunday 28th Feb:We woke up feeling pretty knackered, went down to spoons for a fry up. Then went to the farm... Edd in the background ALIVE!!!After a few hours of wiring and finishing up the fuel lines etc this happened That was me getting quite excited... Massive thanks to Edd for donating his morning to the cause and wiring the engine up! The guys left shortly after lunchtime so I cleared up and started to reassemble the panels and dropped the car on all four wheels ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8184.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8185.jpg) What's under here? ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8189.jpg) Oh yeah! ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8188.jpg) Tom cleaned out all the rubbish inside the car and bolted the seat in! It will have reclining buckets shortly. ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8191.jpg) Misky the poor guy by the end of the weekend had a bad case of sunburn after slaving away in the boot for four days straight and produced some fantastic results ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8192.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/E21325/DSCF8193.jpg) I can't thank these guys enough, what was achieved this weekend would of taken me at least 3 months of work and it would be debateable if it would even be road worthy by this summer. Not only did they give up their weekend they even took Friday off work. They also taught me a lot this weekend and stopped me doing some pretty stupid stuff! Cheers guys, I'm in your debt. I had a blast this weekend and I'm well chuffed that it's finally running and with all the progress achieved this weekend. The car is off to get an exhaust later this week, I'll get it back the week after for final MOT preparations. I'm booked on a trackday at the end of April and it will be going. Paint is also in the post 8)
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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She sounds dirty in the video mate ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) I'm sure she'll bring you even greater pleasure out on the road! Nice work ![8-)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cool.png)
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Last Edit: Mar 3, 2010 11:28:11 GMT by knobstar
"Mechanical Power Subduing Animal Speed" (Robert Trevithick, 1808)
'72 BMW 2000 Touring '99 TT 180 (mrs) '72 BMW 2500
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Well done, that'll be a fun little car. Hope the wheels are staying, they fit it.
What gearbox is that? Getrag 242? Doesn't look too beefy..
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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1981 BMW E21 323i M50 2.5 24vrob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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It's very difficult to find wheels above 13" for these cars since they need a low offset and I got the MiMs for this car especially, though I will probably clean them up somewhat. I will probably change between the MiMs and my 15" E21 BBS depending on which wheels have tread! ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/20070418BMWwheel.jpg) The box is a getrag 245, it should be fine for whatever I throw at it and I've not heard of many failures. The diff however is a much bigger concern...
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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stevo
Part of things
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Posts: 220
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wow, thats sick. so the m50 fit on the standard 323 mounts and fitted up to the gearbox?
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Mark
Posted a lot
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Posts: 3,818
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Apr 26, 2010 17:11:21 GMT
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Any progress??
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BMW 320d (fridge on wheels)
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will
Posted a lot
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Posts: 4,023
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Apr 27, 2010 22:01:43 GMT
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427
Part of things
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Praise The Lowered
Posts: 622
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Looking at this build makes me wish I'd kept my e21s. Hope there are some updates soon!
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Mark
Posted a lot
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Posts: 3,818
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Is this the car where I bought the wheels it was on Rob? (memory of a goldfish) Are you gonna swap to singles like your old one? ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) How long till MOT time then? ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2011 10:04:49 GMT by Mark
BMW 320d (fridge on wheels)
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I like ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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Feb 19, 2011 16:12:47 GMT
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Looks hard as nails matey!
IMHO, just a ducktail spoiler on the back and it is there! I like the dual headlights that you have on there but am wondering if your trademark airfilter will make a return?
Rysz.
P.S. Turbo. Any space under the bonnet?
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