Finally decided on mods.

Custom 3 · Dec 17, 2003

Well, after much deliberation and considerations of my budget and what I'm ultimately looking to do with my baby, I've come up with a rather comprehensible list of mods and a realistic time-table.

Aerodynamics Kit:

I have given up on the M-Tech II. I have nothing against it, however for my car's turbo application, I've been forced to find something more practical for mounting an intercooler. I have thus dicided on this, which I believe is still tasteful and practical.

I'm also considering this trunklid:

Suspension:

The suspension will either be a Ground Control Coilover setup, or a custom Eibach coil/Koni single adjustable combination with e46 shock mounts and GC adjustable camber/caster plates. Sway bars will most likely get an M3 linkage upgrade. Undecided on that right now though.

Engine:

The 2.8l/3.0l turbo stroker project. I'll post that when I get done designing it.

Ice...a few items that I'm uncertain of thusfar, but I have a few ideas in mind. [fake]

Any thoughts/opinions? Constructive critism please.

mikev · Dec 17, 2003

what wheels and tires are you gonna run??? think about it now and you can setup your car for them. with the extra power your gonna need much wider tires for sure!!

AutoXfreak · Dec 17, 2003

Not feel'n the trunk so much, but the air dam and rear bumper are sick, Will that fit on the 86 E30? or do I yet again have the wrong bumpers?

Other than that that is one sweet car you will be roll'n in. We like to call that gangsta'.

Custom 3 · Dec 17, 2003

mikev,

my wheels are almost certainly going to be original alpina wheels (not replicas) because of the awesome style and light weight. Sure they'll cost a bit more than Kopis, but the Kopis are like 26lbs each (from what I've heard) and don't have a key-lock on the center cap to prevent wheel theft. The fronts will most likely be 17x7.5 and 17x8.5 in the rear. I have no doubt that I will be needing massive spacers and I'm also importing some fender flares from the UK so I can tuck them all in. Style-wise, I believe that it will be a very unique and powerful e30 widebody.

autox,

If you look at the pics above, especially the rear shot, it's on an '87 or older. It will work, however I'm uncertain if I will need to use the plastic bumper system underneath. The complete kit is fiberglass, so it can all be trimmed and shaped to fit with just a little work. I'm planning to install the kit myself, because I want to make sure it is absolutely perfect.

equate · Dec 17, 2003

Do you know where I can get some replicas? I was looking at getting some of them but I can't find the site someone originally posted. Whats the price difference? I know with me bhind the wheel the rims will be trashed one way or another lol.

xLibelle · Dec 17, 2003

Nothing like tragedy to get projects moving eh?
I like the ground effects, im not sure about the trunk lid though.
personally, i would prefer (on my hard top) the evo II style, but on the convertable, the one in the first pic is cool. but i might have to see the trunk more close up.
If i hadnt spent money on paint jobs on my current valence and underbody, i too would choose that kit you have choosen as well. [thumb]

For rims, i will be getting replica Hamann's, i would get alpinas, but i dont have the patience to keep em clean.
To be really cheap, i am buying m3 springs and getting some adjustable shocks.

OreoGaborio · Dec 19, 2003

good luck finding original 17" alpinas in 4x4... i'm pretty certain they don't exist... 16", yes... but 17"... don't think so

as for the e36 style body kit... not my style & haven't seen it on many cars, which leads me to believe you're gonna spend about as much on getting it fitted as you did to purchase the kit... you should definitly look more into that. hit up r3v, maxbimmer or DTM & find any personal experiences w/ that kit

xLibelle · Dec 19, 2003

OreoGaborio said:

excuse me - fitted? what do you mean by that?

OreoGaborio · Dec 19, 2003

you can't just slap the kit on by yourself unless you have experience in body work, cuz it's not gonna fit like OEM. you'll have to spend money at a body shop getting it fitted perfectly, then painted to match

xLibelle · Dec 20, 2003

kits are built to fit straight on - paint em, bolt em, wire the lights and go. depends on the kit, but these are that way.

bichmgnt · Dec 20, 2003

Jason,

I was also looking at the AV3 kit. It was the frontrunner on my list of possible kit mods until you made me wish for the MTech-II kit. I still wish you would put the deal together for that one.

Where are you planning to get the kit? MMS Tuning? Lowen Design also carries it but he gets it from his partner (as he calls him) at MMS Tuning and will add a surcharge. (I'm being facetious here - I bought one thing from him and never will again.) Or will you start carrying these yourself? From what I remember the kit is designed to be a full bumper replacement but don't quote me.

I have to ask about the suspension mods. I actually thought about going the coilover route myself. One of the major reasons for getting an adjustable setup is so you can change between street and track or auto-x settings. But with the convertible, unless you put in a full roll cage, you won't be able to track or auto-x it. I decided that, for myself, unless I was gonna start running from cops, it wasn't really worth the added expense if I wasn't ever going to be able to use the full capabilities of the suspension. Is there another reason you're going for such a radical suspension?

xLibelle - As for kits being built to to fit straight on, I have to disagree. Kits are built to be close so that the small individual variations between cars (and kits, for that matter) can be accommodated in the fitting process. I used to install aftermarket vinyl tops and I never found a top from the manufacturer that just bolted right on. Although I would expect the fit and finish of a kit destined for paint to be better than what I was working with, I can't imagine that they are that much better that they'll look factory without some serious work. When you say "these are that way", are you specifically referring to the Autovogue kits?

Just my 1/50 of a dollar.

Jason, please keep us informed during the process. Pics and info on the mods required to install this aero kit would be greatly appreciated. BTW, you also mentioned a timeline. What is it?

Steve

Custom 3 · Dec 20, 2003

Steve,

do you have AIM or YIM? I notice that you're online right now. As for price and package deals, I rather keep actual numbers off of this site until I become an offical sponsor. I don't want to make myself unwelcome with the site admins and moderators because I know they have a policy about that stuff now. But do I currently carry the Autovogue kit, the answer is yes. My aerodynamics catalog is currently up at my website.

As for price-matching against Lowen Design, I won't do it because I know he's a fraud. I know that there are a great deal of companies out there that are aware of his deeds and won't match him either. As for his "partner" at MMS, I speak with the owner quite frequently.

As for the suspension, I'm planning to double my car between the track and show, so I'm trying to make it as well-rounded as possible. I love auto-xing and hitting the mountain and coastal roads around here as hard as the car will allow. Adjustability is a must for me.

bichmgnt · Dec 21, 2003

I may have assumed you have a convertible from the pics you put up. If that's not so, I apologize. I think I also may have gone for the more expensive but trackable setup if I had a sedan. As it is I don't have to worry about the pressure to spend my weekends avoiding racing and can instead avoid working on my house.

Went to your site and saw that you do indeed carry the Autovoge kits. You've updated since i last looked. You also added a lot other links as well. You've been busy. Good job. Is the ordering software working well?

As for Lowen, his prices were high anyway so you don't have to worry about a price match. If he's still around. I haven't looked for him in a long time. I just remember how he wanted to gouge me for one of the AV3 kits and in the same breath called Tony (?) his partner but also said MMS wouldn't give as good service or customer support. He said his quality service made up for the price. At that point I was done with him.

When do you think you'll start installing the kit?

Steve

Custom 3 · Dec 21, 2003

Kit installation...hmmm...I'm actually planning on getting the kit in either February or March and begin installation as soon as I receive it. The car will be primer grey for a while until I can save about 3-4K for a top notch paint job. I'm going all the way on this one...nothing half-ass.

I have an '87 325is...no cabrio here

I'm not much for convertibles, but I figure I may look into one as a 3rd project. I'll be looking into a e30 M3 before moving on to the cabrio. If I make it that far, I'll be ditching the backseat and converting it into a roadster with a nice rollbar in its stead.

Thanks for the feedback on the site. It's more of an online catalog rather than a shopping system. I'm still fighting the shipping module in my cart program. I'm not going to put it up until it's bulletproof. Can't afford for a big mistake to happen there. At least people will have a good idea of the stuff available.

bichmgnt · Dec 22, 2003

Roadster. NICE!

Do you know if the black on the AV3 bumper is paintable?

Steve

Custom 3 · Dec 22, 2003

The entire kit is fiberglass, so yes, it's all paintable. If you're talking about the lip on the front bumper, I believe that is a seperate piece entirely. On the rear bumper, the diffuser piece is built in rather than being separate. I honestly think it would look a little odd in any colors other than charcoal grey or black. Just my $0.02. I only say this because a lot of the guys paint the ones on their e36 m3s. Solid colors are nice, but they really need a little contrast to look right. For BMWs...black is a great contrastng color.

South Africa E30 driver · Dec 28, 2003

If you find some 17" Original Alpina's I would buy them, cause here in South Africa the pretty much the only way to get some original 16" Alpina's is too steal them off a 333i

bichmgnt · Dec 29, 2003

Custom 3 said:

Actually I was just thinking about the "rubber" strip across the bumpers. It's one of the reasons I like the MTech II kit - it gets rid of that black strip around the car. Are MTech II side panels readily available or is there a better way to mask the side strips?

Steve

Over Boost · Dec 29, 2003

So how much power do you think it will put out? I am very interested in this because I am looking for a E30 325I right now. Oh hi everyone im new here im also a member at Automotiveforums too, im Racer D12 if anyone is interested. I wanted to find a place all about bmws though[bmwkick] so here I am.

EVGMZ325 · Dec 31, 2003

HELLO ALL..

FIRST OF ALL,, IF YOU DO RUN A TURBO ON A STROKER,, YOU BETER MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT KINDA PISTONS,, BECAUSE IF YOUR COMPRESION IS TO HIGH, NEXT TO THE AMOUNT OF BOOST THAT YOUR PUTTING OUT,, YOU WILL BLOW THE HEAD-GASKET VERY-VERY FAST,, AND PROBABLY, BLOW THE BLOCK,, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO DO A STROKER WITH A TURBO YOU CAN USE THE WHOLE BOTTOM END(INCLUDING PISTONS) FROM A -E- AND A TOP END OF A -I- MAKE SURE YOU DONT PUT OUT MORE THAN 20' POUNDS OF BOOST, OR YOU WILL RISK MELTING THE PISTONS,, IN ALL HONEST OPINION IF YOU WANT SOME GOOD POWER/ TORQUE DO THE M50 SWAP,,, ITS CHEAPER ITS FASTER,, MORE RELIABLE,,, AND IF YOU WANT YOU CAN SUPER-CHARGE-IT DOWN THE ROAD. WITH THE M20 MOTOR YOU ARE VERY LIMITED,, UNLESS YOU WANT TO FORK OUT ALOT $$$$,, IF SO MORE POWER TO YOU,, IVE DONE IT,, BUT I WOULDENT DO IT AGAIN.... ON THE OTHER PART,,, (THE BODY KIT) I DONT CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS,,, UNLESS THE PART IS FACTORY,, MADE FOR THAT CAR NOTHING YOU BUY IS DIRECT "BOLT ON" ALL BODY KITS REQUIRE MODIFICATION,, ALL MUST BE " MADE TO FIT " ANYBODY WHO TELLS YOU OTHER WISE JUST WANTS TO TAKE YOUR MONEY,,, I WORK AT A VERY VERY PROFITABLE BODYSHOP IN THE D.C. AREA, AND WEVE DONE KITS FOR MANY A DIFFERENT CARS,,, ALOT OF THE TIME, WE HAVE TO PRIME THE BUMPPERS 3 TIMES BEFORE WE CAN PAINT THEM THE RIGHT WAY THEY COME FROM THE SELLERS SOMETIMES IN A SHIPING TYPE GREASE, AND IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BODY WORK GREASE IS WHAT WILL CAUSE FISH EYE IN THE PAINT,,, IF YOU WANT A BODY KIT TRY TO STAY FACTORY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN,,, JUST MIX AND MATCH WITH WHAT YOU LIKE,,, THE CAR LOOKS ALOT CLASSIER THAT WAY,,,

Finally decided on mods.

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