Jdesign Posted October 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 So ignition switch, anyone replaced one of those before? Finding a write up isn't as easy as I expected and the last thing I want to do is have to deal with new lock cylinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 Turns out I think the bad ignition was from me. I took the column apart awhile back with intentions of lowering it. E30's have fixed columns and it feels like im driving a bus and I hate it. I got all the way to the point of realizing that there were safety bolts under there and stopped. Now that I am back in there again I will successfully lower it now. Anyone remove these bolts before? (pic for reference) Anyways back to the Ignition. when I was removing the plastic cover for the column I unplugged the ignition harness wires from the back of the lock cylinder and broke one of the tabs unknowingly. This was causing the the cylinder the separate from the harness intermittently giving me the no start issue and the key no feedback/engagement in the column. Now the big question is, do I spend $80 on a new ignition because I broke a tab, or do I fix it? Pic of what I am talking about: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassboy3313 Posted November 1, 2016 Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 In the e21 world, people take a dremel/grinder and cut a slit or cross into those safety bolts and use a screwdriver to remove them. Then they replace them with normal hex bolts when putting it all back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 11 minutes ago, Bassboy3313 said: In the e21 world, people take a dremel/grinder and cut a slit or cross into those safety bolts and use a screwdriver to remove them. Then they replace them with normal hex bolts when putting it all back together. So far that's what I have read as well. I was thinking I could probably use one of these to make it easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted November 1, 2016 Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 the e34 has the same damn bolt. depending on how much room you have, different methods can work. maybe on the e30 you can get one of those stripped bolt sockets, but on the e34 you cant fit one of those in the space under the column. the 'slotting' method worked for me like bassboy said but required a screwdriver with a hex drive on it to get enough torque. alternatively, I could have used the dremel and cut the whole head off the bolt. i pulled this from my e34 thread.: On 7/26/2015 at 7:38 AM, straight6pwr said: the column has an 'impossible to remove' bolt with just a domed head. my solution was dremel a slot into it and use a wrench and a screw driver to break it free. i tried my small impact wrench, but even the impact grade flat head bits just snapped into little bits. as far as the ignition switch, i'm sure you can find someone parting an e30 who will sell you one for cheap. they really don't wear out so as long as the car was starting it would be safe to get a used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 Thanks @straight6pwr I think its not that easy to get at on one side but the other is wide open. I might have to result to your suggestion. As far as the ignition harness I was looking into just molding a new part . It might make my life easier than buying a new/ used one, but I will certainly keep and eye out for someone parting out an E30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted November 1, 2016 Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 They're super simple to remove and swap out. You just need a very small flat head screwdriver to remove the two set screws holding it in. They're covered in wax. I removed the column bolts using a hammer and chisel. The head is soft enough where you can pound into it at and angle and break them free. They aren't all that tight. Jdesign 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 On 11/1/2016 at 11:03 AM, Earl said: They're super simple to remove and swap out. You just need a very small flat head screwdriver to remove the two set screws holding it in. They're covered in wax. I removed the column bolts using a hammer and chisel. The head is soft enough where you can pound into it at and angle and break them free. They aren't all that tight. Set screws and wax. Wut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Nevermind, yours just clip on lol. Didn't realize the e36 was was different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Banana Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Just remember to replace those shear bolts with some weaker hardware (grade 8.8 or so). Typically those bolts are designed to shear in a significant collision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 1 hour ago, The Full Banana said: Just remember to replace those shear bolts with some weaker hardware (grade 8.8 or so). Typically those bolts are designed to shear in a significant collision. You do remember this is an over powered convertible with no roll over protection at all right? Pretty sure if I hit anything hard enough to move the column, I will be ejected from the car before anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 You can already assume what I replaced mine with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 18 minutes ago, Earl said: You can already assume what I replaced mine with... Diamond plated titanium that was sand cast using the eye crustys of orphans then hand carved by Jesus himself using only tookpicks? straight6pwr, YoungCR and B C 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I need some opinions. I desperately need to get a turbo blanket, should I get a chrome one or a Black satin one.. Here is a pic of how the engine bay looks at the moment. The battery will be soon moved to the trunk. B C 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Black blanket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Once you go black... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassboy3313 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I have one for you if you want it. Brand new, never installed Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted January 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 On 12/29/2016 at 5:46 PM, Bassboy3313 said: I have one for you if you want it. Brand new, never installed Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk Good deal. Maybe when the tools come in I can scoop this from you. The vote is certainly in favor of a black blanket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassboy3313 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Sure thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted March 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2017 Finally started cranking away at this again. I preregistered For Euro District so I would have a hard deadline to push myself. As of the last two nights, I have made brackets to relocate and install my new power steering reservoir, and relocated my fuel pressure regulator under the intake manifold. My goal is to remove everything I can from the chassis in the engine bay, so that when I shave the bay, I will have a lot less work. Although I fabricated a new bracket and moved the PS reservoir, I decided that at the end of the season when I do respray the bay, I am going to run a Z4 manual steering rack to help reduce some of the clutter in my engine bay. They are cheap and from what I have read, they have great feel and response. I started looking into running a electric pump system or an electric rack as well, but cost, and clutter changed my mind there. Besides all of that, I also modified the radiator brackets and made new intercooler brackets so that I could add 3mm between them providing more room for the Spal fan that I bought from @Snap I failed to take pictures of pretty much everything besides the PS reservoir as I was "IN THE ZONE" crannking on shit in the weeee hours of the morning. I will provide some more pictures later on when I button everything up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 I finished relocating both the PS reservoir and the FPR and I am quite happy with the result. I no longer have anything besides the fuse box mounted to the engine bay of the car. I am a little worried about the new location of my fuel line as it is a few mm away from the main power wire going to my starter. I think I am going to build some type of plastic cover to keep the two divided "just in case." But other that that I was able to clean everything up and hopefully this winder I can shave and paint the engine bay. I also installed this nice Turbo blanket I got from @Bassboy3313 and it will really help keep the heat down and it looks much better than the rusty hot side. Bassboy3313 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted March 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 I realized I didn't post any pictures of the complete engine bay in awhile. I accidentally spilled some chrome polish on the ground last night cleaning some wheels I have so I used it to clean some of the metal parts in the engine bay and snapped some pics quick. Also, I am on the look out for some 17" staggered German Eclair wheels. If you have any leads, please let me know. Bassboy3313 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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