Hey guys! It definitely has been awhile since I have posted updates on the e21 project. If you don’t remember my intro thread that I updated every so often, you can check it out here …
http://www.wibimmers.com/board/showthread.php?423-Dd-e21
Recently she has had the title of Daily Driver taken away from her by a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. Gotta keep it in the family. Haha!! I leased it for dirt cheap, so I didn’t have to drive the e21 in the winter which has turned out great. So, the e21 has been parked next to the garage inside a fully enclosed car canopy to get some work done.
I installed a methanol injection system since the last time I posted as well as a small block chevy aluminum radiator for better cooling. The meth injection feeds right from the washer fluid reservoir. The red led in the gauge cluster is tied to a fluid level sensor in the reservoir to warn me when its almost empty. The green led is wired to a pressure switch that feeds off the boost line. When the switch hits a specified psi level (5 psi on my setup) it will send a signal to the pump to run which in turn illuminates the green led to let me know its on.
I also have been collecting parts for work that will be done such as EDIS-4 parts from an escort to convert to electronic ignition
s14 oil filter housing tapped for oil supply to turbo (so I can get rid of this stupid sandwich plate), ARP head studs, and an e12 throttle body for more air flow.
This winter I plan on getting quite a bit done on her for preparations for a super fun spring/summer this year. Right now I have been focusing on the rear-end stuff which includes, subframe, trailing arms, sway bar, bushings, etc and rebuilding a spare head I have.
I got the head cleaned, decked, and had a valve job done on it from C&S Performance in Butler. They did a fantastic job. I then deep cleaned all the internal parts and put it all back together. Unfortunately I don’t have a pic of the head done. Ill add it later.
I picked up a spare rear end from forum member kyletime666’s 323i e21. These euro models came with rear disc brakes, which is what I mainly got it for to replace my awful drum setup.
I took the setup over to Snap Understeer’s place to prep it all for POR-15 and paint. First thing I did was wirebrush everything down as much as possible to get heavy crap knocked off and such. After that was the degreaser stage and finally the metal acid-etch stage.
Once all dry, it was time for the POR-15.
I decided to go with a beige/copper/black color scheme for the car. I will eventually repaint the car with the same BMW safari beige color, so everything else gets painted. After the two coats of POR-15 dried completely, I went ahead and put primer down on everything. With that said, I give to you, COPPER REAR-END!!!! I think it turned out pretty badass!!
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/bassboy3313/7b31582f3cf6_af6b3f1d-587a-4aff-804f-4dc1b671101eth450tw610.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/bassboy3313/79c800c4dc1e_00eaeb2f-30a2-4db4-a272-2f210d1c600bth450tw610.jpg
I went ahead and bought all new poly urethane bushings for the rear-end. They look amazing in my opinion. I know some of you won’t like the color choice, but I strive to be different … WAY different. These include:
subframe bushings
trailing arm bushings
sway bar bushings
different hanger bushings
and I also swapped my previously ordered steering rack bushings for the newly designed ones in yellow of course.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/bassboy3313/IMG_5571.jpg
The trailing arm bushings were kind of a bear to get it. Once those were finally done, I bolts up the subframe bushings and viola, one step closer to install.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/bassboy3313/fcb29df04aa9_8f3a4dbf-0949-417f-b696-f800ed8ad468th450tw610.jpg
Tomorrow I should have the diff bolted to the subframe and the sway bar all painted and bolted on with the new bushings. After that, it’s onto the brake setup with parts I have already and then it will all be installed back on the car.