New ignition cylinder on the way.
Got the driver's rear parking brake shoes done tonight, and that whole side reassembled. I also replaced the AC idler pulley, which was rusted so it wouldn't spin.
I've also got all new lug nuts, and have been replacing one wheel at a time as I have a cause to take it off. They look better, and feel better to install.
Well, been a while here with no update.
I have a new ignition switch and key, but managed to misplace the old, valet key since ordering the new one. For BMWs, you need the old key to get the ignition switch out easily.. as shown with a bobby pin in this picture, holding down the spring loaded "lock" that keeps the tumbler in place.
Since I don't have the key, I've been drilling, and hammering away in an attempt to be able to reach and depress the "lock" in the current ignition switch in the right place so I can pull it out without damaging the housing it's in. So far, no luck - so I scheduled something for next week with a local indy shop so I can just get the thing running and driving and take it to work!
So, since the last update I got the car back from the shop.
This car will also be up for sale. I have decided I'd rather spend my time and money on the Courier, so going to do my best to recoup what's here. If you're interested let me know.
Realistically, it just needs the steering rack/tie rods installed, lower control arms and offset bushings installed, front shocks, and an alignment to be pretty dang well squared away mechanically. There's a rattle/sound on the exhaust from about 2500RPm-3000, but it doesn't sound bad and the car pulls as it should still.
The interior needs the door panel clips re-attached/fixed so that the door panels can go back on. Rear speakers wiring needs to be completed. It's coming off the amplifier right now, and I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep it that way so I hadn't done it yet.
8 Months later, this thing is still in my driveway. Still for sale, but I haven't been pushing it all that hard. I daily drove it for about a week, and then realized the front driver's side turn signal was out due to 2/3 wires being broken. Today I made it to the junkyard to cut a turn signal harness and snag a horn (never had one working since I bought this!).
Still smells kinda like it's burning something and has "vacuum leak" symptoms. I may try to replace at least the battery/main ground and go from there, that cable is a little corroded and too short. Spraying the hoses with carb cleaner hasn't shown any clear intake leaks. No pictures today, I'll try to update with some soon!
Ive never had any luck with the carb cleaner method.
But i love my cheap ebay smoke tester. Works fantastic.
Well, this has more or less been sitting for a year. Drove it for a little while, but the exhaust leak gave me some real problems after sitting in traffic one day so I parked it and haven't really touched it. Today I ordered up some parts to slap on the "spare" manifold I have which should solve some problems.. I have an "early" manifold on now, that has stacked steel spacers. Apparently they're known to leak, and the car did come with a spare, later version manifold which bolts up and should solve problems.
My favorite local Junkyard has a black, 1995 318ti in stock, but has been shut down since before the car hit the lot. The day they open back up, i'm planning to run out and grab as much of the fan wiring/sensors as possible, and check out the battery setup since mine is a little bit janky I also need at least passenger window glass, but have been thinking about taking a whole door.. What happens after that I'm not sure, but it would be great for this car to at least be comfortably driveable again, to sell it or see about taking it racing.
Hate that it's been sitting and some of me would/will be glad to see it go, but I would way rather take and try to learn with some local track events in this than the Miata I picked up. Miata is an easy button, but this car to me looks much cooler and isn't too far off on power/weight.
Good trip to the junkyard today since it opened back up! Grabbed a pair of front door glass to replace mine, several relays, a new fan temp sensor sending unit and pigtail, driver's wiper arm, and a collection of headlight adjusting nuts along with spare taillights, since they are TI specific.
I will probably try to get the smaller items done this week so I can look at getting the exhaust done after working on the Miata. I had to rush out of the yard, but (once it's running/driving well) I do want to find a set of 15s to put on for spirited driving
Been a long time since I've checked in here!
I swapped in junkyard glass to the passenger door - still needs some shim-fixing to keep the window on track. Still runs every time I turn the key, which is honestly mind-blowing considering how much I've neglected it!
I bought 8-series wheels for it for very cheap because of how mint they are (tires are are old enough to drive, though). They will require some fender roll and probably/possibly flares as the poke is real.
I tried to trade my Cheap Miata for an M3 to donate suspension/drivetrain - no dice.
I've also learned that the driver's side sits almost a full inch lower (front and rear, but more in the front) than the passenger side - I have no explanation for this one.
I was supposed to be picking up an LT1, 6mt C4 Corvette this weekend/week - but the guy sold it out from under me today. I was going to sell the Cheap Miata to cover costs for the Corvette and keep my car count at 4. After the Corvette fell through, I realized I'm very much still game to sell the Miata and not feel like I'm missing much in my life. Its a great car, and really fun to cruise around with the top down - but I never enjoyed the way it looks like I do the 318ti.
SO - I am planning to finish up some rust repair/general clean-up on the Miata and sell it. With the proceeds, I will put some actual struts/shocks on the BMW, maybe look into the Euro M3 steering wheel, and try to clean up some of the other issues. I have had new tie rods/LCAs and offset lollipops + a Z3 quick ratio rack in my basement for ~18 months - I think it's time to put those on as well.
I will likely miss any events this year, and next year will start out busy with the kid coming in February - but I would love to have the car prepared to go out and teach me how to be competitive either in AutoX or some form of HDPE. Anyway, I am excited to pare down the number of cars in the driveway. I have been able to spend more time working on projects on my cars and around the house as this summer/pandemic has gone on, so I am excited to re-commit to the BMW - I love the way it looks and drives, and I've already spent quite a bit of money and time solving minor issues so far.
Slicktop 318ti (unusual) came into the junkyard this week so I went out there this morning. I grabbed a(nother) fan assembly with a shroud I didnt have, and some sweet BMW seatbelt cushions.
It was an auto, but had an LSD so I pulled. Huge pain. Luckily a stranger handed me a cut-off driveshaft to use as a breaker bar, which I had to use on most all of the bolts.
It's a 4.44 ratio so not gonna be good with the manual trans, but this post on Facebook has me wondering if I can make use of this in combination my current 3.45 open diff, lol. Anyone with experience on this?
In reply to classicJackets (FS) :
What yard? Today was a great day for JY.
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to classicJackets (FS) :
What yard? Today was a great day for JY.
I almost exclusively go to US Auto sterling heights. Strong Facebook game (post every row as they set it) and this is the 2nd TI to come through in the last 6 months.
I am hoping/expecting to be able to swap ring gears from my open diff to this LSD since they're both small case, that way I can make some use of it! I need to sit down and crank out a list of what I can/should tackle over the winter, and set priority, to get the car where I want it to be for next year.
Here is a pretty good write-up on an E30 diff rebuild. Should be able to swap your ring gear onto the LSD unit and be doing fine.
http://e28-535i.com/upload/LSDReplacement.pdf
I wish I still had a close by JY. I need some 318ti specific parts that are surprisingly pricey online.
In reply to buzzboy :
Pm me or post what you're looking for here. I can either try to get back to the junkyard in a week/two or see if I have something in my own stash.
Got back to work on the BMW today with my very new helper. The battery seemingly won't hold a charge, and I don't have any of the "hold down" parts that I would want to have in place for AutoX, so I wanted to see what all I'm working with. Not much to tell yet. But it was 60 in Michigan, you can't not be outside.
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