Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » What to do with a free E-30? « 1 2 »
  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 8:52 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    1988 2.7 six with a 5 speed. Friend bought it for the wheels and wants to chuck the corpse. I don't have plans for a LoCost, but maybe I should.

    A. Find a very light rust free somethngorother to put the BMW driveline into.

    B. LoCost. Anyone know where to get plans?

    C. Forget all this and just spend quality time with the wife and the damn cat.

    D. [your thoughts here] _ _ _ _

    Dan

  • Rusty_Rabbit84

    Aug. 19, 2009 8:54 a.m. Rusty_Rabbit84 HalfDork

    how bad of condition is it in right now?

    We are flashin trannys... wait that came out wrong

  • Ian F

    Aug. 19, 2009 8:55 a.m. Ian F HalfDork

    Huh? 2.7? Sure you don't mean a 2.5?

    Oh and your answer is:

    D. Give it to ME! I'm looking for a track-beater and I don't care about rust

  • 16vCorey

    Aug. 19, 2009 8:59 a.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

    Ian F wrote: Huh? 2.7? Sure you don't mean a 2.5? Oh and your answer is: D. Give it to ME! I'm looking for a track-beater and I don't care about rust

    If it's a 325E it will have the 2.7L ETA engine, and they're a bit anemic. If it's a 325i, you need to give it to me so I can swap my auto to a 5 speed.

  • John Brown

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:01 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    If it were in Lansing I could use it...

    Internationally known as The Brown Stig

  • speedblind

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:01 a.m. speedblind Reader

    Part it out and/or sell it on here. I'm looking for some interior pieces.

    the sharks begin to circle

  • Bobzilla

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:05 a.m. Bobzilla HalfDork

    Turn it into a perfect target for a large get together of gun owners?

  • Tommy Suddard

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:05 a.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

    I'm looking for interior pieces, too...

    'cause we're aliens, and thats how we roll.

  • DILYSI Dave

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:06 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

    Throw those badass 15" steelies on it, and use a sawzall to make them fit. Paint it flat black. Mount guns to the roof. Show up in Gainsville in early October.

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:13 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    15" are gone; the guy that owns this owns them now.

    I haven't seen the car so don't know if it's an E or and I. I had a 325e once and put a chip in it, what a frikkin' difference!!

    If someone can point me toward LoCost plans, the interior bits will be cheaper.

    Dan

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • ditchdigger

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:15 a.m. ditchdigger Reader

    An 88 2.7 would be the SETA motor not just the ol ETA. It has different pistons and the "I" head. It is the most desirable of the eta's and the basis for stroker 2.5's.

    Google M20 stroker and see what you have. It could be just an ECU and intake manifold away from being a hot rod.

  • JFX001

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:17 a.m. JFX001 Dork

    www.mcsorley.net/locost

    Maybe talk with Keith about his cough book cough cough.

    Easy like Sunday Morning

  • Rusty_Rabbit84

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:27 a.m. Rusty_Rabbit84 HalfDork

    how is everybody finding these cheap or free cars??? Man, im so jealous!!!

    We are flashin trannys... wait that came out wrong

  • Ian F

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:32 a.m. Ian F HalfDork

    16vCorey wrote: If it's a 325E it will have the 2.7L ETA engine, and they're a bit anemic. If it's a 325i, you need to give it to me so I can swap my auto to a 5 speed.

    Ah... right... I'm a bit rusty on my E30 history....

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:38 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    http://www.coveland.com/motorsports/index.cfm?ID=30

    This guy is right around the corner from me, I've never been there because it's all Brit stuff.

    Staffers: On the GRM Miata LoCost project car there was no mention of cost. Could someone email or PM me a ballpark number on the frame and plastic.

    Though not Challenge legal, it could run exhibition right?

    Dan

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:39 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: how is everybody finding these cheap or free cars??? Man, im so jealous!!!

    How about a free Hobie catamaran with no mast?

    Feel better?

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • walterj

    Aug. 19, 2009 9:42 a.m. walterj Dork

    BMW straight 6 motors are not really good candidates for a locost because they are long and tall (and heavy), but... the 2.7 with a 325i head and megasquirt has been the basis for many a cheap, fast car. You could also just slap a turbo on it if you prefer a puffer.

    Bawitdaba-da bang-da bang-diggy-diggy-diggy Said the boogie-said up jump the boogie --Kidd Rock

  • belteshazzar

    Aug. 19, 2009 10:35 a.m. belteshazzar Dork

    you have found the holy grail of e30's (other than an M3 obviously).

    The "SuperETA" is a one year only motor. It is a 2.7 bottom end, with a 325i head on it, and pistons that make 8.5:1 compression IIRC.

    I had one. I put a stock 325i cam in it. Stock 325i inner valvesprings. 19lb injectors. a 325i intake manifold. And a 325i ecu with a chip I bought off ebay for $50. Anyhow, it made 155hp , and 162lb/ft of torque at the tires. Found a 3.73 LSD to replace the 2.73 open diff it came with, and it was awesome. Eventually went to 4.10's.
    Anyways, ask me anything....

    spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

  • Travis_K

    Aug. 19, 2009 11:01 a.m. Travis_K HalfDork

    Is it too nasty to just put a new timing belt on it and some wheels and drive it/sell it if you dont like it? Just becasue its free doesnt necessearily mean it has to be parted out/cut up but if its too nasty then that would make sense.

  • 2002maniac

    Aug. 19, 2009 11:33 a.m. 2002maniac Reader

    belteshazzar wrote: you have found the holy grail of e30's (other than an M3 obviously). The "SuperETA" is a one year only motor. It is a 2.7 bottom end, with a 325i head on it, and pistons that make 8.5:1 compression IIRC. I had one. I put a stock 325i cam in it. Stock 325i inner valvesprings. 19lb injectors. a 325i intake manifold. And a 325i ecu with a chip I bought off ebay for $50. Anyhow, it made 155hp , and 162lb/ft of torque at the tires. Found a 3.73 LSD to replace the 2.73 open diff it came with, and it was awesome. Eventually went to 4.10's. Anyways, ask me anything....

    Exactly right. It would have to be a '88 with a 325 badge if it says i or e than it's not a supereta.

  • belteshazzar

    Aug. 19, 2009 11:45 a.m. belteshazzar Dork

    visually, if it has the thin runner intake manifold, and no cold start injector, you've struck gold.

    spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 11:53 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    Data overload!

    I haven't even told the guy I would take it yet. He snagged the wheels off it so I have to find some 4 X 100s, even donuts just to make it roll.

    Dan

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • Apexcarver

    Aug. 19, 2009 1:31 p.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

    If you end up parting and its the right stuff for my 86-e I would be interested in the manual swap parts.

    formerly known as hotstang

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 19, 2009 1:43 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    I think I'm keeping the drivetrain, LoCost or not. Where's tha R5 go to anyway?

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • walterj

    Aug. 19, 2009 1:57 p.m. walterj Dork

    belteshazzar wrote: you've struck gold.

    Well, more like "struck something that might not be poo" maybe... the SuperETA is like gold only if the only car you have ever driven was the regular ETA. Even then... copper, tops.

    Bawitdaba-da bang-da bang-diggy-diggy-diggy Said the boogie-said up jump the boogie --Kidd Rock

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