After some parts advice on modified rebuild

[sskoda]

OK, I've been directed to this forum so many times, it's about time I posted up what I'm doing and try to get some info. Some of you will recognise me from various other forums too.

What I have is this:
1) a solid 1978 320i 2-door in white, which someone had robbed the entire front running gear and engine/box from to fit into an 02.
I have since located and fitted front struts, crossmember, ARB etc from a dead 323. So at least now it can sit on its own wheels instead of on the ground or up on bricks. The standard diff and rear axle are there, and a poor condition exhaust.

2) a 2.4TD engine from an E30, which has been uprated with (from what I can remember being told) a thinner, stronger HG, higher boost, higher fuel pressure, and possibly a slight skim. I'm seeing the guy again to exchange the last parts of the deal so I can ask again. The engine was used in his E30 drift-car until he fitted an M50.

3) lots of nice dishy wheels.

What I'm struggling with right now is having no steering rack. I can get a manual rack, but I'm very much sure I'm going to need a PAS rack due to the extra weight of this M21. I've tried for two months to find one (or a whole 323i donor) but no joy. Is there anything else I can fit, can I make one out of E30 bits, does anyone have an answer on that?

The next point of concern is the rear brakes - again why I wanted a 323i donor. I feel I would be better to fit a disc brake set-up. Drums may not cut it on a car that will be orientated towards performance. It has been suggested that an E30 or E28 rear axle/subframe will fit, but every story/example I've come across has involved the use of a grinder or big sledgehammer. Does anyone have the definitive answer on this, and/or should I just keep holding out for a 323 setup?

Finally, does anyone have a wiring diagram for a 2.0i E21? I can imagine there will be some electrickery butchery involved in making this old lump fire up.

And one other thing - I have had people tell me that there were no injection models as early as '78 - basically that mine doesn't exist. Clearly it does - so is it some rare model, or were these comments just idle speculation/ill-informed nonsense?

Many thanks all.

[nas80]

pas racks are rare they come standard on autos and even more rarely an option on manual cars. e30 rack mounts differently i believe.

drums are adequate. focus attention on better front brakes.

good luck mate.

[murran]

your cant fit an e30 rack end of. e30 racks mount in front of the axle. e21 racks are behind the axle.

stick with the manual rack. build up those weedy little girl arms! lol.

have a look where the wires go on the e21 loom, its not hard.
pull an e30 diagram off the net? im presuming it wont be much different to wiring a 325i ie; just the c101 to worry about.
you'll have an extra something for wires to the diesel pump/glow plug system. does the 324td engine have an ecu as such? or is it simpler?

[sskoda]

Considering how long the car has been laid up, I wouldn't be happy with the drums without a full overhaul. Surely makes sense to put a disc setup on too?
Having seen the front brake options, I'm not entirely happy with what other people have been doing (Volvo calipers etc?). I trust the efficiency, but something about it just doesn't sit right to me.
I've had plenty of manual-rack cars before, but I've got too old to fore-go my creature comforts. I'll just have to keep looking for a rack then!

[rob0r]

We could of had a nice chat about this at the gathering! I have to say I'd be sticking with a manual rack, PAS is rare and no doubt you'd have to do some messing with the pipes to the diesel engine (which I think is a great idea!). The M50 E21 is difficult to park I admit, but it's also fitted with a 2.5 turn quick rack which makes things harder! If you can get a manual rack, at least try it for the mean time before finding a PAS rack. I may have a spare rack, I agreed to sell one this week though.

Drums are ok, Murran uses them on his M20B25 powered drifter, I nearly stuck with drums on an M30B35 E30 build for better hand braking! I would at least try an E21 rear axle before messing with anything else. I just so happen to have a few complete 323i rear axles sitting around, including arms, shafts, diff, ARB... E30 axle means losing the tanks, E28 axle means gaining inches in track and you won't be able to fit those dishy wheels! Both mean lots of custom fabrication and alignment woes. I'm planning to go E28 axle on my M50'd E21 and roll the arches to hell and run E34 15" BBS.

I don't have a wiring diagram, but your model definitely did exist! The original E21 320 was a M10 injection 320i like yours was, then they went to M20 carb, and stayed carb until the E30s came along.

[PeteK]

I got myself a repair manual (I think mine is Haynes) and it has a wiring diagram. You can probably download one if you want.

Go for the 323i discs, but go big on the front first. You'll probably want to replace the brake pressure regulator with an adjustable unit once you start playing with brake types though.

While I'm a huge fan of people gettgin e21s back on the road, does it really make sense to spend a lot of time and effort on the 320i? You could buy a good working example for a fraction of the price you're going to shell out on getting this one running. I'm speaking from experience. My 323i owes me the price of a good used e46 330i!

Good luck though!

Cheers

[sskoda]

We could of had a nice chat about this at the gathering!

Yes, we could, and should have! My bad. Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure having heard a lot of opinions on it, I'll stick with an E21 rear axle. Thing is, the drums needs fully renovated anyway, and there is no brake system in the car. Now is the time to change it, not build up the drums to take them out after 6 months! I'm not even sure there are pads in there!
If you have a couple of 323i disc axles, then I WANT. I thought you didn't have any though when i last asked - maybe I am confused.
Same story with the rack, what with having nothing, it would be best to swap it now rather than find I need it later, but tbh I would take one if I could get one now, as it's been holding me up now for 2 months trying to locate one...

While I'm a huge fan of people gettgin e21s back on the road, does it really make sense to spend a lot of time and effort on the 320i? You could buy a good working example for a fraction of the price you're going to shell out on getting this one running. I'm speaking from experience. My 323i owes me the price of a good used e46 330i!

Good luck though!

I can't just go find an E21 324TD though, can I? The shell is excellent, and so far I've managed to keep the costs very low, by swapping cars for the parts! I'll have a nosey around for an online wiring diagram. And you're right, I probably would want an adjustable regulator, to try to find the right balance.

[rob0r]

I have an axle sitting here ready to go... I at least another still fitted to a scrap 323i!
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14724 - £125

Rack I'm not so sure about, I'll have to check.

[quinn_656]

hi i think i met you before did i sell you a silver mtec 2 body kit i think have an e21 power steering rack laying around somewere good to here your making a push at the e21 derv burner.

[sskoda]

hi i think i met you before did i sell you a silver mtec 2 body kit i think have an e21 power steering rack laying around somewere good to here your making a push at the e21 derv burner.

Yep, you're one of the people that sent me here; Crossgar, right? I knew you would have something for me, but cannot find your number anywhere. Should have it saved in my phone, but literally could be under anything. Haven't even looked at my E30 since, but been playing with my E32. Might actually get it finished this year... as well as the E34!

[sskoda]

Rob, that axle sounds the job but is going to cost a bomb to ship no doubt. I'll come up with a cunning plan to get it off you (excellent choice of smilies here!)
By the way do you still have that red cabrio?

[rob0r]

Yes the cabrio (baur) is still here... Waiting for some attention!

[quinn_656]

you are coming down with projects lol heres my number 07775992020

i'm driving the e30 at the minute fuel consumption definitely isnt there strong points lol

Willy