E21 320 M20B27 Running, S/S done, Interior in!

[retro-bmw]

Standard 323i setup is fine for medium trackday use with uprated pads (I used ferodo ds2500's), that was on my blue 316 which obviously only had 110hp but was driven enthusiastically. The slug has about 160 bhp and stopped nicely on 323i fronts (again with ds2500's) and DIY rear golf caliper conversion equivalent to the 323i rear discs. Similar power to the 325 but less weight. I upgraded to Wilwoods because I could rather than because I needed to.

You should be fine with 323i setup, unless you are doing trackdays or rallying.

Jim

Been looking for disc and pads which you have reccomended but can't seem to find anyone who supplies them for a 323i?

where did you get yours from?

I have tried searching on google and ebay but had no joy

[drjim]

Brakes international for standard discs and recon calipers.

DS2500's from lots of places, but W&N have them if you can't find any elsewhere.

[retro-bmw]

Progress has been slow for the last two weeks got a bit delayed by the exhaust man and I just simply didn't have any spare time.

Anyhow

The Exhaust system is done I have the 6 branch fitted and clears everything and I have had the system made from the manifold back.

My mate Imran at Torque Flow has done a top job and I am well chuffed with the result and will recommend him to anyone!


Loaded up ready to go



Getting of at Torque Flow



Some pictures of the exhaust!






Went for the twin boxes with rolled tailpipes (might change the tailpipes as i'm not sure about them)

Sounds fantastic not loud just how I wanted it!

A car he was doing when I got there



And a picture of Torque Flows cars




One of the other things I have got out of the way is The interior

Old out




New In




genuine e21 Recaro sports cloth seats All in good nick apart from the D/S bolsters are worn

While I was sorting the interior out I checked the inner arches and was pleased to see how clean they are. Threw some waxoyl in before putting the door
cards back on.




Also changed the Rear speakers to some retro Pioneer speakers which look cool, Have a matching Pioneer tape to go in.



Front end is almost back together



Have had the car out for a run and its sweet have a few niggles to sort out. The brakes are truly shot, It does not STOP!

Have ordered new discs, pads, handbrake cables. Will be changing the trailing arms and front struts with 323i Items.

Hopefully will have it ready For MOT by the weekend but I might be dreaming LOL!

[retro-bmw]

Bit of an update

had to put the e21 aside for a little while as things picked up at work so had no spare time!

Anyhow I have changed the front struts to 323i items along with the calipers. Also changed the twin brake servos to e12 m535i items (what a nightmare that was with the engine in!)

I have used drilled and grooved discs and green stuff pads and used recently recondition calipers but the car does not stop! its like the brakes are non existent

I have bled the system they got a bit better but not by far.

Going to give them a bleed again and see if it makes a difference.

Anyone had any experience with this?

Cars starting to win my patience now as its keep getting delayed, but every time I fire it up it puts a smile on my face and certainly goes

All that is left to do so I can take it for a MOT is sort my wheels and tyres out and the brakes!

[murran]

you sure youve got the set up for the servo vac supply set up right? have you got any pics?

[retro-bmw]

you sure youve got the set up for the servo vac supply set up right? have you got any pics?

I will get a picture tomorrow what's the crack with setting them up right? looked fairly straight forward a T shape vacuum pipe one goes to each servo and the other to the vacuum pipe of the engine?

Am I doing something wrong?

As it is such a early car it had twin servos and replacements are from a e12 m535i which are bigger but the same otherwise.

[murran]

two ways of testing is; the MoT way.....without the engine running pump the pedal to make sure all vacuum is evacuated from the servo. then hold the pedal down with a normal foot effort youd normally use to brake normally, then start the car. does the pedal go down further with your constant foot pressure? it should.
or... clamp off the vac pipe with some long nose mole grips.. drive the car (not fast)... are they alot worse/heavier pedal etc?

twin servos? can see the pictures in the first page of the twin servos. wouldnt mind a picture of the set up now.

is there any seized joints in the pedal linkage?

[Duracel79]

'Don't forget there should also be a non-return valve in the vacuum pipes, fitted the right way round.

Ben