My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

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Atle_323i
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My E21(s): 76 EU 318
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My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

I´m posting a link to photos of my 318 76 model, which is under converting to 323i.
My project will be done in 2 stages. First the rear part of the car is being refurbished, and the the front part.

At the moment I´m working on the back now. Slowly taking a step at the time. I´m getting help from a friend of mine which is good at welding, and has long experience with mechanic.

Without his help, this would be a long and painfull task to overcome.

My 318 is a car with little rust, compared to my original 323i, which I had to let go, too much welding to be done, and with lack of bodyparts available it was a better option getting a better car to work on. So I bought my current 318 last summer.

I´ve made a few upgrades such as:

Rear spoiler, Airpress, installed recaro seats (not E21), rear window blind (from Gradulux France), yellow bulbs in the front.

The pictures from the link will be updated as the work progress. They show how the car was when I bought it, and dismantling parts, and working on parts, repairs etc.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ijzwmvMGVhNZHhBb9


BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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uwbuurman
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by uwbuurman »

Very nice work!! Nice to have a project from Norway again!
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

Hey buddy, nice new toy, and in a good condition already by the looks of it. And for an early example like this, that really is pretty rare. Keep us posted on your progress!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Atle_323i
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My E21(s): 76 EU 318
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

A little progress report.

The past day I´ve been "cleaning" under the car, scraping old dust, lots of sand. I´m going to use something in Norway called Lanofilm, it´s a product like Fluid Film, to protect the car from rusting any further. The product is eco friendly, and without a smell, and it´s in black color aswell, so it will look pretty nice when done.

Also been cleaning the right rear exhaust bracket, which I took from my 323i before going to scrap yard. I´m so happy I did cut it out, it´s not available anymore, so I will probably sandblast it and paint it again, to look good again, it got some rust, but nothing very serious.

Still got some few hours cleaning under the car, before starting to mount rear axel etc.

I had Lowtec springs on my 318, it will be replaced with Eibach springs, not the original ones made back in the days, but a reproduction for the marked in France. I hope the car will be aproved with those springs. There is no TUV papers on those springs, since the marked in France doesn´t need that kind of approval to be used.

I guess the car will be alot higher with the Eibach springs compared to Lowtec, but I can´t drive around with that low car that Lowtec gives, too many speed bumps in Norway, which makes it hard to pass when the car is too low :?

I also need to make ready for exhaust bracket mid / rear of the car, my 318 doesn´t have that bracket at all. But I´m not 100% sure where I need to get it weld in. Got some pictures from my 323i, but it´s not very good.
And the rear bracket for the fuel tank has to be welded in too, since the 76 year model tank has different bracket for the rear, got the brackets ready, they were still available.

New pictures at the bottom of my gallery.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ijzwmvMGVhNZHhBb9
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

Some thorough work being done Sir! Like the early exhaust tailpipe design you did. I've only seen that on pictures, think it's likely that was only done on prototypes, never seen a factory original car like that in real life!

Image
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

Jeroen wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:18 pm Some thorough work being done Sir! Like the early exhaust tailpipe design you did. I've only seen that on pictures, think it's likely that was only done on prototypes, never seen a factory original car like that in real life!

Image
The right side exhaust on one of my pictures is just copy of the left side. I wanted to see how it looked. I will do it for real like that. I want my 323i to be like a protype. And I like the way those tail pipes look, being that close to center. I hope it will be one of a kind atleast in Norway.
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

May evenbe one of a kind in the world. Love the plan!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by uwbuurman »

Yeah, great, never saw one live.
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

Minor update, added some pictures from repairs of rear trailing arms, all ready for painting. My mate did some minor fixes to the trailing arm. Welding around the whole for stabilizer bolt/rubber, due to rusted thin. And fixed the brakeline bracket holder, at the rear on trailing arm right side. This was welded very poorly, and with no rust protection under.

Still things left to to do before the season can start.

Things left to do before season starts.

* Rear right exhaust mount, needs some minor repairs, and welding on to the car.
* Painting the diff, trailing arms, rear subframe and brake covers
* Adjust the bracket for calipers back (Going to mount E30 325i calipers)
* Weld in mounting brackets for the fuel pump/filter (better do this before I mount the subframe)
* Weld on rear fuel mounts both sides
* Mount it all, and bleed the brakes.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ijzwmvMGVhNZHhBb9
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

Nice plans, thorough approach!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

Minor update:

My friend has painted the diff, using Owatrol drying for 2 weeks, Hempel primer, and then Owatrol mixed in black paint.
Front axel has been blasted and painted in grey Jotamastic primer.

I have used Owatrol oil under the car where there was minor rust spots, to prevent it from rusting more.
Dismantled the fuel distributor, ready for ultrasonic bath, and then rebuild it again.

After some thinking, I´ve been looking at maybe get a coilover kit, but I´m not sure what to use. I noticed MTS Technik is a cheap kit using Eibach springs, but I read that someone in here had it fitted at the rear of his E21, and that it´s too soft. Well soft is ok, but it depends on how soft it is. Anyone got other options that is good?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ijzwmvMGVhNZHhBb9
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

Define soft! Shocks, springs? What is the reference, what's your taste. Never had any issues with Eibach springs but if you want your suspension rock hard (which typically doesn't do much good for your road holding) there may be alternatives that are much harder.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

Jeroen wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:22 am Define soft! Shocks, springs? What is the reference, what's your taste. Never had any issues with Eibach springs but if you want your suspension rock hard (which typically doesn't do much good for your road holding) there may be alternatives that are much harder.
I want my car to be "comfortable" and lower than stock. So that is why I planned to use Eibach springs 35/30 lowering with BIlstein B8 dampers. When using lowering springs, the e21 is usualy higher at the front than the rear, so I thought using MTS coilover kit, then I can adjust the car to a ride height that is suitable for speed bumps, and level front and rear. And still be "comfortable" to drive, I´m not 18 anymore :P
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Jeroen »

Well it was not clear to me which part was too soft, but being an old man myself I really love the progressive function of Eibachs, leaving enough comfort but correct handling when pushed as well. In my opinion where you need to maintain a decent ride height is the front, to avoid damage to your oil pan and also to avoid your front wheels hitting the front wings when you are hitting a bump at a turned in position. No experiece with coilover kits like MTS so I cannot comment on the ride quality with these.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

Post by Atle_323i »

Jeroen wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:53 am Well it was not clear to me which part was too soft, but being an old man myself I really love the progressive function of Eibachs, leaving enough comfort but correct handling when pushed as well. In my opinion where you need to maintain a decent ride height is the front, to avoid damage to your oil pan and also to avoid your front wheels hitting the front wings when you are hitting a bump at a turned in position. No experiece with coilover kits like MTS so I cannot comment on the ride quality with these.
I will first try the car with my first plan, put on Eibach springs and Bilstein B8 dampers, and see how that works. If it´s not ok, then I can change the setup when I replace the engine this fall/winter.
BMW E21 318 76 ---> transforming to 323i
BMW E21 323i 79 - gone to heaven
BMW F46 220D Xdrive daily driver.
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