Mark's 316 M52/2.8 + Cat cams & Jenvey ITB's

[e21-Mark]

It's an empty box Nas! I'm not that daft!

Unsure of the exact offset but I'm running 10mm spacers up front and there is just a very slight rub under hard acceleration but I guess I could stiffen things up a bit to solve that? As I say, I will eventually play about with rubber, camber & ride height in order to get the right stance. The car definately makes more of an impact with the BBS on.

[e21-Mark]

What a weekend!

First off we went to see Jerry Sadowitz on Friday and had to use a rip-off NCP car park at £5 per hour. It was extremely tight getting in and I kerbed my rear wheel really badly. Then, on the way home, I got a flat tyre on the same rim thanks to a screw going through it. Had to put the Mrs in a cab and send her home for a spare while I waited on the RAC and a jack. Finally got home at 3am.

Then yesterday a bad misfire. Checked leads and plugs and plenty of spark so figure it's a fuelling problem? Whilst poking around the top came off the AFM which shows its been got at before. I also decided to get a set of OE leads too. Thanks to Theo on e30zone!
Thankfully, the guy down the road sorted the BBS in return for a few beer tokens and it's good as new. I had to order the tyre though and it should be here tomorrow?

So today, despite not being much of a mechanic, I fitted the new AFM and plug leads. Once on, I jumped in, fired it up and BINGO! It was exactly the same. What I did notice though, is that if I crank the engine over to start it, without touching the throttle pedal, the engine catches and idles perfectly for about 4 or 5 seconds before starting to misfire again. It's a fuelling problem I guess but I'm not sure what to do next? Any suggestions? My last resort is the multi pin plug beneath the inlet manifold. I've got to check that with the engine running and see if there's a dodgy connection? After that my mechanical skills come to an end!

Any suggestions please guys?

[nas80]

i would start with trying to get fault codes off? do you have a check engine light?

[e21-Mark]

Check engine light??

[Jason_323i]

Motronic 1.3 does not do fault codes so that's no good if the misfire fuel or spark does the rev counter flutter on the misfire

Motronic always does 6 revs before it fires so taking a bit to start is not an issue

Last misfire I had like that was a bad lead to the crank trigger which had got chaffed

Jason

[e21-Mark]

Like you say Jason, it always takes a few cranks to fire but its idles perfectly when it fires, then a few seconds later the misfire returns. I think its fuel as when I whipped a plug out it seemed to be firing OK? I'll check lead to crank trigger tomorrow. Anyone got a pic or 2 so I can be sure what I'm looking for please?

[e21-Mark]

Managed to find some images on e30zone etc so hopefully I'll be looking in the right spot tomorrow. Mind you, I need the rain to stop first! If all else fails there's an independent garage a couple of miles up the road so I'll have to let them take a look.

At least I know I've got a decent AFM & HT leads fitted now.



Hopefully the new tyre will be in by tomorrow?

[e21-Mark]

Found the problem! The wiring below the round multi plug under the inlet manifold had gone brittle and fractured. Added to that, the plug was badly corroded. Anyway, we chopped the plug off and hard wired the injector loom, soldering the joints. Now I don't have to worry about it happening again. Well that's the plan.

With the new AFM & leads too, its now running better than ever. Way more responsive and seems to be running considerably leaner too?

[e21-Mark]

Schrick 288 degree cam all ready to slot in. Am I right to think I should see another 15 bhp? I also wondered if I need to uprate valve springs? I'm going to take the opportunity to replace valve guides etc. I was also wondering if I should fit a cam vernier?

[Bempie21]

Nice rims mate.. Looks good.
Did you try out Brasso Red and Silvo Blue for Polishing your rims???
Thats the best product for make them super Shiny.
Everytime i wash the car i use this one. First with blue than the red one.

[e21-Mark]

I might try that - thanks. I usually use Autosol and then rim wax although I've treated them with Wheel Guard this time.

[e21-Mark]

The reflectors in my headlights are starting to look like bran flakes as the silver is falling away due to corrosion. I managed to find some ''as new'' one's - eventually! I'm considering an HID conversion now though? I don't want headlights that are a danger to other road users, which seems to be all the rage with the youngsters in Saxos etc around here, but I would like to be able to see where I'm going at night. There are some kits available for 'classics' now so I might have to look into it further.




I've also broken down my Engellman mirrors so that I can prep them ready for painting. I'm still undecided whether to go with black mirrors, like the OE one's are painted, or orange like the M3 GTS?

[e21-Mark]

Plan to fit the mirrors this week - hopefully.

My cars going to have the Schrick cam fitted and the head overhauled though so they might have to wait till it comes back?

I got my non-race National B licence this week so I can enter a few sprints & hillclimbs. I'm going to be needing some advice on set-up etc but I'll post some photos of my efforts. I guess I could start a sprint thread?

[Mobster]

I guess I could start a sprint thread?

[e21-Mark]