Nice V8 project
update,
after speaking to the certifier (engineer who approves it to be road legal) iv found i dont need to add my custom strut brace to get certification, so that is being put on hold for now. i have also put the suspension upgrades and matching rear seats (same as the fronts) on hold for now, due to money and finding some good ones being quite difficult. Im hoping to have it road legal by the end of June, all going to plan.
what i was thinking eventually (in a year or so) for the suspension though, is as follows;
front -
custom wishbone-style lower arms and custom mounts on the chassis
all rod ends and spherical bearings
modify the sway bar so that it is adjustable
billet alloy sway bar mounts
custom platform (height) adjustable setup with suitable spring rate
custom camber plates
rear-
modify the trailing arms to take rod ends to replace the bushes (or just replace the bushes with spherical bearings, although this wont have any adjustment potential the rod ends have)
custom platform adjustable setup with coilovers
spherical bearings on shock unit instead of bushes
adjustable sway bar
billet alloy sway bar mounts
thats all i can think of for now. any comments or suggestions appreciated.
after speaking to the certifier (engineer who approves it to be road legal) iv found i dont need to add my custom strut brace to get certification, so that is being put on hold for now. i have also put the suspension upgrades and matching rear seats (same as the fronts) on hold for now, due to money and finding some good ones being quite difficult. Im hoping to have it road legal by the end of June, all going to plan.
what i was thinking eventually (in a year or so) for the suspension though, is as follows;
front -
custom wishbone-style lower arms and custom mounts on the chassis
all rod ends and spherical bearings
modify the sway bar so that it is adjustable
billet alloy sway bar mounts
custom platform (height) adjustable setup with suitable spring rate
custom camber plates
rear-
modify the trailing arms to take rod ends to replace the bushes (or just replace the bushes with spherical bearings, although this wont have any adjustment potential the rod ends have)
custom platform adjustable setup with coilovers
spherical bearings on shock unit instead of bushes
adjustable sway bar
billet alloy sway bar mounts
thats all i can think of for now. any comments or suggestions appreciated.
latest mods
i had a long hard think about my front indicator setup, and have decided to blank off the original indicators and have added some small oval 'clear' indicators into the front 'bumper'. Also, i was planning on running with no bonnet, but due to the clamshell style of the e21 bonnet iv decided to get a bit religious and keep it but with a massive hole cut out of it (or, make it 'holy' lol). it sounds rediculous, and kind of is, but i dont think its too pimp-my-ride-ish. photos to be added next week...
lastly, im rapt with my halo-style headlights. iv wired them to the ignition so that they run all the time, as with my LED tail lamps.
lastly, im rapt with my halo-style headlights. iv wired them to the ignition so that they run all the time, as with my LED tail lamps.
after four and a half years in the build, i finally drove the 340i. the road was a bit damp so it was spinning up pretty easy in most gears. 
it was great.... and slightly emotional
http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... ilming.flv
pics... (ignore the flames on the bonnet, that was just me playing around and will not be staying
)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 7Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 7Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 6Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 2Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 1Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 0Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 9Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 5small.jpg
it was great.... and slightly emotional http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... ilming.flv
pics... (ignore the flames on the bonnet, that was just me playing around and will not be staying
)http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 7Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 7Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 6Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 2Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 1Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 0Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 9Small.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218 ... 5small.jpg
thats all good.
regarding the power, there was a rather large discussion over this on the lextreme (lexus v8) forum. it must be remembered that this was done on a hub dyno, which are very accurate, but obviously the wheels are removed, which will show a higher power than the same car on a rolling road dyno (wheels are mass which requre power to rotate). many people in nz are achieving similar (and some higher) figures with similar setups as mine.
another thing to remember is that it is tuned to only use 98 octane (or higher) fuel, which isnt common in all parts of the world (most the usa guys use 91 octane and wonder why they cant tune for as much power out of their cars). its more expensive and not all servos over here sell it, but i dont really care as its not an every day car.
at the end of the day the figure for power doesnt matter much to me, as its fast as shit whatever the value, with massive torque right from idle. if i want more, the mods required to get it isnt too difficult either (however, getting it to the ground might be...).
the video throught the gears isnt full noise either by the way. gotta sort some tyre scrub issues first before that can happen.
cheers
340i
regarding the power, there was a rather large discussion over this on the lextreme (lexus v8) forum. it must be remembered that this was done on a hub dyno, which are very accurate, but obviously the wheels are removed, which will show a higher power than the same car on a rolling road dyno (wheels are mass which requre power to rotate). many people in nz are achieving similar (and some higher) figures with similar setups as mine.
another thing to remember is that it is tuned to only use 98 octane (or higher) fuel, which isnt common in all parts of the world (most the usa guys use 91 octane and wonder why they cant tune for as much power out of their cars). its more expensive and not all servos over here sell it, but i dont really care as its not an every day car.
at the end of the day the figure for power doesnt matter much to me, as its fast as shit whatever the value, with massive torque right from idle. if i want more, the mods required to get it isnt too difficult either (however, getting it to the ground might be...).
the video throught the gears isnt full noise either by the way. gotta sort some tyre scrub issues first before that can happen.
cheers
340i
yeah i know, i just thought id put an explanation for those not familiar with hub dynos, as they're not as common as the old rolling roads.
i think too much can be read into dyno power claims though; for example, i went to a show and seen a civic with 500kw on the spec sheet. the guy had the dyno sheet to prove it, but when looking at it, there was absolutely nothing below about 6-7000rpm. even in drag racing, im not sure how anyone would drive it. you would either stall, burn the tyres up, or snap axles if they got grip. a car with half the power would probably be quicker as it would be semi-drivable.
be wary of turbo cars claims on power too. alot of people wind the boost right up to levels they'll never drive at, then claim they have 300-400kw.
at the end of the day its the driving experience. my aw11 mr2 only has about 80kw and its one the most fun things ive ever owned.
i think too much can be read into dyno power claims though; for example, i went to a show and seen a civic with 500kw on the spec sheet. the guy had the dyno sheet to prove it, but when looking at it, there was absolutely nothing below about 6-7000rpm. even in drag racing, im not sure how anyone would drive it. you would either stall, burn the tyres up, or snap axles if they got grip. a car with half the power would probably be quicker as it would be semi-drivable.
be wary of turbo cars claims on power too. alot of people wind the boost right up to levels they'll never drive at, then claim they have 300-400kw.
at the end of the day its the driving experience. my aw11 mr2 only has about 80kw and its one the most fun things ive ever owned.
-
ZenderE21
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2005 7:07 am
- My E21(s): '82 318i
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
dyno sheets mean nothing compared to time slips.
I for one am no fan of dyno queens, throwing a big aggressive stick in your car to get peak power at 5000+ rpms proves nothing, real world driving or track is useless.
I like what you've done and am happy to see some more progress on the e21. Thos lexus motors dont need much to get up and boogie, power to weight would be awesome as is.
When Bullet AEC were doing the 4cams into MX5s I went down for some education on the lexus motors as I had a mate wanting to swap his for a supra motor (in a soarer). they only hub dynoed their vehicles and what you have isnt far off to them.
I for one am no fan of dyno queens, throwing a big aggressive stick in your car to get peak power at 5000+ rpms proves nothing, real world driving or track is useless.
I like what you've done and am happy to see some more progress on the e21. Thos lexus motors dont need much to get up and boogie, power to weight would be awesome as is.
When Bullet AEC were doing the 4cams into MX5s I went down for some education on the lexus motors as I had a mate wanting to swap his for a supra motor (in a soarer). they only hub dynoed their vehicles and what you have isnt far off to them.
1983 318i - Sapphireblau Metallic, 5spd
small update.
i have been well and truly busy for the last few years at uni, and just finished the other week. back home to work on the bmw again now though! iv pulled the motor out today, the hydrualic clutch release bearing has leaked again so needs removing, which involves pulling EVERYTHING out fromt the bumper to the driveshaft. will look at it when i remove the gearbox from the motor tomorrow.
Iv started on a custom dashboard, which flows up to my gauge panel in the centre of the car. Its a bit different, but i think it looks good. id like to eventually reproduce the part in carbonfibre, which would look even better (clearcoated only).
not much else has been happening on it lately, just swapping bolts on the engine for stainless cap screws and swapping nuts for stainless dome nuts (which are both rediculously priced, i have found).
the original mirror finish of the polished motor has faded, so i am planning on eventually chroming all the parts iv polished (theres about a dozen), maybe in a year or so. need some money first...
i have been well and truly busy for the last few years at uni, and just finished the other week. back home to work on the bmw again now though! iv pulled the motor out today, the hydrualic clutch release bearing has leaked again so needs removing, which involves pulling EVERYTHING out fromt the bumper to the driveshaft. will look at it when i remove the gearbox from the motor tomorrow.
Iv started on a custom dashboard, which flows up to my gauge panel in the centre of the car. Its a bit different, but i think it looks good. id like to eventually reproduce the part in carbonfibre, which would look even better (clearcoated only).
not much else has been happening on it lately, just swapping bolts on the engine for stainless cap screws and swapping nuts for stainless dome nuts (which are both rediculously priced, i have found).
the original mirror finish of the polished motor has faded, so i am planning on eventually chroming all the parts iv polished (theres about a dozen), maybe in a year or so. need some money first...
well theres been a slight change of plan, which is putting the bmw on the backburner for a year or two. iv moved across the ditch to australia, to a nice town called bondi. a very long way from my v8, but it has a nice beach with a rediculous amount of gorgeous women, so not all bad.
i did manage to get the 340i goin again before leaving (12 hours before my flight), which was great. i have a video and will get around to youtubing it soon. im hoping to get a decent job soon, so when i go back i can start getting serious with the mods and 'finish' the car. rome wasnt built in a day, you could say ..
i did manage to get the 340i goin again before leaving (12 hours before my flight), which was great. i have a video and will get around to youtubing it soon. im hoping to get a decent job soon, so when i go back i can start getting serious with the mods and 'finish' the car. rome wasnt built in a day, you could say ..
nice fabrication on the back end btwcheers M15KYY. lol there was a fair bit of fabrication down there, more work than it took to get the engine and box mounted actually! i would do things differently if i knew what i do now. oh well...
video, first decent drive, below. the clutch was slipping a bit in the higher gears, and the back end was stepping out quite a bit in the lower gears. goood fun!!
340i
video, first decent drive, below. the clutch was slipping a bit in the higher gears, and the back end was stepping out quite a bit in the lower gears. goood fun!!
340i
Wow! Another kiwi.. but your e21 puts mine to shame..
Where were you based? Wellington? My e21 is in hawkes bay, waiting on a new head, trying to find a cambelt, radiator hoses etc while I'm studying down in dunedin.
Man would I ever love to see this thing in action.
Check out bimmersport.co.nz if you ever feel like showing off your car when you get back. So they can appreciate what an e21 can be (rather than mine just sitting in a shed)
Where were you based? Wellington? My e21 is in hawkes bay, waiting on a new head, trying to find a cambelt, radiator hoses etc while I'm studying down in dunedin.
Man would I ever love to see this thing in action.
Check out bimmersport.co.nz if you ever feel like showing off your car when you get back. So they can appreciate what an e21 can be (rather than mine just sitting in a shed)