2.9 M20 into the 323i

[jjgbmw323]

Engine bay has been shaved and is going to the body shop to be painted, with the subframe painted black.

I finally got my mani back. Its Blinging Awesome, pics dont do it justice, I need a new camera, but here they are.






Planing to drop the motor in 2012. Also got the 325 e30 brake mounting brackets going to make them work on the e21 323i trailing arms so I can convert to e30 rear brakes.

Been working like a dog in Ireland....and getting excited like a prison break out
with the light at the end of the tunnel....

[fullswing]

I can see how the Hartge strut bar would fit right in!

Looks great, Joe!

[Abysalone]

here I thought I was doing something.....

Excellent work man, cant wait to see it run.

[jjgbmw323]

Jimbo - i will be getting the hartge bar soon...thanks

Thanks for the all the positive comments:
Here is the latest update: Engine bay is shaved and back from the body shop.
With the ZF sport steering rack installed, and all of Jesters poly bushings and control arms...wont be long till the engine is in! Good things come to those who wait, hopefully
this near ending project will be sped along now....



Before

After






A couple of cleaner shots of the manifold with the casting ridges removed, and fresh from the chromers....

Before


After

[TheNeek]

it's gonna look good

[Shimmy55]

Damn I love this site. gorgeous work!

[Chubbz]

Subscribed!

[jjgbmw323]

Thanks for all the compliments. We got the 3.0 liter in. I am waiting on a $10 shroud that mates the e30 engine to the e21 323i dogleg tranny.

So here is a small update: I need to find someone to make me some metal heat sheilds, that I can chrome or jet hot coat.

The engine is in - oh will miracles ever cease -






PS - the candy colored valve cover is only temporary we are rocking the hartge one soon.

[midlifebmw]

WAHHOOOO! That is looking good! Hoping to have Trixie looking like that this spring.

[gsumzzz]

man, i can shave off of that reflection! nice work.

[alpina323c1]

WOW.WOW WOW........ Hey JJBMW323 , e21 brother that car of yours is looking really good , great job on the engine bay and that chrome intake manifold looks awesome . Chrome work on it is insane and the work of shaving all the ridges to make it look sensational ... Congratulations , can't wait to see what the out come is ...love your car and keep up the great work you are doing to the old girl .......
cheers Alpina323c1 ( Horacio )

Man that chrome work looks insane .....

[klubvintage]

Man Joe, that's gonna be a special car when you're done!!

[jjgbmw323]

Thanks for all the compliments. I am waiting on a $10 cover from german to mount on the back of the e30 engine to mate to the dogleg tranny. So until I get that I can not get the tranny and south bend clutch put together....with the 11 pound 325i flywheel.

So for now I my progress is stalled. I have to find a good machinist to fabricate metal heat shields for me, as I dont like the stock ones...

And now a brief view of some items that I cant wait to install on my car:
My manifold was off a turbo e30 and was once powdercoated black....



Hood grabbers:


and of course my beloved BBS RMs are waiting in the wings....


I am going to get my throttle rebored to 64mm, and small items that hold the e30 throttle cable part that bolts up to the intake mani chromed as well.....

Right now I am filing down the e30 rear brake adaptor bracket to get the e30 calipers to fit, and hoping to have the engine up and running next month or sooner....

[jjgbmw323]

Just a small comment. The Bmw is supposed to be going back on the lift to get finished off...

Have not forgotten about this thread - and will get it running - hopefully sooner rather than later...I will update with pics and videos...

[alpina323c1]

just subscribed . to your thread , thank you so much for all the feed back and kind words of encouragement that I have recieved over the years at Bimmerforum .
your car has been an inspiration to me and blue Betty ( my e21)
thanks again and keep the great work coming ....
cheers Alpina323c1

[jjgbmw323]

just subscribed . to your thread , thank you so much for all the feed back and kind words of encouragement that I have recieved over the years at Bimmerforum .
your car has been an inspiration to me and blue Betty ( my e21)
thanks again and keep the great work coming ....
cheers Alpina323c1

Thanks bro...love your car, and thanks for the compliments everyone!

Just a quick update. The 323i has new fuel tanks and is going on the lift to make the brake lines and put the tranny in...

While I was there I saw a rare 1968 Mustang Fastback like Eleanor from Gone in Sixty seconds. Prior to getting to the shop I stopped at the dealer to order a oil return line for my GTI and was able to get close to a AC cobra Kit car. When I told him my friend was building one, I got to sit in it!

So here are few pics of the other day....

[jjgbmw323]

Just a quick post the TRANNY, South Bend Stage II Clutch and 11 pound 325i Flywheel have been mated to the new engine!!!:

[DEZIAC]

Just a quick post the TRANNY, South Bend Stage II Clutch and 11 pound 325i Flywheel have been mated to the new engine!!!:

Let's see it, prove it with pics!

LOL....I just want to see more better quality pics of your car, looking clean Joe!

[jjgbmw323]

Teaser shots...the manifold has been installed, small progress...

[e21h1989]

Let's see it, prove it with pics!

LOL....I just want to see more better quality pics of your car, looking clean Joe!

Pics or it didn't happen

[jjgbmw323]

Pics or it didn't happen

Those are Updated Pics - Its happening...

[lasvegascop]

I hope you gonna do something about that thermostat housing?!?!?!?!? With all that chrome around, that really sticks out hehe



Im just saying.....

[jjgbmw323]

I hope you gonna do something about that thermostat housing?!?!?!?!? With all that chrome around, that really sticks out hehe



Im just saying.....

You car is looking good, I have not decided if I am going to use red or black hoses. What do you think?

I have powdercoated the 323i metal engine mounts, and the Thermostat Housing, Crinkle black.....

[lasvegascop]

The way I did it is...You gotta look at the whole picture. Does everything goes together tastefully? That's all....In my case, red hoses go together with the valve cover and the intake...In your case it's a totally different ball game my friend.

I think you have to see it or be there to make that decision? I personally would not go with red hoses....Not sure what color your valve cover is going to be but the intake runners are already chrome, soooooooooooooooo....possibly nice stock black silicone hoses would look good?

You gotta make that call brother...at the end, I can't wait for the outcome

[jjgbmw323]

I am thinking about Black hoses, the red would be too much.. If anyone thinks otherwise please let me know...

I will be ordering some more parts tomorrow...