My E12 Build Thread

**garethashenden** · 01-09-2011, 02:22 PM

So, a year ago I bought a 1979 528i as a project/light restoration/fun car. It wouldn't start when I went to pick it up, but it was almost rust free and the only local(ish) E12 I could find at the time.
I trailered it home, rented a garage for the winter and stuck it in. By the end of May, I had got it to fire but not run, so I trailered it to the local BMW restoration shop. With their help I finally got it going in August and it was very obvious that the engine wasn't in good shape. Rather than spend thousands on rebuilding the 2.8, I decided to swap in one of the M30b34s they had sitting there. So I've been preparing the new engine. I'm not going to pull the head, but everything else is coming off and being cleaned / resealed.

On the trailer coming home

Sitting in my yard

Behind the shop

The engine:
Manifolds removed

Intake manifold after cleaning, sandblasting and powder coating silver

Valve cover after the same treatment

Engine block after some rust removal and cleaning.

After painting with POR-15

New timing chain and guides

Oil pan and bell housing

Timing chain cover back on.

Short term plan: swap the engine, with a new clutch, overhaul the brakes, new tires.

Long term plan: Inka orange, red leather interior, Euro bumpers, supercharger.

**Trevor M** · 01-11-2011, 09:13 PM

Nice to see another E12 saved from the crusher. Good call on not rebuilding the B28. Not that there is anything wrong with the motor, it just makes sense to upgrade while you have the chance. Are you upgrading the fuel management from L-jet to Motronic too? Will make for a much flatter powerband and better gas mileage.
One piece of advice, if you plan to paint make sure you strip off what's there. Appears the car has been painted once already.
Thanks for the pictures and keep us posted on your progress!

**Sam Son** · 01-18-2011, 10:39 PM

I love E12's with a proper M30 in there and a 5spd that thing should boogie!...keep up the good work

**garethashenden** · 01-19-2011, 09:13 PM

Got a few more pictures, and some more progress.
Oil pan on.

I really like the red oil filter canister

**about6** · 01-25-2011, 09:23 PM

Nice job

**garethashenden** · 02-09-2011, 10:15 PM

It's really coming together.

**garethashenden** · 02-09-2011, 10:15 PM

Double post deleted

**motohunter4** · 02-21-2011, 11:26 AM

That thing is coming together well!

**garethashenden** · 03-09-2011, 08:05 PM

Exhaust side

Intake Manifold on

Fuel injectors in.

**Lucky740** · 03-12-2011, 01:33 PM

Wow, looking good. Keep it up.

I should take my engine out and do the same, what a difference it makes.

**garethashenden** · 03-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lucky740

Wow, looking good. Keep it up.

I should take my engine out and do the same, what a difference it makes.

Just as long as you don't want to drive the car for a while...

**garethashenden** · 03-27-2011, 02:00 AM

Wiring harness installed

Ignition wires, cap & rotor on

Rear main seal. It's been done for a while, but I didn't take a picture of it before

Exhaust Manifold

A front subframe from AVA's parts room

After sandblasting

**528i 0WN3R** · 03-27-2011, 04:43 PM

Looking good, still a couple rusty parts showing through but 100000 times better, I love these threads, keep it up!

**garethashenden** · 04-16-2011, 01:36 PM

The powder coated subframe

Ceramic coated exhaust manifold

Hub parts after powder coating

Wheel bearings and front disks

**DarkSideofWill** · 04-16-2011, 05:55 PM

How much does an E12 weigh?

**garethashenden** · 04-16-2011, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by DarkSideofWill

How much does an E12 weigh?

3300 lbs

**Trevor M** · 04-17-2011, 12:32 PM

I've got mine trimmed down to 3100 with a full tank of gas.

**garethashenden** · 05-26-2011, 10:17 PM

I got the strut housings powder coated as well:

"New" wheels, the gold and blue should look good together:

Beginning to disassemble the engine to aide removal:

Transmission out:

A Volvo race car came by the shop:

The transmission minus the bellhousing with new seals:

The car, out front in the rain without the exhaust, driveshaft and transmission:

More progress soon (I hope).

**GabrielR** · 05-27-2011, 06:04 PM

What are your plans for the exhaust? I have a 77 530 and want to make some changed. I'm looking to see whats out there, so far nada

sweet ride!

**TimR** · 06-07-2011, 03:10 PM

I posted this here as i havent seen this many E12 owners post anywhere and there's no E12 listing, please don't be offended. New in the box Colgan front custom Bra, $100 # pr 24 Fits BMW E12 75-78I 530 & 79-81 528I Sorry i checked Colhan site today and the info for this has been removed, it was there a few months ago .................................................. .................................................. ...............
(click to see more) Colgan Full Bra - With Licence plate cut out - Discontinued
Quantities are limited.
Part # : PR24 Clearance
$ 135.00
(reg. $ 194.95)
.................................................. .................................................. ...............
Bavarian Autosport site Any of you guys with E12 want mine???? I wrecked my E12

**Malek13** · 07-06-2011, 02:22 PM

any updates on the build??? Kind of curious as I just picked up a 1975 530i the same color.

**garethashenden** · 07-06-2011, 08:09 PM

Got the engine out.

New engine is ready to go in.

Transmission is ready as well.

Shift lever from a Z4 3.0. Combined with the rest of the stock shift mechanism this is a cheaper short shifter.

Assembling the subframe. It's upside down in this picture.

With the Hardy & Beck adjustable sway bar installed

Got a pair of stock front springs, need to be cleaned up.

**caaraa** · 07-07-2011, 02:47 AM

old car.
[img]http://www.**************.com/track/images/20.creation.jpg[/img]

**garethashenden** · 07-26-2011, 09:45 PM

So yesterday, I installed Bilstien HD shocks in the strut mounts. I was all set to assemble the shock assemblies today. I compressed the spring and then noticed that the washers I had didn't fit over the end of the shock. I looked around for the proper ones, but all I found were 2002 washers which have a slightly smaller ID.

I decided to use the washers in the car, and as the front suspension all has to come out at some point anyway, I took it out.

Old subframe with the steering box.

New subframe ready to go in.