theBMWbeast's 1989 750il Revival

[theBMWbeast]

As you may or may not know, I find myself the proud owner of a v12 car once again. This time, the plan is to go above and beyond the call of duty. I'll keep it short and sweet right now, as I haven't actually worked on the car yet, or even sorted the extensive titling issues. But I'm starting to order some parts, and once I clear up space, the 750 gets my full attention.

Here's some quick teaser photos, if you haven't seen it yet. The car has 60k original miles, and most everything works. However, that is not to say it doesn't have issues. I believe the car has been sitting more than driving in this last decade, and we all know what toll that takes. But it's nothing a few weekends can't fix

Longterm plan is plenty of Alpina bits, and a 6 speed manual swap. I'm going to attack cosmetics and maintenance first, as the engine runs great, and the trans shifts smooth, so the swap would be the last piece of the puzzle I put in place.

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[paulmer]

Wait bruh, you are going to six speed swap yours, too? I swapped my last E32, and every time I drive mine I wish it was a manual...

Our cars both are the same color and MY so they're like brothers. Yours is luxorbeige, right?

Are you going to swap with a 420G, or are you going to try to source a 560Z?

[theBMWbeast]

Yeah, I think I've stumbled across you talking about it in some threads in my research. A 6 speed v12 car should be equally as fun as the v8.
My car is actually lachs-silber on silber interior (so lots of silver). The sun was setting in that washed pic, almost looks identical to your paint!
But elsewise twins

E46 M3 420g with adapter plate seems to be the move. I am thinking I might be able to sell my low mileage tranny to one of the e31 guys perhaps, to offset atleast the cost of the adpater plate and flywheel. Then it's just custom driveshaft work and linkages etc.

Also still have that Ferrari 599 muffler I had bought originally for my previous 750. With the Alpina accents and 6 speed swap, I think I might take the plunge and get a little rowdy with this one. Something different.

If you beat me to the punch on the swap work, I would actually enjoy that. Another person to pick their brains.


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[vr117]

Congrats beautiful car that mileage too no brainer!!! true unicorn can't wait to see what you got coming up

[moroza]

I knew you'd be back... Congrats on another find that in most of the world would be unheard-of. How is the suspension?

[theBMWbeast]

I knew you'd be back... Congrats on another find that in most of the world would be unheard-of. How is the suspension?

Sorry for the late reply, but thanks for congratulations! Suspension looks like it's mostly original, but the car rides pretty well, no shakes shudder etc. Will be doing every single suspension piece though, that's just how I roll.

Quick update/nonupdate on the car:
I washed it. Haha haven't actually done much of anything to this car as of yet, just been sitting. My first order of business is paint/registration, and my Alpina front bumper has been delayed with no concrete ship date in sight. So waiting on that to procede with the project. Did screw around with the doorlock actuators, as they are all stuck in the open position. Got the drivers do to lock and unlock, but only manually not electronically. Will delve in deeper one of these days.

Been looking for reputable paint shops in the meantime, and enjoying my 740 until I get this car sorted.

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[theBMWbeast]

Worry not folks, I have not forgotten about this car. The big update I was waiting for, finally arrived:





Alpina parts finally landed! Took a very long time, as I ordered these back in June. But finally, everything is here. Got the correct version front spoiler, along with smaller sport steering wheel, and a nice Alpina keychain to go along with it all. Probably should have bought the deco stripes at the same time, but it's a long ways from paint.









Currently in the middle of a very big e34 project for me, so this car hasn't gotten much attention. But I drive it around the block, warm it up, and enjoy it every so often. Will hopefully be onto this project by end of year, and go all in. Excited to have a little bit of progress here though!

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[nm735]

This looks like a really cool project. Do you have plans for the parts you replace?

[theBMWbeast]

This looks like a really cool project. Do you have plans for the parts you replace?

Thanks, it should be a lot of fun!

Only thing getting replaced is the stock steering wheel, and way down the line, the auto trans for a 6 speed. The front Alpina valence goes over the stock bumper, so that is retained.

[nm735]

I've always been curious about manual swapping a 750. I assume the pedal box comes from a 735i or an E34, but what do you do for the engine computer? I know the six cylinder cars have different throttle position sensors, but I don't know if that's an obstacle for a swap.

[paulmer]

The DME isn't smart enough to really care about manual vs automatic trans. When I swapped my 740 in the past I installed a Dinan DME. I don't believe the Dinan DME was manual or automatic specific.

For an M70, I can't remember, do we need a manual EML chip from an 850, or does it not matter? I also plan on manual swapping my 750, but just got married so have had other priorities before I manual swap this one...

[shogun]

M70 auto to manual: read this thread from 2006 where I explained it , we once had a case with an E30 with M70 on BB , owner henrike http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/202044
n this case, M70 with EML the answer was:

In case of:
-DME/ECU -159 (that is the pre-facelift engine) pins 51 and 54 have to be connected to ground/earth
-DME/ECU 352 (that is the facelift engine): pins 64 and 63 have to be connected to ground/earth.

UNLESS:
it is an AGS-transmission! There are different pins, but that was not available for pre-facelift engines.I have noted down information for both M70 engine types, as I am not sure if he is talking about facelift engine or facelift model (all E32 M70), as from end of 1990 the DME/ECU -352 was used.

---------------------------
I assume you have the original BMW cluster installed? You need that! Because you need the EML lights (there are 2 of them inside and it looks like one, but one is the resistor for the other one), otherwise your car will go into limpmode.
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/eml_bulb/eml_bulb.html
Some E30 drivers just use a bulb to trick the EML , the original 2 cluster bulbs for EML : each has 80mA and both are in paralell , after that you will have full power

[rbelton]

Very nice project. I am doing an Alpina tribute 735iL, I'm still undecided on getting the steering wheel though. That would require an airbag delete... well I guess some airbag is better than none?

Are you keeping the SLS or deleting and going with standard sport shocks?

[theBMWbeast]

Very nice project. I am doing an Alpina tribute 735iL, I'm still undecided on getting the steering wheel though. That would require an airbag delete... well I guess some airbag is better than none?

Are you keeping the SLS or deleting and going with standard sport shocks?

Thanks! Any pics? I love a smaller steering wheel, makes the car itself feel smaller/ more agile. I just try not to crash

Keeping sls. Why have a 750 and turn it peasant spec, in my mind. But I get those that do.

[rbelton]

I agree with you, the SLS is a great feature, very Citroen like. I just sold mine, I am going to miss it a lot. But I have too many cars.

Here's the last video I made of it:



(link: https://youtu.be/BBvWwyj13VQ)

[theBMWbeast]

Back from the dead! Finally ready to get the ball rolling on this beast. Started with a tuneup and oil change:





Also cleaned up the EML units, which had some nasty carbon build up. Might have made an error, and will need to remove the passenger side again, as it clicks excessively with key at position 2. Also have a backfire and constant check engine light that was not present before. But no eml light, go figure.





Starting to line up parts for the brake system. My bomb is bad, and got super lucky with a NOS unit off ebay for $100. NLA for the 750 as far as I know. To go along with it, some new lines, and a vintage BBK provided graciously by some great guys here on the forums:







Came with a multitude of extra pads, rotors, lines bleed screws etc etc.

Also did a little polishing on the paint. The paint is really toasted, but not ready to do a paintjob just quite yet, so hoping to be able to get it 10 - 15 feet presentable.





Took quite a while to get the time to start, but really excited now that I have. Hopefully more updates soon!

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[shogun]

DK: read this thread, he also cleaned it and then had a problem and how he fixed it, check the carbon brushes: DK dead after cleaning https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...after-cleaning
Push the carbon brushes in the guides slightly backwards until they remain in their position (retaining springs).

[danespann]

Starting to line up parts for the brake system. My bomb is bad, and got super lucky with a NOS unit off ebay for $100. NLA for the 750 as far as I know. To go along with it, some new lines, and a vintage BBK provided graciously by some great guys here on the forums:







Came with a multitude of extra pads, rotors, lines bleed screws etc etc.

Glad to see those brakes will get some use once again. Super cool parts.

[theBMWbeast]

Nothing super exciting. Swapped in some M50 rebuilt injectors. Waiting on FPRs as well. Have a terrible power loss/ backfiring problem, and going step by step getting to a baseline.





For the same price as stock, you get 4 pintle vs 1, 17 # which is more like 16 # injectors at the 3 bar pressure our FPRs run at. So easily within motronic adaptation values, and netting you a lower duty cycle, which is nice.





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[BeeW]

Part #? I just put injectors in my FCP cart. Would love the upgrade over stock.

[theBMWbeast]

Part #? I just put injectors in my FCP cart. Would love the upgrade over stock.

0280150415
Enjoy!

[theBMWbeast]

Great news, solved my misfiring/backfiring. Passenger side ignition coil was bad. Replaced it with a spare I had on hand, car runs ace! Especially so because I am running Shoguns DME and EML chipset!



Took the time to replace the FPRs as well, and brand new ignition coils on order. Part number 0280160503 for the FPRs.

Super happy to have a running car again!





Going to keep tackling mechanical stuff before sending this off to paint.

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[theBMWbeast]

Couple little more projects. New ignition coils in, and new exhuast hangars after the old ones broke apart during the cat delete. Also have some new downpipe gaskets I will need to install at a later date.

Keeping my eyes out for for 6 speed parts/beginning my list. Any recommendations for a final drive with a 6 speed out of an e46 m3? Face-lift 3.64 lsd? Open to opinions.







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[Cactuar]

Can't go wrong with Bosch parts, nice. The hangers made a huge difference wow!

I see your driver's wiper blade is genuine BMW. Mine has an empty circle without the BMW logo because I bought the cheaper aftermarket version. :\

[shogun]

misfiring/backfiring. Passenger side ignition coil was bad.

Interesting, how did you find out? With spark plug tester? Different spark color or ....?