1983 733i Alpinweiss

**mk4337** · 12-05-2022, 12:02 PM

Hi everyone! Thought I'd introduce myself on here
My name is Max, I recently picked up a 1983 733i Alpine White ? - I think, not too sure - I'm assuming the color is alpine white but I haven't dug deeper to see if they made these in another shade of white variant,
It's got 158k miles on the odometer and it's originally a cali car from what I was told
I'm excited to start this build! Wanted to create this thread on here to keep track of the progress

Couple things that have already been done
Both fuel pumps replaced
Injectors were replaced
Spark Plugs replaced
Spark Plug cables replaced
Rotor and Cap replaced
Alternator replaced

This is my first BMW so I'm hoping I don't start pulling my hair out soon lol, a couple of the vehicles I've owned in the past,
1985 VW Cabriolet
1991 B3 Passat VR6
1991 VW Jetta GL Diesel 1.6D - (traded my mk2 for the e23)
1997 VW Golf Trek
2002 VW 337
2015 VW GTI
2016 VW GTI
2016 VW Golf R - Still own

onto the pics! - I couldn't figure out how to upload pics on here so I'll just link the albums to my imgur account

Pic's right before bringing her home
https://imgur.com/a/rXA5Ze3

And a couple more pics after washing all the crud and dirt off - will definitely be buffing her next weekend!
https://imgur.com/a/ejZVLtk

Couple of things next up are addressing why the alternator won't charge the battery, I confirmed the battery light bulb is out so I've ordered some new bulbs and a few socket holders to address some lights that are out in the gauge cluster.
I ended up doing a temp solution to get the alternator to charge the battery by running a wire from the D+ lead to a fuse that kicks on when the ignition is turned on for now.
Also my RPM tachometer isn't working, was wondering if I needed to order the instrument panel circuit board but I'm going to check the solder point on the cluster first before ordering anything.

Does anyone know of anything else I should look out for on these 7 series? Been reading up as much as I can but just want to make sure I don't miss anything

Thanks!

**mk4337** · 12-06-2022, 12:00 PM

*quick update*
12/05/22
Ordered some BBS RA’s and fresh tires to put on her
Decided to go with some Yokohama Avid A/S 21560r15
Hoping it looks well with the RA’s
15x7 et23 -hoping this offset is alright for the e23
I’ll get better pics once they come in Friday

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**DSpoljaric** · 12-06-2022, 02:38 PM

Welcome aboard! Nice e23 and great choice on the BBS wheels. Please post some pics once the wheels are mounted. Then throw a set of HR springs on her!

**mk4337** · 12-06-2022, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Welcome aboard! Nice e23 and great choice on the BBS wheels. Please post some pics once the wheels are mounted. Then through a set of HR springs on her!

Thank you! Most definitely - tires come in this Friday as well so I hope to have them mounted either Saturday or Sunday
That's the next thing on the list of action items to do lol
I was thinking about ordering a set of B6 performance shocks and struts with some H&R sport springs - hoping it brings down the front some and makes it sit nicely on the RA's lol
Fingers crossed!
I'm exited for this build, this is my first BMW vehicle ever!

**mk4337** · 12-08-2022, 07:28 PM

Quick little update
Got the wheels and tires a day early!

I’ll post more of all of them a little later tonight
The refinish on these looks amazing

**DSpoljaric** · 12-09-2022, 12:39 PM

Gorgeous set - I'd recommend using the chrome barrel valve stems rather than the regular plastic/rubber black stems - to complete the high-end look. Tire shops typically have the chrome stems but you have to request they install them otherwise they always just grab the regular stems. If you have to order them, easy to do off of Amazon and get them the next day and take them with you to the tire shop - cheers

**mk4337** · 12-09-2022, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Gorgeous set - I'd recommend using the chrome barrel valve stems rather than the regular plastic/rubber black stems - to complete the high-end look. Tire shops typically have the chrome stems but you have to request they install them otherwise they always just grab the regular stems. If you have to order them, easy to do off of Amazon and get them the next day and take them with you to the tire shop - cheers

Thank you! I'm amazed how good these look, thats actually a good idea, I was going to take them to this shop - I'm going to call to see if they have the chrome stems before heading that way if not i'll order some online
I think they even have some bbs branded ones you can still get right?

**DSpoljaric** · 12-09-2022, 01:08 PM

Probably you can get BBS hardware on eBay, but I always source my BBS hardware from the BBS distributor Black Forest. Knowledgeable guys and great service. Worth the extra bucks to get it right now as once the tires are on your don't want any regrets over $30-$50 in hardware IMO.

https://blackforestindustries.com/

**mk4337** · 12-09-2022, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Probably you can get BBS hardware on eBay, but I always source my BBS hardware from the BBS distributor Black Forest. Knowledgeable guys and great service. Worth the extra bucks to get it right now as once the tires are on your don't want any regrets over $30-$50 in hardware IMO.

https://blackforestindustries.com/

Ahh yes! Good ol BFi
I didn’t realize they had these in stock
I’ll need to order some from them!
Last time I ordered from bfi was circa 2012 for my 337 haha
Thank you!

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**mk4337** · 12-09-2022, 06:22 PM

*update*
So I went to fill up today and started smelling a lot of gasoline from the trunk
I remembered previous owner said they had done the fuel pumps
I open the trunk to check and low and behold
A small amount of gas is leaking from where those two wires are going to

Seems like the old connector plug must have been corroded or broken? They connected it directly to the pump itself it looks like
I need to find this connector to repair this correctly but I’m having trouble finding it
I did find a connector plug called S-722 fuel pump connector in searching for one but I can’t confirm if it’s a direct fit
Does anyone else happen to know if this would work?

I greatly appreciate any help I can get

Thanks!

**DSpoljaric** · 12-09-2022, 07:03 PM

Bookmark this web page for a 1983 733i US spec e23:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...3-E23-BMW-733i

Fuel:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...BMW-733i&mg=16

Electrical:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...BMW-733i&mg=61

I took a look and could not locate the connector part number but keep searching. The connector you show does not appear to work. I'd take the sending unit out and take it to Napa or O' Reilly's - or even the BMW dealer - it's probably a universal connector and you should be able to source one quickly. Obviously this issue needs to be dealt with quickly. While you are in there, you might want to replace the rubber o-ring as well. Cheers

**mk4337** · 12-09-2022, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Bookmark this web page for a 1983 733i US spec e23:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...3-E23-BMW-733i

Fuel:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...BMW-733i&mg=16

Electrical:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...BMW-733i&mg=61

I took a look and could not locate the connector part number but keep searching. The connector you show does not appear to work. I'd take the sending unit out and take it to Napa or O' Reilly's - or even the BMW dealer - it's probably a universal connector and you should be able to source one quickly. Obviously this issue needs to be dealt with quickly. While you are in there, you might want to replace the rubber o-ring as well. Cheers

Heck yeah, thank you! I've bookmarked all three &
yeah, I'm going to move it into the garage tomorrow and disconnect the battery, is there a special procedure to removing the sending unit assembly?

**DSpoljaric** · 12-09-2022, 07:55 PM

Goggle:

removing e23 sending unit

**mk4337** · 12-09-2022, 08:35 PM

Yeah, sorry I should know better lol my bad

Also I may have found the connector

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**DSpoljaric** · 12-10-2022, 01:14 AM

Please pass along the part number and where to purchase if it works out. Thanks

**mk4337** · 12-11-2022, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Please pass along the part number and where to purchase if it works out. Thanks

For sure, I should know hopefully in a few hours if it works out - part should get here today

**mk4337** · 12-12-2022, 08:29 PM

Connector came in today, unfortunately it wasn’t the right fit :/

I started looking online and I may have just lucked out!
I ended up purchasing the level sending unit connector as well just in case

If anyone else needs one of these I believe they have one more of each on their store

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16570904030...mis&media=COPY

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**DSpoljaric** · 12-13-2022, 12:41 AM

Nice!

**mk4337** · 12-17-2022, 01:10 PM

Welp, attempted to mount the wheels on the e23 but running into two issues, center bore of the bbs ra’s are 66.6mm I think and the hub diameter is 72.5mm I think
Second issue is tire was running against the strut in the front

I should’ve checked the ID of these RA’s before even lifting the car

Welp, I think a set of 10mm should hopefully do it

**DSpoljaric** · 12-17-2022, 07:42 PM

Sorry to hear it! Yes, the hub is 72.5mm and a 5x120 bolt pattern. For the spacer, I'd recommend going as think as you can to bring the face of the tire in parallel to the fender to give it the "full" look. That might mean a 15 or 20mm spacer. 10mm is not a whole lot and there is room under these fenders. Also, if you do go with the wider spacer, be mindful of how much thread you have left on the stock bolts. You may have to get new bolts (Amazon) that are also 10~15mm longer.

Keep posting the progress! Cheers

**mk4337** · 12-17-2022, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by DSpoljaric

Sorry to hear it! Yes, the hub is 72.5mm and a 5x120 bolt pattern. For the spacer, I'd recommend going as think as you can to bring the face of the tire in parallel to the fender to give it the "full" look. That might mean a 15 or 20mm spacer. 10mm is not a whole lot and there is room under these fenders. Also, if you do go with the wider spacer, be mindful of how much thread you have left on the stock bolts. You may have to get new bolts (Amazon) that are also 10~15mm longer.

Keep posting the progress! Cheers

Dang, you do have a point, do you know if 15x7 et8 would work on this gen? I’m still new to the offset game bmw
I think the rears will clear fine but it doesn’t hurt to have that wider stance

I’m also trying to confirm if the center bore on the new wheels I got are 66.6mm before I order some hub centric rings lol
they’re BBS RA 184 - everything I find online points to 5x112 - 66.6mm
I also ordered a caliper tool to confirm before ordering anything too
Thanks for the tip on the bolts! That also brings up another question wether I order conical or ball seat bolts

**mk4337** · 12-17-2022, 08:57 PM

Another update *since I couldn’t put the wheels on I decided to sand and polish the rear bumper

It’s a little bit better, I think there’s still some of the factory anodizing on that I missed, I’ll need to figure out a way to strip the factory anodizing before doing the rest of the trim
I also plan on sanding the factory front and rear bumper trim and repainting them with some SEM trim paint hopefully in the next couple of weeks

**8991XJ** · 12-18-2022, 10:58 AM

Modifications and Resources Pg. 3 (mye28.com)

**mk4337** · 12-18-2022, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by 8991XJ

Modifications and Resources Pg. 3 (mye28.com)

Thank you for this!!! I’ll be referencing it once I do the front bumper, I’ll probably redo the rear bumper too as I want that mirror finish

**mk4337** · 12-18-2022, 11:46 AM

Another quick update, found out the wheels are also the incorrect bolt pattern, I didn’t find this out until inquiring with the previous owner about them.
The bolt pattern on these RA’s are 5x112 so I’ll be ordering some 5x120 to 5x112 15mm adapters
I’m hoping 15x7 et8 isn’t too aggressive up front