2.9 M20 into the 323i

[jjgbmw323]

Have not posted for a while - we had an issue with the Wasted Spark not firing. After running some tests we sent the ECU back to DIY AUTOTUNE.
They tested it - even though it was a brand new ECU - they had to look at it. They found an issue with one of the PINs. They have fixed it and sent it back to the shop.
Once we get it back and installed I will post a video of it running....Hopefully i can take this car to the VINTAGE this year.....

[hotdish]

Wow, I can't wait to finally hear it. Good timing, as the pandemic finally winds down.

[2002jm]

Hi: Such a nice build; went back to the beginning to read some of the information on your car...its been 11 years????
Bet you are ready to get that project on the road; one of the best e21s around!
jm

[jjgbmw323]

Thank you 2002jm.
We have had to rewire the whole car due to a wiring mess. The bay is shaved.

Today was my birthday and it also would have been the BAV AUTO Show and Shine.
A shame that they went under. That show was a blast....it was the biggest show in New England.

I am hoping to go to the vintage next year.....

I just told the shop owner to hurry up already with my car. I dyno tuned it. I made 210 Hp and 190 TQ to the crank.
I also have sourced a set of 42 RAMAs ITBS for the M20.
Here is a video: (The ITBS are not on it yet.)

https://youtu.be/YmnHFPCmLKU

I have had redone a special set of Recaro LS seats...

[jjgbmw323]

I got the car running with the Wasted Spark. I also have looking into the stereo - I got and ALPINE one with Sirrus radio- and am looking at Alpine 5 channel Amplfier
Been testing fitting the spacers and the BBS RMs. We hope to have the car out and about at shows this year. I have RAMAS ITBS for it but they are very close
to the break booster....

I have installed the reuplostered rear seat....

[2002jm]

Car looks so good; what is that rear spoiler?
jm

[jjgbmw323]

Car looks so good; what is that rear spoiler?
jm

Hi JM - thank you brother. I can't wait to get it back.
I have BBS Rear Trunk spoiler. BBS Front spoiler. Zender low end side skirts. Zender under the bumper spoiler.

I am have converted to wheel studs. I also have to mill out the rear spacers a little to get them to fit correctly.

This was a test fit of the BBS RMs. I am putting them on the car in a another week or so....I am working on getting the Alpine stereo and AMP set up.

[jjgbmw323]

Will post a video of the car running but we been busy getting it finished off - also adding a oil ketch can to the engine bay
I had the front and rear seats reuphostered in Black Leather with red stiching, rears are in.
Finally got the Alpine Stereo installed and rear 6.5 speakers



BBS RMS are on, we need to file done the front studs slightly to fit the center caps.
I converted to wheel studs


Got the polished HARTGE Stress bar on




Hopefully the bar will fit RAMAS 42 ITBs which i now have for my car.
Here is it in the E30 - you get the idea.



Guys hard to believe i actually made it to the part where my car COMES OUT of the shop.
08-11-2010 Started this thread - been 12 years. Some up and some down. Many years the car was stalled
out with the wiring incomplete. Megasquirt and wasted spark (Quadspark module) threw me a curve ball as both had to be sent back
for troubleshooting and service. The Pandemic also slowed things down. I upgraded pretty much every system but this is an inordinate amount of time.
Well all of that is behind us.
Stay tuned. Good stuff is N E X T✨

[jjgbmw323]

https://youtu.be/a04nOLQDErg

I have uploaded the a video of the first walk around.
Been a long time that i have seen this car outside the shop.
We had to cut down the wheel studs to fit the BBS center caps on.

Did not make it to the Vintage this year. A few little things and this car is out.
ITBS will go on after I start driving it.....

[jjgbmw323]

Well guys it been a long time - I had to change to a full stand alone set up. Many issues with the wasted spark and Megasquirt PNP.
I got a Haltech Elite 2500 ECU, along with a part that i power coated Silver to run the cam sensor, and been polishing parts of my ITBS.

Finally got the Seat belt receivers - parts of the e21 are getting hard to find....Hoping to be up and dynoed soon.

[2002jm]

Good to hear that the car is up and running. Wish my 323i was running good.
jm

[jjgbmw323]

Good to hear that the car is up and running. Wish my 323i was running good.
jm

We are hoping for it to be running well on the new Haltech 2500 ECU. We will see, I also have a cam sensor.
I am going to get the haltech digital dash - down the line and mount it under the stereo in the center console.

Will report back next week....

[JDB]

Glad your making headway Joe
You and this car have been through a lot of changes, looking good!!

Jeff

[jjgbmw323]

Glad your making headway Joe
You and this car have been through a lot of changes, looking good!!

Jeff

Thank you Jeff. Its been far too long.

We had a hell of time with Megasquirt PNP - I had to send both the brand new ecu, and the brand new quad spark back to the manufacturer and still with three sets of coils, it never ran right. Wasted spark refused to fire - at certain RPMs it worked and then it stopped working....

We have rewired the car for the Haltech.
Going full sequential on the ignition and fuel.

I am going to mount a digital dash made by Haltech in the center console...once its out of the shop....
and run sensors for temp and oil pressure to it. It also connects to the Haltech Elite 2500 Ecu that i am now running.

Today we got it to fire up, and run!.

We are hoping to get the cam sensor working with the Haltech, Haltech support is very good we will be calling them tomorrow.

PS- Speaking of changes - I had some health issues - last year, i am very glad i have recovered.
Thank you to all the support from friends on the forum....

Lets hope we get to post a few videos of the car running...

[jjgbmw323]

Had a custom bracket fabricated to have the skyline coils. The Haltech 2500 is now seeing the M50 Cam sensor.
Its firing on full sequential ignition and fuel..it seems stronger somehow more responsive ..stay tuned we are gonna dyno it, change the break in oil and get the car back...
after 10-11 years, I am looking forward to it...
I am also going to get the ITBS rebuilt...

[2002jm]

just keeps getting better and better!!!
Enjoy your ride, you have put so much into it!
jm

[jjgbmw323]

Hi Guys I took this car for a shake down ride - we found on that the diff is a 10 MM output flange and the hub side is 8 mm.
I took a few axles out of a shed that friend of mine had, we got one axle with two e30 CV joints that worked....
A pic at the actual gas station....



The plan is to put ITBs on in the spring....I am polishing and refurbishing a set of Ramas 42...

[Cruz]

I threw a fist in the air in celebration for you! Enjoy your amazing machine. Congratulations on getting it on the road.

[jjgbmw323]

I threw a fist in the air in celebration for you! Enjoy your amazing machine. Congratulations on getting it on the road.

Thank you its been a way too long....good times are ahead....I will have a few videos of it driving

[jjgbmw323]

Update: I have another tuner - look over the wiring harness-and the Haltech - we found many issues including the timing being off by a lot, the fan not wired correctly and the cam sensor not being used in the tune.
The car is getting very hot - when it is it on the dyno. Even though I went with an oversized radiator - I am thinking about making a bigger radiator for it.

Made more power - now that so many things where fixed...a few more things still needed to be done...