introduction Advice Re 74 2002

[Jim Hughes]

Going to take delivery of my '74 2002 4-speed, non-A/C (white over blue) in a few days now.  This site has been an invaluable aid in getting ideas for a build-up of the car.  I'd appreciate your comments regarding the following:

 

1.  If I have to rebuild my original M10 and I want to upgrade it internally, what mods would you recommend (rebore, cam, etc.?) and what horsepower target would you recommend for a street car w/good idle characteristics that will run cool?

 

2.  Will I need to rebuild the car's good condition, original 4-speed trans if the M10 is rebuilt to 125-130 hp?

 

3.  Diving board bumpers are a major eyesore.  I could collapse the shocks to tuck them up but would prefer to use early '02 US or euro bumpers.  If I'm prepared to do some fabrication/modification for the mounting brackets and rubber end caps, what works?    

 

4.  What header and exhaust upgrades and vendors do you recommend?

 

5.  My '02 has a 320i radiator upgrade but no fan shroud.  I want to upgrade the 5 blade fan and fan clutch and add a fan shroud.  What BMW interchange parts work?

 

6.  Some recommend swapping the original alternator for a 320i internally regulated unit.  Worth it?

 

7.  How douchey would it be to turn it into a NASP poor man's turbo look?  'Glass pig cheeks wouldn't add weight but I'm thinking the wider rubber adds rolling resistance that hurts the handling and balance of the car.  Don't hold back - if it's a stupid idea, tell me.

 

Thanks very much.  

 

                     .     

[TobyB]

My advice to all of the above:

 

drive it for a while.

 

fix what's broke.

 

take some pix.

 

search the faq.

 

THEN

do a compression and leakdown.

drive other peoples cars.

drink beer

think.

go to the beach

 

THEN

 

ask the above questions.

 

But drive it first.

 

t

 

[Conserv]

2 minutes ago, TobyB said:

My advice to all of the above:

 

drive it for a while.

 

fix what's broke.

 

take some pix.

 

search the faq.

 

THEN

do a compression and leakdown.

drive other peoples cars.

drink beer

think.

go to the beach

 

THEN

 

ask the above questions.

 

But drive it first.

 

t

 

 

Jim,

 

You couldn't get better advice than this...seriously!

 

Congrats on your new car!

 

Steve

 

[jim57759]

14 hours ago, TobyB said:

My advice to all of the above:

 

drive it for a while.

 

fix what's broke.

 

take some pix.

 

search the faq.

 

THEN

do a compression and leakdown.

drive other peoples cars.

drink beer

think.

go to the beach

 

THEN

 

ask the above questions.

 

But drive it first.

 

t

 

Toby is right, as usual.  I had owned and driven '02's since 1974 before I decided what I wanted when I rebuilt my car this year.  Lots of great info on this site!  Take the time to go through some of the build blogs.  Listen to everyone then make your car the way you want it.  But most of all enjoy-- the journey is as much fun as the destination.

[theNomad]

I picked up a 74 in Jan. 
I bought a bunch of stuff up front and have been picking away at it. I agree, if it runs then drive it and get a good feel for it before deciding on what you want to do. 

Not sure if you have a set budget or the sky's the limit. There is SOO much you can do with these cars, and many directions to take them.

 

Classic and vintage

Racecar

Streetrod

Ratrod

Vintage touring

Resto-mod

Whatever...

 

Take some things apart, clean then clean then clean some more.

Can't go wrong with cleaning and you'll discover any hidden issues that may make you re-prioritize. 

 

I got a bunch of suspension items first off to totally rebuild with... but have yet to really dive into it due to chasing other projects. I technically could have lived with the way it handled when I got it and saved the $ for a few other items I see now. Now I want to get the tuning down and just drive it every day. Of course I will be treating some rusty areas this weekend but the bigger the project, the less I get to drive it!

[2002Scoob]

I love the comment about clean, clean, clean.

 

That's what I did with my car, but not by choice. In order to get through German TUV I had to remove every glob and trace evidence that my car had ever in it's 40 someodd years of life, leaked a drop of oil. 

 

Needless to say.... There was 40+years of cleaning I had to do, but that did allow me to get very acquainted with everything wrong or needing attention and when.

[Jim Hughes]

Well, that was a bit embarrassing.  Thanks for the replies.  I'm acquainted with the general operating principles of restorations which are the essence of your replies and at the core of my approach to this car and others:

 

calm down,

 

get to know the car,

 

make it solid before you upgrade it,

 

figure out how it will be used before you start to modify it,

 

be thoughtful,

 

above all do no harm,

 

and enjoy the ride (literally and figuratively). 

 

We agree on this good advice.  However, it's metaphysics, not mechanics.

 

Regards,

 

Jim Hughes       

[saaron]

My years of hanging around this site and these persons tell me that, engine-wise, most people doing a full re-build get 9.5:1 compression pistons, a 292 cam, either a Weber 38/38 carb or dual 40 Webers, and put a header on - tii exhaust manifold seems popular, as well as others.  I don't know what the HP is on that, but it is basically a 2002ti set up, which was rated at 120 back in the day.  With the 292 cam, maybe you get a little more than that.  

 

But that's a big financial and time commitment.  Time, in that your car is then off the road for a while, and dialing it in seems to take a while as well.  

 

If you've not had an 02 before the above advice is very sound - I find that how I react to certain set ups in 02s is not always the same as the crowd.  What I see as short-comings, others don't see, and what I see as being a positive addition some don't see as worthwhile.  There's a lot of personal preferences at work in figuring out what you want / need.  

 

Scott

[2002Scoob]

21 hours ago, Jim Hughes said:

Going to take delivery of my '74 2002 4-speed, non-A/C (white over blue) in a few days now.  This site has been an invaluable aid in getting ideas for a build-up of the car.  I'd appreciate your comments regarding the following:

 

1.  If I have to rebuild my original M10 and I want to upgrade it internally, what mods would you recommend (rebore, cam, etc.?) and what horsepower target would you recommend for a street car w/good idle characteristics that will run cool?

Big project, bookoo money. What's your budget? Do some searching, you'll find some good advice given. Headwork, Cam, Carbs are an easy start. That's what I'm working on now.

2.  Will I need to rebuild the car's good condition, original 4-speed trans if the M10 is rebuilt to 125-130 hp?

Nope, it'll be just fine.

3.  Diving board bumpers are a major eyesore.  I could collapse the shocks to tuck them up but would prefer to use early '02 US or euro bumpers.  If I'm prepared to do some fabrication/modification for the mounting brackets and rubber end caps, what works?    

Search. Lots of threads covering this.

4.  What header and exhaust upgrades and vendors do you recommend?

Stocker is pretty darn good, the header at least. And OEM exhausts fight rust and corrosion pretty well. My NOS Abarth I got last year? Not so much. Lots of options out there thou. Search.  

5.  My '02 has a 320i radiator upgrade but no fan shroud.  I want to upgrade the 5 blade fan and fan clutch and add a fan shroud.  What BMW interchange parts work?

No clue. 

6.  Some recommend swapping the original alternator for a 320i internally regulated unit.  Worth it?

Depends on your accessories. Small amp/stereo, a pair of fogs, stocker is likely just fine.

7.  How douchey would it be to turn it into a NASP poor man's turbo look?  'Glass pig cheeks wouldn't add weight but I'm thinking the wider rubber adds rolling resistance that hurts the handling and balance of the car.  Don't hold back - if it's a stupid idea, tell me.

 Pig cheeks? My opinion?- Maybe not douchey, but very much poser-y. Pig cheeks aren't 'turbo look'  but Turbo fenders are. Google the two and you'll see the difference.

 

In my viewpoint, having turbo fenders and a stocker-ish motor is acceptable, as long as you have proper suspension (which, by the way, you didn't mention at all. DO SUSPENSION WORK FIRST IF THE MOTORS GOOD! And I mean that. Will change your life  ) and you plan on putting a bit more power under the hood at some point. Pig Cheeks? Better be racing, or have the power to back it. Little cars with low power and wide sticky rubber make for slow handling and unexciting performance. You'll be much more amused with less tire till ya have the power to break bigger ones loose.

 

 

Thanks very much.  

 

                     .     

 

 

I'll take a stab!

Edited June 2, 2016 by 2002Scoob

[carlkkreienkamp]

I suggest that while doing the first few things on Toby's list, you get a copy of the owners manual, the Haynes Repair Manual and somewhere along the way perhaps a copy of Macartney's Bmw '02 Restoration Guide .Drive, fix, clean, plan, etc.

[Jim Hughes]

Thank you all for your comments.  I'll be following your collective approach.  Will get familiar with, and knowledgeable about, the '02 and my car in particular.  Drive mine to see its strengths and weaknesses.  I always get the manuals to see how to assemble and dismantle;

Macartney's been recommend by a friend (as well as Carlkkin above) and I will get a copy pronto.  I'll continue drilling down in detail in the archives on the repairs/mods I'm considering. Lots to consider but for me that's half the fun.  I'll be checking in periodically and will advise of my progress. 

 

Ken, thanks for your offer.  I'll be in touch.  

 

I've attended the Monterey Historics/Reunion for the last 25 years and will be there again this year, hopefully bumping into some of you with your cars.      

 

Regards.

 

Jim Hughes

[TobyB]

Quote

Well, that was a bit embarrassing. 

Shouldn't be-

you missed the #1 mistake, one I've been guilty of more than once-

 

Drive it before you take it apart!

 

and

 

Don't be afraid to ask!

 

and

 

Do what you want despite what a bunch of reprobates on the internet say...

 

hee

 

all good.

 

t

 

[rapandi]

 

 

[rapandi]

Congrats Jim! Join the madness....

 

Hope you have fun and the learning curve is always steep ...teehee...

 

This forum has a wealth of information and it has members with a great deal of experience!

[TobyB]

Oh, because we're on a roll- don't be afraid to take PARTS of it apart, to fix them. 

As in, pull the carb, clean it out, put new seals and diaphragms in to, figure out how it works-

then put it back on, and get the car running again.

Same for the distributor.

 

And so forth.

 

Because THAT's how you learn.

And you learn if you like doing things

like that- or not. 

Because some people do, some don't.

No point in doing something you don't like!

 

t