dang

You might want to recheck the fuel system and make sure its getting enough fuel. I think you're on the right track with the fuel starvation, and it could be a clogged filter or junk in the tank. The clear inline fuel filters shouldn't be completely full of fuel, but only have enough trickling through it to keep the bowl filled. If its full, there may be blockage somewhere.

Dan

I have a partially stripped motor mounted in the car now for the first pass fitting drill, but my son and I can't get the tranny to mount up to it because of interference problems with the tunnel. How did others go about fitting the engine and tranny? The reason we put the engine in without the tranny is because I didn't want to cut the front sheet metal until after I know what I'm dealing with space wise. I'm tempted to put the engine and tranny in together from the bottom, but that's always a challenge with the limited equipment I have at the house.

Ideas?

Oh yeah, I'm also assuming some tunnel bashing is in store. Is this just for the slave cylinder, or will it need more?

Dan

What transmission are you using? e30 325i or Euro e21 323i? I have a buddy doing this conversion. Also what are y'all doing for motor mounts? Thanks

I'm using the engine and tranny out of an '80 323i. Just starting the swap now...

Dan

Sacramento, CA

John, great write-up. Do you mind if I add it to our Technical Info page on the e9coupe.com site? I'm sure it will be useful to many.

Dan

The 320 rad is different from the 323 in that the inlet/oulet points are different. The 323 is a crossflow design, the 320 isn't. The 323 rad is sealed, the 320 opens at the top.

Use the 323.

Bruce

Ah, you are correct. I looked on the listing again where I get my radiators and its the 320/6 that uses the same one. Missed that the first time.

I don't have a 323i radiator, so I guess I'll keep looking....

Dan

But, if you do want to remove the shifter tower support bracket you shouldn't need to support it with anything. Although, when you remove the front tower bushings the tower will flop around some. The output seal is mounted in a cover that comes off, so you'll be able to take the seal out while its on the work bench. Based on all the stuff you're replacing, the seal shouldn't be your biggest challenge. 8-)

Dan

The radiators used for the 320i and 323i were the same. Do you guys think I should just mount a 320i radiator in the M20 conversion and call it good? It would still need some mods to the sheet metal to make it fit correctly, so I was thinking about fitting the largest unit I could in there to be safe. Oh yeah, I'm using an '80 323i motor for the swap.

Wadda ya think?

Dan

Its fairly common practice to run ATF in manual gearboxes that were originally designed for 90w gear oil. Some mix other lubricants in with it, like graphite, etc.

Dan

For our M20 conversion we planned on badging it with 2302 (323i motor). In my business I come across a LOT of damaged car body parts with the badges still on them, so I was going to use some Mercedes numbers to make the 2302. The numbers are seperate pieces and look pretty decent for the car (C230, E320, etc). Maybe not the sportiest looking numbers, but good enough.

Dan

... and a message with "quotes"!

If you're reading this, the bug is fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience guys.

Cool, now I can us'e al'l th'e apostroph'es I wan't!!'!

Next, we'd like you to edit pictures of our cars and create a photo gallery for us! ;-)

Thanks for all the work on the site. I've been there...

Dan

then I could understand the gripes. But for some users it's sorta been like - You saved my butt yesterday, but what did you do for me today? attitude.

If the gripers can't provide some constructive comments, just sit back and relax, the more intellegent of the species will get it worked out.

I spent a half an hour trying to cut-n-paste the errors I was getting into a message on the "Questions and Suggestions" forum before I finally gave up. That ended up being the final straw with my frustration... trying to help and it wouldnt let me! 8-)

Dan