donor car in the ATL...and other questions

#1

Hey fellas, I’m new here and looking for a ride. I have my eye on a couple BMWCCA KP cars that may be able to be detuned for Spec e30, but I’m also exploring the donor car route.

Any of you Atlanta guys got a line on a ride? I haven’t researched too much, but there aren’t many suspects on the usual line ups (autotrader, ebay).

I’m gonna ask my mechanic too. Just seems like you guys are tuned in so I thought I’d ask before I actually got out of my chair and did anything myself.

Also, I’ve been following the roll cage discussions as this is the area I know I’ll need help. Anyone got a good line on a cage builder in the area?

Thanks,
Greg
To finish first, first you have to finish!

#2

Call at 770-886-2500 and I can give you a couple of good leads. Regards, Robert Patton

#3

Thanks Robert. I’ll give you a ring straightaway.

#4

Robert you are a true ambassador for Spec e30. Alway willing to help find, build or tear apart an E30. It will truly break my heart to whup up on you this season:P Only 1 month til CMP so I figured I would get the smack talk started.

#5

Damion, the smack talk will be fun. Yet, you won’t have to worry about whooping up on me, we’ve got to worry about those Mid Atlantic racers. Harrington, Hunt, Goldwaite, Cobetto, Davidson, Scott, Perry, Taylor. etc., ( I should look at their win list to not exclude anyone) are where the competition will come from. And we’ve got new racers to be concerned with in the Southeast…

Thanks for the kind words. It will be a great season.

Regards, Robert Patton

#6

Robert,

I want to find a car just so I can join in on the smack talk. Thanks for the tip on this sled. I went and looked at it today. It’s a very well prepared car.

Problem is it’s been rolled up a few times. Last owner clearly had (way, way)more money than sense/skill. My beemer service guy is close to David’s though, so he’s gonna see if it’s a basket case tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,
Greg

To finish first, first you have to finish…

This guy could have used that tidbit

#7

Hey Gang,

This car is a bit over-prepared for Spec e30. Could sell off the hi-po bits, but it’d have to be stripped down pretty good. It also needs a grand or 2 in frame work. This car has been bounced front and back pretty good.

I’m gonna keep it under consideration, but keep looking.

Thanks Robert and Michael for the tips so far.

Greg
To finish first, first you have to finish.

#8

There is still a great donor up here in Radford that is available.

#9

Thanks Rob,

Is there a thread on it somewhere? Or do you have some info on it?

Greg
To finish first, first you have to have a car!!

#10

There is nice black 325is here in Augusta. I need to verify if its a 5 spd or auto though. Not sure of the price but I will Check on it for you today. It Looks really nice though the price may be high.

#11

Thanks Damion…I really appreciate the help.

#12

Greg the car is an auto. :frowning: But the car is ultra clean. If you are still interested let me know and I can get more details. My car started life as an auto.

#13

Damion,
Thanks man. I guess if the price is right I would do it. The idea of swapping trannies doesn’t excite me. All that drilling/tapping, etc. is beyond my skills. I’d have to employ a pro. You think it’s worthwhile?

#14

beemelfer wrote:

[quote]Damion,
Thanks man. I guess if the price is right I would do it. The idea of swapping trannies doesn’t excite me. All that drilling/tapping, etc. is beyond my skills. I’d have to employ a pro. You think it’s worthwhile?[/quote]
There’s no drilling & tapping required. Swapping a 5-speed in is only a bit more work than changing a clutch. And a nice thing about an auto car is that there’s a good chance that it has never been redlined nor has it spent much time in the high end of the rpm band.

#15

That’s great news Jim! There are a ton of autos out there. Think I can find an e30 5 speed pretty easily?

#16

There are a couple of ways to get the parts for a 5-speed conversion. One is to find the collection of parts yourself at salavage yards and the other is to purchase a "5-speed conversion kit" from EuroDepot or someplace similar. The cheaper route is finding the parts yourself, but that can be a long and difficult process unless you have some good yards nearby. I went the kit route from EuroDepot. The transmission, pedal box, driveshaft and flywheel are used parts, but they shipped new master & slave cylinders, tranny mounts, shifter bushings, clutch, nuts, bolts, etc. EuroDepot charges $1200 for a complete kit and it was worth it to me to not have to scramble around trying to find the various bit and pieces.

#17

David Cullen just might have the bits for a 5-speed conversion soon, if you don’t mind them slightly "race track tested". He’s the SpecE30 dude for SE and lives in Atlanta.

#18

[quote]Thanks Rob,

Is there a thread on it somewhere? Or do you have some info on it?

[/quote]

He’s not a racer, but a friend of ours here at BW. Email me and I’ll give you his contact info. It’s a 5 speed fur door car.

If you have the parts from a donor a 5 speed swap in an E30 is so easy a caveman could do it. HEHE couldn’t resist…

#19

Men,
Thanks so far for all the input. I’m looking at a car that used to be a 325e. Any gotchas I should be looking for on this model?
Thanks,
Greg

#20

hey guys I have 2 e30’s for sale in Gainesville, ga. 1 5speed 86 325es with a 3.73 lsd and an 87 325is auto. three sets of wheels and misc. other parts. both cars are identical color inside and out, red with tan inside. was going the spec e30 route but don’t have the time. any one interested can email me or call my cell 770 503-5064 . todd robertson