M30 swap for my Olive Drab Vert! by RagtopE30

5 minute(s) of a 219 minute read

OPERATION: Removable Radiator Support and Intercooler install and Engine Bay Paint and Wire Tuck and Hood Release Cable Tuck and other stuff, IS COMPLETE!!

Got some work done today. 

I mounted the headlights 

I then started working on mounting the SPAL fan. I had to make some brackets.

Then I went ahead and mounted the intercooler with the fan in place and the wiring pulled across the radiator support to ensure that I didn't make any mistakes with clearances. It looked like is was manufactured that way!!

Then I disassembled everything and painted the brackets. And finally remounted everything. I cleaned up the intercooler and reinstalled the hood hinge mechanism and the hood shock arm.

I want opinions here. So please give me some feed back.

Here is my dilemma, 

I have really enjoyed painting the engine bay and I plan on continuing with the exact same color for the exterior, trunk, and door jambs. My dilemma is that I had planned on finishing the car with a satin clear to continue the theme of subdued military coloring, plus it looks cool in satin, BUT the gloss looks so good! My iPotato pictures do not do the engine bay justice at all. So do I paint the exterior to match the engine bay in gloss finish or finish it with the same color and continue with the satin clear coat finish? 

Please consider these before replying:

* I know satin is higher maintenance and that is not an issue

* I will be painting the exterior and have access to a professional booth 

* The exterior paint is a little down the road, turbo and MS are first.

* My hardtop has been stripped and is being painted in high gloss black

Let me know.

2-23-2014

Got the front end back together and the saddest thought came to mind, No one can see my hard work! Oh well that was the idea from the jump.

Valence on without any touching or rubbing.

I then cut out another hole for more airflow potential to the intercooler. And mounted the grills and kidneys.

Now that it is done you can really see how well this all fit. Here is a shot of the bottom of the intercooler peeking out from under the valance. It will be invisible once the lip is reinstalled.

And finally it looks like a car again. Like nothing ever happened! 

2-24-2014

Thanks Otis. No the engine is still to high I just have the compressor housing off for clean up and paint. I now have an intake for mock up and I will have measurements tomorrow for custom solid mounts. Then it will be lower!

I shouldn't because the rear subframe and diff are already offset by 12mm so the CSB was the lowest point on the drive line. If I lower the engine by +/- 22mm or almost an inch then the straight line will be re-established.

Got a few parts on order today including a new Tial 44mm wastegate. My new ATE slave cylinder and master cylinder for the clutch will be in tomorrow morning. And I had a conversation with WhoDWho about a little thing called MegaSquirt! Tomorrow I will make more progress and post accordingly. I am getting really close!

2-25-2014

Got my slave cylinder in and bled. Oh, and I got the engine positioned perfectly with the assistance of a loner intake manifold. The hood closes with plenty of clearance for both the intake and turbo. I didn't really have to lower the engine but only rotated it. The engine sits at 28 degrees which is right where it needs to be +/-. Apparently it was sitting closer to 18-20 degrees before which is completely wrong and was the reason that the turbo was to high. So with the help of some custom aluminum mounts everything will be perfect.

STOOPID iPotato pictures

Like nothing even happened.