Nocd

[Elysian]

The valve covers look great!

Now I need to figure out if I paint the intake manifold black as well.

Push rods and flywheel are already in Austin, ordered them yesterday. Summit is awesome.

[Elysian]

Thought my pushrods and flywheel were going to be here today... Summit used a regional overnight shipper, and it was "on the truck" this morning, but this evening the status updated, all it said was "emergency conditions." So maybe tomorrow?

edit: Called the shipping company, apparently the driver yesterday couldn't finish his route because of family emergency

[Elysian]

Roller rockers and pushrods are installed



Gonna pick up some valve cover gaskets, put the valve covers on, then move to the oil pump/pan mods, should hopefully have the engine closed up this weekend.

[Elysian]

I'm a bad welder but the oil pan is getting there. I've got 3 leaks I need to fix, then clean it up and paint it.

[Elysian]

Oil pan was a mini nightmare thanks to my computer lack of welding skill, but it's done. It holds liquid which is all that matters. Threw a coat of paint on it and called it a day.

[Elysian]

Got a LOT done today, but got hung up again.

I got the oil pump installed (replaced it, original pump was scored really badly), got the timing cover lined up and installed, and put the crank pulley on. However, when I went to install the oil pan, the oil pickup was touching the pan in the area I chopped up, meaning no go. Marked it on the inside of the pan to see how far off it was, I'll spoiler tag in case some are put off by boogers.



That sharpie mark inside the pan is how far off the pickup is. I bought the pickup recommended for the pan, but didn't expect it to go all the way to the back of the pan, figured it would be in the middle. Oh well, looks like I'll be chopping it up and rewelding it. I also roughly checked its depth and it's about 3/4" too shallow, I'll work on its clearance while I'm at it. The oil pump I got is also a high flowing replacement, so should be a nice pump. I'm hoping I can chop up the pickup tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

[Elysian]

Welded the oil pickup today, took two tries on the 2nd weld but overall was pretty painless to get the clearance right.



Oil pan is on.



No idea when I dinged that corner but oh well. Put the lower intake manifold in a vat of Purple Power overnight, will clean it up tomorrow.

[Elysian]

Ordered a Summit Racing short throw shifter today, has positive stops so should help keep the transmission in line. Also ordered a new water pump.

[Elysian]

Had to move backwards a little bit, realized I didn't install the windage tray, so pulled the oil pan off. Quickly realized I needed special studs to be able to install the windage tray, so ordered those and will resume when they get here.

In the mean time, I pressure washed the intake manifold, need to clean it a little more but should be able to paint it. Need to grab some high temp black.

[Elysian]

My Summit T5 billet short shifter came in, gotta say, it's pretty impressive for the price.




I probably put the shift rod on backwards, but just wanted to put it there for demonstration.

So the windage tray is installed properly now, enough clearance for the connecting rods, and enough clearance that the oil pan fits. It was a VERY tight fit, but I got the oil pan on and spun the engine a few times.

So much more to do. I think I'll paint the upper and lower intake next.

[Elysian]

Installed the water pump today. Was a pain because some of the bolts wouldn't go in all the way, so I made a homemade tap with my cutoff wheel and cleaned them out that way.

Then I realized I needed to put the oil pump shaft in before I bolted the oil pump on, so the pan came back off Got that installed, so now the oil system is ready for priming.

[MasterGoa]

This threads need a pic of a burnout when you are done

[Roadhog]

This threads need a pic of a burnout when you are done

It's 2018, we have the technology now for videos.

[Elysian]

There will definitely be videos

There was going to be a video series on the build... Till I realized how time consuming recording everything was. Made enough for two videos then said **** it.

[Elysian]

Didn't have much time this weekend, but got the lower intake manifold painted.

[Elysian]

Primed the engine with oil and put the lower intake manifold on tonight.

[Elysian]

Took a few minutes to install the fuel injectors/fuel rails (stock rails, 42lb injectors, might need to change that but we'll see), and thermostat tonight. That's all I have time for though.

[Elysian]

Bought a wide body kit for it. Rocket Bunny Pandem, as seen on this car:



Eventually I'll start on the actual car side of things

[Elysian]

Started wiring today. Injector leads are wired, heat shrunk, fiberglass wrapped, and taped at the engine side. Need to run more wires for the loom, so not ready to button the injector wires up yet. Also ran the wire for the cam phase sensor, and realized I couldn't find the engine coolant temp sensor, so ordered one of those. Got some more wire on the way as well, and some assorted pieces of heat shrink so I don't have to cut so much manually.

[Elysian]

Didn't get a lot done last night, but did record the resistances on my coolant temp sensor so I can plug that into Tuner Studio later on.

[Elysian]

More wiring done today, coolant sensor and cam sensor wires are run where I want them. Also mocked up the upper intake manifold and throttlebody so I can wire the TPS and IACV. Also attached the crank sensor, need to run the wire for that. Basically got the drivers side of the engine wiring how I want it, now working on the passenger side.

I found that the upper intake manifold and the valve covers don't play nice. The vacuum fittings on the bottom of upper intake come out underneath the manifold, and those 90 degree fittings bump right into the valve covers. Need to figure out if I can just chop them or if an intake spacer is a better idea...

[Elysian]

I was starting to do a manual swap on my 88 325i... Got the trans off, realized the oil pan was the cause of the leak, not the RMS... Took the oil pan off, the oil smells like blown head gasket. Dumped the coolant, there's oil in there.

So I said screw it, the 88 is getting the 302. I'm in the middle of that right now, should have the engine in place by tonight.




Note the Geo Metro brake booster, I'll be able to confirm by tonight whether this works or not.





And that's where I'm taking a short break. Need to hit the parts store for some bolts, and need to see if I can find a C4 trans mount locally.

[Elysian]

I finally have an E30 with a V8. Now to get it running...

[Roadhog]

Needs some more freedom.



awesome job though!

[Elysian]

Let'er rip tater chip.

[Roadhog]

Let'er rip tater chip.

twin turbskies are a requirement in order to go full tater chip.

[Elysian]

Have a remote mount brake booster on the way, from an E34 5 series.

[Elysian]

Hit the junkyard today, grabbed a starter and some GM LS truck coils.

[Elysian]

Tested the starter, works fine. Installed it, also installed the trans dust cover, and put the correct motor mounts in. The engine and trans sit much better now.

[Elysian]

Upper intake is painted.

[Elysian]

Had time for real minor stuff yesterday. Grabbed a pair of 7/16-14 set screws, a 7/16-14 tap, and plugged the two vacuum lines that interfere with my valve covers. Didn't need them anyways, but used red Loctite, just in case I ever did need them again.



Also picked up a PCV grommet. Need to finish up the wiring on top of the motor and start putting the intake manifold on. Not sure which direction I'll be bolting the manifold on, any input is welcome.

[Elysian]

Added AT LEAST 40hp today.

[Elysian]

Fuel rail came in, started putting it together to see if the intake fits. It doesn't, but it won't be hard to fit, the fuel rail is just barely touching the bottom of the manifold in one spot. Plenty of meat to clearance there.

[Elysian]

Another shot, to show the clearance of the intake manifold to the valve covers. Maybe 1/8", not much but just enough. That was before I put the new fuel rails on.

[Elysian]

Got most of the wiring done. Need to wire up the TPS and idle control, drill/tap for the idle air temp sender, and mount the alternator to include that wiring. Coming along nicely.

[Elysian]

Working out what I need for the exhaust, went ahead and ordered a custom spark plug kit today, as well as a few of the exhaust components. Need 90 degree angle boots on the plug side for the GT40P heads and the BBK shorty unequal length headers, but need LS boots on the coil side. Wound up ordering a Mallory Sidewinder kit and some Taylor LS boots. Should be here by Friday, so I'll be able to build them on Saturday, maybe start it by Sunday.

[OverclockN']

...maybe start it by Sunday.

[Elysian]

Work is about to resume Need more coffee first.

[Elysian]

Eventful day, till I had to leave for a friends get together.

Started the morning at the junkyard, grabbed a Fox body gas pedal and throttle cable, as well as the bolts I need to install the upper intake manifold.

Then wrestled with the fuel rail, got it mounted lower which gave the intake plenty of clearance. The rail kit I bought didn't come with everything I needed, should have bought one with a regulator, but I was able to find the parts to make the regulator I have work, so the fuel rail is complete. Tomorrow I'll start by mounting the pressure regulator, then finish up the wiring work.

And just worked out the LS coil wiring, so I can wire those up easily tomorrow.

[Elysian]

Started the wiring harness early this morning, almost done. Had to stop to get something at Fry's to assist the grounding, and got lunch, will be back at it soon. Hopefully I have everything set up right.