GRM is a bad influence thread # 4381....: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 4, 2011 7:35 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

So I aquired another little E30 project.

paint isn't as nice as it looks, needs hood/trunk/rear bumper minimum repaint and the rest needs a cut cut/polish

I picked it up on the cheap because it needs a headgasket/cracked head, still runs and drives, but a bit of milk in the oil.

The interior is near mint, only 91k miles so I assume the rest of the drivetrain is as good as it feels (though it is an autotragic, that will be remedied shortly).

However, all day I've been thinking, "If I have to replace the headgasket anyway, shouldn't I replace it with an MLS and ARP studs..............just in case?"

What say ye?
April 4, 2011 7:54 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

nice find. i heart red/black E30 ragtops with plastic bumpers.
April 4, 2011 8:03 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

z31maniac wrote:

However, all day I've been thinking, "If I have to replace the headgasket anyway, shouldn't I replace it with an MLS and ARP studs..............just in case?"

What say ye?

Skip straight to an S52.
April 4, 2011 8:05 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

Was thinking the same thing...

"if I have to replace the headgasket anyway, why not just drop in a later motor with more powa..."
April 4, 2011 8:06 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

^I did that in my bronze car, not going down that road again. I was just thinking about throwing on a cheap turbo set-up until the real engine goes in ~12-18 months down the line.

5.3L
April 5, 2011 2:48 a.m. simplecat New Reader

to be honest, a 'cheap turbo setup' with the associated stuff is going to cost more than a 5.3/t5 swap.
April 5, 2011 3:35 a.m. mtn SuperDork

Mikey likes it!

318 or 325?
April 5, 2011 6:23 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

simplecat wrote:

to be honest, a 'cheap turbo setup' with the associated stuff is going to cost more than a 5.3/t5 swap.

Meh. A true junkyard warrior could turbo that thing for well under a grand.
April 5, 2011 6:59 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

^Precisely. Although if I get feeling frisky, I'm sure even just the fresh headgasket and headbolts would be good for 9-10psi.

It would also be fun to see how long the automatic lasts with some extra power.
April 5, 2011 7:11 a.m. simplecat New Reader

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

simplecat wrote:

to be honest, a 'cheap turbo setup' with the associated stuff is going to cost more than a 5.3/t5 swap.

That's true, but that same junkyard warrior should be able to do the 5.3 swap for under a grand too. It sounds like the OP is comfortable with turbos, so maybe that's the best direction for him to take it. personally I try to move toward the goal then away from it.

Meh. A true junkyard warrior could turbo that thing for well under a grand.
April 5, 2011 8:54 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

No, the 5.3 swap requires either a remote booster, slotted firewall or conversion to a dual master, booster less brake setup.

Custom engine/trans mounts have to be fabricated, etc.

I probably won't do the turbo thing, it just keeps running through my mind.