84 s52 e30 build

[e30_kid89]

VDO vision series ftw. Blends in like stockshizzle

[cormier]

Wow I do really like them-- pros being they're wayyy more cost effective than the stack ones, and look great

Cons -- the 90 degree sweep vs full 270 with the stacks.

Are they good quality too?

[cormier]

VDO vision vs. STACK

[BigD]

I wouldn't worry about the sweep angle. You won't be looking for precise numbers anyway, just memorize the "perfect" and "uh oh" needle angles.

[cormier]

In other I-screwed-up news, dropped my tranny mount on the floor and now it looks like this. Can't remember if it was straight before



Drilled out my e30 brace and mounted them up to find that the tabs restrict the mount! I'll have to bend or grind them down I guess to get it to sit flush





Gauge-wise, think I'm going to go with the VDO vision ones. They look awesome and wont break the bank.

I need to get back out to the car and find out what thread size the TB heater flange is in the head, I want to use that for water temp--couldn't find it online.

[Woofer]

Nice work with the engine bay. I'm glad you decided to go through with it. Skipping that step could have haunted you lol. Keep it stock color. I have crazy OCD tendencies like your self.

How much lengthening of the harness did you have to do to tuck it?

Keep up the good work.

[cormier]

Thanks! I know it would have haunted me, I'm glad I decided on it too.

The wires aren't lengthened yet, I wanted to wait until after the paint so that they can be bagged easily at the shop.

I don't think that the length of the wires will be too much of an issue, maybe a few inches is all thats needed. There's a hole under the fusebox that will easily hold all the wires, but the connectors won't fit through it. This is the main reason that I'm going to lengthen them. I can fit all the wires exactly through where I want with no difficulty and keep it clean without drilling bigger holes. The thing I need to take a look at is where to come back into the bay near the drivers headlights. I will have to mock up the fenders when I do it and check out spacing.

I couldn't find any good pictures of where people have come back up, but theres enough small spaces that it shouldn't be an issue.

[cormier]

Today is pissin me off.

My drivers side motor mount won't fit. The bottom right hole wont line up-- think ill widen the hole on the mount a bit to get it. You can't be supposed to run 3 bolts lol

It's the bolt that looks offset


Also, my oil centre isn't 1/8 NPT. The fitting I bought to test is too small. The coolant bung for the TB heater also isn't 1/8. Piss off on both counts. I was hoping for 3/3.

All 3 holes


I can't find the bolts for the alternator mounting. I don't know which diagram I haven't checked yet.

To make matters worse, the powers been out here for over 6 hours now due to an accident on 24. This means no light, heat, drills or compressors.

[El Gato Liso]

the mounts will fit! i remember specifically that problem; those holes wont line up.

you dont need to widen anything! lemme dig through my swap pics...

[El Gato Liso]

take a pic with the mounting arm on the block.

[Bullet Ride]

Originally Posted by cormier

Today is pissin me off.

My drivers side motor mount won't fit. The bottom right hole wont line up-- think ill widen the hole on the mount a bit to get it. You can't be supposed to run 3 bolts lol

I haven't looked closely at the motor mounts, any chance that the bolt pattern is A-symmetrical so that you don't accidentally put the right side motor mount on the left side or vice versa?

[El Gato Liso]

Originally Posted by Bullet Ride

I haven't looked closely at the motor mounts, any chance that the bolt pattern is A-symmetrical so that you don't accidentally put the right side motor mount on the left side or vice versa?

they're distinctly differentiable. one mount looks like its upside down *pass side*, the driver mount side


the right mount it the driver side. if you look at the bottom right hole, it oval shaped to fit that offset hole on the driver side of the block.

it will fit! because you have to make it fit.

[cormier]

Ya no chance I mixed them up-- theyre pretty clear with the way the motor sits tilted

I'll take a pic in a bit -- still no power here playin monopoly with the kids lol.

No way to bend it and make it fit, for sure either the block needs to be re tapped or the mount arm needs drilling :s

[cormier]

Pix of the motor mount arm

I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but there's no way to get that bolt in, the mount has no play when the other bolts are in

[Bullet Ride]

Rob's motor mount has a slotted hole on the same hole your mount doesn't line up with. Looks like you need to slot that hole a bit.