E21 guy here to say hello

[Shadyduk1979]

Good afternoon everyone,

I am in process of rebuilding my E21. She had a bit of rust and as I tore it down I found she had a LOT of rust. My intention was (and still is) a one year refresh. Modernise what needs to be due to parts availability and changing winds and make it a car I can just enjoy. The drivetrain is out of Reeves Callaway's mule, spent a little time at Miller Nordburn and eventually became a club racer before it was refreshed and then left in a field to rot. That shell wasn't savable but its heart was able to live on in my (then) rust free shell.

The reason I wanted to join was as I look for ways to deal with parts being unavailable or just illogical to use in 2026 I keep ending up looking at E9s. I love how a lot of you are more interested in keeping your cars on the road than using the "right" part from BMW. Its my philosophy too, and something I find can be lacking in most car cultures. Someday I do aspire to own and E9.... when the E21 stops bleeding me dry. Few of the pics attached from the surprises and the engine as the car goes back together. Once it runs and drives over the next few weeks we go to paint and body.

Pleasure to meet Yall and thanks for the help!

 

[rblongboarder]

Very interesting.. a turbo'd 4cyl E21. I believe I see a A2W intercooler buried underneath.. rectangular silver box.. right hand side of your last photo ?

I'd be interested to see a photo of your exhaust manifold...

 

[bavbob]

I welcome you as a guy with an E9 but newly acquired 323i. In case you are looking, the accelerator pedal bracket is available from one of our own:
https://oilsdesigngroup.com/product/accelerador-pedal-base/

 

[Shadyduk1979]

Very interesting.. a turbo'd 4cyl E21. I believe I see a A2W intercooler buried underneath.. rectangular silver box.. right hand side of your last photo ?

I'd be interested to see a photo of your exhaust manifold...

You do. The car had a front mount but the Nashville heat requires A/C so to get space I decided to go that route. It removes about 18 inches of intercooler piping with 125% of the cooling of the front mount.

 

[Shadyduk1979]

I welcome you as a guy with an E9 but newly acquired 323i. In case you are looking, the accelerator pedal bracket is available from one of our own:
https://oilsdesigngroup.com/product/accelerador-pedal-base/

You might have even seen the car when I lived up there at the Ye Olde Bav Auto Show and Shines

 

[bavbob]

Always planned to go, something always came up..........dare I postulate that is New England rust!

 

[rblongboarder]

Wow.. cast iron turbo manifold.. I imagined a custom header.. so, is this a turbo'd M10 motor? That would make it very similar to the turbo E10 / 2002 that appeared about 1973 or 1974.

When you have a moment, I would love to see more information on that A2W intercooler.

Keep posting. I look forward to watching this project...

 

[Shadyduk1979]

Always planned to go, something always came up..........dare I postulate that is New England rust!

You would be correct. The car was a rust free California car. I drove it one winter for a girl... this was the result. She did become my wife so I guess not so bad lol

 

[Shadyduk1979]

Wow.. cast iron turbo manifold.. I imagined a custom header.. so, is this a turbo'd M10 motor? That would make it very similar to the turbo E10 / 2002 that appeared about 1973 or 1974.

When you have a moment, I would love to see more information on that A2W intercooler.

Keep posting. I look forward to watching this project...

Yes. The idea is that for a smaller motor you want a log type for better efficiency. I do have a custom manifold but for the boost it will be running in its current incarnation it isn't necessary. She will be under 300 HP now. Aiming for 250ish.

 

[bavbob]

Glad you are out of Ma so you can use more than 100hp of the 250.

 

[restart]

I’ve had a few e21 on my time. Thousands and thousands of miles.
320is until a few years ago, make it a decade!
Great car! If I remember it was quite tall happy!

I’ll never be getting another and I still have quite a few parts. M10 engine and NOS trim and who knows what else.
If you need parts be sure and list here as a few of us are into the whole range of bmw madness!

Regards
Allister

 

[bavbob]

Thank You. Mine is a 323 so M20. I am still looking for someone to do the cosmetic body work and trying to locate cloth for the euro cloth interior has been a PIA aas almost none of it is available even in Europe. I picked the wrong time to buy a euro based car but my first BMW was a 320i so I wanted another 25 years later.

 

[Shadyduk1979]

Thank You. Mine is a 323 so M20. I am still looking for someone to do the cosmetic body work and trying to locate cloth for the euro cloth interior has been a PIA aas almost none of it is available even in Europe. I picked the wrong time to buy a euro based car but my first BMW was a 320i so I wanted another 25 years later.

I know this feeling. Getting parts from Europe is a royal pain and way more expensive. E21s were,'t as popular in the US as over there and they are becoming like E30s here. People love racing them over there.

Occasionally Alpina cloth comes up for sale, both reproduction or not. My Recaros are in tough shape but I scored a set of original BMW accessory seat covers. Not perfect, but decent which is fine with me and to my mind a little cooler than redoing them in leather. Keep your eyes peeled on the popular BMW parts sites across the pond.