The big BMW e30 Touring Project! Advice needed esp on aero!

[320touring]

Right,


I'm in the slightly unusual position of having an almost Blank Canvas to work with here..


Background

The Bmw e30 "touring" is a compact estate car built from 1988-1994. It was not exported to the US, so i'm sure it'll look odd to most folks!

The car I own was bought in 2005 for £300, and then thrashed heavily for the following 5 years. Its been used to move engines and soil, rallied round many a backroad and taken to Kiev in the Ukraine for fun..

I love this car- it's a joy to drive in a spirited manner, yet pleasant on the motorway just nursing along. I cant get enough of the RWD experience, and I intend to keep this car for quite some time.

It failed its MOT (roadworthyness inspection) in April this year and has been sitting with its ass in the air and rear beam off since then.

I'm getting bored with the Saab, and need to get moving on this project again.

Essentially I'm in a position to make this car an effective an frugal daily driver

There are some caveats I have,a nd I'll lay them out below- but I'd like your ideas (wild as they may be!) to be expressed! Even better would be some photoshopping to show what you mean

These pics show the general front/rear profiles of the car shape

Front Profile
http://www.bmuu.com.au/Home/Photos/3...%20Touring.JPG

Rear Profile
File:BMW E30 Touring rear 20080625.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Things I dont want to change (unless you give a great reason!)

1. No Kammback (i'll entertain an extension of the rear spoiler though!) this is due to insurance issues I forsee

2. It'll be powered by the original 6cyl 1990cc 12v m20 engine. Fuelling IS open to discussion, i have an LPG kit sitting here

3. It must remain identifiable as an e30- part of the appeal are the looks of the car. Certain tuing companies like ALPINA/HARGE have produced "cowcatcher" fronts for this car- they may form an ideal starting point for an airdam?

4. It must maintain full functionality for load carrying/passenger transporting

I think that's about it..

I'm particularly interested in ways to reduce the Cd of the car- its pretty horrific from standard.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your ideas!

Neil

[tjts1]

Well the beauty of the E30 as opposed to newer BMWs is that its put together like legos. Its pretty easy to swap parts out. I don't know what differential you have but if acceleration is not an issue, you can drop in a much taller diff. There is a about a dozen ratios available between 2.79-4.44. I know at least one guy in the US is using a 2.79 with his 1.8 liter M42 16 valve and getting some pretty phenomenal FE in the process. Its just a matter of how much acceleration you're willing to sacrifice.
E30 Differential Ratios - e30tech.com Forums
To reduce parasitic drag you can ditch the PS pump and clutch fan. It was a nice improvement on my M42, swap in Bosch Design 3 injectors (EV6) for better fuel atomization. Right now you have the injector on the left, EV6 on the right. EV6 produces a much finer mist without increasing the total flow.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/...79b3f801_o.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...g?t=1243226257
These injectors can be found all over the junkyards for dirt cheap.
I wish they sold the wagon in the US. I had to settle for a 4 door 16 valve.
good luck
Justin

[euromodder]

Dump the mudflaps if it has got them on.
Fill in the gaps in the front spoiler.
Partial or full grille block.


Station wagons and hatchbacks have the same problem area at the rear: a nearly vertical tail and a large wake.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Well the beauty of the E30 as opposed to newer BMWs is that its put together like legos. Its pretty easy to swap parts out. I don't know what differential you have but if acceleration is not an issue, you can drop in a much taller diff. There is a about a dozen ratios available between 2.79-4.44. I know at least one guy in the US is using a 2.79 with his 1.8 liter M42 16 valve and getting some pretty phenomenal FE in the process. Its just a matter of how much acceleration you're willing to sacrifice.
E30 Differential Ratios - e30tech.com Forums
To reduce parasitic drag you can ditch the PS pump and clutch fan. It was a nice improvement on my M42, swap in Bosch Design 3 injectors (EV6) for better fuel atomization. Right now you have the injector on the left, EV6 on the right. EV6 produces a much finer mist without increasing the total flow.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/...79b3f801_o.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...g?t=1243226257
These injectors can be found all over the junkyards for dirt cheap.
I wish they sold the wagon in the US. I had to settle for a 4 door 16 valve.
good luck
Justin

Justin, thanks for the suggestion. I'm thinking of a 3.64 diff for the rear end.

As for injectors-I was mpanning to swap in a set of 4 jet injectors from an m50 or m44 lump.

I'm contemlpating an electric fan conversion, but wondering how if its worth it as the fan is driven off the waterpump. Waterpump and Alternator are on the same belt too..

Euromodder,

No mudflaps, although i'd be tempted to use some as tyre air deflectors

A grill block is definately up there!

Anyone got any ideas regarding sheel covers/moon discs etc?

I'm assuming a full length belly pan would be advantagous too?

[320touring]

Time to shake this off and get going)

after a 2 year rebuild she's back, and wearing a 3.73 diff- geared for about 2750 at 60mph

Additionally she's on original sized 205/5/15 instead of 195/50, so the mileage is more accurate

first tank back on the road was over 35 mpg (IMP)

I'm a happy boy