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My Silver Grey 325i "Aura" w/ M54b30 ZHP swap

24K views 76 replies 15 participants last post by  Darkstar5379 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi guys, been meaning to do a "Journal Thread" for a while now. I've had the car since late 2016 and put about 30k miles on her since. I'll be updating this thread as I do things like maintenance and mods/upgrades. First, I'll be posting till the present date, starting with Year 1 and 2. This is going to be word heavy since I didn't take too many pictures at first, my mistake I know

I bought it from a local in town who "fixed" her (red flag #1). Looking back now, knowing what was wrong with her I would've Negotiated for a lower price, oh well.

This is my first car and she has been treating me well so far, I got this one since my father has his 330i for several years and I've been helping him do oil changes and the water system, so I figure I can handle it. 2 and a half years later, no regrets.

When I got her, she had about 126k miles and has a black interior which I like since I don't like tan. She has the premium package and that meant real leather and power seats! Almost no rust on the body except a rock chip on the hood so I wasn't too concerned since this was an Arizona car and a Florida car. A few scratches but didn't bother me.



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ee5ucDxsps89go1mFioYO8co-0pFKiks
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YZqFI8x30Dx1-Z2-lOLLjEWPfUnzAMaz

Year 1

After purchase I noticed oil coming out of the oil filter cap, so I did an oil change, and who ever did it last never removed the old oil O-ring and just put the new O-ring over the old one never making a seal (red flag #2) :facepalm:

Also, the dip stick was loose, turns out they never put that 13mm bolt back and just zip tied to the intake manifold (red flag #3):facepalm: :facepalm:

After all that was resolved I did the whole coolant system, except the hard coolant pips. Easy job since I did it about a month prior on my father’s car.

A couple of weeks went by without an issue until I got home and noticed my rear badge was missing, so that weekend after class in Miami I went to the stealership to get a new one, I figure it will last longer, nearly 2 years later it still looks new!


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NDxAfyKo0XHxYt4Bz_TVsvLY469QucMv
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vuL8UwClRMpbU3aqFv34wZgSfB2n_i2K

Several months later I did my control arm bushings since I was getting a slight shimming on the highway, PO said he did one of them and he gave me the other when I bought the car (red flag #4) looked like an eBay part so replaced both with an oem set.

Did an oil change probably round this time too, I don't remember when I do them, all I know I do them every 7k miles

I also had an electrical gremlin that was keeping my brake light on after start, no cruise control and leaving my radio on after shutdown. It was intermittent, so I wasn't aware of it until I notice the brake lights were on while I was walking to my car. Turns out it was the ignition switch. I fixed it cheaply, got it at a junk yard, so I'm not complaining.

At the same time at the junk yard getting a couple of ignition switches and fuses, I ran into a 323i with a full set of silver trim! (I wasn't a fan of the wood trim, so I wanted something different) :woot:


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18ppoXFRciWF5slkDRQC18p_MFRpWPYLr

A week later I went to another junk yard in search of a sport steering wheel because I wasn't a fan of the 4 spoke steering wheel and I wasn't going to spend over $100 on eBay for one either. Long story short I found a great one and some 330i Silver gauge rings! For a fraction of the cost! :D

The gauge rings were easy to install, I just replace the front housing of my gauge cluster with the 330i one

Oh, and I tripped the airbag sensor, rookie mistake :facepalm:


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KF71iuii2YH92qV7oKRk9JmqBMhi9pJS
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ooIPYmNs2Oy94xrFkdKxgjUFWbumou8L

Fixed the Airbag sensor using PA soft and an old XP laptop I have. So, no biggie.

Around this time, I installed the factory alarm system, the first alarm horn was dead, so I got another one from the junk yard

That's pretty much it for year one. I drove it for about 14k miles that year since I let my brother drive it to school and I drove it on the weekends to go to College in Miami.

Btw A year is when I bought the car so like early September, Year 1 ends August 2017
 
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7
#2 · (Edited)
Year 2

Year 2


Late September

I got a notification about a 325xi coming into a junkyard, so I went there hoping to get the sport seats since I really wanted some. Upon arriving I notice the headlights are still there and intact, I really disliked the halogens but again I wasn't going to pay $500 for a pair of Bi-xenons on eBay. Long story short I got them, the seats were full of mud and were fake leather so I didn't bother.

Cleaned them up and ordered some cheap xenons bulbs (I wasn't going to spend twice the amount of the headlights on bulbs that I didn't know if they were going to work) and installed it a week later! To my surprise they worked! and those cheap bulbs are still working today!

I also had to cut the bottom plastic bracket thing that the bottom of the headlight housing slides into place to make them fit, just an FYI for anyone that wants to do it.


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10GUwlovnAEy7bsb4nh10Zybddw9eJo9t
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GCCzsGQdX6R4kgYP9bPPVEQwBjmEhpLL

October

While looking through Craigslist, someone was selling some good-looking leather sport seats north of Tampa, made him an offer and headed that way, got home late and installed it the next day.

Boom Sport Pkg Interior complete



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Khh-Zeoa8TnyGoHXjDVU1YM01DDaBxPc
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qK2Oh-zCZwa5644wh0llSbfJJehV0bL1

The next week I went to the Dealership for the airbag recall, the day before my engine developed a bad vacuum leak but I had already made the appointment and didn't want to reschedule so the dealership wrote on my invoice "car runs poorly" :cry:
(wish I've known where I put that invoice)

Turns out it was the Disa Valve, apparently the plastic thingy that holds the flap on the bottom broke causing the leak. I fixed it using German Auto Solutions Kit. Great Kit, I used it to upgrade My father's 330i as PM.




https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10CI804PDuqvVaXQIt4dBMbsPyHqXRkDO
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IDdhlypljDwKFzBP9ExJkoLGLN_zE96j

November-December

By this time, I think I've done the valve cove gasket, spark plugs and belts, no pics

I also purchase some Orion V4 Angle Eyes for black Friday, a goodish deal I waited till Christmas to install it and they are bright as hell! worth it! Not a perfect fit but close enough, I wired it up to the dome lights, so it come on when I unlock it!

Also, we found a good condition 03 M tech 1 330i for my brother, Just in time for Christmas!





https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MKERNdBQl-g_MWPfXEFezCiQ660l8phP
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_ubgFN09Zu3XelK1RPwI9tNtNBKrLBO3
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LPCmSbXqVo358capQpkoO84NsYBJGb_o
 
#3 · (Edited)
Year 2 Cont.

Year 2 cont.
January-February

I was getting tired of the black trunk handle of my 325i, so I found one that was color match on eBay, Made a huge difference on how the rear looks



Early March

I bought a pair of front brake calipers off a low mileage Zhp, I figured if I***8217;m going to refresh my front brakes I might as well upgrade right? I installed them in March when all the parts arrived




They turned out pretty good. When I did the job, whoever did it last put the brake wear sensor backwards, good thing I replace the brakes, they were getting a little too thin. The rears were done recently by the PO.

May

Got a great deal on An E90 Compass rear view mirror on eBay, way cheaper than a regular e46 mirror, I just had to have it. I had to be careful since I had the SOS mirror and if I wired it wrong I would've bricked it. Took me the whole after noon and into the night but I got it done :)



June

I've been in the market for some M-Tech 2 bumpers for a while now and finally I found a guy parting out a ZHP that was my color out in Fort Lauderdale, The car was hit in the side but looks like it was in good shape, Asked him if the trunk, rear bumper and side skirts were still intact and available,(his ad listed the front bumper sold :bawling: ) Made him an offer and the next day I was there picking it up, it was a tight fit but got the rear bumper and side skirts in my brothers 330i, had to get my mother to come along to transport the trunk, it was a happy day! :D :D


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12-mulw04b07Gj92hvoh0mCX4IFLLbpQk
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b38w2d7cSce3uh8VRVEnKiQHTky-jBIX
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Fe7KrUDrukZ3kAztsoJfu46EAUA-AfpL

I installed it that night and had to go out to a junk yard to get some pre-facelift rear bumper brackets since my car didn't come with the proper brackets, Installed the trunk and side skirts too, I replace the trunk since my original trunk had scratches and black spots popping up, PO probably had it resprayed by some cheap body shop, I figured it was cheaper than respraying and I get an oem lip spoiler in the mix! I removed the "330i" badge and kept it debadge since


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nl_JVUnH3hPlhA7uXrD8t4k8NGTtNRYT
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T1oblEbWNH-Hrv3yIuLy2Cmc-cW3j8Fv

Nothing happens till October, Till then just regular maintenance :thumbsup:


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=107ut3EytHbwgkfRHELoBEXKrFUqbq8CL
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wtnNSlqLuPl9vt5374pKI3hAyGzEdV31
 
#4 · (Edited)
Year 3

Year 3

October

I've manage to get a 01 325i 5sp Manual as a parts car for like $400, the guy overheated the motor and blew the head gasket. I might make a build thread on that one once I get around to it. It's been sitting in my driveway for months now.

anyways I took the electric fan from that car and decide to put it in mine. My father’s car needed a fan clutch anyways and I just gave him mine. Win Win. As I was taking my front bumper off, I realize that the passenger side was screwed in. Turns out the bumper guide on the fender was missing, and a body shop just drilled it into the fender :tsk:

So, I drove to a junk yard that have several face lifted e46s to see if they had any intact I could use, nothing, they were all destroyed.

I did run into a 330i that had an M-tech I bumper my color, I figure to get that and call it a day. cool thing was that 330i was an SMG 330i, I felt so bad I didn't have the tools, the means and the guts (that car was held up on rusted rims) to take that 6speed out of that car and throw it into mine :bawling: :bawling: anyways I took that bumper and its electric fan too since I didn't trust the older 01 fan and installed them a few days later when I got brand new bumper brackets for that bumper. I already had the fog lights so all I needed was the cover and the trims and grille, it wasn't cheap, but it wasn't that expensive either. the paint wasn't perfect, but I don't really mind it





I say She looks good for having a junk yard front bumper, if I do say so myself. :p

December

Change out my Mass Air Flow Sensor, Got rid of my Check Engine light and my limp mode after 4000 rpm :thumbsup:

Did my Vanos too, car is much livelier, but not by much

Not much happening lately, I did get those fog light covers, and spray painted them gloss black




I'll keep this updated whenever I can, In the future I'll be getting Gloss Black Kidney grills, maybe rims whenever I need new tires, other than that just regular maintenance. I will be changing my transmission fluid, at 153k miles I'm way overdue. I will be doing my driveshaft center support bearing too since its starting to vibrate, the diff fluid as well and an oil change!
 
#5 ·
Quick update:

Quick update:

Did my oil change and my diff fluid today


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eQ2cWm9j3mQHHLzaVFUtIcL6lNWXZT5x

And my Gloss Black Kidney Grilles came in today! :woot:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14Dln7YrGpS6b4lfVO8lWacN8LxwLUDEA
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1StBImOB_sMMa0KW1NAKSXccaahh0gF_E

They look great but the fitment isn't the best but I didn't have high expectations when I purchased them so It's better than I expected for the price. I don't notice it too much anyways.
 
#6 ·
Style 44s

Had nothing pending today so I decided to try out these Style 44s that came off my parts car for shits and giggles.



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15xy198MkbWZNuDua_oNzA9GyTfsZXEhg
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hjmlm9rVZpTcJFKaW7_kxeTs95VRV3sx

They don't look bad, I actually like them. Can't keep them on since the tires are in bad shape, and they're all different brands so I'll be taking them off later today. If I can't find some style 135s anytime soon, I'll probably put these on after I refurbish them, make a little project out of it. Maybe paint them a slightly darker silver too :thumbup:



Also did my trans fluid last weekend and my center support bearing on my drive shaft. I still have a slight vibration :ben: but Its better than before. It might be a bad U joint or something. I already have done this job twice, first time I replaced the Giubo and center support bearing 6 months ago, but this time I only replaced the CSB and new bolts all around. I did some research and came back with a bad U joint or trans mounts. I'll be doing the trans mounts in the coming weeks and see if that helps, if not, welp looks like I'm getting a new drive shaft sometime in the future :tsk:
 
#9 ·
Thanks! :thumbup:


I'm looking to replace the ugly 4 spoke steering wheel on my touring. How did you get the dealership to replace the round airbag under the recall with a car that was not originally equipped with one??
I think I just got lucky. I was worried about that too. I guess they saw the sport steering wheel and seats and just replaced it. That's why I waited till I acquired some sport seats before I did the recall. Some people on the forums here weren't that lucky and the dealership didn't honor the recall with a swapped steering wheel, but I read that a couple of years ago. Idk what's the policy today.
 
#13 ·
Great thread. Keep it coming. Car is looking really nice.

I’m a closet Style 44 fan. Got a set in my yard that I need to clean up and paint.
Thanks man!

Once the weather gets better (Its been raining non-stop for the past week), I'll probably begin to restore them.
 
#14 · (Edited)
New Badge!

So after a year, I wanted to re-badge my car. Naturally I wanted an OEM badge but after I got my gloss black grilles I wanted a badge to match..

So after a month of waiting I got these Gloss Black "325i" badges!



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T42G457PZuRLsbJ9-RLV2xGGVr2XZt7J
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z5kSrE33y3iHIaPgHGFblu55NCY0JjHf

It looks pretty good, I might be a degree off but it looks fine from a distance.

I used my brothers badge as a template and used alot of blue tape




https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SNaBNtyEFR5n6ajd0UODMIAnMaOuQ_y2
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1--0z_dlfF9yNoaLzCtOJidXpUeqlEcW_

It turned out pretty good, I like it [emoji106]
 
#15 · (Edited)
Airport Photo Shoot

Few recent pics of my car


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OI-iOaX8fh8z-0zBaJvTH7d5-t-bxhtV


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hy6_7jum2bds2nuYdU1iOt-ya3e7vxlb


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nmYIytKLUkDFFpz4opQxkfDKHR1oVfCk


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZaN7r8lOfJsyE3AddmKLQR_q-TuAdyRS


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15uD7433Yjw5-_Ykh3vH5Ehy8eBzdD2GU


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gwuCTaj39Ppcy7ktJG5UxknNgUrXzEVs


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zp8x0_bAanVOf6qsEBtXFVAVogxObEe3


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bxxJBPvm1WkqXPIPSaH--cl1ujxBBe_n

The black badge looks great, it might seem a bit "tacky" to some but I think it fits the car nicely


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1I3xL1GG3ngd8AkGSyFyXbM6RW6TvsWwd

My brother stopped by for a few minutes too


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Trlwd9bv0kysfwRP5O_EuId9yX9VDOa-

Nothing really new to report other than a few cosmetic items like,a pair of new to me headlight lenses, a few color match trims, and a new shift knob. The style 44 rims restoration is on hold for now, They're mounted back on the parts car for the time being.

The car is running great, but there's still a slight vibrating from the drive shaft and there's a "buzzing" sound coming from the engine bay, sounds like something metallic is loose but can't pin it down where exactly, it sounds like its on the passenger side. I doubt its the vanos since I just did the seals and the ant-rattle thing last December. Other than that no major issues. Plus she just hit 156k and drove it up all the way to Orlando and back with no problems! :woot:

Update: Figured out whats "Buzzing" in the engine bay. It's the heatshield for the first bank Headers!
 
#16 · (Edited)
Finally got OEM clear corner lights!

August:

I got OEM clear corner lights!

My longtime best friend got me a Bday gift last week, a pair OEM ULO corner lights and a pair of OEM FER side markers from ECS tuning!! :D

Finally got around to going to my favorite spot for taking pictures of my car, The Airport!



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=148VifASKh71v3Y-4O2ZEXK5DHffNNdW9


(I know, I know, I'm missing a cover, I gotta get one soon :tsk:)
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IP9g1EJf8ENFiD2P2DEzWYuxdSRtDfdR



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a3WoQLMMNRQwMGUDC119tx7nYhoOAmTN



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12qd9VQUsB6I4gLU-vMY6B0k_dB_SY0dc

I've already ordered the outer rear taillights from a nice guy in England and I'm hoping it gets here after the hurricane that's set to hit Florida early next week, hate to lose it in transit.

The Euro trunk lights are harder to fine used and the OEM ULO ones are like $80 each, I hate to use cheap aftermarket parts because they might yellow over time and have a large stamp of their logo on them so I might just get the ULOs unless someone has good experience with TYC which I'm considering as an alternative if ECS gets them back in stock soon.

Maintenance Update:
-She just turned 158K and still running strong! and no CEL! :woot:
-Changed the rear brakes a couple weeks ago, the brake discs were BMW stamped so I really doubt that the PO actually change them and they just change the brake pads.
-The rear shocks looked original so I will be doing that soon, the front ones have been done some time in the past but will be replacing those too with the sport suspension.
-I was gonna do the transmission mounts but the dumb hurricane had to show up. :tsk:
-I hope the trans mounts eliminates the vibration, but I doubt it too.

As this hurricane approaches we're getting ready for a direct impact. So hopefully nothing happens to the cars, wish us luck!
 
#18 ·
Thanks Razor! I try to keep it as clean looking as possible, like it would come out of the factory like it is now, but with "BMW Performance" gloss kidneys of course :D

And a few other things too... :eeps:
 
#19 · (Edited)
September:

Picture Update!



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PnK1NfDTwk0d61I6R3XER53x1qsFdx0C



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_GstWetEu-tgXpeTnx7Jkuj8dWqbB5yH



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rnCxWjVDjbTzBWO05qL21Pc11SXxro9e


(The far right (Driver side) AE was off a bit, I just fixed that today)

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z00qZhEBnC5epoa3FTMLaRafrWcMSc_f



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Vbnd6H33A0S8XcrSCrx57lh1vfaQMUco



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19CUiZcaC0egSbG4Es3AGCelw06FLu4nw



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eLLKW7MWuKGkxuIycFwEPn8wSW5ZMYRB



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IYnMFsBjF710q7yBGofMocMYCp--hbaw



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1f91Ris-X176Yx_mh_JNoS230qNNFzUWV



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H6GcfuuNYCkNURq8Eak-tTyjPREv2L-p



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nV1DSX-WK0kum6mEy-Mt5JWj7LUAd_9E

Got my trunk lights the other day too! :woot:
Been waiting on those things for about a week now, Had my outer tail lights for a few weeks but with mismatch amber trunk lights. kinda embarrassing but I couldn't wait for the trunk lights I had to install the R|C|R tails, they look soooo goood :drool:
Anyways I think I'm happy how she sits right now, visually, Maybe rims but not right now. She's mechanically sound right now too, other than the driveshaft still vibrating a bit :b:


Maintenance Update:
-Transmission Mounts didn't fix the vibration so looks like I'm getting a driveshaft done by the end of the year :( :tsk:
-She turned 159k yesterday sooo I might just hit 160k by next month!
-No CEL still but I'm gonna do preventive maintenance real soon, maybe the ccv and the intake manifold and do the hard coolant pipes while I'm there too, at almost 160k those need to be looked at asap
-Weather is actually real nice this time of year so I might tackle that 01 325i Manual parts car that's been sitting in my driveway for almost a year.. Probably get her running too!
 
#20 · (Edited)
October:

STARTED AN IG ACCOUNT!
Follow me @Darkstars325i if anyone likes my armature point shoot photography of my car :thumbup:

Now my favorite shots of the month:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v-i3TeViqojA9hJvFN17hN2vTGYBgu7-



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zvEOgYlmkhNlKV9Hr9XmsDZ8zztjFy-7



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tBqGmmzIg3L3vbvLN8vpR1zeWpo_2aw_



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1faatYGQMnOz3nvfakHKzN2ScQ4kgbLR6



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DA32LcnF9HlR1XjrpBsV49sl67qmJhYy



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NwMBDfuVM5lRqIV-LVzagcWg0frJyfsQ



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HSiz8S8OGhAaTw0bXupNVT98Xx-eIXRH



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Lq9NVXRFmFLZtJi3MGnCYNQ6d7abP9AH



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dJA1lYHhkL4i1-Sh7a5SjXv1Rd9heREy


Monthly update:
-Oil change is due in a couple hundred miles, so gonna do that soon
-She turned 160k miles, so I basically do 1k miles a month :p
-No CEL :thumbsup:
-Got rid of the front license plate bracket looks a lot better
-Wet sanded the front bumper and use a cheap "ceramic coat" to test it. Not gonna do the whole car with this stuff but the bumper now it looks better, still a lot of rock chips but oh well

--I got a ZHP motor the other day w/ 125k miles plus w/ ECU, gauge cluster and ebay headers. I'm currently inspecting it and looks like a lot has been done, valve cover gasket (RTV on it :tsk:), oil filter housing gasket, Vanos line looks new, oil pan looks dry same goes for the rear main seal and seems to have a new throttle body. I'm gonna refresh the water pump and thermostat and what ever else I may need. Might do the rear main seal, since I know that's something I don't want to do under the car, same goes for the oil pan gasket. I'm on the fence on what car it should go into though, either Aura (my car) or into my "parts" car :hmm:
 
#21 · (Edited)
Zhp Motor Update

Engine Auto part Vehicle Car Automotive engine part


Well I took the valve cover off to confirm its a real zhp engine (If it wasn't I wouldn't mind since I got a great deal) and it looks perfect under there! :excited:

Engine Auto part Vehicle Automotive engine part Car


Auto part Automotive starter motor Automotive engine part Engine Transmission part


I believe 1748970 is the correct part number for the ZHP cams someone correct me if I'm wrong?

I'm 99% sure this is a zhp engine since it didn't have a vacume canister under the intake manifold, it came with the cluster that was from a manual car and that goes with the engine being attached to a ZF 6sp manual, they guy was asking $1200 for that without driveshaft and diff so wasn't worth it for me.


Anyway I believe the CCV system has been done recently and the hard coolant pipes look to be replace too so I'm not replacing them. (they were not and had to replace them 4k miles later

I might be putting this engine into my car since I have a 04 and I believe its more plug-n-play than the 01 car, Its a shame tho, the gauge cluster is for a manual and I'm not up for nor have the 6sp to do a manual swap. Plus the whole reason to get the parts car running is to learn to drive stick in the first place. I know I know its a waste of an engine to pair it to an auto but I will swap out the auto for a manual in the future [emoji106]

(I now realize it's a little complicated to swap clusters without having a tamper dot)

Any advice would be much appreciated
 
#32 ·
Well I took the valve cover off to confirm its a real zhp engine (If it wasn't I wouldn't mind since I got a great deal) and it looks perfect under there! :excited:
I read that there is something different inside the ZHP engine but could not find the precise info what it is. How do you distinguish the ZHP engine when looking at internals. Is it the camshaft?

On newer car the manual transmission only advantage is the fun factor because these change gears faster than human can ever do. What do you think about speed of changing gears on E46s trannys?
 
#22 · (Edited)
She Lives! The swap is nearly complete! :excited:

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Engine Auto part
Engine Auto part Vehicle Car Automotive engine part


Land vehicle Vehicle Car Engine Auto part


Out with the old and in with the new :)

I took the old engine out last weekend and replaced the heater hoses while the engine was out. I also went to a junk yard to get a MAF and 330i Airbox, I found a drive shaft just laying next to an 04 325i! The same part# and the u joints are perfect! :woot:

Got the New engine in a couple of days ago and now started her up yesterday. The headers are really loud!

I put the front end on this morning and took it around the block and everything went well, maybe a exhaust leak? No vibration coming from the driveshaft, so fixed my drive shaft vibration for 40$ [emoji106].


I arrived home only to notice steam coming from the kidney grills. After further inspection it seems the radiator is leaking on the bottom left side. :banghead:

I ordered a new one from FCP plus the expansion tank and hopefully get this project done by the end of the week. I still have to flash the ECU, I have the cable and my XP laptop but still figuring that out right now but she runs and drives


(Fixed exhaust leak, there was a small gap where the headers meet the exhaust, I just doubled the gaskets and that seemed to do the trick, don't know how long that's gonna hold though)
 
#23 ·
Swap complete!

Alrighty I received my radiator yesterday, 1 dayish shipping ftw! :D

After that being installed I flashed the DME, took me a while to get set up and figure out the error messages. The flash was surprisingly fast (I have MS45.1 and used 7561520). I was expecting 20-45 mins, it was done in a few mins. I used WinKFP and used PA soft to reset adaptations. The car feels a bit faster but idk if I was suppose to put a different ZUSB number? Car runs great though but I feel like that was too fast to be a full flash. :eeps: I did put my cars Vin# where it asks for vin# in WinKFP if that makes a difference. :eek:

Drove the car into town today and feels great. However I went to get gas and the car didn't want to start again. Had to call my brother to jump my car :facepalm: I think I just need a new battery. I haven't changed it since owning my car and my alternator is fine since I'm reading 14v when the engine is running. After an hour of the car sitting the battery reads low 11v so it has to be a battery.

Will update when that's solved.
 
#24 · (Edited)
New battery is in! I just got the EverStart H8 from Walmart, can't complain on the price and a 3-5 year warranty. :woot:

Driven the car with the new engine for 70 miles now. I know its a M54b30 motor but I don't feel much of a difference, yes the headers make the car louder but I don't feel that much more power on the low end, could this be because of the 325i diff? or just because its an auto? I driven my brothers 330i and I can feel the difference. Could it be the vanos seals are bad? I'll probably replace those anyways.

Anyways before I forget, since I'm done with the swap and no fluids are leaking (yet) I'm gonna make a list on what I've done to the engine maintenance wise:
-Oil change with 0w-40 mobil-1 euro blend
-Valve cover gasket
-Oil pan gasket
-Exhaust gaskets w/heat shield
-Lower exhaust gaskets
-Rear main seal
-Engine Mounts
-Spark plugs (NGK Platinum)
-Rear coolant temp sensor (did that as PM, my fathers 330i was giving him problems like false temp reading and high RPMs when cold and its a pain to replace when the intake manifold is on)
-Radiator :tsk:
-Water pump
-Thermostat
-upper and lower radiator hoses
-Coolant expansion tank
-Trans Oil Cooler Thermostat
-All heater hoses
(basically the whole water system except the Hard coolant lines)
-Air filter
-Trans filter & fluid
-Trans fill & fill plugs

The car is pretty sorted now. After Thanksgiving I'll start on putting my old motor in the "parts car", I want that done before Christmas break.
 
#25 ·
500 mile road trip



Took the car out for a 500 mile road trip for thanksgiving and to my surprise no serious issues. The car drives great and I guess the car needed to drive a bit more to "relearn" itself.

The CEL is on, which I expect since I'm running catless headers but its only for the rear o2 sensors. ( I used 90 deg defoulers and guess they didn't work :dunno: )

On the subject on the Headers I like them but I don't really like the raspy noise after 3k rpm. I read that borla's cat back exhaust removes the rasp but I think I can live with it unless I see someone selling a used set :wink-wink:

The smell is another thing. I'm getting use to it but it smells like my 90s Chevy van. I would like to put sport cats just to remove the smell but again I can live with it.

Also, I do smell trans fluid when I roll the windows down to accelerate, but that's only moderately hard acceleration. Regular acceleration I don't smell anything, and I don't smell any when at idle, Hot or cold. I looked under the car and the trans oil pan is dry. Filler and drain plugs are dry. The trans oil cooler lines are dry. The bottom of the bell housing a little damp but that could be old fluid, will clean up and check later. The only thing I see with newish fluid leaking is the gear selector lever on the drivers side of the transmission :hmm: Its not too bad, I have left cardboard under the car every night ever since the swap and a its only a couple of drops that started a few days ago. I'm not too worried, the trans shifts just fine.

The Engine itself isn't leaking any oil and I don't see it burning oil too, its almost been 750 miles since the swap and my oil level is exactly where I left it.

With all that I'm happy to say the swap went better than I expected. I will attend to the leaks. If It turns out to be the toque converter I'll live with it, top off the fluid every few months. And if it blows well 6sp time! :str8pimpi

Plus this weekend I'll be starting the 01 325i 5sp "rebuild" Probably can get that done, or at least the engine in, by Sunday :thumbup:

More pictures to come!
 

Attachments

#29 · (Edited)
Awesome build!
Thank you!


AR25 resonators will kill the rasp and they sound amazing.
I'll look into them, I'm kinda getting use to it but I would like a more "throaty" sound

If you ever need any parts let me know, a good friend has a BMW junkyard and I can usually score parts cheap and Id be happy to help. Keep up the great work.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind! [emoji106]
 
#30 · (Edited)
Style 32s!

I got my hands on some Style 32s from a 3.0 z3! :D

Front: 7.5x17 et 41 w/ 225/45/17
Rear: 8.5x17 et 41 w/ 245/40/17

The fronts are in pretty good shape but the rear rims are pretty bad, gotta get them repainted but I got an awesome deal on them! The rear tires are brand new and the fronts are kinda dry rotted and they're dated 2011 :eek:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12HlzpQIEnSOr2NKLqTfVdSFpkcm1T3vN



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1esrsviphirwyo_04eSlGXixPB2Z-AEIJ



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jEbD1PEQ1zZG8yzk7KR017glP9JNe43a



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NdePQgDnbWXjEeMTiZuN8sRE8JbbE8ai



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1D0-vAkHrvUsn3tRA2SkI5rSYRUrwClFx

I just swapped over my older/newer tires from my old set of rims, so now they're all good now :clap:

They look absolutely gorgeous! I was on the fence on style 400m's and style 135s but this set popped up and I just had to get them, they were 140 miles away but it was that good of a deal I drove up there the next day. 50 miles on the new set and no problems yet! [emoji106]

Also, yes you can fit a full set in your back seats :thanks:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jR9ixd2ThmJty61GVXm_S_C6uxuqYsmy

I also manage to get, not just one but two, M3 steering wheels at the junk yard! :woot:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10S-V7zvY_vey_0GwZcnATbRRhQHdHAgz

Note: look out for e39s with sport packages mostly 530i, 540i and rarely 525i's from years 02 to 03. :shhh:



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RCzSw5LmbP9NaqHHSiRRRMRmFQQ4xm3H

I put the nicer one into my car after cleaning it and somewhat restoring it with leather cleaning and a shoe shine kit.

The other one I'll keep as a spare and might install it into my parts/project car. when I get it running (I took a break and ordered parts to redo most oil gaskets on the 2.5 engine that's going into the "parts car")

Maintenance update:
-About 1200miles on the new engine and its running strong with no oil leaks and little to no oil burning :D
-I got the 4k rpm dip the other day, I guess I do have a zhp tune :lmao:
-Car is at 162k and will change to 163k by the end of the year ;)
-I tighten the nut/bolt that's holing the gear shiftier thing (pic below) and it limited the leak but something is still leaking trans fluid :tsk:

-Finally ordered the Passenger side "brake duct" cover. Gotta get it painted but I can do it myself.
-Gonna get the vanos seals done soon

More pics to come!
 
#36 · (Edited)
Another month, another round of pics!


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HtI1S9LWj1iaUJS8wBTbj6pBqnnszn43


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Pqp2BbD1xDdpzfB2-uhpJtUTwJSWopsQ


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TPZDgacNu1VbXBK3ojAmbiTeG0yDyiKu


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T55cjnMDI9CR7i4T39CdUweLlAIRsrLF


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13Z6oL7NV_s-8VuWfmgAs-2TAvjiyUsxh


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19HbQYcwBEcVSpI6a9QOmcl7CZ5q5iwZE


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QRvS9joOFir97INbDyTSTzSU1EdqIUg3


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QZuojhiL1kGznP4Vuq8jceD0tIj8fg6u


https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_bbJhDWQnxOK2ko1k1bmYi_L2j4OeMOn




Maintenance update and issues:

-Didn't drive her too much this pass month since I had a little issue with the radiator (again :tsk:)

-Since Aura was down for maintenance, I have been driving a 2008 E60 528i and I have to say, a very comfortable driver. She's no E46 but a nice car in the end. The Auto shift knob takes getting use to, interior is pretty cheap feeling tbh. I'm not a fan on the lack of dipstick and no temp gauge but I'm nitpicking at this point.

-Parts/project car is running under her own power for the past month! She's not registered so I have been driving her on the dirt road just learning to drive stick, very fun! :D

-After replacing the rad the yellow brake, ABS and Traction control lights came up and stayed on after restart for the whole day. Tried erasing the codes via PAsoft but no dice. It finally went away by just driving it some more, weird :confused:

-About 2000 miles on the new engine

-CEL is still on, Only Cat codes :rolleyes:


----Before I begin, to make a long story short, she's driving great for now. Looks like the issue was the radiator, it was defective.----


So, I've only drove her about 600 miles in the past month and a half and that's with going to Miami and back before new year's. The reason is that after I came back from Okeechobee, 60 miles away, I've noticed a lot of air that came out of the coolant system when I opened the cap the next morning. I always hear a hiss but this was a louder, longer hiss than usual, plus it's been over 12 hours so there shouldn't be any pressure. But I thought it was a one-time thing and thought I just didn't bleed the system correctly a month prior (this started before new year's). So, I re-bled the system and thought that was it.

A few days later I was off to Miami and came back. Went to check the water lever the next day and floosh air and some coolant came out!! I freaked out! I thought I broke something! I knew I never over-heated the engine and I never push the car pass 4500rpm! I bled the system again and a couple of days later drove to LaBelle and back (40 mile trip). Car still had pressure after it cooled down over night (like a soft pop and a hiss).

At that moment I feared the worse. I put Aura in sleep mode. Fearing I had purchased an engine with a cracked head or head gasket failure, I went and bought a block tester and did that first. To my surprised the liquid stayed blue! I did this 6 times, following the instructions, to make sure I wasn't mistaken, I even revved it a few times and nothing, color never changed. I never had any bubbles in coolant and coolant never smelled funny. No coolant in oil and the car drives perfectly But for safe measure I only drove her 10 miles once a week to move some oil around.



With that relief, I still feared I had a small crack in the Cylinder head, I only drove her in a 10 mile circle near my home, carefully, slow acceleration and no revs above 2500rpm. She still drives fine I just didn't know if I was gonna mess something up. Also, I was using test 19-7 to monitor the water temps, never went pass 97. The average was 95 and at cruise is 93 so I know the engine never overheated on my watch.


Logically since the engine passed the Block test, I went to get a new cap from the dealer (even though my old one was a few months old, since I figured that if it isn't the cap, I have 3 other cars the new cap can go into). Long story short wasn't the cap. and my brother now has a new cap! [emoji106]

(Also the cap never releases pressure on its own, no coolant sprayed out, never over pressurized to the point of blowing the cap, main reason why I thought it might be the cap since it never released pressure on its own)

Puzzled I feared I had to pull the head and do time-serts and all that. But I remembered I noticed that a row of fins on the Rad were compressed before I installed it a month before but didn't think too much of it at the time. I took a pic of it before I installed it just to have a recorded of it. I figured (again) that it's easier to replace that radiator and find out that was the problem than doing a cylinder head. Plus I bought it (defected one) from FCP so if it was the radiator I can get my money back, minus shipping [emoji106] And if it wasn't, welp I have 3 other cars that radiator can go in.

Old radiator I got back in Nov. 2019

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oQVgARvQbKa6oLxiMcViCdkU5WP7vvKg

I replaced my radiator and drove it the 10 miles first (spirited mind you), waited for it to cooled down with the hood open. Felt the hoses, when warm it's hard (that's normal) after an hour or so they're starting to become squeezable and after 5 hours the car is nearly cold , open the cap and heard just a small hiss (with the old rad, I was getting more than a small hiss on a drive like this), the coolant was a little lower but I just topped it off since I just bled the system with the new rad.


The next day I decided to drive into town, then to the hangar and back home, about 40ish miles round trip, did the same procedure, open the cap the next morning and just a hiss, no pop, no over pressure and coolant is exactly where I left it! Looked under the car and no leaks! :woot:

Did this a second time and same results. Right now I'm at 98 miles on the new radiator. No pressure build up, no coolant lost and no oil loss!

I'm not 100% convinced that this fixed it, for all I know there's a small leak somewhere releasing the pressure over time when cold. However the system is pretty well sealed since I hear a hiss when I open it and when I open the cap when the temp outside has changed after its been open before. There's no coolant loss for the last 85 miles. Its just hard to believe that the radiator was the culprit but hell, the results don't lie right?

What I want to do is drive to Okeechobee and back and see if I get different results. I've already driven almost 100 miles with no issue and have been eyeing the temp like a hawk. For good measure I'm thinking of getting a leak down test done, and a compression test too. For the time being aura is an airport car (To only drive to the airport or just into town once in a while)

If anyone had a similar issue let me know cuz I'm still skeptical. :hmm:

-Update 1-

Drove her to Lake Placid (60ish miles away) and zero issues. Watched the temp closely the whole trip, cruise temp was dead at 93c and never got above 96c-97c for the entirety of the trip.

I'm over 250 miles on the new new radiator and looks like everything is working perfectly. Waited 5 hours for the engine to cool down before opening the cap and nothing but a quite hiss and coolant level is perfect! Right where I left it. :clap:

--Update 2--

Up to 733 miles and zero issues! :woot:

Been driving her regularly for the past week, drove her to Palm Beach (80 miles away) and Fort Myers (60ish miles away) a few times already and coolant temps have been consistent. With the cruise temp at 93-95, (Its a bit warmer outside than last week) and temp never got any higher than 98, when it hit that temp a second later the thermostat kicks in and temp drops to 95. Waited overnight after a trip to let her cooldown and the coolant level is exactly where I left it! Plus no over-pressurization! Just a quiet hiss letting me know the system is sealed. :thumbup:

---Update 3---

Over 1000 miles and no issues!
 
#37 ·
Picture Update :D



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GkQYWbKd-HnAnodcwjzGwbkTsWm68NVh



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZgdxtYZwdbtjFLS2RINC6nZyzlYqpRXx



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FA-6hWIqf7Sse94q_XcceCVRl9IPSrHc



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BcaAqBAloAwv1VpXjf6Q5EmgNrD2o4xK



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zDI9DJ6ZxPXGYu4T8nhcR0SSdw0XmTh2



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OT68W8SAFjkG7pMEFEpI21Ob3uruw4wF



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1m38B13QjAPPYn9AigjzSxk-lYgKd2LNp



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ej3kvpuggfHJ6zc3AKaQ3UKSSM7fXXf3



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gYLp_LNR12H64N7OXr-6rfVwHXnVbpnl



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rnnLEFbHNC9YYoLCTiqHjg_BZ2VWMCFw



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18gQ5NUTGRFYM2F_iV40-ZRhdBQl5dUOX



https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EkG3cM5gfsqgblz1id35XjufoKG_N_bv

Monthly Maintenance Update:

- Almost 4k miles on the new engine
- Replaced fuel pump as PM and to see if that solved a starting issue (it did not) but the pump was old
- My power steering system is weeping a bit, probably from the one hose I haven't replaced on it and a boot is ripped.
- Been driving her regularly (No long trips like to Miami) without any serous problems other than the occasional starting issue when it cranks for a while and sometimes it starts but idles rough and no throttle response for a couple of seconds after start. No misfire codes but I have been getting lean codes a couple of weeks ago, maybe a bad maf? :hmm:
- I'm 1600 miles on the new Rad for the most part no overnight pressure in the coolant system, especially on short trips. However, once, and only once, on a longer trip to Fort Myers I drove around doing errands and came back. The coolant hoses felt a little harder than normal. The next day the hoses were softer but had some resistance, open the cap with a bag over it with a water bottle cap full of that Block tester fluid and nothing, stayed blue and the hiss wasn't that audible. :confused: The only thing I did differently on that trip was I accidentally went over 85mph to pass a RV. :shhh: I did that and maybe just starting the car like 8 times and driving the whole day? That was a week and a half ago. I've been driving her around in short drives until I trusted her again, I have started to gain her trust for the last couple hundred miles and problem hasn't come back. But I'm not gonna go down to Miami with her anytime soon, that's what the e60 is for :thumbup:
(btw I have been watching the temps this whole time with the average temp is 95c so no over heating)

After that I'm almost convinced that I have a cracked cylinder head but its so small and I caught it so early that its probably only on longer trips or when I go over a certain speed that its noticeable. Definitely not enough to blow the cap but I'm not about to test that out.

I wonder if I should just replace the head and get it over with, but I don't want to do timeserts on the block and risk messing up the block. The car still runs fine and I'm only really driving into town without a problem, hell I took it to palm beach the other day without a problem.

I will probably make a separate post on my situation when I get back from a trip next week (not taking aura obviously, shes strictly a going into town/airport car) I just wonder if the occasional starting issue is related to a cracked head? :eek:

I'll keep this thread up-to-date when ever I can , I hope it's not a cracked head but I'm starting to believe it. :(

--update--
Right off the bat at the time of writing this I bricked my MAF :banghead:
I went to the junkyard to try to see if a 135i, that showed up the day before, still had its brake calipers, it did not, in fact the the car was stripped, engine gone, front struts gone, rear gone and it only been in there for a literal day! So to make the trip worth it I search for a MAF. Couldn't fine one for my car but got the O-ring for it since mine was a loose fit and figured why not. Installed it today and it was a tight fit, too tight, my thumb push through the screen on the rear side of the housing and bent the black sensor a bit :ben:

Car started at least without hesitation but the Trans light is on and now I'm getting a maf code so RIP that Maf :(

Welp I ordered a used one off ebay, I'm gonna be gone for the weekend so at least It will arrive when I get back later in the week. Hopefully its not a dud

On the bright side I didn't want to waste that trip yesterday so I found a yellow tag steering rack from a 04 330i for dirt cheap from the junkyard, boots were dry and I had to rip them apart to pull the rack off and Its clean as a whistle in there. So I think its in good shape, My steering system is slowly leaking and a boot is ripped so I needed to do that job anyways, Upgrade time but hopefully this upgrade wont turn out like my last one :tsk:
 
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