E28 Alpina B7 Turbo/1 #0083

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 08, 2012 1:35 PM

Sorry for the lack of detail in the post. I was just sitting down to eat dinner.

Friday morning, my case of Knecht AG164 air filters showed up. I've got enough for the next 40 years. NOS. I changed that out. The filter is for a 924 Turbo. I guess stock air filters are so popular with those guys that they don't make them any longer.

Anyway, yesterday morning my fuel pump assembly arrived from Moosehead Engineering. I had to make a couple adjustments to the pump attachmentto get it through the hole in the tank which is considerably smaller than the US one for some reason. He did a fantastic job on it. We ended up going with a Walbro GSS-340 instead of the TRE pump.

I discovered I had routed the hoses incorrectly (I didn't have the pickup in front of me when I did that). Alpina put a funky bend and added some material to the return line, so I guess it's a good thing I decided to reuse this piece. So, I dropped the tank enough to get the hose through from one side of the elbow to the other. I was hoping to not have to put the car in the air again, but whatever.

I got that straightened out and ran the pump. At first, there wasn't anything getting up to the rail in the supply line, so I swapped stuff around in the rear. That pressurized the return. Swapped them back and it worked. Weird. So, knowing I had fuel, I pulled the relay and cranked the car for about 10-15 seconds. Pulled the oil cap and oil was getting to the top, so I put the relays back in and fired it up. It took a while of feathering the throttle to keep it running, but after a few seconds, it settled into a nice, smooth 750rpm idle. I let it run for a few minutes in the driveway, bled the cooling system (I had to remove the bottle to change the fuel hoses). Then, I decided it was time to drive it. I took it easy. Knob was all the way on the lowest setting. It still did a good job moving, though I didn't want to get on the boost. I will gradually work on that once the car is sorted mechanically. I just wanted to make sure things functioned. I have to say it sounded pretty cool without the rear muffler. Just two gigantic cats(one for each pipe - which will be removed) and a resonator.

I will post up a few photos later now that the car is a bit cleaner and the trunk is back together.

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jan 08, 2012 6:13 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of the secret sauce to make the fuel pump fit.

E.rouzbeh.28 · Post by **E.rouzbeh.28** » Jan 08, 2012 8:06 PM

Dinan e28 · Post by **Dinan e28** » Jan 08, 2012 9:51 PM

Chris, good to hear you got her running.

Post by **tsmall07** » Jan 08, 2012 11:22 PM

Great news. I look forward toreading further updates. This and the silver M535i are my favorites of yours.

Brian D · Post by **Brian D** » Jan 09, 2012 1:12 AM

Damnitall, I knew I should have called you, I got out of work early tonight. Congrats on the success!

jdb · Post by **jdb** » Jan 21, 2012 3:48 PM

Chris,
It is awesome to see and hear the progress of one of the cars that made such a mark in the history of West German autos being brought back to it's glory by a truly qualified enthusiast/craftsman.

It sure is nice to see you found one while it is still in a condition to do so.

Jeff

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Jan 23, 2012 6:17 AM

wkohler wrote: I have to say it sounded pretty cool without the rear muffler. Just two gigantic cats(one for each pipe - which will be removed) and a resonator.

I am not quite with you.

Are you sure they are Cats, and not just ordinary silencers? As you have the #083, you were not supposed to have catalysts - they did not come until the TurboKat-edition from serial #237...

Anyway, I am glad you got it running - it is about to be my turn soon. I just have "some" electrical issues first.....

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 23, 2012 9:37 AM

Pedi wrote:
wkohler wrote: I have to say it sounded pretty cool without the rear muffler. Just two gigantic cats(one for each pipe - which will be removed) and a resonator.
I am not quite with you.

Are you sure they are Cats, and not just ordinary silencers? As you have the #083, you were not supposed to have catalysts - they did not come until the TurboKat-edition from serial #237...

anyway, I am glad you got it running - it is about to be my turn soon. I just have "some" electrical issues first.....

Most likely when it was federalized a shop in the US added the catalytic converters.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 23, 2012 2:33 PM

Yes, they were hacked into place. The car is missing the original exhaust, too. The cats are hacked in right after the downpipe.

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 23, 2012 3:01 PM

wkohler wrote:Yes, they were hacked into place. The car is missing the original exhaust, too. The cats are hacked in right after the downpipe.

What's your plan to fix the exhaust?

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Jan 23, 2012 4:01 PM

wkohler wrote:Yes, they were hacked into place. The car is missing the original exhaust, too. The cats are hacked in right after the downpipe.

The B7 Turbo was Delivered with the choice between original 535i exhaust and the Alpina Boysen exhaust. So maybe the car was sold new with 535i exhaust?

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 23, 2012 4:17 PM

The teilekatalog has no exhaust options with a BMW part number. The car came to me with a Strömung exhaust made for a US car.

I have no idea what I'm going to do right now. Thinking about a 3" Single pipe to a muffler in the rear for now.

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 23, 2012 4:22 PM

wkohler wrote:a 3" Single pipe to a muffler in the rear for now.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 23, 2012 4:49 PM

skip535i wrote:
wkohler wrote:a 3" Single pipe to a muffler in the rear for now.

That's funny?

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Jan 23, 2012 7:33 PM

I swear to God that Skip is bipolar.

oldskool · Post by **oldskool** » Jan 23, 2012 10:02 PM

Kyle in NO wrote:I swear to God that Skip is bipolar.

I'll add to my growing list then, thankyouverymuch.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Jan 24, 2012 1:03 AM

wkohler wrote:Yes, they were hacked into place.

Isn't that the way everything was done (including the Toyota rear side markers on the one here)?

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 29, 2012 2:46 AM

Over the last two weeks, some progress has been made on the car.

-Valve adjustment (two exhaust valves were a little tight, but everything else about dead-on)
-Oil change (Castrol TWS 10w60)
-New plugs (Bosch WR6DP0)
-New plug wires, cap, rotor
-Complete cooling system sans lower radiator hose (honestly, the original looks and feels like new, though I'm working on sourcing a new one)
-New brake booster
-25mm master cylinder
-replaced front calipers with a good set of M5 calipers (the originals are actually M5 calipers, which I'll rebuild)
-stainless brake lines
-changed the alternator
-reattached the rear muffler for the time being to keep it from sounding like a WRX and blowing exhaust at the fuel tank.
-mounted some Continental Extreme Contact DWs

I drove the car to a local CCA show in Scottsdale today. It got some positive reception from a few people. Many people had no idea what it was (despite my sheet explaining that). I learned that a 1995 M3 is considered a "classic" as well, though a 1996 M3 is not because it's OBDII.

The car drives quite nicely. I've put about 80 miles on it since getting it running. I'm very surprised at how tight it is. There is virtually no play in the steering box, no creaks, moans, etc. No shimmy, either. It's actually a pleasant car to drive. I've been driving it quite conservatively.

I'm going to take some more photos of the car showing it's cleaner demeanor and post those soon.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jan 29, 2012 9:31 AM

Thanks for the update, excited for pics!

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » Jan 29, 2012 10:36 AM

excellent progress

GaAlpinaOwner · Post by **GaAlpinaOwner** » Jan 29, 2012 11:33 AM

definitely great progress

Dinan e28 · Post by **Dinan e28** » Jan 29, 2012 4:31 PM

Maybe we will see it at 5er west this year.

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Jan 29, 2012 4:51 PM

Looking forward to see more pics.

How much difference did you actually feel from changing to the 25mm sylinder?

And yeah, you are totally right about the exhaust also - my bad. Only the B9 was given an option, I read wrong long time ago, and I have been convinced about it ever after.

Could you do me an favor if possible?

Could you take a picture of the ECUs in the glovebox, I cannot remember the exact location of the installation...??

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 29, 2012 9:21 PM

I don't see this car at 5erWest. It's just too many miles.

As far as changing the master cylinder, the brakes work now, so there was a pretty big difference from before where you'd push the pedal to the floor because the fluid boiled. I have to say it's a definite improvement over using the handbrake.

In all seriousness, it makes a difference. Some say that it makes the pedal harder to modulate, but I find that to be a non-issue with 4-piston calipers. I used a 25mm unit on my 535is with E31 Brembos, so I'm very used to it. My other E28s have stock brakes and a stock master. I don't notice any real difference in pedal between those and this car. The car stops well, though.

There's no difference between this car or any of the others with how the ECU is situated compared to a 535i. The ECU is an 061 with a sticker over it and an Alpina chip inside. I imagine your car might run an 059 since you have a kat. I can get photos next time I pull the car out.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » Jan 29, 2012 10:29 PM

There's no difference between this car or any of the others with how the ECU is situated compared to a 535i. The ECU is an 061 with a sticker over it and an Alpina chip inside. I imagine your car might run an 059 since you have a kat. I can get photos next time I pull the car out.[/quote] Chris, I would urge you to get the chip copied. Alpina does not suport it (as you know). Nothing about an 061 that can't be replaced, but if the chip cooks, it could be difficult to get one made. I planned to get the one in the B9 copied before I sold it to Mike. It would probably run better with a stand alone sustem, but if you want to stay stock, it might be worth getting it copied. One of those things you don't need...well until you do.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 29, 2012 10:43 PM

Tim - Thanks. I have been planning to do that as it was one of the thoughts I had late one night. I appreciate the reminder as I had let it slip during the recent round of work on the car.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 30, 2012 12:23 AM

Here are a couple of photos of the car at the show yesterday courtesy of one of our local members (freshbread here on MyE28).

Not a lot of room around it, but here's proof it was there! It doesn't look that exciting, though.

^Just realized I forgot to put the plaque on the handbrake console. It's in the ashtray, wrapped in a tissue.

Also, since most of my time has been spent under the hood, under the car and cleaning the interior, you can compare these to the photos in the original post to see some progress.

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Jan 30, 2012 12:48 AM

Well done. It is very exciting to see so much progress. I love the white coolant bottle and am very glad to hear that it has gone from "inoperable" to participating in a car show.

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 30, 2012 8:15 AM

Kyle in NO wrote:I swear to God that Skip is bipolar.

Nope, but you're still an asshole.

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 30, 2012 8:20 AM

No harm meant on the exhaust ROFLs....I thought your response to my serious question about an exhaust solution was a joke rather than your typical detailed response.

Seeing as it's a turbo-car, your response makes sense, I just thought you were expressing your frustration with the exhaust-hacking with your response.

Carry on....I still love the car and I'm not trying to create drama at all.

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Feb 05, 2012 7:54 AM

I am having a problem with my reference sensor. I could not get any measured values, so I figured it is broken. The other one, the speed sensor reads 1008 ohm, which is ok.

I assumed that the sensors are the same as 535i, with part number 12141708619 - and tried another one. Still no spark.

But when I look at the B7-sensor, the label reads 1708610.

But I cannot find the BMW number 12141708610 anywhere, not BMW nor Alpina.

Du you by any chance know what sensors Alpina used, or do you have a chance to see what it reads on your sensors?

I suspect that this is my problem not giving spark to my engine.

I have a baaad photo here, sorry about bad quality.

GaAlpinaOwner · Post by **GaAlpinaOwner** » Feb 05, 2012 10:33 AM

Man you alpina Guys are nuts lol

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Feb 05, 2012 8:29 PM

Pedi wrote:I am having a problem with my reference sensor. I could not get any measured values, so I figured it is broken. The other one, the speed sensor reads 1008 ohm, which is ok.

I assumed that the sensors are the same as 535i, with part number 12141708619 - and tried another one. Still no spark.

But when I look at the B7-sensor, the label reads 1708610.

But I cannot find the BMW number 12141708610 anywhere, not BMW nor Alpina.

Du you by any chance know what sensors Alpina used, or do you have a chance to see what it reads on your sensors?

I suspect that this is my problem not giving spark to my engine.

Reference and speed sensors are actually the same. They started out different - only by the color of the connector used to differentiate the two under the hood. When you buy them new at this time, you get two that look exactly the same. It's up to you to mark them.

Hope that helps. Mine are original, though I really don't have the facilities you have to put the car in the air to check them out.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Feb 05, 2012 8:31 PM

GaAlpinaOwner wrote:Man you alpina Guys are nuts lol

Haha. I'm just glad mine runs now. Once I replace the vacuum hoses to the aux air valve, it will run much better. I've got them taped up for now until the parts come in. I got all my gauges settled down thanks to the ground strap from the valve cover to the firewall.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Mar 13, 2012 11:29 PM

Just figured I'd give a bit of an update. The car has been running for a while, but I hadn't driven it due to a clerical error with the MVD. Finally got that straightened out, so I've put about 100 miles on the car since getting it running. It runs great, is one of the tightest and quietest E28s I've ever driven and it's pretty damn quick, too. It's actually just a plain amazing car.

I realized I haven't posted any photos of the car since the ones taken shortly after I got it, so I took a few late this afternoon.
Obviously, we still have a ways to go, but we've made a lot of progress.

Anyway, that's all for now. Questions, comments welcome.

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » Mar 13, 2012 11:44 PM

Dang Chris...she's looking great!

SD45T-2 · Post by **SD45T-2** » Mar 14, 2012 12:55 AM

Chris Gave a Me a ride in it Over the weekend. The car feels so Tight. Its a real Sweet car.

tschultz · Post by **tschultz** » Mar 14, 2012 2:19 AM

Great work, she looks amazing!!

Would love to see this in Pagosa in August

MicahO · Post by **MicahO** » Mar 14, 2012 8:09 AM

Such a fabulous car - you're doing great work with it.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Mar 14, 2012 9:12 AM

Thanks for the update and pics, the car looks great!

ldsbeaker · Post by **ldsbeaker** » Mar 14, 2012 9:36 AM

wkohler wrote: Obviously, we still have a ways to go, but we've made a lot of progress.

Is this the royal "we", or do you have help?

The car looks great, you are an inspiration!

(Can't wait to move out your way, then maybe I can get a ride!)

M. Holtmeier · Post by **M. Holtmeier** » Mar 14, 2012 9:46 AM

Car looks sooooo good!

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Mar 14, 2012 9:47 AM

Beautiful! You shined up that paint nicely, too.

I just love the look of the engine in that thing....you know that had to really stand out in the 80s!

Eddie in TO · Post by **Eddie in TO** » Mar 14, 2012 10:52 AM

It's great to see your progress. It's looking fantastic. Keep up the great work.

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Mar 14, 2012 11:25 AM

Looking very good. Your hard work is paying off.

vinceg101 · Post by **vinceg101** » Mar 14, 2012 1:14 PM

So does this mean this one is coming to San Diego this weekend?
Seriously though, this car is looking damn fine. Good yob.

abdielhiram · Post by **abdielhiram** » Mar 14, 2012 1:24 PM

I know how you feel when you drive it....

I can say in my 33 years I've have quite a few cars, and the E28 is by far the best I've driven...

It puts a smile on my face everytime I turn the keys...

hubble1953 · Post by **hubble1953** » Mar 14, 2012 8:07 PM

Have not been on here for awhile, but it is nice to see this update. Such a nice car, looking forward to seeing more info.
jm

B7Turbo · Post by **B7Turbo** » Mar 14, 2012 9:24 PM

GaAlpinaOwner wrote:Man you alpina Guys are nuts lol

I agree, in addition they are perfectionist too. BTW Chris, you are kicking it a notch up again.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

E28 Alpina B7 Turbo/1 #0083

Car is looking great