E21

[WilNJ]

performance spark plug wires

Can I have my 2 minutes back?

[1st 5er]

performance spark plug wires

Can I have my 2 minutes back?

[Kyle in NO]

I dont have the money to replace the fuel pumps.

Then why the frick are you wasting money on stupid-ass iridium plugs and performance wires? Completely unnecessary. The stock parts are more than adequate for something with 3x the power.

Your argument on the airbox is silly. You only need to open it up like once a year. Just admit you want a loud Chinese intake that will make your engine less efficient that the stock setup.

[caleb 87 535is]

I dont have the money to replace the fuel pumps.

Then why the frick are you wasting money on stupid-ass iridium plugs and performance wires? Completely unnecessary. The stock parts are more than adequate for something with 3x the power.

Your argument on the airbox is silly. You only need to open it up like once a year. Just admit you want a loud Chinese intake that will make your engine less efficient that the stock setup.

Because the After-market* spark plug wires are cheaper than oem, The iridium spark plugs im buying on store credit im getting what I can with what I have. If I can get the car running with what I can get then ill be in a good position. And if I actually need a fuel pump then ill look to my friend here in town that owes me a favor for that. Or Ill find one on ebay. Im doing things this way so I can afford it all. The in tank fuel pump which would be the first to clog or get some sort of blockage in it is also the most expensive as I am sure you know. And if the Diaphragms in the fuel pumps are fine and there not blocked and it is just the fuel filter then why replace it? Don't fix whats not broken as my mom and brother told me and if I recall is the same thing a few of the members on here have told me. So im going to wait on the fuel pump. I had my friend over at advance stock an in tank fuel pump just in case I do actually need one. And here in Wyoming you literally have to clean the air filter once or twice a month. If you lived here you would know. The wind is blowing all the time and there are dirt roads every where. It really is a chore keeping the air filter clean here in Wyoming.

[caleb 87 535is]

Alright well that solves the problem. I didn't think it had a turbo. What would be the best upgrade for the airbox on the e21??

Can if offer a piece of unsolicited advice?

I'm assuming you're young, no mortgage or kids.

Don't try to upgrade or mod you car to get respect at the local GTG.

The only way to get respect at the local GTG here is if you did all the work on your car. Half this town consists of mechanics most of which have several ASE master certs. To which most of the mechanics show up at the local GTGs when they happen. Its not all about how nice it is its how good you are with the wrench.
Oh and im 18 and in my senior year of high school. Just so no one thinks im some 50yr old trailer idiot thinking hes the shit. Still got a long road ahead of me.

[John in VA]

Oh and im 18 and in my senior year of high school. Just so no one thinks im some 50yr old trailer idiot thinking hes the shit. Still got a long road ahead of me.

I'd think you'd be better served purchasing an E36 or E46, or an E30 at the oldest.

[caleb 87 535is]

Oh and im 18 and in my senior year of high school. Just so no one thinks im some 50yr old trailer idiot thinking hes the shit. Still got a long road ahead of me.

I'd think you'd be better served purchasing an E36 or E46, or an E30 at the oldest.

But I like the E21*...... And I'm not singling any one out but thats half the trailer parks here. Theres allot of people here that just dont care and think there all that and know it alls when they really dont know jack about allot of the things they say they do.

[Eta power]

How fucked up was the E28 that you couldn't fix it with $1800? If you know what you're doing, have the skills, patience and will to learn, it could almost certainly could be fixed.

Oh, by the way, I'm 18, too. You can own an old BMW at our age and still take care of it, but you can't be lazy or stupid about it. A dollar must be made to go as far as it can (within reason, of course). It can be both fun and a great learning experience. Good luck.

[caleb 87 535is]

How fucked up was the E28 that you couldn't fix it with $1800? If you know what you're doing, have the skills, patience and will to learn, it could almost certainly could be fixed.

Oh, by the way, I'm 18, too. You can own an old BMW at our age and still take care of it, but you can't be lazy or stupid about it. A dollar must be made to go as far as it can (within reason, of course). It can be both fun and a great learning experience. Good luck.

Both cv axles are gone front suspension is about gone the entire exhaust system needs to be replaced the previously stated distributor cap is done for the camshaft is about done for It has to many shorts to use most of the electronics and a few other things that escape my mind at the moment. * Oh the rear suspension is shot and Cluster quit working after my idiot friend hooked up his pos bronco with jumper cables to the rear subframe one night and thought it would be funny....... He still hasn't figured out why his bronco wont start.... All i got to say is paybacks a bitch. the distributor cap went out shortly afterwords.

[Kyle in NO]

You really need to post pics of the aftermarket cap/rotor and wires you are planning on installing. If it was running well before it wouldn't start, these likely have nothing to do with the no-start condition. You'd probably be better off using what's already on there until you can afford real parts.

[AlpinaE24]

How fucked up was the E28 that you couldn't fix it with $1800? If you know what you're doing, have the skills, patience and will to learn, it could almost certainly could be fixed.

Oh, by the way, I'm 18, too. You can own an old BMW at our age and still take care of it, but you can't be lazy or stupid about it. A dollar must be made to go as far as it can (within reason, of course). It can be both fun and a great learning experience. Good luck.

Both cv axles are gone front suspension is about gone the entire exhaust system needs to be replaced the previously stated distributor cap is done for the camshaft is about done for It has to many shorts to use most of the electronics and a few other things that escape my mind at the moment. * Oh the rear suspension is shot and Cluster quit working after my idiot friend hooked up his pos bronco with jumper cables to the rear subframe one night and thought it would be funny....... He still hasn't figured out why his bronco wont start.... All i got to say is paybacks a bitch. the distributor cap went out shortly afterwords.

[caleb 87 535is]

You really need to post pics of the aftermarket cap/rotor and wires you are planning on installing. If it was running well before it wouldn't start, these likely have nothing to do with the no-start condition. You'd probably be better off using what's already on there until you can afford real parts.

On the E21?

[Kyle in NO]

Ummmm.......................yes.

[caleb 87 535is]

The camera would not focus for anything. Yes my phone is a pos. The current distributor cap and distributor rotor.




The new distributor cap. My phone had a mental break down after this pic so i didn't get a pic of the new distributor rotor. Still looks just as bad.

[Kyle in NO]

The cap and rotor already on your engine look like new, and appear to be quality parts. Whatever you do, don't install that brown colored aftermarket shit or the wire and plugs. Take it all back and get a refund, so you can have enough $$ to buy what it will actually need.

[caleb 87 535is]

The cap and rotor already on your engine look like new, and appear to be quality parts. Whatever you do, don't install that brown colored aftermarket shit or the wire and plugs. Take it all back and get a refund, so you can have enough $$ to buy what it will actually need.

I didn't get the spark plug wires since no one in town has them or can get them. The spark plugs that are currently in there are a little discolured. I am taking the cap and rotor i just bought earlier today back. Not sure about my current spark plugs 2 are black and crusted the other 2 are discolored and cleaner than the other two. Ill get pics up of those tomorrow.

[Kyle in NO]

Just get the cheapest Bosch Supers or NGK plugs offered in your fitment. You need to actually troubleshoot the thing instead of throwing parts at it. Sounds like you have way more time than money at this point.

[caleb 87 535is]

Just get the cheapest Bosch Supers or NGK plugs offered in your fitment. You need to actually troubleshoot the thing instead of throwing parts at it. Sounds like you have way more time than money at this point.

Yea thats for sure. I have all the time in the world right now and no money. I got some NGKs for 1$ or 2$ a piece. They were the cheapest next to the copper spark plugs but I wont buy those since they can screw with your efi. I'll only use copper spark plugs on carburated engines that and i dont want to replace them all the time. If I have to go with cheap parts I buy middle of the road parts (not the cheapest not the most expensive). Im going to pull the fuel filter tomorrow and put the hose into a catch can and see if anything comes out. If so ill just replace the fuel filter till I can get the proper equipment to clean the fuel lines and drop the tank. Its a full tank and nothing to drain it into.

[Kyle in NO]

Copper plugs work great in BMW engines. I am running them in my B35. BMW specs the copper plugs as OE fitment in several models.

Btw, Autohaus AZ has the real distributor cap, rotor, plugs, and wires listed at $60 for everything and free shipping. I bet the aftermarket garbage was more than that.

[caleb 87 535is]

Copper plugs work great in BMW engines. I am running them in my B35. BMW specs the copper plugs as OE fitment in several models.

Btw, Autohaus AZ has the real distributor cap, rotor, plugs, and wires listed at $60 for everything and free shipping. I bet the aftermarket garbage was more than that.

Actually everything came up to $55.48 with tax. But as you saw the cap was in shit condition. and so was the rotor it was covered in gobs of glue. Ill have to look into the Autohaus AZ. Now if only I could find some cheap rims used or new that are in decent condition preferably with tires so it would be safer to drive here when I get it running.

[Kyle in NO]

I actually have a set of unknown gold centered E21 fitment wheels here with 13" rubber that I could sell, tires are still usable. I'd probably let them go for $100 plus the cost of shipping. I do need to check the tires again to make sure they haven't started to crack. It's been sitting a while.

Terrible picture:

[caleb 87 535is]

[quote="Kyle in NO"]I actually have a set of unknown gold centered E21 fitment wheels here with 13" rubber that I could sell, tires are still usable. I'd probably let them go for $100 plus the cost of shipping. I do need to check the tires again to make sure they haven't started to crack. It's been sitting a while.[quote]
If the rubber is till good then I'll see if I have the funds to purchase them from you if are willing to sell. Its Ridiculous on how hard it is to find tires for 13" rims around here.

[Twelvizm]

I just thought I drop in and say hi.

I have a couple of E21s and other cars:

For family:


For fun:


For ever until its done:


And before:

[caleb 87 535is]

After I get the e21 sorted I need to find some Euro bumpers for it. The american ones are ugly beyond belief in my opinion. Is the oil filter suposed to be directly over my alternator??? Cause that just seems to be in a really odd and uneasy place. I dont like it. Ill have to wrap the alternator before I pull it then. Oye.

[caleb 87 535is]

So my fuel filter will not come off. its being a real pain in the ass.

[Twelvizm]

So my fuel filter will not come off. its being a real pain in the ass.

You sir need to go here, and check out the stickies. There's a link to an online Bentley as well.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/fo ... 1983-(E21)

[caleb 87 535is]

have a post on both of them asking for ideas. No replys in the past day or two...... time to talk to a few of my friends.

[Kyle in NO]

Have you even checked for fuel or spark?

[caleb 87 535is]

Have you even checked for fuel or spark?

Yes i have checked for fuel and spark. Its not getting any fuel. Thats why I'm trying to replace the fuel filter to see if its the fuel filter. Though one of the spark plug wires is green and not blue. Its cylinder 2 I think. and had gas on it when I pulled it. Which I believe is not a good sign at all. * Fuel and Spark was the First thing I checked for and no fuel.

[caleb 87 535is]

The fuel line is depressurized and i have nothing to brake the seal of the copper crush washers on the fuel filter.So i have no way to replace the fuel filter at the moment. I need to get my car running before this tursday. Im going to try to rig a pump and pressure gauge up along the fuel line somewhere so that if this happens again I can pressurize it so it will start and the engine will do the rest.