MyE28.com

I have been building a 324tdx and spent the last few months researching, doing wire harness stuff and cleaning up parts for the m21. But I came across these videos that I would like to share with you guys.

http://www.zkouknito.cz/video_56481_324tdx-e30-test-1
http://www.zkouknito.cz/video_56258_e30-324tdx-start-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soKXBS6qphI

Wow, very cool. I love the A-pillar intake and lift kit.

Thats the intake on the fender, not sure why its on the drivers side since the intake is on the passenger side, but im sure he had his reasons.

That makes more sense. I saw the CAI cone filter in one of the videos and thought that was all there was to the intake. Regardless, that car could pull off an A-pillar mounted exhaust.

I almost went for a tdX project. The only thing that kept me away was that all U.S. E30X vehicles are automatic.

CoyoteStarfish wrote:I almost went for a tdX project. The only thing that kept me away was that all U.S. E30X vehicles are automatic.

Not true, all 1988 models came with manual transmissions and all options (less metallic paint and heated seats)

In 1989-1991 most came as autos, but there were a fair amount of manual transmission cars.

I have 3 iXs and all 3 are manuals, but have owned a few automatic cars too.

Interesting! All the articles I've read about the iX have stated that the manual version was not available in the US, and all the iX's that I've seen (maybe 3 or 4) have been automatics.

Maybe I should start looking for one again...

They are getting harder to find, most of them live up here in the north and are getting pretty rusty.

I have found out how to swap a 2wd e30 to be a awd, but the front suspension geometry is a little bit off from the iX. But if you find a mildy rusty iX, you can swap the front clip from it to a rust free shell of a 2wd.

The only things body wise that are not the same is the firewall forward and the left side of the transmission tunnel. The tunnel can be "fixed" with a hammer though.

Note the strut tops are pushed way out to get camber right

Axle is at a less than good angle

Fixed trans tunnel to get the front drive shaft and t-case in there. Mounting for the t-case should already be on all cars.

Hmm... you can transplant the components to other E30s? Neat!

My new pipe dream: Convertible 324tdX

Yep, you do need to change a few things over, but if you have a rusted out iX and a clean 2wd you can do it.

Thats my plan, get a early model 4 door and swap in the iX running gear.

Awesome videos.

Here are some build pictures from the car

http://svejdabmw.rajce.idnes.cz/

Very cool! When they hit the 25 yr old mark (legal to import to US without restrictions) I'd love to find a nice 5-sp 325ix Touring to import that isn't rusted out yet and do a td transplant! I wonder if the M57 would fit? Edit: It does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDTyAxQQm2c

-Graham

Anything based on the m20/m50 engines will work. So the m21/m51/m57 all will work just fine.

For the m51/m57 engines you need to make a custom oil pan using the front half of a m20 (ix) pan and the rear half of a m51/m57 pan.

You can also do a 4cyl turbo diesel with the awd, but you need to use a custom oil pan.

What gears are you running in the 324tdx?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS8iwp9r ... re=related

watched this video of your car, and am curious.. what are you going to do about the open diff components? As BMW's AWD systems are not "true" awd.

BMW used a viscus lsd in the rear, the front is a open diff. The stock transfer case is also a viscus lsd system. So it is actually a true awd system.

A 4wd system uses locked diffs and transfer case.

When BMW updated the awd in the e46 they used open diffs and a open t-case, that system was a crappy awd. But the e30 iX was true to awd.

The car in the video used the stock diff, and installed a locking t-case from a Lada Niva.

I plan to run a dana 20 transfer case in mine and leave both diffs stock.

Kameix1 wrote:BMW used a viscus lsd in the rear, the front is a open diff. The stock transfer case is also a viscus lsd system. So it is actually a true awd system.

A 4wd system uses locked diffs and transfer case.

When BMW updated the awd in the e46 they used open diffs and a open t-case, that system was a crappy awd. But the e30 iX was true to awd.

The car in the video used the stock diff, and installed a locking t-case from a Lada Niva.

I plan to run a dana 20 transfer case in mine and leave both diffs stock.

ah interesting. I didn't realize they originally had an LSD in the rear and a limited locking center diff. Would you update the front diff to a limited slip differential? I absolutely despise the E46xi for that reason. Open diffs are extremely FTL

firefirefire90 wrote: ah interesting. I didn't realize they originally had an LSD in the rear and a limited locking center diff. Would you update the front diff to a limited slip differential? I absolutely despise the E46xi for that reason. Open diffs are extremely FTL

I have been looking at options on this, right now, I think my cheapest option is the "phantom grip" LSD unit....
No one makes a LSD unit for the front iX so I would have to come up with something my self.