E21, Which Way To Go....help Me Help Me

[DJProfessor]

ok, now i need some help.....i came up on an E21 and don't know which way to take her. i have a set of dual weber Italian 45's as well as a complete wrecked 325es that ran strong. my 320 is gutted, ready for racing (as my stock 87 E30 gets the daily duties)..........i don't know how much i will like her after i begin to mod so i may sell afterwards.

but with that being said, i think the E motor would be hotness in her, esp. if i decide to convert over to the I top end and go crazy and slap a diesel crank in there over time......

BUT.....

i had a GTI on these sidedrafts that rocked 13's in the quarter (yes i know VW's are lame, learned my lesson)......so i know that this 320i motor would probably scoot with them as well.....and a motor on carbs sounds like nothing else


AND THEN.....

this co-worker of mine said why not carb up the six banger.......and that got me to thinking.......does anyone make a mani that would allow me to rock three side draft webers? cause i know where another pair of Italian 45's are just resting waiting to go on something.


i have to admit i do love carbs, and grew up racing air cooled VW's on carbs so i know my way around some webers, so tuning doesn't scare me. just curious about the best way to go with this and could use some opinions/inspiration

[guywithblack88e30]

6 more power i think you would still get more power from the six even if it was carb i unless you put a blower on it. don't do that cause thats fugly on a bmw

[DJProfessor]

Originally posted by guywithblack88e30@Apr 4 2005, 10:42 AM
6 more power i think you would still get more power from the six even if it was carb i unless you put a blower on it. don't do that cause thats fugly on a bmw

[snapback]325176[/snapback]

yeah, negitive on the blower.....if i did anything it would be turbo..........but also i forgot to mention how freaking easy it would be to carb this 4 cylinder sucker and get her rocking in time for the Kreuzer's show back here in Ohio.......so that is another reason i need some help here..........

do i do the quick and easy or go in it for the long haul? i love the way my E30 handles, will i be happy with my e21? she is sitting on lowered springs right now (haven't driven her since doing)

[offabroadway]

Definitely go with the ETA engine.

And just out of curiosity, why (and how the hell) would you carb the ETA?

[DJProfessor]

Originally posted by offabroadway@Apr 4 2005, 12:22 PM
Definitely go with the ETA engine.

And just out of curiosity, why (and how the hell) would you carb the ETA?

[snapback]325291[/snapback]

why? i like carbs, just way more comfortable with them than FI stuff. and how? three two barrel 45 italian webers would do the trick nicely



but i am starting to lean towards just slapping the whole shebang up in there

[DJProfessor]

process is underway.......

removed the wiring harness entirely from the 325 last night (cut off what i am not using, the headlight loom and the rear loom) complete with fuse/relay block. disconnected the section for the motor so that will stay seperate.

exhaust is the project tonight after soccer practice and tranny tomorrow (want to inspect clutch assembly and possibly lighten flywheel) then motor.

think it's time to start a new thread on the swap progress, that and take some pics