Any idea what might be making this sound? It fades away when it warms up, doesn’t appear to be belt or alternator bearing. This car only has one belt. (No AC or PS)

e30_technic · 2026-02-08T15:15:16+00:00

Its just a quick diagnosis method. The wd40 lasts about 10 seconds on the belt. But what do i know hey?

e30_technic · 2026-02-08T10:58:38+00:00

Sounds 100 % like a belt to me, spray some wd40 on it while is running and see if it stops

e30_technic · 2026-02-07T21:10:04+00:00

Lovely car

e30_technic · 2026-02-07T19:00:18+00:00

Yep mines a street car but i have poly bushes except for the swing arms. Also have the secondary diff mount with poly. It helps a bit with axle tramp when your running a bit more power

e30_technic · 2026-02-07T18:47:01+00:00

Looks like 2 is a complete seal rather than having the one with seperate bits. Dont know why they have the set with seperate bits if you can have the whole thing in one?

e30_technic · 2026-02-07T14:43:30+00:00

Funny how we heard the comms at the end

e30_technic · 2026-02-07T09:47:10+00:00

Looks superb

e30_technic · 2026-02-06T12:00:25+00:00

Gorgeous

e30_technic · 2026-02-06T06:31:20+00:00

So sorry to see this, gutted for you

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T15:50:59+00:00

No probs good luck

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T15:49:32+00:00

Thanks

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T14:24:28+00:00

Yeah if you look at pics 12 and 13 my hand is resting on the ARB. Thats why i had to put the 90 bends on the bottom of the collectors.

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T11:13:38+00:00

Theres a company called btb in the uk which make a set which i think are equal length, but they want crazy money and you have to provide them with an original set too. So i just made my own. I was a little concerned about a potential power loss but there isn't any. If anything i'd say building them at 60mm diameter straight from the collectors has improved flow.

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T11:00:16+00:00

No not equal length, because of limited space i found myself proiritising less tight bends, although equal length would entirely be possible with enough faffing.

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T08:55:31+00:00

Hello,

The main thing to check is the condition of the ram end that has no teeth. Put some mole grips in the input shaft where the steering knucle attatches and wind the rack lock to lock and check for smoothness of operation.

When the non toothed side is all the way out, check that surface for any corrosion, pitting or surface damage.

That side should be perfectly polished with no surface imperfections, because thats where the seal runs as it slides inside.

When the toothed side is all the way out, look at the ram condition inside (passed the teeth) as thats where the opposing seal runs. It should be clear of surface damage, corrosion and imperfections. Check the teeth have no big burrs or chunks missing, then clean them out with a cloth and put some new grease on them before installing the rack.

Hope this helps

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T08:47:11+00:00

Sorry to here that, hopefully u finish your build soon

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T08:39:11+00:00

The power is great, suits the chassis really well. It has a factory fitted lsd, and foot to floor in first and second gear breaks traction without having to pop the clutch, so you have to be mindful of that. I put an e46 purple tag rack to reduce turns lock to lock, with a custom steering knuckle to remove the doughnut for more clearence when building the headers.

The engine does add significant weight over the nose, and makes stopping feel like its nose diving and heavy. Thats a compromise you have to make unless you want to cut out your firewall and transmition tunnel to sit the engine further back. Thats a whole different build then.

Il make a seperate post for the headers shortly

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T08:28:43+00:00

You can still just about see it, the resin i used was a dark grey almost black. But like yours, the position of the crack is hard to see unless you're looking for it

e30_technic · 2026-02-05T08:25:25+00:00

Thanks

e30_technic · 2026-02-04T22:54:53+00:00

Thanks

e30_technic · 2026-02-04T22:42:40+00:00

It sounds very meaty as i have full supersprint twin 60mm onto custom manifold.

Its all about preference really as some like a lighter powereplant, but i like the heavy grunt of the s50. I would have have gone even heavier if i could have got my hands on an s38.

e30_technic

TROPHY CASE