e23 728 M88 swap

[thugginrobby]

Will you be doing the early model front end conversion?

[CSBM5]

Mike,

This is going back a long way, but I installed Suspension Techniques front and rear sway bars (could have been from Quikor Engineering, but I think they were one and the same) on my Dad's E23 back in 1982. They transformed the car as the OEM bars were very small/weak (not even sure now if that car, 1980 733i 4MT LSD, came with a rear bar). I think they were 28mm and 22mm. Not sure if these are made any longer however they do show those sizes available for the E3/E12/E24 -- I assume the E23 is a bit different than the E12/early E24 sway bars. Also, I assume at some point (1983 model year?) the E23 changed to the newer style suspension setup like the E28 had...

Just some random thoughts...one of which was I did that when my wife and I were on a trip to Oktoberfest 1982 in Albany where my Bavaria won the Best Bavaria award (first year of it). Imagine having a Best Bavaria award at O'fest today.

[T_C_D]

I have a pair of rear sway bar brackets. They need to be welded to the current subframe.

[mottati]

Will you be doing the early model front end conversion?

had not planned on it.

[mottati]

Mike,

This is going back a long way, but I installed Suspension Techniques front and rear sway bars (could have been from Quikor Engineering, but I think they were one and the same) on my Dad's E23 back in 1982. They transformed the car as the OEM bars were very small/weak (not even sure now if that car, 1980 733i 4MT LSD, came with a rear bar). I think they were 28mm and 22mm. Not sure if these are made any longer however they do show those sizes available for the E3/E12/E24 -- I assume the E23 is a bit different than the E12/early E24 sway bars. Also, I assume at some point (1983 model year?) the E23 changed to the newer style suspension setup like the E28 had...

Just some random thoughts...one of which was I did that when my wife and I were on a trip to Oktoberfest 1982 in Albany where my Bavaria won the Best Bavaria award (first year of it). Imagine having a Best Bavaria award at O'fest today.

Thanks i'll look into that as well.
And when i went to oktoberfest when it was here in monterey, there were quite a few bavarias, so i could see the need for their own award!

[mottati]

I have a pair of rear sway bar brackets. They need to be welded to the current subframe.

thanks i'll keep you in mind when i get to that point.

[mottati]

I agree on the staggered style 32 recommendation for the E23.

Picked up a set of staggered style 32's tonight. Hub centric rings on order, needs some rear tires and a little clean up. Pics to come once mounted.

[Adam W in MN]

I agree on the staggered style 32 recommendation for the E23.

Picked up a set of staggered style 32's tonight. Hub centric rings on order, needs some rear tires and a little clean up. Pics to come once mounted.

17" or 18"?

Here are staggered 18" on my old e34 touring.

[mottati]

17x8 and 17x9, e39 fitment. I think et20/22.

[Corner Carver]

Very nice! Following this thread with great interest. Really looking forward to seeing and hearing this car in person. I'm hoping I'll be able to make the e23 meet this spring! I picked up an '84 728i 6 months ago after it sat under a cover since 2001. 89k original miles. Delphin Metallic over Anthracite cloth. Sparsely optioned with manual everything except locks. 100ltr fuel tank. No check, no OBC, no ABS. AC was added later and means it has a Sanden compressor. This will be working again.

Do you still have the 2.8 L-Jet DME? I would be interested in it as a spare since I'm keeping the L-Jet, at least for the time being.

Here she is as she sits right now. Staggered wheels is definitely the way to go with e23. Lots of room under there. 9.5x17 Alpina's tuck in just right.

[mottati]

Do you still have the 2.8 L-Jet DME? I would be interested in it as a spare since I'm keeping the L-Jet, at least for the time being.

yes i have the dme, it's yours. Car looks great on the alpina's. Yes need to schedule an e23 meet.


Also, regarding my current BBS wheels, someone asked the offset, i looked today while washing the car.

Fronts are et11 16x7 KBA40545
rears are et24 16x8 KBA40546

[Corner Carver]

yes i have the dme, it's yours. Car looks great on the alpina's. Yes need to schedule an e23 meet.

Much appreciated sir! I have an Aunt in Walnut Creek I need to go visit anyway. Work has me in the area sometime in February. I'll keep you up on my plans as I know more when I'll be in the area.

[funfunfer]

Stunning project. I had given thought to attempting something similar since I have a "spare" S38B36 long block, but your thread informs me that I shouldn't attempt it. I still think it would be fun to build a South African 745 in racing livery (Google Tony Viana).

[mottati]

i put the style 32's on.... and i didn't really like it. Might have been the color, but the bbs's are back on for now. I neglected to snap a pic. I've got a set of M systems and turbines that i may throw on this weekend if i have a chance (to get them off my son's car).

[lizard]

i put the style 32's on.... and i didn't really like it...

Let me know if you're interested in selling the 32s. I live in the east bay.

[BA in CT]

Keep her on the BBS RA's....

[funfunfer]

Great thread. Thanks for showing the path. My recently acquired '84 733i sits on E38 16" Style 4s and 10mm spacers. Finally got the damn tool to remove the center caps so wheel bearings are now adjusted.

[mottati]

a little update. Came across a set of wheels that i really liked via Levent at Guten Parts. Yes, they're Metric, 240/45-415. Yes, the tires were dated 1987, and made in W. Germany!



And since i'm really not going to drive on 31 year old tires, i ordered as set of the "new" Michelin TRX's, modern compound, newer tread design (i kind if wish they were the old tread pattern), in the correct sizes. First impressions are good, a few freeway on-ramp/off-ramps and i'm pleased so far.

[mottati]

couple of updates on the e23. Came across a set of classic recaros. They need to be recovered, i've got some tan houndstooth that i found on german eBay a while back, so thinking that in the centers with some leather for the bolsters. At any rate, they fit well, and are really pleasant to sit in.



eBay.de also provided a set of H&R springs, as well as a new old stock set of front mud flaps.



Between the springs, the bilsteins, and the TRX's, i'm really like the look, the ride, and the way the car handles. Now in search of a rear sway bar. The plan is to drive this to So Cal Vintage in November. It's running and driving very well overall.

[tn535i]

And since i'm really not going to drive on 31 year old tires, i ordered as set of the "new" Michelin TRX's, modern compound, newer tread design (i kind if wish they were the old tread pattern), in the correct sizes. First impressions are good, a few freeway on-ramp/off-ramps and i'm pleased so far.

Coker Tire prices or did you find them elsewhere ?

[mottati]

And since i'm really not going to drive on 31 year old tires, i ordered as set of the "new" Michelin TRX's, modern compound, newer tread design (i kind if wish they were the old tread pattern), in the correct sizes. First impressions are good, a few freeway on-ramp/off-ramps and i'm pleased so far.

Coker Tire prices or did you find them elsewhere ?

Coker....

[tn535i]

It's an interesting car and I also really like the M6 wheels on it. I have a good set from mine and somehow they really suite these cars but I couldn't bring myself to buy the modern TRX replacements from Coker.

In one of the pics up above with the new seats the car must be on a lift but my first impression was that you added some black diamond plate running boards

[ElGuappo]

I'm pretty sure I have a 745 rear sway bar available if you're interested.

[mottati]

In one of the pics up above with the new seats the car must be on a lift but my first impression was that you added some black diamond plate running boards

HaHa i see that, but you're correct,t it's parked on the lift. No running boards.

And yeah it would be tough to tolerate the TRX prices and 180 tread wear if this were a regular driver, but at a couple/few k miles per year i can deal with it.

[mottati]

I'm pretty sure I have a 745 rear sway bar available if you're interested.

I would be interested in that. I'll send you a pm.

[Corner Carver]

I'm pretty sure I have a 745 rear sway bar available if you're interested.

I would be interested in that. I'll send you a pm.

Check that you have the mounts on the subframe. Most e23 came without rear sways. My 728i got a modified 745i subframe from Garagistic in order to have swaybar mounts. It’s a whole different car in the corners with it.

[mottati]

I'm pretty sure I have a 745 rear sway bar available if you're interested.

I would be interested in that. I'll send you a pm.

Check that you have the mounts on the subframe. Most e23 came without rear sways. My 728i got a modified 745i subframe from Garagistic in order to have swaybar mounts. It’s a whole different car in the corners with it.

I'm pretty sure i do not, but i've read the brackets can be welded onto the subframe.