Popular Post Mattt Posted September 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 23, 2021 Right, the corona has blown into a big ass project which is cool. But i've decided to take my time with her and do it right. Since i'm currently operating out of a single garage crammed with shit for the next year until my new 4 bay workshop gets built ive decided to put it aside for now, not forgotten but just waiting its turn. As i've gone too long without something old, low and obnoxious to drive I kicked a few dollars towards a young man selling an old 7 series. I actually drove beside this car a while ago on the motorway thinking how much i love old 7 series and it popped up for swaps on facebook a few months later. I dropped the guy a message to see what sort of real cash $$ he was after and decided at the time since I was balls deep in the corona project that I couldn't justify another vehicle so nothing really came of it. I had some money recently for a car and decided to flick him a message and see if it was still available. Somehow it was and we sorted out a viewing. I arrived and was told the car had a fresh wof the day before. We had a look over it and decided it was worth test driving. Took it out for a drive and decided to offer him about 3/4 what he was asking. Grudgingly he accepted, we did the transfer online and i drove off in a new 7 series. So, here's a photo of when I got it. 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mattt Posted September 23, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 23, 2021 I know a few people will be disgusted by this, but I chucked my personalized plates on it. I have new ones on their way that are the right size and style for it, but I did keep the old Black ones. I haven't really done a lot more to it yet as i'm waiting on a bunch of shit to turn up from Ebay. I have on order: A new rear BMW Badge, new auto gear knob (old ones fucked) new Brake accumulator as the brakes are showing all the telltale signs of low nitrogen, new plates, Momo bosskit for my Momo Indy steering wheel, Dash mat and some stickers. I sorted some 100%, definitely real, totally genuine BBS wheels for it and will sort getting the thing on it's ass ASAP as it'll look a lot better. In the meantime here's some photos of it in all it's Bronzit - Biege glory after a decent groom and some new rims. Side note, was an older couple that owned the lambo - She was driving and it took him at least a couple of minutes to get in it. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted September 24, 2021 Author Share Posted September 24, 2021 New plates No doubt I'll get screwed for them by the cops, but we'll see. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 Yard looks like a bmw dealership at the moment. Good news is things are happening. Hopefully have an update Friday night. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 So i managed to get the springs compressed and back on. Not too sure how I feel. It's definitely a lot lower, but the wheels are no where near the right offset. Shouldn't have put my trust in mag and turbo. Anyway, I've ordered some 25mm spacers all around and will see how it looks when I've been for a bit of a drive and everything settled. I suspect the rears may need to be compressed a bit further. Also need some camber on the front wheels. The rear cambers not outrageous which I was afraid it would be, so that's a bonus. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/80616-mattts-e23-land-yacht-discussion/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 Feeling better about it now. Still putting spacers on it next week. Now has a freshly painted black valance 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mattt Posted October 18, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 18, 2021 My proper Momo Boss kit finally turned up. Cost a fortune and took forever but worth the wait. Going to get the wheel alignment sorted tomorrow. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted May 24, 2022 Author Share Posted May 24, 2022 So a few updates to this since October. Not long after i got it i noticed that most of the intake hoses were absolutely stuffed. I ordered new ones out of Schmiedmann and when they arrived i fitted those. It helped power and economy somewhat. After reading a complicated online tutorial on how to change the brake accumulator i decided to forget what i'd read and spent 10 mins changing the brake accumulator. Amazingly the car now has boosted brakes and the brakes work much better. Fitted 25mm wheel spacers all around to get the wheels sitting much nicer. Long term i plan to find some 17" Autostrada Modenas and rebuild them to 18" but that will come after other things. The car has always had a hunt at idle issue so after diagnosing a faulty idle control valve I ordered a new one from Schmiedmann in Germany before Christmas. This took much longer than normal and arrived late January. I installed it when it arrived and that improved the idle a lot. It's still a little rough at idle but it's consistent with most older bmws i've driven. It just seems to be the way these things are. I bought some new Component speakers, a couple of amps, a Kenwood head unit and a pair of 8" subs. I built a ported box and installed it all. It's a good, clear system which isn't too loud and still keeps most of my boot space. after having it for a little while i decided that it was a bit too boomy so i screwed a bit of ply over the port and it now sounds much better. I will build a new sealed box for it in the next few weeks. Spent some time masking and repainting the black on the lower sills. The car had been having a really odd fault where at 4k rpm it would fall flat on its face, do a couple of surges and then take off again. Did it everytime, in every gear. It had also been very gutless since i bought it and had weird electrical faults. When you first started the car the windows and heater would work fine, but turn it off and back on again and the heater and windows would stop working. I did a reasonable amount of hunting and cleaning of grounds then gave up and took it to the auto sparky at work with the 200 page electrical diagnostics and diagrams manual for the car and in 2 hours he had worked out that whoever had installed the push button start (presumably because the ignition is pretty stuffed) had bypassed a circuit that disengages and engages the auxiliary circuit when the car is being would over to start. I don't fully understand it, but he ran a new circuit to reinstate it and now all those odd issues have been fixed. Also, the fuel gauge has stabilised now, the trans shifts more smoothly and the car got most of the power i would expect back. I then hunted down a new Distributor cap and Rotor which was harder than expected to find and I fitted those. The old one was corroded and the rotor was stuck onto the distributor shaft. I wouldn't be surprised if they were original. This gave the car more power again. It now feels nearly as fast as a 1300 EE90 corolla so i'm somewhat happy with that. It's not a sports car.... yet. I took it for a fresh WOF a couple weeks ago. It failed on windscreen wipers, No front bump stops, Light on dash for Brake pad wear and leak from fuel pump area. I replaced windscreen wipers right away, sourced some generic strut mounted bump stops which were 86mm long, after test fitting and cutting them down they ended up 25mm long. The good thing is that the front suspension doesn't bang around when going over bumps anymore! I fitted a new fuel line between fuel filter and fuel pump. Then went for a drive and put it back up on the hoist where there was a fuel leak still. I ordered a new pump and fitted that. This time no more leak. Fuel is gold plated at the moment, so for 1/3 the price of a tank to get the pump i was glad to stop the leak. Last i ordered 2 new brake pad wear sensors and fitted those. The light was still on the dash. I grabbed the multi meter to start test the wiring but when i pulled back the sheath to check the wire colours behind the plug on the front sensor i found that one wire was quite stretchy. I cut the plug open, soldered the wire back up and heat shrinked it all. No light. Car got it's WOF yesterday, so i put the wheel spacers back on. I have noticed the car has a fun issue where intermittently it will take a bit of turning over before it starts. Thinking it's the main relay, but i will probably throw it at the sparky again. Either way it does start, just takes a bit some times. Other times it starts immediately. That's old BMWs for you. Right, i'll talk about the fun stuff on a new section 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mattt Posted May 24, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 24, 2022 So it's become apparent that in order to do my Corona Justice, it's going to need a few years. After chatting with the wife we decided that I should get the BMW to a point i'm happy with it so i'm not rushing the Corona build. After talking with her we decided to give the car a roughly 10-15k budget. The plan: I'm talking to BC Gold at the moment about modifying a set of their E28 coil overs to fit the E23. There's a couple of manufacturers that make them but i've been struggling to get any information out of the certifier about how to get them legal in New Zealand so i'm trying to use a company that's already well established here. I'll custom build front and rear strut braces to help tighten the chassis up. When i fit the coilovers i will also modify the rear subframe for camber and toe adjustment using the Garagista weld in kits. I now have a M30B35 out of an E34 sitting in my garage. I'm going to order a turbo manifold, Micro squirt ECU, GT3584R Ball bearing turbo, 720cc Bosch Injectors, AEM water/Meth injection kit, LS Coils, MLS Head gasket, ARP head studs etc. I will compression test the engine first and if all is good i will remove the head and strip it then have it skimmed. Rebuild the head with mild polishing work, replace all the gaskets and seals, water pump etc to get it ready for the turbo. My research has suggested 600-700whp is quite safe on the stock short block. I'm going to aim for 500whp. I'm planning on only running water/meth injection if i can tune it safely and avoid running an intercooler. My understanding is it should work fine at that sort of power figure, but i'll be keeping a very close eye in EGTs and AF ratios. I also picked up a scrap heap old PFL E23 that had a 4 speed manual conversion. I mainly wanted the Pedals, driveshaft, x member and shifter so i can fit it to a 5 speed box. Unfortunately when i got it home i found the front driveshaft had been taken already, but the rest of the bits were there including a flywheel in the boot (Car had no engine) I have a pair of nice old school style bucket seats which i will fit or i'll source some black leather seats out of a E60 or similar. That can be done towards the end of the build. As she's a heavy tank i'm not looking for amazing handling or power, but i think it should make it a very cool car 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattt Posted May 24, 2022 Author Share Posted May 24, 2022 Oh Yes, i checked valve clearances. They were fine, but i found this lovely banjo bolt for the oil tube in the head just chilling next to a valve spring. Sorted some copper washers and re fitted it with some loctite. Some photos: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mattt Posted May 24, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 24, 2022 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph78 Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 Mattts E23 BMW 7 Series Land Yacht?" What an exciting adventure you've embarked on, juggling projects and adding a classic to your collection. Your story is a testament to the allure of vintage cars and the love of the open road. Firstly, it's commendable that you're investing time and effort into your "Corona" project. The decision to take it slow and do it right is a wise one, especially when operating out of a crowded garage. The anticipation of your new 4-bay workshop being built in the future must be driving you to ensure everything is perfect when it's time to dive back into that project. However, every car enthusiast knows that it's hard to go for too long without something captivating to drive. That's where your impulse to acquire an old 7 series comes into play, and it sounds like a fantastic decision. It's not just a car; it's an experience waiting to happen. Your connection with this particular 7 series, which you previously encountered on the motorway, adds a personal touch to the story. It's as if fate brought you two together. The fact that you reached out to the seller initially and then revisited the idea shows that the desire for this vehicle lingered in the back of your mind. g The negotiation process, where you offered 3/4 of what he was asking and he grudgingly accepted, adds an element of intrigue to the story. You managed to strike a deal that felt right for both parties, and that's the beauty of these transactions – they are as much about the connection between individuals as they are about the car itself. The fresh warrant of fitness on the day you pick it up is the kind of pleasant surprise car enthusiasts dream of. It's like starting a new chapter with a vehicle that's ready to hit the road without any hiccups. The test drive, during which you must have felt the essence of this classic car, was probably the moment of truth. The 7 series, known for its luxury and performance, must have showcased its charm during this ride. Finally, your decision to document this journey with a photo is an excellent way to capture the beginning of a new chapter in your automotive adventures. It's not just a car; it's a story in the making, and we look forward to hearing more about your experiences with your "Land Yacht." In the world of classic cars and restoration projects, every acquisition has its own unique story, and yours is a delightful tale of seizing an opportunity, pursuing a passion, and adding a new chapter to your automotive journey. Enjoy the ride, and may your BMW 7 Series bring you many memorable moments on the road ahead. 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mop Head Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Ralph78 said: Weird AI post 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlownCorona Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 why does the AI call the the rotory corona a "Corona" does it no longer believe it is one?. the AI knows you put mazda parts in there matt, it knows what you did and it will not forget. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.