1972 BMW 3.0 CSi restoration/tweaking | FerrariChat

1972 BMW 3.0 CSi restoration/tweaking

Discussion in 'Other German' started by snj5, Oct 29, 2012.

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  1. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Russ Turner
    For a few of you that remember my Mondial tweaks, here are some similar things going on on the 1972 CSi.

    First off am going through the body on a corrosion hunt. The shock towers seem ok, but need to check the rockers. Once we have the rust corralled, will start on the suspension with springs, Bilstein HDs, and 28/22 sway bars from Korman to re-tighten up a 40 year old suspension. In keeping with a general OEM/Alpina theme, will have staggered Alpina alloys with 205 and 225 Continental Extreme contact DW or DWS which seem a popular BMW tire choice, especially as the car will be more of a trip car instead of track. And, of course, a rare period Momo Alpina steering wheel.

    Will also retrofit a Getrag 5 speed.

    Next will come interior and engine
     
  2. merstheman

    merstheman F1 Rookie

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    Sweet! Please post pictures if at all possible!
     
  3. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Yes. This will be a long term project. Ordered the suspension bits today.
     
  4. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    One of the best looking BMW's ever. Great choice. Looking forward to photos.
     
  5. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #5 snj5, Oct 29, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    And a suspension cosmetic bonus - found a set of original BMW optional CSL fender flares!
    Attached is a photo of a CSi (not mine, mine is Tundra green metallic) with the CSL flares and Alpina wheels. Note that this color is so 70s!
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  6. zygomatic

    zygomatic F1 Veteran
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    Love that color. And Russ, I think this resto-mod needs its own thread. (And I know I'm not alone in this request!)
     
  7. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #7 snj5, Oct 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    May be changing tire choice. Have read review where P7 Cinturatos are tolerable in weather, and the sizes are available (205/55 and 225/50-16). The Alpina rims are 7" and 8" wide. My, at a similar 102" wheelbase this is sounding very Mondial-like.

    Here is a 'before' photo. I just love the color - very European. So 70s. Where's my Michel Legrand cassette?
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  8. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #8 snj5, Oct 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Engine is a long term thing, really want to keep the stock appearance. I've been toying with the idea of replacing the D-Jetronic ECU with a Megasquirt 1 ECU, as they both work basically the same, except the MS1 can be closed loop with a wide-band feedback trim. Everything else will mostly be identical. And, the MS can accept increases in displacement and flow (headwork) easier, should we do that.
    Another 'before' picture:
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  9. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    Sep 18, 2002
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    Me like!!! She looks in good shape from the pic but rust is always an issue with any old car. Have fun with the project!!
     
  10. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Finally got all the paperwork done and installed tags, so took her out for a bit more of a romp.
    This thing is a riot to drive. While not an absolute modern rocket ship, it is just a hoot to fling around. The power steering is minimal, so still have quite a bit of feel and easy to slow speed manuever. Sound is very nice, even with old stock cans - should be even better with a newer set. Lots of low end torque - appreciated by this old man - that ol' D-Jetronic was working pretty well.. Drives like a very small car, and it's not really very big anyway. TONS of personality; I kept thinking "this is so much fun...just like the 70s".

    If you haven't seen this, this is really pretty good:
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTvFWQM3kwY[/ame]
     
  11. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #11 snj5, Nov 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    ... following the concept of all the pieces of a package working together, have ordered the Korman springs, f&r 28/22 bars and a set of HD Bilsteins. Will be sitting on staggered 16" 7 & 8" Alpina wheels with Continental 205/55f and 225/50r DW's... very stock Mondial-like, except a lower performance category. With this car, principle things I was looking for were headed steering response, ride and quiet.

    Oh, and old BMW stuff is orders of magnitude less costly than old Ferrari stuff. :)

    It is interesting to apply things I learned on the Mondial with this car. For instance, resisting the urge to over-tire the car, which many Mondial and 308 owners tend to do. I know I did initially. The Ferrari taught me a great deal about balance -- the throttle steerability and balance of the Mondial was superb, and MUCH more fun on smaller (stock) sections with smaller sidewalls. Very chuckable, and this is the goal for the BayEmVay. The BMW coupe weighs a less than the Mondial, has a good bit less hp (200 vs 270) but more torque. Plan is to dial in the chassis before upping the power up near the Mondial level.

    In an upcoming installment, we'll talk about restored period Becker Europa, Grand Prix and Blaupunkt Frankfurt radios and adapting Internet radio so to listen to German radio. Ja, Wohl!
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  12. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Here we go, somewhat on a period Alpina romp:

    Will go through and weld/fix any rusty spots
    Bought:
    5 speed overdrive transmission; short shift kit, clutch kit
    HD Bilsteins / sway bars / 3/4" lowering springs
    s/s brake lines, pads, slotted/drilled rotors
    16x7f 16x8r Alpina Alloys with 205/55 and 225/50 Conti DW
    Alpina steering wheel
    Pertronix

    Rebuilt early 70s Becker Europa stereo

    This might be a lot of fun.
    All advice welcome
     
  13. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 msdesignltd, Nov 8, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  14. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #14 snj5, Nov 15, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Mounted the Alpina wheels and Conti DW tires. Will be taking a break waiting on suspension stuff and put in the period Becker Europa radio. Will also have a Tranzit Blu Bluetooth adapter to stream internet radio from my Android phone. While all you will see will be the period radio, will have a more modern amp and hidden speakers.
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  15. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    An s38 would look really nice under that hood.
     
  16. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Right now, the plan is to someday drop a 3.5 or 3.7 and keep the D-jet runners to look stock and perhaps use a Megasquirt ECU, perhaps a Schrick cam.
     
  17. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    How about an m102 or m106?
     
  18. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    ...tempting, yes, but want to at least look stock. :)
     
  19. daxon

    daxon Rookie

    Aug 19, 2007
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    Toronto
    Back in the late 70's early 80"s I modded a number of cs"s and csi's used to use shrick cam's,and stahl header's worked wonderful together not too extreme just right to feel a
    great midrange and above improvement and a mild but purposeful change in the exhaust
    note.The last one I did I put in recaro's in fabric with matching rear seat covering.Hope you enjoy the car.
     
  20. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    I have heard the Schrick cam at about 283 duration will work well with the D jetronic. I am glad to hear about the Stahl headers. Was looking at doing a custom exhaust that was basically 1/2 of a 365 GTC/4. There are od 5spd and sway bars in the mail as the most highly recommended changes from the E9 board.
     
  21. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    It will kind of look stock. :D
     
  22. jonesdds

    jonesdds Formula 3

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    Looking forward to your post regarding this car. I'm in the market for one of these, may have a few leads.
     
  23. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #23 snj5, Dec 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Using rebuilt original 70s Blaupunkt with an external input and a Tranzit blu receiver so I can listen to internet radio through the phone and still look stock. Two 6x9 receivers in back driven by small JL amp under the seat.

    Waiting still on backordered swaybars
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  24. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    #24 snj5, Dec 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well, in my effort to combat the 105F south Texas summers I tinted the windows on the CSi due to its marginal at best 70's euro air conditioner. This worked wonderfully in my previous Mondial 3.2, even here in San Antonio. This seems to upset some people on the E9 board. And I thought only Ferrari guys were silly purists. Silly me.
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  25. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2007
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    I think it looks great!
     

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