1972 BMW 3.0 CSi restoration/tweaking

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

 

Sweet! Please post pictures if at all possible!

 

Yes. This will be a long term project. Ordered the suspension bits today.

 

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

 

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

 

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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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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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!!

 

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]

 

... 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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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

 

Love the 3.0 CSI..Undervalued and great to have!

Truly THE CLASSIC OF CLASSIC BMW's

Took these at greenwich 2 years back.
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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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An s38 would look really nice under that hood.

 

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.

 

How about an m102 or m106?

 

...tempting, yes, but want to at least look stock.

 

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.

 

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.

 

It will kind of look stock.

 

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

 

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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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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I think it looks great!