Modernising classics for regular use

Itsfixed

HI

I have a BMW 2002tii which i love to bits but am researching ways to tastefully modernise it beyond what i have done already in order to make it easier to live with day to day and more reliable and economical - funds permitting, of course.

It already has lumenition electronic ignition, but that's about the only modern modification it has.

However, I have a wish-list that includes:

• Better front seats, like recaros
• Five speed gearbox (from a Three series e21)
• coilover suspension set (now available from a crowd called Gaz shocks)
• Electric power steering (quite doable, apparently)

I was just wondering if anyone else here has examples of mods they've done to their classics that have improved driveability, comfort performance, reliability or economy? Like swopping out carbs for electronic fuel injection, fitting better headlights, air conditioning, sound deadening, replacing front drum brakes with discs, central locking etc.

74merc

I could be wrong but I thought that coilovers were more track oriented, and therefore compromised for performance over comfort.

ikillcopiers

Coilovers is a bit of a misnomer.
What a coilover is is a spring inserted over the shock.
A lot of older cars would have torsion bars/beams, particularly
at the rear instead of springs on the shock.

I put coilovers on my car, it was torsion bars at the rear so
removed them altogether.

Of all the things on your list, the modification you notice
the most will be the new suspension, it will change the
car in ways you cannot imagine!

Shocks can be valved to suit application and springs can be
got in different weights, so it doesn't necessarily mean the car
will be any harder on the road, although to be fair aftermarket
suspension is rarely sought out to be soft....

I used my car everyday with adjusted coilovers at standard road
height with standard wheels and tyres, yes it was stiffer than
standard (again, what I wanted), but it was a substanstial improvement
on stock.

At the end of the day, it's YOUR car, do as you wish, and if you keep
it tasteful there will always be people who appreciate it.

Look at the Mark II scene, there are very few standard ones at this
stage, and a lot of them are in far better condition than when they
left the factory!

Lauder

I modernised my classic....I put a radio in!

DanFindy

Well you have elec ignition which helps reliability so after that a set of good quality shocks and springs would be fine for average driving. Power steering can be retro fitted to most cars electronically a corsa set up is common but there will be a few modifications and welding and brackets to sort out not really a diy job unless your fairly skilled,
By doin a lot of this stuff to older cars they lose their sense of time and character thats only my opinion of course!!!

ds20prefecture

Itsfixed wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone else here has examples of mods they've done to their classics that have improved driveability, comfort performance, reliability or economy? Like swopping out carbs for electronic fuel injection, fitting better headlights, air conditioning, sound deadening, replacing front drum brakes with discs, central locking etc.

I fitted electronic ignition (reliability and economy) and rear seat belts (safety). I needed to replace the lights as the original reflectors had corroded, but kept them at the same "spec" as the original. You can't really improve comfort on a DS. Improving performance (in a DS) requires such radical changes as to be too far from the original to be worthwhile. I know a guy who's putting programmable EFI in a DS21 carb.

I wonder about the wisdom of changing how a classic like a 2002 drives. In terms of value, the car will be worth more in its original form. I suppose if the original seats are very uncomfortable then an upgrade could be worthwhile day-to-day, but I can't see the benefit of radically changing the suspension setup. So much of a car's "feel" is in it's suspension.

I guess I just can't see the point of a classic 2002ti that rides and handles like a Nissan S14.

biggus

I would love to see how good a 2002 would go with a modern 4Cyl bmw engine box and electronics

Also if you were willing to butcher an old shell enough; suspension and abs etc could be transferred over
Buy this for €3500 to transplant
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html?lang=en&id=119914358&pageNumber=1&scopeId=C&sortOption.sortBy=searchNetGrossPrice&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&makeModelVariant1.makeId=3500&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&vehicleCategory=Car&segment=Car&minFirstRegistrationDate=2004-01-01&siteId=GERMANY&damageUnrepaired=ONLY_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&export=ALSO_EXPORT&customerIdsAsString=&tabNumber=2



Alternatively imagine a 1973 Csi coupe with M3 running gear from an E46

shagman

have a look at retro cars magazine it's full of modernised classics, might give you a few ideas / tips.

ianobrien

I've no problem with modernising a classic. But if it's an original, I'd be in favour of Bolt-on parts only.

One thing that I'd be deffo doing is fitting modern electronic ignition instead of points (either Aldon or Luminetion). It makes it so much easier to start on a damp morning.

The electric power steering, while nice, may not be needed. The cars were designed that an ordinary Joe (not Mr Universe) could turn the wheel. Check that tyre pressures are correct etc the steering should be OK (assuming you haven't fitted larger wheels).

Other than that, have a look at Retro Cars or other BMW mags for ideas

mustang68

This is where mustang68 Shines

Go with what makes your car more drivable, comfortable and fun, hang onto the old bits in case you want to sell it. Most of the fun of my car is working on upgrades

When I got my car it was pretty stock, except for racing manifolds and electronic Ignition, over the past few years I've added:

Fuel Injection
Power Disc Brakes
Electric Fan
Racing seats
four point belts
Upgraded head lights
Remote starter alarm
Upgraded Shocks & springs
Electric Windows
Power door locks
New Paint

I'm in the process of adding some new sounds too.

MercMad

One thing that I'd be deffo doing is fitting modern electronic ignition instead of points (either Aldon or Luminetion). It makes it so much easier to start on a damp morning.

.........just because a car hasn't electronic ignition doesn't mean its hard to start. That particular attribute tends to affect certain types of car more than others. Both my 60's Mercs retain their original points ignition and I use them almost daily and have done for 10 years.Never failed to start and if they break down in the backside of nowhere, a spare set of points in the glovebox (€5) will soirt you out.

Of course, dont get me wrong, electronic WILL give more stable performance and stay in tune perfectly but in my experience a lot of aftermarket kits that are generic do NOT work properly and can be a pain to fit, not to mention that they have a higher failure rate than a factory or unique unit.

The likes of the 123NL distributor would be a good choice if they have an application for the type of car you have.Older cars that werent built with power steering tend not to need it due to the steering ratio, size of wheels and tyres, though conversion is usually possible with a bit of engineering. My 230SL never had it from new but it does now.

Modern suspension will always be an improvement but sometime re-bushing and new current spec dampers can be all thats required.

74merc

I put a Pertronix electronic points kit on my Merc 220 and it runs better than with the standard setup. I'd rather fit and forget than worry about the points or condensor failing.

ianobrien

I ran the Escort with the original points setup for a while and while it never let me down, It never failed to start either. But I still fitted Lumenition(sp) and it starts better (ie faster and runs better when cold with no choke). That's why I recommended Electronic Ingnition.

I choose Lumenition as it's commonly fitted in Rally cars and all of my mates that run it in their rally cars have never had a problem with it. IF it can take the abuse they give it (shocks, mud, water etc) it can surely take the shocking state of our roads.

Itsfixed

mustang68 wrote: »

This is where mustang68 Shines

Go with what makes your car more drivable, comfortable and fun, hang onto the old bits in case you want to sell it. Most of the fun of my car is working on upgrades

When I got my car it was pretty stock, except for racing manifolds and electronic Ignition, over the past few years I've added:

Fuel Injection
Power Disc Brakes
Electric Fan
Racing seats
four point belts
Upgraded head lights
Remote starter alarm
Upgraded Shocks & springs
Electric Windows
Power door locks
New Paint

I'm in the process of adding some new sounds too.

Hi sorry if this seems an obvious but is your car a 1968 Mustang? (lots of boardsies have changed their car without changing their nickname).

Was the changeover to fuel injection a difficult job?

An electric fan is another option that interests me, like a kenlowe, as you might benefit from a few extra horses since it only turns when it needs to, and the car warms up more quickly - useful in winter.

Impressed with your power door locks too. I hate having to fiddle with keys now, particulary since the barrels on both my doors require different keys.

I can live without electric windows though.

I agree that modern mods should be bolt-on only, so you can revert to original spec if needed.

Itsfixed

biggus wrote: »

I would love to see how good a 2002 would go with a modern 4Cyl bmw engine box and electronics

Also if you were willing to butcher an old shell enough; suspension and abs etc could be transferred over
Buy this for €3500 to transplant
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html?lang=en&id=119914358&pageNumber=1&scopeId=C&sortOption.sortBy=searchNetGrossPrice&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&makeModelVariant1.makeId=3500&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&vehicleCategory=Car&segment=Car&minFirstRegistrationDate=2004-01-01&siteId=GERMANY&damageUnrepaired=ONLY_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&export=ALSO_EXPORT&customerIdsAsString=&tabNumber=2



Alternatively imagine a 1973 Csi coupe with M3 running gear from an E46

A popular mod for 2002s (more in the US than here or UK) is to fit the four cylinder 2.3 litre S14 engine from a e30 M3 or the rarer Italian market e30 320is. The engine block is a development of the legendary M10 engine of the 2002 and has the same engine mounts, so more or less slots straight in, bar some radiator mods. Given the relative lightweight of a 2002, it makes for phenomenal performance, better than 2002 turbo.

Johnboy Mac

Itsfixed wrote: »

A popular mod for 2002s (more in the US than here or UK) is to fit the four cylinder 2.3 litre S14 engine from a e30 M3 or the rarer Italian market e30 320is. The engine block is a development of the legendary M10 engine of the 2002 and has the same engine mounts, so more or less slots straight in, bar some radiator mods. Given the relative lightweight of a 2002, it makes for phenomenal performance, better than 2002 turbo.

As your car is a Tii I would for originality keep the engine & Kugelfischer injection system if at all possible. Consider fitting an E30 M3 crank (2300cc) plus suitable rods & pistons. With some head work, exhaust manifold, modified distributor etc I'd expect 160-180bhp with very good torque. I'm presuming the injection can provide enough fuel as it the same as the turbo (170bhp).

A five speed O/D gearbox from a E21 would be well worth while along with orignial Scheel seats (if you find them). As mentioned electric fan with adjustable thermostat (Kenlowe) and electronic ignition system are the way to go.

Also have a look at Mike Macartney's book 'The BMW 2002, a comprehensive guide to the classic sporting saloon'