Figured I'd finally start a proper thread....

[z31maniac]

So now that I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I decide to go ahead and start a thread to keep up on the progress and note what I have done to this point.

I took the motor and trans over to my buddy's house yesterday so I'd have a garage to do the reseal.

The S52, still with OBD-II harness/manifold.



Parts box and my shiny eBay headers.




The car will be an OBD-I S52, 540 maf, eBay headers, TRM chip, with a machined M20 flywheel, custom built clutch (by a place here in town), and a Getrag 260 running through a 3.73.

Progress so far:
TMS subframe reinforcement kit, subframe stripped and powdercoated
New control arms, OEM M3 CABs
UUC Swaybarians kit (22/19)
Rebuilt the GC camber plates and upped the spring rates from 350/500 to 550/750
TreeHouseRacing booster and new OEM master cylinder

Plan is to get the motor/trans resealed and bolted up in the next few weeks then drop it in the car. Send off injectors to be cleaned, then have a friend come up to help out with the wiring.

Also dropping in the 3 row MCoupe radiator, and new hubs up front since they sound pretty gnarly bearing no weight, and will stepping up to the Massive Lee 280mm kit with either Dynapro or Dynalite calipers. I have Porterfield R4-S pads and UUC rotors to go out back.

Once I recover from this, I will refresh the rear suspension mounts/bushings/bearings. And hopefully early next year get a VSR 4 pt in with some fixed back seats and nice harnesses.

[Erik]

First!

Wow! You're absolutely going to love it! Looks like you've got a lot of work ahead of you though! The gearing you're going to rum is the same I am running with the M52, it's going to be absolutely nuts with the engine setup you have.

[iwantspeed]

win!

did you think about notching the subframe frame on the passenger side before getting it powder coated?
Or just get by, by adding shims to clear the subframe?
Something similar to this but with your s52 motor since the clearance between the subframe and the headers will be much closer.
check this thread out. I know you all ready picked up ebay headers but here are few pictures with euro headers. :pimp:

It looks like I only have a millimeter of clearance, but I'm running solid aluminum motor mounts, so they don't move. You'd want to give yourself some extra clearance.

[daniel]

my headers were resting on the subframe even with "spacers" between the motor mounts. the solution was to get custom exhaust made and remove the spacers.

but there are several ways around it i suppose.

[z31maniac]

I will take a BFH to the headers and/or have the exhaust shop cut/move stuff as they need be, rather than notch the subframe.

[CorvallisBMW]

Subscribed! :)

[T3rd Ferguson]

good shit. subscribed

[TexasTerp]

Looking forward to the build! Subscribed!

[ThreeTwentyFissel]

What about adding a six speed?

[whysimon]

I was @ the end of my rope with my swap. When it came down to it, a torch and 5lb sledge did the trick with my subframe.

[z31maniac]

What about adding a six speed?

It'd be nice, but a 6 spd costs what I paid for my S52, then you need a custom driveshaft.

I'd do a supercharger before a 6 spd.

[z31maniac]

Tiny small amount of progress today. Basically got all the OBD-II stuff off the motor except the smog pump junk/cam sensor/and front header.



Anyone want some rusty Zimmerman brake rotors?

[e30s52]

I will take a BFH to the headers and/or have the exhaust shop cut/move stuff as they need be, rather than notch the subframe.

You will need a torch too. I tryed with just a hammer and nothing happend. Can't wait to see the build!

[pilotskillse30]

Subscribed!

[markseven]

Yay! Looking mighty fine, amigo.