Hate is a strong word.

[speedminded]

So they say anyways! Recently acquired one of the missing pieces to the puzzle, 2 years of searching vs. $900+ at a dealer. Considering that's almost how much I have into the car and M52 combined, no thanks lol!




I think I posted my e30 hatch idea on here before but being in the architectural design field not knowing if you'll have a job the next day puts a serious dampener on car building ha! To start with, I am not trying to make a replica e30 M3, I just like the styling and I would never do what I'm doing with a true M3, unless maybe I located one wrecked in the rear -,-

Just don't call it a TI or Escort RS Turbo...despite it looking like a combination of both lol! Yes, this is a photoshop. Yes, I'm building it. No, I don't have a timeline. Just one piece at a time...

[stevofthahill]

This will be very very interesting to see develop. If it's executed correctly it will be awesome.

[alexw]

I dont know why anyone would HATE it...

I'm just curious how long this'll take you and what you're going to do about the rear window and hatch area.... what parts are you going to use for that?

[e30s52]

Interesting......

[asubimmer]

I can't wait! I've always wanted to do that, or a truck...

[chadthestampede]

meh

[namsayin]

very interesting indeed.

[87e30]

This could turn out to be one of the most awesome cars in existence.

[Trucidatio]

I think it looks awesome. Good luck. Please keep a good update thread on the build.

[e30esque]

Very interesting. Subscribed.

[Syncro325is]

I remember the first time you posted about this. I'm still excited, Good luck to you my friend!

[speedminded]

This will be very very interesting to see develop. If it's executed correctly it will be awesome.

Purists tend to not like to stray from the traditional mods...much less serious body modifications lol!

I dont know why anyone would HATE it...

I'm just curious how long this'll take you and what you're going to do about the rear window and hatch area.... what parts are you going to use for that?

Any true e30 fan knows the differences between the regular and M3...finding those parts while maintaining a budget is the issue! My budget being cheap or the best deal around.

I'm currently looking for a m3 wing so I can determine exactly how much can be removed, I want the tips of the wing to fit as close as possible to the c-pillar...my guess is it will be about 7" shorter. The m3 fiberglass trunk lid won't be hard to modify. I found one local on eBay with minor corner damage (which i would be cutting off anyways) so I bid on it the first day at $10...7 days later someone sniped me with 20 seconds to go and got it for $10.50. Like seriously? :facepalm: So I'm still looking for one.

The shortening of the trunk area is actually a simple process with pneumatic nippers and a good welder, mini-truckers do it with truck beds simply making two cuts around like a can opener then welding it back together...many refer to it as bob-tailing. With a cage going inside I'm too not concerned about integrity way behind the shock towers but I don't imagine much, if any, will be lost if it's put together correctly.

The difficult question is how is it going to work mechanically? The easy way would be Dzus clips but I'm not feeling it for a street car. Plus a trunk half the depth isn't exactly large enough to squeeze a spare tire in. I think a competent fabricator can create a small window frame that fits between the c-pillars that the rear window and trunk lid with wing can mount to...e30 touring hinges will probably do the trick or make another hinge from a hatchback work.

[george graves]

I hate it!

(I hate that it's not done already so I can drool over the project pictures.)

[Jand3rson]

I can't wait to see how this comes out!

[speedminded]

I've been doing the M52 swap by myself but it's far from complete. I have everything for the ODB1 conversion ready but still have the wiring to do. Thread after thread, factory manual after factory manual, and access to alldatapro I'm attempting to understand every bit of it. Just wish I had Mitchell wiring diagrams! The body is a one owner '84. Now emissions exempt and cheap insurance.

I bought the M3 firewall covers from the dealer and hope to pick up an e36 radiator and drive shaft this week through some trades, like I said...one part at a time lol!

I'm not too concerned with it not being done because I despise the 29lb dual mass flywheel crap and haven't found a lightweight flywheel and performance clutch I'm willing to buy. Actually I have and if this spare transmission sells this week I'll be the proud owner of a 8.5lb UUC flywheel and M5 clutch soon. That should allow for a decent throttle response and go nicely with a GT30R...