Dmanb2b's Alpine 318is - S52 is ALIVE

[dmanb2b]

Nice job on the exhaust. Looks like it's put together well with all the right components (to include flex pipes) and has a sectioned design for easier servicing. What's left after this? When's the burnout video coming? :)

Thanks Mike! Despite not having mandrel bent pieces, I am really happy with how it's coming together. Have to finish getting Vibrant can and tip on back and then fab some brackets for the blemished Corbeaus I snagged a few months back. DSSR and hopefully lay down some stripes before salt hit the road :>(

[dmanb2b]

Finishing touches on exhaust (raceland headers>flex>ypipe>MF HF Cat, Borla XS mid and Vibrant ultraquiet muffler....it's quiet!!!!)...just waiting on some new donuts and finalize mounting rods. Seat install, alignment, inspection and some cosmetics next....

[efficient]

dang sweet exhaust

[dmanb2b]

some more...really pleased with the way this turned out

[dmanb2b]

Moving on from the exhaust work, time to focus on getting the seats I sourced a few months back installed. Scored some Corbeau sliders for $40 and working on custom brackets to mount nice and low.

[jeenyus]

those are some great looking welds if i've ever seen some! nice work

[mjweimer]

That exhaust is a thing of beauty, one of the cleanest installs I have ever seen. Very well done!

You are clearly a gifted welder.



MJ

[dmanb2b]

That exhaust is a thing of beauty, one of the cleanest installs I have ever seen. Very well done!

You are clearly a gifted welder.



MJ

Thanks MJ...I wish I could take credit for it, but the work is being done by my friend and his crew at Highline Motorsports, up in Burnt Hills NY. Can't recommend them enough...great communication and attention to detail, while affordable. This build would have taken me years without their help and with my current work schedule. I certainly lack these welding skills. It's been great working with fellow e30 enthusiasts. My goal was "quiet" with the exhaust...but it's literally a sleeper now. The motor and exhaust sound may be smoother and quieter than a stock, new e36 m3 was. We'll see what it sounds like after a few burnouts and dyno tunes ;>).

Some more progress on the interior. Driver's seat and M2 steering wheel are in and we were able to replace the dead battery. I need people's opinions, but thinking the tan door cards are going to go bye bye.

[2mAn]

Glad to see its all coming together. I've been in that position where you have to pull and rebuild again, and while its no fun now, it will be worth it when you start putting major miles on the car.

[dmanb2b]

Glad to see its all coming together. I've been in that position where you have to pull and rebuild again, and while its no fun now, it will be worth it when you start putting major miles on the car.

Thanks SImon! I appreciate the encouragement...definitely looking forward to it. Unfortunately, being in NY I am going to run out of time to enjoy no-salt roads :<(

[2mAn]

Thanks SImon! I appreciate the encouragement...definitely looking forward to it. Unfortunately, being in NY I am going to run out of time to enjoy no-salt roads :<(

Thats ok, take the winter to do the other things you want to do ... they are never done!

[dmanb2b]

Thats ok, take the winter to do the other things you want to do ... they are never done!

Exactly!!!...as you can tell...she will be in dire need of a bath and some elbow grease

[dmanb2b]

Time to start ironing out the details. Second first test drive was a success...lol. The motor is no buttery smooth and there is zero smoke. Decided to change up the seat brackets to allow just a bit more adjust-ability, massage the fenders and install the Bosch euro smileys. Painting the strut bar black instead of white and need to get front grilles and IS lip painted. Also scored a great deal on black door cards and a rear seat. I just wasn't feeling the tan...hopefully can get that swapped by the end of this week.

Seat bracket update:







Tuck the e38 style 5s with 205/50 tires:









Headlights in




black rubber e82 floormats

[dmanb2b]

Car should be on the road by next weekend...got some small things knocked out so far this week.

Seat belt buckles installed and adjusted


smoked Bosch smiley's are wired up and in


Tried out some LEDs and I am not a fan of beam pattern and brightness...sticking with halogens



Decided to clean up the trim












it's come a long way since this:


Still need 6cyl coding plug, emblems and some other adjustments....

[2mAn]

Did you paint the trim or use something else to clean them up? They look new again