88 M3 rez-erection

[patrick88m3]

This is crazy. Nice find. Meanwhile I'm over here about to pay 3k for a rolling shell of a 325i. Good luck with the build. I am subscribed.

Coupe I'm guessing? My friend has a sedan roller that comes with a k24 he can't sell for 2k here in IL

[McGyver]

If it died because of a fuel pump, I bet the s14 is fine. Even if it's down on power. I would definitely start by trying to get the current engine running. Maybe put some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders to loosen up the rings, then turn it over by hand. I feel like it would be really fun and exciting to get the original engine working. Worst case scenario is that you need some machine work, which will be expensive, but maybe you can take your time with it.

Also, you shouldn't think of it as a $10k engine. It's a $2k car, which could be sold tomorrow for $15k, or even more if you parted it out. Nothing on the car is worth cash until you sell it, and then it'll be really hard to buy it again in the future.

[BlackbirdM3]

Sir I'm just a poor 23 year old who can't afford to grenade a 10k engine that's past its usual rebuild point.

So don't blow it up. Check things over, look for obvious signs of an issue, and go from there. I can tell you that the S14 is a solid engine. How do I know? I've been driving one since 2011, and with basic maintenance it just keeps on going. The odometer reads 191XXX miles, but I'm pretty sure the car has more.

The cost to swap the engine will be close to what rebuilding an S14 will run. Motor swaps aren't' cheap to do correctly. If you have an M3, do it correctly or don't do it at all. Why risking devaluing the car with a poorly done swap? Sure it makes sense to spend the $ for some new rod bearings, they can be swapped in the car. Its a little bit of a pain, but its doable. How do I know? I've done it. Pick up an oil pan baffle and off you go.

Will

[econti]

Get full blown fucked you bought a m3 for 2k. Are there issues with it not having a title? I'm not from the US so don't know how it works.

[patrick88m3]

Get full blown fucked you bought a m3 for 2k. Are there issues with it not having a title? I'm not from the US so don't know how it works.

It had a lien he never paid off. The bank had long since written it off so I was able to get a letter saying they had no interest in the car. Did some paperwork and was able to get a title. Have to be careful though it can backfire on you if everything isn't 100% certain about the car. Some states don't even issue titles for cars over a certain age. Must be nice for them.

[kronus]

incredible find. following this :)

> Motor swaps aren't cheap to do correctly.

disagree - I've done several extremely economical 24v swaps. you can buy a whole nice S54 for the price of S14 timing chain rails. I am currently very painfully aware of this since I am piecing an S14 together out of spares.

[amcp]

Where are you getting a nice s54 for 2-3 gs?

[kronus]

acquire cheap e46 from here, part out car, receive cheap S54

[patrick88m3]

acquire cheap e46 from here, part out car, receive cheap S54

Thanks for that link. Sent Dan an email. I also reached out to a guy that's been wanting to buy my car. Have to see what he wants to pay. I found a root going through my basement wall this week so I'm not sure if I'll be able to cough up enough out of pocket. Need to call foundation repair guys next week and get a ballpark on what it's going to cost to fix. But hey it's worth seeing if I can appease the purists and get myself an already "molested" car. If it doesn't work out oh well, lachs/cardinal is still my favorite color combo aside from maybe alpine white.

If the S52 I have doesn't need any major work done, I should be in the swap for 5500 ish. I don't see a 220 whp S14 being built for that much, unless you have decades of parts stashed.

[patrick88m3]

Got the dash pulled and hung my hood on the wall. Thanks grandeswag for the idea.
I feel like I should've had the HVAC box out yesterday but I wasted way too much time dealing with morons on marketplace. Trying to sell SRT parts from a 300c I scrapped. Never touching a mopar car again ever.
Working on the HVAC box tonight hopefully.


I desperately need a shed and some time organizing. Get stressed just looking at the mess.

[McGyver]

That's a nice big workshop you've got!

What about putting down some plywood across your rafters to make space for light stuff? (seats, door cards, carpet, etc.) That and some organizing would give you plenty of usable space.

[patrick88m3]

That's a nice big workshop you've got!

What about putting down some plywood across your rafters to make space for light stuff? (seats, door cards, carpet, etc.) That and some organizing would give you plenty of usable space.

I already have stuff up there haha. It has to come down when I eventually insulate and put a ceiling up. I need to get rid of junk.