ttrousdell's Project Thread (E30 M3 & S38 swap content)

[CW325]

Nice update, keep up the good work. Im around tomorrow if you need a hand!

[ttrousdell]

December, 2011

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More pictures from the pier photo shoot...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=231343

Jan. 2012
Some of you may remember that my car was hit about a month ago.


Insurance settled at $2200 which was a little less then though but ill take it. I ordered the suspension parts weeks ago but dealing with graduation and finding a job has taken up a good portion of my time till now. I also bought an e36 around the time of the accident which I was able to flip and sell for a 800 dollar profit.


Back to the matter at hand. We finally got some warm weather so it was time to get to work on the e30.





Old control arm and link out. Notice the distortion.



New Parts (control arm, tie rod with lock plate, end link, treehouse CABs, polybushing lube)



All ready to go on the car



Picked up a fairy decent set of fenders which will be going on the car.



Fenders about ready to go on.



Fender on but wait whats this. They are too long. Vert fenders F*!k.



Breaking out my old friend I bought this summer for around $350. Great little 110v welder with gas option.



I cut the inch or so of extra length.



Next weld two sections back together. I tacked it and made sure it fit then went back and finished up the rest of the seam.





Back together again.



With the Guten side skirt back on you could never tell the fender was cut. Even without side skirts it definitely looks presentable.



Moving on to something i've been meaning to tackle for a long time. Unless you live in the southwest chances are you battery box is less then perfect. I will also be doing a tow hook delete.



Luckily I was able to source some good replacement pieces from a 318.



Cancer removed



No turning back now



New battery box in.



It started to get dark before I could finish. More progress tomorrow...

[StreetMafia21]

props sick build , im also planning on doing this swap in the near future

[J308]

Thanks for the complements and yes they will have to be redrilled. They will also need 10mm spacers to clear the brake calipers and 57.1 to 74.1mm hub rings. Fenders will have to be rolled at the very least.
From the start of the build I have always tried to keep the stock look while trying to make the powerplant anything but. Its simple, no ridiculous body kits, no stickers, no roof racks, and no trinkets hanging off the car. The car should look like it did when it came out of the factory but make it lower and bigger weaves. Sorry if you disagree but this is my opinion.

Holy crackpipe this build is amazing.

Way to have a plan and be patient. Much respect.

[Den_k321]

looking good! what are those sideskirts?

[FreedS4]

Great build thread. Keep up the good work on both!

Chris

[ttrousdell]

Nice work; came in here expecting n54 lol

Might have to nag you for advice once I find a clean e30 locally!

That's no problem. Where on LI are you?

And as requested more pics...




3.5 w/ style 5s...a winning combo



I bought a new momo wheel and hub a few months back. I also finished the rust repair on the floor and to prevent the infection from coming back I applied a layer of gloss POR-15. This paint is tough stuff and hasn't faded or chipped since I applied it 2 months ago.

[yakev724]

Nice work; came in here expecting n54 lol

Might have to nag you for advice once I find a clean e30 locally!

[mdlimy]

looks awesome, lip on those looks great! more pics please?

[ttrousdell]

wow those look really good on your car! ...sell me your weaves?

Need them for winter. I'm sure you can pick up a decent set for 200.

Pure smiles from me, looks so awesome man!!! Cannot wait to slam her with ya next year =)

Yea dude coilovers in the spring. The whole rear of the car is gutted so it sits high there.

[F34R]

Pure smiles from me, looks so awesome man!!! Cannot wait to slam her with ya next year =)

[CW325]

wow those look really good on your car! ...sell me your weaves?

[ttrousdell]

Two months after purchasing the wheels they are finally on the car. Enjoy.

[F34R]

I wish I could have read this thread 2 two months ago because it would have prevented some costly mistakes on my part. Ill explain my mistakes in this post and hopefully you can avoid doing the same. Below are the spacers and hub rings. The spacers are 10mm and the hub rings are 57.1 to 74.1mm. I bought 72.56 initially and they are too small.

I told you the hub ring size you needed the next day I believe...but that was after you ordered.

They look awesome man! going to be insane on your e30 =)

Little slice of heaven to go with all the hell under the hood :D

[ttrousdell]

Doughnut- funny because thats exactly what I thought they looked like. As I was maticulously polishing them all I could think of was that scene from 40 year old virgin. "I am now painting your silver pants blue"
F34R- Next day air has failed. I guess ordering at 5pm thurs doesnt mean they will get to you by sat.

I wish I could have read this thread 2 two months ago because it would have prevented some costly mistakes on my part. Ill explain my mistakes in this post and hopefully you can avoid doing the same. Below are the spacers and hub rings. The spacers are 10mm and the hub rings are 57.1 to 74.1mm. I bought 72.56 initially and they are too small.

[ATTACH]46799[/ATTACH]

Centers came back from VR Wheels. I must say I'm satisfied with the results. While researching I have seen some cheap looking redrills where they cut into the centerbore. The centers on these are unmolested. Originally I purchased standard lug bolts with 10mm extra thread to compensate for spacers. It immediately became clear that these would not fit. Studs or tuner bolts would have to be ordered.

[ATTACH]46800[/ATTACH]

Began to put the wheels back together. I threw a little thread locker on each bolt and torqued them down 13-15ftlbs. *note-dont send any extra bolts with wheels. They forgot to repack mine and I'm trying to get 6 bolts back from California.

[ATTACH]46801[/ATTACH]

Finished product. They are so much more beautiful in person.

[ATTACH]46802[/ATTACH]

Little teaser until I get my tuner bolts. To put tires on rims and balance cost 100 bucks. Hopefully thats the last expense.

[ATTACH]46803[/ATTACH]