E30 M3 Steel Bodywork Conversion

[bmwmech1]

This is a helluva project! Keep it up.

Thanks man... just getting ready to start the trunk floor sheetmetal... updates coming

Garey

[bmwmech1]

So I stayed late at the shop last night and got a fair amount done on the trunk sheet metal and the fuel cell "can". I don't claim to be a fabricator, but I do enjoy a challenge, so I got into the zone and got some work done. I took the pictures before I left the shop today.

Enjoy the pics and I'll have more after I work on it again on Sunday...

Big steel box...



Only hangs below the tail panel 2"...



Got a bunch of reinforcement plates in from AKG and my subframe adjuster brackets from Chris at Dungeon...



More on Sunday night...

Garey

[ahriley91]

Looks so boss. Can't wait to see this done. And I'm definitely following this build.

[bmwmech1]

Worked on it about 6 hours last night and a few more hours today, so here is another update... I got the fuel cell "can" finished up and closed in. Got the tins around the can done and in and got the new rear cross member located and welded in. Next up is the new rear shock towers to clear the coil overs, which will be tied to both the cage and the new rear cross member, so the tin work to finish closing in the trunk will have to wait for the cross member tie in, before it can get closed in. I'm hoping to have the towers done this week. Then it's on to tie up all the loose ends with the rust, stitch welding and a few bodywork items and I can start thinking about primer, seam sealing, schutzing the underneath, etc. It's nice to actually be re-assembling stuff, not cutting up the car, Lol...









Until the next update...

Garey

[bmwmech1]

Got a little more work done today, plus some more stuff came in...

the AKG subframe bushings showed up...



I got all of the front subframe reinforcements welded in and dressed...



and started on the rear control arm modifications by removing the spring perch and welding on the sway bar reinforcement...



Until the next update...

Garey

[lostininglewood]

nice work thus far. I will def be following this.

[Gobig_us]

Not sure if i missed it but why did you remove the spring perch? Your work is inspiring. Nice job!

[bmwmech1]

nice work thus far. I will def be following this.

Thanks, the fabrication takes a lot of time, so once the majority of it is done, I'm hoping the build will move along faster...

Garey

[bmwmech1]

Not sure if i missed it but why did you remove the spring perch? Your work is inspiring. Nice job!

True coil over setup in the rear, where the spring is on the shock. The perches are then not needed and take up a fair amount of space in the wheel well, especially the upper perch. Plus they are known rust spots, so out they came...

Garey

[DTM190]

Wow! Awesome work. Love the car.
Seeing the steel rear quarters gave my chubby a chubby.
Sub'd

[bmwmech1]

Didn't do much today, but every little bit is progress, Lol! machined the front subframe spacers and stripped some more of the shell for welding. No pics of the striptease, but here's the subframe spacers...



And on the car...





Until next time...

Garey

[unrlmth]

Looks good, just posting to subscribe.

[xLegendOZWest]

this is beast. subbed.
whats the purpose spacing the subframe? lower cg?

[Teaguer]

Garey, you are doing excellent work.
Pretty inspiring for those of us with our own build. And such a quick progess as well!

Are you a mechanic/tech or bodyman by profession?

whats the purpose spacing the subframe? lower cg?

Engine to hood clearance. When swapping in a BMW V8 this is the most common way to remedy this.

[bmwmech1]

Garey, you are doing excellent work.
Pretty inspiring for those of us with our own build. And such a quick progess as well!

Are you a mechanic/tech or bodyman by profession?




Engine to hood clearance. When swapping in a BMW V8 this is the most common way to remedy this.

Thanks, it feels like the progress is a lot slower to me, but I'm glad you think it's quick, Lol! I own a BMW Indy shop here in Hummelstown, so yes, I'm a wrencher by trade. Plus I can't leave anything alone, Lol!
The spacers are for hood clearance, but also to get the engine down in the front and lessen the angle relative to the diff and driveshaft.

Garey