E30 M3 Steel Bodywork Conversion

[BeirBrennerE30]

bump for updates... This this is comin together fast!

[bmwmech1]

Ha, fast, Lol! I spent a lot of time welding this past week, but it really doesn't look that different, which is depressing, but I am almost done with the seam welding, which is good. A few more rust spots to repair and the rear shock tower mods and most of the fab work will be done. Then I'll do the cage and start thinking about prepping for primer. It's getting there, it's just slow, since I have to make everything... I have family in town this weekend, so not much in the way of updates until Monday-Tuesday...

Garey

[bmwmech1]

So after a week with no updates, I figured I'd better post one... Once I finished the front subframe and Por-15'ed it, I was motivated to do the rear subframe. I got the camber and toe adjusters welded on, removed the exhaust hanger tab and then Por'ed it as well. Added my Poly bushings, modified to clear my toe adjuster nuts and the diff and then thought...hmmm, I should do the rear control arm mods too... So I did. Removed the lower spring perches, added the AKG rear swaybar tab reinforcements and then added a cross-tie reinforcement, a shock mount reinforcement and the hub gusset to each arm and then Por'ed them, as well. I have to go down to Baltimore to pick up a set of side skirts on Sunday morning, but I'll have a full day after I get back to devote to it and more to show Sunday night... enjoy...















Garey

[ck_taft325is]

Very nice.

[Garageaholic]

Great build!! How do people have the money for this!?!?!?!

[Jean]

Looking good, it's going to go faster and faster now! I like the fact you'll be using dual rear mount on the diff!! I may need to look into that as well :)

Have you looked into just how much spacer is needed to get the drivetrain angle optimal?

[bmwmech1]

Great build!! How do people have the money for this!?!?!?!

Thanks... I am very frugal, Lol!

Garey

[bmwmech1]

Looking good, it's going to go faster and faster now! I like the fact you'll be using dual rear mount on the diff!! I may need to look into that as well :)

Have you looked into just how much spacer is needed to get the drivetrain angle optimal?

Not specifically, but the 20mm spacers I made are about as much as can be done for street driven cars. What Bruce has done with the pan mod would yield even more drop, but I don't know if I'll do that. I'll see what the 20mm spacers get me and then decide... speaking of which, any new news on the mounts? I'll be needing them fairly soon;)

Garey

[vlad]

very nice, will be pretty when all done and finished !
I went thru the similar build

[bmwmech1]

very nice, will be pretty when all done and finished !
I went thru the similar build

Thanks...Small world... was just looking at the F/S post of that car on the 'bay earlier this morning, lol! I think I've seen pics or info over on s14 on most all of the cars you've had a hand on, you're quite the busy guy. I'm a member on s14 as well, but the build thread is only on here and e30tech. With the V8 in it, it should be fun and fairly unique, as well. Trying to get it done for Bimmerfest... fingers crossed, right?

Garey

[bmwmech1]

Long time since my last post... I have been doing a lot of work, fixing rust, closing holes that won't be used, mostly sheet metal stuff. I'll get some pics tomorrow. I had family in town 2 weekends ago, then, on that following Tuesday, I had to put down one of my dogs. He was an English bloodline Jack Russell and was diagnosed with cancer in August and he went downhill very fast in the 4-5 days before I decided to put him down. It was a shame, but part of life. My 3 year old thinks he's living at the doctor's office now... kids are priceless! I did make a run down to Baltimore last Sunday and picked up a set of OEM M3 side skirts, on the cheap. They came off of a track car, so they're not perfect, but they'll do, especially after I massage them, Lol! I'm getting very close to being done with the fabrication aspect of this project, which means the cage will be starting very soon... After that, it's primer, seamseal, schutz and then paint for the interior, trunk, underhood and underbody. Then, it can come down off the rotisserie and assembly proper can begin. I'd say a month and it will be off the rotisserie, so I'm happy with the progress...

Until tomorrow,
Garey

[hi its me alec]

Nice update, rear end looks great :D

[IxTech]

no corners being cut here!

[bmwmech1]

no corners being cut here!

Nope, trying to do this the best that I can... It's amazing how much time it takes to fabricate some of this stuff! Should start moving faster here pretty soon...

Garey

[e30slidewayz]

I like the fact you didn't stop with the fenders, goodluck with everything dude