The complete repair, rebuild, repaint, and v8 swap of my early model sedan

[JGood]

Awesome, glad to hear you're going to fix it!

My only advice for the 1/4 panel is to get a new BMW quarter (they are only $300 each... in the grand scheme of things, that's actually pretty cheap for what you're getting), and to install it by cutting it at the factory seam at the top of the C-Pillar, not down on the side where I did mine. The only reason mine was cut there was to do a quick repair a few years ago, which didn't last long as you can see, hence my need to re-do it. I almost decided to get another new 1/4 and do it the right way this time, but figured I'd give this a shot first, and it seems to have worked, although it was a lot more work.

[MR 325]

That's a tight fit on that exhaust!

[JGood]

A few little parts began showing up over the past few days...





Oil filter/cooler setup that Garey put together for me:





Picked up an alternator finally. Clearance is tight, but I think I'm going to leave the frame rail as it is. The head is actually closer to the brake booster bracket then it is the alternator.





Shifter. Looks like it will need lengthened about 1.5". Does anyone know how much longer, if it all, the e36 carrier and selector rod is? I was under the impression the m52/m3 parts for the ZF transmission were slightly longer then the e30 and e36 325i stuff. I'd like to use off-the-shelf stuff if possible.

[Dj Syco]

exhaust looks awesome, may have to send my headers your way! I have no welder :(

[thatguyMatt]

I approve of restoring this car. Nice work!

[hammoj28]

Very inspirational project! Great work. Watching this one. :D

[JGood]

Thanks guys!

Lots of progress this weekend.

Almost all the dents and dings were hammered out, filled, and sprayed with high build. Just have one on the hood to take care of, and finish up the area around the tail light.










Got the vert strut tower support braces welded in:








Got a coolant reservoir installed where the battery tray used to be:





Got the fan and oil cooler/filter bracket installed, still need to touch up the fan brackets a bit.

[bmwmech1]

Some of those pictures look unnervingly familiar!?! Like somebody added a brake booster to my car and painted it tan... ;););)

Garey

[JGood]

And de-M3'd it too.

Haha, I'm just fumbling my way through this project, I really have no idea what I'm doing. So when I see you implement something, I know it's done properly, and I should probably attempt something similar instead of reinventing the wheel (and with my abilities, probably ending up with a square). There's nobody else with an m60 e30 for me to copy off of!

[bmwmech1]

I'm just razzing you a bit... it looks great and will be done before mine, so how is it you say you don't know what you're doing? You're doing great, doing a fine job and getting it done... 'nuff said!

Garey

[george graves]

I keep forgetting to subscribe to this thread - love it!

[JGood]

will be done before mine

Say what?! I'm still at least a month away from paint. Then I have to build a booth to paint it. Only when that's finished, can I start putting the car together. I'll be scrambling for Bimmerfest. But it will be there, even if I have to cut out my fresh floorboard and Flintstone it!

[bmwmech1]

Say what?! I'm still at least a month away from paint. Then I have to build a booth to paint it. Only when that's finished, can I start putting the car together. I'll be scrambling for Bimmerfest. But it will be there, even if I have to cut out my fresh floorboard and Flintstone it!

Haha... put what back together? Have you seen what I'm working with here? And I'm shooting for G'fest, Lol...

Garey

[JGood]

Haha... put what back together? Have you seen what I'm working with here? And I'm shooting for G'fest, Lol...

Garey

Valid point. I'm out of excuses, lol. When is G'fest, May? I'm about 99% sure I can't make it, but I suppose I should pencil it in, just in case...

[bmwmech1]

Nah, I'm not pushing you to advance your own deadline. I'm hoping to have mine done enough to go to G'fest, but that's just the date I'm shooting for...

Just ordered my supplies to paint the interior and trunk... but still...

Garey