1991 318is M52 / Shaved bay / Wire tuck / Air Ride / NOW PAINTED!!

[mtlbloodshot]

Friday, December 7, 2012 --

Finally got my gas tank back. Sand blasted and then coated with a rubberized product. It'll be good for the next 30 years.

[gkurey]

Nice work on the car all around....having done a lot of the things in this thread on my car, and not being the jealous type...I will say I'm jealous of the shaved bay! So good man...keep it up, I will be checking on this thread in the future.

[I*Do*Werke]

Just went through all 13 pages! Reminds me of when I did my M52 swap, but much better haha. Keep up the good work buddy

[craiggroves91]

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 --

You're steering linkage should look different than that?
1991 318is all had airbags and airbag cars had a different style knuckle.
Probably doesn't make a difference but it should look like this

[CubbyChowder]

Great job with the front/rear suspension components, everything looks so fresh. After swapping out my control arms with the front subframe still in the car, be glad that you have it out. Getting to those middle bolts was such a pain in the ass haha

[mtlbloodshot]

You're steering linkage should look different than that?
1991 318is all had airbags and airbag cars had a different style knuckle.
Probably doesn't make a difference but it should look like this

My car does not have the same steering column as you nor did I have the SRS brackets in my bay. My car was build in 05/90 but is classified as a 1991 on my registration. When I bought the car there was an MTECH 1 and I highly doubt the previous owner went through the trouble of removing the airbags.

[craiggroves91]

My car does not have the same steering column as you nor did I have the SRS brackets in my bay. My car was build in 05/90 but is classified as a 1991 on my registration. When I bought the car there was an MTECH 1 and I highly doubt the previous owner went through the trouble of removing the airbags.

Sounds like yours didn't come with airbags then, my bad.

[mtlbloodshot]

Could it be since, the car is a "slicktop" or the first buyer didn't want airbags?

[craiggroves91]

Could it be since, the car is a "slicktop" or the first buyer didn't want airbags?

Well I think it might have been around the cutoff date for non-airbag to airbag. I'm not sure exactly when they started putting them in. I thought it was all 90-91.

Your VIN will probably tell you whatsup

[mtlbloodshot]

Saturday, December 15, 2012 --

I haven't updated this thread in a week so here is an update of what went on this week.
ECS delivered me rear mid section SS brake lines and rear bumper mounting fit. A lot of rear body work was done but those pictures will be coming this week. Car is going into the paint booth possibly tomorrow or Monday that way the bay can be painted.
My AUDI A4 MC was painted silver and fitted with a new VW peanut reservoir to make sure the Intake Manifold clears without modifying.








COLOR TEASER!!!!

[MaxBell]

Red! How interesting... :P

[borgey]

This build is very impressive. Props, man. I wish my m42 didn't run so well.

[mtlbloodshot]

Sunday, December 16, 2012 --

Starting today, there will be a lot more updates than usual as finally the car is in the paint booth. Since the car can't roll yet we had to stack two heavy duty palettes and some 4 x 4s. Wheel wells are done and shot with sealer. Next up is to degrease inside the trunk and finish sanding the bay. Not sure if the car is going to get primer. Time will tell.

Here's an example of body that was done.

Preparing the transportation.

In the booth on stands

[MattAvino]

Your bay is soooo smooth

[mtlbloodshot]

Your bay is soooo smooth

Ahaha yah only one side.. The other side was delayed due to the rear wheel wells.