My '73 Roundie Revival [BMW 2002]

[phreshkid]

Stock m10 with e21 5 speed and LSD from my newly acquired 320is, or balls out 2.5l s14 swap. Finding a suitable s14 to build is not very easy unfortunately. But if I go s14, the entire build changes and I will track the car. I have a hunch that I should just restore it with a few tasteful parts, seperately build another purposeful fast car, and have each shine in their own light. Nothing is set in stone yet and the funds are there to make each idea into a reality.

[CubbyChowder]

I might have a set for you soon actually.
My build will be a bit more stock appearance aesthetically, but I might have some plans for the engine. Or I will just go balls out stock and putt around town in all of its 1973 <100hp glory.

Sweet, if you wanna work out a deal let me know! Mines a '73 too, what are your engine plans?

[phreshkid]

I have not, you got some for me? ;)

Let me know when you start up a build thread for your '02, I'd like to follow it

I might have a set for you soon actually.
My build will be a bit more stock appearance aesthetically, but I might have some plans for the engine. Or I will just go balls out stock and putt around town in all of its 1973 <100hp glory.

[CubbyChowder]

I'll take it? I just bought an 02 about a month ago from SF. Should be starting a build thread fairly soon.

Chubbs, you find those RM's you wanted yet?

I have not, you got some for me? ;)

Let me know when you start up a build thread for your '02, I'd like to follow it

[phreshkid]

Sure thing. Just thought I'd ask ;)

I'll take it? I just bought an 02 about a month ago from SF. Should be starting a build thread fairly soon.

Chubbs, you find those RM's you wanted yet?

[deutschman]

Sure thing. Just thought I'd ask ;)

[F34R]

I need to stop clicking on 2002 builds...making me want one!

[CubbyChowder]

I might have a urethane disk for your steering box. You want it if I can find it?
It'll be a present.

I really appreciate the offer man, but I think I'm good with the stock rubber one. Thanks anyways buddy!

[deutschman]

I might have a urethane disk for your steering box. You want it if I can find it?
It'll be a present.

[CubbyChowder]

Today's update might seem a bit redundant to some, but some will appreciate it

I got a bit antsy today, so I got this out:



And wanted to test these out (longer studs are in order):



Will it work? Kind of a moment of truth situation:



It'll work just fine :D pretty much exactly what I was hoping for. This is what an "aired out" stance would resemble:




And this is probably what my regular driving height will resemble:





I'm pumped on how it's turning out, I just need to get my ass in gear and finish this damn thing!

[CubbyChowder]

Good Progress!

Not sure if you saw this in Andrew's thread (SkiFree), but he had a great idea. Before you bolt up the steering arm to the bottom of the strut, smother the ball joint stud and nut with some wheel bearing grease. That will keep them from getting rusty when water gets into that cavity, so the next time you need to take them apart it'll be nice and easy.

Thanks for the concern, I actually noted that I'll be packing it with grease before I bolt the strut back up, it's in the text above the last picture in my last post. Thanks for looking out though!

[tinkwithanr]

Good Progress!

Not sure if you saw this in Andrew's thread (SkiFree), but he had a great idea. Before you bolt up the steering arm to the bottom of the strut, smother the ball joint stud and nut with some wheel bearing grease. That will keep them from getting rusty when water gets into that cavity, so the next time you need to take them apart it'll be nice and easy.

[CubbyChowder]

Finally got some more work done today! It's about time haha I got a new job and have been working a shit ton, but today I had the day off so I made the drive up and got to work.

So I'm focusing on engine bay reassembly, and I started off by putting the whole brake booster/cylinder assembly back on and then ran all the wiring back to it's original spots, etc. I replaced almost every spring/bushing in the pedal box, greased it all up and got it ready to re-install:



Installed. Bolted the clutch cylinder back to the clutch pedal and the brake rod to the brake pedal. I'm still waiting on two little plastic bushings before I can install the gas pedal:



Here is the front subframe ready to go back in. Has a new tie rod assembly installed as well:



While I was lifting the front subframe into place, I figured it'd be a good time to install the new steering coupler (I swapped the little horn spring thing over to the new one, don't worry):



Got the front subframe bolted up and the steering coupler preloaded and tightened:



Then I installed the new control arms but didn't tighten them down all the way yet, I have to wait until the car is back on the ground to do that:




When I bought the car, the previous owner told me the passenger's side ball joint had recently been replaced, and he had an extra one for the driver's side but never changed it. So I decided now would a good time to do it. Here is the pitman arm with old ball joint still installed:



Bottom of strut housing where the pitman arm bolts up to:



New ball joint ready to be installed:



The old ball joint came out fairly easy with an impact gun and hammer, so in went the new ball joint:



Then I bolted the pitman arms to the control arms and connected the tie rods (only one side is pictured, and yes I will pack the ball joint area with grease before I re-install the struts). I didn't connect the sway bar yet because the bushings are shot and I'm considering getting the 22mm sway bar from Ireland Engineering. That will come at a later time:



So the engine bay is basically ready for the engine/tranny now and the front suspension is almost completely reassembled. More updates soon!

[CubbyChowder]

Thanks everyone!

[constructor]

I really like this build. I can't wait to see it progress.