Blunttech / Classic Daily S85 V10 E30 M3 Swap

[klodkrawler05]

didn't realize you guys were building this in Michigan until I saw the post over the weekend on the Michigan bmw facebook page!

what part of michigan? I'd love to see this beast in person sometime.

[jakeb]

My shop is in Bay City.

[JGood]

Amazing work on that subframe! Sucks that the header prevented the use of the Z3 rack. I've been looking for a fast ratio rack with a pinion angle close to the stock e30 rack, for header clearance. Not sure if that exists.

Why is the plate under the pan so close? I'm not familiar with the depth of the s85 pan, so I assume it's for maximum ground clearance. I'd just be worried about contact there, depending on the engine mounts used. My m60 settled probably 1/4" within a few thousand miles on stock m60 mounts, which allowed contact between the rack and oil pan. Didn't take long to do damage after that...

[jakeb]

Amazing work on that subframe! Sucks that the header prevented the use of the Z3 rack. I've been looking for a fast ratio rack with a pinion angle close to the stock e30 rack, for header clearance. Not sure if that exists.

Why is the plate under the pan so close? I'm not familiar with the depth of the s85 pan, so I assume it's for maximum ground clearance. I'd just be worried about contact there, depending on the engine mounts used. My m60 settled probably 1/4" within a few thousand miles on stock m60 mounts, which allowed contact between the rack and oil pan. Didn't take long to do damage after that...

thanks! Yes it is a bummer that we couldn't use the z3 rack. The difference of the pinion angle is just slightly different from the e30 to e36 racks but just enough that it caused issues for us here.

The s85 is a really tall engine. When I make the mounts the engine will go up just a tad. But the main reason is to give more ground clearance. As the subframe is already coming down lower than stock.

Like this


So there won't be much movement.

[Luis325]

WOW....I need a ride on this once its done... Not on you Steve settle down...on the car...

[JGood]

thanks! Yes it is a bummer that we couldn't use the z3 rack. The difference of the pinion angle is just slightly different from the e30 to e36 racks but just enough that it caused issues for us here.

The s85 is a really tall engine. When I make the mounts the engine will go up just a tad. But the main reason is to give more ground clearance. As the subframe is already coming down lower than stock.

Like this

So there won't be much movement.

Oh nice, yeah those mounts should keep her in place! Do you have enough room for the steering lines on the rack, since the e30 rack has the ports facing the engine? Parker makes 90* metric to AN fittings that could save some space if needed.

Might want to throw a bit of Loctite on the set screws that hold the u-joint bearing in place on those flaming river joints, I had one back out on me. Not fun to get to with the car fully assembled haha.

[jakeb]

Oh nice, yeah those mounts should keep her in place! Do you have enough room for the steering lines on the rack, since the e30 rack has the ports facing the engine? Parker makes 90* metric to AN fittings that could save some space if needed.

Might want to throw a bit of Loctite on the set screws that hold the u-joint bearing in place on those flaming river joints, I had one back out on me. Not fun to get to with the car fully assembled haha.

Yeah there is actually a good amount of room for lines. By good amount I mean enough room for the lines. They will need to be something custom I am sure but I made sure there was enough room.

Good tip on the lock tight on the flaming river set screws. The one up by the firewall will be VERY hard to get to.

[jakeb]

This update is from a few weeks ago but just finally getting around to uploading all the pics and posting.

Welding the new subframe up.




Starting on mounts
drivers side


These will be fully boxed and also a new set of plates will be drawn and then water jetted. These are the mock ups.



Subframe with mounts welded on


And with both mounts connected. All this will be powder coated






Steering clearance


Adding another joint


And a locator


This is JUST a MOCK up. We needed to have the car movable to take to a show so this locator mount was just tacked on so the car can steer. There will be a stronger more elegant solution once the engine comes back out.


Rebuilt rear axles


A quick shot from the front.




The coilovers are turned all the way down here and there is about 3-3.5" here. Yes it is close but the air boxes are about a 1/4" from the hood.


Here it is at the vintage in NC a couple weeks ago.


Also it is looking VERY good that we will be using the stock DME. nando has been working on cracking it and it's looking like it's gonna happen.

[ST1G]

This update is from a few weeks ago but just finally getting around to uploading all the pics and posting.

Welding the new subframe up.

Great penetration on the weld. I love a good looking weld even if it's not a challenging one. Awesome progress on the build! I can't wait to see this monster done.

[jakeb]

thanks...I will say I am far from great on the tig but getting better and better with more and more practice. And they are plenty strong.

[dirtbag30]

loving this!

[JGood]

Thanks for all of the pics and info in your updates. I learn a lot from builds like these that are so well documented. I had no idea you could use multiple u-joints in a steering shaft (I assume that's what the locating bearing is for).

[phreshkid]

Great penetration

[jakeb]

Thanks for all of the pics and info in your updates. I learn a lot from builds like these that are so well documented. I had no idea you could use multiple u-joints in a steering shaft (I assume that's what the locating bearing is for).

Yes the locator is to keep them all in place. The way I learned was from reading lots of build threads so I like to post lots of pictures and explain things as well.

[Eric]

Also it is looking VERY good that we will be using the stock DME. nando has been working on cracking it and it's looking like it's gonna happen.

Crazy how uncluttered that circuit board is compared to our 80's DME's!