88' Zinno M3 (Progress Thread)

[Bimmer_man]

Your m3 is as inspirational as always man. And yes run the 15s. Imo the m3 was built for the 15s so I say run those. Looks perfect.

[jhaurimn]

So I swapped my e38 16"s for my buddys stock 15"s....all I have to say is I am getting 15"s. The car drives so much nicer.

[jhaurimn]

I used this stuff. http://www.autozone.com/sealants-glu...ve/130215_0_0/

Basically, get the frame set up in the boot where it will end up being. Spray a coat or two of the adhesive on the bracket where you will pinch the boot onto it. Get a bunch of binder clips like I did, and let it sit for 24 hours before removing the clips.

[av8drvr]

leather looks great, would you mind sharing what glue/adhesive you used? I am having a hell of a time getting my new leather boot to adhere to the metal frame.

[jhaurimn]

source for the parking brake boot?

person named 'stitched' on here

[iXguido]

source for the parking brake boot?

[jhaurimn]

Ive been tinkering.

My right tail light I had replaced with a n.o.s. part, but my left taillight had a bunch of pressure cracks. I bought a replacement taillight that didnt have any little cracks in it. However it needed to be polished.


With a little plastic polish and a buffer, it cleaned up really nice.


I replaced the little rivets that hold the plastic piece on the edge of the trunk, only to realize the PO used some rubber cement stuff to hold the piece down. I didn't get an after picture, but with some patience I cleared it all off. This picture was taken after I took the big chunks off.


I went to home depot and got some adhesive plastic thats normally used to protect carpet when painting walls. I used it on my tan floor mats to make sure they stay looking nice.


I realized the battery tray in my car was not the proper part. When taking out, I found some surface rust underneath, likely from a battery leaking acid. Thankfully none of it was deep and I was able to grind it all off, then a coat of Por-15 to keep the rust away.


All cleaned up. The rest of the brown spots are dirt. Ill clean everything out a lot better in there and paint over the repair eventually.


Old "tray" vs new. I painted the battery tray with some trim paint before throwing it back in


In its spot


I was missing a little clip here


Thankfully still available for cheap from bmw


Whats this? :o


Turns out it was a few things including a new radiator, water pump, misc coolant hoses...and a few other things I dont remember. So commence the breakdown.


Step 1: Mentally prepare to make a mess
Step 2: Make a mess


Good thing I had a new alternator bracket


New stuff is nice


To think you used to be able to find these cars in a junkyard




Took the pulleys out and painted them




Painted this


and these


My car was missing these pieces all together before. You can see here I have 4 brackets for the radiator. I think a shop replaced the core support from a non-m at some point. I removed the unused brackets and I have a new core support ready to go in at some point.


Old vs new water pump hose


New connector and wiring for the aux fan switch on the thermostat


New water pump, reman'd alternator with new bushings, new belts, replaced those little bushings for the ps pump bracket


New radiator


New fan clutch and new fan


Painted a bracket here and cleaned a bit


coil bracket


I bought a new throttle cable because my throttle always felt off. I found out why. The little bushing that held the throttle cable to the gas pedal bracket was some diy job, and the two bushings that hold the gas pedal bracket to the chassis were completely missing. Needless to say things are better now.


And because leather ebrake boots for our cars are backordered until next year, I found one that looks very close to oem.

[e30lyf]

^^^ i love the last pics.. ;)

[jhaurimn]

Not a huge update, but its been awhile. So screw it.

I finally replaced the tensioner with the upgraded e36 m3 part. I had started getting some not-very-pleasant sounding starts lately with the s14. All the writeups on how to do it make it seem really easy, but with an AC car its a pain in the ass to get to the spot with a big enough socket. (32mm)

Solution? Cut a socket.


With this deep socket cut, I was able to get the new tensioner on. Thankfully the old tensioner came out with the 19mm as the old tensioner is two pieces. People talk about how much of a pain in the ass it is to install the old style part, and you can see why with the stupidly long spring.


It was also verrrryyy nerve wrecking starting the car up the first time after installing. Its crucial you install it with the grooves in the tensioner facing the right way.

I also replaced my suede interior pieces with leather, as I was sick of wearing gloves while I was driving the car. :p I found a really nice 370mm leather wheel, and bought a new oem m3 shift knob+boot combo.

[Panici]

Just read your whole thread.
I appreciate your attention to detail. Good work!

Subscribed for updates.

[2mAn]

Because of the cool/rare/reliability factor :D

haha I guess so

[jhaurimn]

i just want you to know that there is a picture of your car hanging up on my wall. its my daily motivation.

Appreciate it! :D

Nice work! One question, where did you get your dogleg shift knob/boot? I need one badly!

PM'd you buddy.

Why the swap to manual windows?

Because of the cool/rare/reliability factor :D

[2mAn]

Why the swap to manual windows?

[Court M3]

Nice work! One question, where did you get your dogleg shift knob/boot? I need one badly!

[ginger1340]

i just want you to know that there is a picture of your car hanging up on my wall. its my daily motivation.