1971 BMW 1600 Project

[phreshkid]

Real Time Updates:


I just finished polishing the aluminum belt-line trim. I did half at the warehouse today, and I took the other half home.

I first removed the anodization, then polished up the raw aluminum. Pretty simple (and toxic) process. Next up is to clear coat the aluminum so that I never have to do this again. Ever.

Pictures:
Before



After


The trim has plenty of dings and is in no way perfect, but it's original to the car, so it fits correctly. If I buy new trim, I'll likely have to "massage" the new pieces to fit. Besides, this is a surf car, not a concourse restoration.


Elbow grease goes a long way.

[LJ851]

I would get a regular rubber clutch line. From what I've read, there isn't a noticeable difference in feel between a new rubber line, and a SS line. It's just a marketing gimmick IMO, especially on the clutch line, although I'm sure others will disagree with me.

I'll disagree because the rubber clutch line has been NLA for many, many years.

[rturbo 930]

^touche.

[SkiFree]

AND the ss 5-speed lines out there now replace the original hardline and flexline for an easier install.

AND the rubber flexline was more than double the price of a stainless piece prior to it becoming NLA.

[phreshkid]

Did some work on the 320iS. This is the point of no return.

Removed:


and some more removing:


and some collecting:



and even more collecting:



and finally, some deep cleaning:







5-speed, here I come.

[phreshkid]

Waiting on some parts.


But i did manage to finish destroying this car. It has donated it's life to multiple cars, and will continue to live vicariously through them.

RIP

[ST1G]

This thread never fails to deliver.

[blue plates]

Do you still have the e21 shell? I'd like the floor pans if you still got em!

[phreshkid]

Do you still have the e21 shell? I'd like the floor pans if you still got em!

CRUSHED


Wish i had known sooner :/

[blue plates]

Damn :(

[phreshkid]

So I sort of made a bad judgement call the other day.
I took the car to my buddy's shop to play with the dizzy a little more and then we got on the topic of 5-speed swap.


I had 70% of all the parts needed for the 5-speed swap, and went to Erik @ Coupeking (Buddy's shop) for a little consultation on the tranny swap. One thing led to another and I was seduced into just dropping the car off with all my parts and he would do the swap for me. It all happened so fast.

The problem is that we never established a price for this swap. I figured ok, I have all the major parts, so it can't be more than $1000 for the rest of materials and labor right? Right? My mistake was in the assumption that it will be cheap.

After a brief, verbal price breakdown, this will likely cost me closer to $2000-2500 for labor and extra materials. I intended on doing this swap for myself with my own resources, but I sort of let my plans slip through my fingers. Now I pay the price.

Pros: the swap will be done correctly and I can always go back if something needs tweaking. I like the idea of holding someone accountable but even more so swapping ideas and the potential for future projects.

The only real cons are that I don't have the first hand experience in this swap. I essentially sub'd it out. And it's so ridiculously expensive.


Anyways, you didn't come here to read what I have to say; you can for update photos. I don't want to disappoint.

Car in Air:


Shortened/Rebuilt Driveshaft Prepare:


New Tranny and fresh Pedal Box are there:


Getting ready to weld in new tabs for tranny mounting:


And my solution for the oil blowby. I may remove the top filter in favor for a hose that reroutes the air directly into the air filter, attached to the carb. I think it would help get rid of the potential oil smell. Besides, this is how BMW did it.









Car should be driving nicely by this weekend, then off to try to rehab the paint/install the trim/fix the headlights/million other little things.






Soon.

[blue plates]

I've always thought of rerouting blowby lines into the exhaust to burn off.

[rzerob]

Every time I read this thread it makes me want a Roundie. I have three E30's, I have to get rid of one first. Maybe next year. Keep up the good job.

[phreshkid]

Every time I read this thread it makes me want a Roundie. I have three E30's, I have to get rid of one first. Maybe next year. Keep up the good job.

Don't do it; it's a trap.


But don't listen to me. I don't even take my own advice 60% of the time.

[oliver.r]

I had 70% of all the parts needed for the 5-speed swap, and went to Erik @ Coupeking (Buddy's shop) for a little consultation on the tranny swap. One thing led to another and I was seduced into just dropping the car off with all my parts and he would do the swap for me. It all happened so fast.

The problem is that we never established a price for this swap. I figured ok, I have all the major parts, so it can't be more than $1000 for the rest of materials and labor right? Right? My mistake was in the assumption that it will be cheap.

After a brief, verbal price breakdown, this will likely cost me closer to $2000-2500 for labor and extra materials. I intended on doing this swap for myself with my own resources, but I sort of let my plans slip through my fingers. Now I pay the price.



The only real cons are that I don't have the first hand experience in this swap. I essentially sub'd it out. And it's so ridiculously expensive.

But don't listen to me. I don't even take my own advice 60% of the time.