Totally inspiring build... I've been slacking on my 2002 pretty badly. Always fantasized about dropping an S14 in, but it's probably gonna just get the 5-speed swap and maybe a built M10 in its future. Definitely going to use the transmission swap as an excuse to give the whole car a once-over after reading this thread.
Also, I just got done refreshing my shifter support arm, and you should know that design is going to be a pain in your ass about 30 years from now (hah). I would've suggested trying to find a way to make the late shift carrier or E21 shift carrier work, but it hardly matters.
Definitely gonna keep following this. Maybe I'll find the motivation to tear back into my old roundie here.
* Lookin' back at it, I don't really see why you need the support arm at all, so I guess it's a moot point.
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^^Thanks guys.
Just knocked a few items on the "need" list with one phone call to Dave at Aardvark Racing in San Diego. A 13" Spal fan kit and K&N intake kit are on the way. He says he's got a list to do all the coolant hoses and can order them for me which would save me tons of time tracking down the oddball hoses that would connect the S14 up with the 2002 or aftermarket components.
I also picked up the BMW pulse sensor and crank position sensor today.
I've heard this a few times, I'm hoping the engine vibration isn't super overwhelming. But again, I have the urethane block engine mount ready to go should it be bothersome. We'll see soon enough :)Leave a comment:
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Man those solid mounts are going to be brutal, i don't know why anyone even makes them for a 4 cyl BMW. I predict they will be replaced.
Car is looking sweet, keep up the good work !Leave a comment:
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came to this thread late. rode in an s14 02 and its the perfect engine for the car; just make it such an insane go kart! She looks great and thanks for keeping us in the loop brotha!Leave a comment:
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Got to work again on the 2002 the last two weekends. I was trying to get it tow ready so I could move the car closer. This way it wouldnt be as difficult to get away and spend some time working on it.
The first goal was to get the 5 speed bolted up for good since the last test fit went well. First up was to refresh the rear main seal and the pilot bearing. Popping the old rear main seal out was easy, getting the new one in wasnt as simple. I covered the outer and inner portions of the seal with some non hardening gasket sealer and it made the install a little easier. My old pilot bearing gave some resistance also, but a little slide hammer action and out it came in a few whacks. Re-installed was the updated sealed pilot bearing.
Next up was the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate. No surprises here. My flywheel had been lightened previously, albeit only a couple pounds, so I decided to use it for now instead of going to an aluminum unit.
The throw out bearing and arm were installed on the transmission, as well as the slave cylinder, and up it went.
It took some shimming to get it seated perfectly, but I finally got it all level. I didnt snap a photo at this stage since I was thinking about getting the shift plate and UUC EVO3 shifter in.
I bought a new BMW foam ring to seal the space in between the shift plate and the trans tunnel. Easy enough, it just slips on top of the shift plate. Getting the plate bolted up to the trans was tough. I didnt install it onto the trans and lift it up as one assembly (the foam and some hardware hadnt come in the mail yet). The shifter installed with some new early model E30 hardware that I had left over. Hopefully the added increase in shift effort seen in most short throw kits will be minimal since the transmission selector rod and the lower mount on the shift lever itself are perfectly in line.
Finally, I hooked up the track rod and the tie rods so the 2002 could be loaded up onto the flatbed. I misplaced the castle nuts, so I temporarily installed some nylon locking nuts to secure all the steering components. Before the tow I filled the trans and the diff with the appropriate Redline oil to keep everything nice and lubricated.
I think I went a little overboard snapping photos during the tow but it has been a while since the car has been out in the sun!
And dropped off at its new home:
Whats left:
-WIRING ENGINE
-Coolant system/ hoses
-Electric fan installation
-Accessory gauges
-Exhaust
-Brakes
-Install refreshed light components from MoBrighta once theyre completed
-Drive and enjoy ;)
Getting close to the first start up, stay tuned.Leave a comment:
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Great work dude! You should keep that fortune and stick it in the glovebox or something.Leave a comment:
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The last few days have been dedicated to E30s and my E39. The 540i needed a big maintenance overhaul. Vacuum leaks had been killing performance and triggering the CEL so I made some time to get all that sorted.
A follow up shot of my bros E30. He's seriously beginning to hunt for a nice 2002, considering trading the vert in for an M20 powered square tail. My project in the background.
Back to the M2 updates.
The day started with some fabrication of the throttle cable brackets needed for the S14. I had a template for both brackets and I followed those specs to create them. Looking around the scrap pile, I found the old 2002 AC radiator brackets and got to work. A few cuts, some drilling, filing, then painting I had the brackets finished. My swap guide says to use a 1975-79 Civic CVCC throttle cable to complete the throttle linkage set up, I haven't made that purchase just yet however.
Then I swapped in the new, updated timing chain tensioner. It's an E36 M3 tensioner that works very well in the S14 to provide more consistent chain pressure and to help out on cold starts. Fairly simple job with a deep 32mm socket.
Mounted up the E30 battery terminal box on the fire wall for the positive lead. I think ill need to grab another section of E30 battery wiring, in about 1 foot short. Ill grab some at the junk yard later.
Finally I dug out the Ground Control invoice with the rates and lengths of my springs.
Fronts: 7" x 2.5" 350lb
Rears: 8" x 5" 400lb
Didn't have a clutch centering tool and the pilot bearing remover on hand so ill get to final assembly of the transmission once I have a few more tools in front of me.
I thought this was amusing also, hopefully this fortune comes true!
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