Project Lessmeister: 91 318iS Restomod w/ MTech2 and modern drivetrain

[Jordan]

My cars always have floor mats anyway to protect the carpet anyway, so to me it makes little difference. I was bothered by it at first but the promise of new carpet quickly made up my mind.

[Cha Ching]

Jordan, what sort of camera do you use when snapping your pics? just your phone?

[Jordan]

All of the pictures I've taken here are just my iPhone6. I find it does a more than ample job and I rarely use my nice point and shoot Sony anymore.

The photos taken in the paint booth were from an employee through dirty windows etc, no idea what phone he has.

[Jordan]

Got the car back home late yesterday afternoon from Imperial Collision.



Paint overall looks really good. We made the decision to hold off wet sanding the clear until final assembly is complete in case any scratches occur while putting it back together. The car got 3+ coats of clear so there is plenty of material to sand and buff to get it flat.

That said the trunk and hood were sanded and buffed already, everything else was just denibbed and polished. Here are a couple of the reflections on the trunk.




I started reassembly with the MTechnic II side skirts and cladding to get it out of the way and free up working space in the garage. Everything going back on with brand new OE hardware, nothing old being reused.





Assembled the rear spoiler and bolted it to the trunk lid, installed the rear emblem :-)


Adding mounting hardware and rubber seals to the backside of the front MTechnic II valance:

[Alpina]

Amazing....

such a stunning work ,, just fantastic

looking forward to see the final result

[goarmy]

its coming along quite nicely

[faujijatt]

its coming along quite nicely

I concur

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Cha Ching]

Jordan, please post many pictures of your M-Tech II front valence attachment. I have a new valence + hardware I need to attach as well and I want to make sure I do it right.

:up::up::up:

[crappycoco]

Went through the whole thing. Amazing build. Finished, you'll have a brand new car =)

Btw, I didn't know you can mate an M54 to a 350z transmission?

[Jordan]

Jordan, please post many pictures of your M-Tech II front valence attachment. I have a new valence + hardware I need to attach as well and I want to make sure I do it right.

:up::up::up:

Will do. Yeah that is something rarely seen in these parts.

Btw, I didn't know you can mate an M54 to a 350z transmission?

ZF 320z. As used in e36 328/M3, Z3's, E39's etc.

But my plans have changed there. I came into a GS6-37BZ for a nominal fee, so the car is getting that 6MT instead. The overdrive 6th will work better with the 3.45 rear end anyway.

[bangn]

so jealous you have your car at home already.. I haven't heard a word from my paintshop yet.

suspense is killing me! they look like bloody good painters

[Gertech]

Wow, nice work man! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. An M54B30 should be really fun in an e30! Keep on truckin'.

[Jordan]

Not a lot to do tonight, some prep work on the harness which I plan to fish into the car tomorrow, and I installed the front valance, foglamps, and turn signals.

This photo shows the 5 upper white clips that hold the MTechnic II front valance. This are often broken causing the valance to sag.



Side shot of the same white clip, plus the hole that needs to be drilled in the valance for the side bolt catch, and the reinforcement block that attaches to the sheet metal valance with a expanding plastic rivet.



New turn signal lenses, smoked.



and yeah, those are OE BMW



Front bumper set in place on the side slides. No bumper shocks right yet, they need to be cleaned and maybe painted before installation. Brand new fog lamps look so nice.



Foglamp from the back side, showing valance attachment points and nice new cad plated hardware.

[chondamx]

Very inspiring build thus far, Jordan!

I am assuming given the level of OEM+ here that you will be running the M54 on the factory DME and not Megasquirt. So, MS45, ZHP (Schricks!?), upgraded oil pump, and an ATI damper?

How are you dealing with CAN Bus? Admittedly, I haven't really looked into it, but I imagine there's a way to flash it out? Keep up the awesome work!

[Jordan]

MarkD of D'sylva Tech will be doing the engine tuning, and preparing the DME for use as a "stand alone" This involves defeating the EWS, and removing the dependence on CAN communication with E46 chassis modules that are obviously not available in a E30.

M54 is a stock low mileage pull out from a 2004 330i AT/Vert so it likely had a very easy life.

This whole clocks changing thing always drives me nuts this time of year, what with it being dark when I get home and all. My garage is well lit, but mainly at the back. Under the garage door (when its open) its rather poorly lit, which results and poor pictures.

Here are a couple on my way out the door this morning, shes looking noice.