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

[Skarpa]

Brilliant work! A lot of the stuff is similar to what I have in mind for my own project. Props on the heater/ventilation unit overhaul. I did mine a few years ago and the amount of gunk inside was amazing. Also, I was relieved to see the pics of your exhaust manifold. I have almost the same manifold. I test-fitted it on the engine and was not sure if it would clear the subframe but it seems to be ok.

[george graves]

So glad to see that this worked!!! This was my plan when I install my s52 swap. Way to go!!

You can mount up the entire front end, suspension, sub-frame, motor and drop it/push it up. Get some really trust worth jack stands or a lift. The little jack stands from walmart won't cut it.

[dcleopard91]

So I'm very new to R3V (I'm an OG on M3Forum, same user handle), but I'm about to have my 2nd E30 delivered tonight or tomorrow morning. Both my cars need a tiny bit of work.

Of course, I stumble on this thread as my first big read, and now my 2 cars and whatever work I'll be doing feel completely inadequate. So thanks for that...

Subscribed and absolutely love all this. Maybe I'll buy it from you when you're ready to sell it...

[Jordan]

Not much to report this evening, mainly preparing for Jordan @ StitchedWheels arrival tomorrrow, but wrapping up the front suspension got squeezed in.

New offset control arm bushings, bolts, washers, sway bar brackets, and the E46 steering bellows with the correct crimp clamps. Upgraded to the +1mm cabrio front sway bar at the same time.

[AndrewBird]

Where did you put the jack when you lowered the car down? I'm guessing 2x4 across the core support and the jack under that?

Looking great!

[Jordan]

The 2x4 bridged the same gap across the trans tunnel, frame rails as the S shaped brace behind the trans crossmember.

[Kershaw]

That underside looks ridiculous.

[ak-]

I don't see a reason to work with gloves on with this build, lol.

[Skarpa]

I don't see a reason to work with gloves on with this build, lol.

Perhaps with white cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints on parts?

[george graves]

Someone should write a script that searches realoem and a parts supplier, and see what it would cost to put together a "new" e30 all from new parts - might have to find a donor shell - not sure they would have any around.

[E30 Wagen]

Someone should write a script that searches realoem and a parts supplier, and see what it would cost to put together a "new" e30 all from new parts - might have to find a donor shell - not sure they would have any around.

A cruel April fools joke would be one claiming that BMW Classic has recognized the demand for e30 parts and decided make a limited run of 5,000 new e30 body shells for $15,000 each, minus doors, hood, trunk, etc, with only 1500 making it to the US.

I imagine if that did actually happen they'd all be spoken for in a matter of days.

[oprahhwinfreyy]

Its always awful to read a thread from page 1 to 23 and the car be so close to being done, then you get to the last post and your ridiculously eager to see the car on the ground with the new wheels.

Crazy good work on this thing.

[Jordan]

Those of you following along on R3V FB today got a sneak peak of the interior work going into the car. Jordan @ StitchedWheels made the nearly 7hr drive down to Houston last night and we spent most of the day fitting the seat covers he built to the seats.

I started by flipping the rear seat jute around as it was inside out before.



I then stripped the drivers seat of all of the old covering, and the foam. The drivers lower outside bolster hoop had broken off the frame so I positioned it back where it belonged and welded it up. A little bending and prying had the bolster frames squared back up to where they belong. They get bent outward over time.



Jordan had already taken the liberty of fitting the rear seat covers to his personal rear seat which he traded me out with for mine. This part slapped in really quick.




The front seats took much longer to adjust and fit and finesse to get just right, to say I'm happy with how they turned out is an understatement.

[ST1G]

Superb.

That furniture looks incredibly supple. Must take an immense level of care not to ding or scratch the paint.

[faujijatt]

Almost complete. Keep up the excellent work.

Request: will you post a video when the motor is all buttoned up and can you make a few passes while filming I really want to hear what it sounds like. Thanks brother


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