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

[CorvallisBMW]

Where's the radiator?

[dsphil]

Where's the radiator?

It's a custom air cool m54 with fan delete.

[Jordan]

Radiator is back in the car now, I had it out for access to something else.

[Bimmer_man]

That intake box you have is it designed to clear the ABS unit there or dose that have to be deleted to install?

[fresh_TD]

That intake box you have is it designed to clear the ABS unit there or dose that have to be deleted to install?

It's designed to clear the ABS unit.

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[Bimmer_man]

oh sweet thanks. BTW Jordan the car looks awesome.

[litu]

Cool project

[wark]

Hey Jordan, another question for you. I picked up a few cans of the SEM trim paint, what kind of prep did you do for that? Any primer? Sanding?

[Jordan]

Hey Jordan, another question for you. I picked up a few cans of the SEM trim paint, what kind of prep did you do for that? Any primer? Sanding?

I painted them all with SEM Trim Black #39143. This is the best product out there for this finish period. It is the industry standard for a reason.

On the metalwork you will want to completely sand off the clear finish on the aluminum trim. Do not paint over the clear and expect the paint to get a good bite, it will chip from road debris easily.

Sand it with 120 until you've removed all of the clear. The surface feel/texture changes considerably once you've broken through and you'll know. Then step up to 220, and finish with 320.

SEM Trim Black will cover 320 sanding scratches in the 2-3 coats you should apply.

Thoroughly clean the parts with dish soap/water, or paint prep solvent.

I laid out the parts on stands or on a large cardboard box with balled up masking tape (sticky side out) as standoffs from the box. This lets you blow paint under the edges and such with ease, and since the tape is sticky it keeps the part from shifting.

First coat should be just a dusting. You aren't trying to get concealment just dust the parts to provide a better bite for the next coats. After a few minutes do a second coat and try for almost full coverage, but you should still be able to see through the finish.

The third and final coat should give complete coverage. Allow to dry in the sun for an hour then install your parts.

Nothing really worth taking pictures of going on the last few evenings. Routing wires, troubleshooting oil pressure lamp circuit (fixed) and working on radiator hose fabrication. I found a perfect molded hose from a late model BMW for the upper, but I'm still struggling to find something I'm happy with for the lower.

[wark]

Nothing really worth taking pictures of going on the last few evenings. Routing wires, troubleshooting oil pressure lamp circuit (fixed) and working on radiator hose fabrication. I found a perfect molded hose from a late model BMW for the upper, but I'm still struggling to find something I'm happy with for the lower.

Awesome, thanks. What about with plastic pieces? Grilles, license plate filler, etc?

[Jordan]

On plastic you can usually do prep with a maroon scotchbrite pad, followed by a thorough cleaning.

[spdlmtna]

I see you are using OBDII, and I'm not sure if you have a catalytic converter in that exhaust piping, but if this was put through an emissions test, do you think it would pass similar to the engine's donor vehicle?

The build is looking awesome!

Thank you

[Jordan]

The catalysts are from a F10 535i, rated at a higher capacity than the ones on a NA M54b30 no doubt. I have very little concern that it would not pass a tail pipe test.

Would it meet all of California's ridiculous laws regarding swaps and such? No idea, but probably not knowing CA.

[wilholl]

The catalysts are from a F10 535i, rated at a higher capacity than the ones on a NA M54b30 no doubt. I have very little concern that it would not pass a tail pipe test.

Would it meet all of California's ridiculous laws regarding swaps and such? No idea, but probably not knowing CA.

Have to be California approved convertors with part number specific to make, model and year of car. So, probably not.

[Jordan]

First actual run in of Project Lessmeister. Warmed up to operating temperature and rapped out.

Camera (iPhone6) can't even deal.

Catback fabricating coming this weekend.

Subwoofer highly recommended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ejxgH3C3FU