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

[Overlord475]

I'm well aware of how to do a leak down test thanks. I'll make sure I do one just for you, have it notarized and send you the results via certified mail.

Ha, I appreciate the fact that you can dole out advise (albeit arrogantly) and can also so graciously receive it without even a hint of butt-hurt sarcasm.

And with an asking price of $25k with a drive train that has 122k on it... I would expect as a buyer to see the above mentioned leak down results.... Otherwise you're fooling yourself with that price.

You're probably already fooling yourself with that price for a re-built shell (perfectly) with a used (well used) engine no matter what tests are done to it. Doesn't matter that it's an M54b30.... ZHP's are in the $12k range now days with that kind of mileage (I just sold one)... Which is a slightly hotter engine than your M54. Doesn't come with a fully refreshed chassis... but's it's $13k less also....... and 6spd

[TimeMachinE30]

wow. so fresh. Tips on wiper linkage removal and replacement?

[mbonder]

Ha, I appreciate the fact that you can dole out advise (albeit arrogantly) and can also so graciously receive it without even a hint of butt-hurt sarcasm.

And with an asking price of $25k with a drive train that has 122k on it... I would expect as a buyer to see the above mentioned leak down results.... Otherwise you're fooling yourself with that price.

You're probably already fooling yourself with that price for a re-built shell (perfectly) with a used (well used) engine no matter what tests are done to it. Doesn't matter that it's an M54b30.... ZHP's are in the $12k range now days with that kind of mileage (I just sold one)... Which is a slightly hotter engine than your M54. Doesn't come with a fully refreshed chassis... but's it's $13k less also....... and 6spd

You need to compare apples to apples. An e46 isn't an e30, regardless of the fact that these two will have the same engine in them in the end. Additionally, the ZHP you sold wasn't completely disassembled, painted, and rebuilt, I imagine that accounts for some of the price difference...

[LJ851]

And you've performed a leak down test to confirm you aren't getting excessive blow by your piston rings, valves, or valve guides? Compression tests aren't able to tell the whole story on engine health.

Ha, I appreciate the fact that you can dole out advise (albeit arrogantly) and can also so graciously receive it without even a hint of butt-hurt sarcasm.

I think you deserve a little heat for saying a leak down test will tell anything about a valve guide.

[Overlord475]

I think you deserve a little heat for saying a leak down test will tell anything about a valve guide.

Agreed, my error... point not withstanding however.

[Jordan]

The only difference between a ZHP M54b30 and a non ZHP is the camshafts, which combined with the software tuning generate a whooping 10hp extra. I have a ZHP engine in my E39. An actual ZHP engine from a ZHP, not just the cams swapped in.

I'm not butt hurt, however I am growing annoyed at this conversation that is completely pointless. You are not a buyer for the car, nor have I decided on a price for the car. Someone asked and I threw a price out there based on what I know I'll have into the car parts/paint wise, plus my projected labor.

You could not pay a "real shop" 25k to create this car for you. No way in hell. Call CATuned, Call Guten Parts. Ask them what this quality/spec build would run you. I bet it would be 40-50k or more. 25k for a turn key "brand new" e30 with all the right stuff would be a steal, even with a used, tried and true drivetrain.

No one completely rebuilds donor engines being swapped into e30's. I will thoroughly check out the engine I hand picked though and make sure it is as good as it gets before I even bring it home. I've personally done at least 6 M/S5x swaps for customers, and one for myself. Each engine was inspected, resealed and installed in the car. None have had any problems, and one of those customers I dropped a 140k S52 into, 7 years and 150k later the car/engine are still going without one single hiccup. He's done nothing to it but change the oil, refuel and drive the shit out of it.

Also please understand I have a dozen M54b30 to choose from, a half dozen S54, a couple S62 & S85, etc. Everything comes from running/driving cars that were involved in routine accidents.

I picked this engine because I knew the vehicle, the owner, and the cars overall condition. It's not like it was picked out of the field at an LKQ and is some big mystery engine that may or may not be good.

[Jordan]

Ah, and I get why you're shitting on my thread now. I thought it was unprovoked but now I realize you are the guy with the Lachssilber car that masked everything instead of removing anything that I commented about on Facebook.

Lets not do this ok?

[Overlord475]

I'm actually not that petty.
Regardless of what you have said in the past I would have made the same observations about the questionable health and mileage of the M54 you're dropping in.

I respect the work you are doing cosmetically as there is no question that your efforts are un-matched.
Just interested that you're not following through with the same fervor with respect to the power plant.

No one completely rebuilds donor engines being swapped into e30's.

^^^ Really though? No one?
I did on my S50 swap'd sedan..... Which I built for the purpose of resale

EDIT:

I would like to apologies for the perceived thread "shitting"
It was not my intention.

Was genuinely curious as to your path forward on engine re-freshing.
Your immediate sarcasm was unexpected....

[Jordan]

It certainly looks like you're that petty, but you know what I'm perfectly happy to give you the benefit of the doubt there.

I appreciate the compliments, if you had tried sandwiching your critical comment with those I'm sure it would have been better received. I have nothing to hide on this build, and I will show everything on the engine as it goes through its prep work. I will do a leak down test, pull the valve cover, oil pan, main and rod caps to have a look at the engine. If I find anything I don't like I'll simply return and and grab another etc until I'm satisfied. If push comes to shove actually rebuilding the engine isn't out of the question either, the parts to do so are relatively cheap.

Don't split hairs, you know what I meant.

[Aikmanson]

Arguing aside, this thread is great. Love your work, I will keep watching for sure! Question, I may have missed it somewhere in this thread and if I did I apologize but, what are your plans for the suspension in this car? Will you be fully refreshing everything, as well as upgrading a bit?

Also, to your e30 non-M price point, I actually think your spot on. Up in NY, finding a non rusted non-M e30 can be a real challenge, and if you do find a clean one in running condition, you'll pay a premium. When all the M's are gone and hidden in garages, beautiful non-M's like this will be all that is attainable.

[135TX]

Hey Jordan where do you work? You can PM me if you'd like. Ive been dreaming of an E30 project but much of this is way over my head mechanically and finding a shop or person that is competent with swaps/electrical/ECU i feel would be hit and miss. I'm just looking for a resource to put in my book for the future. Thanks,

-Noob

[Schnitzer318is]

Ah, and I get why you're shitting on my thread now. I thought it was unprovoked but now I realize you are the guy with the Lachssilber car that masked everything instead of removing anything that I commented about on Facebook.

Lets not do this ok?

I agree... let's not bring the old Jordan back. I'm enjoying this version.

Keep up the stellar work... as always. Enjoying reading this thread... well, the build parts.

[Jordan]

I would like to apologies for the perceived thread "shitting"
It was not my intention.

Was genuinely curious as to your path forward on engine re-freshing.
Your immediate sarcasm was unexpected....

Unexpected yet still funny. I laughed anyway... Its fine, you're fine, we're fine. No worries.

what are your plans for the suspension in this car? Will you be fully refreshing everything, as well as upgrading a bit?

I have IE3 springs and Koni SA's for the car, along with all new balljoints, bushings, control arms, tierods, mounts, etc.

Also, to your e30 non-M price point, I actually think your spot on. Up in NY, finding a non rusted non-M e30 can be a real challenge, and if you do find a clean one in running condition, you'll pay a premium. When all the M's are gone and hidden in garages, beautiful non-M's like this will be all that is attainable.

Indeed. I've actually given some thought to it and I expect a buyer willing to pay a premium will likely be from up north where nice e30's are much harder to come by. I grew up in NH, I know what the salted roads do to cars. Its awful. Even the youngest of examples are now 23 years old and counting, the oldest over 30. Rust is a painful reality to cars up north, even ones seldom driven in the winter months.

I bought the car mostly torn down and didn't have much work to do there. None the less through my tear down and bodywork stage I managed to clock about 85 hours.

I am projecting assembly to be in the neighborhood of 140 hours.

I charge a quite reasonable 40/hr when I take work in, and that would be right at $9k in labor if I expected to pay myself for the work I'm doing.

[Staszek]

Arguing aside, this thread is great. Love your work, I will keep watching for sure! Question, I may have missed it somewhere in this thread and if I did I apologize but, what are your plans for the suspension in this car? Will you be fully refreshing everything, as well as upgrading a bit?

Also, to your e30 non-M price point, I actually think your spot on. Up in NY, finding a non rusted non-M e30 can be a real challenge, and if you do find a clean one in running condition, you'll pay a premium. When all the M's are gone and hidden in garages, beautiful non-M's like this will be all that is attainable.

Completely agree with this, thats why you seeing really good shape E30's over $10k without any of this level of work being put into them.

Hell I saw a 318 sell for $24k a few months back, mostly because of conditions and lower mileage (but not that low) so I think for what he is doing $25k is more then reasonable.

[AndrewBird]

I look at it this way. What brand new car could you buy right now that would be an equal to an e30 in this configuration? Very few cars could compare. Add to it that E30's are becoming collector cars and $25k is a no-brainer.

And comparing a ZHP to an e30 like this is stupid. I'd take a stock E30 over a ZHP. I don't care if it is faster, E46s just don't do it for me.