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

[Rouvld]

Damn, I guess I better get ready to return my b pillar covers as well when they come in :(

[Jordan]

I actually just checked the driver side is miss-cut off-center but the passenger side is OK. Problem is every single driver side photo I could find online is miss-cut in the same exact manner.

I guess BMW commissioned a large order of the driver side ones, and they were probably all messed up and they just decided they didn't give a shit .

[dillon7]

I am having the same problem with the B pillar covers as I can not find any good used candidates and new ones were out of the question with the price. At this point I'm just going to try and figure out how to make a set of my own/piece one together from multiple broken ones.

As always love reading the thread, quality stuff.

[Jordan]

Not much by way of updates over the past week. I've just small odd jobs not worth picturing.

I got the E34 pan installed on the engine, new thermostat, headers, e36 engine mount brackets, fabricated the dipstick tube, and did more general cleaning on the engine.

New clutch kit arrived too.



The rear seat jute showed up from Germany finally too. All the used ones are always stained, dirty and smelly.



Tomorrow afternoon Jordan @ Stitchedwheels should arrive with the seat kit and some leather porn will follow.

[monty23psk]

Yes the back cloth material makes a big difference with the car smell. I look at your posts and brings back memories of what I did. I wish I had time to work at your pace though. It a stellar job so far. Congrats.

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[Nick_S]

I don't know if a more perfect e30 exist. Your attention to detail is terrifying, haha. LOVING the red seat belts and all black interior.

[modernist]

Those are some sexy headers.

Also love the new jute! Pretty sure the quintessential "old bmw" smell is just nasty jute lol

[AllydNYC]

What's the best route to get a new rear seat jute? A quick Google search didn't yield anything promising. I guess straight from BMW?

I've never even heard of the word jute until now.

[monty23psk]

Only BMW dealer item

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[Jordan]

Your local dealer is a easy bet, ECS also has it. There is no US stock, so whoever you order it from expect a month delay unless you VOR it.

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES125476/

and I actually just realized that I install the jute flipped left to right. I need to fix that in the morning.

[Jordan]

Much disappointment this weekend in that Jordan @ StitchedWheels delayed his trip down until the following weekend. A storm system moved through the area headed NE and his route would have put him in some nasty rain the whole way here.

I continued to get odd little jobs wrapped up throughout the weekend. I bolted up most of the accessories and belt drive to the engine. I also refinished the front subframe, cleaned the E46 rack and mated it all to the engine on the stand. Note that I decided to fill the E28 engine mounts with 3M window-weld to stiffen them up just a little bit.





I was hoping to have the engine on the furniture dolly today, and mate up the transmission but no one seemed to be willing to assist in aiding me lower the engine 2ft down off the stand.

The plan is to get the engine on the furniture dolly, install the flywheel/clutch/pressureplate, mate up the transmission and roll it right under the raised up car. Once positioned I'll carefully lower the front end down over the powertrain package for what I hope will be a no fuss install with minimal risk of paint damage.

[0-60 freak]

I was sitting home alone all day ...

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[Mouse]

I will be off this Wednesday if you need any help. My e30 is still waiting on parts, and those parts are waiting on my wallet. #stupidmediaroom

[Dj Buttchug]

favorite build on r3v.

[Jordan]

My neighbor wandered on over this evening to help me lower the engine off the stand onto the furniture dolly. Between the two of use we just managed.

With some scrap seat belt between the lifting loops, and a 6ft 2x4 through the center we easily shouldered the load and lowered it to the dolly. Easy peasy.

6spd specific flywheel and new clutch kit installed.



Transmission and starter installed, so much easier to slide together here than try to bench press under the car.





Rolled under the vehicle.



Then it was as easy as lowering the car slowly and controlled with my jack down over the powertrain package. No removing the hood, no paint damage, and no hoist required!

Engine installed with subframe bolted up to the body.






Some might chuckle at the furniture dolly method, but I'll be damned if it didn't work slick as hell.