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

[Jordan]

It is fiberglass, and it is open on the bottom... but it seals pretty snug against the body of the cars inner structure. It's only open to the front of the car, the headlight grill area

[flyboyx]

I do like that airbox - what's it's construction like? Is it fiberglass or something?

that part is indeed a work of art.

i was looking on their web site. it appears that its more of a heat shield than an actual "box"?

their pics seem to indicate its open on the bottom.

[george graves]

I do like that airbox - what's it's construction like? Is it fiberglass or something?

[faujijatt]

A work of art, man. Everything is coming together so nicely. Impeccable work, Jordan sir

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[Jordan]

Last night I knocked out a bunch of little stuff. I got the front windshield locking strip installed now that the car was on the ground, then installed the refinished wiper arms with new BOSCH wiper blades.

I took the front wheels off and swapped the ABS sensors left to right so they were oriented correctly. Before I put them back on I installed the 3mm spacers to keep the tires from touching the struts.

I installed the air intake boot, sucking jet pump vacuum tube, fuel pressure regulator vacuum line.

I wrapped up the evening with adding fluid to the dry brake/clutch system and thoroughly bleeding it of air. This took awhile, even with the power bleeder.

This morning I got right back to it, started by pulling the valve cover to replace the gasket. I should have done this when it was on the stand but held off because I wanted a picture of how it looked under the cover with the engine in the car for documentation.

As you can see it is very clean, with the lightest of oil patina on the head casting and cam trays. It also looks like the double VANOS unit has been replaced/serviced recently as its cleaner than it would be otherwise.



While the valve cover was out of the way I went ahead and installed the new cowl drain aka elephant trunk.

I pulled the plugs to change them out at the same time but for the life of me I cannot find them or the valve cover bolt seals. After looking for awhile I remembered I had used them on a customers car last month and forgot to replace them! Dammit lol... More on order to pickup tomorrow.

Since I can't replace the valve cover right now I went over to the other side and started doing the fitting of the Castro Motorsport air cleaner box. Really nothing to it, but I did have to cut the MAF opening myself as I had requested the leave it uncut in case the M54 intake elbow was much off of the more common 24v swaps. It really wasn't but I was able to get it exactly where I wanted it this way.

The box fits absolutely perfect in the engine bay, snug enough it holds itself in place without the use of additional fasteners.

[Schnitzer318is]

Looking tasty. Drive time is getting close...

[Jordan]

The holes are already in the subframe, you just slide a pair of quick nuts into place and screw it down. The rear legs are held with the same kind of T bolts that hold the trans cross member.

As the leather ages and get some UV it should relax and normalize.

[bradnic]

How did you mount that tranny deflector pan to the subframe? I'm guessing you had to tap holes for the mounting locations?

The whole package is just perfect. The front seat covers also look much much better in the later pics - guess the foam settled out.

Wonderful work man. Such a spectacular car.

[JeLani]

Its possible I'll at least test fire it this weekend, we'll see how time pans out.

I wanna hear how it sounds, that exhaust is beautiful.


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[Jordan]

Alright I got the headers and front section reinstalled on the car, bolted the suspension back together (dropped for header access) and installed the transmission deflector pan. I installed the forward plastic engine belly pan right after this picture but left it off for the pic.



I need to run over to BMW of Houston North real quick to grab the new key set I ordered, and some hardware then I can continue on today.

[iXguido]

You have a built a really really nice car. Love the way the spoiler looks in this picture!

[Jordan]

Indeed. Nothing I have ever fabricated has had any flex joints, and I've never had an issue.

The factory exhaust on most any BMW is the same way. There isn't much movement, and what movement there is I think is easily taken up by the natural flex of a long length of exhaust tubing anyway.

[AndrewBird]

I see you don't have any flex pipes on your exhaust. Do you think vibration will be an issue? Maybe premature cracking to the welds?

The factory system doesn't have any flexible parts and it doesn't have a problem. As long as you hang it from rubber mounts, you won't have a problem.

[White325is]

I see you don't have any flex pipes on your exhaust. Do you think vibration will be an issue? Maybe premature cracking to the welds?

[Jordan]

Its possible I'll at least test fire it this weekend, we'll see how time pans out.