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

[Jordan]

OK so this evening I decided to make my way back around to the brake booster snafu. After making some preliminary measurements I decided to go ahead and remove the booster and flip the angled aluminum bracket to see what kind of room that would make me.

While I was at it I went ahead and modified the intake manifold, shaving off 2 nubs I would not need along with a small part of the vacuum cap wall.




I'll go back and smooth the finish out more once I've finalized everything.

I measured the adapter and found a side to side difference of 3mm, which I would incorporate into the shortened adapter while right side up. I put the adapter in the vice and proceeded to cut it in half and sectioned out a portion of the middle to bring the booster closer to the firewall. I also made sure to mirror the 3mm angle, and actually stepped it up to a 4mm angle in final form.



Booster is pulled back close to 3/4", and angled much closer to the strut tower. As the firewall and or inner structure is also at an angle it becomes a net loss and the booster/master down visually point straight forward.

Test fit of the booster, manifold with the adapter taped together:



Clearance of about 1mm. Not much. But its a start. I shortened and angled the adapter as much as possible while still being able to attach a nut to the shortened studs so I'm going to get it TIG welded together tomorrow.



I'd like a little more clearance, so I can either massage the booster a little in that spot, or shim the drivers side engine mount to find that room.

[Overlord475]

Do you have a full shot of the engine bay with the M54 in place?
Not sure that we've seen this yet.

[Jordan]

Page 21 shows when the engine went in. I think that may be what you're looking for.

[Overlord475]

Page 21 shows when the engine went in. I think that may be what you're looking for.

;) Must have scrolled right past it.

[e30austin]

You wouldn't happen to have a part number for the spacer for the iX booster? I've got a couple E34 V8 boosters with no spacer and I'd like to have it.

[Jordan]

As far as I know the spacers, be it aluminum or steel, are long since ENDED. No longer available.

[e30austin]

That blows. I just bought a new unit for a customer's car, and to my surprise, it came with the spacer. Couldn't find a part number for it anywhere, though.

[paynemw]

very pretty.... lot's of eewws and aaaahhhhs. this one is gonna be so clean, feel like i'd be afraid to drive it.

[2mAn]

Page 21 shows when the engine went in. I think that may be what you're looking for.

Page 21?!?

I only have 11 pages so far ;)

[Jordan]

If you have changed the posts per page from the default yes that won't line up for you, sorry.

[rzerob]

Page 21?!?

I only have 11 pages so far ;)

Try post 315.

[2mAn]

Im just trying to give a 12 year vet a hard time...

[TriniBoy]

I've dragged out reading this thread as long as I possibly could.

2 or 3 pages a day with my morning cup of coffee turned into a routine for the last few weeks.

What you have done, and continue to do, is literally unbelievable, well at least to me. Well done man!

Go back 2 pages (23) and there are pictures of the seats, although everyone seems to think they can do better.

They were completely redone with 3 OE BMW hydes of leather by Jordan @ StitchedWheels. He drove down from Mississippi to install them last weekend.

There is no one worth a shit in Houston where as upholstery is concerned. Not that I have found.

I'm no expert, but your interior looks bloody fantastic, especially based on fresh completion.

Question. I'm curious to know your thoughts, or anyone else for that matter, on what I should expect to pay to have my seats redone to a similar standard? I've had 4 quotes from a few spots within my area (SW FL) and I've gotten quotes ranging from $2.5k to $5k.

Quotes were based on doing both front and rear seats, using 3 - 4 hides of BMW's cardinal red leather, ( I think it's BM638 )

I appreciate cost doesn't necessarily guarantee great work, but any guidance/advice would be appreciated.

[JeLani]

Kinda late but im impressed on how you handled the e55 amg bumpers with the mtech apron


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[Miked6187]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen, the encouragement has helped a ton in getting be back out there when I still feel less than my best.

Rust proofing is simply a non-concern down here in Texas. We rarely see freezing conditions, let alone snow, and if so sand only is put on the road, no salt. If the car happens to find a new owner up north I would hope they would not drive it in the salted winter snow, but if they choose to so supplemental rust proofing is on them.

I can honestly say I have never cared for the M3's centrally located roof mounted antenna. It looks like such an afterthought. It would have looked better at the trailing edge of the roof in my opinion, but regardless this car is staying more true to its nature. A tall mast antenna is easily threaded on in place of the stubby one if a future owner so pleased.

I've been sitting on an update for Ehrlich Wheel Works for a bit, but I wanted to go ahead and post it up now. As I'd mentioned earlier Paul is building me some custom RS wheels. To make them the sizes I wanted it meant a fill and drill of some RS211 faces. Paul is an expert in bolt pattern conversions, one of few outfits that do the process with such precision.

First Paul machines pressure fit billet aluminum plugs, which are then hydraulically pressed into the existing lug pattern effectively filling the center of the wheel and making it solid. Some vendors would stop at this point, redrill the new bolt pattern and call it a day.



Once the wheel is filled he goes one step further, expertly tig welding the plugs to the wheel permanently fusing them to the forged centers. This is done with finite control of the TIG arc to minimize the heat propagation into the wheel faces. On wheel temperature readings fluctuate around 200F while welding, much cooler than you can expect under hard driving from vented brake heat.



The finish welded face can be picked up on the edges by hand immediately after welding.



The finish welded hubs are now ready to be mounted on a lathe and milled down flat.



Paul was kind enough to assemble my 2" slant lips, his custom made 1/3 height hex caps, and a black/gold 3D BBS logo onto an identical painted face to mine to give a preview of the wheel to be.




Much anticipated progress has been made on the interior as well. I'm excited to say I'm working with Jordan @ StitchedWheels to recover the interior. By the VIN code this vehicle was originally "SCHWARZ KUNSTLEDER (0166)" AKA Black Leatherette. While black vinyl seats appropriate to a 318iS aren't hard to find in good condition I really felt this car and the quality being put into the build deserved more.

I decided on keeping the interior black, but stepping up to leather. I worked with Jordan to source and purchase 3 hides of OE BMW Schwarz leather to recover the interior with. The hides came in a few days ago and he has been hard at working cutting out the complex array of pieces to make up the front seats. It takes one hide per front seat, and one for the rear seat with enough extra material for some small parts like a matching shifter boot, ebrake boot, and retrimmed M-Technic II steering wheel.





If Jordan keeps on schedule he is planning on making the drive down from Mississippi to Houston to help recover the seats in person!

Did u use the old leathers as patterns or how did u cut them?

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