Let's make an E30 M3! (M3 S14 cabrio clone project)

[Den_k321]

cant wait to see it in person!

[IronJoe]

Man, I love this forum.


I was really stumped at why my turn signals weren't working, I knew I had them working before I tore the car apart. The turn signal stalk created a strange "buzzing" noise whenever I engaged it - then I found this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=85534

Apparently when I did the dash install, I had swapped the four-way flasher switch with the rear window defrost switch. Totally spelled out in that thread from almost ten years ago! Such an easy fix as I was ready to tear into the wiring which would have been all for nothing.


Nothing new other than I've put some more miles on the car. Drove it to my friend's shop while it was snowing, boy that was weird.

[IronJoe]

Small update, got a few minor things done to get her more roadworthy. I changed the fuel filter, adjusted the driver door window, and most importantly, got the brake lights working. I also put the hood on, for its first real adventure is today. I have much more of this little stuff to tackle. Turn signals don't work, tach is intermittent, gas gauge is inop, etc.




Another issue was that the wheel/tire and spring setup was far too aggressive for non-M3 rear wheel wells. I ended up adding 1" spring spacers to raise the rear until the M3 bodywork is completed.

4x4 rear end :p

[delamaize]

So I think I've fixed my slow starting problem by filling the car with fresh gas. Also I'm replacing the fuel filter and all the lines just in case. I've got a few little issues to work out but it's running well enough to drive to get the bodywork done.

Just for fun, I was playing around with the vinyl cutter and made this. Not sure if I'll keep it but it was kind of a cool idea someone suggested. "Spirit of Henna Red"




More (big) updates coming soon!

Keep the Decal man, It's awesome, and a fitting tribute.

[IronJoe]

So I think I've fixed my slow starting problem by filling the car with fresh gas. Also I'm replacing the fuel filter and all the lines just in case. I've got a few little issues to work out but it's running well enough to drive to get the bodywork done.

Just for fun, I was playing around with the vinyl cutter and made this. Not sure if I'll keep it but it was kind of a cool idea someone suggested. "Spirit of Henna Red"




More (big) updates coming soon!

[UNHCLL]

Currently chasing down electrical issues after the swap. For some reason, the car is hard to start (it cranks for a while before it starts popping and firing) so I believe it must be a fuel issue. Maybe the fuel pump isn't turning on right away... If it's been running a while, and I turn it off and on again it fires right up. So fuel? Cold-start settings? Other? I'd love your thoughts, r3v.

Fuel is draining back in the lines, and requiring you to re-build pressure in the rail before it will fire/run on 4 cyls. Install a pressure gauge in-line if you want to verify.

Also, what was your shim thickness for the 2 new exhaust valves vs. the rest of your shims?

[IronJoe]

Currently chasing down electrical issues after the swap. For some reason, the car is hard to start (it cranks for a while before it starts popping and firing) so I believe it must be a fuel issue. Maybe the fuel pump isn't turning on right away... If it's been running a while, and I turn it off and on again it fires right up. So fuel? Cold-start settings? Other? I'd love your thoughts, r3v.

Also the tach is intermittent, the brake check light is on, and there are several other little issues to track down. Once she's ready for some real driving I'm going to start disassembling the rear end (interior, trunk, etc) for the bodywork portion of the project.

Here's a picture I liked.

[Shock(/\)ave]

Great job so far. What color do you plan on painting it when you are done?

Pepto pink I think. ;D

[rzerob]

Great job so far. What color do you plan on painting it when you are done?

[IronJoe]

Looking great! Don't forget a x-brace for the underside, they do wonders on convertibles :up:

Thanks! Got one from Garagistic! Haven't installed yet.

[CorvallisBMW]

Looking great! Don't forget a x-brace for the underside, they do wonders on convertibles :up:

[Shock(/\)ave]

To add some detail - I've been agonizing over this part of the project for the better part of a year. Like you mentioned, I've seen a few of these cars done poorly and I definitely don't want to add my car to that list. I've saved every photo I've found on the internet of these conversions and have studied what was done right, and what was done wrong.

First, and most obvious: to do this right you have to use OEM quarter panels. The cars with fiberglass over fenders not only vary in degrees of quality, but also they don't actually widen the inside dimensions of the wheel housing (which was the entire point of the box flares in the first place!)

The other area where people cut corners is as you said, the wheel housing. BMW built wider arches to accommodate the wider wheels, and mate up to the wider quarter panel. Without this extra width, the gap extends all the way down to the bottom of the quarter panel. There are only two cars I have seen that have handled this properly. One of which is Vazbro's amazing Alpine convertible tribute with the S52 swap.

And lastly, the details. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, you *can* modify the M3 coupe side skirts to fit, but they aren't tall enough and can look funny IMHO. I am using M3 cabrio skirts and all OEM hardware. Also some builds continue to use the standard E30 fuel filler, but that's a problem as well because you've moved the gas door two inches outward! I was lucky enough to get a E30 M3 fuel filler from a generous S14 forum member.
E30 M3 fuel filler:


I've poured over the part numbers, drawings, etc so many times that I have identified every part and piece that is different, and I'm doing my best to not cut any corners. Here's hoping it turns out!

Fantastic. :D

I really enjoy any of these projects, but to see one done to the factory standard that I would want it done on my own car (though I currently lack both the talent and budget to do this myself) is really satisfying. You'll know your car is correct and will endure for as long as you own it, and for a car that you plan long term ownership of that's really worth something.

Just make sure you insure the hell out of it once it's finished. ;)

[IronJoe]

You most certainly have my attention.

To add some detail - I've been agonizing over this part of the project for the better part of a year. Like you mentioned, I've seen a few of these cars done poorly and I definitely don't want to add my car to that list. I've saved every photo I've found on the internet of these conversions and have studied what was done right, and what was done wrong.

First, and most obvious: to do this right you have to use OEM quarter panels. The cars with fiberglass over fenders not only vary in degrees of quality, but also they don't actually widen the inside dimensions of the wheel housing (which was the entire point of the box flares in the first place!)

The other area where people cut corners is as you said, the wheel housing. BMW built wider arches to accommodate the wider wheels, and mate up to the wider quarter panel. Without this extra width, the gap extends all the way down to the bottom of the quarter panel. There are only two cars I have seen that have handled this properly. One of which is Vazbro's amazing Alpine convertible tribute with the S52 swap.

And lastly, the details. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, you *can* modify the M3 coupe side skirts to fit, but they aren't tall enough and can look funny IMHO. I am using M3 cabrio skirts and all OEM hardware. Also some builds continue to use the standard E30 fuel filler, but that's a problem as well because you've moved the gas door two inches outward! I was lucky enough to get a E30 M3 fuel filler from a generous S14 forum member.
E30 M3 fuel filler:


I've poured over the part numbers, drawings, etc so many times that I have identified every part and piece that is different, and I'm doing my best to not cut any corners. Here's hoping it turns out!

[flyboyx]

just make sure you get the quarters done and doors lined up before you start cutting on those fenders.

looking good man. really happy to see the progress.....

[mike.bmw]

I've read through this thread a few times. Very enjoyable. Excellent work!