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

[IronJoe]

How hard was the alternator ground strap? Does the intake manifold have to come off to get to it? I also got the ground kit from BavAuto (and agree it is an awesome kit), but have not done that strap yet as it looked like it was going to be tricky to get to.

It takes maybe 15 minutes to remove the plenum, its definitely worth doing.

I actually replaced mine without removing the plenum. Having the airbox out of the way was enough, I was able to slip my hand behind the alternator to undo the nut on the back holding the ground strap down.


In other news, the cam box is coming home today and we've taken all our measurements to ensure all the caps are within spec. The engine will be all back together soon.

Oh, and I picked up the E30 M3 Diablo exhaust from Rogue Engineering. Great price and sound, I'm very excited to hear it rumble.

[jhaurimn]

How hard was the alternator ground strap? Does the intake manifold have to come off to get to it? I also got the ground kit from BavAuto (and agree it is an awesome kit), but have not done that strap yet as it looked like it was going to be tricky to get to.

It takes maybe 15 minutes to remove the plenum, its definitely worth doing.

[hankolerd]

How hard was the alternator ground strap? Does the intake manifold have to come off to get to it? I also got the ground kit from BavAuto (and agree it is an awesome kit), but have not done that strap yet as it looked like it was going to be tricky to get to.

[Matt-B]

the dash on that m3 cabby is grey. i've never seen that before.

or tapped logos, but leaving the cluster un taped lol

Top-end work is in progress. Hopefully once its done I can at least drive her around the block!

i read this as an engine rebuild joke lol



Good progress Joe

[ArtFoodBMW]

Coming along nicely!

[iwantspeed]

nice work on that valve cover it came out great

i got the chance to meet mepeh in person and he took care of my injectors in house

good guy

[IronJoe]

Things are moving along. Received my new(to me) cam box yesterday, it was a great deal easier than having to weld up the original. I'll be checking the tolerances this week and if all goes well, I'll have the motor back together this weekend.

I got a few items in from various vendors. First, my ground straps were a bit questionable, especially the hood and valve cover strap. I received the S14 ground strap kit from Bavarian Restoration, these are absolutely great and worth the money! I had no idea how bad my alternator ground was until I removed it

Also I received my injectors back from MEPEH, freshly cleaned, refurbished and painted. I'm thrilled.

More to come, stay tuned!

[IronJoe]

What crinkle paint did you use for the valve cover? I am tempted to this soon myself, any tips you can give is appreciated!

Also, I realized I never got back to you on the driver side window motor/regulator, seat belts, and exterior window trim. If you still have any or all the parts I am still interested.

Keep up the good work!

I just used some VHT hi-temp wrinkle black engine paint. Application is pretty simple, I did this ~6 years ago when I first got my M3, it lasted all the way up until the valve cover was damaged in the accident. Pretty simple application, I masked the holes and sprayed it then baked it in the sun for a few hours. After it got tacky, I used a razor blade and scraped off the paint from the lettering and lines. Once it was totally dry and set up I lightly sanded the lines & letters until they were clean.


Yep I still have parts for you, let's try to get together soon!

[hankolerd]

What crinkle paint did you use for the valve cover? I am tempted to this soon myself, any tips you can give is appreciated!

Also, I realized I never got back to you on the driver side window motor/regulator, seat belts, and exterior window trim. If you still have any or all the parts I am still interested.

Keep up the good work!

[IronJoe]

I get a little chub when I see updates on this project :up:

btw thanks for the crock-pot, my wife is determined to get me fat

[2mAn]

I get a little chub when I see updates on this project :up:

btw thanks for the crock-pot, my wife is determined to get me fat

[IronJoe]

Got a few things done this weekend. Welded up my (third) broken sport seat base and got the driver seat reinstalled. I now have a mostly functioning interior! (I'm waiting on the UUC shifter install to put the center console back together)




I also refinished the valve cover in wrinkle black, still lots of polishing to do on the lettering but it's a good start. (Sorry about the bad lighting)




Other than that, I'm spending my time making BMW parts suppliers rich with all my ordering :p

[IronJoe]

I was talking Byron D. about your project at Octoberfest/Dorkfest. He told me he knows you from WA, and wasn't surprised I was fawning over your car. Sorry, I never got back to you about moving the battery to the trunk, but I'm sure you figured out how to do in the most OEM way possible.

Any special plans for the interior?

Funny, small world Rob!

No worries on the battery, it was actually an incredibly simple swap over from the M3 shell to the cabrio. A little fish tape later and it was all done, using all the factory stuff.

As for the interior, nothing special. OEM original schwarz leather seats, Mtech 1 steering wheel, crack free dash, OEM leather shift boot/E brake boot, ZHP shift knob (all from the henna car).

For some reason I'm not a huge fan of reupholstered seats in an old car, looks too "new" compared to door panels, dash, etc unless you go all the way and do everything. I'm probably in the minority here, but I prefer the look of good condition original interior. I'm reusing my front seats from my M3 and sourced a set of near-perfect rear seats from a member here who was willing to help out.

[robrez]

I was talking Byron D. about your project at Octoberfest/Dorkfest. He told me he knows you from WA, and wasn't surprised I was fawning over your car. Sorry, I never got back to you about moving the battery to the trunk, but I'm sure you figured out how to do in the most OEM way possible.

Any special plans for the interior?

[DER E30]

Nice progress brother! Cant wait for us to roll out, tops down, listening to ITB goodness :up:

I know you don't have itbs Brad lol

Looks great!