E30 Coupe Complete Rebuild + M60B40 Conversion Thread

[E30Bug]

Oh my. Everything in here is amazing.

Are they stock driveshafts?

Also interested in a set of your E46 caliper adapters for the rear

Hi mate, sorry for such a long delay in answering you. haven't had a chance to post much of late.

Yeah they are just stock 325i shafts.

I can do you a set of caliper adapters for $75 AUD + shipping if you're interested.

[E30Bug]

How was those manifolds/headers fabricated, meaning did you have your engine on its Mount's, engine in the bay??? you say you can work on the starter no stress and it clears up fine for the steering, please share... I am particular interested in the drivers side steering clearance thanks

Hi mate,
Firstly my car is a RHD car so would be completely different result if yours is a LHD car.

Yes the headers were made with the engine on its mounts in the bay and I had all the steering rack, shaft, starter motor, bell housing all in place. As you can see in the pics of the headers, the drivers side (RHS) headers have been made in two sections so therefore they were made to go around each side of the steering column/knuckle. To take either side headers out I do not need to take the engine out (like most do) or in fact even lift it up. All I do is undo the passenger side (LHS) and lower them down and twist and they come straight out towards the back of the car. The drivers side I just undo the two halves and lower one section down and out towards the rear of the car and the other one rolls over towards the front of the car and down and out the front underside of the car.

Hope this is helpful.

[slum dog]

My car is Rhd also hence the query, patiently waiting for updates thanks

[warshark]

that is some serious attention to details keep up the good work wating for the grand finale

[E30Bug]

My car is Rhd also hence the query, patiently waiting for updates thanks

You're welcome.

Shaving the engine bay is a very slow process so not much advancement on anything else at the moment. Once I get it painted it will be full steam ahead though.

[E30Bug]

that is some serious attention to details keep up the good work wating for the grand finale

Thanks warshark.

[E30Bug]

Things have slowed up a bit lately due to having to go away for a work conference and making a bunch of E46 M3 intake kits that I sell, then spending so much time in the engine bay welding, shaving, and smoothing. This is such a time consuming job trying to get this right.

I have been able to buy a couple of things that I don't need quite yet but just trying to get them so they are there ready to put in when I do need them like gaskets and seals for the engine, e36 m3/z3m aluminium radiator, brake bias control knob, tie rod end links, and an m62 intake manifold and throttle body which is a much better design than the m60 manifold.

Once I get the engine bay painted things should start to move along pretty quick. I can then secret wire the bay and try and hide the brake and clutch lines as well. Then build the engine, flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate in and get the whole thing in place. Then it will be time for prepping and painting the exterior panels and putting all the interior in. I have a few things to find yet to finish off the interior and I would like to re-trim the seats and door cards as well.

Front crossmember painted in bright silver metallic







Tie rod end links. Don't need the little ones as I have BC coilovers going in







Just some of the gaskets and seals for the engine

[E30Bug]

My intake kits I make for E46 M3s. Have sold about 70 kits now.
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M62 throttle body on the left. It doesn't have the wedge piece bolted on the butterfly like the M60 one on the right which restricts air flow.
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M62 intake manifold also has a pipe running right through the centre which distributes the oil fume more evenly. The M60 only returns it through a hole right at the back which concentrates the oil in the back couple of cylinders which gums them up.
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M62 manifold at the top.
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[E30Bug]

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[wworm]

oh man I see some crispy engine bay shots in your (and our) future

[E30Bug]

oh man I see some crispy engine bay shots in your (and our) future

"Crispy engine bay shots" ??

[E30Bug]

Finally finished all the smoothing out on the engine bay and got to paint it in black 2k primer. Needs to be black because the paint I'm using in here is see through and will give that flip effect.








Got a couple of runs but hey it's primer so it can be rubbed out.

[E30Bug]

Old battery tray area.



Modified drain hole.



Building up the collection of parts. I'm trying to have everything here ready so I can just pick it up and put it in when I need it. Still lots to get though.

Walbro 255ltr fuel pump.



E36 56mm core aluminium radiator.



Tight fit.

[E30Bug]

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Code plug for cluster. 7k RPM

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Knock sensors.

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Started pulling the engine down to do new bearings and rings. Heads will be re-built with new seals and guides checked.


Cams are in good condition.

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Timing chain guides were in pretty good condition too but they are all being replaced along with the chains.

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[E30Bug]

Trying to keep it in order



Took some leverage to get the crank bolt off.



Crank looks good.