E30 M3 Convertible Replica M30 Turbo

[ImysE30]

Thought I would start a build thread after a few requests to put one up. Hopefully once completed, it will be a one off E30 M3 Convertible replica with a M30 Turbo powering it up the road

Spec will be something like this but will not necessarily be the final one. Might change a few things.

Convertible E30 M3 replica shell using all genuine E30 M3 panels including front and rear bumpers.
Full respray inside out in Fonz White with plenty of rust protection.
Fully working electric hood conversion.
M30 3.5 Turbo conversion
Megasquirt ECU, 2.93:1 LSD, E30 M3 propshaft etc etc
New BMW engine rubber mounts and cups.
Custom made exhaust system.
E46 quicker steering rack.
Full E30 M3 suspension set-up. All Powder coated.
All suspension bushes renewed with genuine BMW parts.
Big Brake Conversion of some kind.
All brake lines renewed with genuine BMW parts.
ABS retro fitted with all new genuine BMW pipes.
Coilovers (probably GAZ) or hydraulics/air suspension.
8.5J & 10J alloy wheels (BBS RS’s, Borbet B’s, Toplines etc).
E36 Vader interior re-trimmed in new BMW red (similar to E93 M3).
Front and rear Motorsport leather door cards dyed to match above.
Entire dash and centre consoles ”˜flocked’.
Custom made VIBE Audio System fitted by VIBE themselves.
Front smoked lights including fogs and indicators. Angel eye CCFL rings fitted to headlights.
Private number plate

Hoping to get it looking something like this but with a few personal touches.




Probably missed out a few bits and bobs but that’s the main bulk of my plans. I’d like to keep this thread civilized and mainly on topic so please try and keep the comments relevant, thanks

[ImysE30]

Pictures of when I first got the cabby. All bodywork and respray work done. Full E30 M3 suspension already fitted. Apart from that, a bare shell. Basic wiring loom fitted but removed further down.

Exterior:









Interior:







Engine Bay and Boot:

[ImysE30]

Next up was to buy something to fill the gap left in the engine bay. Thought M52, M30 even S50 if I won the lottery but as soon as Martin (DRIFTBOY) was thinking about selling his set-up, there was only one thing on my mind.

Drove all the way down to Kent to pick it up and bring it home (good doing business with you Martin).

[ImysE30]

Time now to focus on sorting the body loom out. It came with a weedy 4 pot loom without the check panel so this had to go. Got a cabby 325i loom (cheers Barx) and then to take out the 4 pot loom and put in the 6 pot loom. Took a fair few hours but worth it.

Out with the old:





In with the new:

[ImysE30]

Meanwhile on the other cabby, time to take out the dash and pinch a few bits of loom. Also removed the original BMW alarm as intentions were to fit this to the new cabby but going to fit an aftermarket one now. After a few hours, left with this:





Removed the wiper arms and motor from the other cabby and fitted them to the M3 cabby. A bit fiddly with getting the wiper arms in but got there in the end:





Standard rear lights fitted along with new number plate lights (GSF). Boot lock from other cabby also fitted.

[ImysE30]

Next thing to do was to connect up the entire wiring loom and to also fit the pedal box removed from the other cabby, brake servo (cheers town325i) and heater box also taken out of other cabby.







Ordered a few goodies from BMW, mainly brake lines:




That’s as far as I’ve got at the moment, until the next update”¦.

[Alex]

looks good, imo you should keep it oem, as most people wont fook about with a normal M3 cabby. and reps are always council

I thought you had sold the lump anyway

[ImysE30]

looks good, imo you should keep it oem, as most people wont fook about with a normal M3 cabby. and reps are always council

I thought you had sold the lump anyway

I'm going to build it to the way I like it, don't care if it's council or not as i'm never going to sell it

Thought about it, nearly did but changed my mind.

[gooner1]

Has to be said Imy, that,s looking good

[johnt0709]

Imy - nice one- M3 replica pictured is one of my favourites. I'll follow this with interest.

[Blitz]

Looks very good. Lucky to find that shell.

[beemerbird]

Top man, Imy. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[bss325i]

Some advice.

Buy a new foam gasket for the heater box as the one in the pics is fooked and you want a tight seal against the ducting on the dash.

Also, fitting a carpet thats not been cut is near impossible to do with the heater box in place.

[staley_turbo]

Been waiting for this blog. Good luck with the project. Ill have to speed mine up now!

[Rav335uk]

Subscribed IMY, i'll be watching.

[Raj_p]

Imy....... I have something for you, if you still need it

Good Thread, cant wait to see the finished item, its gooing to be a good by the looks of it.

[ImysE30]

Some advice.

Buy a new foam gasket for the heater box as the one in the pics is fooked and you want a tight seal against the ducting on the dash.

Also, fitting a carpet thats not been cut is near impossible to do with the heater box in place.

Is it part number 4?

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/C ... nstrument/

This is just to get the car ready so i can get the engine in, can always remove it and re-fix it once i get to the carpet stage

[e30topless]

looks a good project for an M3 rep , at least it has the correct rear lights

what was welded into the boot floor ?

[ImysE30]

Not sure, never noticed anything

Raj - What you got?

Thanks for the positive comments

[bss325i]

Some advice.

Buy a new foam gasket for the heater box as the one in the pics is fooked and you want a tight seal against the ducting on the dash.

Also, fitting a carpet thats not been cut is near impossible to do with the heater box in place.

Is it part number 4?

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/C ... nstrument/

Yes its part number 4.

[bmw-mad]

Looking Good Imy Whats next on the to do list?

Still think you made a mistake getting rid of the black leather would have looked much better than vadars. but its your car

[ImysE30]

Cheers Barry, i'll get one ordered

I've done the insulation padding in the bay, forgot to take pics but will put some up tomorrow.

Next is to get the dash in and all the bits that go with it. Fit all the seat belts and then drop the tank to put the correct loom back in.

Probably fit the electric hood and motors afterwards depending on the weather.

I've always liked Vader's

[Raj_p]

I got the steering UJ for you from that E34.... If you still need it, its in my car... im in burton friday till monday

[ImysE30]

I got the steering UJ for you from that E34.... If you still need it, its in my car... im in burton friday till monday

Nice one

PM about to be sent.

[spook]

Good to see a young lad taking on such a project

[M-Sport]

looks good gona keep my eye on this

good luck with the project

[DRIFTBOY]

Hi Imy, how are you doing?

I just popped on here tonight wondering how you're getting on with it all, good timing as you only started the thread this evening!

I'll be keeping an eye on it from time to time but if you have any questions please just drop me an email or pm me and I'll help if I can.

Good luck dude!

[Duke137]

Seen this in the flesh, it really is as good as it looks. plenty of attention to detail going in to this

[ImysE30]

Hi Imy, how are you doing?

I just popped on here tonight wondering how you're getting on with it all, good timing as you only started the thread this evening!

I'll be keeping an eye on it from time to time but if you have any questions please just drop me an email or pm me and I'll help if I can.

Good luck dude!

All good mate, how's things with you?

Been working on it for a few months now but thought i'd start a thread so i can keep it all together. Will no doubt be asking a few questions once it's time to get the engine in

Cheers Ferg, cruising the streets of Derby soon

Update coming tonight hopefuly...

[Felix79]

Well Imy got to hand it to you , finally we are seeing a nice project comming along.

Got to say the white is really really really nice , and I for one think the red leather will be

[ImysE30]

Cheers Dan, how's the 'pina coming along?

[Felix79]

Cheers Dan, how's the 'pina coming along?

Petes just getting the MOT and wheels alined , so hopefully I should get it back soon.

Then all I need to do is get the rear arches done by a good bodyshop and that's the worse of the car done. Both Pete and Barry have been working on it and they promised me the car will feel compleatley different.

[ImysE30]

Cheers Dan, how's the 'pina coming along?

Petes just getting the MOT and wheels alined , so hopefully I should get it back soon.

Then all I need to do is get the rear arches done by a good bodyshop and that's the worse of the car done. Both Pete and Barry have been working on it and they promised me the car will feel compleatley different.

Sounds good

[F17RAK]

Lookin sick imy, cant wait to see it finished, get a move on!

[ImysE30]

All in good time bro

UPDATE - 20/10/10

Bought some new engine bay sound insulation from BMW as the old one was torn and cracked. Also had to re-fit the brake servo as i had to remove that to get the insulation to fit.

Fitting was pretty easy with the engine out






Really freshens up the engine bay