my 335i

[johnl320]

Thought I'd revive my old thread, The slowest resto/conversion on the Zone

Interior shot, the drivers bolsters need repairing, i've done couple of retrims myself and there is leather on the way



Engine bay shot, with the 405 washer bottle mocked up and the air filter fitted. I'm gonna move the filter down towards the back of the headlights.



A couple of shots of the homemade gearbox mount, which I want to replace with an M3 one ( bloody dogleg box )





Still sitting high at the back its on the things to do list





Almost there



Headlight unit out to free off seized adjusters



Comments welcome, apologies for the poor quality camera

regards

john

[Theo]

I like it alot John

Does that gearbox have a detachable bellhousing? I really want one like that to make clutch changes MUCH easier. I don't see the harm in using that DIY geabox crossmember, although it might be close to the exhaust when you come to fit it... what exhaust are you using?

[johnl320]

Exhaust is single pipe by the time it gets to here. Going into a subaru impreza resonator then off to a 2.8 audi a6 backbox.

john

[johnl320]

I think it is detachable, Its been that long since I fitted it. The problem is that the gearbox is longer so M3 prop is too long. however Gear linkage from an m535i fits perfectly with no modification.

I'll check the bellhousing and let you know

regards

john

[PeterS]

Looking good John

Peter

[johnl320]

Thanks Peter

john

[Flozman]

Good stuff, my parents only live in the next court so i know how painfully tight those garages are.

I doing the same conversion over the next couple of weeks, im going to use a automatic box and my old mans got a S38 exhaust manifold in the back garden so im going to see if that can be made to fit.

I'm hoping that using the 325 as a basis will save me some hassle.

[Andy335Touring]

The S38 manifold has different cylinder head bolt holes so could be tricky to fit, also the steering coupling could be a PITA too, i hope it does work out for you as i'd like some kind of six branch on mine.

I tried an Alpina B10(from an E34) manifold on mine but it would have had to be butchered to get past the steering coupling which was a shame

[ric325i]

so is it just the exhaust that needs doing now?

sounds like the project could be road worthy soon!?!

[Flozman]

The S38 manifold has different cylinder head bolt holes so could be tricky to fit, also the steering coupling could be a PITA too, i hope it does work out for you as i'd like some kind of six branch on mine.

The plan is to weld them together, there is a good chance it wont work but you have to try these things.

[Andy335Touring]

If you can get some mild or stainless steel exhaust flanges made it will weld OK but the standard cast manifold won't weld very reliably.

If you PM Toby Unna i think he had some flanges made for his Turbo set up so he might be able to help with a diagrame ?

[clutchsnappy]

Johnl320, Could you show us some pictures of the right side where you have run the exhaust, My car is also RHD and I'm also using the e34 m30b35 to swap in, Also How did you go about wiring? Was your m30 an auto? have you got the engine running yet?? Are the 320i's l-jetronic? my 323i is jetronic and am in the need of some help!

Cheers, your swap is coming along nice!

[johnl320]

Update, on the slowest conversion ever. coming soon

john

[Ziggy]

Surely you must be done?!

[euan]

any updated pics and info ??

[johnl320]

Quick update, I have the dreaded sheared manifold stud, I can't believe I didn't notice it before the engine went in . There is about 2cm showing out of the the block so I've just borrowed BMJG 's welder top tack a nut on to it tomorrow. Wish me luck
I'll stick some more pics up tomorrow
john

[Rav335uk]

Can't you get 2 nuts on the thread showing, heat up and twist of, rather than welding?????
Had the same problem on the exhaust side and managed, just, to get the thing out and replaced.
You didn't metion inlet or exhaust??

[vinni]

John how long ago since we took that engine out of the 735 lol Glad to see it in the E30 now mate, looking good to Oh and the other 3.5 lump is still in my mates garage, just incase you want to do another one looooool

[johnl320]

Can't you get 2 nuts on the thread showing, heat up and twist of, rather than welding?????
Had the same problem on the exhaust side and managed, just, to get the thing out and replaced.
You didn't metion inlet or exhaust??

Sorry exhaust, and threads are long gone on this stud unfortunately.

john

[johnl320]

I thought I reckognised that 325 you old dog you!! lol. Christ I was supposed to get that other engine, did he say anything about it?

john

[vinni]

I thought I reckognised that 325 you old dog you!! lol. Christ I was supposed to get that other engine, did he say anything about it?

john

Lol he did say the other day its still in the garage lol, how are you mate? So how much is left to do on yours now? and will you stop driving them bloody tanks over E30's. Use a Ford instead lol

[johnl320]

I've only run over one! I'm good mate, you haven't still got those lowering springs have you?
The car drives and all it needs is the exhaust finishing and the back end lowering. And thats it.

john

[vinni]

Cool cant wait till you pass down this way in it, for me to have a closer look.

[johnl320]

Looks like the engine is coming out for this . Could take another couple of years that.



john

[DRIFTBOY]

Aww that sucks!

I'd take the head off if it was mine, must be easier than taking the whole lump out!

[johnl320]

decided to take the lump out purely because its the cheaper option, no head gasket/bolts to buy.
john

[Rav335uk]

Whats happening John????????

[johnl320]

Fook all mate, its tooooo cold. And work takes up far to much time

[Rav335uk]

Weel saying that, it too greasy now to put the power down on the ca anyway, might as well take it easy and get it ready for the spring/summer

[johnl320]

Off to Iraq in the spring mate for 6 months, thats why this thing has taken me 4 years, I'm never fookin here!

[rix313]

Looks brill

Stating the obvious but would consider moving that filter further away from the engine, all that horid hot bay air getting in yuk.

[johnl320]

thanks rix313 already done mate, with a cheeky little cold air feed on the fog light blank, probably won't make a shits worth of difference but fook it why not?

john