Project M3 Touring - Update

[bigpimpin]

Well, I got the beast running last night after a wee relay glitch but not for long as its pretty noisy in a small garage with no exhaust manifolds fitted!

I'm so relieved that it starts and I can now move on with the rest of it like fitting the E30 M3 suspension and getting the cosmetics started.

A HUGE thanks has to go to Ian332isport and Jmc330i and Buster for their advice, Ian is an electrical genius. Without these guys I'd never have attempted this conversion.

Things left to do are Inlet Plenum/Master cylinder, Exhaust manifolds and system, electric fan, fit the M3 suspension and exterior (mtech2), wheels etc. and interior.

I'm still on the lookout for:
E30 M3 3.25:1 LSD
Beige Leather Sport Touring Interior

[jmc330i]

Excellent news

Its such a relief when it does start up isnt it. I had to get mine running without the manifolds as well - it wasnt very subtle

Glad to hear its coming along

[jaistanley]

Awesome man!

I love to hear stories like this.. Makes me feel bad about how far i've got on mine so far.. Seems like all I do is buy bits and put them in a big, expensive pile!

What is your plan for an exhaust manifold and exhaust system?? I'm dreading this bit. The manifold is a bit scary, not sure if I'll have the skills/tools to do this by myself but might have a go. The exhaust is going to have to be a beefy system to get close to the qualities of the M Roadster one the engine originally had. It's got two massive diameter pipes feeding seperate cats (to be deleted) and separate (massive) back boxes. As much as the chav in me would like to try and adapt this system to fit my 318is, I seriously doubt there's the room or enough similarity between the E30 floor pan and the M Roadster. Might have to be a custom system (more than likely eh?) Ԛ£Ã”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£ aaahh!

Oh well, sorry to chew your ears (eyes??)

Jai

[Widge]

You should be able to chop and change the system to fit the E30? If you can weld. May loose some ground clearance though, be good to have an exhaust on each side.
Sorry OT

Bigpimpin are you going to go the whole hog and do M3 style arches?????
Like this?


Without the cat?

[Toby_Unna]

well done guys

i wish i could afford 24 valve power, they sound lovely!

[bigpimpin]

jaistanley,
On the exhaust Im gonna go full custom stainless. Expensive, Yes but I've sunk a chunk of money into this already and just want it to be Right!.
I still need to find out optimum diameter for the pipes. There is a powerflow gut that I know near me and I will beg him to have a go at the manifolds at the same time.

Widge,
I did briefly look at E46 M3 style twin exit but decided it would look too Max Power. I want to keep this car a sleeper so tasteful twin tails close to standard is the way I'm going.

M3 Arches, Nice but
My paint/body work is very good so all i need to do is colur code the tech 2 kit (and paint the tailgate!)

[ad318i]

Bigpimpin are you going to go the whole hog and do M3 style arches?????
Like this?

Without the cat?

Howd did ya do that??? and most importantly how much did it set ya back?

[fuzzy]

good stuff mate,hopefully ill see you at a meet soon with your finished motor

[ian332isport]

I still need to find out optimum diameter for the pipes.

Sandy,

My system has twin 2.5" pipes running the full length of the car. This is the same size as the standard E36 M3 Evo system. Don't be fooled by the size of the pipe coming out of the manifolds. Directly after that flange the pipe stepped up in diameter to 2.5".

As far as silencers go, I have a long centre silencer where the standard E30 centre box would be, and a large rear silencer.

Cheers,

Ian.
P.S. Glad it's all coming together.

[bigpimpin]

Ian, don't suppose you have a pic of the underside of your car, may come in handy when I'm explaining to exhaust man.

[jaistanley]

Stop showing pictures of that red M3 Touring...

It does funny things in my pants.

Imagine it with my 3.2 nestled provocatively in the engine bay... Mmmm.

Jai

[bigpimpin]

OK, got the M3 suspension on yesterday and I think its sitting bloody perfectly! It's dropped it loads. Those are M5 throwing star alloys that I borrowed and are 8"x17" with a 22mm offset. They really fill out the arches nicely but tyres are just too chunky. I'm getting a bit worried that my BBS splits are just going to be tooooo wide for the rear!

[Gravy]

Dude that is awesome! I love your car..................respect is due!

[fuzzy]

i think your definately going to have rubbing problems if you keep that set up with your wheels.

[bigpimpin]

i think your definately going to have rubbing problems if you keep that set up with your wheels.

Yeah, the tyre profile is too big, I just borrowed these so I could still move it around. The bbs wheels i've bought are 8" front and 9" rears so would have to go for "euro" stretched tyres. I should get them at the end of the week so I will try them on then.

[ste]

Very nice project fella.

[Toby_Unna]

looking pretty damn good

that car's a really nice colour too

[320Touring]

Bags a blast in this

so that I know how rapid my m20b20 is

looking good dude-heard all about it form hammoj-looks the biz

[jaistanley]

Bigpimpin: What size are those M5 wheels?

I understand they are 8" * 17" with a 22mm offset but what is the width/profile? I ask cos I am planning this engine swap at the moment (just have to actually do it!) and am trying to sort out wheels and tyres.

I currently have M3 running gear with std 15" BBS cross spokes (std 15" M3 wheel) and will be running around on them whilst I sort out the teething troubles I'm likely to get. When I'm tired of terrifying myself with little tyres and brakes I have a set of MCoupé rear arms and brakes all round to go on. Thing is I don't know what size wheel and tyre to fit. The suspension is going to require the same (or about the same) as an E36 I believe, due to the rear trailing arms and the spacers I will need to fit behind the front disks. I think I will need 17" * 7.5" wheels with an offset of 43 (?) and I'm not sure what size tyres to fit.

Do you have any suggestions guys? What size tyres will you run Bigpimpin? I've asked this question before but an answer is hard to find..

You're making really good progress on the conversion: I'm only a touch further than I was. Stripped out the engine bay of donor car a bit and the weather has persuaded me to give it a go after work and a big push over easter weekend (getting the lump in the hole at least, none of the problem solving etc).

Many thanks..

Jai

[2low4u]

They really fill out the arches nicely but tyres are just too chunky. I'm getting a bit worried that my BBS splits are just going to be tooooo wide for the rear!

Just fit stretched rubber like i do to my golf, if its an 8j wheel you will be able to stretch 205/40's over them so that the outer edge doesnt scrub on the arch.

[Jhonno]

Bigpimpin: What size are those M5 wheels?

I understand they are 8" * 17" with a 22mm offset but what is the width/profile? I ask cos I am planning this engine swap at the moment (just have to actually do it!) and am trying to sort out wheels and tyres.

I currently have M3 running gear with std 15" BBS cross spokes (std 15" M3 wheel) and will be running around on them whilst I sort out the teething troubles I'm likely to get. When I'm tired of terrifying myself with little tyres and brakes I have a set of MCoupé rear arms and brakes all round to go on. Thing is I don't know what size wheel and tyre to fit. The suspension is going to require the same (or about the same) as an E36 I believe, due to the rear trailing arms and the spacers I will need to fit behind the front disks. I think I will need 17" * 7.5" wheels with an offset of 43 (?) and I'm not sure what size tyres to fit.

Do you have any suggestions guys? What size tyres will you run Bigpimpin? I've asked this question before but an answer is hard to find..

You're making really good progress on the conversion: I'm only a touch further than I was. Stripped out the engine bay of donor car a bit and the weather has persuaded me to give it a go after work and a big push over easter weekend (getting the lump in the hole at least, none of the problem solving etc).

Many thanks..

Jai

a 215/50 tyre should fit on there and clear with some arch work.. ive got 205/50 16's et20 on my setup and they scrub under compression (significant) but they've got huge fat side walls

[bigpimpin]

Thanks for the compliments guys !

jaistanley, they are 8x17 with 22mm offset and the tyres are 235x50x17 ( need to double check that tonight!)

I will take my split rims to a local alloy wheel guy and maybe try some tyres on. I was thinking 215x40x17 on the 8inch front and 235x35x17 on the 9inch rear rim.

I'm not sure about your Mcoupe setup but like you say will probably be the E36 offset.

Hopefully I will get my new rims on in the next 2 weeks so I'll be sure to post up the findings because I asked similar questions and nobody seemed to know !

[bigpimpin]

Just checked, tyre size on the M5 rims are 235x45x17

[jaistanley]

So 225/45/17's all round are pretty much a non starter for me then?? LAME! They are a nice size and abundant.

I'm thinking about getting two pairs of front M3 3.0 'Motorsport' wheels as these are 7.5" wide and the correct offset. Plus they are strong and light and hint at what engine is in the bay.. Would look good on my red car in Anthricite I'd say..

[bigpimpin]

Check this out...VERY handy for BMW wheel sizes.

Thanks go to ChrisMurray on the bmwcarclubforum.

http://www.murray-systems.com/bmw_wheel_fitments.pdf

[FraserM]

I had 8x17 et 18 running on my car with 215 40 17 with no rubbing what so ever if that helps.