325i Touring restoration "the wrong way around"

[316vinni]

Looking good there mate. I must say you are doing a grand job. Once again mate, i take my hat off to you. Oh and how come,s santa brings you things like that and all i get is socks


Vinni

[maxfield]

surely a nice set of cams n bit of engine work wouldn't go a miss

[old_skool]

surely a nice set of cams n bit of engine work wouldn't go a miss

Nope, not yet. going to get it in as it is first. It's hard to imagine the scale of things that I need to do. Every time I look at it there is something else to add to the list. The wiring is going to be the nightmare. I'm not afraid of it, in fact I'm quite looking forward to getting that far. Problem is, I want it to look like a factory install and be reliable. Having said that, this car will never be a daily driver.

Having seen Buster's pictures, I would be happy to achieve that factory look. Having not seen another one installed, I.e. Ians or James's etc. I can't comment. Any chance of some S50 engine bay pics guys?

Not sure about a sleeper look or not, I kinda like the look of that red M3 touring that's on here from the US. The work involved in grafting the wings and making up the rear quarters doesn't look sooooooo bad. Council or not?

Anyone know how I can post a picture of this up on this thread and/or get some opinions.

[325bhpbruiser]

go for it mate!

[ian332isport]

Having seen Buster's, I would be happy to achieve that factory look. Having not seen another one installed, I.e. Ians or James's etc. I can't comment. Any chance of some S50 engine bay pics guys?

Here's mine




Ian.

[old_skool]

Thanks Ian, I want to do it just like that. No point trying to reinvent the wheel. It looks factory which is just what I want. You should be very proud

I think I might be ready for that wiring chart soon

[fuzzy]

Here's mine




Ian.

thats a neat install,looks like it grew there

[buster]

here's mine

I used the m3 bulkhead covers for ultra factory look








carbon airbox pic.Not using it but may do later as it needs more modding to fit it.




Im not a fan of the aftermarket airfilter but it came with the engine.Id like a proper airbox.I wonder if an m30 one would fit

[325bhpbruiser]

wow, can only dream for the near future

[Jesus325iTouring]

Bloody 'ell Oldskool,your quality of workmanship is.....

Bit different to my usual bodge it & scarper techniques!

Just read through the whole thread,some fine work going on there.

PS How do you balance family life with such an in depth project?

[old_skool]

PS How do you balance family life with such an in depth project?

Cheers Jesus, Family life always comes first! I just work a lot of hours and have an understanding wife.

Buster, Ian, thanks for posting the pics up. I will be pestering you all by way of PM over the next few weeks

With my ABS removed would I get the E36 airbox in do you think?

I used the m3 bulkhead covers for ultra factory look

That does look good, did you have to mod them to fit Buster?

[buster]

[quote="old_skool_2002
With my ABS removed would I get the E36 airbox in do you think?

I used the m3 bulkhead covers for ultra factory look

That does look good, did you have to mod them to fit Buster?[/quote]

Quite possibly,its the abs pump that gets in the way.
The bulkhead cover just needed a small trim where the number 6 inlet pipe goes.

[ian332isport]

With my ABS removed would I get the E36 airbox in do you think?

Probably. Henry didn't remove the ABS, but re-located it underneath the panel it normally sits on. He did manage to use the standard E36 M3 airbox.

Ian.

[buster]

do you think the m30 airbox would fit in there ?
Theres nothing much on here about henrys conversion unfortunately

[ian332isport]

do you think the m30 airbox would fit in there ?

I don't think it would fit with our larger (wider) radiators. My air filter is the one part of my conversion I'm still not happy with.

I have even less space with my modified plenum (intake boot is further forward). I've looked at various options over the years, but still can't find space to fit a decent sized airbox

Ian.

[old_skool]

OK, so if I retained the ABS, how's about moving the ABS servo to the battery tray where there would be space for it and move the battery to the boot

Then the full E36 M3 induction side could be used unmolested?

[ian332isport]

OK, so if I retained the ABS, how's about moving the ABS servo to the battery tray where there would be space for it and move the battery to the boot

I don't think it matters where the ABS unit is physically mounted. As long as it's wired up and plumbed correctly it should be fine.

[gareth]

it misht be worth considering that funny brake pipe routing could cause a headache the first time you bleed the brakes but after that it should be fine an another location. you'll need a lot of copper pipe though!

[Brianmoooore]

Would be a good idea to move the battery to the boot anyway, to counteract some of the extra weight of the M3 engine. All the holes and fittings are there on a touring, ready to accept the whole lot from a 325 saloon.
Can't see there being any problems moving the ABS to the battery tray. Although it'll be the highest part of the brake system, brake fluid is viscous enough and the brake pipe bore small enough to flush the air out.
Try not to get any air into the workings of the ABS unit itself. It can be very difficult to bleed out without the correct electronic gismo to plug in.

[beardymat]

just sat and read this whole thread (well most anyhow, it is kinda long)

this car is getting some real attention lavished on it just the way they should.its given me the inspiration i need to get on with my own project again.not done much except look at it in the corner of my workshop as earning money has been taking up nearly all my time and what was left has been spent on another zoners car.

i was thinking of just getting it roadworthy and using it but knew i wouldnt really be happy with that and after seeing the results youre getting i know that simply wont do

so well done for your efforts and thanks for making me take the long expensive road.lol

[gareth]

Would be a good idea to move the battery to the boot anyway, to counteract some of the extra weight of the M3 engine. All the holes and fittings are there on a touring, ready to accept the whole lot from a 325 saloon.

really? i always assumed it wouldn't fit in the back. does it hide neatly in the cubbyhole?

[old_skool]

so well done for your efforts and thanks for making me take the long expensive road.lol

Think of it as free inspiration

[Andy335Touring]

I could measure my M30 air box if it would help at all ?

[Brianmoooore]

does it hide neatly in the cubbyhole?

Once you've removed the plastic liner pieces the hole is the same as that on a saloon.

[buster]

I could measure my M30 air box if it would help at all ?

cheers andy that would help,but i think as Ian pointed out,we are using wider rads so theres not a lot of room there.I just managed to squeeze that green filter in there.Also as Ian said,one part of my conversion im not happy with.

[12345kevin]

OK, so if I retained the ABS, how's about moving the ABS servo to the battery tray where there would be space for it and move the battery to the boot

If you do this virtually all the brake pipes will have to "cross" the engine and the ABS unit will be above the exhaust manifold. Is there a big risk of boiling the brake fluid ?

[Brianmoooore]

It's the battery's original location, so I shouldn't think it gets that hot!

[driftmaster]

My gosh, this is one hell of a project! I've just read the whole thread up until this point and will most certainly be an avid follower of your progress! Good luck and keep up the good work!

[SMS19]

Nice project!! Keep up the good work bro!!

[Andy335Touring]

I could measure my M30 air box if it would help at all ?

cheers andy that would help,but i think as Ian pointed out,we are using wider rads so theres not a lot of room there.I just managed to squeeze that green filter in there.Also as Ian said,one part of my conversion im not happy with.

I'm hoping to do a dummy fit of my twin TB and air box with my E28 radiator which is wider than normal over the christmas break so i'll get some more pictures up soon.

The main body less the intake trumpet thingy is 410mm apx, Hieght 280mm, width at the widest point is 180mm.

You can lose the metal heat guard to save a bit more room.





The standard inlet trumpet is a little too small diameter and sticks out too far so i've got a sub box port which is 75mm v's 50mm for the standard one at it's narrowest.

The over all length of the air box with the standard one is 510mm v's 450mm with the new one.

[buster]

thanks for that Andy,i'll have a measure up to see if it'll fit.Most things do if you really want them

[gareth]

does it hide neatly in the cubbyhole?

Once you've removed the plastic liner pieces the hole is the same as that on a saloon.

cool! i might have a play with that next time i need a battery. i wish i knew before fitting the M30 wiring around the battery though!

[Andy335Touring]

thanks for that Andy,i'll have a measure up to see if it'll fit.Most things do if you really want them

I've had a quick play with it today and it's going to be a PITA to try to use the M30 air box.

I'm going to have to lose the M20 header tank and re-plumb it for the E34/2 M30 header tank which sit's on the bulk head. The PAS res' will have to be moved downwards. I already new about both of these things and they arn't major hang ups.



I've also bent the old M20 air box bracket out of the way, i don't want to remove it totally because it might be OK for mounting the M30 box yet ?

My main issue's at the mo are the ABS pump and the oil filter housing, a lesser problem is the metal stub on the altinator for the cooling duct which i will cut down a bit.

I ran out of light today but i'm going to see if i can move the ABS pump closer to the inner wing by 1/2 inch, if i'm lucky 1 inch.

The oil filter housing can be swapped to a downwards pointing E28 item or may be a take off plate and a remotely mounted spin off oil filter ?

I need to get it mounted low so the top rad hose clears

At least with the PAS res' out of the way theres plenty of room for a 4 1/2 inch elbow to connect the TB to the air box.

Might just buy one of those C/F CDA(?)/piper air box's rather than messing with the M30 one but i'm not convinced that the filter elements are big enough and the diameter of the inlet/out lets are a bit small ?

Sorry to rabbit on your thread mate, just hope it's of some use to you S52 boys ?

[buster]

that TB is
Good work Andy.

[old_skool]

Sorry I haven't posted earlier, this dreaded stomach bug hit the family and we all spent Christmas on/over the thunderbox.

Andy, that is a help because now I can see possible problems like the header tank and oil filter housing. Let me know how you get over these.

I'm still undecided about the ABS Maybe I'll look to refit it, maybe I won't. Either way, if I do then it will be up in the battery tray. I will also cut the battery tray back to get rid of the bulk of the unnecessary metalwork to make it look more like a mounting and less like a dining table

Buster, Ian, thanks again for posting the pics. I've been Examining them more closely to give me inspiration. If any of you guys are ever near the Gloucester area then feel free to drop in for a pot of tea and a crumpet.

RE the battery issue. I like the idea of the battery in the back better anyway. Someone mentioned using a gel battery? Will have to spend a bit of time rummaging through the ETK to get a better idea of the parts required. I assume it consists of a mounting plate and clamp for the battery and a length of heavy cable with some factory grommets. Not many saloons around in the scrappy for inspiration at the moment.

Due to being grounded with Deli Belly all week I haven't done much apart from rip out more odds and ends from the shell and get it cleaned up. Unfortunately it was raining here today and didn't fancy sandblasting in the unit. The last time I did any inside the place took a week to clean up.

So I made use of the inclement weather and decided to steam clean the underside of the shell. I just know you're gonna love these pics. I got bloody soaked through

Handy having toys around to play with



I used 25 litres of traffic film remover but it was worth it. I now have clean fingernails too. Note the conrete block to stop the shell tipping backwards







Hmmmm Beige. I'm well chuffed with the way it's cleaned up. Next job for the underside will be to die grind and blast away the rust spots, overcoat with brush on sealer and paint the whole underside of the car (in beige). finally enough waxoyl to kill an elephant should finish it off nicely prior to reassembly.