My S50 conversion

[tomson]

Well I thought it's about time I started a thread on this as i've been slowly buying parts to do this since the ring trip last May!

The car is a 1989 325i 2door, in gloss black (non metallic) and will have the following spec when done,

S50B32 lump with 5 speed manual box
3.15 Z3M LSD, inc finned backplate
E30 M3 5stud suspension & brakes
Eibach ajustable ARB's
Bilstein B8 HD dampers
H & R 60/40 springs
Some nice BBS split rims
E30 M3 stainless exhaust with BTB modified Exhaust manifold
E46 330ci steering rack
Factory type aircon with climate control
E30 M3 heated black leather interior
Genuine Mtech 2 bodykit and the car will be resprayed when it's done
Full BMW rebush with some E30 M3 bits also......

The springs & BBS split's are still on the shopping list but the rest I have....

Would like to say a big thankyou to Ian332isport, old_skool_2002 and demlotcrew for their help and advice so far in this project.

Here are some pics so far;

The engine

[DanThe]

Is that a new oil pump tomson?

[tomson]

Is that a new oil pump tomson?

Not in the pictures but I have bought a new one since taking them

BMW was about £300, ECP was £110 in a BMW box, go figure!

The pick up you gave me with the sump needs to be fitted first though, I will be doing that tomorrow along with the ARP rod bolts.....

[DanThe]

I thought they were £110ish from BMW?

But you are right, ECP buy them from the dealers

[tomson]

The turd ;

[tomson]

I thought they were £110ish from BMW?

But you are right, ECP buy them from the dealers

Nope, cant remember exactly what zimmerbimmer quoted but was around the £250 - £300 i'm sure!

[DanThe]

Nice seat cover

[tomson]

Nice seat cover

Ha ha, the interior went to the tip yesterday actually!

[tomson]

I never thought I'd say this but here is the "boat anchor" being removed!!

[tomson]

Remember the old aircon bracket problem, well Ian cleared that up but I'd like some opinions on this please;





You can see the front mount on the compressor has been damaged, if i leave the air pump bracket off will the front compressor mounting bolt be ok with that chunk missing? All the forces are pulling it towards the engine but I cant decide. It looks like I could change the front cover of the compressor but that will undoubtedly be a right ballache with magnetic clutches and the like!!

[tomson]

Another dilema, the cover has a crack (see pic) is this weldable or will the heat mess it up?

I've wanted this cover in an one of my E30 engine bays for so long it must not be cracked lol!!

[DanThe]

Washer it up

[DanThe]

Ive had bad experiences of bmw cast alloy being welded, apparently, to make the molten alloy 'flow' better they add all sorts of shite into the mix, this makes it a cnt to weld as it burns and spits like a bastard.

I would try to get a test piece for the welder to play with first

[tomson]

Washer it up

butcher

The thought had crossed my mind

i think i'll try that and use some of that metal putty stuff for a bit of extra strenght.

I'm hoping to test fit the engine by the end of the month, this weekend will be fitting the aircon heater box, climate and new dash!

Then im going to move the brake servo over like Dameon did on his red touring, he very kindly loaned me one of his plates so I had some made up
Once the plates are in place im going to measure it all up and see if the double servo from my 325ix will fit rather than mess around with a VW one. If it does then happy days, if not plan B!

[tomson]

Ive had bad experiences of bmw cast alloy being welded, apparently, to make the molten alloy 'flow' better they add all sorts of shite into the mix, this makes it a cnt to weld as it burns and spits like a bastard.

I would try to get a test piece for the welder to play with first

My welding skills are not up to this I feel, think i'll take it somewhere for an opinion. I only have a mig welder and think this needs to be tigged.

[DanThe]

Take it to a specialist welders, this is not the sort of thing for a hobby welder to be going at