I've been lurking here for some time now, probably a fair 3 years or so. I've posted it elsewhere, but thought it fitting to finally share my project where I've done a tremendous amount of reading and uh give back?
Anyway, the project is a 1991 BMW 318iS. I purchased it Aug'07 with the intention to just daily drive it, leave it alone, and save money for what I really wanted. Who here started a project the same way? lol.
Needless to say save money became spend spend spend. By Dec'07 I had put together a full factory M-Technic II kit, which is made from PUR-GF, and quite rare in the US. All original OE parts imported from Germany/UK with the exception of the front lower facsia, which was a fiberglass reproduction as I intended to modify it with a large intercooler opening for a forced induction setup I'd dream to have someday.
By Aug'08 I'd done a great deal of work to it. I had replaced the anemic 1.8L 134HP M42 engine with a 3.2L 240HP S52 from a 99 M3. I had fit some sharp 3 peice Work wheels to it, and lowered it on coilovers. I'd also ditched the blue cloth interior in favor of a clean tan vinyl sport interior. Not bad for the first year, but much more would come...
In Mar'09 I had purchased an Active Autowerke STG2 Supercharger kit and installed it on the car. The car stayed pretty much unchanged for the next year while I enjoyed the 400rwhp/350rwtq in my 2600lb daily driver. Even with the stickiest DOT tires I could fit under the stock arches (Dunlop Starspecs in 235/40R17) the rear tires still had a really desperate time coping with that kind of output. I tried to manage it stepping down to a 3.15 final gear from a 3.73 but other than the increased MPG it still wasn't enough.
In Nov'09 I sold my precious MT2 kit, and purchased a newly remolded token 80's drug dealer widebody "kit" It was originally made by Folger in the late 80's / early 90's. I eagerly tacked half of it on the car to see just how much more room I'd have for big rollers.
The factory original configuration of the front bumper was really dated IMO, ugly, and lacked provision for my huge FMIC. It also was too wide and needed to be narrowed/sectioned to fit. Out came the airsaw and I revised its fit and form more to my taste.
It would stay like this until more recently when I took the airsaw to it again, dramatically changing it and making it uniquely my own. More on that later....
The kit is really "big" and it made the stock C-Pillar look so dinky and out of place. As luck would have it I knew a local guy parting out a E30 M3 that had been rear ended. It was a low kit and the M3 specific roof/c-pillar section survived. A little wheeling and dealing later I showed up with a sawzall and had my way with the M3. Here lay the spoils.
After spending what seemed like days drilling out at least a hundred spot welds I was left with JUST the M3 specific sheet metal. BMW designed the M3 over the existing E30 chassis so this would literally drop into place on my shell and be tack/plug welded into place.
The E30 M3 also utilized a higher trunklid made of fiberglass, this placed the aggressive rear wing higher up and into cleaner air. The higher trunk lid combined with the increased rake of the M3 specific C-Pillar/window section really balanced out the rear of the car and helped aerodynamics as much as you can for a flying brick. Pictured above the wheels had finally come in from CCW. Similar to my previous work wheels, I was now sporting 18x13.5 rear and 18x11 front.
Shortly after that photo was taken my first marriage fell apart and we went our separate ways. We are still good friends, and realize it was for the better. Regardless moving out on my own meant many more bills and the E30 took up prime dust collection space in the garage for the next 6 months or so while I recuperated from the financial blows.
In those 6 months not much happened besides the before mentioned dust collection. I did source an original DTM wing with a medium height carbon fiber flap. What it lacks in downforce it makes up for in sheer drag. Here you'll see it with the rear bumper cover removed, being modified to clearance the dual exhaust. Note the fat 335/30R18 rear PS2's.
Here is a sexy upskirt shot showing the delicious little bits under there, including the completely mandrel bent stainless steel tig welded exhaust fabricated just for this car. I did everything but the TIG work myself.
and here the separate sections, joined by vbands. Sorry no shots of the headers.
As mentioned earlier I would go after the front bumper with an airsaw again, along with quite a bit of fiberglass to reshape the openings on the side, add a center cutout, and generally make it uniquely my own. While there are very very few other E30's out there with this kit, none have a bumper anything like this!
Another year or so would pass while the car collected dust again, I'd move two more times, tried and failed a new relationship, then met and married my current wife. We bought a house about 10 months ago and lately its been time to get this project done already!
Here she is last week in her new home.
Over this past weekend I worked on the door to quarter panel lines to make the panels match perfectly.
Quite happy with the final fitment, and so is the daily driver in the background.
Door jams have been roughed out since the kit was originally bonded to the car years prior. I decided to finish this jam that weekend as well.
While the door was off I found it much easier to sand on while laying on the fender stand. After a quick blocking I was amazed at how wavy the panel was. I'm going to need to take stock in Evercoat Metalglaze before I'm done.
Here is the same door once sanded back nice and straight. Ready for 2K primer surfacer and more sanding.
That quick and dirty overview of the last 6 years gets you up to speed as of last night. Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
1991 BMW custom fiberglass wide bodied, supercharged beast
25 posts
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A lot of nice work....I'm looking forward to the updates and seeing the progress. Hopefully its not another 6 years!
Cheers Lee 69 Mustang 302 Coupe
Currently in "Rust Removal" stage www.jobslick.com or http://www.facebook.com/JobSlick |
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Looking good
69 Mustang 302 Coupe
Currently in "Rust Removal" stage www.jobslick.com or http://www.facebook.com/JobSlick |
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Progress has been hindered by lots of sidework, and my next two weekends will be taken up with sidework too... but I'll see what I can make on with with the car an hour or two an evening.
I got the bodywork done on the fender and shot it with 2K primer. It still needs a good blocking with 180 then another coat of primer. Quite a few little pinholes, not quite shaped right spots that need attention and are obvious now that its primed. Anyway, pictures. [url="http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/JSarette/media/E30/null_zps2f471661.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/JSarette/media/E30/null_zps94045a4b.jpg.html"][/url] Woot woot. |
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Looking good!
69 Mustang 302 Coupe
Currently in "Rust Removal" stage www.jobslick.com or http://www.facebook.com/JobSlick |
|
25 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
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