11-02-2015, 05:08 PM
Well I messed up the last BMW, so what can I do with this one? Come with me on this massive journey as I try to create, yet again, a nice BMW.
As some of you already know I got a crashed M3 from a fellow NASA-MA-er about a month ago. This is the car:
![[Image: OwEaYg0.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/OwEaYg0.jpg)
![[Image: UG3cmpo.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/UG3cmpo.jpg)
![[Image: Igvy5kL.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Igvy5kL.jpg)
![[Image: yiRvCgp.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/yiRvCgp.jpg)
The frame just may be bent and I don't want to deal with that kind of body work. So after a week or so of contemplation and just letting it all sink in... a plan was devised. Dave and I have joined forces!
He has a broken e30 318is
![[Image: IMG_20141008_153748.jpg]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WlIDbB_8wr4/VDWfUA6VSaI/AAAAAAAADuc/Z8CFWAj3hOc/s800/IMG_20141008_153748.jpg)
which could arguably be my fault but arguably not :lol:
I have a broken OBD1 M3, so why not combine them both and overtime turn it into something like this?
![[Image: yTlcfnH.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/yTlcfnH.jpg)
LETS GOOOO!! :thumbup:
Step 1: Completely strip the M3 and scrap whatever is left
Step 2: Remove E30 M42
Step 2&3: Find array of parts from various BMW's necessary for swap and source someone to do some exhaust fab and minor welding
Step 4: Get parts + E30 to RVA
Step 5: Install S50 into E30.
Each step of the way will get more details as I get to them. I just know the Step 4 needs to happen by mid December and Step 5 needs to be complete by the end of December.
![[Image: giphy.gif]](http://media.giphy.com/media/S0ULAlJgyptLi/giphy.gif)
Last Wednesday the project was officially on a roll when Matthew Craig and I made a late night trip to grab the engine hoist from DJ (thank you). I was very worried it wasn't going to fit and be waste of time but the Protege5 came through ftw.
![[Image: q17QTzm.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/q17QTzm.jpg)
![[Image: aBhUMIO.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/aBhUMIO.jpg)
Last Friday we began the wrenching! Taylor and I removed the seats from the interior and...that was all haha. Simon came over and we spent the time fixing his horrific exhaust rattle.
![[Image: hXaPaY4.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/hXaPaY4.jpg)
![[Image: bYHOu18.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bYHOu18.jpg)
The 2 big days! Saturday and Sunday
![[Image: RNG2JfV.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/RNG2JfV.jpg)
So Saturday I had James and Simon helping which helped alot. It was the most work I've ever gotten done in 4.5 hours. 6 hands makes such a difference. Thanks guys!
We had the driveshaft, exhaust, main wiring harness, intake, radiator and front clip all removed.
![[Image: 140W6Td.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/140W6Td.jpg)
![[Image: bKjvUcL.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bKjvUcL.jpg)
![[Image: Lwziz3r.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Lwziz3r.jpg)
![[Image: BOUVttG.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/BOUVttG.jpg)
We had some fun trying to remove the radiator support on the drivers side. So first we started freaking out cause we didn't have any torx bits and ofcourse, those are the screws used here. When I checked the toolbox we had one and only one bit anD IT WAS RIGHT SIZE...for the passenger side only. The driver side used a different sized torx bit..and after further inspection had some washers underneath it..hmmm, I think this front fender has been before! Anyway, it's not like I was gonna save this fender so BREAK OUT THE BREAKER BAR!
![[Image: Yhh1jdD.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Yhh1jdD.jpg)
![[Image: f5e8a0N.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/f5e8a0N.jpg)
GOT IT!
![[Image: qJV5O72.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/qJV5O72.jpg)
I believe for Saturday that was as far as we had gotten... TIME FOR HALLOWEEN FUN!
![[Image: fLRPZMh.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/fLRPZMh.jpg)
So we return Sunday, in a bit of pain, a little tired, but ready!
Looking back now we spent a crap ton of time on Sunday just dealing with wiring and hoses. We drained the block of coolant, removed the shifter linkages, cleared the AC, unbolted the engine mounts (and learned that one was actually broken! Looked like it was sheared in the accident) intake manifold and then spent an ungodly amount of time pulling wires, grounds and hoses.
Finally we were ready to pull the engine and all is going relatively well but this is where my roadblock is. The oil pan is being blocked by the steering rack. We have tried every which way to try and get some angle to swing the engine past it. From using the load balancer, to not using it, to adjusting the load balancer, to bringing in the jack and jacking various points to try and pivot the engine. It was getting late and thanks to daylight savings (which hasn't saved shit) we were also out of light. Neither of us really wanted to even try and think about how we were going to back in through the mess of wires to find the bolts for the steering rack. I fear pulling it may be the only way to get it out. Ugh, well everything is coming out at some point anyway right?
So we packed up and rested the engine back down and so she sits until Wednesday. I could try for tomorrow, but I think I will use that time to crank out homework instead. I don't want to unnecessarily overwhelm myself. I'd rather this project to continue to be fun as it has proven to be so thus far. I do, however, need to keep up with my deadlines so this actually gets done. If anyone has any tips for ANYTHING you can predict along the entire journey feel free to post up. I know BJ said he's done one of these before and Sexy Rexy got close to doing one. The more brains the better! Also accepting physical help, multiple hands really helps to save lots of time.
Miscellaneous pics:
Herro Taylor
![[Image: PLHanaD.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/PLHanaD.jpg)
Is this how you racecar? 8)
![[Image: Ejj6PK5.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Ejj6PK5.jpg)
Safety first?
![[Image: w7PfMzK.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/w7PfMzK.jpg)
Who needs a seat when you can float?
![[Image: 71UeRRT.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/71UeRRT.jpg)
Best. Support. Vehicle. Ever. I think I'll always own a wagon after this
As some of you already know I got a crashed M3 from a fellow NASA-MA-er about a month ago. This is the car:
![[Image: OwEaYg0.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/OwEaYg0.jpg)
![[Image: UG3cmpo.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/UG3cmpo.jpg)
![[Image: Igvy5kL.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Igvy5kL.jpg)
![[Image: yiRvCgp.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/yiRvCgp.jpg)
The frame just may be bent and I don't want to deal with that kind of body work. So after a week or so of contemplation and just letting it all sink in... a plan was devised. Dave and I have joined forces!
He has a broken e30 318is
![[Image: IMG_20141008_153748.jpg]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WlIDbB_8wr4/VDWfUA6VSaI/AAAAAAAADuc/Z8CFWAj3hOc/s800/IMG_20141008_153748.jpg)
which could arguably be my fault but arguably not :lol:
I have a broken OBD1 M3, so why not combine them both and overtime turn it into something like this?
![[Image: yTlcfnH.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/yTlcfnH.jpg)
LETS GOOOO!! :thumbup:
Step 1: Completely strip the M3 and scrap whatever is left
Step 2: Remove E30 M42
Step 2&3: Find array of parts from various BMW's necessary for swap and source someone to do some exhaust fab and minor welding
Step 4: Get parts + E30 to RVA
Step 5: Install S50 into E30.
Each step of the way will get more details as I get to them. I just know the Step 4 needs to happen by mid December and Step 5 needs to be complete by the end of December.
![[Image: giphy.gif]](http://media.giphy.com/media/S0ULAlJgyptLi/giphy.gif)
Last Wednesday the project was officially on a roll when Matthew Craig and I made a late night trip to grab the engine hoist from DJ (thank you). I was very worried it wasn't going to fit and be waste of time but the Protege5 came through ftw.
![[Image: q17QTzm.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/q17QTzm.jpg)
![[Image: aBhUMIO.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/aBhUMIO.jpg)
Last Friday we began the wrenching! Taylor and I removed the seats from the interior and...that was all haha. Simon came over and we spent the time fixing his horrific exhaust rattle.
![[Image: hXaPaY4.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/hXaPaY4.jpg)
![[Image: bYHOu18.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bYHOu18.jpg)
The 2 big days! Saturday and Sunday
![[Image: RNG2JfV.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/RNG2JfV.jpg)
So Saturday I had James and Simon helping which helped alot. It was the most work I've ever gotten done in 4.5 hours. 6 hands makes such a difference. Thanks guys!

![[Image: 140W6Td.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/140W6Td.jpg)
![[Image: bKjvUcL.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bKjvUcL.jpg)
![[Image: Lwziz3r.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Lwziz3r.jpg)
![[Image: BOUVttG.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/BOUVttG.jpg)
We had some fun trying to remove the radiator support on the drivers side. So first we started freaking out cause we didn't have any torx bits and ofcourse, those are the screws used here. When I checked the toolbox we had one and only one bit anD IT WAS RIGHT SIZE...for the passenger side only. The driver side used a different sized torx bit..and after further inspection had some washers underneath it..hmmm, I think this front fender has been before! Anyway, it's not like I was gonna save this fender so BREAK OUT THE BREAKER BAR!
![[Image: Yhh1jdD.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Yhh1jdD.jpg)
![[Image: f5e8a0N.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/f5e8a0N.jpg)
GOT IT!
![[Image: qJV5O72.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/qJV5O72.jpg)
I believe for Saturday that was as far as we had gotten... TIME FOR HALLOWEEN FUN!
![[Image: fLRPZMh.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/fLRPZMh.jpg)
So we return Sunday, in a bit of pain, a little tired, but ready!
Looking back now we spent a crap ton of time on Sunday just dealing with wiring and hoses. We drained the block of coolant, removed the shifter linkages, cleared the AC, unbolted the engine mounts (and learned that one was actually broken! Looked like it was sheared in the accident) intake manifold and then spent an ungodly amount of time pulling wires, grounds and hoses.
Finally we were ready to pull the engine and all is going relatively well but this is where my roadblock is. The oil pan is being blocked by the steering rack. We have tried every which way to try and get some angle to swing the engine past it. From using the load balancer, to not using it, to adjusting the load balancer, to bringing in the jack and jacking various points to try and pivot the engine. It was getting late and thanks to daylight savings (which hasn't saved shit) we were also out of light. Neither of us really wanted to even try and think about how we were going to back in through the mess of wires to find the bolts for the steering rack. I fear pulling it may be the only way to get it out. Ugh, well everything is coming out at some point anyway right?
So we packed up and rested the engine back down and so she sits until Wednesday. I could try for tomorrow, but I think I will use that time to crank out homework instead. I don't want to unnecessarily overwhelm myself. I'd rather this project to continue to be fun as it has proven to be so thus far. I do, however, need to keep up with my deadlines so this actually gets done. If anyone has any tips for ANYTHING you can predict along the entire journey feel free to post up. I know BJ said he's done one of these before and Sexy Rexy got close to doing one. The more brains the better! Also accepting physical help, multiple hands really helps to save lots of time.
Miscellaneous pics:
Herro Taylor
![[Image: PLHanaD.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/PLHanaD.jpg)
Is this how you racecar? 8)
![[Image: Ejj6PK5.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Ejj6PK5.jpg)
Safety first?
![[Image: w7PfMzK.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/w7PfMzK.jpg)
Who needs a seat when you can float?
![[Image: 71UeRRT.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/71UeRRT.jpg)
Best. Support. Vehicle. Ever. I think I'll always own a wagon after this
![[Image: FAZlaLw.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/FAZlaLw.jpg)
2013 Honda Fit, 1991 Mazda Miata, Princess Blanca, Mystery, 1993 Volvo 940 - sold, 2003 Mazda Protoge5 - carmax'd, 1996 BMW 328is - sold, 1996 Honda Accord - sold