Savin Big Money Project Thread

[jc43089]

Earl said:

John, that is what I run=) City lights are far classier than ccfl's. I even retrofitted city lights into my US-Spec headlights before I purchased my current lights. I hate ccfl's to bits on any car they did not come on factory. 

Totally agree, no offense to those with blingin halo rings on their e30s but it doesn't work for me.  I have no problem with upgrading your standard e39/e46 headlights with them though, they look great on those cars.

[KaiserRolls]

TL:DR

bacon bits

[KaiserRolls]

Damn phone. ****TL : DR

[bfinley]

Ramze46 said:

or dis...

And you say I'm the one huffing paint?

[RamRod E28]

Just a creepin...

[B C]

replace the headlights with M20 intake manifolds,   

Core drill a 3rd manifold, add splines, and use it as a steering wheel.

also

rofl @ Das Castermobile in the front yard.

[Earl]

I thought it was in the backyard. I LOVE that it is in the front yard=P

[jc43089]

You are a creeper Mike haha.  Yea my wife loves it in the front yard too...  It is a nice accent to her flowers

[RamRod E28]

Did a few M20 soundoffs going by your house over the weekend cause I have a jobsite close to your house lol

[jc43089]

Finally worked on this again, tested my HF sandblaster, using 80 grit glass bead works very nicely for paint/rust removal.  I worked on pulling the ABS harness before work today, just the part that goes through the firewall is left, I will have a complete uncut ABS harness/control box if anyone needs such a thing.  Also removed the Autopage alarm system installed with substandard craftsmanship.  No need for that junk in Pville, also the alarm was so sensitive it would go off if a squirrel farted within 20 feet of it so I never set it/locked the car anyway. 

Got the HVAC box out of the center too.  Pics to come.

[YoungCR]

In for sand blasting pics.

[jc43089]

For the sandblasting I was using the custom air compressor on my Land Cruiser (A/C compressor)  It worked awesome, blasting with a 3mm tip steady at 80-100PSI.  But I am concerned that I will ruin it by putting as many hours on it as it will take to do the whole bottom of the car so I am going to probably pick this up tomorrow. 

http://madison.craigslist.org/tls/4628932137.html

Mo Powa!!!

I took the day off tomorrow so I will be giviner on this.

[jc43089]

Sorry no pics, I have been working and took a few but haven't uploaded them yet, I got the air compressor, it is a US General (old HF brand)  At that time (2009) it was a Belaire compressor painted black.  Looked up prices on one of those and they are about 2100 new so I feel good about getting a slightly used one for 750.  It dims the lights pretty good when it kicks on, 7.5hp Baldor industrial motor, 29A at 230V.  I can blast steady now and the compressor shuts off to wait for me periodically, my custom air dryer works better than expected too, fill the PVC with ice water and drain the bottom occasionally. 

I also have to roll it in the garage now between work days because I got a notice from the city calling it a "junk car" and to get rid of it, how rude...  At least it is easy to move on the casters.

[jc43089]

Finally some pics!

Body Harness in the car.

Disassembling the fusebox.

ABS harness separated.

Main body harness.

And the new air compressor setup.  The homemade dryer/aftercooler works awesome!  No clumping media in the blaster at all.

[YoungCR]

Love the huge oil stains on the driveway haha! All that wiring scares me.

[jockhater2]

I would be WAY TOO afraid to ever remove that rats nest.

so why all the work? Restore?

[jc43089]

Haha oil stains are from the Toyota, it leaves a puddle every time you park it.  I just top it off and giver. 

The wires don't scare me, but I am an electrician/controls technician so wiring and diagrams are a daily thing for me.  Without the ETM I would be screwed.  It has pretty much turned into a restoration.  This phase will include repairing all rust, seam welding, already installed reinforcements, buying lots of tools, painting everything except the outer body. 

I realize this much work could be better spent on something besides an e36 but although they do not have the classic style I like how this car drives better than older or newer BMWs.  I plan to have this car for a long time so that makes me feel better about spending money on a worthless car.  In another 20 years the kids will be ooohing and ahhhing over a "classic" e36.

[Earl]

I wonder if the abs wiring is located in the same spots in my compact. Can it be removed without removing the body harness?

[jc43089]

Should be the same thing, it is all in the front except for the sensors to the rear.  You have to get 2 pins out of the blue plug that goes to the cluster and unhook a couple of those spade connector terminal jumper things that are in the black insulators.  I think it might be necessary to disassemble the fuse box but you already did that.  I have some additional pics if you need them.  Mostly just patience is required.

[jockhater2]

jc43089 said:

Haha oil stains are from the Toyota, it leaves a puddle every time you park it.  I just top it off and giver. 

The wires don't scare me, but I am an electrician/controls technician so wiring and diagrams are a daily thing for me.  Without the ETM I would be screwed.  It has pretty much turned into a restoration.  This phase will include repairing all rust, seam welding, already installed reinforcements, buying lots of tools, painting everything except the outer body. 

I realize this much work could be better spent on something besides an e36 but although they do not have the classic style I like how this car drives better than older or newer BMWs.  I plan to have this car for a long time so that makes me feel better about spending money on a worthless car.  In another 20 years the kids will be ooohing and ahhhing over a "classic" e36.

Hey. Kids dump thousands of dollars into civics. del sols, integras and so on everyday. If they can justify it. Then so can you!