540i Swapped Rat rod Build thread

[ThatRatRodProject]

Better pictures. I havent had alot of time to look at the car.

But here is some rough body lines. And a front look. I hope your as excited as I am.

[ThatRatRodProject]

Did some work today got a wooden mock up frame done. no where close to done. But it's a start.

[ThatRatRodProject]

Today I started on the steel frame. Basing it off the wood proto type.

To make the bends I made slit cutts. To make it easy to bend.

Then I made an opps an over bend and welded a rail. So I re cut it open and bent it back

[Bassboy3313]

You should turn that massive front grill into a kidney grill.  Looking good so far!

[ThatRatRodProject]

Bassboy3313 said:

You should turn that massive front grill into a kidney grill.  Looking good so far!

I have been thinking about how I can add some bmw looks to this thing.

[B C]

2% complete and already kicking ass

[ThatRatRodProject]

Up date:

I test fitted the body on to the frame today and I have to say it fitted very nicely. I have the front suspension picked out. I will be ordering that this week so I can get started on the front set up.

[B C]

Make sure you put a "dapper" sticker on the back window when its done

[straight6pwr]

yeah, do a 1930s 328 homage grill for this thing, would be awesome.

[ThatRatRodProject]

straight6pwr said:

yeah, do a 190s 328 homage grill for this thing, would be awesome.

The new style or old

[wasnt m3]

ThatRatRodProject said:

The new style or old

I think he was referencing the 1936-40 328.

[B C]

1997 328i convertible

[ThatRatRodProject]

wasnt m3 said:

ThatRatRodProject said:

The new style or old

I think he was referencing the 1936-40 328.

Yeah that's what I thought but either way I couldn't any on the Internet

[Jdesign]

This looks like its going to be a good one!

[Bassboy3313]

How are things going with this, man?!?!

[GunMetalGrey]

The further this thread goes the more confused I am as to why you ruined what appeared to be a good e30 shell

[straight6pwr]

yeah old style 328. typo'd the date.  

[Earl]

^I second that idea

[Bassboy3313]

Yup. That was my thinking too.

[ThatRatRodProject]

Alright first off I'm sorry. There's been a lot of change of plans from my last post.

1st off I stopped posting in wi Bimmers because my 540 I swap wasn't going to go through. the guy I was going to get the car from turned into a real dickhead and didn't want to sell it to me.

So I started exploring other power train routes I ended up picking up an aluminum LS 5.3.

And between all of this I realize making my own frame was not possible to be street legal.

so I also started exploring other frame options.

I was able to find a 1936 Buick touring sedan frame that came with the title. So I purchased it and it is registered with the state and I now have a legal frame.

Progress photos

Currently the car is sitting on the frame and I am fabricating door jams.

During this process I have been designing a front control arm independent suspension.

The purchase items that I will be using with the suspension will be

-mustang style 2 pinto spindles

-5/8 hiems joints

-pinto ball joints

- QA1coil over shocks.

There will be custom control arms.

So the reason I am posting all this is because I finally got the 540 I E 34 from the guy I was trying to purchase it from.

So I have been pondering these ideas for a while and I believe I can make the get rag 420 transmission bolt up to the LS motor.

Therefore I will be able to use the driveline, the rear subframe, Differential, and control arms out of the 540 I

The reason I am not going to using the M60 Motor is because I am concerned about the reliability.

But this morning I purchase the car. Had to tow it to my house put some new gas in it checked all the fluids and a new battery and turned the key and it started right up.

Runs and idles and there's no codes all around it sounds really healthy.

So I still have many plans for it and it will get finished.