FuturisticConcept Art BMW E36 with a V8 on a bottom dollar budget

[Jdesign]

Not much to report on this as of lately. I did fix the lug holes that were stripped out by PO and ordered and replaced the shifter bushing that was missing. I also covered the trans tunnel hole with a nice piece of silicon sheet from McMaster Carr to prevent heat, noise, and other elements from coming into the cabin(pics of this later). I did though, manage to see something that has me rethinking my hydro bake location and lever design...

[straight6pwr]

placement looks good. aluminum lever style looks good. handles are women's sex toys...good?

[GunMetalGrey]

Jdesign said:

 I did though, manage to see something that has me rethinking my hydro bake location and lever design...

YOU'RE GOING TO DO AN RHD SWAP?!?!?

[jc43089]

GunMetalGrey said:

YOU'RE GOING TO DO AN RHD SWAP?!?!?

If it makes the hydro handle fit...

[Jdesign]

[Jdesign]

I contacted a friend of mine with a 12' brake at his shop that is going to bend up some side skirts for me. So I made him a quick orthographic with dimensions. Material is undecided, more or less I am just letting him use what ever is easier for him. He said he has aluminum, polycarbonate / lexan, and steel so we will see. 

Here is an example of a guy in the UK that made a set for his car

[Jdesign]

I Have not done much with this lately as I was out of state on vaca. I need to focus on my E30 now though, but I would like to mention I plan on aligning it the next few days with the warm weather. Actually putting some miles on it again to see if I can break something should be entertaining.

[Jdesign]

I drove this pile again today...

I almost forgot how fun it is with so much instant torque. I also forgot what its like to drive inside a pink bubble . 

First issue I noticed was that now that I have lowered it more, there is a scrapping noise under the car. It resembles something of the driveshaft hitting something as it rotates and increases with speed. I will have to look into this as the car doesnt need any more holes than it already has.. 

The other thing I noticed was that the suspension seems WAYYYYYYYY to soft for being as low as it is. Maybe the struts are all blown? Hmmm. I plan on increasing the preload adjustment in hopes that firms it up a bit.

On the other hand, the power steering is so perfect I almost want to swap a ford explorer PS pump on my E30. LOL

Stay tuned for burnout videos once I get the driveshaft issued fixed and its actually still light outside.

Heres a picture since I havent posted one in awhile:

[Daggerty]

Could be a heat shield dragging or just rusty parking brake inner rotor. Also the sound dending in the tunnel likes to fall on the driveshaft.

[Jdesign]

Daggerty said:

Could be a heat shield dragging or just rusty parking brake inner rotor. Also the sound dending in the tunnel likes to fall on the driveshaft.

Could be. I wasnt extremely concerned, but it was certainly annoying. I think all the heat shields are missing, so its more likely it was a dragging parking brake.

[Jdesign]

Got pretty ballsy Last night and decided to drive 20 miles. It made it there and back without issues, but there was certainly ALOT of noises coming from areas. Areas noises shouldn't come from. I think my driveshaft/ brake/ scraping noise needs further inspection. It made the noise the entire time I drove, and was there at all speeds, 0-60 mph. I did manage to put the car on the lift before I left to make sure everything was tight and noticed these marks/gouges, but I wouldn't think that the suspension compression would move the drive shaft enough to make the connection. I assume these are older marks from a previous time. I need to compress the suspension when I have it on the lift and confirm this though.

Other than that everything seems as sketchy as it should be. Next creature comforts on the to do list include: Heat, and working windows.

[GunMetalGrey]

Jdesign said:

Other than that everything seems as sketchy as it should be. Next creature comforts on the to do list include: Heat, and working windows.

Best statement ever.

[Jdesign]

Statement and the truth. 

I have driven some sketchy ass cars, and this one is certainly a runner up for one of the "best"?  I feel like I might die at any second behind the wheel, and having all the exposed metal in the car is a nice reminder of that.

[straight6pwr]

might as well start smoking, free climbing, and wrestling grizzlies while you are at it.

[jc43089]

Jdesign said:

Statement and the truth. 

I have driven some sketchy ass cars, and this one is certainly a runner up for one of the "best"?  I feel like I might die at any second behind the wheel, and having all the exposed metal in the car is a nice reminder of that.

That sort of car can be one of the most fun to drive.  Every trip is an adventure.  No time for boring cars.

[Jdesign]

straight6pwr said:

might as well start smoking, free climbing, and wrestling grizzlies while you are at it.

Bring me a grizzly, I need a story for the grand children.

[Jdesign]

Accomplished some cosmetic things on this last night. I stopped out at Schmidts salvage to try and buy a spare hood for my E30 and ended up buying this rear bumper trim after coming up hoodless  It wasnt a perfect fit but it looks more than acceptable for the car and it cost me a hefty $20 bill. I added some splitter support rods I had sitting around, but they will get mounted to an actual splitter once I get material, I figured this way I wouldn't loose them. 

I also made a stop at Menards and found these nice little louvered vents for $1.69 each. They are almost too perfect as they have a nice screen mounted to the back of them as well. I will have to go back and buy more as I decided to add some to the trunk as well. A little black paint and some self tappers and I have my louvered deck lid and hood vents.

After all of that, I saw a listing for some cheap OEM M3 mirrors for sale about 5 mins from my shop, so I went and picked those up as well. Anxiously I mounted them before painting them. They do need new glass, so once I order some, I will properly paint them to match. 

I still am on the lookout for a Cargo/ work van roof rack like the one below on the cheap too. So if you have one, or see one, let me know!

[jc43089]

Excellent! Way to save big money!

[Jdesign]

jc43089 said:

Excellent! Way to save big money!

I see what you did there.

[wasnt m3]

I just sold a roof rack like that a week ago...pulled it off a cargo van at work.