540i Swapped Rat rod Build thread

[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.

[B C]

Love the update and the plans you have!

Steel or alum for the suspension?

I see two points in your design that I would do differently with your suspension design but overall it looks good! Have you calculated Ackerman angle or modeled in the roll centers? Just curious. I know this isnt a racecar but im fascinated with your build

[ThatRatRodProject]

Snap said:

Love the update and the plans you have!

Steel or alum for the suspension?

I see two points in your design that I would do differently with your suspension design but overall it looks good! Have you calculated Ackerman angle or modeled in the roll centers? Just curious. I know this isnt a racecar but im fascinated with your build

The control arms will be tube steel.

I have accounted for some of the angles. I will be running a very stiff spring rate. With low travel. With taller profile tires. So the tires absorb most of the bumps.

This is the look I'm going for.

I will be setting this car up for auto cross.

[Jdesign]

This is sweet!! I am glad you are still hammering away on it even though you hit so many bumps so early in the process. James' F20 powered model A will always be a sweet build, if done right, I see this heading the same direction.

[ThatRatRodProject]

Quick up date. Here is the car I picked up.

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[ThatRatRodProject]

Another update.

I started making the standalone engine management wiring harness out of the oem harness.

Im shaving all the unnecessary plugs and wires off the harness.

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[B C]

I wish you Godspeed

[Jdesign]

What management are you planning on using? Wiring always sucks.

[ThatRatRodProject]

Jdesign said:

What management are you planning on using? Wiring always sucks.

Stock Ecu and custom fuse box. Currently making one right now

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[ThatRatRodProject]

Great progress and success today with my custom wiring box. I have an official standalone engine management system for my M60b40.

After reading a lot of wire diagrams and taking a step out of my comfort zone. it all worked out in the end. This is the first time I've done any really serious wiring on a car.

--Ill let the pictures do the talking

Before

After

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[ThatRatRodProject]

Another update. I recently order a lot of supplies to get my project. This is going to be a picture update. And I designed up some clutch and brake pedals.

Not ordered yet but soon will be the tires

I am looking for a 3.73 or 4.11 medium case diff.

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