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

[Jdesign]

Got a few tasks crossed off of my list this weekend. It was super cold so I decided against driving the car just in case something happened I didn't want to get stuck somewhere.

• Lowered the steering column 
• Checked shifter height and positioning
• Checked hydro location and mounting position.
• Start figuring out what to do with the hood and the trunk

So first up was the Steering column. I needed to lower the steering wheel now that the seat was mounted and about 6 inches lower than before. I also hate that all the older BMWS dont have tilt and they all seem to be stuck at a bus driver angle. I have to take care of this on my E30 yet which seems like its going to be way more difficult.

I tried a few different things to see if I could get the fracture/shear bolts out easier than just cutting into them. I wanted to do this in hopes that I could use the same method on my E30. I first tried to use a chisel and pound them lose like I read online but had no such luck. I then tried to pound an extractor socket over the bolt also pending no results. I gave in and cut horizontal notches into the heads of the bolts, and used an impact screw driver. Luckily they both came out. Getting a tool in there to cut them was very difficult because I wanted to make a cut turning them into a flat head screw. How annoying. I know my e30 has even less room.  Sorry I have no pictures of this, I was too busy swearing.

Next I started looking at mounting the Hydro lever. Since I want to mount it along side of the shifter, I needed to remove some rubber material that someone used to cover the massive hole left by the auto shifter. So once I removed that cover, I was in for an interesting surprise. It turns out someone decided that a trans fill plug wasn't needed and only two shifter housing bolts were plenty to secure the shifter(you can see this on the left below)... I could literally look into the transmission and see fluid and metal parts inside. Sweet. So I took the shifter out and found that the two bolts that were holding it in were American thread, NOT the M8x1.25 they should be. So I bought new bolts and have to tap the threads. Besides all of that, I did find out I have a B&M "PRO RIPPER" short throw which I also need to order a shift bushing for because there wasn't one, AT ALL.  

Once I figured all this out, I realized there was no way to mount the hydro lever where I wanted without the passenger banging their knee into it in every turn. So I asked my friend google what other people have done, and I saw some things that brought me to the following conclusion. I will need to make a two part lever and mount the master between the seats like so.

I also started looking into what I might do with the hood. I have yet to come across some venting that I liked that is also fairly cheap. At a quick glance, online suggests I might have to order what I need if I cant find it locally. I want to make louvers, but actually buying or making a die, is way out of my price range. I was looking into home vent/ air returns and found a few of those around $20.. they might just do the trick. Otherwise I am just going to cut into the hood and bend the material down for venting like the red hood below. I figure if I mess up I can just cover it with the home venting.

( Also take note that I'm starting to consider how to make the bars for the windows)   I have most of the material, I just need some flat stock.

And on a whim, I also modified the door handles similar to the Condor E30 ones. I know they are plastic, and will probably break sooner or later, but that doesn't matter to me, then I just get to come up with a new creative way to open the door. 

[KaiserRolls]

Will that design kill some leverage? Pass thru styles are already kind of ish lacking as far as locking sticky rear tires goes

[B C]

Futuristic post apocalyptic car could have a bank of small solar panels (doubling as a battery tender for when the car is off)

[Jdesign]

KaiserRolls said:

Will that design kill some leverage? Pass thru styles are already kind of ish lacking as far as locking sticky rear tires goes

You would think so, but it seems to work just as well as before. The only difference is that the leverage/pivot point is in a different location. 

Snap said:

Futuristic post apocalyptic car could have a bank of small solar panels (doubling as a battery tender for when the car is off)

I really like this idea. Where does one find cheap solar panels?

[YoungCR]

Jdesign said:

I really like this idea. Where does one find cheap solar panels?

Harbor Freight!

[Jdesign]

YoungCR said:

Harbor Freight!

Looks like $12 for a 14"x5" panel with charging cables. Thanks @YoungCR!

[KaiserRolls]

Don't forget your 20% off coupon, oh by the way DO YOU GET OUR CATALOGS IN THE MAIL

[P_Roloff]

Have you thought about using NACA ducts on the hood or roof? Might look interesting.

[Jdesign]

P_Roloff said:

Have you thought about using NACA ducts on the hood or roof? Might look interesting. 

I have thought about using them, I was thinking about using clear ones in the rear quarter windows. I want really big openings, or lots of louvers in the hood or trunk like an old hot rod. 

[straight6pwr]

those louvers look mean, love that. however, I can't imagine how much work that would be.

[YoungCR]

I have that hood from the parts car too if you want that back to experiment with.

[Jdesign]

YoungCR said:

I have that hood from the parts car too if you want that back to experiment with. 

If you kept it, I will use it. I have bee doing the same thing with the fenders. It always helps that I can Photoshop what I have in my head first so I have something to base my ideas around. 

straight6pwr said:

those louvers look mean, love that. however, I can't imagine how much work that would be.

That's why I might cut large openings, and then use an air return vent from the hardware store. There is no way in hell I would pay for a die, or spend that much time.

[GunMetalGrey]

Those front fender vents do the trick for me. 
The rear looks peculiar!

[Jdesign]

GunMetalGrey said:

Those front fender vents do the trick for me. 
The rear looks peculiar!

Yeah I really think I'm sold on the fronts. I dont know what I am going to build for a diffuser yet, I'm only starting to play with ideas.

[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