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

[Jdesign]

I also forgot to mention that my next step is welding the diff, attaching the roof rack, and installing the hydro hand brake. I have been updating the CAD file for the lever so that it can be machined with a 1/16 end mill. Doing so, I had to reduce a lot of the sharp corners that are just impossible to machine and I am working with adjusting the tool path.

The updated part is on the right.

[straight6pwr]

"Billet not bought"

[Jdesign]

More angle iron you say? More brackets from scrap metal to cut yourself on and get Tetanus? 

Say no more! I welded some flat stock to the trans tunnel for mounting the Hydro brake. I plan on cleaning it up the sharp corners so any passengers dont loose a knee cap, but I am happy with the location and strength. I will most likely mount the whole setup 1" higher on an aluminum extrusion so I have room for fasteners and I dont have nuts under the car.

I also installed the front sway bar as it was never installed when I got the car. the mounts were bent up a bit and the endlinks snapped in half, so I assume someone hit something. I also did an engine flush with ATF. Felt  really weird doing it, but made a massive difference. I would also like to note that the engine takes 7quarts of oil with the remote filter.

[Jdesign]

Finally got around to making brackets and installing the roof rack. It was a way bigger pain that I anticipated and I still need to change some things to make it stronger/ safer. For now I can stand on it and it holds my weight just fine. I can also grab it and shake the whole car and it has almost no flex near the roof line. The back side where the long brackets go down to the quarter panels does have some movement, but I plan on machining uprights that will fit the wing and the roof rack to be dual purpose. 

*Make note that the self tappers are there as a temporary fastener until I swap out to better hardware - Black paint is also on the list*

Before:

After:

Yes, the trunk still opens. 

Now that I have the extra storage space, I loaded all of the boxes and misc parts I have for the car on the rack.

[B C]

The functionality of that rack is amazing! Perfect sheetrock mover

[Bassboy3313]

I like how half of the lettering on the rear tires is worn/burned off already 

[Jdesign]

Snap said:

The functionality of that rack is amazing! Perfect sheetrock mover

I know!!! Its a shame I cant get truck plates 

Bassboy3313 said:

I like how half of the lettering on the rear tires is worn/burned off already 

Yeah... I added the spacers but didn't chop the quarters out right away before moving it. Good eye!

[REKIII]

Jdesign said:

Yeah... I added the spacers but didn't chop the quarters out right away before moving it. Good eye!

Spacers, or cut the corner in the T-bell driveway too close? 

[Jdesign]

REKIII said:

Spacers, or cut the corner in the T-bell driveway too close? 

Are you saying im a bad driver?

[REKIII]

Jdesign said:

Are you saying im a bad driver? 

I'm only saying those T-bell curbs are hard to navigate.  hahaha

[Jdesign]

Learned something about M3 mirrors yesterday. -If you blast one off with your hip, they snap right back together with snap pins.

I always thought they were fixed. Good to know!

[m42b32]

Jdesign said:

Learned something about M3 mirrors yesterday. -If you blast one off with your hip, they snap right back together with snap pins.

I always thought they were fixed. Good to know!

I learned this in a parking lot the other day! Somebody whacked my mirror and I came back to a note and my mirror hanging by a wire. I was pissed for about a minute till I realized they just pop back on. I'm sure it gave the person who bumped it a heart attack haha

[Earl]

At least they left you a note

[Jdesign]

m42b32 said:

I learned this in a parking lot the other day! Somebody whacked my mirror and I came back to a note and my mirror hanging by a wire. I was pissed for about a minute till I realized they just pop back on. I'm sure it gave the person who bumped it a heart attack haha 

WOW. A good citizen indeed.

[straight6pwr]

this thing is starting to have a great feel to it. i think the hood needs something more going on though to balance the rack/wing. inspiration:

[Earl]

Is that an FD RX7? 

[HipMF]

don't think so. looks like a 3000gt.

[Earl]

It's a Dodge Stealth. Thanks for making me look at 3000gt's to get me there=P

[Jdesign]

Im really confused as to whats going on there, but it dooes look pretty cool. Hmmm.... Maybe I could run a throttlebody for a "open exhaust" dump through the hood?

[Jdesign]

How about just using the skeleton of another hood? The E36 hood has very little bracing under it.