<![CDATA[e34 540 Daily Driver Project]]>About a month ago I picked up a moderately clean e34 540ia with the intent to do a full 6 speed swap for a daily driver. I was't originally going to make a post for this but since I am elbow deep in this project it wouldn't hurt to open up the floor to criticism. I have only put about 3 full days of putzing into the car so I don't have many photos but this is what I have so far. Steering column, pedal assembly, exhaust, driveshaft, and auto transmission are out. Everything under the car was a hassle with the amount of corrosion. 

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/5331/e34-540-daily-driver-projectRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:01 GMTMon, 25 Jun 2018 19:30:06 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:27:21 GMT]]>@Earl @SteelBlue I am not a huge fan of the pre face lift because of the body lines. I like the small kidneys but the hood lines are too narrow and my favorite brake duct valance wouldn't work at all.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93832https://wibimmers.com/post/93832Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:27:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 09 Aug 2018 01:27:36 GMT]]>

SteelBlue said:

I want another E34 again. I’m partial to the skinny grilles

I miss my e34 even more seeing this too. I'm also partial to pre facelift versus post facelift.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93824https://wibimmers.com/post/93824Thu, 09 Aug 2018 01:27:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:27:29 GMT]]>I want another E34 again. I’m partial to the skinny grilles

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93821https://wibimmers.com/post/93821Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:27:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 20:21:21 GMT]]>Well she drives but has the dreaded 50 shimmy. As of now I have the whole font suspension back off to work on the upper and lower control arms. It would have been great to do that when I replaced the front shocks.... On another note if anyone has some rare e34 goodies they are looking to liquidate feel free to push them my way.

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93819https://wibimmers.com/post/93819Wed, 08 Aug 2018 20:21:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:39:40 GMT]]>That's pretty awesome for how cheap it is. Link saved for future use!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93587https://wibimmers.com/post/93587Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:39:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:56:13 GMT]]>

YoungCR said:

Link to the amazon product? Looks great!

Leather wrap in size "L-". I didn't go with the regular "L" because coincidentally there is a review from an e34 owner who suggested it is loose fit but it probably would have worked just fine if you don't like the gap in mine. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8NUQSS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Colored thread to match the M stitching. I have a whole bunch now though if you need some. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y63TK4D/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93584https://wibimmers.com/post/93584Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:56:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 25 Jul 2018 20:34:17 GMT]]>Link to the amazon product? Looks great!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93574https://wibimmers.com/post/93574Wed, 25 Jul 2018 20:34:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 25 Jul 2018 16:49:58 GMT]]>

Jdesign said:

On a scale from 1 - 10, How hard was that? 

It looks amazing though!

The difficulty was a 5 but it took a good hour and a half to complete. The leather was surprisingly easy to manipulate and the stitching stayed tight along the way which I did not expect at all.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93567https://wibimmers.com/post/93567Wed, 25 Jul 2018 16:49:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 25 Jul 2018 13:33:30 GMT]]>On a scale from 1 - 10, How hard was that? 

It looks amazing though!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93554https://wibimmers.com/post/93554Wed, 25 Jul 2018 13:33:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 25 Jul 2018 01:14:44 GMT]]>I’m really not a huge fan of the e34 steering wheel but instead of replacing it with a better one I was able to spruce it up a bit. I used a universal genuine leather wrap from Amazon and stitched it to match the M pattern. I didn’t know if I would like the wide stitching at first but it feels amazing in hand because it add a bunch of grip to the leather. All in all not a bad look for $20 total. 

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93551https://wibimmers.com/post/93551Wed, 25 Jul 2018 01:14:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:56:15 GMT]]>

suspenceful said:

Any plans to lower the back down a bit?

Love those wheels on there.

I didn't put the exhaust back on yet because I am working on some bugs but I am hoping since it is 1,000,000 lbs it will help the back settle down a bit more. It does concern me enough to think about lowering the springs but I doubt I will act on it because the rake isn't horrible and this will be a daily driver.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93512https://wibimmers.com/post/93512Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:56:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:05:25 GMT]]>Any plans to lower the back down a bit?

Love those wheels on there.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93511https://wibimmers.com/post/93511Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:05:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:48:29 GMT]]>She is alive and dirty. I have a few gremlins to chase and body work to do but otherwise in decent condition. 

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93510https://wibimmers.com/post/93510Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:48:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:15:32 GMT]]>

ChrisO said:

The style 24's look awesome. Never seen them on a e34 before

I looked everywhere on the inter-webs for example pictures and could not find anything. I see a lot of people running m contours but never the LTW's. I'm pleasantly surprised with how fitting they are on the vehicle.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93468https://wibimmers.com/post/93468Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:15:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Thu, 19 Jul 2018 00:57:49 GMT]]>The style 24's look awesome. Never seen them on a e34 before

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93456https://wibimmers.com/post/93456Thu, 19 Jul 2018 00:57:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:20:32 GMT]]>Looks good!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93452https://wibimmers.com/post/93452Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:20:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:45:38 GMT]]>Update from last weekend.

I was able to get just about everything installed including some vogtland springs. I didn't get the driveshaft put back in because the shift selector rod was too short since it did not match the gearshift rod joint that was recently replaced incorrectly (part number change in 10/1994) by the last owner. Instead of purchasing a new one I cut, tapped, bent, and extended the old one to work. Turned out "Meh" but now it is fully adjustable. I had originally purchased some fittings for the bend from the master cylinder but I ended up just making a hard line that worked out even easier. I jumped the starter relay, started the car and everything works great. I should have it all wrapped up next weekend but who knows. 

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93451https://wibimmers.com/post/93451Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:45:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Wed, 04 Jul 2018 03:27:25 GMT]]>I have 2 upper oil pan gaskets if you need one, I could bring one to the cruise Saturday.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93046https://wibimmers.com/post/93046Wed, 04 Jul 2018 03:27:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Tue, 03 Jul 2018 19:10:57 GMT]]>no flashing. I didn't swapped DMEs either, they are the same for auto/manual cars. i've experienced no hanging revs or anything funny.

my thread says i pulled my TCU (trans control module), but i have to confirm that i didn't put it back in. IIRC the 'trans program' error popped up when I pulled it, but I'll have to look.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93040https://wibimmers.com/post/93040Tue, 03 Jul 2018 19:10:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Tue, 03 Jul 2018 15:51:49 GMT]]>@straight6pwr Did you have to do any DME flashing after the swap? I am hearing people say they experienced hanging revs if you keep the auto computer.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/93022https://wibimmers.com/post/93022Tue, 03 Jul 2018 15:51:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 02 Jul 2018 13:36:57 GMT]]>Slowly plugging away at this project. I changed the rear main seal and gasket even though it really didn't have any leaks at all. In hindsight I should have left it alone because the upper oil pan gasket just crumbled when I gently pried the rear crankcase cover off. I cut it cleanly at the ends and filled it with OEM loctite 5970 differential/pan sealant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Worst case scenario I have to drop the entire oil pan but it should be done anyways by the condition of the gasket piece that disintegrated. 

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/92988https://wibimmers.com/post/92988Mon, 02 Jul 2018 13:36:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Tue, 26 Jun 2018 02:10:25 GMT]]>

YoungCR said:

Yeah the exhaust is the worst part, had to do that job twice now 😂 My suggestion would be to ditch all of the stock clutch lines and Order 32” of 3260-3-INCH stainless braided hose and a *90 male off one end HE606-03P-090 and a straight male HE606-03P-000 on the other. It'll be about $70 from Pegasus but it makes the install way easier. I bought the stainless braided section from ECS and ended up not using it because the clutch slave hardline is such a pain. 

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/iscustom-hose.asp?RecID=9023

I also have the OEM sockets for the flywheel. 

Already have them. 😉

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/92818https://wibimmers.com/post/92818Tue, 26 Jun 2018 02:10:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:59:13 GMT]]>Yeah the exhaust is the worst part, had to do that job twice now 😂 My suggestion would be to ditch all of the stock clutch lines and Order 32” of 3260-3-INCH stainless braided hose and a *90 male off one end HE606-03P-090 and a straight male HE606-03P-000 on the other. It'll be about $70 from Pegasus but it makes the install way easier. I bought the stainless braided section from ECS and ended up not using it because the clutch slave hardline is such a pain. 

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/iscustom-hose.asp?RecID=9023

I also have the OEM sockets for the flywheel.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/92815https://wibimmers.com/post/92815Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:59:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e34 540 Daily Driver Project on Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:20:55 GMT]]>

straight6pwr said:

The exhaust removal/install was the most frustrating part of my swap due to the corrosion, for sure. Glad you're finding use from my post! 

The reverse harness I got from my parts car.

Just remembered : if your flywheel is the variety with oem torx bolts, I have a modified torx driver for it that you may need and are free to borrow 

I picked up a full extended set on sale for $20 and planned on grinding the T60 down. If you are located near Sheboygan/West bend I would still take you up on that offer.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/92812https://wibimmers.com/post/92812Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:20:55 GMT