CubbyChowder finally got a BMW 2002 - it's project time

[StanceDatSucka]

Can we get a picture of the 02 in profile (from the side) because that rake looks kind of cool... Oh and have you seen BMW's OEM frozen paints? they are really nice matte colours

[K-Line]

bravo sir bravo, your skill level is out of this world an amazes me every time i open this thread! one of the most inspiring builds, if not the most, i have ever seen in my entire life! seriously man, you got my approval, your going far my man!

[CubbyChowder]

That sparkling graphite color is really nice, however I'm thinking something a tad lighter.

As for my engine choice, I knew the M10 wasn't going to be enough for me, and I know myself well enough to know that it would cause me to lose interest in the car and wind up selling it. I figured I might as well go for more power as it's easier now than ever and makes the most sense to just do it now. It would've been stupid to stick with the M10 and plan on swapping 6 months down the road.

That brings me to my next point. I want more power, but I also don't want an extremely extensive swap process. I wanted something that is fairly common and well documented, and to be honest I really don't know much about engines at all. I figured the M20 will give me the power I'm looking for, it's fairly straight forward, within my abilities and in my budget. I also really want to get this build finished so I don't want a swap that will take me forever to perfect. M20 just makes the most sense in my situation, and I happened to find this totaled 325is in my area so it was perfect.

Anyways, I got some work done today. I'm kind of slacking when it comes to documentation lately, I'm usually just too in the zone, which isn't exactly a bad thing haha. Got the E30 up on the lift, ready for disassembly:



I took my time and just enjoyed myself while I got the car ready to drop the engine/tranny. Observed everything really well and just got a better idea of how these cars are put together. All of this is pretty new to me so I want to learn as much as I can. The time came about 6 hours later, I situated my welding table under the car, unbolted the front subframe and rear tranny mount, lifted the car and there it was:




Now that it's out, I'm going to be refreshing the entire engine and doing preventative maintenance stuff, clean/paint, make it pretty etc. Then the swap begins:



I also forgot to post these, but I thought they were pretty cool. Just a couple pictures of the fronts aired out and no fenders haha, the rears are just on cut springs for now (hence the terrible rake) so I can move it around:

[DER E30]

F




2







0







C





Do it!!!!!!!

[MGW]

Enough about color. Hooray for the engine! So what are we thinking here? Twin turbo with straight pipes?

[TheGraye28]

Really digging Champagne Quartz Metallic right now. I may paint my e28 this color. Individual F10 M5 color.

[cheeky dog]

Why o' why? go for the M50 instead, better in so many ways! <- oh this might be too late as you bought the M20 already..

I'd love to see some high revving light engine in these, Honda K20 should be cool?

kind of agree, was thinking more m52 tho.

How easy/hard would an m50/52 swap go into a 2002? k20 swap sounds naughty too.

has anyone V8 swapped a 2002?

[Keith602]

WOW Some serious work! Great job! Keep at it and soon you'll be cruising down the road!


May I suggest OEM e90 BMW Sparkling Graphite Metallic?
Thread about it here
My mom has a 335 that is that color and it is super pretty and always looks a different color, sometimes it looks almost purple and sometimes a sick steel gray.

thats a great color!

[JRodigan]

May I suggest OEM e90 BMW Sparkling Graphite Metallic?
Thread about it here
My mom has a 335 that is that color and it is super pretty and always looks a different color, sometimes it looks almost purple and sometimes a sick steel gray.

I second this. My friend has a 328xi in this color. (I actually painted his mountain bike to match it lol) I think it would suit a 2002 well.

[DER E30]

WOW Some serious work! Great job! Keep at it and soon you'll be cruising down the road!


May I suggest OEM e90 BMW Sparkling Graphite Metallic?
Thread about it here
My mom has a 335 that is that color and it is super pretty and always looks a different color, sometimes it looks almost purple and sometimes a sick steel gray.

[Exami]

Why o' why? go for the M50 instead, better in so many ways! <- oh this might be too late as you bought the M20 already..

I'd love to see some high revving light engine in these, Honda K20 should be cool?

[floatingdino]

That would be badass

*suicide

[StanceDatSucka]

are you thinking turbo m20??

That would be badass

[dillon7]

are you thinking turbo m20??

[CubbyChowder]

Just a small update. Bought this totaled 1989 325is yesterday. I'm keeping the M20, selling everything else that is useable and scrapping the rest. Very happy to say that this 2002 will be M20 powered