318is Slicktop M52 Swap -- Pic Heavy

[mtlbloodshot]

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 --

I got her all wired up, cranked it without fuel for a couple of minutes and then she started easily. I took about 2-3 tries before she actually started. My friend which was filming ran out of space on his as soon as she started. So this is a video we took moments after.
It's currently running without a proper tune. Just basic Turner M50 chip that was in the ecu when I got it. She sounds good considering the fact that I've never rebuilt an engine nor have I ever timed a BMW Engine.
I love the backfire on the header.. Flame

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=aLgWujE5-YE

[rsingh3g]

Sweet man!

[Nuts]

Sounds awesome bud. Great work so far.

[mtlbloodshot]

Thanks guys!

Sounds awesome bud. Great work so far.

Sweet man!

[mtlbloodshot]

Friday, January 19, 2013 --

Today I knew my friend was coming by the shop (he's a welder) so I prepared my knuckles by cleaning off any dirt and rust. Shortened the adapter tube and got that welded all around the knuckle. Next was to slide in and weld the actual strut body to the adapter tube. Paint to follow, get the top plate reduced in diameter because the one that comes with the airlift kit is way too big. Once that's all done, I can place it on the car,get everything hooked up and see how this baby airs out.
Here are quick pics I took.

[mtlbloodshot]

Monday, January 21, 2012 --

Taped and painted the Air Lift struts and the knuckles. I also spent a lot of time making the Air Lift top plates that come with the kit smaller so they can fit in the shock towers. Once the the struts dried, I assembled everything together and got them fitted to the car. It was very easy to put together. Torqued down the Control arm and the tie-rod arms to the required spec.

[mtlbloodshot]

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 --

Today was a day full of hiccups as it began with having the wrong guibo. When I purchased the second engine (M50), it came with the guibo and I thought it was good to go but then realized that the ZF310/320 have a bigger flange so that was crap. Had to buy a new one. 90$ !!!!

I turned my concentration to finishing up the front suspension by putting on the hub, discs and calipers. Everything was going smoothly. Got the hubs cleaned up and painted. The wheel bearings where changed last year so they "should be good". Lets see how they hold up for. Before getting to the caliper assembly, I got interrupted once the guibo arrived. I wanted to see if this was the right one. Fitment was good until, another hiccup! The Z3M shifter is too long from the ball to the selector rod and causes the DSSR to sit at an angle which faces downwards. It comes into contact with the guibo and does not allow the transmission flange to spin freely. Looks like the Z3M shifter is not good for 24v swaps cause with the M42, I didn't have or maybe notice any problems. Going to get a 1.9 Z3 shifter or if anyone has another suggestions. I'm open to them. Enjoy.

[Miroteknik]

all that new suspension looks so yummy

[NickL]

Hopefully you don't have clearance issues with the way you welded that strut. You cut a nice chunk out of the lower housing. You measure before? Just by looking at the rotor in comparison to the bag your wheel/tire might be close.

[mtlbloodshot]

Hopefully you don't have clearance issues with the way you welded that strut. You cut a nice chunk out of the lower housing. You measure before? Just by looking at the rotor in comparison to the bag your wheel/tire might be close.

DIY says to do it that way and I got the bag purposes to avoid the wheel from touching. Anyway is all about the wheel offset. If the offset of the wheel is fine, it wont touch.
The bag is a lot further from the hub compared to the stock spring perch.

[mtlbloodshot]

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 --

Today got my drive shaft split in half so I could of changed the CSB with an E30 one. Everything went good. I changed booth dust covers and the locking circlip. Got her all back together and placed under the car. I had thoughts of not using the guibo but I decided to keep it and get a new shifter. Ordered the z3 1.9 shifter. Hopefully it doesn't give me problems like the Z3M one does.

Also got my brake calipers done and installed. They came out great. Very happy. Only issue is that I have to change my MC on the brake booster because it is causing problems with the bleeding. I decided to get bigger one out of the two choices. 25.4 mm.

[tiger5]

OH MY GOD!!! What an amazing build!! Hats off to you... Can't wait to see this finished!

[mtlbloodshot]

Saturday, March 2, 2013 --

Haven't had much going on lately as the car mechanically is done just waiting for the paint booth to be liberated. This update is basically summing up the last few weeks of things I've done or just random pics of what is going on at STRASSE AUTOWERKS.

Let me start off by showing the restore of old and crusty bumper supports. (finished product not shown)






This is my buddies MK2 GOLF GTI going for a shaved bay and R32 swap.




My floor carpet was initially grey, I didn't like at all. To be honest I ***** it. Picked up some fabric paint, vacuumed and carpet cleaner before laying down two coats of black. Eventually I'll do the trunk deck as well.





Next up, I planned on the putting gauges in the car so instead of purchasing a pod, I made my own. Removing the ashtray, I took sheet metal and made something custom. It'll do the job once I get it wrapped up in some vinyl.




Buddies car is done and that means mine can come off the lift after 4-5 months of being mid air. Here are a few photos of both the projects in motion.








Finally some good shots nearing the end result!



Before / After

[CubbyChowder]

we need aired out pics ASAP!

[rsingh3g]

I am so in love with that bay