Project E36 328i

[sinsimma]

Bought this roughly four years ago as a high mileage beater and eventually started to mod a little. The automatic transmission went but I love the car so much I invested in a manual tranny swap project and just took off from there. Still have a long list of todos but at least I can drive it everyday until the details are all completed and the vision is realized.

Just brought her home for the 1st time


Clean on the inside


Sitting in the Backyard waiting for a Tranny - Auto to Stick idea is conceived


Tranny Job Begins - couldn't have been done without the amazing thread over at BF.C I owe all those guys who laid the path before me:


Got the new clutch and pressure plate:


Tried on new rims, check clearance and width




Auto to Stick - Installed Coilovers at the same time:


Final hoisting of the trans Harbor Freight Jack was integral and very cost effective


Pedals - Shifter and Trans in


Sometimes the job just stood still going over the install checking if all was well




Wiring just so it would start and retain cruise control, etc


Installed new catback exhaust - yeah January freezing outside but I was motivated


Body work 1st time DIY - Hood - There was a nasty crumple where the prev owner looked like they ran under a truck or suv bumper


Body work 1st time DIY




Just finished 1st ever paint job and it shows:






Just after experimental driveway paint job


Shortly after paint Job




So here is where it is present day with still lots more to do before I am satisfied,

At Home


Parking Lot at Work


Parking lot at work II


Parking lot at work III

[glasswars]

Sweet, where in NJ are you from?

[hinrichs]

good progression from start to now

[sinsimma]

good progression from start to now

Thanks!!

Sweet, where in NJ are you from?

Thanks, currently residing in Plainfield

[bigmike203]

Looking good!!! I wish I had pics of my progress on mine.

[schroedin]

Not feeling the kit or the headlights... but I can appreciate the effort you put into it. I wish I was that motivated to do shit on mine :/

[Eurohb]

nice build! swap over the m50 manifold onto ur 328is and you'll feel the difference!

[mo diesil]

not feeling the bumpers kit. like the roof lip you should of molded and modified the front lower lips.also yeah the manifold conversions fun. how many miles? how long did the auto to Manuel take my friends about to try this

[sinsimma]

Yeah..a lot of people say that and some don't about the bumper. For me there is a reason. I've had many bumpers that are offered for these cars, I didn't want anything that would not be flexible if it touched the road (i.e. no propylene, def no fiberglass, and the stock M3 bumper is too short and lips for that bumper typically rip off eventually. This one does the trick and is made almost out of rubber and doesn't complain from the odd "grounding out". That being said I'm leaving it although there are many more attractive ones out there...but I mean to drive this car..

The auto to manual with every single part on hand can take two able bodies about 2 days to finish including removing the existing tranny and installing the new one. It was a great project and I came away with a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction after all I'm just an Internet Mechanic LOL..

[sinsimma]

nice build! swap over the m50 manifold onto ur 328is and you'll feel the difference!

I've heard about that, hopefully I'll have a full motor swap and won't have to do that or ecu tuning for more horses

[mo diesil]

your front bumper lip is poly

[sinsimma]

your front bumper lip is poly

Actually it's poly urethane..thx..

[slimadi]

Off to a good start it can only improve as you go a long!

[sinsimma]

Forgot about this thread, I did a lot more work on this old girl and then sold her last year, BUT I just got '95 E36 Convertible this year to play with..new thread coming...some parting shots of this old girl before she left me....