Minerva: The S54 powered, better than new, E28

[M106]

I also ordered a 3-turn M5 steering box.

where did you order the 3 turn m5?

[EventuallyAyrton]

Well, things are coming along aren't they? Those mounts look very nice. I'm very interested to know how the wiring turns out

[bkbimmer]

I vote use your fabrication skills and build some nicer mounts.

[tig]

I vote use your fabrication skills and build some nicer mounts.

Vote tallied.

[geordi]

In my head, swimmingly.

Dont hate on me, but I'm gonna be using my checkbook-wrench more than originally planned.

Checkbook-wrench… I like
I thought I had subscribed to this thread. Well now I am. Can I say it??? Just awesomeness CEK

[white chocolate]

Can I say it??? Just awesomeness CEK

Agreed. The anticipation is killing me, though.

[tig]

I actually worked on this project today!

It was mostly organization. Since my son is home for the summer and it was father's day I was able to get him to help me move the car off it's winter resting point next to the garage onto the driveway. I'm hoping the chassis & engine will be picked up w/in the next few weeks for fitting.

I pulled out all my parts I've been collecting and inventoried and organized them.


\



I have a huge spreadsheet where I'm tracking almost everything (except little bits like fasteners). I still have a few things to acquire...and ton's to refinish clean... I dove into the antracite carpet I got from Sam 533i; I wanted to see how well it would clean up.




Pretty good. I think I'd rather have a late-model version with the foam, but it's nice to know I have this. No tears and the only remaining stains will come up with a little more work.

[puma1824]

Nice!!! Can't wait to see it come together.

[tig]

That was exciting.

Kevin came by to pick up the chassis, motor, and transmission today. He showed up in his 500' covered race car trailer towed by a suburban. His dualie was otherwise occupied.

The trailer was too big for the driveway and when he attempted to back up the driveway the poor Suburban decided to catch on fire. I'm not kidding. But no damage was done.

In the end we failed to get the car loaded up. We just couldn't get the trailer situated such that we could roll the car in given the slope and the fact the car has NO brakes. We did load up the transmission and engine and all the parts, so he can get started on the motor related work right away while I arrange for a flatbed tow truck in the next few days.

With all the excitement and me needing to hold the fire extinguisher, I failed to take any pictures. Sorry.

[cddallara]

What, no 'Alexa, take pics!'?

[tig]

Buh-bye.

[bkbimmer]

Cash for clunkers?

[tig]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

[bkbimmer]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

Oh, hopefully you like it.

I'd like to put an m30 back in my e12.

[tig]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

Oh, hopefully you like it.

I'd like to put an m30 back in my e12.

I'd like to put an M70 in your E12.

[bkbimmer]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

Oh, hopefully you like it.

I'd like to put an m30 back in my e12.

I'd like to put an M70 in your E12.

Want to buy/finish it? I would like to move on.

It's waiting for you to throw your checkbook wrench at it. It would make a decent ratrod.

[OcCoupe]

Malaga

[leadphut]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

Oh, hopefully you like it.

I'd like to put an m30 back in my e12.

I'd like to put an M70 in your E12.

you two should get a room.

[bkbimmer]

Cash for clunkers?

Cash for S54 insemination.

Oh, hopefully you like it.

I'd like to put an m30 back in my e12.

I'd like to put an M70 in your E12.

you two should get a room.

You don't get to tell us what to do.

Go pick up some dudes in your Mercedes.

[muleskinner]

Buh-bye.

So, which blue did you decide on?

[tig]

Got working on the rear suspension bits today.

Step 1 was to get everything out and inventory parts.


We already know I don't yet have a 3.73S diff, but every other major components is there. Stuff I need to order:

- Wheel bearings
- One more set of axle rebuild kits
- Dogbones
- Better e-brake cables *
- Ebrake pads

Note the rear trailing arms in this photo are from an E32 740i.


I also have a set of E28 arms that I'm using to source the right spindles.


The spindles from the 740i are bigger, have the wrong ABS sensor teeth, and won't fit an E28:


E28 style trailing arm bushings on top. E32 740i/E34 M5 style bottom ("Rotary Slide Bearings" PN 33321135808). I have a new set to install, although these are probably fine:


Gotta get a jig to push the TA bushings and the wheel bearings out. Nothing I have on hand will do the job. Moar tools; yay!


*Was curious if the E32 e-brake cables would fit an E28, because the ones on the donor E32 are in great shape. But alas they are a bit longer (as expected given that car's so much bigger).

I'm probably not going to be using the BC Racing coil-overs seen in the photo above; they are actually slated to go into Maytag when I do the suspension refresh on that car. Actually which ever car needs them first will get this set. We'll see how things work out.

Once I'm done disassembling the trailing arms I'll be sending a load of stuff off for powder coating. The steering bits are all disassembled and ready.

The shop is still working on getting the M50 oil pan and pump retrofitted to the S54. Moving slowly...but I got a good update on Friday. Goal is still 5erWest 2017, but i'm pretty skeptical at this point. My real job is just too busy (and fun).

[tig]

Can you believe it? Forward progress...



Things have been moving slow. I've not been pushing hard and the shop lost a mechanic. But finally motion. The oil pump/pan has been sorted and the first test fit of the motor/tranny has happened. We now know how the transmission tunnel needs to be modified...

[bkbimmer]

Very cool, congrats!

[Adam W in MN]

BMW will need to restart e46 m3 production so there are enough S54 donors to go around.

(This guy has built four of these so far)

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1098716

[davintosh]

BMW will need to restart e46 m3 production so there are enough S54 donors to go around.

(This guy has built four of these so far)

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1098716

Seems like M3 owners just love to make donor cars out of their rides though.