Minerva: The S54 powered, better than new, E28

[Dale3783]

Euro dash!

Do you have to put the VIN plate on it?

What makes it a euro dash?

[BenGerman]

What makes it a euro dash?

The non existent VIN badge.

[leadphut]

Euro dash!

Do you have to put the VIN plate on it?

No.

so friendly. way to contribute.

[tig]

Euro dash!

Do you have to put the VIN plate on it?

No.

so friendly. way to contribute.

Bite me.

[leadphut]

Euro dash!

Do you have to put the VIN plate on it?

No.

so friendly. way to contribute.

Bite me.

such a tease.

[Cooperman]

Hey Charlie,
Glad to see that the car is moving along. Amazing progress. When will there be post paint pics? Please?

[tig]

Hey Charlie,
Glad to see that the car is moving along. Amazing progress. When will there be post paint pics? Please?

I'm not eager to post pics I didn't take. I have not been able to get to the shop to see the car in many weeks. It may be more before I'm able to. However, I now see I never actually posted here some pics I *did* take when I went to visit the car at the paint shop the week after it was painted. They were not done polishing, but here you go...





I didn't take these pictures (taken by my body guy when he picked the car up to transport it back to his shop), but they're so bad ass, who cares:

[Tiit]

Holy shit.
How do you sleep at night?

[Nick1984]

wow!

[stuartinmn]

That's the world's brightest e28.

[muleskinner]

[tschultz]

I can't tell from these photos if I'm going to really like it or not. I'm sure you attention to detail will pay off with the end result, and I'll be following for sure. Can't believe this project has been going this long now that I look back...

[athayer187]

Final wheel selection? Also - chrome or shadowline trim/bumpers? Looks like a loud color, but what's under the hood should back it up nicely!

[tig]

Final wheel selection? Also - chrome or shadowline trim/bumpers? Looks like a loud color, but what's under the hood should back it up nicely!

Current main wheel are the 16" BBS RZ 294 I had 'Frank Franker' build (black centers, polished lips).

I've also acquired a set of Fikse in 17" that I think will look awesome and may appear on the car when not on 'daily driver duty.

Bumpers are body color and trim is shadowline.

[tig]

425motorsports is finally ready to start assembly. After a two week trip in Europe, I was home long enough to get all the parts to them.



Regarding the motor: You'll recall the S54 came from a 44km (25k miles) 2006 M3 that had been 'totaled'. My original plan was to not touch the internals and just update the Vanos. However, after many conversations with S54 experts and considering the expense I'm putting into this car, I decided I should do the rod bearings. The rod bearings on S54s go at ~50-60k miles and the idea of building such an amazing car knowing that I'd likely be pulling the engine after ~20-40k miles didn't sit well. My f*ck-ups on both Vlad (oil leaks & crank nut) and Maytag (three DIY attempts at doing it myself) made me realize I just don't have the patience to really do internal engine work myself. Sure, I've proven to myself I have the knowledge, but knowledge != skill. So I knew I had to pay a pro to do it right.

I engaged with my local engine guy (Chuck at C&D) who had done work on both Vlad & Maytag's motors and who has a ton of S54 experience to get an estimate. I wanted him to just upgrade the rod bearings, but his policy is he doesn't do a short-block without touching every part...otherwise he can't guarantee his work. His estimate shocked me. I called around a few other shops and got similar answers. I found a guy who would do just the rod bearings, but I didn't get good feels.

Then, I was sitting at the bar at Lil' Jon's restraunt eating breakfast (one of my favorite places to get a good 'murican breakfast) poking around on my phone. I had heard Steve Dinan on a podcast talking about the S54 so I went to his new website (http://carbahnautoworks.com/) and poked around. There was a big button that said "Call Steve". I pressed it and Steve Dinan answered. I was kinda shocked by this, as he's kinda a hero and I figured he'd be hard to reach. We had a great 30 minute conversation about the S54 and E28s and stuff. I then looked at what he charges to build an S54 to his specs (3.3L blueprinted and balanced with CP forged pistons and Carrillo forged connecting rods. +1mm bore (which 3320cc). CR goes from 11.5:1 to 12:1. 375hp/278tq.) It wasn't THAT much more than the estimates I'd gotten locally.

So I did it.

We sent my short block to him as a core, and he shipped me an engine he'd recently finished. All Vanos is upgraded etc...



Here's a few pics of the paint work. Note the sound deadening on the interior. I found they didn't get full paint coverage inside the corners where the wiper assemblies go, and I'm having them fix that (with a bomb can). I'm also pissed they didn't follow my instructions for antenna delete, so now I have to have an antenna. But besides that my most recent inspection shows the work definitely meets my standards.











I choose to fill the hacked speaker grill holes from the PO and not cut new ones yet. We'll do that when the stereo system is designed.

[SeattleGuy]

Curious on that option code 570 "Stronger Electricity Supply...."
IDK that I've ever heard of that. Was it common Europe or exclusive to Europe? Great build man.

[MattyCV]

That color is beautiful. This will definitely be one of the best E28's in the world when it's completed, I'm sure.

[bkbimmer]

I'm glad you chose a cool color, looks awesome.

[tig]

I'm glad you chose a cool color, looks awesome.

I think so too. I had the chance to fondle the car in person again today and I think when you see it, the paint/bodywork might come close to your bar. But only close.

Assembly has started in earnest. I dropped off a bunch more parts today including the drive shaft, axles, diff, and E24 blade-style fuse box.




924 booster. I'm pretty sure we will iterate in this general area...


You'll recall I restored the steering column previously (perfect paint on stalks, new switch and harness), but still hadn't gotten to applying new stalk decals. I wish I had done it myself, but I suspect "Jake" is up to the task.


Ben, I'm waiting on you for that clutch-over center spring thing, dammit.




Rebuilt and powder coated core; new OE handle.


These will be shadowlined. They are close to perfect, but only close. I may source another set.


I have two harnesses. One from this chassis (85 528i) and one from the Turbo part-out (88 535is). The 85 has less miles/wear. The 88 is 'newer'. First step is to flay them both out and decide which to use. This is the 85. I suggested we do the Project Binky thing, but I actually think that will be overkill. Still considering insisting on it.


E32 750 TAs with M5 floating bushes.


Billy Sports and HR springs. Some say I'll need something beefier in the rear, but I'm being an idiot and ignoring them for now.


Steve Dinan built S54 + 6 Speed on my nifty cradle.






I no longer have ANY fasteners in my garage at home. This is going to suck when I need to work on Maytag. Oh well....




This is the first time I've had a chance to inspect the bumpers. I've had a few rough nights worrying about them. No more.


Looks like progress to me.




Jens DELIVERED on the most perfect late-model carpet set I've seen. This is the 3rd carpet set I've bought for this car. The first was pure crap. The 2nd (early-model) was OK, but not good enough and now in Maytag. This one fits the bill. No cuts. Color me happy.



Fuch yeah!

[Bonsaibacker]

Continually amazed...

[piperbrothers]

Good God. Coolest 4 door ever built?

[Motronic]

Please don't park next to me @ Vintage. I don't want the crowd of people using my car as bleacher seats while they ogle over Minerva.

[1st 5er]

Please don't park next to me @ Vintage. I don't want the crowd of people using my car as bleacher seats while they ogle over Minerva.

I'll park between y'all.

[MattyCV]

Are those Fuchs going on the car? Forgive me if that was already answered before. If so, OH. MY. GOD. You are going to break the internet with this car.

[tig]

Are those Fuchs going on the car? Forgive me if that was already answered before. If so, OH. MY. GOD. You are going to break the internet with this car.

No. But now that you suggest it....

[Adam W in MN]

Pretty nifty, Daddy-O.

[5280 JB]

Fuchs..............That would be interesting!

Haven’t seen THAT on an E28 before.

[Pavel]

Lovely, just lovely.

[MattyCV]

I don't think many cars could pull off Fuchs wheels. However, I feel like an 80's BMW in this condition, painted in a famous Porsche color with 80's Porsche wheels would be extremely unique and exciting. At the very least, it's worth a test fit

[wkohler]

Probably not worth thousands of dollars in machinework for the test fit though.