My E28 M5 journey

[S14]

24 Dec 2014


Today I had the chance to weld the dowel to the subframe. I made a little triangle for more support real quick too. Not super happy with the welds. I had to use a ton of current to penetrate the thick dowel, and the rod I had on hand was too thin and just burned up before I could dip it in the puddle. Turned into a bit of a fight with the weld puddle :hitler:

lighting up
DSC_4381 by ericandshovin, on Flickr


DSC_4357 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

DSC_4332 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

bottom finished.
Untitled by ericandshovin, on Flickr

[S14]

25 Dec 2014


Cleaned up the welded area with a wire wheel just now, and did a quick test fit.

Here is the bottom of the subframe. Note the tinnerman nut can never be removed, but I still have it in place so the splash guard can be re-mounted. This was probably my best weld, even for the small bit I did with my non dominant hand.
DSC_4421 by ericandshovin, on Flickr


Here is the business end.
DSC_4427 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

I could make a ton of excuses for the ugly welds... Not enough current to penetrate the thick dowel. Using filler rod that was too thin so it burned up before laying in the weld puddle. Using filler rod for acetylene torch instead of proper rod. No experience welding hot rolled steel. Shitloads of smoke from oil/gunk/road grime inside the hollow subframe pouring out of every nook & cranny. Being rushed for time...yada yada. I know I have the ability to lay some decent bead, here is a pic of aluminum vertical up I did earlier this year. Truth is, I just need more experience to deal with all these different variables!






Test fit... Fits perfect! This is also a good visual of what I was explaining a few posts above about the load placement on the two mounting points. I'm pretty sure my new mount will have less side to side flex compared to the OE mount.
DSC_4443 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

From another angle.
DSC_4450 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

[tig]

Great stuff.

What was the outcome on those wheels?

[tschultz]

I was wondering about that Dyno sheet!

[bkbimmer]

Nice car, but you already knew that.

[Dinan e28]

I always like black on black M5s. And yours is exceptionally gas ass.

[Pavel]

Inspirational. Thank you!

[WilNJ]

Just curious, is there a reason you wouldn't have used the mwrench fixture to repair the steering box?

http://www.mwrench.com/download/steeringfix.pdf

[S14]

Just curious, is there a reason you wouldn't have used the mwrench fixture to repair the steering box?

http://www.mwrench.com/download/steeringfix.pdf

I made mine in 2 days (1 day turning, 1 day welding) with a co-workers help who owns a lathe with an investment of less than $5 and 3 hours of time.

[igotbank]

Very nice thread and thanks for explaining things in detail with pics. I'd love to take on Leguna Seca. I can't wait for my garage to be built so I can get my hands dirty on my bmws too. Very inspirational thread for sure.

[S14]

Very nice thread and thanks for explaining things in detail with pics. I'd love to take on Leguna Seca. I can't wait for my garage to be built so I can get my hands dirty on my bmws too. Very inspirational thread for sure.

Thanks Bank! You know, I was heavily considering your car back in 2010 when I seriously thinking an E28 M5 could be a possible car to own when I came back stateside. What ultimately deterred me from your car was how heavily track prepped it was, and I already had a track ready E30. Then this M5 popped up and I figured I could have a nice drivers car + my track E30 would be a better scenario than trying to make a second track car into a nice driver.

I see your sig... B36 cams, euro header, VSR cats, Stebro exhaust, miller MAF.... I'm 2 for 5 on that setup, and it is exactly what I want to do! What does it sound like? Were the cams and header worth the trouble? What is left of that E34 M5 your parting?






With winter here, I've been too chicken to lay on a cold cement floor, but it was in the 50's yesterday, so I put a fresh coat of paint on the subframe...

Untitled by ericandshovin, on Flickr

[igotbank]

Thanks Bank! You know, I was heavily considering your car back in 2010 when I seriously thinking an E28 M5 could be a possible car to own when I came back stateside. What ultimately deterred me from your car was how heavily track prepped it was, and I already had a track ready E30. Then this M5 popped up and I figured I could have a nice drivers car + my track E30 would be a better scenario than trying to make a second track car into a nice driver.

I see your sig... B36 cams, euro header, VSR cats, Stebro exhaust, miller MAF.... I'm 2 for 5 on that setup, and it is exactly what I want to do! What does it sound like? Were the cams and header worth the trouble? What is left of that E34 M5 your parting?

s14- I totally get where you're coming from. my old track car was definitely tracked prepped interior wise. Plus you have a beautiful driver you can make your own and it's a true black on black example too. So I'd say you definitely won in that aspect. Also the stebro sounds like garbage and you should sell it to me asap lol. I'm very happy with the sound of mine. it's throaty on wot and has a nice lowish rumble that sets off car alarms lol. No drone either and its rumble is very distinctive. its much more ear pleasing that a fart can but not as aggressive as a v8 exhaust note. the b36 cams are a must too. I have the dinan cam gear also. the power band is broader than stock too. I also have the JB racing flywheel. the headers were added more for eye candy than functionality. I believe im only seeing 1-3hp gain if any. it does look nice when the hood is open lol. now onto the miller setup...Its great but the m5 is running rich. ive been noticing carbon and gas droplets upon cold start up. I freaked out thinking oil was mixing. did a tune up and as of October 2014 I still had the carbon and gas droplets. I sent an email to miller thinking that I may need an upgraded tune but haven't heard back from them. that was before thanksgiving. Anyway keep updating this great thread and continue enjoying your m5. as for my parts e34 m I have everything minus the hood, altenator, bumpers, front seats, gas tank and door sills.

[S14]

Did you do just one, or both B36 cams? I've been told only the intake cam is really needed, not both...

I played with all the tunes on millers site, and they were OK, but with the actual dyne tune, the car really feels better! I'd seriously consider having the car turned. Nick, the tuner, said a good chunk of power is left on the table with the headers and cams. The exhaust would start glowing cherry red during a pull. A bit better excavation would really help to get rid of that flat spot the dyno sheet shows at the top end.

[igotbank]

I had both canes replaced with b36 cams. I highly recommend the swap. It really wakes ups the b36 and it's reliable power. While you're in there upgrade the crank hub with the frank fahey one too. Are you keeping your stock Pistons or upgrading? I have stock pistons because at the time my budget wouldn't allow it. I was more concerned with the timing chain guides and whatnot. My biggest issue with a dyno tune is I can't find anyone near me that is OBD 1 compatible. They actually turn me away when I inquire about tunes.

[S14]

Have a spare set from that e34 your parting???

[S14]

My engine is still super strong at 225k. Unless it grenades, I'm not going to open it up. B36 cams, euro header, and maybe my spare b38 airbox are the only mods I'd like to do for now.

[Pavel]

My engine is still super strong at 225k. Unless it grenades, I'm not going to open it up. B36 cams, euro header, and maybe my spare b38 airbox are the only mods I'd like to do for now.

Impressive. I am just 7k miles behind you. Has the chain been done? And of course all the related components?

I am personally considering euro headers and A100 gear and that is it.

[Drew in NYC]

How many track days has this car seen, and does it still see the track on a regular or semi-regular basis? I, too, am impressed!

[S14]

Impressive. I am just 7k miles behind you. Has the chain been done? And of course all the related components?

I am personally considering euro headers and A100 gear and that is it.

The thick stack of paperwork I have doesn't show a timing chain replacement, but I cannot be sure that it hasn't been done before. Is the A100 cam gear the EVO 2 gear from the S14? I Like having all the power increase till redline. I know the S14 and S38 are similar, but they behave differently and I personally didn't like the S14 with the EVO 2 cam gear. I'd been so turned off by it for so long that I never thought about running it in the S38... might be something to reconsider.

How many track days has this car seen, and does it still see the track on a regular or semi-regular basis? I, too, am impressed!

I personally have done 5 track days and a little over a dozen autocrosses with it. To be honest my E30 M3 is seeing a ton more track time lately, but I wouldn't rule out the M5 from getting a good shakedown here and there.

[Drew in NYC]

I personally have done 5 track days and a little over a dozen autocrosses with it. To be honest my E30 M3 is seeing a ton more track time lately, but I wouldn't rule out the M5 from getting a good shakedown here and there.

Cool. I know they are in many (most?) respects apples and oranges, but since you've had them both out on the track, how do those respective experiences compare?

[S14]

well...

The M3 has a bit of an ace up it's sleeve.

_jch6446 by ericandshovin, on Flickr


As for the the differences, Nothing to discredit the M5 and the E28 chassis, but my particular M3 is so visceral, it just does everything on track so well. It has ground control suspension (soon to be AST 4100's) willow brakes, big motor, etc. The only thing I have to worry about in the M3 is overheating. I'm seeing oil temps 250f and a bit higher. Right now I'm working on gutting the OE water pump and replacing it with an electric water pump. If I have enough loose money, I'm also hoping to change out my power steering with an electro hydraulic unit.

Here is a vid of the M3 and my buddy in his S54 Mcoupe playing around.

http://youtu.be/nD1goF2hfjU

[Pavel]

The thick stack of paperwork I have doesn't show a timing chain replacement, but I cannot be sure that it hasn't been done before. Is the A100 cam gear the EVO 2 gear from the S14? I Like having all the power increase till redline. I know the S14 and S38 are similar, but they behave differently and I personally didn't like the S14 with the EVO 2 cam gear. I'd been so turned off by it for so long that I never thought about running it in the S38... might be something to reconsider.

That is very reassuring! I have info of Headgasket, driveshaft rebuild and timing chain about 100k miles ago. I think I saw a burn exhaust valve. These are some of the major points on my record. The rest is mystery or hasn't been done.. So I am slowly preparing for the important stuff. The most memorable moment with the history of my E28 was going through the records, and the service book. I tried to reach out to the original owner, on LinkedIn, but being a CEO of a large corporation I was rather unsuccessful

Yes, the A100 is the EVO gear. 1st 5er is running it, and i would say I really like the torque brought down lower. I have chased him many times, and at first he takes walks away. The rest is history. Some say there is a shot of us running head to head and him shooting flames Ain't that right, Sherman?

[1st 5er]

Some say there is a shot of us running head to head and him shooting flames Ain't that right, Sherman?

That's what I heard, but haven't seen the video yet.

[S14]

Haven't updated this post in a long while, but the M5 got a new motor with some Mark Hutto (he works closely with Paul Burke and did a majority of Paul's motor assembly, or did when you could get ahold of the guy) magic and a bunch of other little things that needed attention (heater blower resistor etc.) and is now up for sale now that it runs better than ever! I've driven it just a few times since the rebuild and it pulls hard and revs sooooo good. It's almost S54 good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/152554215624