Minerva: The S54 powered, better than new, E28

[tig]

Awesome build!

Just a heads-up...even though your S54 has very low miles I would consider bulletproofing the vanos system before you drop it in. Cracked/broken hub and loose bolts is a common issue...anywhere from low to high mileage. Beisan has a cheap fix for any of the common issues....pasted below.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=441481

Thanks, for pointing that out. I've already done thorough research into this topic, and updating the vanos is part of the plan/budget. Haven't nailed who/how the work will get done, but it will get done.

[635L6M3]

[emoji106]

[86GT635]

This is gonna be awesome! What's the plan for course? Build, sort, then paint and interior or?

[tig]

This is gonna be awesome! What's the plan for course? Build, sort, then paint and interior or?

Good question. I've thought it out, but now that you ask I realize I haven't ever written it down...which crazy given how much I harp on people for "Have a plan. Write it down." I'm willing to be a lot of clarification comes from this...so here goes...

(your summary is just about right: test/measure, build/modify, paint, assemble, do interior, drive)

• Get car on lift and inspect under-side (I've never seen it because I haven't ever put it on the lift yet!)
• Remove E46 engine mounts from engine.
• Remove S54 oil pan.
• Install M50 oil pan/pump/pickup (still need to source; may do the steps below w/out an oil pan at all).
• Install Marco916's engine mounts on engine and attach tospare sub-frame.
• Build engine/tranny cradle for table-lift. The idea is a cradle (with wheels) that the table-lift can slide under and then lift the sub-frame/engine/tranny in a stable way. I am itching for my first real welding project…
• Hoist 'er up (table-lift)/drop 'er down (4-post lift) for a test fit.
• Verify Marco916's mounts put the engine where I want it.
• Determine what mods to the transmission tunnel are required to fit the 6-speed.
• … (a whole bunch of stuff relating to the brake booster, oil cooler, intake muffler, wiring, …)
• Assemble everything so that the engine can start. The car will not be drivable due to lack of interior and there's no point in really going that far, but I want to be completely sure the engine electronics and accessories are sorted BEFORE the car is re-painted (e.g. brackets fabricated and welded into place).
• Build a dolly that will let me move the chassis around without any suspension (see Kohler/bkbimmer's threads for ideas). Another fun welding project!
• Strip all parts off the chassis.
• Transport the chassis to my body/paint guy. He's got a rotisserie…
• … (a lot of details about sound proofing, rust prevention, under coating, body work, prep, paint) …
• Let cure… for a long time.
• Start re-attaching parts (learning a lot from Kohler's treads on how to phase all this).
• Interior comes last (or close to last).

[86GT635]

So what you're saying is there's still time to decide on paint color, I vote Montego! Good luck Charlie, this is a real whopper of a build.

[alpinass]

Great thread..that car looks familar?????

CEK - I have rebuilt M5 (RED tag) steering box available.

PML

[bkbimmer]

This is gonna be awesome! What's the plan for course? Build, sort, then paint and interior or?

Good question. I've thought it out, but now that you ask I realize I haven't ever written it down...which crazy given how much I harp on people for "Have a plan. Write it down." I'm willing to be a lot of clarification comes from this...so here goes...

(your summary is just about right: test/measure, build/modify, paint, assemble, do interior, drive)

• Get car on lift and inspect under-side (I've never seen it because I haven't ever put it on the lift yet!)
• Remove E46 engine mounts from engine.
• Remove S54 oil pan.
• Install M50 oil pan/pump/pickup (still need to source; may do the steps below w/out an oil pan at all).
• Install Marco916's engine mounts on engine and attach tospare sub-frame.
• Build engine/tranny cradle for table-lift. The idea is a cradle (with wheels) that the table-lift can slide under and then lift the sub-frame/engine/tranny in a stable way. I am itching for my first real welding project…
• Hoist 'er up (table-lift)/drop 'er down (4-post lift) for a test fit.
• Verify Marco916's mounts put the engine where I want it.
• Determine what mods to the transmission tunnel are required to fit the 6-speed.
• … (a whole bunch of stuff relating to the brake booster, oil cooler, intake muffler, wiring, …)
• Assemble everything so that the engine can start. The car will not be drivable due to lack of interior and there's no point in really going that far, but I want to be completely sure the engine electronics and accessories are sorted BEFORE the car is re-painted (e.g. brackets fabricated and welded into place).
• Build a dolly that will let me move the chassis around without any suspension (see Kohler/bkbimmer's threads for ideas). Another fun welding project!
• Strip all parts off the chassis.
• Transport the chassis to my body/paint guy. He's got a rotisserie…
• … (a lot of details about sound proofing, rust prevention, under coating, body work, prep, paint) …
• Let cure… for a long time.
• Start re-attaching parts (learning a lot from Kohler's treads on how to phase all this).
• Interior comes last (or close to last).

If you use my thread for ideas your build will fail. I don't write things down or have spreadsheets. Sorry

[tig]

If you use my thread for ideas your build will fail. I don't write things down or have spreadsheets. Sorry

You don't get off that easy. I see what I want to see in your threads.

[bkbimmer]

If you use my thread for ideas your build will fail. I don't write things down or have spreadsheets. Sorry

You don't get off that easy. I see what I want to see in your threads.

Don't you see what you want to see from sea to shining sea?

[EventuallyAyrton]

If you use my thread for ideas your build will fail. I don't write things down or have spreadsheets. Sorry

You don't get off that easy. I see what I want to see in your threads.

Don't you see what you want to see from sea to shining sea?

Si

[leadphut]

[bkbimmer]

Progress sir, this board depends on your insatiable narcissism.

[Dinan e28]

I don't log in here enough. This is going to be intereresting in more then one direction . You , like One Direction right?

[Adam W in MN]

I've always liked the BMW Lapisblau and you rarely see it in North America.

Thanks for the pic and reminder, I agree, that is gorgeous.

[leadphut]

Anyone else worried about cek? Haven't seen him around for awhile.

Cek, you still there?

[EventuallyAyrton]

*shouts into the void*
Me: "CEK, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

*gets the sheering metal response of an S54 falling off the cherry picker*
Cek: "God DAMMIT"

[bkbimmer]

Hopefully he came to his senses and got out of this hobby to pursue more worthwhile causes.

[oldskool]

I know where he is.

[tig]

I'm good. Just busy as f**k with a new role at the bookstore. Not that you REALLY care.

[EventuallyAyrton]

I know where he is.

Thats just because you followed him home. How much milk is in his fridge?

[leadphut]

I'm good. Just busy as f**k with a new role at the bookstore. Not that you REALLY care.

i care, not like the rest of these knuckleheads.

[bkbimmer]

I care a lot, we love you, big guy.

Now inspire us, please.

[oldskool]

I know where he is.

Thats just because you followed him home. How much milk is in his fridge?

I dunno, but I bet he could tell you precisely just with his smart phone

[leadphut]

I care a lot, we love you, big guy.

Now inspire us, please.

I hate it when he makes us beg

[bkbimmer]

I hate it when he lifts his leg.

[tig]

Finally got a little time to poke around in the garage. Been a b z b.



Got the clutch and flywheel off so I could get the engine on the stand. Next step is to pull the oil pan so I can attach the mounts and front sub-frame. I'll then construct my engine cradle.


Also received a package of refinished fasteners. Oooh...


And I found a set of 740 trailing arms (thanks @az!). Inbound.

[EventuallyAyrton]

Those are berry berry nice. I forgot that the s54 has two cams lol. Thats what happens when M30 is life. It's a double Vanos valve system as well isn't it?

[wkohler]

Yes, there are two Vanos valves.

[bkbimmer]

Nice. Interesting mounts.

[jjcarr]

Where did you get the refinishing/cadmium plating done?