My $8.8K 176K mile Craigslist E36M3 Journey Begins

[m3f_97_4dr_5spd_m3]

Do you mean the corner turn signal lamps? Like, to turn off the constant illumination from them while the lights are on?



Just trying to understand the mod, exactly.

Yes.



[QUOTE=betrezra;1067583598]I don't plan to drive around with parking lights on..... so no prob there. QUOTE]



When you have your headlights on you won't have the amber blaring.



It just makes it look a bit cleaner with only the fogs and headlights.



Just throwing it out there.

[m3f_betrezra]

Getting paint quote tomorrow.... going to switch to Santorini Blue.


http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=105406


so sexy...

https://mulpix.com/post/1012826100871478376.html

[m3f_nholmes]

You're going to paint the car? You're crazier than I thought!


Trunk, door jambs and engine bay?


I was considering wrapping my E92M at one point, but that's still like $2k.

[m3f_betrezra]

Yup... another name laguna seca blue. Door jams trunk etc etc... ineedti decide what im doing w sunroof and trunk b4 paint.



Getting quote tomorrow.

[m3f_westopher]

Santorini and Laguna aren't the same colour.

[m3f_betrezra]

Very small tech tie-bit I figured out yesterday: There is a red inst back-ground light behind the light switch control panel. It can be accessed by removing the single philips screw on the bottom and pulling the vent/switch panel out. There is a small socket that can be pulled out to reveal the small light bulb. I ordered a new one.... and was bummed it did not work. But after closer inspection, it looked like the little contact wires on the side of the bulb were not positioned just right..... so I moved them slightly to make contact..... put all together, and wahlah! it works. Just a thought if some of you are having head-light switch panel darkness.. even with the investment of a new $12 bulb!

[m3f_betrezra]

Any excuse to drive this car... at the fill-up station:

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Car looks awesome! Glad to see a fresh example back on the road

[m3f_betrezra]

Have to be honest, I was going to gut this thing and rip-tear..... and then I found this place... and started to 'well..... ' pump the brakes.... and take some time to see what all the hoopla was about this chassis... and 6 cyl. I'm glad I did...... it's a long somewhat tedious road to restoring something like this...... some parts not made anymore..... used parts are hit and miss on quality..... and most of what I've done to date does not get me to the track any time soon...... but I'm really REALLY enjoying the restoration of this old car...... and it's soul oozes out through the 5 spd, and the tired, but zippy 6 cyl.

[m3f_GG///M3]

Have to be honest, I was going to gut this thing and rip-tear..... and then I found this place... and started to 'well..... ' pump the brakes.... and take some time to see what all the hoopla was about this chassis... and 6 cyl. I'm glad I did...... it's a long somewhat tedious road to restoring something like this...... some parts not made anymore..... used parts are hit and miss on quality..... and most of what I've done to date does not get me to the track any time soon...... but I'm really REALLY enjoying the restoration of this old car...... and it's soul oozes out through the 5 spd, and the tired, but zippy 6 cyl.

I know the feeling. I'm restoring my e30 m3 currently. Once it's done the avus is next.


Car looks great.


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[m3f_betrezra]

GG - thx! alot of resources sunk...... too late to turn back now! LOL.


E30 - added to my hit-list........ M3 clone, E46 engine swap.... super light wgt.... dtm style...... I dream of this car. Unless i find a beat neglected E30M.... and toil with OCD detail over every part/pc..... ..... It never ends

[m3f_GG///M3]

GG - thx! alot of resources sunk...... too late to turn back now! LOL.


E30 - added to my hit-list........ M3 clone, E46 engine swap.... super light wgt.... dtm style...... I dream of this car. Unless i find a beat neglected E30M.... and toil with OCD detail over every part/pc..... ..... It never ends

I'd say s54 the current car honestly. The best car I've owned was my s54 swapped e36


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[m3f_betrezra]

GG - good to know from someone w/ direct experience. thx.


I plan to fix the known main items..... get on a track..... see what breaks, and check my impressions of everything and where I want to go at that time. Ideally I can get a year of track season under my belt with this old motor and simple main....... THEN decide between: refresh warmed over S52, stock S54. The LS swap will wait (if I do it), until this car reaches antique status in TX...... then no Sniffer, no emissions.... just safety check. I will NOT own a car that I have to stress every year about getting a sticker. No fun.


I really need to get a ride in a sorted E36 with the S54 motor some day.....


S52 OPTION:

Pro's - bolt-in, cost (??), emissions, orig numbers matching motor (if/when that matters)

Con's - HP/TQ limits.

260-280 hp est?


S54 OPTION:

Pro's - bolt-in but some adapation in wiring needed.... (can I keep all my features functional - gas mileage, computer?), emissions, HP/TQ 350-380 ish?

Con's - Cost ($6-10K done right?).


LSX OPTION:

Pro's - reliable HP/TQ w/stock motor, super car performance, ticks a sound/vibe box for me (yeah my 1st car was a 1st gen f body)

400HP (stock motor)

Con's - GM mill in a BMW, Cost ($10-20K), I lose functionality of stock bmw dash computer fuel econ etc, alot of work to integrate controls - HVAC, emissions controls.

[m3f_craac]

If you must swap do the s54 but I see no reason to unless your s52 goes pop or you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket. For the swap budget at least $10k to do it right with a z3 m coupe/roadster s54 harness. Less headaches than splicing harnesses together.


I drove an ls1 swapped e36 recently and have always liked the swap in theory. It was fun and put down the power better than expected. That said, it just wont ever be as smooth as an inline 6 and the t56 shifts like a truck compared to the zf. Kind of misses the point of the e36. If you want an ls just buy a vette.


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[m3f_GG///M3]

If you must swap do the s54 but I see no reason to unless your s52 goes pop or you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket. For the swap budget at least $10k to do it right with a z3 m coupe/roadster s54 harness. Less headaches than splicing harnesses together.


I drove an ls1 swapped e36 recently and have always liked the swap in theory. It was fun and put down the power better than expected. That said, it just wont ever be as smooth as an inline 6 and the t56 shifts like a truck compared to the zf. Kind of misses the point of the e36. If you want an ls just buy a vette.


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I hear ya . Having an s54 swapped done properly isn't cheap. I'd rather add boost then do a ls swap. I'm thinking of just going with boost or an cam in my spare s52.


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