Project 328i - a lot to learn

[sideways-theonlyway]

Ok so myself and my brother bought this 97 328i up in Antrim, hadn't been abused and it had a full service history, spotless inside and out.
We could have gone and bought a car ready to go but where's the fun in that, we've never done anything like this before so we want to learn as much as possible and the only way is to get stuck in and do your own work.
So I got stuck into last night for an hour and got most of the rear internals whipped out.
We'll be selling the complete interior, leather seats were spotless so hopefully someone will be interested in them.

So for some pictures;

The car as we got it;



The interior










An hour later....





And of course the first of many cut knuckles



So here's the plans. This is just gonna be a track car and we haven't got buckets of money to throw at it so trying to keep it as simple as possible.

Complete the strip out, any issues with removing the air bags?

Remove the diff and either get it welded or try to get a welded 325 diff as I read that it has a better ratio, I assume it'd just a straight swap? Any tips for removing the diff?

Looking out for a hydro, will a standard one suit OK or will I need to get a different one for this car? Definately will need some help getting this fitted.

Fit steering wheel & seats.

I dont think we'll be splashing out on a large cone air filter for the sake of a few extra horses, just going to fit a good quality panel filter, what ye think?

I've read about replacing the manifold, gaining extra HP but that you loose torque, so we may just leave it as it is, again, what's ye're experiences?

What should we do with the exhaust?

Really unsure about the suspension, probably just buy some good quality lowering springs for now, anyone recommend a quality brand?

Also on the look out for some wheels, probably sell the ones that are on it, all new tyres on them.

As I said we know f**k all so it's gonna be a steep learning curve, trusty haynes manual on the way though

Looking forward to ye're input/ideas/criticism...all welcome

[sideways-theonlyway]

Ok so time for a bit of an update...

So got the car pretty much all stripped and she was sitting up fairly high after it and felt alot quicker



Moved it down to its new home for a few weeks so we can get to work on it in a bit of comfort





Been gathering up a few bits and pieces over the last few weeks;

some wheels



Strut bars...doubt they'll be much good for anything



some cheap seats



cheap second hand coilvers - jamex, hope they last a while



And first of many stickers



So we have the diff out and welded, currently removing the rear subframe to weld in the reinforcement plates, rear subframe is in some mess with rust, hard job getting bolts and nuts removed but we'll get there

This came today...fake ebay job but it'll do me



So i have lots of interior bits if any one is looking for something for sale on ebay...

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/087mate123/m....&_trksid=p3686

Have few other bits that are not up yet, M3 steering wheel, spare wheel cover, few other bits of trim

I've sold the alloys from the first few pics so that helped with funds a bit.

So remaining work to do when I get a chance is;

Complete removal of subframe
Weld in reinforcement plates, install subframe (may replace) & diff
Install coilovers, seats & braces
Buy and fit hydro
Decat exhaust

Get it out and take it from there

Future...
M50 Manifold and BBTB
Electric fan
CAI
and whatever else needs to be done


So I'm on the look out for a Hydro if any one has one floating about???

[Paddy drifter]

nice build she's coming along nicely keep up the good work id look into removing the abs from the car aswell if i was you as you dont need it and its a plain nuisance

[Mac_C]

Nice build man ! Good to see use getting stuck in !

Ya dont need buckets of money to have fun drifting. Grass roots drifting FTW .

As for the hydro , would ya not make your own ?

Get down to the scrappy and get a mater cyclinder and a small bottle for the brake fluid .

Or ya can buy a master cyclinder for a hydro out of most rally spares shop . Their about 40-50e .

Weld up a wee box to bolt your master cyclinder to and a bit of threaded bar for a handle .

Aye pull out the abs fuse out too .

Edit. Mod`d the knuckles for extra lock on mine not too long ago well worth doing !

Cut out 25mm off the knuckles and welded them on again , where the track rod end goes into the struts .

And for extra camber cut the wishbones and welded a 35mm piece into it .

[keith-n]

Price on the interior.

Good work so far. Have a look through the project section, lots of E36's built lately.

Hydro's are chape, just buy one. Be creative with the rest.

Have a look on driftworks for their "gangsta lean" video review of replica steering wheels.

[sideways-theonlyway]

Price on the interior.

Good work so far. Have a look through the project section, lots of E36's built lately.

Hydro's are chape, just buy one. Be creative with the rest.

Have a look on driftworks for their "gangsta lean" video review of replica steering wheels.

ha ha just watched it there and I'm after going and pulling and hanging out my one! It didn't go in shit so bit happier now

yeah subscribed to all the threads so learning lots from them, yeah gonna be buying a hydro, mad busy these days so only getting to work on it for a few hours every week haven't time to be making one....I need to get this on the track

[keith-n]

ha ha just watched it there and I'm after going and pulling and hanging out my one! It didn't go in shit so bit happier now

yeah subscribed to all the threads so learning lots from them, yeah gonna be buying a hydro, mad busy these days so only getting to work on it for a few hours every week haven't time to be making one....I need to get this on the track

Price on interior?

[sideways-theonlyway]

Nice build man ! Good to see use getting stuck in !

Ya dont need buckets of money to have fun drifting. Grass roots drifting FTW .

As for the hydro , would ya not make your own ?

Get down to the scrappy and get a mater cyclinder and a small bottle for the brake fluid .

Or ya can buy a master cyclinder for a hydro out of most rally spares shop . Their about 40-50e .

Weld up a wee box to bolt your master cyclinder to and a bit of threaded bar for a handle .

Aye pull out the abs fuse out too .

Edit. Mod`d the knuckles for extra lock on mine not too long ago well worth doing !

Cut out 25mm off the knuckles and welded them on again , where the track rod end goes into the struts .

And for extra camber cut the wishbones and welded a 35mm piece into it .

cheers man, yeah must do that to the knuckles when I'm fitting the coilovers. The old stick welder will be out

[sideways-theonlyway]

nice build she's coming along nicely keep up the good work id look into removing the abs from the car aswell if i was you as you dont need it and its a plain nuisance

thanks lad, keeping an eye on what your up to as well

[sideways-theonlyway]

Price on interior?

the leather seats is it? Have them up for €180