My new 328ti is ready! Yeeha!!

[RVC7]

So finally after months of waiting for parts & mechanical issues, my 328ti is ready to hit the road. Here’s a list of items, all from a ’97 Z3 roadster donor (RIP).
M52 2.8 aluminum block engine w/low miles & matching ZH 5 speed trans, Comforti Shark injector for hspwr & torque upgrade, 3.15 LS dif, exhaust, complete rear sub frame, X-brace, front sway bar & steering rack all from the Z3. New aluminum radiator and cooling kit. New F1 Racing stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel. New tie rods, shock mounts, H&R sport springs, Bilstien sport F&R, M3 front bumper, black front grills, 15 lb 17” SSR Comp wheels & new 225X17 Hankook V12’s, E46 330i front brake setup, Euro 3 spoke steering wheel w/airbag, new Sony head unit w/HD radio, new ZHP short shifter knob, new Italian black leather with red stitching shifter & e-brake covers, HID head & LED interior lights, & finally black CF emblems.
I must say, I’m in LOVE all over again. Coming from the motorcycle world and being a middle aged adrenalin junkie, this is one FUN car to drive! Selling parts from the ti and the Z3 has helped offset the total cost.
She’ll be my daily and will definitely see some auto-x. Perhaps a track day or two in the future. Thanks to all of you that helped out with answering my questions including J!m and his indispensable ti manual.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd35b3127cceffc980186d2a00000030O08AZM2LRs1atw e3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd35b3127cceffc88ec34dba00000030O08AZM2LRs1atw e3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf25b3127ccefedc71ce433200000030O08AZM2LRs1atw e3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf25b3127ccefeddc2a4a2e500000030O08AZM2LRs1atw e3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd35b3127cceffc881500db600000030O08AZM2LRs1atw e3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[Crime Wave]

Nice! Couldn't get your hands on a S5x? :shifty

[RVC7]

Absolutely could have. Didn't want it, too heavy. The M52 aluminum block out of a Z3 is 80 lbs lighter that the regular iron block M52 & 140 lbs lighter than an S52 which translates into incredible power to weight ratio not to mention faster cornering especially with my 15 lb SSR comp wheels and the compact/ti weighs about 375 lbs less than any other e36. Add in the Comforti Shark Injector & I'll be able to hang with the best of S5x's out there.


Nice! Couldn't get your hands on a S5x? :shifty

[THADREAMIN]

Very good job! Awesome work...

[theshadow92]

Dream car right here. How much did you pay for the donor?

[RVC7]

Paid $3000.00 for the entire Z3. It had front end damage on the passenger side.


Dream car right here. How much did you pay for the donor?

[28Chillin]

Good to see someone building a custom. Well done, Sir. :thumbup:

What weight F1 FW are you using?

[RVC7]

That'll be the 15 lb FW from F1 Racing which comes with the stage 2 kit. Stock I believe is 27 lbs.


Good to see someone building a custom. Well done, Sir. :thumbup:

What weight F1 FW are you using?

[28Chillin]

I have the same one.

[RVC7]

Cool

[RVC7]

I just took some new pictures today. Thought I'd share, enjoy!

[E36ic4Me]

Am I the only one who can't see these new pics? Btw, very cool build! I love what you did mechanically and the fact that you didn't make the exterior look overly modified and gaudy! Nicely done. I've debated picking up a 318ti California Package as a put-put car. I used to hate the ti but they've definitely grown on me over the years! :)

[jmo69]

I thought the aluminum blocks were only available in Europe, their fuel didn't destroy them like ours would or is that Nikasil business a different block.

The “Nikasil issue” is a serious problem that affects all BMW motor cars with engine blocks with “Nikasil” liners in their alloy block when high sulphur fuel has been used. This is 8-cylinder models with the M60 engine made from approximately 1993 to 1996, and 6-cylinder models with the M52 engine made between 1995 and 1998 (note M52 Nikasil engine never went to the USA). The “Nikasil issue” is extremely serious as the final result is a non-functioning engine. The material “Nikasil” is also known as “Galnikal”. "Nikasil" is a very hard dispersion layer of galvanically (electrolytically) applied Nickel applied to the soft alloy bores to prevent wear. If this hard layer is damaged, excessive bore wear occurs rapidly.

[RVC7]

The new pics are the ones with the graffiti wall in the background. Are you saying you can't see any pics?


Am I the only one who can't see these new pics? Btw, very cool build! I love what you did mechanically and the fact that you didn't make the exterior look overly modified and gaudy! Nicely done. I've debated picking up a 318ti California Package as a put-put car. I used to hate the ti but they've definitely grown on me over the years! :)

The 1997 BMW Z3 roadster was made right here in the USA with the M52 aluminum block engine that's much lighter than the 328i's M52. As far as I know, most Z3 owners haven't had any major engine catastrophe. This engine purrs like a tiger and pulls very nicely through the twisties.


I thought the aluminum blocks were only available in Europe, their fuel didn't destroy them like ours would or is that Nikasil business a different block.

The “Nikasil issue” is a serious problem that affects all BMW motor cars with engine blocks with “Nikasil” liners in their alloy block when high sulphur fuel has been used. This is 8-cylinder models with the M60 engine made from approximately 1993 to 1996, and 6-cylinder models with the M52 engine made between 1995 and 1998 (note M52 Nikasil engine never went to the USA). The “Nikasil issue” is extremely serious as the final result is a non-functioning engine. The material “Nikasil” is also known as “Galnikal”. "Nikasil" is a very hard dispersion layer of galvanically (electrolytically) applied Nickel applied to the soft alloy bores to prevent wear. If this hard layer is damaged, excessive bore wear occurs rapidly.

[HR393rs]

This is awesome. Well done sir!

[UnderCoverGuy11]

Looks like a real tight fit, nice job man, now I want to see some vids...

[MParallel]

Nice work. No time for an M50 intake and BBTB kit. Some original sportseats would also suite it.

Oh, and put those xenon ballasts under the headlight, on top of the bumper (the real bumper bar) so they are completely out of sight.

Enjoy!


The nikasil problem was mainly a problem in the UK, where lots of blocks were replaced under warranty by BMW. Here in mainland Euro, we didn't get the contaminated fuel.

[atlantisvip]

Nice work. No time for an M50 intake and BBTB kit. .

What are the gains with the BBTB?

[MParallel]

What are the gains with the BBTB?

Better throttle response, a few horses extra.

It makes the M50 mod better.

I have no with and without figures.

Since I installed both things at the same time (well 3 as there's 2 TB's) I can't say for sure, but the said loss of low end torque, that I can hardly tell, could have something to do with the tb's.