just went through all the photos of the car on your flickr. VERY well done! one of the most tastefully modded e39's i've seen. will you be attending bimmerfest this august?
Thanks! I will indeed. Clay and I plan on driving both our LSX E39's up from Richmond together
Update. The transmission is here along with the bell housing. I still have to go pick up the ZR1 clutch and flywheel from my friends shop.
This transmission is a Tremec Magnum XL. It is a TR6060 with a T56 rear section as high hp application users were complaining of flex in the remote shifter setup. It was built with a 2.66 1st gear. This also has a custom adapter that they built for use with the ZR1 clutch and flywheel. I was told this would easily handle 700+ ft lbs. The T56 with GTO shifter lined up through the OEM hole in Clay's car perfectly. This setup will be an inch further back with the adapter and has a Camaro shifter which should put me 2.5" further forward. The GTO would be an inch back so not sure which one I will end up with. I was told I could swap out for whichever one I decided.
After much discussion with one of the guys from Thomson, I am in the works up possibly getting a hotter cam and better rockers. The goal is 600 at the tires and I was told that shouldn't be a problem without having to do headwork (although he did say my biggest limitation will be exhaust sizing). Even if I am at 550+- at the tire, I will be pleased . The guy from Thomson also said if I stick with the motor as is (which should be around 550-600 fly/511+ ft lbs currently), he would suggest the M5 3.15 diff since my trans has a 2.66 1st. If I decide to upgrade the cam and rockers, he suggested I go with the M5 diff using the E46 M3 3.62 internals b/c the cam will cause the ECU to be very unhappy around town with the 3.15.
Last edited by RVAE34; 02-14-2013 at 10:49 AM.
..
Last edited by GTRSv; 02-13-2013 at 10:32 PM.
Awesome thread! Amazing transformation!!
How much did you originally buy it for? If you dont mind me asking... Such a cool find
Looks like fun! Now get back to work!!!
lol.
I paid $5k for the car itself.
Still in absolute shock by this! It looks so amazing! Its gonna have so much power!! Very well done and can't wait to see this thing finished but I love to hear the progress as this moves along!
Mike
subbed since this is exactly what I have wanted to do forever!
"If you go backwards through the Pearly Gates in a giant fireball, that's a cool way to die." -Richard Hammond
Me too!!!!
Just ordered my rear Mtech bumper from Umnitza and a solid billet front diff bushing from ebay. Waiting on pricing for a custom M5 diff with E46 M3 3.62 ring and pinion gear. About to order Meyle rear subframe bushings and rear diff bushings from FCP Groton
Soon it will Xmas at my house again!
So if one wanted to buy the swap parts.. roughly what is the cost? I was tempted to sell a car to build this... eventually
"If you go backwards through the Pearly Gates in a giant fireball, that's a cool way to die." -Richard Hammond
I bought the mounts and headers from Jesus freak. He has a FS kit thread in the engine section.
Got a little work done today. Pulled the driveshaft, the console, shifter, carpet and seats to get ready to do the manual swap and mount the DBW pedal. I will also run wiring for stereo and any future accessories. I will also install the black carpet soon.
More bits arrived.
My E46 M3 3.62 ring and pinion gearset and an Aeromotive FPR and billet front diff mount bushing. I think I am going to use the Aeromotive Stealth 340 fuel pump.
I purchased an M5 diff, driveshaft and axles which shipped yesterday. The 3.62 will be installed in the M5 diff along with new bearings and possibly an upgrade to a 3 clutch setup. I will have the GM slip yoke fitting attached to the front section of the stock M5 driveshaft.
I also stripped the rear interior stuff. Once I remove the rear seat and rear carpet, I can wire for stereo, run a 10 gauge lead to the fuel pump and run various other wires. I can also install the DBW pedal. My new subframe and diff bushings are on the way so I think I will drop the entire subframe and see about sectioning out that trunk floor to fit dual exhaust.
Last edited by RVAE34; 02-23-2013 at 04:54 PM.
Good lord the last shot makes it look like it is a hearse! What are you doing for exhaust, do you know yet?
-Kevin
'89 325i - '88 535i - '03 540i Sport Touring - Current
'88 M5 - '99 M3 Coupe - '97 M3/4/5- '88 M3 - '89 325i - Past
Current Non-BMW's - '91 SER (NASA PTE #13) - '65 Lincoln Continental
I will be ditching and will check the pixels.
Now completely stripped. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Last edited by RVAE34; 02-24-2013 at 06:48 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
hey man car looks sick! ive got a 2000 528i sedan. I see you live in rva, im in yorktown. its like an hour south of there. im curious as to where you got your paint job. Im looking to get my car resprayed and yours looks awesome, really clean. would you say the paint job is up to your standards? and how much did it run you?
That's OEM paint. It was custom ordered in Mojave metallic brown when purchased new. I just did the bumper myself in my garage is all. About to do this rear bumper I just purchased as well. But I don't like to do whole cars unless they are my own.
oh damn, its in really good condition lol. i thought it was resprayed. im lookin to put the m5 front bumper on mine as well but if i were to paint the bumper it would look way to good compared to the rest of the car. theres no fading, just light scratches, pretty bad swirl marks and a couple nicks. im pretty sure the whole car would need to sprayed to get it to look right. do you know a place that does quality paint work? i dont plan on getting it painted for awhile im just tryin to do some research before i drop the money for it.
Yeah but not cheap. What color is it? Sounds like a good multi compound buffing is in order..
Better pix. Cleaned up the M5 diff and rolled the car out for some more M bumper shots to show well the aftermarket fitment is. Lastly, all my new parts awaiting install. Diff bushings, HD subframe bushings, master cylinder, power steering fittings, clutch pedal and associated parts as well as the sway bar parts to install the Shroeder bar.
Last edited by RVAE34; 03-02-2013 at 01:52 PM.
Wow that bumper fits like oem nice!
93 325is: obd2 M52, 22rpd tuned, 6266, RSI manifold, 555whp on 18psi
What % Tint is that? Looks factory! I want to get the same on my e34.
5/20/35/35
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