Ragnorak's 8000+ RPM 318ti Build Thread

[Ragnorak]

#4. Operate. Out with the old....

This weekend I wanted to get this swap really rolling. Aka, get some last pictures of the compact with it's "cylinder deficiency". First stop was to go down to AutoCouture in Fair Lawn, NJ to get the car corner weighed. The car only had a driver's side vader in the interior but still had all of the trim.

Verdict: 2599 lbs. Pretty bad weight distribution but I'll figure that out later.











Afterwards, I got the car into the garage to stare at it's transplant.






Then did the levitate mod.







More to continue tomorrow...

[Sharocks]

Garrett you're insane bro.

[cohny]

LOVE this build man, everything's looking great. What's your approach to engine management with this thing?

[Ragnorak]

Garrett you're insane bro.

So I've been told hah.

LOVE this build man, everything's looking great. What's your approach to engine management with this thing?

Thanks man! I've been talking to a few people about it but will probably lock something down this weekend. Turns out a reputable FI tuner is moving into Alpha-N S54 setups as well...

[jakermac]

Is the 4 cyl lump out yet?

[Flaco1978]

Wow thats is insane!

[Ragnorak]

Is the 4 cyl lump out yet?

Getting there! Ran into a lot of issues with the exhaust. In typical fashion, all of the exhaust bolts and hangers were stripped/rusted out. Makita angle grinder took care of that! Motor, trans, and rear suspension will all be out this week.

I've been spending time selling parts to fund the project but have gotten in a good amount of parts for the build as well. I'll post pictures as I take them since that's more interesting than reading

Wow thats is insane!

I'm hoping it'll be a fun ride when it's done!

[Ragnorak]

Moar. Weight Reduction.

So, after borrowing a dremel and cursing at the exhaust bolts, I finally got the anemic M44 out. I've parted out a dozen E36s over the last year and have never had the issues that I did with removing the M44. For some reason they must use lower quality nuts on the headers because they've all seized despite healthy dousings in PB Blaster.

Anyway, here's the filthy engine bay:




And the M44 staring down its replacement. Should be good.




Now the fun begins....


A question for the board though, what do you use to degrease the engine bay without damaging the paint?

[Compactive]

Water, simple green, goof off for automotive finishes, then rinse quickly. Regular dish soap should work too. It's not complicated at all.

[Ragnorak]

Water, simple green, goof off for automotive finishes, then rinse quickly. Regular dish soap should work too. It's not complicated at all.

Thanks! I've seen the power washing technique but I'm not too keen to it. I'd do it on an ATV but not on my car.

[Jaze]

Can't wait to see it all buttoned up man!

[jasonn]

I used purple power and distilled water 50/50 and pressure washer.

[Ragnorak]

Can't wait to see it all buttoned up man!

Me either! I just need a solid weekend in it to get everything together. Unfortunately time like that is hard to come by.

I used purple power and distilled water 50/50 and pressure washer.

Thanks for the recommendations guys. Hopefully the weather clears up a bit so I can roll it outside and wash it down. Maybe I'll just install the new suspension and rear end in the meantime

[jasonn]

Are you going to install the header before you drop it in? What headers did you end up going with?

[Ragnorak]

Are you going to install the header before you drop it in? What headers did you end up going with?

Definitely, doing headers and the CPV valve before I put the motor in. I ended up picking up Euro headers for a great price that I couldn't pass up, especially with OE fitment and quality. Also got this in today:



I somewhat impulse bought the AA Race Exhaust from the resonator back to the rear section. Now I'm faced with a few options:

• Custom front section between S54 headers and resonator
• Buy AA front section and Bimmerworld adapter pipe (which is currently out of stock)
• Adapt rear AA muffler to shorter 318ti bumper
• Build custom rear section with Magnaflow muffler
• Sell the exhaust and just go full custom
• Talk to Stromung who finally returned my calls after a month

Can you tell I'm hung up about the exhaust? Hah.

[3xxtiMZK2]

build full custom 3inch single headers back to that aa mufler

I have eBay headers. And a dual rasp pipe in case it's to loud once I go full 3in
I have a Remus muffler that's whell parked and it quiets the noice down alot..

[Ragnorak]

build full custom 3inch single headers back to that aa mufler

That's actually a good idea if the muffler clears the suspension. I'll test tomorrow.

[Nixtr11]

Im so jealous. lol

[3xxtiMZK2]

That's actually a good idea if the muffler clears the suspension. I'll test tomorrow.

You might have to modify the piping . Or cut it and use just the muffler since the pipe loops under the subframe on the 318ti

[jasonn]

I'm definitely with you on the exhaust thing. I'm itching to do another custom exhaust again!

[Ragnorak]

I'm a little worried with how loud the AA race is on a street car but we'll see what happens. I've only heard one indoors before when Guten Parts had a built E36 S54 swapped track car in their shop. It was deafening when it revved.

I think I'm going to go in on a Miller Diversion 180 with some friends and go from there. Having a TIG welder would be pretty essential for my next project anyway...

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

I'm a little worried with how loud the AA race is on a street car but we'll see what happens. I've only heard one indoors before when Guten Parts had a built E36 S54 swapped track car in their shop. It was deafening when it revved.

I think I'm going to go in on a Miller Diversion 180 with some friends and go from there. Having a TIG welder would be pretty essential for my next project anyway...

Let me know about the exhaust because I'd like the AA rear muffler setup. Good luck with your decision.

[Ragnorak]

Prep. Clean. Torque. Repeat.


So, some more updates. Started doing some preassembly of parts and cleaning out everything. Started by collecting up some of the new parts:

Rogue trans mounts on new Euro trans crossmember:





New 325i slave and Rogue clutch line:





Old (79k mile) vs. new guibo





Took Compactive's suggestion and got a bottle of Simple Green and an electric toothbrush. Went to town on the engine bay and it came out excellent:





Killed a lot of microfiber towels in the process but I'm really satisfied with how it came out. Only spent an hour or two on it. The electric toothbrush definitely made everything easy and helped to agitate a lot of the grease that built up over the years.

Then Matt came over and showed me how to polish my VANOS. He left me with this and I'll spend the time to get that mirror shine:








Grabbed some more new parts (S54 header gaskets and copper nuts):






and finally got my Euro headers installed:






Also installed the new Euro shifter setup using the original E46 M3 shift lever:




And capped it off with a ZHP shift knob I had laying around from a partout:

[Commie]

I like how this is coming along, keep up the good work!

- - - Updated - - -

I like how this is coming along, keep up the good work!

[stealthbeam]

lookin snassy!! I look forward to this one, keep up the good work!