Mixed E36 Build

[bimmerboy318]

Sub'd!

[Angels512]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm feeling better, still have a few symptoms though. Fortunately, they weren't too bad and now my isolation period is over. Figure I would celebrate by having a buddy come over. He help me bleed the brakes and clutch. Also, have this video to share...

I'm doing a ls1 swap ordering my t56 soon what's your opinion on using Vorschlag motor mounts and headers with a sikky mid sump oil pan? You think I'll still have clearance I'm searching everywhere to find info on this.

[wbrentr]

I'm doing a ls1 swap ordering my t56 soon what's your opinion on using Vorschlag motor mounts and headers with a sikky mid sump oil pan? You think I'll still have clearance I'm searching everywhere to find info on this.

Vorshlag is nice stuff. I'm glad they updated their trans mount. If you can afford it, do it.

I believe Summit makes a nice oil pan to fit in the e36 chassis nicely. Give Vorshlag a call and they can guide you. They have numerous write ups on their forums.

- - - Updated - - -

So, odd request. How does one reset the oil maintenance indicator on the dash if you have this swap? lol

[wbrentr]

First time taking it to the track. Having a belt alignment issue and an ABS issue. I think I have the ABS issue figured out, but has anyone else had issues with throwing their belt?

[Venom13132]

belts too long maybe?

[wbrentr]

belts too long maybe?

Nah. I'm guessing an alignment issue. I ordered a laser alignment tool to help diagnose.

[wbrentr]

Belt issue is figured out, now I need to actually fix it. The alternator is out of alignment by about a rib. I'm planning to shave some of the bushings to correct this.

I'm planning to upgrade my suspension and I'm fairly confident that it is overload for how I'm using it now (track stuff). Ordering MCS double adjustable coil overs tomorrow.

I did upgrade my speakers in my car as I could barely hear the stock setup while driving down the road.

5.25	47KSC504
6x9	KSC69304
Sub	CompRT 10"
Amp	CX660.5

[wbrentr]

Got these bad boys in late last week. I'm waiting on some bushings & springs before I can install them. Only thing left is for Hotchkiss to send me my sway bar, then I hopefully won't have to touch anything else on this car for a while!

20210704_210053

[wbrentr]

I remember when doing my suspension would have been a huge task, now it's no big deal.

It took about 7 hours, but I had to modify a few things and swap some parts around to convert from Bilstein to MCS.

I up'd my spring rate from 500/550 to 600/750 (f/r). I was a little concerned with ride quality on the streets, but damn, I'm impressed. I had my shocks set fairly soft though. Good suspension is nice. Now I am just waiting on my Hotchkiss sway bars which I ordered about 6/7 weeks ago.

[wbrentr]

Well... It finally happened. I thought I would be safe as I didn't plan on taking the car to the drag strip. I had some wheel hope due to some bumpy roads which left the diff cover looking like this. Exploring my options now. Rogue Engr's cover is definitely something I want to explore, but I want to make sure it is stronger than stock. What do you guys suggest?

[smr87]

If you are of the buy once, cry once mindset then I'd go this route:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...bframe-for-e36

Higher input cost than a 210 diff upgrade, but long term operating costs will be much lower with components for the Ford diff being much less expensive.

[BimmerBreaker]

https://static.dormanproducts.com/do...case-study.pdf

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-106...origin=keyword

[wbrentr]

I read up on that. It seems like the way to go when/if my gears go boom.

I ended up purchasing the dorman cover as it is stronger and more cost efficient that stock. I decided not to go with the Roque Engr due to clearance issues on a street car. It is 2.25" lower than the stock diff.

Planning on fabricating a bracket to provide more strength to the diff cover ears -- That will probably be late next week as I'm traveling quite a bit.

Anything I should look at carefully while I have this apart?

Here are some pictures for entertainment.

[wbrentr]

Nice and Shiny! I decided to go back to my 500/550 springs and will swap to stiffer springs while on track.

[Tim Mc]

Dorman isn't normally a name I relate to quality, but by the images...doesn't look too bad! Thanks for posting.

[wbrentr]

Dorman isn't normally a name I relate to quality, but by the images...doesn't look too bad! Thanks for posting.

Definitely looks stronger than the factory magnesium. This is a cast aluminum piece w/ extra reinforcements on the ears. Per Dorman, it's supposed to be 30+% stronger... I will test that.

[jakermac]

Definitely looks stronger than the factory magnesium.

I don't think the OEM cover is mag. I've seen plenty of welded bungs, etc... for trans coolers among other things. That Dorman cover looks good in the pics!

[wbrentr]

I don't think the OEM cover is mag. I've seen plenty of welded bungs, etc... for trans coolers among other things. That Dorman cover looks good in the pics!

I'm not a materials expert, or even a novice. But per Dorman, it's magnesium https://static.dormanproducts.com/do...case-study.pdf

It doesn't look like an aluminum shear either... Quite rough.

20211006_163632

[wbrentr]

Caught a great weather weekend so I was able to do some car stuff. I finally got ride of my stock engine after a few years (buddy bought it and finally moved it). This allowed me to clean out my garage a bit and prep my workspace to install my sway bars. After 8 months of waiting on Hotchkiss, I cancelled the order and went w/ Whiteline & AKG endlinks. I snapped a couple pictures while dropping off my buddies new-to-him S52.



Not quite as nice as the above set up...

[wbrentr]

Wow! This car is amazing after tweaking all the minor issues on it (if you can call ABS not working minor). The new sway bars paired with the strut tower brace provides excellent response and feedback. The MCS shocks are working well with this combo.

[wbrentr]

We had some really nice weather this past Saturday. The day started out with some C&C which was at the Fairgrounds do to the car show being hosted there. I went for a cruise later that night and took some pictures. This car is awesome to drive. Super responsive, power whenever you need it -- traction less so.

[Tim Mc]

Sweet machine!

Sweet images!