:: HUGE 332ti Project ::

[Ahheck01]

I just picked up my new-to-me 1995 318ti with an M3 motor swap. I'm ripping the car apart and putting it back together - with a few minor changes. Here are my plans:

Exterior:
M3 OEM Lip
Fix e46 Bi-Xenons (high beams stuck "on")
Remove Eyelids (may need to get new ZKW glass because of adhesive)
Fix Drivers Side Door Handle (trim keeps falling off)
Repaint (Cosmos Black? Something black anyway)


Under the hood, etc:
Sell current CAI
Buy Conforti CAI
Sell AA Strut Bar
Complete Detail
New All-Aluminum Radiator
New Water Pump
New Thermostat
New Thermostat Housing (aluminum)


Other:
Sell B&B Triflo Exhaust
Buy Used Eisenmann Race, Stromung, or Tubi exhaust
Resonator? (don't have cats)
Sell RE SSK
Buy UUC EVO3 SSK


Wheels/Suspension:
Buy 17x9 Kosei K1's all around (they don't come in 18's, do they?)
**Kosei's will be for track/autox, and the ASA-AR1's will be DD's, the DS2's for Winter)**
Tires for Kosei's?
Rear Sway (unsure on this)


Interior:
Remove Roll Cage
Strip Entire Interior
Extensive Sound Deadening (B-quiet placed on the sheet metal below...)
- underside of roof
- back and front faces of door metal
- floor
- firewall
- backside of fenders
- "trunk" all around
- A/B/C pillars
Sell Momo Seats
Buy Corbeau A4 w/Microsuede
Reupholster rear seat black (fabric?)
Speaker System (working out details)
Amplifyer ("")
Subs ("")
Sell Sony Head Unit
Buy JVC KD-AR5500 Head Unit
Replace Dash with Black Sedan Dash
- Fix Horn on Momo Steering Wheel
- 18 button OBC
- Dual Digital Climate Control
- Black Center Console
- Gauge Pod
- Water Temp
- Oil Temp
- Oil Pressure
- Voltmeter
- V1 Stealth Install
- Make M3 Cluster work with OBC
Black Carpet (either used or done myself
Black Floormats
Black Door Panels
Black Side Panels
Headliner (unsure what or how)
Fix Passenger side window (I think it's just the switch)
Fix Cruise Control
Find a good location for battery and rewire everything

And here is what the car was like when I bought it:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=540047

Basically, if you have any insights on any of the above, I'm all ears. I'm definitely doing the above, but if you have suggestions on how to do it or what parts to buy or where to buy them from, I want to hear it!

Thanks guys!

Parts for Sale:
Sony Head Unit (CD/AM/FM XM Ready)
Roll Cage
AA Front Strut Bar
AA Rear Strut Bar
Momo Seats
tan TI dash and center console
CAI with DINAN Filter
B&B Triflo Exhaust

Parts to buy:
Speakers
Subs
Amp
JVC Head Unit
Digital Climate Control
18 Button OBC
Black Interior:
- Carpet
- Floor Mats
- Dash
- Center Console
- Shift Boot
- Glove Box
- Fabric for rear seats
- Door Panels
- Side panels
- Trunk lining
- Headliner
- Handles
- Sun Visors
Conforti CAI
Eisenmann Exhaust (or Stromung or Tubi)
Passenger Side Window Switch
UUC EVO3SSK
17x9 Kosei K1s
17/35/245's all around?
Gauges
- Water Temp
- Oil Tem
- Oil Pressure
- Voltmeter
Corbeau A4 w/Microsuede Seats (X2)
All Aluminum Radiator
Water Pump
Thermostat
Thermostat Housing (Aluminum)
More sightly Battery Housing

[e36meng]

you werent kidding when you said huge 332ti project.
the car looks really good and good luck with all the mods its a long list. post when its done.

[palomino]

Fix e46 Bi-Xenons (high beams stuck "on")
Remove Eyelids (may need to get new ZKW glass because of adhesive)

Post pics of the e46 bixenon retrofit. I have the xenon lowbeams w/ the projector setup from an X5 retro'ed into my car.

the adhesive should come off the glass with a little goo-gone or a razor blade.

sounds like a lengthy project! should come out nicely though, if everything goes to plan.

[old skool]

I hate to say it, but I think you are going overboard. You bought a very nicely sorted car. It is going to be a lot of work, a lot of money and a lot of headaches. In the end you will have a nicely sorted car but just different.

I recommend checking yourself and your financial situation a bit. Do the basic maintenance items like the coolant system and drive the car a bit. Basically, just make sure you are comfortable with the payments and the maintenance. In the long run, any money you put into this car will wind up as depreciation.

[stowe9man]

I don't mean to bash you, but why would you sell an e39 540i6 to get a Ti? I understand it has the m3 motor, but damn, that e39 is my dream car!

Also, in another thread, you were talking about how hard it was for you to get the money to buy this car, now how are you going to pay for all those mods? Maybe you should finish school first?

[Ahheck01]

A lot of people are comparing my "how do I get the money..." thread to this thread. Let me clarify.

That original thread about getting the money was not how do I afford it, it's how do I get the bank to recognize its value. My solution was to get it appraised, and the appraisal was for $12k, so the bank gave me the money without blinking an eye.

Payments aren't a problem at all - in fact they're a huge relief after the 540i/6.

That's part of the reason for selling the 540i/6 - payments were huge. I made a little (read: a significant amount of) money by selling it at the time that I did anyway, so it was a wise financial decision to sell it. Also, fuel economy was horrid. I averaged 16mpg, because lets face it, these cars are meant to be driven like you stole it.

Then there's the fun factor. The 540i/6 is an incredible car, and has every creature comfort you can ask for, as well as a fairly well balanced and extremely powerful luxury muscle car.

I just missed feeling the road. The ti gives me what I want. It fits me better. It's more practical to my needs.

This project is an over-the-next-few-years project. I'm doing the dash conversion up front because i'm getting the pieces for $350 all said and done. That's not bad at all. Things like wheels and a repaint are things that are coming way down the road as I save up for them.

I don't see why people worry about my financial life so much

In any case, I appreciate all suggestions about this project, specifically about the best way to go about any particular step.

Thanks guys,

-Evan

[Ahheck09]

Buy 17x9 Kosei K1's all around (they don't come in 18's, do they?)
**Kosei's will be for track/autox, and the ASA-AR1's will be DD's, the DS2's for Winter)**
Tires for Kosei's?

If you already have Winter and everyday wheels and tires, I highly recommend getting Yokohama Advan A048's. They are excellent track performance tires and they run about $228 each. great track tires to fit your kosei k1's.

[Ahheck01]

If you already have Winter and everyday wheels and tires, I highly recommend getting Yokohama Advan A048's. They are excellent track performance tires and they run about $228 each. great track tires to fit your kosei k1's.

lol, go to bed, little bro

[Ahheck01]

In the near term, I'm looking at swapping the seats, and getting the black interior (I got the black sedan dash, obc, center console, climate control, etc for $350 picked up). Maybe doing the audio system thing.

Need suggestions on how to do or where to get carpeting, door panels, and rear seats n'stuff.

-Evan

[snuggz]

Wow. Nice project; I'm knee-deep in alot of the same shit right now.... mainly the cooling aspects. If you need help along the way or get stuck (looks like you've had some e36 in your past), I've been in alot of the same places you'll be soon, feel free to PM/email me.

I'll probobly be interested in the AA strut bars and a few other things on the list, too. I'm planning on getting some lighter seats soon, so if you need black sport seats, hit me up... Iowa is a nice day trip!

Glad to see this car went into the right hands; I remember when Maroulin was first building it up.

~Nich

Edit: Just saw your seating plans. I'm sure we can work out a trade of some sort (my sport black stuff for your Momos or possibly other stuff...)

[Ahheck09]

I realize you aren't planning on getting your racing wheels/tires anytime soon, but if you do end up getting them sooner than later, I am changing my previous statement. For Auto-X I would recommend putting some 245 Falken Azenis rt-615's on there. Rated number one Auto-X tire of 2005 by Grassroots motorsports, and I have heard nothing but good things about them. They are also less than half the price of the A048's per wheel saving you over $500. If you are looking for auto-x wheels rather than track wheels the azenis are excellent. They will work fine for an occasional track event but I hear they get pretty greasy, so they arent ideal. But if you're mainly an auto-x person, then for $113 each, the Azenis are incredible for that price. Just something to think about. http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm

[themadhatter]

good luck with your project, keep us posted with pics!

oh and FYI, the k1 only comes in a 17x8.5 et40 fitment for the e36.

[Ahheck01]

good luck with your project, keep us posted with pics!

oh and FYI, the k1 only comes in a 17x8.5 et40 fitment for the e36.

Will do, and thanks for the info.

Later down the road, (a few years - perhaps just out of college), I'll go with a D/A Coilover setup, e46 6speed tranny, e46 330i rear brakes, and.... I'll complete the list tomrrow - unconscious.

-Evan