UCF11
Member
Well, It has taken it's time but my cars very nearly complete. I've finally got the last few minor things to get sorted for the certification for February.
Over the last few months I addressed all the main issues I needed to address, it meant replacing the whole front suspension setup so now it has M3 suspension up front, all Lemforder parts and new M3 brakes etc.
I also changed the engine mounting system with an improved design so it sat the engine as low as possible and 20mm further back, this also meant making a new gearbox crossmember and driveshaft. My only annoyance is the rear gearbox mounts polyurethane damper is slightly hard, transmitting a few unwanted vibrations, it's probably 80-90 shore hardness so I might drop it down to 60-70 at a later date.
I also made up some 4-2-1 headers, which have made a massive difference as expected, cleaner exhaust note and way up on power compared to the woeful stock manifold I had initially. These headers run to a dual 2.25 system I made up with some old RS4 exhaust sections and magnaflow mid mufflers and cats. To accomidate this I had my panel shop cut out the original tire well and weld in a new flat rear floor & reseal it - this meant I had room for the rear mufflers.
The last part I've just got working is the 5 speed automatic box with a shift kit (modified valve body) and custom controller, yes it's automatic but very responsive and quick on changes with these upgrades, this is not a lazy automatic! Although I am aware a nice 5 speed Supra manual gearbox would be the best setup for this kind of car, it just has not happened due to the cost.. the auto setup with manual control is 2k vs 6k for a conventional manual - so I might come back to that down the line. Never the less the current setup suits my needs for the meantime!
A few pictures:
Quite happy with the ride height with the UUC Motorwerks springs supplied by Ray. Needs some more M spec body trim though.
Nice and standard inside. Seats also supplied by Ray from a couple of years ago!
Tried to keep the engine bay looking clean and standard.
Dual 2.25" stainless exhaust
Used some E39 M5 heat shields slightly modified for the rear mufflers (thanking Ray for those too!)
Headers before welding and completion with a stock manifold in the middle - yuck! (I still need to get the new headers HPC coated, definitely not wrapped.)
Good steering arm clearance considering how tight it is, 4-5mm give or take, minimal engine rock too so no contact when under revs either. Not sure how long the rubber dount will last with the heat though?
New M3 brakes, using Hawk street pads - should be ok with a bit of soft track use...
PCS TCM 2000 Transmission controller - this can do pretty much any gearbox, like a 540i 5 speed zf.
Wiring and setting up the gearbox.
Upgraded Automatic Valve body and pistons springs.
New engine mount cradle and brackets.
Here's also the latest clip I made of the exhaust note while stationary Youtube Clip
Pretty damn happy although it's been 3 years to date since I first though of putting one of these engines into an E36 so it hasn't happened over night. I ended up doing everything bar the welding and coupled with work during the week it's meant progress was slow, but it's finally how I want it to be for the meantime.
Over the last few months I addressed all the main issues I needed to address, it meant replacing the whole front suspension setup so now it has M3 suspension up front, all Lemforder parts and new M3 brakes etc.
I also changed the engine mounting system with an improved design so it sat the engine as low as possible and 20mm further back, this also meant making a new gearbox crossmember and driveshaft. My only annoyance is the rear gearbox mounts polyurethane damper is slightly hard, transmitting a few unwanted vibrations, it's probably 80-90 shore hardness so I might drop it down to 60-70 at a later date.
I also made up some 4-2-1 headers, which have made a massive difference as expected, cleaner exhaust note and way up on power compared to the woeful stock manifold I had initially. These headers run to a dual 2.25 system I made up with some old RS4 exhaust sections and magnaflow mid mufflers and cats. To accomidate this I had my panel shop cut out the original tire well and weld in a new flat rear floor & reseal it - this meant I had room for the rear mufflers.
The last part I've just got working is the 5 speed automatic box with a shift kit (modified valve body) and custom controller, yes it's automatic but very responsive and quick on changes with these upgrades, this is not a lazy automatic! Although I am aware a nice 5 speed Supra manual gearbox would be the best setup for this kind of car, it just has not happened due to the cost.. the auto setup with manual control is 2k vs 6k for a conventional manual - so I might come back to that down the line. Never the less the current setup suits my needs for the meantime!
A few pictures:
Quite happy with the ride height with the UUC Motorwerks springs supplied by Ray. Needs some more M spec body trim though.
Nice and standard inside. Seats also supplied by Ray from a couple of years ago!
Tried to keep the engine bay looking clean and standard.
Dual 2.25" stainless exhaust
Used some E39 M5 heat shields slightly modified for the rear mufflers (thanking Ray for those too!)
Headers before welding and completion with a stock manifold in the middle - yuck! (I still need to get the new headers HPC coated, definitely not wrapped.)
Good steering arm clearance considering how tight it is, 4-5mm give or take, minimal engine rock too so no contact when under revs either. Not sure how long the rubber dount will last with the heat though?
New M3 brakes, using Hawk street pads - should be ok with a bit of soft track use...
PCS TCM 2000 Transmission controller - this can do pretty much any gearbox, like a 540i 5 speed zf.
Wiring and setting up the gearbox.
Upgraded Automatic Valve body and pistons springs.
New engine mount cradle and brackets.
Here's also the latest clip I made of the exhaust note while stationary Youtube Clip
Pretty damn happy although it's been 3 years to date since I first though of putting one of these engines into an E36 so it hasn't happened over night. I ended up doing everything bar the welding and coupled with work during the week it's meant progress was slow, but it's finally how I want it to be for the meantime.
