Michael.

Thanks for the responses guys. Some thought provoking feedback! Brent, I already have a front X-brace, it sure made a difference but I think the back is where I feel the cars a bit sloppy. I recently designed a Mason engineering style cross brace for the rear strut / subframe, still have yet to make it though! I've posted this before I think some extra braces such as this will help dampen my qualms with the car. But my main thought is for future projects... do I use an E36 again or move up to an E46? The E85 Z4 roadsters also interest me, but as a convertible I suspect I'll be disappointed with how it handles the rough stuff.... that said I believe the Z4 and E36 coupe have a very similar torsional rigidity rating. Are they any good, to those that have driven them?

So one thing that grinds my gears about my E36 cope is the relatively flexible feeling chassis... in the sense it creaks and squeaks over our average to poor condition urban & rural roads, enough to have the interior make noises and such things - it makes me cringe! I believe the E36 coupe chassis is the softest besides the convertible, apparently the fold down seat design in the rear bulk head reduces the overall rigidity considerably. I went in a friends 2001 E46 330ci coupe and I was blown away just by how much smoother and quieter it was over smiliar roads than my car. No doubt this is down to the superior chassis design & torsional rigidity? This got me thinking, what are the more 'solid' stiffer feeling BMW models out there as a good platform to work on, obviously the newer ones are, but from what I see the 4 door E46 models are the perfect option for making a car ride and handle the best..,, Some extended input on this would be appreciated!

When will you be getting this wreck Brent?

oh my those questions and comments guys. I had a good chuckle!

No E36 should be without these!

Great write up indeed. Feeling inspired.

I like this colour.

I did this a few weeks ago, I laughed.

Have you got both sets of wiring diagrams?

That's pretty amazing. Could they be road registered though? With new regulations and what not?

Very nice! Welcome

Played with the gearbox tune on the way home. 1st and 2nd gear shifting seems improved on light take off acceleration. To accomplish this I have to change the shift tables and line pressure.. who needs a manual when you have this fun!

I like the way you take your pictures. Makes the car look even sharper! What are you using?

I thought it was an NSX

Looks very schmick!

Nah Ellerslie haha, was parked a bit there for work at that new Ray White office, of which I no longer work at

Damn Andy, that does look exceptionally good. Love the wheel / tyre combination, looks very suited to the era.

Mmmm shinny!

Haha funny, when you drove past me the other day in Onehunga I was like hmm, could do with more noise

Looks awesome. Though the interior looks like a shambles, needs a good clean!!

Looking very extreme! Shall look brilliant with the cage.

Awesome. Now let the crying commence!

Did some driving with the paddle shifters. Quite fun... though on a cosmetic note I do need a centre piece for the steering wheel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVdK3h3KUxI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Hmmm. For what it's worth to get all the electrics and mechanicals working just right for only a slight bump in power and torque is it really worth the hassle? While all possible, I think you may end up being disappointed, that said I guess it depends what you're wanting to achieve, it would improve the car without a doubt but isn't the whole ideal of an engine swap to improve it considerably?

Very nice indeed!