Michael.

That is correct. Apparently you can only bring in one every so often, and must keep it for 1 year? I haven't read up on it for a little while Ideally I'd like to import a 2002-2006 Toyota Century V12, fortunately they are so rare (few 100 made a year) and unique they fit in with the special interest category.

Thanks for the pictures Mark Yeah... that had crossed my mine a couple of times - I think you are right. Oh yeah, would you be able to snap a couple of pictures so I can get an idea of how they would need to be cut? Would be much appreciated Ray!

I was actually meaning it in a plural 318i(s) Therefore I should have said 318ci(s) / 318cis - but I couldn't be bothered.

Hi E36 M3 owners, if it's not too much trouble when any of you have some free time could you take some pictures of your M3's Coolant expansion tank setup? I just want to get an idea of how the brackets/mounts work for them as I need to install the same setup in my car. I bought an M3 Euro tank and then got a set of brackets for it but they're wrong, turns out they are actually for a USA spec M3, so because of that they can only go where my brake booster is.... I could probably mock some mounts up out of alloy or thin steel, but factory pressed ones are just that much nicer. So yeah, any close up, clear pictures would be extremely appreciated! Hopefully from there I can work out what parts I need....

Welcome. Looks like a nice example. Glad to hear the 318is are 'very exciting'

That is one fabulous looking 525i! Drive and enjoy

Happy birthday Josh.

That's fairly impressive. In that case I'd say Ill be ok for the meantime. This week I redesign my engine mount brackets. This time I will run thicker steel plate, 4mm to 8mm... Although I am probably over engineering them... I've also changed the design so it will allow the engine sit 10mm lower to the subframe, giving a bit more clearance up top. Original and current plates, 4mm thick..... fairly basic. This is the new design with the 8mm plate, I've also angled the sides of the vertical brackets to help spread the load... Id imagine these should be pretty impossible to break even with hard track use. Then again my stock 4mm ones are probably strong enough, they seem to be holding up well so far - but Id rather them be that much sturdier, just in case. As before I'll get these laser cut for welding up and fitting next week.

This

Moved back 400mm?! I imagine you have cut into the firewall right? Heh, a one tonne car with a 1JZ. Now that sounds like a whole lot of fun! Hmmmm that is an interesting idea... using stock Toyota ones. I could quite easily use a stock LS400 or Toyota Soarer V8 one, it would just mean a bit of custom work with the hanger & a custom rear tail flange. So far my stock lengthened E36 325i shaft seems to be holding up ok.. but time will tell once it gets a bit of abuse. At best I am aiming to put out 300hp/400nm, it may be strong enough as it is but I suppose I will have to look at upgrading it eventually... I mean how can a shaft designed for a 200hp/250nm inline 6 handle nearly twice the torque and 50% more power.... Hmm!

For that kinda money it's worth the gamble. As long as the body is straight, everything else can be fixed. Ideal price to do a semi rebuilt and replace key parts etc, 10k for the car, 5k on repairs.

1JZ-GTE heck that must go in an E30, my car would be a good few 100kgs more and only push out 200rwhp at best in its current state! I pondered the 1JZ VVTi route, but I just have a thing for the 1UZ & V8s so went that route. Hows your drive shaft holding up? Do any upgrades to it or just run the stock one?

Totally agree Josh. Some good points you had made there. I had actually written a lengthily response to your post above the other day but by browser crashed and I lost what I had written! On another note, this evening I worked out the exact cost I invested into the engine conversion parts only, came up with $9,000 which is pretty good really - At the begging I had estimated $10,000. So for that price a stock E36 Coupe could be changed to run the setup I currently have for $9000 - of course this excludes all the cosmetic sides of things inside and outside the car (bumpers, seats, door cars, roof lining etc) and the other necessary upgrades to get the most out of the setup, like gearbox upgrades, full extractors & exhaust, reinforcements, chassis braces, suspension/wheel/tire/brake upgrades & replacements - that is where the other cost blows things out. It's all very well upgrading the engine - but the rest of the car also needs to be upgraded! That is something I think is easily forgotten when conversions are done.

The real figures of a M62B44 are quite something... funny how I could have had one of those instead of what I have now. Guess my 191kw / 360nm will just have to do for the meantime.

Half the fun with doing these things is learning as you go. Even if you have a fair idea with what you're doing it's not until you actually do it you come to realise things you never thought of before and have to come up with solutions and what not to make things work the way you want.

G'day, mmm a great choice of car!

I prefer the factory intake with the baffles removed, sounds excellent.

'crazyafrican1'

Asking about twice what I would pay.

I guess we are luck solid walls just dont appear on the motorway when we are doing highway speeds.

This is marvelous!

Wow, that sucks about the eye injury. I normally wear my safety glasses, but occasionally forget - this is a good reminder to wear them at all times!

Hey guys, I need some work done on a plastic coolant tank, need a plug welded up and a new pipe section welded on in place on a different angle. Can anyone recomend a decent place in Auckland that does plastic welding? Cheers!

Thats a good profit

Washed it for the first time in two months Looks fantastic despite the bit of paint work needed.