BM WORLD 1286 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 The drag link I have is longer than the one which I pulled out of the car. So the front wheels are pointing inward towards the engine (I think that's toe in? haha) Once I get it fully drivable I will pop by and compare. Thanks Brent will be e32 then , normally stamped "e32" or "e34" at one end of them Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt45 1 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Your invoice is on its way .... sub60 aint cheap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) f**k YEAH! All my (and my mates) hard work has come to fruition!! Took it for a 10min spin around my neighbourhood, I am very pleased. Words cannot describe how happy I am Only took it easy, but my god it's awesome. A few small issues to sort for WOF (light bulbs etc) but it's going!!!!! :D :D :D I also want to say a HUGE Thanks to everyone who has helped me/supplied parts and information. There are too many to mention, but you ALL know who you are . Thankyou. Edited June 29, 2010 by Creaver - STOK3D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Great result! Welcome to the club Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 0 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Wow epic so its all running good Ian?!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Great job Ian-I had the recent pleasure of a couple of snots in Si's beast - I feel your joy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Standing ovation Ian! Awesome job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Thanks guys . She runs sweet as! I am OHHH so happy I did all the maintenance while she was out of action. Have the obvious 'trans program' error, but will have a chat to Ross at BM Workshop to remove this and recode the DME to a manual one (like he did to his converted 540i). The only thing I can think of which I havn't replaced (mechanically, apart from a new engine) is engine mounts (to be done soonish) and wheel bearings haha! There is a slight issue where I think I might have put the shifter linkage connector (thing at back of gearbox which the linkage goes through) upside down when replacing the selector shaft seal and this is rubbing against something. When I attempt to go for 1/2 or Reverse I feel a vibration as if it's rubbing against something (driveshaft??) I had four people in the car (including myself) and gave it a little juice in 2nd (going easy on the clutch and not changing gear while revs are high or accelerating when clutch isn't fully engaged) and it goes quite well . A full costing will be sorted in the days to come for those interested. A quick guesstimation is that the conversion was done for less than 5k (not including the maintenance carried out on other parts of the car). ...and compulsory videos are planned once it has a current WOF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1286 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 great work . good to hear you got it all going . yes sounds like the shifter rod is upside down etc . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 855 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) All good things take time and a hell of alot of patience.... great work Ian BTW: was a pleasure to be able to help out Edited June 29, 2010 by *Glenn* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 (edited) The bad news - my car almost caught on fire and all my hard work wasted The good news - the smoke helped me locate a contact that had been causing all my light issues!! About 6months ago I removed a cassette holder which goes in the centre console between passenger and drivers seat. There were 2 f**king wires which were connected to this and both were not insulated. What caused it to smoke at the exact moment we were replacing the washer fluid we have no idea...but bloody lucky it happened when it did! Replaced a few bulbs which were blown, and because of the previous issue the remaining lighting issues were resolved! Hooray!! Took her for a quick drive on the motorway to manukau and back home. Shimmy is almost gone (another good job!!). I'm hoping a decent alignment tomorrow will make it dissappear for good (cross fingers!). After alignment i'm off to get a WOF!!.....with everything basically replaced on the car I don't see a reason for it to fail???????????????????? Edited June 30, 2010 by Creaver - STOK3D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 That was scary My 540i had the a/c voltage regulators burn out, smoke poured out the vents, was quite scary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 (edited) Huge effort man ! What z3 shifter did you end up going with and how are you finding it? Edited June 30, 2010 by crazyarab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Mike - We only had a small bit of smoke pouring from the centre console, very lucky! Atta - I ended up going with a 1.9 shifter. It's short, but not too short and much notchier than the standard one. I quite like it. I have a picture somewhere with the difference in lengths that I will post at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Righto. Alignment - check. WOF - check. Driving for the last 5 and a half hours to 'wear in clutch' - check. Enjoying every minute of the 5 and a half hours - check! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Hahahaha excellent! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 My observations so far. I don't know how this is possible - but the exhaust seems louder than it was as an auto? (maybe a bit more application on the loud pedal? lol) The engine loves to rev all the way to the redline. Previously with the auto, once it got to about 4.5k the pull would remain constant, now it pulls harder past this point to 6250. The short shift is wonderful. The z3 1.9 is a direct fit and IMO is a great addition. I havn't put all of the sound insulation/covers back on yet, but it gets quite hot in the cabin (shifter hole in trans tunnel still open apart from rubber boot) and there is quite a bit more noise from the engine bay heard in the cabin. The rear is much more stable/solid. Previously when jacking the car up on the side (using jacking points) the rear wheels would both remain on the ground while the front was lifted. Now I can raise the entire side of the car when I do this. I used to have a squeak which would come from the rear when you went over a big bump or pushed the rear down, this has now gone. The idle is much smoother as well as engine response...just need to replace those engine mounts. I am very happy with the result. Who's keen on hampton downs/pukekohe in the next month or two? Will try and get some vids tonight or over the weekend, sounds glorious! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted July 1, 2010 It will certainly be a different car Maybe you're just imagining more noise because of the fact you can get to redline? Plus the faster spin up with new clutch/flywheel perhaps? There's two playday events for Taupo track 1 coming up, plus some at Hamptons ones too. I'd be keen to compare your shortshifter given the chance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerry 10 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 good work man. glad to here its worked out well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 It will certainly be a different car Maybe you're just imagining more noise because of the fact you can get to redline? Plus the faster spin up with new clutch/flywheel perhaps? There's two playday events for Taupo track 1 coming up, plus some at Hamptons ones too. I'd be keen to compare your shortshifter given the chance No problem about the short shifter. Feel free to let me know next time you're in Aucks. I will check out the playday website now. Cheers Kerry, I can't wait to see how your project turns out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Ian well done on the conversion, high's and lows for you. With the conversion to manual trans/ lightened flywheel etc what weight lose do you think you obtained?. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 Awesome. I love electrical fires, had the same thing happen to me after I did mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 Allan - I would say approx 60-70kg maybe a bit more? The manual gearbox I can lift by myself (average build guy). However the auto is a STRUGGLE with two people....and we were only trying to move it about 8m from one garage to another at my house! The weight difference in the flywheel alone is about 9kg based on THIS My job over the weekend is to clean the girl up and attempt to put some of the trim back together etc (and work on some vids ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 Short video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 Thanks Ian that is about the weight of an average person then 80kg's. If you can remove that amount of weight from a e34 by a trans swap. It begs the question is how much more weight could be removed with out compromising the ride/handling quality and road noise factor not only e34's but any BMW model for that fact. The ability for the car to rev out easier do you feel is due to the flywheel/trans set up, engine work you did or the sheer thrill now it's a manual and I'm going for it?. How do you find the gear spacings, zero to red line 1st , second red line etc Would be very interested if you notice any change in your fuel consumption either way? Happy miles ahead and well done once again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
