francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 11, 2018 Well, it's been a while since I last looked at this project, mainly due to other projects, business and getting married. Oh and moving house and travels etc (any excuse really haha) Original build http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/49495-e39-touring-to-ute-project/ As some of you may know, I recently brought the Ute out of storage where its been for the last 18 months. I spent a few days deciding what direction the project should take and what deadline. I've chosen to go with a recently acquired decent PFL 540 that will be used as the foundation to power the ute, as trying to locate a donor M5 is just becoming near impossible. So for now, the plan is to run a super charged rebuilt M62 with padel shifts. The following still needs to be done, - Complete the Tailgate. - Rear left chassis jack point needs rebuilding - Review of the body work for surface rust, dings, misc things that need doing. - Engine bay clean and detail - A few wiring tidy ups - Engine transplant along with drive shaft, diff etc - Super charger kit for the M62 - Adjustable Suspension - Custom deck cover - Full respray, colour yet to be decided - Certification and re registration. If you or anyone you know is good with a welder, PM for some extra cash work 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) Over the last week, I've made descent way on the tailgate section, getting all the wiring and structure pieces cut up and welded. Welds aren't the best as the metal on that side of the chassis is rather thin. Pin holes will be filled with deck liner and the end bits will be sealed with heavy duty weather resistant silicone. Hinge needs to be aligned slightly, but opens and closes pretty well. Edited August 11, 2018 by francoisv 8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3318 Report post Posted August 12, 2018 great to see you're underway with this again, Francois! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted August 12, 2018 Great to see this project up and going again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Thanks guys. It's good to be able to start working on it again. Made some progress on the the minor imperfections that needed to be covered up at the rear. Will sand down and shape tomorrow followed by some Epoxy primer. Still deciding on the rear licence plate location. Use the existing in the tailgate, or weld up and relocate to rear bumper 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted August 14, 2018 i like the name of this thread.. "re-boot" 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 20, 2018 On 8/15/2018 at 9:36 AM, qube said: i like the name of this thread.. "re-boot" Haha yea I thought so too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 20, 2018 Okay so I have Clint from LVVCA coming to have a look at the ute next month. Anyone had much dealings with him? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted August 20, 2018 1 hour ago, francoisv said: Okay so I have Clint from LVVCA coming to have a look at the ute next month. Anyone had much dealings with him? I haven't personally, but everyone I spoke to about a cert recommended him over everyone else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 20, 2018 11 hours ago, zero said: I haven't personally, but everyone I spoke to about a cert recommended him over everyone else. Thanks mate, that's the vibe I get from everyone too. Let's hope it all goes well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted August 27, 2018 So a dirty beautiful package turned up today 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted September 13, 2018 (edited) Not much of an update as I'm waiting on Clint from LVVT to come see the ute (he is scheduled in for tomorrow) , but had these arrive in the other day, almost all the puzzle pieces now to finish it off before paint. Edited September 13, 2018 by francoisv 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted September 13, 2018 Wow the taillights really make a big difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted September 13, 2018 11 hours ago, zero said: Wow the taillights really make a big difference. Yea they do. They actually helped with deciding on a final colour too. Going with the Audi Nardo Grey, with everything else black 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted December 10, 2018 So over the last month or two, i have been going over the car and "fixing" the small detail stuff that needs doing. Things like some minor dings in the body work, re doing some welds, and started the repair work on the jack points that were quite damaged by rust as well as having the donor engine looked over and all looks good for engine transplant over Christmas. Not many photos yet, as its not very interesting. Getting the car ready for the engine swap will be a good mile stone and then look at paint early next year, but will hold off on spaying the deck tray until the below has been addressed. A certifier has been out and was pretty hard case. He refused to acknowledge anything the previous certifier had inspected and requested i open the tray panels up for investigation. I have been in touch with the LVVTA and another certifier to work around this, so will see how that goes. Understandably he is putting his name on the build as a sign off, but its a good case of how different every inspector is. LVVTA suggested i engage another certifier as the regulations are around safety ad impact to the driver / passenger cabin and since i have not made any adjustments or modifications to the front cabin, that should be taken into consideration etc etc - Not really sure how that all pans out In other news, I have just purchased the below - yes, its the same plate as the one in Aussie, but i dont care and it suits the car quite well. I did put a space between the M and the U ? 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted December 10, 2018 I heard a certifier in Auckland lost his licence for giving certs on cars that weren't up to standard, so I'm sure all the other certifiers are being extra cautious. Was Clint the cert guy you used? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted December 10, 2018 nice plate i like it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted December 10, 2018 3 hours ago, zero said: I heard a certifier in Auckland lost his licence for giving certs on cars that weren't up to standard, so I'm sure all the other certifiers are being extra cautious. Was Clint the cert guy you used? Original Cert fella was Lance Welsh, then yea, Clint came and had a look and dismisses pretty much everything Lance had done... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted January 14, 2019 (edited) Edging slowly towards the finish line. Been busy repairing the rear jack points (using parts from the donor car) - bloody rust not so good. Should have both sides completed within the week, and then it's time to start preparing for the engine swap from the 540 donor Edited January 14, 2019 by francoisv Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted January 14, 2019 And in other news, finally got around to purchasing the suspension 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted January 23, 2019 So after shopping and looking for a set of rear coil overs that would fit, I was about to pull the trigger on getting the lads at PitStop Penrose to get a custom set made up. The cost would have been an additional $750, however, as luck would have it, my brother purchases a new set of BC coilovers last year, off Facebook, believing it was for a Honda Accord, but were for something else and did not fit. I decided to have a look at the rears of his set and BOOM, they were a perfect fit for the ute. Almost like they were made for the E39 Touring. So we mounted his shock to my housings and it fits like glove. Our own DIY Custom Standard VS 'Custom' 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3318 Report post Posted January 23, 2019 sweeeeeeeet! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted March 31, 2019 Friday it was decided that the time had come for the long awaited heart transplant. So we began stripping the 2.8 out of the ute and marking all the bits and bobs. I then began striping the 4.4 and marking it's bits and bobs for match up to the ute. Was easiest to drop the entire subframe from both cars as to just swap them over ? the plan for this week is to get the M62 stripped, cleaned and rebuilt, as well as giving the utes engine bay a good clean and tidy up. 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted April 20, 2019 Started stripping down the M62 and replacing a few bits and bobs like sensors etc. Have also decided on Galaxy Purple for the rocker covers and a few other pieces too. Should match up with the flat Audi / Lambo Grey quite well. Should have the motor and subframe back in within the next week days, hopefully before I head to Bali 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted April 21, 2019 Today's progress was slow, due to that damn water pump. What a pita of a thing to remove and in the process, I broke the pully - sigh. However it was not a complete loss, managed to finish the rocker covers (one of my favourite colours), replaced the Sump gasket, oil pump O-rings and started cleaning the subframe and thermosta 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
