BMW 2800cs -> S38b36 project

[ChrisandhisE9]

very interesting project!

 

[Belgiumbarry]

our problem was that the S38 ECU needs a signal from the diff as in a M5 ..... which you obvious don't have in a E9.
We bought a electronic "box" that simulates this signal but that went dead very soon.

o well , the engine also broke and instead of repair i went back to a M30 , as i could buy at that moment a '86 factory new engine !

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Made the chassis ready today for transport and the ability to lift it with a fork truck without damaging the floor panels. No planning yet when I will bring it away for paint stripping.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

New update, I received the car back after being delivered at the paint stripping company two weeks ago. It stood in total 4 days in the NaOH to get rid of everything, except the epoxy primer didn't came of completely. Was a bit nervous of course what to expect, but couldn't be that much because I checked the car in and out before I bought it. Only the bulkhead to the interior attachment surprised me a little bit.

I must say, I can really recommend this way of paint stripping, result is very satisfying to my opinion. Now up to the next step, repairing everything.

 

[aearch]

YAE NOT SURE WHY
BUT THE S38 ALIGNED UP PERFECT WITH I THINK 1/2" DIFF ON THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET SO I JUST DRILLED THE OPENING THAT MUCH TO ALIGN THE BOLTS
I HAVE A GOOD 1" AT THE FIREWALL /CYL HEAD MY REAL CONCERN IS THE BRAHE BOOSTER AS IT HAS ONLY A 1/2' CLEAR AT THE AIR BOX .
MIGHT HAVE TO USE AN M66 AIR BOX -WONDER IF I CAN DO THAT?

 

[x_atlas0]

YAE NOT SURE WHY
BUT THE S38 ALIGNED UP PERFECT WITH I THINK 1/2" DIFF ON THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET SO I JUST DRILLED THE OPENING THAT MUCH TO ALIGN THE BOLTS
I HAVE A GOOD 1" AT THE FIREWALL /CYL HEAD MY REAL CONCERN IS THE BRAHE BOOSTER AS IT HAS ONLY A 1/2' CLEAR AT THE AIR BOX .
MIGHT HAVE TO USE AN M66 AIR BOX -WONDER IF I CAN DO THAT?

Never mind, saw you said you are running a 2002 Tii booster already.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

It's almost 2 years ago and not much happend, mainly related to the fact that I became father of my 1st child My daughter is in the meanwhile already 1.5 years old and in combination with a busy job I decided to find a professional workshop to make the chassis ready. This to prevent that when my daughter will be 18 the car is still not ready to drive... It's a Dutch tradition that in the last year of secondary school there is a gala were the students are brought by oldtimers, special cars/vehicles, etc to the gala/party location. You get my goal!

Since january the workshop started working on my chassis and already quit some progress is made. I hope to have it ready by the end of april to bring it to the next step.
With taking of some sheet metal there were also some small disappointments. I inspected the car quit good before I bought it, but still there was more rust then I expected.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

I'm also reinforcing the chassis by welding it through. Also the diff reinforcement is welded on and I'm working on the rear axle to implement the IE upgrade for the camber & toe adjustment.

 

[nosmonkey]

if you are going to the trouble of stitch welding the chassis I would highly recommend welding in some gusset plates to triangulate the chassis leg to the base of the firewall/bulkhead.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

It’s been more then a year ago that I’ve posted an update here. Partly because of becoming father for the 2nd time, but also because of things weren’t moving except for the reupholstery of the seats. After this years summer things are progressing again. With regards to the chassis, front axle, gearbox, diff and since this week also the enige!

Will try to update a bit more frequent then before on progress!

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

The seats, how I bought them, how they were dismantled, upholstered with the emblem from Australia, the middle fabric from Jaymic and leather from a German wholesaler. Not fully satisfied about the headrests yet, but that will be corrected!

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Also regarding the chassis some progress. Still the engine bay needs to be finished as also the nose section part with the headlight holding brackets ( completely missing) as the splash guard at the noose. This was done pretty nice, but custom made. Will be replaced with a W&N sheet metal piece. For the rest the proces has started to fit all aluminum sheet metal parts, hood, bonnet, doors and sill cover to make it a perfect fit!

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Also the gearbox and diff have been done. It’s a Getrag 265 dogleg gearbox with 3.25 25% LSD diff combination. Both fully overhauled, which was necessary based on the corrosion and wear. The gearbox had a missing tooth on the 5th gear axle. It is replaced with a new 2nd hand one. The housing also had some damage were the shift levers are hold in to. This was alu welded and made nice again.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Also the engine made some progress recently, the head and bottom block engine part are back from resurfacing, water blasting and redoing the combustion chambers to its first oversize excess. For the head all valves are checked and fit on/to fitment in their seats and all valve guides are replaced. This engine had run 286k km and that was visible so to say.. It’s will get new Wiseco oversized pistons.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Last but not least I’ve started to work on the front struts, with a very nice result I must say! Replaced the bearings, seals, newly coated strut housing. The brake disc and capilers are from W&N and has the Ferodo DS performance brake pads. It also comes with new bilstein shocks.

I have been doubting quit some time to go for the Wilwood upgrade, but based on all opinions here on the forum I’ve decided to go for original. I have seen an e9 in real with this upgrade which looks very nice, but we will see if I’m missing some brake power with this engine swap…

 

[eriknetherlands]

That's a lot of work!
I get the dilemma of the kids and work.

I have the same target. My son is now 15. I started when he was 4...

 

[tdgray]

That’s a ton of work! Really nice.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Some progress again over the last few months, since last week I have the chassis back after almost 3 years! Really happy with the work that has been carried out, now need to do some small modifications to get everything fitted in the engine bay.
By end of May I also expect the engine back from revision and then I will put it all together to see what needs to be adjusted. Did already some checks in the past, but need to finalize it.

For the rest I did some ‘smaller’ stuff like the wiper motor and rods overall as also mentioned in another thread here.

Almost finished my trailing arms with new bearings in it.

Rebuild the rear brake pressure regulator with parts from PMB Performance.

 

[BMW3.0CSi]

Working in the meanwhile also on the final alignment of the S38 oil cooler and condensor for the AC. The hoses of the oil cooler will be a challenge.