tdgray
Well-Known Member
Im a huge proponent of All Metal filler.., to the point people probably get sick of me mentioning it. Really looks like it in the photos. There are a couple other brands out there.
My 1974 Inka S38B35 project
- Thread starter xjan99
- Start date
Im a huge proponent of All Metal filler.., to the point people probably get sick of me mentioning it. Really looks like it in the photos. There are a couple other brands out there.
Thx!!!
xjan99
Well-Known Member
Not much to report. Car is in a new shop for a custom AC etc now
x_atlas0
Well-Known Member
What sort of custom AC are you getting? I'd like to hear more details as I want to do an AC install after / with my engine swap.
rblongboarder
Well-Known Member
This is a fascinating thread to read.. I'm going to restore an E3, and your incredibly detailed photographic history helped me visualize some of the restoration steps.
The photos of your "vehicle rotisserie" for bodywork are useful too. Looking forward to seeing your future progress..
The photos of your "vehicle rotisserie" for bodywork are useful too. Looking forward to seeing your future progress..
xjan99
Well-Known Member
Have we gone mad? 
Somewhat I guess... redesigning and building a completely new AC solution is progressing nicely. PS! The work is done by a specialist shop that has helped bring to life the Kalmar Porsches (Singer reimagined kind-of-work). We still have to test some ideas about engine oil cooling to be more efficient - coolant/oil cooler as one idea located on the intake side.
AC housing internals looks like this
Somewhat I guess... redesigning and building a completely new AC solution is progressing nicely. PS! The work is done by a specialist shop that has helped bring to life the Kalmar Porsches (Singer reimagined kind-of-work). We still have to test some ideas about engine oil cooling to be more efficient - coolant/oil cooler as one idea located on the intake side.AC housing internals looks like this
xjan99
Well-Known Member
sorry, not sure what you are referring to
Amazing project. What era BMW is the S38 from? Where would you recommend learning more about installing an S38 into an E3 chassis? Thanks.
Oldbmwcoupes
Well-Known Member
The S38 came in the US M5 and M6 in 1987 and 1988 (e28 and e24 chassis). this engine was known as the S38b35. The b35 designation showed that it was a 3.5 liter engine. In the E34 chassis M5 it was enlarged to a 3.6 liter engine for the United States. This designation was S38b36. The last iteration of this engine in the e34 chassis was the S38b38 (3.8 liters)
The history of the engine really starts in the 70s when bmw went racing with a modified m30 engine with a 4 valve head Stuffed into the e9 chassis. These rare engines were designated as M49 engines. This engine gave way to the m88 engines. Initially in the M1 race and street cars (1978, 1979) with mechanical injection and in 1984 in the M635 csi with a motronic injection. The S38 and the M88 are very similar looking to the untrained eye. The US S38 engines had, among other things, different cams, slightly less compression and double row timing chains compared to the M88 single, and lighter chain.
Many members here have installed these engines and their variations. Look though the technical threads for detailed information. One of the hardest parts about this swap in today’s world is that the supply of good engines and their ancillaries has dwindled to virtually non existent.
What I love most about this family of engines is how wide and long it is and how beautifully it fills the engine bay. Looking at one of these engines could sort of be the automotive equivalent of seeing the expanse of the Grand Canyon for the first time. It has to be one of the best looking engines from a bygone era. An era where plastic had little or no place under the hood.
The history of the engine really starts in the 70s when bmw went racing with a modified m30 engine with a 4 valve head Stuffed into the e9 chassis. These rare engines were designated as M49 engines. This engine gave way to the m88 engines. Initially in the M1 race and street cars (1978, 1979) with mechanical injection and in 1984 in the M635 csi with a motronic injection. The S38 and the M88 are very similar looking to the untrained eye. The US S38 engines had, among other things, different cams, slightly less compression and double row timing chains compared to the M88 single, and lighter chain.
Many members here have installed these engines and their variations. Look though the technical threads for detailed information. One of the hardest parts about this swap in today’s world is that the supply of good engines and their ancillaries has dwindled to virtually non existent.
What I love most about this family of engines is how wide and long it is and how beautifully it fills the engine bay. Looking at one of these engines could sort of be the automotive equivalent of seeing the expanse of the Grand Canyon for the first time. It has to be one of the best looking engines from a bygone era. An era where plastic had little or no place under the hood.
rblongboarder
Well-Known Member
Back in '08 I owned a '88 E28 M5, which had been modified by Frank Fahey. The engine was bored out from 3.5 to 3.9-4.0L. The
engine had a Stroker Crankshaft in it from Scat Crankshaft.. as I recently learned during a conversation with the seller of this item:
e9coupe.com
My modified S38 had about 425-450hp at 7500 rpm. It was wicked fast.
engine had a Stroker Crankshaft in it from Scat Crankshaft.. as I recently learned during a conversation with the seller of this item:
FS: S38/M88 Scat 92mm Stroker Crank.
Gents, Up for offer is like New Scat M30/S38/M88 92mm stroker crankshaft with knife edge counter weight design. Lighter weight than the OEM. The crank is in excellent condition, rod and main are polished. I also include the std 144mm rods including Moly coated bearings. I am located in SoCal...
e9coupe.com
My modified S38 had about 425-450hp at 7500 rpm. It was wicked fast.
xjan99
Well-Known Member
hi @eriknetherlands! Thanks for the ping. I admit, I have been busy with other stuff so have not pushed on the E9 build as much as I should have.
In summary, the bodyshell was taken to a paint shop I was reccommended and I hoped to get it painted already by the end of last year. We put together a huge list of interior and misc. parts works still needed and .... then came the delays. Car just sat in the bodyshop and every month or 2 when I asked, noone had even started on it. So in August, I ordered the car to be delivered back and we are now looking for other paintshops. Pretty much a year wasted on that part.
However, while waiting for the paint shop we did complete the front suspension/brakes etc setup, refurbished-remade the alternator, cleaned and restored the fuel tank, window lifting mechanisms and then went on to inspect the "rebuilt" S38... to discover that it was not nearly to my standards so we built a new engine in the meantime as well, including restoration of every bolt/bracket and accessory around it
"rebuilt engine"
And a glimpse of the progress and how it sits now:
And other stuff too:
In summary, the bodyshell was taken to a paint shop I was reccommended and I hoped to get it painted already by the end of last year. We put together a huge list of interior and misc. parts works still needed and .... then came the delays. Car just sat in the bodyshop and every month or 2 when I asked, noone had even started on it. So in August, I ordered the car to be delivered back and we are now looking for other paintshops. Pretty much a year wasted on that part.
However, while waiting for the paint shop we did complete the front suspension/brakes etc setup, refurbished-remade the alternator, cleaned and restored the fuel tank, window lifting mechanisms and then went on to inspect the "rebuilt" S38... to discover that it was not nearly to my standards so we built a new engine in the meantime as well, including restoration of every bolt/bracket and accessory around it
"rebuilt engine"
And a glimpse of the progress and how it sits now:
And other stuff too:
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Beautiful work!
tdgray
Well-Known Member
You will be thrilled that all that is done when you get the car painted… then it’s just bolt and go. Very satisfying.
xjan99
Well-Known Member
big bits yes. There will be a lot of small things missing for sure to get the last 5% done. Been there before - just recently restored a more modern E30 M3 convertible and even this one had parts hard to find…
E30 M3 cabrio is a rare bird indeed! Love to see a picture or two