Warren this might be specific to US cars. I'm sure someone will chime in.
My Coupe Project
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Warren this might be specific to US cars. I'm sure someone will chime in.
restart
Well-Known Member
Yesterday was a good day. I ran in to a bit of a hiccup that I should have figured out before the engine went in the car. Fortunately with the help of Paul (he did all the figuring) and Chris who helped with the install we overcame the issue. Since the engine is a 3.8 litre it needs to breath a bit more than a 3.0 so I went on the hunt for a nice header solution. I wanted something that BMW made so I purchased a new set of M88 headers, the challenge is that the M88 headers are for a 4 valve engine so the flange is completely different. I figured we could modify the headers by grafting in a new 2 valve flange. I ended up finding a set of Alpina E34/B10 headers that are nearly identical to the M88 headers; but are for an M30 engine.
This however created another problem. The headers are a straight forward bolt on; but the #2 pipe interferes with the passenger side motor mount; so we had to modify the factory motor mount by moving it forward with an adapter.
The forward header interferes with the mounting holes for the bracket.
This is an adapter that fits over the mount on the subframe.
This combined with a modified bracket moves the mount forward allowing enough space for the headers. Fortunately the M90 block has two additional M10 bosses which we utilized for the bracket.
I also redid the heater box. Someone had sprayed some sort of undercoating on the box which was hard and brittle. I had to scrape then sand the heck out of the box. I also took the whole box apart so that I could clean the inside and replace on the foam on the flaps.
I cleaned the old foam off the flaps and replaced them with new foam. It's a bit of a bear doing this with just two hands. The foam goes around the top of the flaps and attaches on the other side. Two of the flaps utilize rivets as well as glue.
I lubricated and adjusted all the cables so the flaps open and close properly and shut tightly.
Heater box cover after dent removal.
The seats are finished and now Juan is getting ready to start work on the door panels.
Here is one of the front seats.
Juan inspecting his work.
And the rear seats.
The rear armrests are finished, I just can't find the picture.
I haven't installed the overflow tank yet; but I got most of the dents out and then filled the rest. I had the tank pressure tested prior to doing the cosmetics.
And the hood insulation is in.
This however created another problem. The headers are a straight forward bolt on; but the #2 pipe interferes with the passenger side motor mount; so we had to modify the factory motor mount by moving it forward with an adapter.
The forward header interferes with the mounting holes for the bracket.
This is an adapter that fits over the mount on the subframe.
This combined with a modified bracket moves the mount forward allowing enough space for the headers. Fortunately the M90 block has two additional M10 bosses which we utilized for the bracket.
I also redid the heater box. Someone had sprayed some sort of undercoating on the box which was hard and brittle. I had to scrape then sand the heck out of the box. I also took the whole box apart so that I could clean the inside and replace on the foam on the flaps.
I cleaned the old foam off the flaps and replaced them with new foam. It's a bit of a bear doing this with just two hands. The foam goes around the top of the flaps and attaches on the other side. Two of the flaps utilize rivets as well as glue.
I lubricated and adjusted all the cables so the flaps open and close properly and shut tightly.
Heater box cover after dent removal.
The seats are finished and now Juan is getting ready to start work on the door panels.
Here is one of the front seats.
Juan inspecting his work.
And the rear seats.
The rear armrests are finished, I just can't find the picture.
I haven't installed the overflow tank yet; but I got most of the dents out and then filled the rest. I had the tank pressure tested prior to doing the cosmetics.
And the hood insulation is in.
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Don't forget, we got the engine harness to chassis harness done with a six spade plug too.
RonP
Well-Known Member
I like the adjusted motor mount as it actually spreads the load out.
looking great Mike. so who did the seats, they look great. i would be interested in pix of the armrests. i will probably redo my side armrests with black leather ... but i want to find somebody that can do a great job.
Scott I will get some pictures to you. Juan Ortiz did the seats. His shop is in the same complex as mine. He does great work.
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flarimer
Active Member
OC - great progress! Juan's interior work is - as expected - stunning. The color looks fantastic!
Looks amazing, those headers are to die for
catch those polished seat sliders. looks great.
Many thanks!!!
Here are the rear seats with the center armrest. Juan still has the other armrests.
Car porn. Amazing stuff!
A little car porn.
These alpina headers came back from being jet coated on the outside with a copper ceramic coating on the inside.
These alpina headers came back from being jet coated on the outside with a copper ceramic coating on the inside.
Sexy!
Got an extra pair laying around 
?
?
Congratulations for the stunning job! Those seats in particular are an eye candy.
I've a question: weren't the suspensions chassis painted in black?
If not, what is the color code of that stone grey?
Thanks!
I've a question: weren't the suspensions chassis painted in black?
If not, what is the color code of that stone grey?
Thanks!
Just to state the obvious, car looks amazing and everything else also.
Nice leather-color on the seats, perfect match for the color on the car IMO.
Cheers,
Nice leather-color on the seats, perfect match for the color on the car IMO.
Cheers,
Subframes came in both satin black and Mike's grey/green color, the 2002 models also used both colors. Can't figure out when they changed but I have seen both early and late cars with either color.