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Old Mar 13, 2007 | 05:00 PM
  #14  
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Renton
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: May 2003
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From: Sidcup
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Typically (but not always as such things vary by their very nature with "custom" jobs)

Mounts = custom
Gearbox = T5 standard, likewise the clutch
Prop = custom
Diff = BMW standard
Management = YB standard
As Roy Walker might say, "it's close, but it's not quite right"

Specially adapted bits on my car include:
Engine mounts (made by Alto Automotive who originally started the conversion for me before going bust)
Hydraulic clutch conversion. (my BMW was the first car Reyland converted and was the RWD development monkey)
Prop. After Alto went bust, Clive at Prism comissioned the prop via RecoProp.
Rear diff. This has been one of the hardest parts of the conversion and is something I've done myself. The original 318iS uses a 3.4:1 which is way too long and isn't LSD. The car now runs an M3 LSD, with ratio changed from 3.15:1 to 3.9:1 - getting that sorted was a total bastard and still isn't 100% finished as the prop needs to be shortened by an inch due to the larger M3 housing.
Speedo. It reads to a Stack dash via a pick-up behind the front brake.
Wipers. E36s know when they're moving and when they're stationary, so the T5 box now runs an electronic output to remind the wipers to work.

Then it's the obvious stuff (intercooler, radiator, exhaust etc.) that can either be a parts bin bodge up (as in the case of the other E36 Cos I've seen) or it can be done properly (one off) like mine is.

Although the battery had to be moved to the boot to allow the ABS pump tp be moved over to clear the Cosworth inlet, the brake system is actually standard. Well, standard if you don't count the AP Racing fronts and M3 rears.

Brief history of the car:
I bought it as a totally standard 318iS around 9 years ago. Shortly after that it went to Alto Automotive in Hockley for the engine conversion. They mounted the engine and box, then folded, so it was shipped to Reyland to get it driving. It was off the road for five years being built and has been in storage for the last 18 months.

I've got a few things to fix over the next month or two, then it will be up for sale. I'm going to be after £20k as it is. If there's no interest at that, I intend to sell the seats, audio, roll cage, all the interior bling basically. Then I'll fit a nice leather M3 Evo interior, take the boot spoiler off (or fit a standard boot lid) and keep it!

Here's a pic showing the E46 style front and interior.





PS the engine pic Porkie posted is out of date. It's got a roller bearing turbo with 4in inlet now - can't actually remember the details as it's been a while! It's the Turbo Dynamics one that got 430bhp when on our Sierra engine - it's not running high boost on the BMW though, so isn't running anywhere near that power!
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