Yet another rescued E36 328i M Sport project...
Discussion
Basing a project on a piece of engineering like this is not only a huge learning curve but also makes you appreciate just how well thought out and how much effort has gone into putting it together in the first place.
So, Mr helix402, what do you propose as a viable venting solution for the battery compartment? Is it simply vented into the boot space? I could go to BMW to get a replacement part, but will it fit/work with a non-standard battery?...
So, Mr helix402, what do you propose as a viable venting solution for the battery compartment? Is it simply vented into the boot space? I could go to BMW to get a replacement part, but will it fit/work with a non-standard battery?...
helix402 said:
Just trying to help you keep rust at bay! Even sealed batteries need venting, you’ll find a hole at each end of your battery. One will normally be plugged, one open. This allows you to choose which end the vent pipe plugs into.
If you do a Google search on the need for venting there are lots of better explanations than I can give.
Thanks mate, I'll look into it...If you do a Google search on the need for venting there are lots of better explanations than I can give.
RickBristol said:
Basing a project on a piece of engineering like this is not only a huge learning curve but also makes you appreciate just how well thought out and how much effort has gone into putting it together in the first place.
So, Mr helix402, what do you propose as a viable venting solution for the battery compartment? Is it simply vented into the boot space? I could go to BMW to get a replacement part, but will it fit/work with a non-standard battery?...
The factory vent pipe and fittings will fit your Bosch battery. It needs venting out under the car via a grommet in the boot floor. There should be a grommet with a small hole in. So, Mr helix402, what do you propose as a viable venting solution for the battery compartment? Is it simply vented into the boot space? I could go to BMW to get a replacement part, but will it fit/work with a non-standard battery?...
It’s a while since I had an E36 328i but from memory the grommet is in the boot floor or battery compartment. If you can’t find one just pick a grommet near the battery and route the vent pipe through it. It’s possible the factory vent pipe may not be long enough depending where the outlet ends up.
helix402 said:
The factory vent pipe and fittings will fit your Bosch battery. It needs venting out under the car via a grommet in the boot floor. There should be a grommet with a small hole in.
It’s a while since I had an E36 328i but from memory the grommet is in the boot floor or battery compartment. If you can’t find one just pick a grommet near the battery and route the vent pipe through it. It’s possible the factory vent pipe may not be long enough depending where the outlet ends up.
Thanks for the info mate. Something else to get sorted in the next couple of weeks... It’s a while since I had an E36 328i but from memory the grommet is in the boot floor or battery compartment. If you can’t find one just pick a grommet near the battery and route the vent pipe through it. It’s possible the factory vent pipe may not be long enough depending where the outlet ends up.
One of the - on going - issues that has reared its head was the failure of the ignition barrel. It decided to give up the ghost and start spinning around. So, off to the BMW dealership to order a replacement. Removed the steering lock from the steering column, as it was impossible to remove the old barrel in-situ.
So the steering wheel and air-bag were first removed.
The snap-off head retaining bolts that holds the lock to the column were then removed to enable removing the old ignition barrel.
However, it was then found that the reason that the ignition barrel started spinning was that the locking mechanism in the lock had failed, so I luckily found a local BMW car breaker that had a spare column and lock. The other problem that needed to be solved, in order to try and get the damn car to start, was a possibly shagged starter motor. And the same breaker also had a good starter motor - £60 for the pair...
The mechanic is now in the process of fitting both the replacement steering lock and new ignition barrel. Fingers crossed, he'll call me with some good news to tell me that the starting issue has now been resolved...
So the steering wheel and air-bag were first removed.
The snap-off head retaining bolts that holds the lock to the column were then removed to enable removing the old ignition barrel.
However, it was then found that the reason that the ignition barrel started spinning was that the locking mechanism in the lock had failed, so I luckily found a local BMW car breaker that had a spare column and lock. The other problem that needed to be solved, in order to try and get the damn car to start, was a possibly shagged starter motor. And the same breaker also had a good starter motor - £60 for the pair...
The mechanic is now in the process of fitting both the replacement steering lock and new ignition barrel. Fingers crossed, he'll call me with some good news to tell me that the starting issue has now been resolved...
Have now moved on to getting the suspension finished.
First up was fitting the new adjustable performance front drop links.
Next, was getting the new rear drop links, powder-coated anti roll bar and new anti roll bar poly bushings fitted.
For the front and rear drop links, I also bought new genuine BMW U links, bolts and washers.
The starter motor was next on the list of issues to sort. Once the original had been removed, we found the reason why the car wouldn't turn over. the original starter motor - on the right of the below pic - was tested and we found that it had become seized solid.
Next, it was time to move on to replacing the clutch slave cylinder. Here you can see that the X-brace had to be dropped too, to enable dropping the engine and gearbox. FFS, just glad that it's gone to a fully equipped garage to do all this stuff...
This was made a whole lot easier as the engine/gearbox was dropped to enable replacing the faulty starter motor.
Here is the replacement Delphi 3.0 litre M3 clutch slave and Hel stainless steel braided clutch line, ready to install on the car.
And installed, now the engine and gearbox etc can be refitted.
Have numerous other update pics to post, but Pixlr online photo editor has decided to fall over, so will do in another day or two...
First up was fitting the new adjustable performance front drop links.
Next, was getting the new rear drop links, powder-coated anti roll bar and new anti roll bar poly bushings fitted.
For the front and rear drop links, I also bought new genuine BMW U links, bolts and washers.
The starter motor was next on the list of issues to sort. Once the original had been removed, we found the reason why the car wouldn't turn over. the original starter motor - on the right of the below pic - was tested and we found that it had become seized solid.
Next, it was time to move on to replacing the clutch slave cylinder. Here you can see that the X-brace had to be dropped too, to enable dropping the engine and gearbox. FFS, just glad that it's gone to a fully equipped garage to do all this stuff...
This was made a whole lot easier as the engine/gearbox was dropped to enable replacing the faulty starter motor.
Here is the replacement Delphi 3.0 litre M3 clutch slave and Hel stainless steel braided clutch line, ready to install on the car.
And installed, now the engine and gearbox etc can be refitted.
Have numerous other update pics to post, but Pixlr online photo editor has decided to fall over, so will do in another day or two...
Edited by RickBristol on Friday 18th May 18:58
iguana said:
Remap for m5O mods etc? Gotta be an enda one- end tuning. I've had other but not close to as good on dyno.
Not sure about the technical details yet. My new mechanic has recommended a stage 1 remap. He has a guy that will do it so that it sorts the engine and exhaust mods. Too much stuff to list here, but will get it sorted without causing loads of issues. The mods themselves should boost the power - bhp and torque - outputs really well. Its not a track/drift car so I'm more interested in getting the mods bedded-in rather than maxing the rpm range etc...Aha yes I've just flicked back through the thread & can see the cams, one big omission is sticking with the 328 pig iron manifolds, the m3 set up is a really good mod, really changes the engine note, far more m3 rasp & a big gain power wise 1Oish bhp alone you wouldn't regret it.
If you fancy nipping up the m4 to Newbury & have it dynoed at h Dev you can compare Vs my various 328s that have been on there, stock, m5O before & after enda, & m5O enda & m3 Mani & full system plus 2 of my 3.O m3s have been on it too.
If you fancy nipping up the m4 to Newbury & have it dynoed at h Dev you can compare Vs my various 328s that have been on there, stock, m5O before & after enda, & m5O enda & m3 Mani & full system plus 2 of my 3.O m3s have been on it too.
iguana said:
Aha yes I've just flicked back through the thread & can see the cams, one big omission is sticking with the 328 pig iron manifolds, the m3 set up is a really good mod, really changes the engine note, far more m3 rasp & a big gain power wise 1Oish bhp alone you wouldn't regret it.
If you fancy nipping up the m4 to Newbury & have it dynoed at h Dev you can compare Vs my various 328s that have been on there, stock, m5O before & after enda, & m5O enda & m3 Mani & full system plus 2 of my 3.O m3s have been on it too.
If you happen to have a set of M3 exhaust manifolds, I'd have them off you. But that's massively unlikely and I'm not prepared to spend another £1 k or so to gain 10 bhp...If you fancy nipping up the m4 to Newbury & have it dynoed at h Dev you can compare Vs my various 328s that have been on there, stock, m5O before & after enda, & m5O enda & m3 Mani & full system plus 2 of my 3.O m3s have been on it too.
iSore said:
You can fix the E36 spinning ignition lock in about 25 minutes for free.......
If only you'd asked.
Thank you for offering... But after removing the ignition barrel we found that part of the problem was the lock on the steering column itself had failed. I did have someone lined up to fix the ignition barrel, but that never materialised,..If only you'd asked.
Would you like to enlighten us on the fix anyway? I'm sure there will be many others who will end up facing what is a common issue with these cars.
Went and did a bit more shopping at my local BMW dealership over the last week.
Got a replacement vent pipe, bung and expansion chamber for the battery compartment - as mine was missing - to stop the battery compartment rotting out.
Bought replacement external door handle rubbers - to tidy up the look of the car as mine were looking a bit tatty. Got a feeling that they might be a bit of a pain to fit...
Got a replacement handbrake sensor - as the last mechanic managed to destroy the original.
And as my original starter motor had given up the ghost - and was now completely seized.
I bought a brand new starter Motor from West Lancs Electrical for £78 including VAT, delivery and an eighteen month warranty to boot!
And got it fitted.
Bought new middle section exhaust brackets and rubbers - as the last mechanic managed to loose the originals...
And got them fitted.
The underside of the car is now nearing completion...
Have had the old clutch slave cylinder removed.
And the replacement Delphi 3.0 litre M3 version fitted. The original bracket the went from the old flexi line to a short steel pipe, pictured above, was deleted as the new braided line was plenty long enough - one less connection.
Complete with new Hel stainless steel braided line.
And finally, for this installment, I bought a new ignition switch - as the original also decided to give up the ghost and was no longer passing power to the starter motor solenoid.
Well, writing this latest installment has been so engrossing that my cat has completely given up on getting any attention, and has made better use of her time by going to sleep.
Time for me too, night night...
Got a replacement vent pipe, bung and expansion chamber for the battery compartment - as mine was missing - to stop the battery compartment rotting out.
Bought replacement external door handle rubbers - to tidy up the look of the car as mine were looking a bit tatty. Got a feeling that they might be a bit of a pain to fit...
Got a replacement handbrake sensor - as the last mechanic managed to destroy the original.
And as my original starter motor had given up the ghost - and was now completely seized.
I bought a brand new starter Motor from West Lancs Electrical for £78 including VAT, delivery and an eighteen month warranty to boot!
And got it fitted.
Bought new middle section exhaust brackets and rubbers - as the last mechanic managed to loose the originals...
And got them fitted.
The underside of the car is now nearing completion...
Have had the old clutch slave cylinder removed.
And the replacement Delphi 3.0 litre M3 version fitted. The original bracket the went from the old flexi line to a short steel pipe, pictured above, was deleted as the new braided line was plenty long enough - one less connection.
Complete with new Hel stainless steel braided line.
And finally, for this installment, I bought a new ignition switch - as the original also decided to give up the ghost and was no longer passing power to the starter motor solenoid.
Well, writing this latest installment has been so engrossing that my cat has completely given up on getting any attention, and has made better use of her time by going to sleep.
Time for me too, night night...
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