Bmw 130i project

[rwdvectra]

Thought i'd start a thread about my car so here it is

I've come from a long line of vauxhall,mainly vectra's, from C20let conversions, v6 conversion and lastly VXR's which are a very under estimated car. I had a vector vxr track car but was costing me too much and the direction it was going it was becoming a full on touring car so ended up braking it ops:





The spec was immense, race technology dash, DTA S80, compomotives, k-sports the list goes on

After breaking i found myself without a car. I was out at the ring and drove my friends mapped 135i and i loved it!!! I didn't want another turbo'd car so set my heart on a 130i.





After the ring trip my plan was to search for a late-ish 130i. I then decided it probably wasn't best as i wanted to track it and take it ring so ended up going for a cheap well specced one instead and bought this




Quickly got rid of the 19's and fitted Nankang NS2r's and BC coilers



Took it to my mates for a good clean





Then back out to the ring!!!







I didn't really touch the car for a while after that (last September) until recently i was reading up on rear diff's. I'd seen a few people had fitted the M3 diff and decided to give it a go. Quick search on ebay came up with a complete rear end off a E92 up in North for £500!! Asked my boss if i could take my work van up to collect it and in a heartbeat i went up and collected it




When i got it back i had a quick search and there was a complete front subframe from a E93 M3. so a quick jump in the van again and i went and got it.



Checked my new wheels went over the brakes.




I then booked a couple days off work and borrowed the ramps next door to my work and got on with fitting it. I knew the rear bolted up but wasn't sure exactly was involved. Ended up being pretty straight forward, although i had to buy M3 coilers as i the shock never fitted the front hub.









Custom propshaft







Fitted and alloy radiator and BMWP strut brace while the car was off the road






And this is how the car sits at the moment




This is where the car is at the moment, off to the ring next month and again in september and once back it should be getting stripped and caged. Comments welcome

[youtube]dm17wgEbNc0[/youtube]

Edited by rwdvectra on Sunday 19th April 20:31

[rwdvectra]

Thanks for the comment's guys


The front wheels rub slightly every now and then. The front arches have been slightly rolled.

Fututre plans are to strip it, cage it then see how i get on with the original N52 then decide between a S54 (E46 M3) or a N54 (135i 3.0 twin turbo) Either way i plan on building one of the best E87's i can

philmots said:

Love stuff like this.

Most people would be happy be with a Quaife, but no replace whole fornt and back ends. Excellent??

The complete front and rear end where cheaper then buying a quaife by itself!! The fact i had to change my coilovers bumped the overall cost up but i'm more than happy with the setup

Edited by rwdvectra on Monday 20th April 02:12

[rwdvectra]

Thanks for the comment's. If i've missed anything feel free to ask again

Ruskie said:

Great car very subtle.

One question though...would it not of been more cost effective to just buy an E46 M3? Better engine and all round package out of the box and better looking as well. Not a criticism mind just wondered.

Thanks. I never bought the car with the intention of going the way i have, although i probably wouldn't of bought a M3 even if i had known the direction it was going. I've got 80% of the performance with 50% of the running costs.

BMRuss said:

Nice work as usual Lee

cheers rich. Shame you're not coming ring next month to have a ride ;(

harrykul said:

That's some brilliant work O!

Can I ask where you got the custom prop from?

Thanks,

A company in barnehurst modified the prop. If you need exact details i can find out.

DanielSan said:

Serious amount of work, but if you don't want turbo why now consider dropping in a 135 lump?

Cheers

I didn't want another turbo lump when looking for the car a year ago. A year on I do-ish

Remagel2507 said:

I thought that too, surely one of these bolted on would be better http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13J...

ESS are only just getting round to releasing a kit for the N52. I've messaged them but at the time it wasn't ready for release. I've been following a thread on a american forum and the test cars have been having niggles. That is also an option though but not sure i would choose it over a tuned N54

ManOpener said:

This:



Is pretty much the best looking 1 series hatch I've ever seen.

Edited by ManOpener on Tuesday 21st April 13:25

Much appreciated

lewisf182 said:

Will be watching this with interest. Wish I had the balls to do this so fair play! Should be very interesting.

Would it not be more interesting /roughly same cost to supercharge the N52 than to drop in a 135i? granted supercharger would probably give you same stock BHP as an N54/55 but will be different and won't effect the instant response of the N52.

As above mate. I think i'd want the torque of a n54 over a s/c but the overall cost of the charger would be a lot lower. I have another 6 months before i make the choice

wongthecorrupter said:

looks nice mate, and it flies around the ring.

Haha how are you doing simon?. I guess you can vouch for the handling etc and that was before all the mods!! I was watching the ring lap towing the V8 M3 round just the other day funnily enough. Hope you and Gemma are all good

J4CKO said:

Loving this, they dont seem to get modded much, except for the odd remapped 135i, didnt realise 3 series underpinnings fitted.

Everything is a direct fit. Literally can unbolt the whole underneath of a E9x M3 and stick it on a 116i. I guess it make the car's cheaper to build

[rwdvectra]

[rwdvectra]

WojaWabbit said:

Great project! Love the originality, not following the crowd. Good effort

Thanks

yonex said:

OP I've got to the point of fitting M3 arms but never thought of a subframe. I remember loads of people saying I had to go the BMW performance brake route and that 335i calipers wouldnt fit etc. it's great when you find tons of cross compatability which saves a ton of cash, in that case £600 vs £2K, bonkers.
The cost of the Birds kit and LSD is about 2800-3000, it's enough to question the whole thing really. Are there any weird things to consider with the M3 diff and the electronics, how will you go about setting up the car up etc. what have you done with spring rates and roll bars, is it all stock apart from the prop? It's extremely interesting what you are doing with this and is love to hear how it changes the dynamics. Oh, what were the wheels you had on with the other brakes, they suit the 130 down to the ground.

The M3 subframe is twice the thickness of the standard item. I read loads before i done it but i can't remember much. IIRC you have the change an arm on the rear if you're not using M3 brakes and want to keep yours but i knew i wouldn't be so never took it in. If you're using your original suspension then you have the swap another arm also for your original one as the shocks mount different on the arm. You won't be able to use the M3 front brakes either if you keep your original suspension.

I paid £500 for the complete rear, £300 for the complete front, £700 for the coilovers and £120 for my prop. Fitted it myself and then just consumables.

There's no effect on the electronics or any weird things unless you use the M3 steering rack which i have. The M3 has servotronic so under 30mph it opens a valve and makes the steering lighter. My steering is heavy now but you get used to it and it has so much more feel and needs less input. I have the e92 rear bar and E93 front bar (stiffer than a E92 one) and Imo they are too stiff for the car. I'm going to refit my front 130I bar and try and source a 335i rear bar and see how i get on. I'm using the springs that came with the M3 coilovers, i considered keeping the 130i ones but these feel so much better.

I can't remember the name of the last wheels but can find out, they are on my mates 135i and look perfect. Makes me regret getting rid of them

[rwdvectra]

wongthecorrupter said:

we are good thanks mate, how are you and Dean. Nice work on the car, should be just how you wanted it now. You should keep it and supercharge it. We are planning another euro trip next September for my 40th, if you are over there we can try and arrange some dates and meet at the ring. I may even grow a pair and take the Tuscan round. I love the stance on your car now. Both car and driver very impressive on the track.

I will give you a text in the week, Bring the TVR and do a few laps!!!!

Neil G60 said:

If you're into major 1 series fettling you might enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7AJstuSgi4

I watched that the other week. Top car, bit of of my league price wise lol

ATM said:

Just found this thread. Your car looks good and its an interesting project. I see you've chosen the Nankang semi slicks. Have you tried any of the other semi slick tyres?

The NS2R's are the only semi slick i've used on a full track session. They take a while to get up to temp although i don't have a tyre to compare them to. At brands hatch my front left overheated and the car understeered pushing it, unsure if that was the tyre reaching it's limit, a set up issue or i was trying to hard keeping up with other cars. I will use them more and get more of an understanding for them.

[rwdvectra]

I've some updates but will do them in the week. Some pictures from Brands Hatch evening session in the week

[rwdvectra]

I got hold of the most un loved M3 cab last week with the intention of breaking it and keeping the engine and box then selling on what i can to gain money back. Unfortunaly everything is either tatty, broken or doesn't work so struggling to get money back but i have the engine and box!!! I need to get a daily car in the next few months then it will be hopefully going in

[rwdvectra]

Yes mate i was, went up there to watch Blancpain. What was you in?

[rwdvectra]

Time for an update

I went out to the ring and after all the M3 parts that have gone onto the car it was a joy out there. I done around 12 laps and in total was passed by 4 cars. It was out doubt the best ring trip I've had!!!

Couple of pictures







Had a lap with this stripped Mini cooper s. Very very quick car and driver. Poor angle but worth a watch

[youtube]pDEgCXaDyys[/youtube]

I got back from the ring last monday, spent a week away then drove back home. Some night i took the car down to the garage and decided i want to fit the S54!

last drive of the N52, sad times



engine out







Mated the S54 to the 130i's gearbox



Trial fitted



I was worried the manifolds would catch the steering column but have plenty of room



Have to cut away some of the subframe, will get it strengthened later on, also using a V8 m3 mount. Will get the area reinforced at the same time. Will be getting some mounts fabricated this week hopefully




While i had time the dash was removed to get access to wiring and also remove the heater unit and other unrelated bits




Have 3 months to get the conversion done and back out to the ring, fingers crossed

[rwdvectra]

Petrolhead95 said:

Incredible thread, really wish I had the talent you have. Keep up the awesome work OP! If you're ever at Brands, let us know on here, wouldn't mind a nose round!

Cheers, i'm hoping to been there in august for a bit of a shakedown if all goes well..............

BMRuss said:

You don't hang about do you Lee, this will be awesome once done!

September you say?

You coming??????

182RS said:

waoh i didn't know you could swap so many performance parts like that. epic thread OP and yes, it does look pretty good for a 1-series (is it a factory paint option ?)

It keeps costs down for BMW but i never knew it would be so easy to do. Yes its a factory colour. Don't know what its called though

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

cheers

Beedub said:

s54 in a 1 series!! wow!!

When you've finished add a blower!! i LOVE this thread OP keep the pics coming please!

I was talking about this with a friend but need to get it running first lol

ATM said:

Buy these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171806148581

£900

Alcon 6 pot
355 discs
For e90 - same as the 1 series I think

E90 and E87 are the same but the M3 hubs which i have are different from the regular 3 series so they wouldn't fit

[rwdvectra]

Sorry for lack of updates. I changed job so have been looking for a unit. Finally found one in rochester that i'm sharing with friends. Will get on with the build now so stay tuned

[rwdvectra]

Thanks for the comments


Some pictures over last few months that I've been MIA, not in any order but no the less some pics


Got myself a daily drive. i was looking for another 1 series or a 3 series but ended up with an Eos :?





I ordered every oring and seal on the engine from BMW



Painted the block and head and various engine parts






Ordered my earls fittings and oil lines and mocal oil cooler with revotec duct







Solid gearbox mounts and vibratechnics engine mounts







Ive spent the last few weekends sorting through the wiring!!!




Indication on the car to where it started it's life





These next few weeks should see a lot more progress as all the electric is wired in at the new unit

[rwdvectra]

Cheers mate, sold the engine a while back unfortunately



Been getting on with the car this last week. Had a trip to the ring last week and got me motivated again!!

The car is basically a shell now, windscreen out, fuel tanks out etc etc

Decided to weld up all the gaps left by various things, made plates up to weld in to the bulkhead and have started stick welding the chassis. Also removed all the sound deadening


















Got my new seat, Sparco pro 2000





Custom flywheel to match the s54 to the 130i box



VAC motorsport throttle linkage




Also got my DTA s100 ecu



More updates in the next week or so

[rwdvectra]

time for some updates

I've had the long tedious task of stich welding, cleaning, plating, primering and painting the interior. Ive done it all with cans as it only a track car so i'm not overly bothered about the perfection of it but its atcually come out quite well


Im just going to upload pics in no particular order
































Had my dash flocked. Trial fitted it








I share my unit with a welder and he gave up most of his saturday to help with with my subframe. Massive thanks to him as i have idea how to TIG aluminium.Very happy with it!!

[rwdvectra]

cheers

[rwdvectra]

inabox said:

I really admire your dedication, watching with much interest.

cheers mate

Gtom said:

I have never really been a fan of the 5 door 1 series but them wheels make it look fantastic.

You don't work for places for scumbags (people) do you?!

I've missed an update, i have rota grid drifts now. When babybmw is up and running i will update with the one is missed

Took me a while to figure out what you meant but no i don't. The guy next door to my unit works for them, he just parks his van outside

greggy50 said:

Amazing Build!

Saw another interesting build on Facebook being tested a 1 series with the 335d motor running 700hp

sounds interesting. Any links?

battered said:

Every credit, that is a lot of work. Also, you may not know how to weld ally, but your mate clearly does. That's excellent work.

I now feel wholly inadequate, I took far too long to change an alternator drive belt on an MX5, having broken one bolt and had to make up and replace a missing one.

He's a professional welder so best left to the pro's i thought

so roll me further bh said:

looking good mate, its going to be a real weapon when finished

hopefully mate. looking forward to finishing it

[rwdvectra]

thanks for the comments

time for an update

Been busy with the car doing a lot of time consuming stuff

got the engine in the right position




got on with making mounts, firstly i made the plates and then made up a frame to make the mount inside. I had invaluable help with the construction with the mounts from my friend i share my unit with. If anyone needs fabrication work done in south east london/medway area then he's your man

















engine mounted for the first time








engine getting ready to go back in, waiting for clutch then going back in for the last time next weekend



swirl pot and bosch 044



made a panel for the race technology dash, needs trimming and neatening up

[rwdvectra]

BMRuss said:

Wow what have you been doing matey I look forward to seeing that finished!

Hope you're well

hopefully not long now mate. off for wiring and mapping soon.

my unit is up the road from you in rochester by the way.

[rwdvectra]

yonex said:

This just gets better. Should be an awesome tool when finished.

cheers, thats the dream

dunny83 said:

Interesting looking back at your first post:

"I've come from a long line of vauxhall,mainly vectra's, from C20let conversions, v6 conversion and lastly VXR's which are a very under estimated car. I had a vector vxr track car but was costing me too much and the direction it was going it was becoming a full on touring car so ended up braking it"

Lol, looks like you can't help yourself! Thats good for us though as this has to be one of my favourite projects on here

Cant wait to see it finished and on track

we have a joke at work as when got the car i said i won't be touching it....... I was hoping it would be a quick-ish NA car with not much potential for turning into a money pit but hasn't worked out like that

chrisb92 said:

Wow, I've just come across this. Looks amazing! Can't wait to see the finished product.

ashley95 said:

Wow! this is awesome!
Excellent work

cb1965 said:

Cracking project, love how it started off so'lightweight' and is now full on and then some

Thanks

BMRuss said:

I'm excited for you, lots of hard work gone into that by the looks of it.

Didn't know you were in Rochester? let me know the address and I will shoot up with Mario for a nose one weekend mate.

look forward to it mate

dom9 said:

Great thread - Looking forward to seeing this built back up!

Beedub said:

s54 = engine perfection.

well done !

thanks

Amirhussain said:

Great thread! Don't know how I've come across it nw. Love your work and dedication!

The thread title isn't really a clue to the project anymore but not sure how to change it so it's a bit hidden lol, thanks