1972 BMW E3 3.0si

So I picked it up on Friday and got stuck in for a few hours in the afternoon

 

 

 
Supplied with no interior, pre-stripped

 
The car for what and how old it is, is in fantastic condition IMO. So far the welding list consists of a patch at the end of both outer sills, patching by the floorpan "jacking" points, a few tiny stitches around the rear wheel wells and the spare wheel well. Some pics of the rust
Drivers side

 

 
Passenger side

 

 
The engine bay is in bits and I thought the 3.0 engine was missing it's rare injection system....

 
But on further inspection, someone has been here before me!! It's the remnants of an E12 3.5 engine!

 

 
There were tell-tale signs, the block is painted red, gearbox bellhousing bolts were mainly loose etc. The engine is in a right state, loads of debris in side the ports of the head, and likely in the combustion chambers too. So it's still coming out as the E28 M535i engine I've got is a known good unit.
 
The engine is nearly out, I'm currently stuck on a few bolts I need an extra pair of hands for. It should be out tonight with any luck

There was a guy on here somewhere with a pair of glassfibre front wings.

Look forward to seeing where you go with this.

^^ +1
You are at the beginning of a very long and expensive road, but I too am indeed very jealous. can't wait to see this progress.

Looking good Rob!

Are you going to get this caged up? Looks like it will be shaping up to be an amazing circuit / doriftu motor.

Rysz.

Yes, it will be caged and that is exactly my intention

Steve, unfortunately the M535i engine is just a boggo 3.5. The M535i had uprated suspension etc but the engine was ordinary 3.5, except the earlier ones like mine are 10:1 compression compared to the later 9:1 E34/E32 motors, 10bhp difference apparently. Mine will be getting the later E34 motronic injection system though so I will have the best of both worlds.

Any progress with this Rob?

Hi Mark, long time no hear

Not much physical progress due to work commitments and focusing on other cars.... Like drifting my 320i!


This project is more of an "as and when". That said I tried a V8 I borrowed off my local BMW specialists Angus Buchanan.


I said "tried" as I'm not convinced it's going to work. Currently the alternator, engine mounts (integral oil lines built in), subframe mounts are blocking the motor from sitting anywhere near where it should be. If I manage to remedy those clearances then I would have to start the ballache of getting the RHD exhaust manifold to clear the steering box. The E3 steering box sticks out at 45 degrees, if you have a look at the E34 V8 box it runs parallel to the chassis rail.

The most likely engine is going to be an E28 M535i that I already have, E21 5 speed gearbox (5 speed upgrade... with a speedo drive ), E30 M3 flywheel, E30 M20 paddle clutch.

I've been mainly thinking about the brakes as I have ripped out the dual remote servos and they won't be going back. It will most likely be either an E30 pedalbox based solution or using a complete E28 hydro assisted servo system driven off the PAS pump.

Other plans
E12 steering box (straight fit, drops from 4.4 turns to 3.4)
E28 rear axle (direct fit except rear diff/shell mount)
Gaz coilovers of some description

I'm looking out for a derelict E28 M30 car to rob the rear axle and braking system

cool project!! love this body style

Sorry, I'm quite fond of the style 5s and they look pretty good on the E3! I would swap them for some dishy 16" which I think this car would end up with.

It will remain red and probably quite rough looking. Painting and shiny isn't my bad. So... red, rough, low on dishy 16" or 17" wheels.