E46 M3 GTR Street Car - Build Project Thread

[m3dragon]

Going S65. Thanks for the post but I want to go the route of pain and suffering vs tried and true =)

[bimmer ///man]

FYI, Epic Motorsports is already running an S65 in an E46. I'm not sure what route they took with it but might be a good place to start.

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by bimmer ///man

FYI, Epic Motorsports is already running an S65 in an E46. I'm not sure what route they took with it but might be a good place to start.

Yup in their race car. There are a few others that have done it as well for race use and a few that done it for street.

I will be reaching out to all of them for data if they are willing to share.

[m3dragon]

First progress update: Living in the car hating state of California, I had to get a smog check done before I registered. Took the car on my usual 20 minute warm up run and had no issue. Car is mechanically sound just looks like the ugly duckling. Made it to the smog station, kept the car warm before they pulled into the bay.

Only idled for 3 minutes before they pulled it so I was not worried about passing now. Go in take care of the paper work, come back out to see how the car does with the usual test. Guy is doing his usual visual check and was waiting for him to do the sniff test and what happens, they pull the car out as all they needed was a computer. WHAT! I went through all that and you just did a computer check to pass. While that is YAY it was a DOH!.

So those in CA who are reading this I got the 411 from the station. They are now finally slowly rolling out the computer only test. Select places have it and are ensuring it works. Any car 1996 till now is computer only. Older requires the full sniff test.

Next step is to begging tear down as well as find a wrecked E9X M3. I am having the damdest time getting one. Friend of a friend is trying but no luck / unknown if they are bidding on either copart or IAA. If someone has a lead I am all ears.

[m3dragon]

I was waiting to post this for some odd reason but I don't know why. At any rate, the donor car has been found and acquired. She is a roll-over but runs and drives and is on here way west. Delivery date is Friday 3/28 WHOHOO.

Project will not start for a few a month or two as the shop where the majority of the work will be done is almost complete. I will share the shop pics once it is done. For now here is the pics of the car at copart. AS with the E46 chassis there will be lots of parts for sale to help fund the project.

[Amirsm3]

Sweet Baby Jesus, I hope whoever was in that wreck is okay.

Looks like the motor is in good shape, though

[BMWDEMON]

WOW, the donor car is really in bad shape...except for that motor!!!

[m3dragon]

That plot has thickened with the E90 M3 donor car. What I had reported was it was a roll over with unknown mileage. I was working on the shop space with some buddies and we discovered it was not a roll over. Instead we found it went through a building and has 24K on it. Mileage is easy as car turns on and drives. The reason we know it went through a building is there is sheet rock and insulation in and around the car.

It has a winter tire setup so likely someone lost control and found a house or office building. Images of are the car after I picked it up from the shipper and have it resting inside the shop. Last image is of the shop under construction along with the chasse car.

[W///]

Wow, nice pick up on that E90. We can only assume things will be moving along from here on out.

Sent you a PM about something.

[Repoman]

Looks like some fun times are ahead! Looking forward to checking out your swap!

[SenorFunkyPants]

You are probably way better with a non roll over car - if the car ends up upside down with the engine still running you can end up with some serious engine damage.

[m3dragon]

Car just got registered to CA today... FINALLY. Took little longer then I wanted from being busy and my wife went into labor two weeks early so our first child was born on May 4th. Already looking at the recaro seats for the little man =)

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

Car just got registered to CA today... FINALLY. Took little longer then I wanted from being busy and my wife went into labor two weeks early so our first child was born on May 4th. Already looking at the recaro seats for the little man =)

congratulations on the baby - that is awesome!

I hope the swap is going well. I had to order a bunch of last minute parts that were NOT shipped with my stuff - sort of a pain but we are getting through it. Wing @ Performance Technic is doing all of the wiring now. Its pretty insane.

When are you going to start digging into the car? I want to get up north and check it out and you new workspace.

[m3dragon]

Thanks buddy,

I get 6 weeks off with my work paid which is awesome. So wife and I will be spending the first few weeks bonding then wife gave me the OK during the day to work on finishing the shop and I get the late shift to bond. So I get to finish the shop soon and then start. I will let everyone know as I know some people want to help as well as just see the shop.

[m3dragon]

Wife said I had to share that we already are starting our son off early in his M career. Close friend made the Roundel Binnie and M blanket for our little guy.

[1MOREMOD]

Looks like little old man, guessing he's more a MB or vette fan?

[Law]

Wow what an amazing build. Good pick ups on both the E46 and E90.
I support your choice of the S65. Please do continue to update this thread

[Blakkflame]

Nothing news ??

[m3dragon]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Between new baby, yard word and trying to finish the shop, time has been rather thin. Hopefully the lift that was ordered will be in this next week so actual work on the car can begin. For now it is waiting for the lift and finishing the shop organization and cleaning.

Some parts for the car did arrive. Below is an image of the parts needed for the carbon fiber roof less the carbon fiber panel. In the boxes are the roof rail, headliner, glue and cover brackets.



Here is a sneak peak of the shop space. Not organized nor are the benches in the right area. But this will give you idea why it is taking so long. Once the shop is done this will be a place for learning. By this I mean a place to work on car by invite as well as make DIYs or classes on welding or Vanos timing. Advantage of have a private facility available.

[0-60Motorsports]

Looking great bud.

[JEllis]

Im enjoying the project

[m3dragon]

Anyone in the Bay or area care to come up next Sat, we are installing the lift. Could use some more man power. Also get you a "sneak peak" at the disaster of a shop. will be done soon.

PM me if interested in coming over to help.