zboot's 328ti Project - A couple years early

[tiFreak]

sounds like you're working pretty hard, I have to applaud people who are doing engine swaps themselves, I would never have the follow-through or know-how to even attempt something like this

[zboot]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

sounds like you're working pretty hard, I have to applaud people who are doing engine swaps themselves, I would never have the follow-through or know-how to even attempt something like this

Part of the appeal of getting my ti was that I'd get a chance to learn to do these things. I've found for the most part it's not terribly complicated just time consuming the first time around.

When I first removed the rear end of a ti, it took me ~20 hours. When I did it about a month ago at Rendoll's it took ~7 hours. I spend time beforehand reading the Bentley manual and looking up writeups online (especially for pictures) and even while I'm doing the work I reference the manual or any writeups that I found.

I'm one of those people who when it's crunch time can sit and work for 12+ hours at a time. So, I can handle the long working hours just to get one or two parts off the car

[zboot]

Here are the pictures as promised. Man, after eating, I feel like taking a nap. I think I might just do that. . .the rest of this can wait until I don't feel so tired

http://picasaweb.google.com/kamakula/SwapWeekendOneA

[zboot]

Question - can I remove the transmission without supporting/lifting the engine?

NM, found the answer with this writeup (use jackstand below):

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...ny-Removal.htm

[zboot]

I've made an executive decision. There is no way I'm going to be able to get to all those transmission bolts with the tools that I have. Even if I went out and bought the stuff I'll need, it'll be a bitch to remove by myself. Even if I had help, it'll still be a bitch to get the needed combo of tools in place to reach and leverage the top and top-side bolts.

So, I'll just remove the driveshaft, sleep, do the window and bumper stuff in the morning, then spend a couple hours disconnecting stuff on the engine before driving back to Pittsburgh.

Doing it this way saves me from having to buy another set of jack stands since I'd need one more to support the engine if I'd removed the tranny.

BTW ppl - you'all should have told me that it would be MUCH easier to just pull it out as one piece. It wouldn't have saved me any time, but it would have saved me a lot of heartache over the past couple hours .

[zboot]

Ok. I removed half of the drive shaft, disconnected the clutch slave cylinder, and the reverse light wiring harness thing. I had to remove the transmission mount crossmember temporarily to access the driveshaft bolts. Supported the tranny with the floor jack while doing this.

After removing the bolts, put the tranny mount crossmemeber back on, loosen the plastic clamp that secures the center of the driveshaft, then unbolt the center piece of the two halves of the driveshaft. Be sure to have marked both sides - they're only meant to mate up one way. You then kinda pull down along the center and it slides off.

So, I'm done under the car for this weekend After I get a few hours of sleep, I'll fix and test my driver's side window, fix up the bumper, then continue dismantling the front end and engine stuff.

Pics of the removed half driveshaft:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kamakula/SwapWeekendOneB

[thesk8nmidget]

looks like your getting some good progress!

[zboot]

Grr. So I swapped window regulators, tweaked channels, did everything, then the door slam test. . . and it binds up on the way up and the new regulator arm gets bent!

I think I'm going to give up on doing the window myself and seek pro help. That's probably going to have to wait a few months for the wallet to recover from the swap.

Another thing - don't hit the clutch while the clutch slave cylinder is disconnected from the transmission unless you want to spend time reassembling the unit. To be honest, now that I know what I'm doing, it'll only take a minute or two. However, today I spent 30 minutes learning.

So, what did I get done today?

1. Took out my current regulator only to break the new one.
2. Remove more of the front end but didn't really get too far into disconnecting stuff from the engine.
3. Rotate the tires on my buddy's car that I'm borrowing.

Lessons for next time:
1. Bring pillow and blanket for sleeping in garage. It gets really cold around 6am.
2. Spend a lot more time reading up on what I plan to do next.
3. Try to have all the parts I need ahead of time so I don't spend time driving places to buy them.
4. Bring lots of water.

Here are the final pics for this weekend: http://picasaweb.google.com/kamakula/SwapWeekendOneC

[Philly]

yeah man, well done! sounds like its coming along great.
and i hear you about the learning and whatnot - your right, its really not that complicated, its all nuts and bolts... but its the time consumption that gets you. I now know easily 100x more than I did before. I used to take my car to the garage for everything, but now im not scared to give it a go myself. Plus the feeling of accomplishment is worth all the long hours.

but I have one suggestion that just came to mind though after reading my thread again after you were wondering about odds & ends...
if the motor still has the stock waterpump (orange plastic impeller) - get rid of it now and get the upgraded metal impeller waterpump, if the plastic shatters inside the motor... you'll be in one heck of a mess...
and its probably a good time to change that thermostat too.

Changing the waterpump and thermostat is a breeze if the front clip is off the car or if the motor is still out of the car.

[thesk8nmidget]

nice progress!

keep it up and get some rest

[zboot]

Looks like I'm going to be getting an m3 clutch and flywheel. Used yes, but likely still significantly better than my current clutch and flywheel setup. I'm also getting the MAF from the same guy.

I'm at 95% on the wheels. The guy seems astonished that I'm willing to pay for them based on the pictures and trusting him to have the one rim fixed. I hope this goes through though.

The guy with the exhaust system is dragging his feet. I'm going to return to actively looking for one. I need it shipped out so I can get it (worst case) early next week so I can have the welding done. Otherwise there would be one loud car driving down I-90 in a couple weekends.

Still roaming for a 6cyl front brake setup. Seems to be a lot of m3 parts for sale lately.

[zboot]

Hmm, more goodies on the way. I decided to go with a 328 brake setup instead of waiting for available complete m3 ones. So, I've got calipers+carriers and brand new brembo rotors and pbr pads on the way.

BTW I bought the brand new brembo rotors + pads + sensor on special for $138 shipped from: bimmerzone.com

Also, looks like i'll be buying a hoist. HF has one for $100. *sigh* Swap costs are adding up.

We can add a 328 midpipe to the list of bought items. Now, all I need are my wheels and a few odds & ends.

[thesk8nmidget]

if you are looking for an exhaust still this was just posted on my local forum

http://forum.bavarianspeed.com/showthread.php?t=10621

[zboot]

Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget

if you are looking for an exhaust still this was just posted on my local forum

http://forum.bavarianspeed.com/showthread.php?t=10621

Thanks. Turns out it was just the catback. I almost had a heart attack considering that earlier today I'd put down $230 shipped for a midpipe and I was worried I'd have to ask for my money back.

[thesk8nmidget]

kay gotcha. seemed like to good to be true