mcibmw533

[mcibmw533]

I always like watching the progress of others through photos and whatnot, so I figured I'll start uploading photos to document my progress. This site has been very helpful in providing insight and answers to my questions. With any luck, some of the upcoming photos and documented progress will help somebody else out.

-Micah

[mcibmw533]

It looks like Santa came in late winter/early spring this year, in the form of a couple FedEx deliveries.  Maybe after this project, they will remember where my driveway is so I don't have to go to their distribution center to pick up packages.

I also included a photo of all the goodies unpacked, somewhat sorted and on display.

Some of the new parts won't be used as I placed most of the orders before finding/reading all the FAQs.

Old Timer Quiz: bonus points if you can guess what the yellow car is (or started out as) next to all the new parts.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/1991%20318is%20project/IMG_4834.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/1991%20318is%20project/IMG_6026.jpg

[DesktopDave]

Santa's really late...maybe it was the Easter Bunny?  Whichever one it was, that's some really great stuff.  Lots of powder coating & poly there!  What's with the UUC brakes?  Upgrades?

Thanks for posting...don't hesitate to share.  I was a lurker here myself until I bought my 318i.  What's the worst that could go wrong?  Advice is cheap, so nobody can ask you for their money back.  There's nothing better than a little camaraderie when you're frustrated with old German iron.

Is that a shortened e12?  It's a familiar car...my Dad bought one brand new...a polaris 528i with blue vinyl.  Great all-round car.  I learned how to drive a 5-speed in that car among others.

[mcibmw533]

Yes, it's the UUC e30 big brake kit for the front.  I originally purchased it for my m90 swapped e30, until I sold the car and changed to the 318is. (Kind of polar opposites, right? Nose heavy high horsepower to low horsepower but great balance.)  

Since I'm planning on doing a fair amount of track time and autox, I figured bigger brakes will help resist fading and the pad changes are super easy, plus they look pretty nice tucked behind the wheels :cool:

Kind of going all out at this point, planned upgrades include:
- AST 4100 coilover suspension (w/ suspension refresh/replacement)
- UUC BBK
- depowered e36 steering rack
- poly bushings for nearly everything
- stripped interior
- better seats (currently evo 8 recaros)
- D-force light weight wheels
- COP kit from HQ autosport
- Mark D chip
- mess under the intake mod
- all the typical maintenance items addressed (gaskets, water pump, t-stat, belts, etc.)
- e30 motor werks extreme duty skid plate

I've managed to purchase most of the components at this point (pelican parts likes me a lot now).  The hard part is finding the time to install it all so I can actually use it this summer, I've already missed the first track day this season.

OT: Good eyes Dave - yes it's a chopped '77 e12 (think Subaru Brat) - below are links to 2 photos of the car pretty early after I "restored" it - one in front of the US Stonehenge.  I envy you, mine's only a 4-speed (soon to be a 5-speed though), but I too learned how to drive a stick with it.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/BMWClubHoodRiverRun132.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/BMW%20trinity/bmwtrinity2.jpg

[mcibmw533]

Finally got the front end stripped to make it easier for the shop to put it up on their racks and hopefully straighten it out.

Below are some links to photos (still no luck posting photos - is this normal, or am I on a special list?) of the car stripped and loaded into the trailer before she went to the shop for rejuvenation.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/1991%20318is%20project/IMG_9592.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/mcibmw533/1991%20318is%20project/IMG_9481.jpg

-Micah