Project 1.0Originally Posted by Revmaynard
BMW e30 │ 2.8L M52 │ GT30R
Phase I
Through continuous trading I have about $1,200 invested in my one owner chassis and '96 engine including the OBD1 conversion. Turbo setup is going to run $4k with stand-alone engine management. Clutch & flywheel is $1k+. Race quality coil-overs $1-1,500 used. Various suspension components: sway bars, strut bars, etc. $500. So around $8k and I still have a completely stock looking e30, lol! Granted it's a reliable 380-420whp (10-18psi) and weighs 2,400 lbs with insane handling...equaling the power to weight ratio of a Ferrari F40.
Phase II
The cosmetics will run it well over the $10k though! My 14 yr. old wheels were over $1k but I can't mount them until I do a 5-lug conversion, $500-1k, plus they require wider fenders front and rear! Intending to keep the cost of the wider OEM e30 M3 bodywork around $2k-2,500...fenders, quarters, bumpers, rear window trim, & wing. Fully wrapping the interior in black synthetic suede (I don't want to think about what that will cost even though I'm doing most myself). Canadian Brides wrapped in synthetic suede, or at least the bright white Bride logo dyed black, $800-1k+. Rollcage < $1k. Custom Porsche Brembo caliper brake kit with 13.1" rotors for about 1/4 the cost of a comparable Brembo kit. Paint will require the car to be completely assembled in perfect working order then fully disassembled down to the chassis, sprayed, then reassembly. I don't want to think about that cost either but I can't wait for that day to assemble a basically brand new car!
Basically for what a well used AP2 S2000 costs I have a cheaply insured, antique tagged & emissions free, 400+whp ground up built beast with a timeless style. Worth it? We'll see
Project 2.0
Black BMW e34 │ Black 18" ACS Type II/III's │ M52 │ GT35R
Ideally I'd take the M52 turbo from the Project 1.0 and replace it with an S54 e46 M3 or Euro Spec S52 engine and 6 speed manual. The GT30R would then be upgraded with a GT35R giving the e34 around 500whp. The M52 with head gaskets and studs is reliable up to 25psi so 18-22psi should be more than sufficient. Coil-overs, sway bars, and you have a solid comfortable sedan that's rather quick.
Project 3.0
Z32 300zx slick-top chassis │ LS6 conversion w/ T-56 │ JIC 12k/8k coil-overs │ 18" BBS LM replicas.
Much more simple than the first project but will still cost right at $10k doing all the labor myself.
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