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I can imagine!! Cool! I know the feeling, can't wait to crank mine the first tiem. It won't be this year though. Needs lots of work. But I am happy for you!

Cheers,
I'm sure it'll be worth it for you when you finally do!

Nice work Now! There's no better feeling than that first fire up! The reasurance that your work hasn't been wasted!

I know, it's almost addictive!

Once we figured out the fuel pump wires were the wrong way around then the fuel lines going into the fuel rail it fired right up.

Nice, but pics or it didnt happen!!!

A few more bits tidied up.

The AFM and air filter mounted on a bracket. We couldn't easily fit the original air box in so got this cone filter.


It's great to see it back on it's wheels, ready to go off to get it's stainless exhaust fitted.

Ah, it did happen! Great

It finally lives!

After sorting out a few wiring problems the car now runs very smoothly.
I had a 2.5" custom stainless exhaust made including a 4-2-1 manifold. It's got 2 boxes but it's still a bit louder than I was expecting, I like it but I'm not so sure about the neighbours....

I also had some custom power steering lines made up so turning when stationary is much easier now.
There's still a nice amount of weight to the steering but i think that's good.

Few general issues like tracking to sort out for it's MOT then I'll be hitting the roads.
Not many pics to upload just yet

Looks like a super tidy install! I can't wait to get back to my 316 and get the M42 in there.

She's finally back on the road.

I got her MOT'd a couple of weeks ago, the only complaints were some minor issues not related to the engine swap which was good.
A new lower control arm being the biggest of jobs. It became one of those moments I was glad I had previously taken it off as it came off without much struggle.

I had a deadline in the form of bringing my friend to his wedding.
I can gladly say he made it there on time and in one piece!

Here are some pics:


The stainless headers


Exhaust



the wedding

All in all i'm very happy with the car and I'm looking forward to putting some miles on it.

A couple of things on the to do list,

1) reduce the amount of slop in the gear linkage, I really wish I had addressed this before putting it all back in, but that's for the future

2)The sump. It's low, and needs to be addressed urgently.
Anyone have any experience modifying these for the M42 given it's a 2 piece design?
It's the oil pick up that most concerns me.
I know it's a common mod for anyone doing the M52 swap..

Looks great anyway. Those last to things will be sorted, I'm sure.

So a couple of months with the new engine and I'm really pleased!
I've done a few jobs to tidy little bits and pieces up but the new engine pulls and sounds really well, and I'm spending less of fuel! Win win!!

I'm really annoyed at this Photobucket nonsense, I made sure to put lots of pictures in my updates so I'd have a nice visual representation of everything I have done with this car and the journey it's made, even including links to the previous owners threads.
I'll copy in links to the pictures still, it'll mean that they'll have to be clicked on as opposed to just appearing..
Edit: I've just noticed that I can view these images I've posted links to by hovering over the link, It's a Google Chrome plug in I've installed, it might be the best option for now..

Rant over,
I've changed the timing chain tensioner as I thought I was hearing a bit of timing chain noise and I knew BMW had upgraded form the original.
To be honest I think I jumped to that conclusion fearing the worst but upon further investigation my water pump was just being a bit noisy,
so that got changed too.
I think someone had already changed the tensioner as the old and new look the same, still no harm and it was only £25
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... ormx2h.jpg

I set about fitting the new elastic bases for the Recaro's that Jeoroen supplied.
What a pain in the ass
I think I need to buy a hook tool like the one in the for sale section before trying to fit the second, they are nice and firm though and I'm sure will last the test of time!
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... 1x0ett.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... rdd0og.jpg

I also finally got around to getting my fuel gauge working!
All I needed to do was find the plug for the E30 318is fuel sender and wire it in. All happy now and less guessing
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... sdoneg.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... axjuac.jpg

And here is a couple of pictures taken on a rare sunny afternoon drive

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... 88aq49.jpg

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah1 ... d7u3pf.jpg

Damn these photobucket issues..