Hello all! Here is my E34 M3!!

[Jobi]

Hi guys! I live in France and I'm building the E34 I dreamed of.

At the moment I could say I own a very unique E34 M3!!

Basically the car is a E34 '92 525i. The engine has been swapped for a Euro M3 3L engine (with proper gearbox, engine harness and ECUs).

The engine is fully rebuilt, with overbore BMW pistons, balanced crank, rod and pistons matched together, raised comp ratio, M3 3.2L headers, full ss custom made exhaust (with decat and with only small silencers in the middle), induction kit (couldn't fit the MAF from the M3 on my std airfilter box and couldn't fit the M3 airfilter box on my car), chipped and delimited ECU and non recirculated crankcase vapor. Oh,of course the engine is blueprinted.

Front axle is new and is M5 like (aluminium arms) and I'm currently rebuilding a spare rear axle from a 535i to have a 3.43 LSD rear diff, which involves M5 shafts.

I run on E39 M5 lookalike wheels (18') and I have fitted a E34 M5 seats (full leather and heated). The chassis is modified too: Bilstein/Eibach suspension, Zimmermann discs all round, EBC Redstuff pads at the front and braided hoses all round.

Equipment of the car is rather correct too: 4 electrical windows (fitted the rear electrical windows last month), climate control (non automatic, only the reguar one with two separate zones), sunroof, big OBC, check control, M3 leather gearknob,aluminium M badged pedals,etc. I hope to fit a tempomat and a M Tech II steering wheel soon.

I also have red/white rear lights, clear front indicators and angeleyes front lights.

here are some pics. Will try to post extra pics asap because an original M5 bodykit is due to be fitted very soon.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2601/bwm30128dk.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm30128dk.jpg)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8238/bwm30117aj.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm30117aj.jpg)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6776/bwm30102xj.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm30102xj.jpg)

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6797/bwm30134ps.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm30134ps.jpg)


At the moment, and with the 3.25 rear diff, I have same performance as a std Euro 3L M3. (I just can't describe the face of the owner of the M3 when he saw I had the same block he has!! " WTF!?! How can you push harder than I do with the same block in a heavier car!?!? " me: )

I also matched the performance of a 3.8L M5. After the new rear diff is fitted I'll remap the car on the dyno to get all the last bhp from my engine.

Hope to have fun here!


Jobi


(just in case: all job done by myself)

[Jobi]

extra pics:

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8711/bwm30144mu.th.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm30144mu.jpg)

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5655/bwm3face1ir.th.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm3face1ir.jpg)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2648/bwm3intrieur5df.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm3intrieur5df.jpg)

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/5697/bwm3moquettebeige2kp.th.jpg (http://img61.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bwm3moquettebeige2kp.jpg)

[Don]

Welcome to the board. Where are you in France?

Don

[Jobi]

Not far from Paris. approx 15 miles South West. Ever been in France?

[SRR2]

Wow. That is impressive. Nice work.

There's a lot of money in that car now. How does insurance in France work? Here in the States unless the vehicle is designated a "classic car" you basically can't insure the car for more than an ordinary car of the same type and year. If something happens to it, it's your loss. I'd be reluctant to take a work of art like that out on the road.

[Jobi]

Thx for ur opinion...but even if I defo like my E34, this is not a work of art. I mean it's just building the bimmer I wanted. There's nothing that difficult (except wiring to have everything fully functional): you know, bimmers are just big LEGOs!! lol

I'm way more proud of my magical toy: my Nissan Sunny GTI-R. It's like a rally car unleashed on the road...with even more power!! Wiping off sporty motorbike riders' smile in a blast is just sooooooo good!! (and I don't even talk about making a Posrche 996 Turbo a small point in a rear view mirror) This car is a piece of engineering. I could tell u more about it if you want, but I'm afraid it won't interest that many people here as it's a small japanese car...

Anyway,my E34 is more like something I started to make sure I'll have a rather fast car while my GTI-R was being rebuilt and tuned. I like it,really. But it's more about having fun and owning a unique car than making an exceptional thing.But I reckon I've spent time and money on it...you know,it's just something about the way I do things: when I have an idea,I don't give up until I say "job done".
For my E34 I would probably say job done in a couple of month or so...maybe three...And then...the car would be up for sale,to begin a new project.

Oh,and my insurance think it's a regular M50 powered 525i. In France driving in a modified car is just illegal. So if I get involved in an accident destroying the whole car, if someone sees the difference,not only will it be a total loss, but I would also be banned from my insurance!! lol But I just don't care:life is too short! I wanna enjoy my car whenever I want...

[Booster]

Welcome and well done on your swap !
As some will attest, I'm also a huge nissan/Datsun fan, so Kudos to you for owning a fine example of Nissans best "little sleeper" ! Albeit....that yours is NOT shy on power upgrades, you still have a great sleeper to wipe the all too often seen "smug" face of the exotic car owner.:p
Something I have found to never lose its appeal. (smiles)
I'm also impressed with how nice a example you've maintained here too !Keep up the great work,I'm sure you'll add lots to this board.:)
Vincent

[Martin in Bellevue]

That is a very well done e34. Good choice in motor, and front seats. The sport seats are rather rare on this side of the world.
I meet my wife in Paris a couple months ago. That city leaves an impression.
Please don't park that car on the streets in Paris.

[Jon K]

nice car dude - the euro motor is neat - but i hear over there they are pretty common :) Definitely wish I lived in Europa!

[Jobi]

Martin: met a couple of month ago and already maried!!! Congratulation mate, you're not kidding when you fall in love! "Hello,fast wedding service,may I help you? Maried within a couple of month? No problem, we can handle that." LOOL
Is she french?

(this car is never parked in the streets: it goes from my private garage to closed parking areas ;) )

Jon: you wish you live in countries where a liter of petrol cost between 1 and 1.5 dollars??? Are you kidding??? This is exactly the point why, at the begining, I decided to go for such a swap: a M5 can't average decent mpg, but the S50 does. So I've decided to do a E34 M3, with a midly tuned engine to have the same performance I could have with a regular euro M3. (sounds strange, but I just wanted to own a E34...I like so much the way it looks)

Off topic: Jon, that's fun: we have the same first name and we both own green E34 M50! lol

[Martin in Bellevue]

Martin: met a couple of month ago and already maried!!!
Sorry, I was unclear. She was there for work, I flew over to meet her for holiday. We've been together for 14 years already; 2 sons. She's not French.
We took the Eurostar to London. That is a spectacular way to travel lightly. Going under the Channel was interesting.

[SRR2]

Oops. Sorry I asked! 8-)

[Scott H]

he likes to blow euro things....you may be a good candidate.....but only if you are a willing participant of course! :D

[Jobi]

SRR2: looool don't worry, my other toy (Sunny GTI-R) is not legal anymore too...and I still drive in on the road sometime!

Martin: ok. That must have been nice holidays... London and Paris: two of the cities I love the most...if not the ones I love the most. ;)

Scott H: I would prefer to keep my euro thing in one piece...the engine has only covered 8,000 miles since its rebuilt: a bit too early to blow it. (even if I consider this engine as not that reliable)

[Jon K]

Martin: met a couple of month ago and already maried!!! Congratulation mate, you're not kidding when you fall in love! "Hello,fast wedding service,may I help you? Maried within a couple of month? No problem, we can handle that." LOOL
Is she french?

(this car is never parked in the streets: it goes from my private garage to closed parking areas ;) )

Jon: you wish you live in countries where a liter of petrol cost between 1 and 1.5 dollars??? Are you kidding??? This is exactly the point why, at the begining, I decided to go for such a swap: a M5 can't average decent mpg, but the S50 does. So I've decided to do a E34 M3, with a midly tuned engine to have the same performance I could have with a regular euro M3. (sounds strange, but I just wanted to own a E34...I like so much the way it looks)

Off topic: Jon, that's fun: we have the same first name and we both own green E34 M50! lol

If I lived in Europe my supercharger pulley wouldn't have cost me $480 :)

We do both have freen E34s, but mine is a supercharged freak car.

[Rory525]

Thats a very well done car, looks very nice and spec is impressive !
You have kept it very tasteful which is nice to see. So clean too !

You should be very proud of the engineering that went into it.

[Cactuar]

Beau travail sur ta e34, c'est de la belle mecanique!!

Salutations de Montreal :)

[Evan]

thanks for showing us! let us know when you decide to sell

[Jobi]

We do both have freen E34s, but mine is a supercharged freak car.

Still running the M50?? How many bhp do you have now the engine is supercharged?

[Jobi]

Thanks everyone for your comments about my highway racer.

Evan: no problem, but at the end it gonna be more or less a brand new E34 so the price may be found high...Oh,and there's a little ocean to cross to get the car in the US! lol

Cactuar: good to see I'm not the only french speaking person here! ;)

Rory: actually I just wanted the car to look like brand new...

[Jon K]

Yep M50B25 non vanos engine, I haven't dyno'd it. It is in the process of being converted to standalone ECU and I am building another M50B25 for more boost. I am currently running between 7 - 9psi (i have to let off at 5500 rpm, supercharger is over-drawing MAF sensor at that rpm).

[Jay 535i]

Beautiful. And nice seats! They're definitely on my wish list.

Paris is my favourite city (been there many times), and France is a great country for driving.

And what's this about a 500bhp Sunny!?

[Incantation]

nice wheels dude

[SS525i]

Cool! Another s50 powered e34! I wonder just how many of us there are! I don't have the euro s50, but it was a crate US s50 when it was dropped in about 30k ago.

[Booster]

...........sniff,sniff.....I feel so ignored:p .Everyone recieved a reply ecept little ol' muah.lol.:D
.........Vincent

[632 Regal]

Looks real clean! I do all my work myself too, if you want it done right thats the only way you can. Have any pictures of the engine parts, building it up or anything?

[Jobi]

Jon K: sounds interesting...How does it feel compared to a M5? Can't match the M5 or is your car poushing more or less the same? BTW, do u have pics of the engine bay? I would be very interested in seeing how things are fitted on the engine.

Jay 535i: actually France WAS a great place for driving. We now have automatic radars everywhere (located in dangerous areas as the gvt says...********! Most of them are on the highways, on big straight, where nothing can happen,except speeding!) and our cops tend to behave like cowboys. I guess it's the fact they have a gun or something like that which make them think they are supermen... Anyway, at least the speed limit on highways is 80mph and you still can do top speed runs without being caught...and our small C roads in the countryside are really entertaining.
Actually I love my country for its history, the way it looks (cities like Paris, Versailles or region like south west,etc...),but it's more and more difficult for me to stand the way people wants to be assisted by the gvt. And I'm fed up by what gvt does...but I guess some of u can feel the same in the US...
Have u planed to come to France soon?

Incantation: yes...but they are only lookalikes and the quality is crap...they look good but the fitting is soooo poor. I gonna buy new ones soon as those ones came with the car when I bought it and two of them are out of run...

SS525i: sad for u the US S50 delivers so few bhp... I can have most parts from euro S50 if you want...like head and throttle bodies...

632 Regal: I've done a topic on a french board about how to rebuild a euro S50. The text is in French but if some of u are interested I can post the link.










and Booster: sorry mate, I haven't seen your first reply. This sunny is really a magical toy. I have so much pleasure driving it. You can't imagine the thrust when you hit 4,500rpm: everything starts to go incredibly faster! It's also the thirstiest car I've ever seen: I would empty my full tank (45L) in approx 50 to 100km when doing time attack on tracks!! But anyway,it's such a pleasure!
Basically I've done this car to have the ultimate all rounder: less than 12s on the drag strip (non sticky track and on street tires), incredible handling (4WD, car designed for rally... it helps), top speed above 170mph, not too laggy, etc... I already matched my goal last year, doing 11.5@125mph at the quarter mile.But you know how we get used to power...so I decided I need more than the 430bhp I had. So I began what could be called the second stage. Now I should be in the very low 11s or in the high 10s.
Here you got some pics. (engine bay shooted at a major french motorshow).

http://www.image-dream.com/membre/up/mini_anonym/f8b54aeea0df6daf56c1f9de5b8f8c53

these are pics taken for a magazine in which my car was featured. I have the pics in high def if some of u wants them...

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/6792/front4yl.th.jpg (http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?image=front4yl.jpg)

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4716/frontside5wk.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontside5wk.jpg)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/5776/rear7lf.th.jpg (http://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rear7lf.jpg)

[Jobi]

two other pics (I defo love these ones)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/1584/night8tt.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=night8tt.jpg)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/1545/fullface7sl.th.jpg (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fullface7sl.jpg)

[ILoveMPower]

Wow man, amazing ride. Those seats look awesome... I was thinking about doing the same with my parchment interior, but not sure if I can part with the armrests :P

EDIT: OMG, look at that intercooler!

[Booster]

Yes ...HP and G-forces ! Once you get bitten,your hooked for life, or at least til the budget drains away.lol.:p
You may or may not have seen any GMC ( Chevrolet) SYCLONE all wheel drive ,turbo, Air-water IC'd stock trucks there in France, but I know that several have made it to Sweden,Germany etc. and perhaps have popped up in a magazine or two ? I love AWD. And the Nissan Sunny has that and the light weight to make it a awesome and fun car to drive.
I imported a Skyline AWD drivetrain from a late version R33 to swap into one of my early Datsun 240-Z's. I've got everything ,front and rear along with all brakes,shafts and G-sensors.
I only wish our E34's could have had a AWD option as well as turbo's !
Vincent ;)

[Jon K]

Boosted - the E34 did have an AWD option. They also did have a turbo option, 524td! :)

It's true, once you get the boost bite it consumes you - and your finances. I think if you truly enjoy cars, its worth it. If you just like to go fast and not care whats happening... buy a fast stock car.

[SS525i]

SS525i: sad for u the US S50 delivers so few bhp... I can have most parts from euro S50 if you want...like head and throttle bodies...


Ahh, but the Dinan Supercharger and throttle body that went in with the engine adds that extra hp that I need :)

I love your interior btw!

[Don]

Yes, spend about three months a year in Paris.

[Jobi]

Don: it would be cool to meet during your next trip. I could show other bimmers which would make you mad... Like a E30 M3 running a twin turboed euro S50. ;) When are u supposed to come next time?

All of you: you all seem to like my interior: you don't have those seats in the US?

[emw525E34]

Very nice!. My dream config the the E34 body. I would choose the Euro 3.2L engine.

Loved the way you put it for the E36M3 driver. Good to know the match to 3.8 M5.
Man. if you turboed this one, you can keep up with the E60 M5!. 450 HP is easy with turbo config.

[632 Regal]

stupid browser....still cant see nothin.

[Jobi]

Man. if you turboed this one, you can keep up with the E60 M5!. 450 HP is easy with turbo config.

Fitting a turbo on S50 euro engines costs a LOT of money if you want it to be reliable...

[Booster]

Boosted - the E34 did have an AWD option. They also did have a turbo option, 524td! :)

It's true, once you get the boost bite it consumes you - and your finances. I think if you truly enjoy cars, its worth it. If you just like to go fast and not care whats happening... buy a fast stock car.

Jon.....The US market had an AWD E34 ? I didn't know that. I was aware of the 524td, but thats a diesel, isn't it ?
Vincent

[Jon K]

Oh we're talking US market? No, it didn't, but the canadian and euro market had a 525ix i believe.

[Booster]

Was the euro IX model with a M50 ? If so, that drivetrain ( if robust) would be interesting to get ahold of for some stateside swapping and T-charging and AWD !:)
Vincent

[Jon K]

Booster - M50 only which is good, but the bad news is they only came automatic. This doesn't sound like an issue until you think about it... a manual trans only has rwd output... so they'd would have to have made a awd manual trans to swap, but they didn't. Additionall, the suspension is MUCH taller than a standard E34... not very good for modding. I am not even remotely close to sure of how much the awd driveline can handle either.

[Jobi]

he likes to blow euro things....you may be a good candidate.....but only if you are a willing participant of course! :D

I've finally understood what you meant!! I've just visited Jon K's website! :D I defo like the member's cars!
And YES, I wish I could fit a blower on my Euro S50. Is there someone here who has information about this kind of transformation?


(I first understood "to blow euro things" as to explode euro engines! :p )

[Herb98CQB]

Jobi, very nice conversion. I was wondering how much the conversion cost you to complete. I am thinking of replacing the M50 in my 525it with a Euro S50/52 w a six speed. Any other info/documentation would be great. thanks, Herb

[Nick.Hay]

A mate of mine owns a Group A GTI-R rallycar.

I will definately agree that they are a weapon!! Insanely good fun.

[Nick.Hay]

A mate if mine has a Group A GTI-R rallycar...

And I will agree... These are a ****in' quick little unit!!

I still love your E34 tho. I've had my years of scary-fast Jap-cars. I had a 250BHP Group A Mazda 323 rallycar...

[Jobi]

Jobi, very nice conversion. I was wondering how much the conversion cost you to complete. I am thinking of replacing the M50 in my 525it with a Euro S50/52 w a six speed. Any other info/documentation would be great. thanks, Herb

I would suggest you to go for the S50 or S52 but to keep your std gearbox. Actually what quite nobody knows is that std E35 525i M50 gearbox is EXACTLY the same as the E36 3L M3 one. The only differences are the reverse sensor and the clutch fork. So you can convert a M50 gearbox to a M3 gearbox by just changing the clutch fork!
Moreover, if you install the 6 spd gearbox, your std transmission shaft will be too long. So u'll have to cut it in two, remove a few centimeters and have it welded and balanced. Useless. ;)

Your best bet is to buy engine,clutch, harness and ECUs and to fit it in your engine bay. Expect to spend approx 2500$ for the lot. You'll also have to make a custom exhaust to fit the S50 headers. But it's no more than 700$ for a full ss one with two silencers.


BTW, my car now has rebuilt front calipers! My brakes look brand new now! :D But hey, they really are bitches to rebuild!

[Jobi]

Rebuilt front brakes with new seals for the caliper (stupidly designed by BMW which make them bitches to change!), EBC Red Stuff pads, Goodridge braided lines and Zimmermann cross drilled disks. ;)

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/1527/dscf01766km.th.jpg (http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01766km.jpg)

(sad the wheel is not mint...the previous owner was not really taking care of his wheels...)

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/8470/dscf01295px.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01295px.jpg)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/4973/dscf01279ql.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01279ql.jpg)

[emw525E34]

If I were in the UK, my car would be a TVR Tuscan period. It does not need any supercharger either.
Pure British V8 kicking 400hp. M5 eat my tail pipes!

[emw525E34]

Well, Jobi. Nice job on the brakes.

If you are done with the Turbo, you might want to take the next step. Transplant the E46M3 (343HP) engine into the E34. Apart from the drive shaft -length issue, most electrics needs transplanting I believe. Extremely technically challenged.

In fact, my boss bought a Corvette LS1 engine and building a classic Le Mans sports car. Dang, thats really radical, I reckon!. He is Swedish though.

[Jobi]

News from my toy!!

I've fitted an M5 bodykit. Here u got pics!! (sorry, the car is really, really dirty...I'll take some new asap)

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2576/dscf2599ny4.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2599ny4.jpg)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3913/dscf2601wq2.th.jpg (http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2601wq2.jpg)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4460/dscf2600ld7.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2600ld7.jpg)

The next technical mods are the fitting of a new rear diff, with a 3.43 ratio so that I'll hit the rev limiter in 5th gear at 262km/h (approx 163mph), which is enough for me at the mo'. I'll have a better acceleration with this new diff...Oh, and did I mention it was a LSD? :D Gonna be able to drift and to write 11s whenever I want!! lol
I will also change my whole rear axle in the same time. I'll fit a 540 rear axle...which will give me better rear brakes (bigger and vented).Of course pads, center bearing and flector will be changed for new ones.

And to finish my tranny renewal, I'll change my gearbox for another one which has only covered 60k miles.

Upgrade schedule in the next two weeks.

At the moment I'm changing my whole interior!! I couldn't stand that ugly color anymore!! It will be black now!! I keep my M5 seats and fit a 540 dash, panels, carpet etc. In order to have a full black interior, I've managed to put my hands on a M5 roof liner...
As I replace my whole interior, I've decided to go for a little bit of ICE and I've bough a Navman iDN 3000 which can read DVDs, MP3s, etc...and which also have the GPS option!! It defo kicks ass!!

[CharlesAFerg]

News from my toy!!

I've fitted an M5 bodykit. Here u got pics!! (sorry, the car is really, really dirty...I'll take some new asap)

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2576/dscf2599ny4.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2599ny4.jpg)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3913/dscf2601wq2.th.jpg (http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2601wq2.jpg)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4460/dscf2600ld7.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf2600ld7.jpg)

The next technical mods are the fitting of a new rear diff, with a 3.43 ratio so that I'll hit the rev limiter in 5th gear at 262km/h (approx 163mph), which is enough for me at the mo'. I'll have a better acceleration with this new diff...Oh, and did I mention it was a LSD? :D Gonna be able to drift and to write 11s whenever I want!! lol
I will also change my whole rear axle in the same time. I'll fit a 540 rear axle...which will give me better rear brakes (bigger and vented).Of course pads, center bearing and flector will be changed for new ones.

And to finish my tranny renewal, I'll change my gearbox for another one which has only covered 60k miles.

Upgrade schedule in the next two weeks.

At the moment I'm changing my whole interior!! I couldn't stand that ugly color anymore!! It will be black now!! I keep my M5 seats and fit a 540 dash, panels, carpet etc. In order to have a full black interior, I've managed to put my hands on a M5 roof liner...
As I replace my whole interior, I've decided to go for a little bit of ICE and I've bough a Navman iDN 3000 which can read DVDs, MP3s, etc...and which also have the GPS option!! It defo kicks ass!!

That looks a lot like Glocati's old car just a diff color.
I'm diggin the wheels.

[nizmainiac]

nice e34 dude, glad to see that some one else has a gtir too, i had a pulsar before i got my e34, wicked cars

[jrobbo]

Wow, very impressive! Welcome to the board, and thanks for sharing your pictures!

John

[RallyD]

lol, welcome to the board, he's been here longer than you :)
this thread is a year old

[jrobbo]

Hahaha, yeah, thanks for pointing that out! Doh!

Still a nice car though.....

[Jobi]

I thought updating the post could be somewhat interesting.

Yesterday I've fitted the new dashboard...Not the easiest thing I've done, to say the least...But it's quite nothing compared to what I've done today: changing my carpet!!
The interior should be completely black within a week...It's much more classy!