[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by JRocker3

I've been wondering what the next step would be... good stuff those look awesome. Just curious, what's your rough timeline to finish this build?

Eric at E-Fab Motorsports said he plans on spending all of next week putting her back together with the goal of having her running and ready to drive by end of next week **fingers crossed**

One thing I've learned through all of this (may not come as a surprise to many!) is that in order to build a race car properly... means that you must take the car down to bare bones. Pull all wiring. Eliminate as much as you can, and then build it back up from there. That means alot of not-so-sexy behind the scene steps are required before it can start coming together and begin looking like a race car (gut car, grind down every unnecessary stud/unused mounting bracket, remove e-brake system, pull trans to reinforce trans tunnel for CAE shifter, strip down and modify OE wiring harness, fabricate/weld in pieces to close off firewall, build full custom cage, add reinforcement plates for harnesses, tape off/paint/tape off/paint the interior, create custom dash switch panel, modify oil coolers to top feed, redesign mounting points for oil coolers, replace all bushing, swap to beefier m3 control arms, etc.). It's A LOT.

Now that all of this is complete... she can finally start getting put back together. So we should see some pretty noticeable changes very shortly. Unfortunately the timing of the project puts us at the very end of the race/track season. Our goal is to be able to get it out a few times to do some testing. Then put her back on the rack this winter, address any obvious shortcomings and hopefully have a solid full year of driving next season.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

They look too good to stuff under a car to get dirty!! Great stuff Sir daft- Getting there!

Thanks!!

[sirdaft1]

For those who have reached out asking about the custom oil cooler setup. E-Fab modified the Evolution Raceworks Competition Dual OC's in a few ways... flipped the OC's to be top feed (unfortunately not a plug and play modification) and changed the way they were mounted (not very secure on pass side previously).

When the OC's were flipped to top feed, the fittings touched the underside of the stock pre-LCI bi-xenon headlights (the small plastic pop out for the AE's). I since swapped to a non OE headlight that does not have that popout, so the OC fittings no longer come in contact with the headlight housing.

[sirdaft1]

You know your fabricator who is full of racecar ideas is up to no good when they text you pics with the words "I'm fixing your bumper"!

Once done, it's safe to say that there won't be much of a rear bumper left. And this should clean up the dirty air coming out of the rear wheels when at speed.

[Rain]

Nice, keep the good progress on. Any ideas of ETA for the complete car (project as most of us know may never be finish since there is always something to change but lets say the first expected track time )?

[Aus335iguy]

Like i said - this car would get me to work and back just fine - A great daily driver..

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

Like i said - this car would get me to work and back just fine - A great daily driver..

[sirdaft1]

And a few more photos from late last night...

Bumper is cut


Sheet metal before trimming



This is similar to what the rear bumper should look like when it's done...

[Zoki]

Looks so epic!! Can't wait to see it finished!

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Rain

Nice, keep the good progress on. Any ideas of ETA for the complete car (project as most of us know may never be finish since there is always something to change but lets say the first expected track time )?

Yesterday?

Realistically, we should have her running properly on track next season. Anything we do with the remaining short window we have this year will be testing - nothing close to exploring her capabilities.

That said, we'll hopefully have her road going here in a few weeks. I'll make sure to get some video!

[Rain]

Wish you all the best! Looking forward to the video as well

With this bumper cut I wouldn't want to drive behind you on track - you will be machine-gun for pebbles/stones

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Rain

Wish you all the best! Looking forward to the video as well

With this bumper cut I wouldn't want to drive behind you on track - you will be machine-gun for pebbles/stones

Thanks! And no joke! Perhaps we should install some truck mud flaps!

[mkPOTO]

Looks great, been talking to Eric about this build. Car is coming out awesome!

[sirdaft1]

Needs a bumper sticker: "CAUTION WILL THROW ROCKS!"

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

Looks great, been talking to Eric about this build. Car is coming out awesome!

Thanks Mark! Couldn't agree more, he's absolutely crushing it with this build. Have you had a chance to drop by the shop see it? Think I'm planning on dropping by tomorrow night.

[Indyeah]

I got a fever. And the only prescription, is more progress pics.

[sirdaft1]

In a build like this, door latches are unnecessary for the rear doors. So Eric replaced them with custom mounting brackets. Two on each rear door.

With door open


Door closed


Exterior door shot

[ccbl]

Some good work put into this. Looks so fun to plan out

[Aus335iguy]

Cut the door frames out as well. Its going to rattle and squeak like crazy. I like this build more every day.....

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

Cut the door frames out as well. Its going to rattle and squeak like crazy. I like this build more every day.....

We're doing everything we can to convert it into the PERFECT daily driver

[sirdaft1]

Swung by the shop tonight to drop off the painted front bumper. I must have sat there with my mouth wide open staring for at least a 1/2 hour. This build is even more insane looking in person.

I'm hesitant to make any commitments as there are always unforeseen issues that arise, but Eric at eFab Motorsports is confident that we may have her up and running by this weekend. If so, we may try and pay a visit to the end of season M-Vade Chicago Meetup on Sunday. #fingerscrossed

And as you can see, the 328i conversion is almost complete!!

[Aus335iguy]

SO PHAT!