2018 F81 M3 Touring 6MT Build Thread

[SNORLAX_F30]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

Hey Everyone –
I'm working on the first video episode, and hope to have that out by Sunday.

In the meantime, here's the advance update on progress!

I spent the last week getting the wagon interior fully stripped out.
I had no idea what a pain in the ass getting all of the interior out was going to be, and keeping track of all the wiring.

Here's a pic of a very lightened F31 for y'all!

Originally Posted by TouringM3

Hey Everyone –
I'm working on the first video episode, and hope to have that out by Sunday.

In the meantime, here's the advance update on progress!

I spent the last week getting the wagon interior fully stripped out.
I had no idea what a pain in the ass getting all of the interior out was going to be, and keeping track of all the wiring.

Here's a pic of a very lightened F31 for y'all!

Man I can't wait to watch the video! Makes me wanna biuild one

[SNORLAX_F30]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

I did, but i'm a really picky motherfucker so i knew i would drive myself insane. For example:

HAD to have the competition seats.
FULL leather
Black interior only
Manual transmission
ICON headlight package

I would have waited around forever either finding that car, or buying one close to it and spending (shudder) close to retail buying the replacement parts.

Plus, the likelihood of having to replace a bunch of other shit off a wrecked car made me way too nervous.

Nothing like swapping over broken parts into a complete build just to have to strip it apart again and debug.

NO
GRACIAS

Originally Posted by TouringM3

Hey Everyone –
I'm working on the first video episode, and hope to have that out by Sunday.

In the meantime, here's the advance update on progress!

I spent the last week getting the wagon interior fully stripped out.
I had no idea what a pain in the ass getting all of the interior out was going to be, and keeping track of all the wiring.

Here's a pic of a very lightened F31 for y'all!

What's your Ig if you have one !!!!

[TouringM3]

Made great progress over the prior week with the interior of the car, and it is now stripped to a bare shell (photos on the 'gram of that).

This upcoming weekend we'll be stripping the M3 - AND – getting the F31 onto the M3 subframes so it can go to the body shop. That is going to be a very heavy duty 3 days.



I'm shooting to release an episode every week on "///M Monday":

[RNByrd3]

Subscribed!

[TouringM3]

Monday photo dump update 😜!!

The big goal for the weekend was to get the wagon as a rolling chassis - onto the M3 front and rear subframes / suspension.

This is what the body shop wants so they can do the rear quarter panel / flares / wheelhouse cutting and welding of the M3 flares.


In the process, Ryan from Dynasport stopped by and helped us cherry-pick the S55 & 6MT off the front subframe. I had never done this before, and i surely would have royally fucked this up without his help.

(As it is we broke a sensor and I snapped one of the charge pipe mounting tabs. Looks like it is 100% time for charge pipe upgrades) 🥴



Also, we've uncorked some drama when it comes to the transmission tunnel, and ensuring the transmission support will mount properly, but i don't have all of the information yet so i'll save that for a later post, soon (i hope!).

[SYT_Shadow]

So awesome

If BMw ever offers the wagon in the US, even if special order, I will be on that list!

[Jbrown7403]

Great videos and project, guys! Loved this comment and sums up how I feel on many of my minor DIY projects

I can’t imagine trying to sort, categorize and label all of the thousands of bolts, clips, connectors and screws.....makes my mind spin! Mad props!

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

So awesome

If BMw ever offers the wagon in the US, even if special order, I will be on that list!

+1

[irunalot]

What an awesome experience! Can't wait to see the final product!

[TouringM3]

Episode 3 is up!

We drop the front subframe out of the F31, learn many things and screw up a LOT. Check it out and let me know what you all think.

[TouringM3]

Got the interior of the wagon pretty much ALL stripped. Here's the latests episode of cleaning it out:

[TouringM3]

Quick update thanks to FedEx. I ordered the Sales@RKautowerks crank hub after watching the video with Evolve – this thing is STURDY.

I'll probably end up doing an install video in the next few weeks when the engine is still out of the car so it's really obvious where the work is being done.

(Whether or not we'll be able to get enough torque on the bolt while it's not bolted onto the car is another question)

Here's a pic that does a good job of showing the external pins and internal dowel-style pins. So far, highly recommended based on initial hands-on experience.

[TouringM3]

Today's the day - got the first video done when we started ripping in to the M3, tearing it down so we can start making the Frankenstein wagon.

Lots of good progress and learnings in this one, check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE5XJaQTRg4

[TouringM3]

The body shop really got going today.

The factory quarters / flares are officially off!

[TouringM3]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[irunalot]

I have been following this closely. Awesome build and can't wait to see the final product.

Are you going to add a "mods" or keep it M3 "stock"? Not sure exactly how to word that as its one big mod

[TouringM3]

Originally Posted by irunalot

I have been following this closely. Awesome build and can't wait to see the final product.

Are you going to add a "mods" or keep it M3 "stock"? Not sure exactly how to word that as its one big mod

I bought it with Eisenmann downpipes and a full AWE resonated switchpath exhaust. I love how they sound / perform so they're staying on.

I'll probably switch out the intakes to Eventuri

Chargepipes will be upgraded, as will the oil cooler

Doing the RK Autowerks crankhub while the engine is out

I'll probably do an E85 tune, but will keep the stock turbos for faster spool and low-end grunt.

[TouringM3]

The latest episode is live!

We yanked the S55 and put the M3 suspension onto the wagon. Check it out:

https://youtu.be/WEYbn8LzBlE

[TouringM3]

Heavy duty WORK this week during the evenings.

In order to get the wagon to be RWD, it needs the straight transmission tunnel from the M3 sedan.

Similarly, since i want the sedan to become the slower, AWD daily driver ... it needs the "humped" transmission tunnel and floor.

VOILA! 118 spot welds later, both tunnel supports are out, and both cars have gone under the knife to swap out the humps (and non-humps).

Oh, and this also means swapping over the driver's front seat rail!

[Kamil.EA]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

Heavy duty WORK this week during the evenings.

In order to get the wagon to be RWD, it needs the straight transmission tunnel from the M3 sedan.

Similarly, since i want the sedan to become the slower, AWD daily driver ... it needs the "humped" transmission tunnel and floor.

VOILA! 118 spot welds later, both tunnel supports are out, and both cars have gone under the knife to swap out the humps (and non-humps).

Oh, and this also means swapping over the driver's front seat rail!

It's been a while! Amazing progress.

[Jbrown7403]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

Heavy duty WORK this week during the evenings.

In order to get the wagon to be RWD, it needs the straight transmission tunnel from the M3 sedan.

Similarly, since i want the sedan to become the slower, AWD daily driver ... it needs the "humped" transmission tunnel and floor.

VOILA! 118 spot welds later, both tunnel supports are out, and both cars have gone under the knife to swap out the humps (and non-humps).

Oh, and this also means swapping over the driver's front seat rail!

Wowsers! Can’t wait for your next video!

[TouringM3]

Hey Buds –

Just the other day Justin & Kevin at Straightline sent me these pics of the car officially being done at the body shop. When i saw them, i got a little "misty eyed".


I've done all the work on this project myself, with some amazing buddies, except this crucial rear quarter panel / flare work. So - watching it come together and literally take shape is just monumental. I am beyond excited.



Next steps will be:
• Welding in the transmission tunnel bracing and alcove to convert it to RWD / Manual Transmission
• Welding on the front strut tower bracing & subframe mounting bolt carrier
• Adding on the extra exhaust hanger (driver's side rear)
–– Then I need to fabricate the hybrid rear bumper – and after that it can go to paint!