Flinchy's E87 Project Thread

[BMWlady]

Originally Posted by 130iguy

i would suggest also talking to RXAutomotive they pretty much solely work on BMW's

This guy knows what's up

[Rob32R]

Can't wait too see some more pictures of the build in progress. Definitely worth subscribing to this thread.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by skycat

Will be expensive, GOOD LUCK hang in there

you're telling me -_-.. more and more stuff comes up.. want adequate oil cooling? need a bumper that has bigger vents (than the tiny 130i bumper ones).. so so much stuff.. even if everything goes smoothly, i won't come away with change from $20-25k or more by the time it's in and on the road lol.. not counting all the other stuff i want

wish i was down in sydney though, would throw it your way no questions haha

after seeing RXautos 130i racer at downshift, i'll talk to them again and see if they palm me off a second time...

Originally Posted by Rob32R

Can't wait too see some more pictures of the build in progress. Definitely worth subscribing to this thread.

hope it doesn't disappoint

so many other things i want to buy though (car things of course), but so many of those things just take away money from the engine stuff and delay it

[MrBlonde]

I like the black with orange. Don't like the nullo tailights.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I like the black with orange. Don't like the nullo tailights.

Nullo?.. Urbandictionary says it's a male with no genitals?

I'm swapping them to LCI blacklines anyway haha

I just don't like the red in them, black and orange and black and orange and... Red :/

[GJA003]

Yeah +1 on those tail lights but you have a point at least they will be replaced with LCI Blackline

On another note, i think you should look into getting a rear bmw "carbon" badge, to complete your look as much as i hate those badges.

[///Chase]

i'm sure this has been said.. but why not just buy a 135i.

[eriktufa]

flinchy: can you pm me where to get lci blackline tail lights?

[BMWlady]

Originally Posted by GJA003

Yeah +1 on those tail lights but you have a point at least they will be replaced with LCI Blackline

On another note, i think you should look into getting a rear bmw "carbon" badge, to complete your look as much as i hate those badges.

He has one
I was helping install and kind of... Broke it :/

Another one on order now

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by GJA003

Yeah +1 on those tail lights but you have a point at least they will be replaced with LCI Blackline

On another note, i think you should look into getting a rear bmw "carbon" badge, to complete your look as much as i hate those badges.

What about them don't you like?

I was planning on getting them colour matched with a clearcoat based tint professionally with a respray

Do you hate the WHOLE look, or the not-quite-matching part of it?

As above, i closed the hatch with the badge in the gap, scuffed the hell out of it lol

Even the steering wheel has the badge stickered

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by eriktufa

flinchy: can you pm me where to get lci blackline tail lights?

I'm getting them on ebay, i don't think they're really any cheaper but they are genuine Valeos by (i can't remember which one) one of the BMW ebayers

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by ///Chase

i'm sure this has been said.. but why not just buy a 135i.

A) i have the car already an can't sell it for much lol

B) cool factor, how many e87 n54's are there in the world? One that i know of

For the $20k odd (inc buying engine and gearbox and install) it's getting forged internals and all reco block, ported head with new springs blah blah, fbo++, and it will have a 3.46fd with the 130i 6mt diff, tons of advantages

Fun factor, i get to strip and build it mostly myself

And practicality: i have the seats folded down carrying a full boot load more days than not. It's a lot handier.

So going by the not-much over $20k tag on 130i's now, the total of a bit over $40k.. To get the cheapest on the market 135i would be $40k unmodified

And as such.. I can't as easily afford the payment for the 135i up front, it'd cost a bit in repairs to get my 130i desirable to others (where i'm upgrading rather than replacing) with what i'd want 45-50k..

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by flinchy

Nullo?.. Urbandictionary says it's a male with no genitals?

I'm swapping them to LCI blacklines anyway haha

I just don't like the red in them, black and orange and black and orange and... Red :/

Yeah exactly, they look like they've had their nuts cut off, don't like the current tailight look at all. The black lines will look far superior.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by flinchy

A) i have the car already an can't sell it for much lol

B) cool factor, how many e87 n54's are there in the world? One that i know of

For the $20k odd (inc buying engine and gearbox and install) it's getting forged internals and all reco block, ported head with new springs blah blah, fbo++, and it will have a 3.46fd with the 130i 6mt diff, tons of advantages

Fun factor, i get to strip and build it mostly myself

And practicality: i have the seats folded down carrying a full boot load more days than not. It's a lot handier.

So going by the not-much over $20k tag on 130i's now, the total of a bit over $40k.. To get the cheapest on the market 135i would be $40k unmodified

And as such.. I can't as easily afford the payment for the 135i up front, it'd cost a bit in repairs to get my 130i desirable to others (where i'm upgrading rather than replacing) with what i'd want 45-50k..

The transplant of an N54 with full bolt ons and the other gear is going to cost way more than buying a 135, plus it will never be road legal.

Doesn't mean it's not a cool project but know what you're letting yourself in for.

[Mechz]

Why do you say it won't be road legal?

[woosh]

qld will pretty much blue-plate anything that has seat belts and working brakes! (not for long though lol, they're changing the laws on it apparently?)

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

The transplant of an N54 with full bolt ons and the other gear is going to cost way more than buying a 135, plus it will never be road legal.

Doesn't mean it's not a cool project but know what you're letting yourself in for.

No way.. $5k engine and gearbox+ electronics, $300-$500 fmic, $1000-$1500 oil cooler, say $500 for a used catback or a custom stockish one worst case.. $2500 odd port job, $?? In head parts, $?? Labour For bottom end + $3000-$3500 rods and pistons..$1k (?) driveshaft.. $5-6k in install labour assuming it works without a major headache.. A few hundred more in engineering.. Oh and the couple $k in seals and misc bits, vac tubes and crap.. Mounts.. All the little things add up lol

I sell my 130i for 20k easily, still have $8k odd loan left (yeah a loan for it) and i buy a $45-50k 135i with $2-2.5k of fbo and tune, and probably have oil cooling issues still... So i'm now $55-6xk spent on it for a near stock example.

Of course it's going to be road legal

I mean, stock dp's stock exhaust, no emissions test it's straight up 100% bolt on legal

As long as it's not an older motor, WAY bigger, or has emissions gear removed, here in qld

Yeah i could get a 135i for the same money, but that's a stock 135i vs a fully built this..

I spent a long time making sure i wasn't wasting my money, reading govt documents and engine swap threads on forums, it's going in visually factory bar the fmic/intake (legal mods in qld no engineering) and oil coolers really, so im making sure it's all roadworthy.

I do wish i could have afforded a 135i, the aftermarket boot lids and go-nice bits you can get make me a bit jealous lol.. But im here now :/

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by woosh

qld will pretty much blue-plate anything that has seat belts and working brakes! (not for long though lol, they're changing the laws on it apparently?)

I haven't heard anything since the nov 2012 law change.. But this would still be legal, it's a direct bolt on swap with factory emissions gear+ tune etc (well, for roadworthy purposes)

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Yeah exactly, they look like they've had their nuts cut off, don't like the current tailight look at all. The black lines will look far superior.

Ah fair enough

What do you like about the blacklines? I love them on an e82 yes, they look amazing, but the massive expanse of bright red in the sun doesn't do it for me on the hatch :/.. Though looking at some pics, it might look really nice, i like them on a white car a the contrast darkens them even further

.. Well there'll be pics in a week or two so we'll see lol

Plus, my pre-lci standard lights are horrendous imo, with that massive rectangle right in the middle, so LCI of any kind is an improvement

[woosh]

flinchy i have a 135i exhaust (no dump or mid pipe) you can have if you organise shipping for it.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by woosh

flinchy i have a 135i exhaust (no dump or mid pipe) you can have if you organise shipping for it.

Just the muffler? How much?... Actually, is it much/any different to the 130i factory muffler? I think i'll have to find that out hey.. That would be great.. I guess it's easier in general to say 'every part of this exhaust is factory for this motor'...

I have stock dumps so that's no worry

.. I haven't actually thought about the initial exhaust enough yet, i'll have to check what's needed :/

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by flinchy

What about them don't you like?

I was planning on getting them colour matched with a clearcoat based tint professionally with a respray

Do you hate the WHOLE look, or the not-quite-matching part of it?

As above, i closed the hatch with the badge in the gap, scuffed the hell out of it lol

Even the steering wheel has the badge stickered

Just not a fan of the badges i think it looks cheap/JDM imo. Installed them on a uncles 335i M-sport, and just the quality of them ect i just think it's a waste of money and doesn't look good. For the tail lights just get LCI Blackline's will look alot better/cleaner.