BMW based roadster

[cirrusjock]

Hi

So I have been looking for an MX5 to use as a donor. I do however have an old 3 series 2.0 BMW sat on my drive that I was going to put on ebay next week. Its mechanically sound but the paintwork has laquer peel and a few dents so could be the perfect donor.

Are the many BMW based roadsters being built? Does anyone have any links to build diarys for BMW based cars?

It is an automatic so would also need to convert it to manual. I do like a challenge though.:)

[TQ_uk]

Not Haynes builds but BMW based so may be of interest for ideas...

http://www.farouxsportscars.com/roadster-mb1/

http://www.gkdsportscars.com/

[Not Anumber]

No reason at all why you couldnt build a Haynes using Sierra or MX5 donor but use the BMW engine, gearbox, induction and wiring loom.
You would then be on familiar territory for most of the build and would just need to do some mods for the engine and gearbox mountings.
Alternatively you could get a bellhousing adaptor to marry the BMW engine to a Ford type 9 gearbox.

[rally205]

There is a guy on this forum building a BMW based roadster using all of the running gear. He lives near me in Rugby but I cannot remember his username. I will try and find him for you.

[Talonmotorsport]

Not Haynes builds but BMW based so may be of interest for ideas...

http://www.farouxsportscars.com/roadster-mb1/

http://www.gkdsportscars.com/

I've seen this chassis at Delting show last year and it is 100% Haynes chassis with BMW E36 running gear.

[cirrusjock]

Thanks guys,

I am going to start by stripping the BMW and storing what I may need and putting the rest on ebay. I figured the car is probably worth more as bit than it is as a complete car anyway.

Meanwhile I will draw up the book chassis in inventor and then try and get the BMW parts in inventor somehow. This will give me something to play with.

Oh, and I am also trying to learn to mig weld so I could be busy.:)

[baz-r]

i think the gkd would be well worth a look.
i dont know of any 100% bmw doner locost plans of the self build verity only kits
would be an ideal choice as plenty about and cheap with parts availble.

[TQ_uk]

I've seen this chassis at Delting show last year and it is 100% Haynes chassis with BMW E36 running gear.

The Faroux? I was examining it at Delting also...

The design may be the same but pretty sure its bigger all round, i.e wheel base, width

[rally205]

The guy from rugby that is building one is Graeme Webb and his username is
the same.

[ftaffy]

Posted a few time on locost uk on this topic.

I am building a complete BMW E36 3 series clubby.
Currently finishing off the chassis, though its a custom design (same width (1118), same frame height (355) as roadster and slightly longer (3137 v 3083)). In hind sight i should have just modded the Haynes chassis to suit the BMW that way the design would be useful for others as well.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/ScreenHunter_04Nov222034.jpg

The issues you will face:
The front upright - Cant be used on a double a-arm without some mods. ie GKD welded on change (not ok in australia), modded strut (what i am doing see below) or use another one.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20design%20album/ScreenHunter_02Feb181735.jpg

Rear upright - Bin it and use the Haynes style but you will need to get a bearing carrier made to bolt on. Nothing major required justed a backing plate with a tube to hold the bearing.
Engine - VERY tall! The sump hangs down and there only a few options. Dry sump (~$1000 by the time you have it installed IMO), cut the sump down by ~1in throught middle (AL so bit of extra welding fun) or just raise the engine + use a bulge.
Steering column, the lower section is AL, so you will need to get an early 5 or 7 series lower steel section that be extended as per the book mods.
Seat belts- The coupe rear seats are mounted in the seats so get a pair of Sedan rears instead.

I have a build diary located here:http://www.ozclubbies.com.au/index.php?/topic/3383-taffys-tf7i-build/
You will need to register, then get approved to access the forum.

Any questions let me know, dont have any 100% drawings as i did alot of on the fly updates while building.

Also i am Melbourne, Australia.

Cheers,
Taffy

[stevegrabowski]

Hi Taffy. I presume you are using the standard BMW front strut, cut down, but, how much do you remove and how is the "mushroom" fixed in position. Thanks, Steve.

[ftaffy]

Hi Taffy. I presume you are using the standard BMW front strut, cut down, but, how much do you remove and how is the "mushroom" fixed in position. Thanks, Steve.

Hey Steve,

The cut down length will depend on the chassis design to go with it.
In my case i am using a 355mm high chassis.
Lower arm is 418mm (centre of bush to centre of ball joint)
Upper arm is 294mm centre of bush to centre to jose joint

Strut is cut down to 184mm
With insert it becomes 212mm

The insert is an interferance fit, so once in they dont come out easy!
Then it is welded around the edge.

I had to do this because of the road rules in Australia. In the UK you can get away with a welded joint, see GKD's uprights. Peter from GKD is very helpful as i looked at buying his kit - didnt have enough $ to get it, donor etc + shipping to Aust. If i had i would probably have a running car right now!

Check out my build blog for more photos, etc. Its 12 pages long at this stage.
Note: you need to logg in to be able to view.

Front wheels on
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_1859_1.jpg

Lower A-arm
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_1827_2.jpg

Cut down strut and insert
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_1655.jpg

Trial fit without the strut being pushed in fully
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_1651.jpg

[ftaffy]

Thought i would also include these:

The lower ball joint carrier is modeled off the E36 one
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_1625.jpg

Rear uprights, CAD model
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20design%20album/ScreenHunter_18May202118.jpg

What the rear end of the car looks like
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/ScreenHunter_01Jun081819.jpg

Give some idea of the height of the engine.
I have the sump basically flat with the floor and the engine will go through the bonnet.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/ftaffy1/TF7I%20build%20album/IMG_2018_1_1.jpg

Any more questions happy to help.

Cheers,
Taffy

[briansmc2005]

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