STATUS UPDATE, FINALLY! (NOV 2024)

 

Well, I know it's way long since I updated this place here. Almost 8 months, to be exact. A broken PC and job routine kept me back but, it's the ideal time to get back in action, as 2025 is on the way and everything goes according to the plan we made, while 2023 was ending. 

In order to give a good summary, I'll break this post on three parts, hoping not to mix them up. 

1. Of course, Rolla! 

Well... Last time I updated the status of the little Rolla, everything was plans. Since then, the interior is completely stripped, many electrical issues that kept the engine struggling are solved and some exterior mods are on the way. 

A proper racecar, as you know, is just and only metal inside. So ours, but keeping some dash bits, some door cards and 2 seats. A Sparco Junior will replace my Mugen S1 replica and the latter, will be used for passengers. Also, new and fixed on the chassis mounts are on the way to be made. New gauges were installed (RPM-shiftlight, GPS speedo, oil pressure/temperature, water temperature) and only the essential electrics remained (main lights, direction lights etc). Also, the engine finally starts keyless, an option that needs to be revised though, for better firing up. On the short plans, a baterry relocation on the rear is scheduled, with a killer switch that can be handled also from the exterior of the car for more safety. 

Of course, we think about lexan windows and a basic roll-cage, but these are good challenges for 2025! 

Next, the engine. Or to be exact, the electrics of it. Back on 2018 and when the swap was made, many parts of the electrics needed work. Many also were fixed back then, but nothing lasts forever. The headgasket blowing revealed many issues of the past and also, some new. Slowly, but carefully, I try to repair them, in order to run the engine again properly. Also, I water-injectioned the radiator, aiming to some additional help if temperatures go crazy again. Until of course, a new (NA of course) swap! 

(Also, some bits for a new, straight piped exhaust are on the way... More, soon!) 

Closing that chapter, new led lights replaced the stock headlights and the FX-GT bumper will be replaced by a non-GTi stock at the front, in order to custom-make a splitter, hoping for more improving of our handling. 

2. Just German stuff (E36). 

As you can understand, the main project for 2024 was the daily bimmer. You just can't live with a wrecked car on daily basis and the deal was "no racing until the main car is fixed". So, jobs had to be done, on our way of course. And as you understand, that means restomodding! 

Starting with the destroyed interior, new seats from a facelift model were installed (blue-ish colour, non-M). If my memory is correct, this was the first thing changed after purchase. After that, the list was way long: headliner and A-Pillars were refurbished, B-Pillars were changed, stock f/l armrest was installed, new f/l leather cards were found (along with sound-deadings and some M-Pack equipped, 8 Ohm tweeters), hidden interior lights were installed, an amplifier along with a 12in subwoofer. It needs some work to be finished, but you can live easily on it now. 

The exterior was also a challenge. The body needed many repairs, trying to avoid parts changing. All doors and the driver's front fender took some care and looked as new again. While stripping the body, we discovered it is non-crashed (at least heavily), rust-free (quite an odd for a straight-imported used car) and also, factory wax for protection is still on! Of course, we didn't want to respray with the original colour and, we picked the E92 M3's Jerez Black (Jerez Schwarz). Also, an f/l mask and headlights were added, M3 rear lights, yellow foglights, US-Spec side lights, dual exhaust tip, new badges, "style 57" 17in wheels from 2005's X5, but the best of all was the Zender-made, rear M3 spoiler. 

Closing here, nothing but proper maintenance was made to the engine. FYI, we have a M40 engine, like the E30 models, which is quite bullet-proof , has a timing belt with scheduled maintenance (which I prefer), moves the body quite well on the road, thanks to the long gear ratios, but in other words it is very slow compared to the Rolla (and not only!). On the other hand, newer and better brakes are about to be installed (from an E87 Series 1, front and rear, will update on this when installed), the suspension was lowered with AC Schnitzer springs and shock absorbers and, some (not quite daily) Federal 595 RSR-Pro's joined the new wheels. 

3. Plans for 2025? 

Of course, we want to race again the Rolla, but not before we ensure everything works well again. On the other hand, failure is an option now, as the car is not a daily anymore and can stay on the workshop for long, until it is repaired. Also, some new equipment needs to be bought (i.e a camera for POV/In Car videos) and some training, in order to get used again on driving it. As for the bimmer, for sure stays stock in terms of engine and continues to be our daily rider, until of course the next one!