Looking To Start A M2 Build & Have A Few Questions

[M3This]

Hi guys,

 

Long time lurker, but finally in the position to start the build I have been dreaming of for a few years. I'm about to start my search for a 2002 that I will do the S14 swap on and had a couple of questions. 

 

1) I read that the Automatics have wider transmission tunnels then the manual cars. Is this correct? and would this be beneficial with the S14 swap?

 

2) If buying an automatic, is it pretty straight forward to converting it to manual? 

 

3) I saw on one of the M2 build threads some months ago (cant seem to find the thread) that someone was having an issue having the motor and transmission sit in the body straight. Is this a common issue? and are they any modifications that need to be done the the firewall or trans tunnel to get it to sit properly? 

 

4) I know the 72 & 73 Tii came with upgrade brakes and I read stronger reinforced suspension arms and spindles. Is it common to up grade non-tii models with these parts? I plan on doing the Willwood disk brakes on all 4 corners, but didn't know if it would be good to use the master cylinder from the Tii or an aftermarket one. Also plan on doing coilovers if the arms and spindels from the Tii offer increased strength then thought about swapping. 

 

5) Lastly is there any year or configuration that would make a car a better candidate for the S14 swap? From my reading the cars all seem pretty close through the model years with the exceptions I posted above, Anything I'm missing? 

 

Thanks in advanced for the feeback!

[Son of Marty]

#1 The auto cars have a wider bell housing area I don't think it goes very far into the tunnel area so it kinda depends on the tranny your going to use any 02 or 320i m10 tranny will fit any car with the 320i tranny and a standard car you may have to put a smallish dent in the side of the tunnel to clear the clutch slave cylinder.

 

#2 Switching a auto to stick is easy enough if you have a stick shift pedal box it's just a bolt in and you'll have to defeat the neutral safety switch.

 

#3 The engine/tranny should sit straight enough so you can center it with a little shoving after all it's the same engine for the most part.

 

#4 all TIi's came with boxed trailing arms and larger spindles and front brakes but are getting pricey you could box the existing arms in back. The swap of the front struts is done mostly for the larger brakes if your going with wildwood brakes you could probably get by with the normal struts.

 

#5 your plan will work with all 02 bodies with little or no difference the square light cars have a little more body strengthening but it's mostly in the trunk,  so I would just buy the car in the best overall shape.

[ray_]

What Son of Marty said

 

I assume you have seen Nick Vyse's M2BMW site, and read mlytle's build thread here.

 

2.3, 2.5 or 2.7? ;-)

 

Cheers,

[M3M3]

Who would build an m2?

[Mark92131]

 

2 hours ago, M3This said:

5) Lastly is there any year or configuration that would make a car a better candidate for the S14

 

The Square Tail models (74, 75, 76) have a metal return fuel line that can be used as the primary high pressure feed line from an in-tank fuel pump (BMW 325 or 318 versions) and the plastic line can be used as the return line from the S14 fuel rail.  Earlier models would require running a high pressure fuel line from the tank/fuel pump to the inlet of the S14 fuel rail.  I would also assume that the Tii modifications (bigger spindles, boxed in trailing arms, etc.) would help with the higher horsepower and weight of the S14 motor.

 

Mark92131

[ray_]

3 hours ago, mlytle said:

Who would build an m2?

Who would sell one?

 

[Simeon]

4 hours ago, mlytle said:

Who would build an m2?

 

Madness!

[NickVyse]

what they said, and just find the least rusty car to begin with, and from an economic point of view use a non tii. Matter of taste if you want square or round light. Don't worry about the auto thing - if you want the getrag 265 close ratio from the euro m3 then it won't fit and you'll have to chop up the tunnel anyway. 

 

There are also plenty of big brake options for the non-ti spindles and unless you're tracking your car hard, or have crazy huge rubber, then the only downside I'd imagine is a slighter shorter bearing life. 

 

Good luck, keep us posted. Hope you have a big budget to find an engine!

[M3This]

15 hours ago, Son of Marty said:

#1 The auto cars have a wider bell housing area I don't think it goes very far into the tunnel area so it kinda depends on the tranny your going to use any 02 or 320i m10 tranny will fit any car with the 320i tranny and a standard car you may have to put a smallish dent in the side of the tunnel to clear the clutch slave cylinder.

 

#2 Switching a auto to stick is easy enough if you have a stick shift pedal box it's just a bolt in and you'll have to defeat the neutral safety switch.

 

#3 The engine/tranny should sit straight enough so you can center it with a little shoving after all it's the same engine for the most part.

 

#4 all TIi's came with boxed trailing arms and larger spindles and front brakes but are getting pricey you could box the existing arms in back. The swap of the front struts is done mostly for the larger brakes if your going with wildwood brakes you could probably get by with the normal struts.

 

#5 your plan will work with all 02 bodies with little or no difference the square light cars have a little more body strengthening but it's mostly in the trunk,  so I would just buy the car in the best overall shape.

 

Thanks this is a huge help! Much appreciated!

[M3This]

15 hours ago, ray_ said:

What Son of Marty said

 

I assume you have seen Nick Vyse's M2BMW site, and read mlytle's build thread here.

 

2.3, 2.5 or 2.7? ;-)

 

Cheers,

 

I think I have seen mlytle's build in here, not sure I have seen Nick's site. 

 

Haven't made up my mind on the displacement yet .... engine rebuild will be last thing done to the car. First steps are finding a car, disassembly, dipping, seam welding and rebuilding from there.  It all depends on how much on budget I am for the build, when we get there, and what I can pick up the motor for. 

[ray_]

Also, needs 4.10 diff.

 

;-)

 

(old joke for Marshall)

 

Perhaps you have seen the adjustable rear subframes which will accept E30 diffs. Your options are a little greater with those.

 

Happy to help spend your money!

 

Also, the motors aren't getting cheaper day by day. You may want to start looking now.

 

But I suppose that car be said for all components...

 

Cheers,

 

 

[M3This]

15 hours ago, Mark92131 said:

 

 

The Square Tail models (74, 75, 76) have a metal return fuel line that can be used as the primary high pressure feed line from an in-tank fuel pump (BMW 325 or 318 versions) and the plastic line can be used as the return line from the S14 fuel rail.  Earlier models would require running a high pressure fuel line from the tank/fuel pump to the inlet of the S14 fuel rail.  I would also assume that the Tii modifications (bigger spindles, boxed in trailing arms, etc.) would help with the higher horsepower and weight of the S14 motor.

 

Mark92131

 

If going with a fuel cell I'm guessing I would run new lines anyway so the larger lines on square tails might not matter. I am leaning towards a roundie .... but I dont mind the square lights .... just wish I could get clear lenses to replace the amber on them. 

[M3This]

4 minutes ago, ray_ said:

Also, needs 4.10 diff.

 

;-)

 

(old joke for Marshall)

 

Perhaps you have seen the adjustable rear subframes which will accept E30 diffs. Your options are a little greater with those.

 

Happy to help spend your money!

 

Also, the motors aren't getting cheaper day by day. You may want to start looking now.

 

But I suppose that car be said for all components...

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

Yea I have noticed this .... same can be said with the cars. When I first started looking in 2010 I could find a car in need of restoration, but in solid condition for $2k, now it seems like 6-10K range

[M3This]

7 hours ago, NickVyse said:

what they said, and just find the least rusty car to begin with, and from an economic point of view use a non tii. Matter of taste if you want square or round light. Don't worry about the auto thing - if you want the getrag 265 close ratio from the euro m3 then it won't fit and you'll have to chop up the tunnel anyway. 

 

There are also plenty of big brake options for the non-ti spindles and unless you're tracking your car hard, or have crazy huge rubber, then the only downside I'd imagine is a slighter shorter bearing life. 

 

Good luck, keep us posted. Hope you have a big budget to find an engine!

 

Is it a LOT of work for the getrag 265? What are most of you guys running?

[NickVyse]

most people in the states seem to use the 5 speed from an e21 - which fits the tunnel but you have to mount the sensors if you're running with the stock moronic. The 265 is a great close ratio box, stronger, and you only have to cut off the top and half way down the sides of the tunnel and fab something a bit taller. It also gives you the bragging rights of a dog leg first gear :-)

 

But like everything s14 it's getting very pricey. On the upside an m3 prop fits without cutting, just need to change the location of the centre support bearing. 

Edited February 17, 2017 by NickVyse