Finally a running car! Honda F20/F22 Swapped 1973 BMW

[chargin]

I love the story and can’t believe how much fabrication effort you put in, not understanding at all why you moved the air conditioning compressor when it fits with plenty of room in the stock Honda position?

 

but that bracket looks like an impressive effort 

 

keep up the work 👍😍

 

[Wallyinc]

@chargin

 

HI @chargin!

 

The car reflects my pocket book at different times during the past 12 years. When money is good, I splurge and when it's tight, I go the economic route. 

 

The main reason for the passenger mounted compressor was price, the cheapest I could find a s2000 compressor at my local auto stores was for about 340 before tax. The cost of Sanden aircompressor at the time was about 80$ and a universal V8 summit header kit was about 100. Price of the ac bracket was free (made from scrap metal). My wife and I were newly weds at the time, money was tight (baby on the way too!), so this was the more reasonable option. 

 

I also liked the idea of a super cool looking custom header!.. and wanted to learn to tig weld too. Moving the compressor to the less crowded passenger side was also a big plus with the location of the radiator inlet and outlet hoses, made the engine bay feel a bit more "balanced" with my setup.

 

Your car looks fantastic! Great job, I might message you from time to time with questions should any arise after I get more miles on mine. Thanks for the compliment. 

 

[chargin]

2 hours ago, Wallyinc said:

the cheapest I could find a s2000 compressor at my local auto stores was for about 340 before tax. The cost of Sanden aircompressor at the time was about 80$

understood, I found one on Facebook with Hardware @ $20.00, the hardware alone from Honda wound have been +$30.00, most swap kits have a compressor but not all 

 

 

no cup holders with my console unfortunately 

[66Vette]

Very inspiring journey.  Good to know hot rodding is alive and well in the 2002 community.

[The OG]

Bro… What an amazing story and kudos for the perseverance and unimaginable creativity.   You did it your way, as the song goes.   Impressive beyond words.  Great work, Wally.  

[Wallyinc]

Still working out a few bugs here and there to try to get the car completely road-worthy. Car was running a bit hot 220, couldn't figure out the problem, took off the thermostat and found out it wasn't stock and was supposed to be a 180(ish)... testing it on the stovetop it proved to be closer to a 210ish! Swapped out with a mishimoto and now the car runs around 170, much happier. 

 

I am fine tuning the suspension currently and getting the car ready for it's first big car show! I did the standard stuff, clay bar, compound (on a few scratches), sealant, then ceramic coat. What a difference! I am shocked to the amount of contaminants the car's paint had considering it's been sitting in a garage for so long! These pics really don't do it justice. 

 

I also ordered a set of raceramps which will help with all the work I do underneath the car as well as help with oil changes on my daily, and '18 Honda Civic. Car runs so great with a bit of fine tuning on the the AEM V2, but I still wanna tweak that a bit as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by Wallyinc

[Wallyinc]

Took care of a small issue with my steering over the weekend. Taking off the centerlink was certainly interesting (big hammer + pickle fork), none-the-less it's on there correctly now with plenty of clearance under the transmission. I'm also working with a buddy to get a car show display ready for a big local car show coming up this weekend! This is the mock-up. 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by Wallyinc

[chargin]

1 hour ago, Wallyinc said:

none-the-less it's on there correctly now with plenty of clearance under the transmission

That looks really good, keep up the great work 

[KaneT]

One of the best builds I've seen! Incredible work, man!

[Alex Abreu]

Great build. Very nice.

[Georges]

You'll be the star of the show!

[Wallyinc]

Besides my wheel almost falling off on the way over here yesterday evening, everything has been fantastic. Came in early this morning  to diagnose (and fix) the problem. It was my cars longest drive to date (20 miles) My car is the only BMW in the show! 
 

 

 

 

[BeMyWay]

I'm at a lost for words to describe how original your car is...it's a Dr Jekyl - Mr Hyde ride 😎

 

What an inspirational build !!!  Thank you for taking the time to share this build.

 

Oh yeah, we need more pictures...please 

[HobieDog]

Attaboy!  This is a really great build with an awesome backstory.  Following along closely for inspiration on my own ‘restomod’.  

[Wallyinc]

My car took second in its division at the McAllen International Car Show. A '56 VW Beetle took first, it was a very detailed professional-type restoration. Very well done, well deserved and nothing my garage-build can compete with in its current state.  I had a very uneventful drive home (thank God), but it was so much fun! For now my car is parked in the garage and needs a few items addressed. 

 

1 . I'd like to make/ fabricate an exhaust for the car next. Definitely stainless, considering oval, but not completely sure the 1/2 inch of clearance is worth the extra money. I definitely don't want a muffler, but will consider a resonator. Currently I just run a flowmaster cat and really like the sound. 

 

2. I definitely need to make a backseat for the car! I'd like something that folds down, but this is a necessity so I can take my little ones out for icecream! I have the seatbelts too that match the ones front. 

 

3. Titanium air intake. I'd like to make one to replace the rattle-canned pvc pipe. I have the filler rod and the back-purge system to do this with my tig, just need to give it a shot. 

 

4. Try to incorporate some carbon fiber into the interior. This is a trade I've been wanting to pick up for a while. 

 

5. Recover the front seats to dark black or gray. Lseat.com seems to make some really decent covers for a volvo seat. I'm thinking of going that route. 

 

6. Get rid of the belt squeal!!!!

 

It's been a great adventure, but I'm ready for a break... at least for a bit

 

More updates coming later, later. 

 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by Wallyinc