My Neglected 74 Needs Love

[oldskoolvws]

Hey all,

 

Out in the Livermore area, got a few BMW's hehehe. Have had my 74 sitting in my driveway for at lest 8 years now under the car cover. Top end of the M10 is taken off and the motor is essentially trash. Stock 4-speed. I have a E30 M10 rebuild without a head, zero miles, but have like 3 or 4 heads - all need a some type of rebuild. I need motivation to get this back on the road as a resto-mod, so I need some help and guidance. The goal of the build is reliability (for wife) and ultimately bringing back or improving the creature comforts, HVAC, brakes, etc. But reliability is top. Then would be power - enough to keep up with the the daily grind and open ups but not win any races, just keep up or at least see tail lights lol. Still trying to see what I'll do about the HVAC brackets too.

 

First question - Keep the M10 and 4-speed, although from the E30 or move to a different platform? I have all probably 90% - 95% of the parts, just need a guru to evaluate, finalize and figure out what next steps are and bring it together. This includes new 38/38 weber and manifold, electronics, etc. Who can do this?

 

Second question - Should I swap the engine to something else more current and if so to what platform for the reliability goal I am seeking and also, is there a specialist to do the work here in the bay area reliably? I'm assuming if I go this road, I should swap or may be the only option to a 5-speed but am open to it. Maybe a S55?.....I jest.

 

I do have a budget in mind for this build and it is funded, I just need some help figuring out my next steps. Really want good quality work on either direction and hoping to get this on the road by end of year maybe. 

 

Appreciate an insights.

Pat

[2002iii]

I would probably put the e30 m10 motor in since you already have it. Although it's a 1.8l instead of the original 2.0l.

 

A lot of people have had luck with m42 swaps for more power and reliability.

 

There are multiple shops in the bay area that specialize in 02's.

 

Post some pictures of the parts you have.

 

You should definitely come to the Bay Area 02 Swap and Show to look at other people's cars.

[Fensterbrett]

Sorry for the late reply. Your project is pretty cool.  Glad you are reviving the car and modernizing it a bit. Seems like you are on the right track with your thought process, but here are my free inputs - take them for what you paid for 'em.

• If you can - convert to fuel injected for a daily, I think your wife would appreciate it.  Feathering the gas pedal to get the car to start when it is warm is not trivial (I also have a 38/38).  Sitting in front of Starbucks cranking away while you figure it out can be painful - for your ego and your starter. (I now have it down to a relative science, but depending on weather or attitude, it acts up).  That said, I would keep it simple.  The more you modernize with super fancy engines the more you complicate.  E21 is modern enough, or TII if you can find one. 
• For viewing safety - at a minimum - add a passenger side mirror.  I added E3 Bavaria power mirrors so that when either of us get in we could sort the car in a safe manner (my wife is over a foot shorter than me, and reaching over to try to get the mirror right was a PITA for her).  I used magnum shooters for a modern look and no wires in the doors, and I put the mirror controller in the old choke spot of the dash.  Happy to share install pics and wiring diagram if needed.
• Since the car is so small by today's standards, some sort of brake light upgrade is needed (you already referenced this).  Consider LED's in the back and a third light in the back glass.  The Hella model 38 3rd brake light from Daniel Stern is the 'go to' for many of us, and I also have it.  I haven't been rear ended yet.
• Upgraded seat-belts are a must.  Many options, but contact bluedevil on this forum to get the best guidance and belts. This might be the highest priority of all. May require some welding, and I can share how I added this to my pillars (relatively easily) if you need info.  I also have a welder (that isn't hard to move) and can help.
• Bluetooth stereo/hands free calling.  This may sound silly, but without this nobody can survive!  Wire it for hands free or never hear from your wife again!
• Keep the wheels narrow!  I put some meaty wheels/tires on and my wife needs to exercise her forearms on a regular basis to be able to turn the car when not moving (parallel parking is a beeyatch!).  Opt for economical over aesthetically pleasing if your wife wants to be able to park or drive slowly through the costco parking lot avoiding all the barrels of mayo.
• Lets talk fuel.   I read so much about the hard time modern fuel pumps have with our tanks that I added the trunk fuel system from kooglewerks. I didn't want fuel burns down the paint.  I am not sure how real the struggle is, but if it is real, and this is a daily driver, consider a way to minimize the fueling pain.
• A few other things to consider: E21 rear view mirror with map lights (I have and like) is an easy upgrade, trunk power lock seems snazzy (I don't have), make sure to close off all airways from the trunk to the cabin (and from hood to cabin) so you don't smell like gasoline every time you drive, add some sort of console to hold your coffee and/or bottle of water.   And, add a good fire extinguisher to the cabin!

Thanks for reading.  Holler if I can help.

 

(oops - you have a later model than I do - so I think you might already have the seat belts.  Did I mention the feedback was free?)

Edited May 2, 2023 by Fensterbrett
I'm an idiot

[71bav]

How much of the work would you do yourself? I’m trying to get a few folks to rent a shared garage space in the farther east bay.(There is a great spot available in concord) I’ve got myself and another vintage BMW guy onboard now. We are both pretty experienced and could help with your project. 

[BoltonFTW]

On 5/1/2023 at 5:58 PM, Fensterbrett said:

Sorry for the late reply. Your project is pretty cool.  Glad you are reviving the car and modernizing it a bit. Seems like you are on the right track with your thought process, but here are my free inputs - take them for what you paid for 'em.

• If you can - convert to fuel injected for a daily, I think your wife would appreciate it.  Feathering the gas pedal to get the car to start when it is warm is not trivial (I also have a 38/38).  Sitting in front of Starbucks cranking away while you figure it out can be painful - for your ego and your starter. (I now have it down to a relative science, but depending on weather or attitude, it acts up).  That said, I would keep it simple.  The more you modernize with super fancy engines the more you complicate.  E21 is modern enough, or TII if you can find one. 
• For viewing safety - at a minimum - add a passenger side mirror.  I added E3 Bavaria power mirrors so that when either of us get in we could sort the car in a safe manner (my wife is over a foot shorter than me, and reaching over to try to get the mirror right was a PITA for her).  I used magnum shooters for a modern look and no wires in the doors, and I put the mirror controller in the old choke spot of the dash.  Happy to share install pics and wiring diagram if needed.
• Since the car is so small by today's standards, some sort of brake light upgrade is needed (you already referenced this).  Consider LED's in the back and a third light in the back glass.  The Hella model 38 3rd brake light from Daniel Stern is the 'go to' for many of us, and I also have it.  I haven't been rear ended yet.
• Upgraded seat-belts are a must.  Many options, but contact bluedevil on this forum to get the best guidance and belts. This might be the highest priority of all. May require some welding, and I can share how I added this to my pillars (relatively easily) if you need info.  I also have a welder (that isn't hard to move) and can help.
• Bluetooth stereo/hands free calling.  This may sound silly, but without this nobody can survive!  Wire it for hands free or never hear from your wife again!
• Keep the wheels narrow!  I put some meaty wheels/tires on and my wife needs to exercise her forearms on a regular basis to be able to turn the car when not moving (parallel parking is a beeyatch!).  Opt for economical over aesthetically pleasing if your wife wants to be able to park or drive slowly through the costco parking lot avoiding all the barrels of mayo.
• Lets talk fuel.   I read so much about the hard time modern fuel pumps have with our tanks that I added the trunk fuel system from kooglewerks. I didn't want fuel burns down the paint.  I am not sure how real the struggle is, but if it is real, and this is a daily driver, consider a way to minimize the fueling pain.
• A few other things to consider: E21 rear view mirror with map lights (I have and like) is an easy upgrade, trunk power lock seems snazzy (I don't have), make sure to close off all airways from the trunk to the cabin (and from hood to cabin) so you don't smell like gasoline every time you drive, add some sort of console to hold your coffee and/or bottle of water.   And, add a good fire extinguisher to the cabin!

Thanks for reading.  Holler if I can help.

 

(oops - you have a later model than I do - so I think you might already have the seat belts.  Did I mention the feedback was free?)

Just wanted to say thank you for all these tips on safety and convenience.
I'm also in the similar boat of my wife "thinks" she's interested in driving a 2002...so I bought one as a project car (for me to learn) and potential driver for her once it's sorted.  Lots of work to be done to get it to a spot where she would even be comfortable taking it around the block. This list is really great reference material. 

Edited May 31, 2023 by BoltonFTW
i can't spell