The story of "Swamp Thing"

[Purplefade]

Originally Posted by c-bass

I've had my eye on the E70 platform but the newer engines scare me a bit with their parts pricing and I had a bad experience with the N52 platform first time around. So I decided to get my feet wet with the E53 platform first.

Solid choice, not toooo pricey to work on and parts are still pretty much readily available and yes... the E70 with its overly hot engine bay concerns me a bit too, but I’m actually planning on replacing all the rubber lines with braided stainless and (probably) upgrading the turbos, down pipes and definitely the turbo blankets and cold air intakes - may even run a secondary (not BMW) high flow water pump for the intercoolers and I have a buddy of mine who’s into metal fab so we’re talking about mocking up an aluminum “ram air” if you will, to move air through the intercoolers and out of the engine bay more efficiently.

As my wife tells me, “keep dreaming” and I keep telling her, “it’s not if, it’s when”

Looking forward to the pics of yours backing out of the driveway on its maiden, restored to health, voyage


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[timmyc]

Looks AMAZING! Too bad the scratches on the seats from the dog are so prominent. I'm watching to see what you come up with there so I can fix mine!

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by timmyc

Looks AMAZING! Too bad the scratches on the seats from the dog are so prominent. I'm watching to see what you come up with there so I can fix mine!

I don't think I'll be fixing these seats because the driver's cushion has been flattened on the door side and I can get better seats for $35 at the pick and pull yard so it wouldn't even be worth it on the material at that price.

[Fifty150hs]

Wow! Amazing!

[TriX5]

White glove service! Great help... :-)

[Purplefade]

I have to say, on the air box, if you can’t find an inexpensive replacement, that may be “fixable”. I think I might be inclined to measure the gap between those ribs, since it primarily runs down one section, setup a little clamping jig and two part epoxy a “splint” to the outside of the box. Before I clamped it in the jig I’d use the epoxy to set the crack and then fill in any gaps with a 1 minute hardening adhesive like the instant grab products that come in a caulk tub. Light sand and a quick coat of black paint and I think that box may be back in service - obviously with a deep clean and degrease first . If you were concerned about integrity, you could heat abs plastic, mold it to the inside, down the side and along the bottom, and epoxy a “splint” inside too.

Just a thought if you don’t find one quick.


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[c-bass]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

I have to say, on the air box, if you can’t find an inexpensive replacement, that may be “fixable”. I think I might be inclined to measure the gap between those ribs, since it primarily runs down one section, setup a little clamping jig and two part epoxy a “splint” to the outside of the box. Before I clamped it in the jig I’d use the epoxy to set the crack and then fill in any gaps with a 1 minute hardening adhesive like the instant grab products that come in a caulk tub. Light sand and a quick coat of black paint and I think that box may be back in service - obviously with a deep clean and degrease first . If you were concerned about integrity, you could heat abs plastic, mold it to the inside, down the side and along the bottom, and epoxy a “splint” inside too.

Just a thought if you don’t find one quick.


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Ahhh I didn't even think of using the putty

I'll see if I can't score an airbox from the pic n pull yard, failing that we'll get our adhesive toolkit out and see how big of a mess we can make

[c-bass]

I did some investigating in the rear to try and find the source of the noise I've been hearing.

The brakes are worn but don't look terrible. Still some pad left and no grooves on the rotor.



Who doesn't use a vented rotor anyway??



The spring looks like it's been changed recently. The paint is fresh and so is the sticker.



This brake line however looks like it's ready to go



I realize now looking on the big monitor the picture sucks but think flaky like an old croissant

Also I tried to see if I could get the rear wheel to move any while I had the tire on, but either the bearing is fine or I'm not strong enough to manhandle it

[Happy]

This E53 is really a Swamp Thing!

You and your helper will clean her up!

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by Happy

This E53 is really a Swamp Thing!

You and your helper will clean her up!

Sadly this is pretty much on par for vehicles this age that have lived on salty winter roads