Good day all!!

Here are some pictures finally... This is how the support ended up... I’m still trying to get a word from Carolina Driveline on the status of my drive shaft... They must be super busy over there...

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Now, about the wiring!! Oh my!! What a huge PITA that is!! I have to get some kind of standardized method to all that madness!!! It took me all of two days to get it nearly done... I need one connector for the reverse switch and one connector for the ignition switch... I had to pull the wire from the fuse block to have enough to make it to the switch... So, maybe a new long run of 4.0mm wire...

Well, I’m going to look at the shifter arm lengths...

Cheers for now!!!

Nice progress! Wiring is always a PITA, lucky for the rest of us goons hopefully you get through the tough stuff and it will be easier the 2nd time around!

What did you use for the support bushings?

Are you going to gusset the bottom of the brace?

Thanks!!!!!

I think the wiring was such a pain because I was running around the vehicle countless number of times... I need to do all the wiring in one section thru to completion... Then move to the next section!! I also pulled the trans wiring that was inside the vehicle... That is not necessary!! Don't do it!!!

I ordered OEM 540i transmission mounts...

I will be doing the bottom of the support after I figure if the drive line is straight... I can adjust height if need be before welding... I still have to trim the excess off the main support bar... I want to 45 the front bottom corner and dress up the edges...

I called about the drive shaft today... The parts are getting prepped for welding and it should be done tomorrow or next Monday at the latest...

Oh so close!! A little coding of some modules and.... Well, we'll see what happens...

Cheers!!!

Just picked up a driveshaft from them yesterday for my e38. Was waiting 7 weeks. They are extremely busy! But spot on as always!! Nice work!


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Ok, nice. Excited to see what happens.

Good day all!!!

Well, I have been debating what to do next... I am still waiting for a call from the driveline shop...

I have the shifter arms tonight for modification, if possible...

That leaves a few things for wiring and coding... I debated on waiting for a connector for my ignition switch... OR I can pull a length of wire from a salvage vehicle with the correct pin already connected... There are two other solid red wires in the connector that I can use for my PIN 8... The pin came out easily after pulling the connector apart... The only thing left is a reverse switch wire run down the side of the trans...

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and a little tug and the pin came right out... I could reuse this pin if I just solder the wire to the connector and existing wire... But I want it to look as original as possible...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/4c2hpM.jpg

So, I will try to get over there this weekend... Maybe I will get lucky and find a manual trans BMW in the yard... They are really hard to find these days...

After these last two wiring issues, I have the drive shaft, starter, some more interior stuff, and shifter arms to install... I put the carpet back in and it really looks unmolested... Cutting might not be the bad way to go in favor of pulling the entire dash... I don't mind pulling the dash tho!! I can get to some use-able wire easier... The A/C system will be the challenge there... I'd rather not break open that seal if I don't have to...

Okay, off to get some work done!!

Cheers!!!

Good day all!!

Well, here is the modification I did to the shifter selection rod... I am still working on the shifter arm... I took out only 60mm from each... I can always take away until I get the correct length... It is a little bit harder to put back if I cut it too short...

Here I am already done with the cut... The section that has the sticker is 58.92mm long... So, just over 60mm came out of the center... These are M16-2.0 bolts... They are the same length... It was surprisingly easy to tap the treads on the inside...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/LxueKM.jpg

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This does say M16X2 D7 HSS!! (I don’t like my camera with poor lighting!!!!)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/xoWjMe.jpg

The black mark is center... This was a hex head bolt...

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And I actually did get this to turn one more revolution to nearly close up tight and still be aligned... Once I get it the correct length, all I have to do is tack it to keep it from spinning!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/citRU6.jpg

I’m still working on the arm... It is aluminium... and it’s square casting... This adds a whole additional degree of difficulty!! But, this is fun stuff!!

Cheers for now!!!

Good day all!!!

Well, everyone keep their fingers crossed the drive shaft is done tomorrow and it fits perfectly!! That way I can finish up some of this other stuff...

I ran the reverse switch wires this morning... I used two of the old transmission wires from the big harness (red and black) but fished them thru the smaller harness after pulling all those wires out... It works out in a few ways like that... There is already a pin on the red wire that SHOULD fit perfectly in the DME connector (I think!)..... The wires are plenty long enough... And you can use normal spade connectors until you find the BMW version... I still have to get the power wire for the ignition switch, but I think that is the last of the wiring I need to do before programming...

I'll determine the height of the trans on the mount and cross member support, install the shifter arms and take a couple measurements before doing the final cuts...

Then all I'll have left is the exhaust and starter... I will probably put the starter in tomorrow morning to get it out of the way... Easy install with all the room now, not having front drive components in the way...

I think the programming and coding is going to be the difficult part! I have to write down everything I do, when I do it, because if it works, then GREAT!! If not, I have to start over or back track a few steps, and keeping track as I go...

Cheers for now!!!

This is really heating up. Nice work William, hope everything continues to go relatively smoothly. As smoothly as customizing a driveline can go anyway. ;)

I know, RIGHT!!! The more things I cross off the list, the shorter the list gets... The shorter the list gets, the more excited I am!! Almost time to pull the key from the tool box and fiddle with the programming.....

I agree!! As smoothly as customizing can be!!!

Thanks so much!!

Cheers!!