Matt's Restoration/Rebuild Thread
09-22-2010, 01:22 PM
#1
As some of you may know, I had an accident about 3 months ago and the insurance totaled my car and gave me a check. Last week the junk yard called me to see if I still wanted to buy it back (I told my insurance I wanted to buy it back)
I finally went to get it yesterday with one of my buddies, the entire day didn't go as planned but I got it here. It's all worth it for me since it's more than just a car, even tho I know it will take some time and money to fix her back up.
In this thread I will post a diary of the work done on the car with photos.
Here is a list of parts I need to replace:
- 2 out of spec injectors
- Front bumper
- Bumper reinforcement
- Grill
- Right turn signal
- Right Headlight
- Right side marker
- Radiator
- Radiator support
- Radiator fans (They look ok, but will only really know once it's off)
- Hood
- Hood latch
- Right Fender
The AC radiator needs replacement too, but I'm planning on removing the AC anyway.
I'm also thinking of doing some restoring work on the car since I have another DD I am presently using.
Other things I want to do:
- Stillen body kit
- Lowering springs
- Exhaust
- Paint job
- Take the entire interior apart and clean it to like new (We got a machine at work for that)
- Window tint
- Some performance mods (Don't know what yet)
I finally went to get it yesterday with one of my buddies, the entire day didn't go as planned but I got it here. It's all worth it for me since it's more than just a car, even tho I know it will take some time and money to fix her back up.
In this thread I will post a diary of the work done on the car with photos.
Here is a list of parts I need to replace:
- 2 out of spec injectors
- Front bumper
- Bumper reinforcement
- Grill
- Right turn signal
- Right Headlight
- Right side marker
- Radiator
- Radiator support
- Radiator fans (They look ok, but will only really know once it's off)
- Hood
- Hood latch
- Right Fender
The AC radiator needs replacement too, but I'm planning on removing the AC anyway.
I'm also thinking of doing some restoring work on the car since I have another DD I am presently using.
Other things I want to do:
- Stillen body kit
- Lowering springs
- Exhaust
- Paint job
- Take the entire interior apart and clean it to like new (We got a machine at work for that)
- Window tint
- Some performance mods (Don't know what yet)
Last edited by Phatmatt; 10-06-2010 at 09:58 AM.
09-22-2010, 01:24 PM
#3
DAY 2
As the car sat at 8am. Two front tires flat, two right side wheels brakes jammed.
I put in a battery, and it started right up like if I've been using it for the last 3 months. At least I knew it still ran good. Now I would be able to move it into the garage out of the rain.
I started up the car, and started backing up slowly with two front tires flat and one of the back ones jammed. Made it about 10 meters before I decided to give it up and take the wheels off and put some air in them. Wasn't easy since the front end was so low and the fact that I was on wet dirt so the jack keep sinking in the ground, but I got it up and took off the tires.
With air in the tires I started backing up again still with that jammed wheel. It only got unstuck when I hit the small bump at the entrance of the garage.
Now it was time to start taking the front end apart.
At 12:30 we decided to take a break and go eat at the restaurant.
When we came back we took off the bumper and right fender. Work was going good.
We cut the radiator support off to give room to take out the AC radiator. And there's me proudly beside my max.
3pm. After cleaning the garage and taking the car out. The car is parked for the night.
Going back tomorrow to continue work on it.
As the car sat at 8am. Two front tires flat, two right side wheels brakes jammed.
I put in a battery, and it started right up like if I've been using it for the last 3 months. At least I knew it still ran good. Now I would be able to move it into the garage out of the rain.
I started up the car, and started backing up slowly with two front tires flat and one of the back ones jammed. Made it about 10 meters before I decided to give it up and take the wheels off and put some air in them. Wasn't easy since the front end was so low and the fact that I was on wet dirt so the jack keep sinking in the ground, but I got it up and took off the tires.
With air in the tires I started backing up again still with that jammed wheel. It only got unstuck when I hit the small bump at the entrance of the garage.
Now it was time to start taking the front end apart.
At 12:30 we decided to take a break and go eat at the restaurant.
When we came back we took off the bumper and right fender. Work was going good.
We cut the radiator support off to give room to take out the AC radiator. And there's me proudly beside my max.
3pm. After cleaning the garage and taking the car out. The car is parked for the night.
Going back tomorrow to continue work on it.
Last edited by Phatmatt; 09-22-2010 at 01:46 PM.
09-22-2010, 03:18 PM
#4
Cool!
Wow, that's really not very bad damage at all and looks like the frame rail and bumper support was untouched.
I guess it doesn't take much from an insurance perspective to total a 20 year old car
Wow, that's really not very bad damage at all and looks like the frame rail and bumper support was untouched.
I guess it doesn't take much from an insurance perspective to total a 20 year old car
09-23-2010, 09:58 AM
#8
DAY 3
Removed front bumper reinforcement.
My buddy helping me remove the radiator.
Radiator removed. We took off the AC compressor and AC lines. Gives much more room. Not going to replace this.
Parts taken off today.
Now my next step is to find a cheap third gen for the front end. Doesn't matter the condition the car is in as long as the front is intact, paint doesn't matter. I can get one for about 500$. And then I'll keep whatever is still usable on the car and might sell some parts to get some money back.
Removed front bumper reinforcement.
My buddy helping me remove the radiator.
Radiator removed. We took off the AC compressor and AC lines. Gives much more room. Not going to replace this.
Parts taken off today.
Now my next step is to find a cheap third gen for the front end. Doesn't matter the condition the car is in as long as the front is intact, paint doesn't matter. I can get one for about 500$. And then I'll keep whatever is still usable on the car and might sell some parts to get some money back.
09-23-2010, 10:28 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 287
If I were you man, Id be pullin that motor out and fixin up that engine bay while I was at it. Looks like you got some strut tower rust and some minor rust on the frame rail that might be worth nippin in the butt while you have the chance.
Do you guys have craigslist up in Canada? Or active areas served by it anyway? Here in Chicago there are plenty of Maximas in pretty poor overall shape for cheap on there. There is one now that would be perfect for you. Wrecked rear end but the rest is in great shape for 450....might be worth it to check out.
Do you guys have craigslist up in Canada? Or active areas served by it anyway? Here in Chicago there are plenty of Maximas in pretty poor overall shape for cheap on there. There is one now that would be perfect for you. Wrecked rear end but the rest is in great shape for 450....might be worth it to check out.
09-23-2010, 03:27 PM
#15
It Hurts Just Looking At Your Max!!
Sorry 2 see that happen to anybody, it sucks that you only get the totaled out estimate and not what it would really cost to fix. If you do it yourself of course that should be enough but what about the person who can't repair themselves. Good wrenching my dude, just a quick thought my dude, have you that about finding another shell? I know you attached to your Max, believe me. I've seen some mint shells that just need a good motor and it will save you much time/headaches. Just a thought, good wrenching.
09-23-2010, 03:44 PM
#16
Sorry 2 see that happen to anybody, it sucks that you only get the totaled out estimate and not what it would really cost to fix. If you do it yourself of course that should be enough but what about the person who can't repair themselves. Good wrenching my dude, just a quick thought my dude, have you that about finding another shell? I know you attached to your Max, believe me. I've seen some mint shells that just need a good motor and it will save you much time/headaches. Just a thought, good wrenching.
Insurance companies are such a pain, I know they ripped me off on my car.
09-24-2010, 07:47 AM
#19
If I were you man, Id be pullin that motor out and fixin up that engine bay while I was at it. Looks like you got some strut tower rust and some minor rust on the frame rail that might be worth nippin in the butt while you have the chance.
Do you guys have craigslist up in Canada? Or active areas served by it anyway? Here in Chicago there are plenty of Maximas in pretty poor overall shape for cheap on there. There is one now that would be perfect for you. Wrecked rear end but the rest is in great shape for 450....might be worth it to check out.
Do you guys have craigslist up in Canada? Or active areas served by it anyway? Here in Chicago there are plenty of Maximas in pretty poor overall shape for cheap on there. There is one now that would be perfect for you. Wrecked rear end but the rest is in great shape for 450....might be worth it to check out.
Some other rust on the passenger floor/firewall area. And some on the back wheel area where the filler neck is. It has not penetrated throught when I check it (that was 4+ months ago tho). Will fix those like I did for the strut tower, remove infected metal and reweld new sheet metal.
No Craigslist here, We have Kijiji which is pretty popular around here.
It has sentimental value to me, people think I'm crazy rebuilding this car saying it's not worth the money and all. I guess they just don't understand. I still think your max was one of the nicest I've seen. I don't have your E36 anymore. Was going to install them the weekend before the accident, luckily I had something come up and didn't have the time. Benstoked has them now. I'm going to have to find other ones to install.
09-24-2010, 11:18 AM
#22
09-25-2010, 06:08 PM
#24
09-27-2010, 09:33 AM
#25
I think I found a donor car
http://sherbrooke.kijiji.ca/c-autos-...dIdZ230948987#
He's asking 600, but im sure I can bring it down by going there and paying cash.
Also, Anyone know what's the name for the piece that holds the headlights/radiator? I can't find one anywhere, do they even sell that part? or am I gonna have to cut if off the donor car and weld it?
http://sherbrooke.kijiji.ca/c-autos-...dIdZ230948987#
He's asking 600, but im sure I can bring it down by going there and paying cash.
Also, Anyone know what's the name for the piece that holds the headlights/radiator? I can't find one anywhere, do they even sell that part? or am I gonna have to cut if off the donor car and weld it?
09-27-2010, 10:29 AM
#26
I think I found a donor car
http://sherbrooke.kijiji.ca/c-autos-...dIdZ230948987#
He's asking 600, but im sure I can bring it down by going there and paying cash.
Also, Anyone know what's the name for the piece that holds the headlights/radiator? I can't find one anywhere, do they even sell that part? or am I gonna have to cut if off the donor car and weld it?
http://sherbrooke.kijiji.ca/c-autos-...dIdZ230948987#
He's asking 600, but im sure I can bring it down by going there and paying cash.
Also, Anyone know what's the name for the piece that holds the headlights/radiator? I can't find one anywhere, do they even sell that part? or am I gonna have to cut if off the donor car and weld it?
and though you can cut it off the donor and use it from that too, It may be some extra work
Good work man. Way to keep the thing alive.
10-06-2010, 09:57 AM
#27
Day 4
Un-seized the front brakes, cleaned them and re-greased them.
Back calipers was another story, all four pins on both sides are seized and one of them has a rubber boot on the cylinder almost all gone so that's seized too. I'll either buy remans, or rebuild them depending on the cost of remans vs time to rebuild myself.
Day 5
With the outside practically done for now and waiting for a parts car I decided to start stripping the interior for cleaning and preparing the floor repair existing rust spots and rust proofing.
Those air ducts are going to get a good cleaning..
Worked well into the night, but interior still isn't done.
Sorry for not having more photos, my batteries were low and kept dying.
Un-seized the front brakes, cleaned them and re-greased them.
Back calipers was another story, all four pins on both sides are seized and one of them has a rubber boot on the cylinder almost all gone so that's seized too. I'll either buy remans, or rebuild them depending on the cost of remans vs time to rebuild myself.
Day 5
With the outside practically done for now and waiting for a parts car I decided to start stripping the interior for cleaning and preparing the floor repair existing rust spots and rust proofing.
Those air ducts are going to get a good cleaning..
Worked well into the night, but interior still isn't done.
Sorry for not having more photos, my batteries were low and kept dying.
10-08-2010, 10:39 AM
#28
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Okc 405
Posts: 999
Benstoke just hardwire the e36 trust me alot easier then figuring out bmw's stupid wire harness plus the prongs don'tlike to stay in. Hope the ones your running are h1 bulb ones which are true European and not usdm models. Sorry for off topic
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