Hey guys!
I just re-bought my 1992 SC 5spd. The exact same one I sold back in 2006. Stumbled across it on Facebook, and had the ability to bring it home.
However, the intervening years have been...unkind to it. But the main reason I wanted it (other than I loved it back then) is to teach myself how to work on cars. And I could use your all's help and thoughts on how to accomplish what I'd eventually like to turn it into.
The goal: Turn it back into a modern BMW 6-Series-fighting grand tourer. That's what this car was supposed to be when it was new, and I always dig old cars that have new tech in them.
-Aim for 400-ish hp while also addressing mechanical reliability issues while modifying it.
-Keep the 3.8SC engine, though maybe in the (distant) future, consider a swap for a 3.7 Cyclone and add a supercharger. Who knows. It's only money, right?
-Turn it into something that not only CAN drive cross-country, but would be pleasant and reliable to do so in.
Current issues (and questions you can help me with):
-Power brake unit is shot. I have an OEM unit to replace it with, but is it worth it? Should I look for an aftermarket unit? And if so, which one? Seen one video of swapping it for a Bosch Hydroboost, but it looks like a pain in the rear, and it loses ABS (don't want to LOSE features, we're fighting Bimmers, remember?).
-Valve cover gasket (passenger side) appears to be shot. It's smoking up from the valley right around there, so I'm guessing that's what it is. Anything I should know before trying to swap that out?
-Driver's seat needs replacing. It's shorting out (so power adjust doesn't work unless you stick a penny in the fuse box), the bolsters didn't work correctly when I owned the car the FIRST time (they slowly deflate). They're black leather/tweed seats, however, I can't find any replacements. Thought about doing a full seat swap, but I don't know what seats I should swap in, or how I'd even do it. Your wisdom would be helpful here.
-Paint on hood/roof/decklid is completely shot. Already thinking about putting carbon fiber swaps for hood and decklid. Anything I should be aware of with doing that? And anyone know of any good body shops in SE Wisconsin that you would trust to paint your car?
-Looks like the auto seatbelts are shot. Has anyone repaired those (again, want to get all features back up and running), and if so, how'd you go about it? They're just stuck in the forward position.
What's RIGHT about it:
-Apparently, the car has only been driven like 3,000 miles since I sold it. She's due for fresh fluids all around, but that also means...
-The head gaskets I replaced on it before selling have <15k on them.
-The clutch I replaced on it before selling has <15k on it.
Other questions:
-I love the look of the original SC directional wheels, but want something bigger. Anyone have a recommendation of a wheel style that looks similar to the originals, but are available in 17-18"?
-Has anyone found new shocks to replace the Tokicos that also can be made to work with the auto-ride system? I love that feature, but want to upgrade the suspension without losing it. Am I crazy? Or is that possible?
-Anyone put in an Apple CarPlay compatible head unit in their SC? If so, which one, and do you like it?
-What else am I missing/not thinking of/not asking? What awesome ideas have people here had for their SC's since 2006 that I should implement on mine?
I know the car isn't going to be "worth anything" when it's done. It's got 167,000 miles, I know that. But this is a passion project. I plan to learn to work on cars with this, and teach my kids what I learn while doing it. I don't ever plan on selling it, and know every penny I spend on it will be a penny I never see again. That's why I also don't have a deadline on this project. If it takes me 20 years to "finish" it, so be it.
But it's sitting in my driveway, under a cover, and my kids are begging me to get started on it!
I just re-bought my 1992 SC 5spd. The exact same one I sold back in 2006. Stumbled across it on Facebook, and had the ability to bring it home.
However, the intervening years have been...unkind to it. But the main reason I wanted it (other than I loved it back then) is to teach myself how to work on cars. And I could use your all's help and thoughts on how to accomplish what I'd eventually like to turn it into.
The goal: Turn it back into a modern BMW 6-Series-fighting grand tourer. That's what this car was supposed to be when it was new, and I always dig old cars that have new tech in them.
-Aim for 400-ish hp while also addressing mechanical reliability issues while modifying it.
-Keep the 3.8SC engine, though maybe in the (distant) future, consider a swap for a 3.7 Cyclone and add a supercharger. Who knows. It's only money, right?
-Turn it into something that not only CAN drive cross-country, but would be pleasant and reliable to do so in.
Current issues (and questions you can help me with):
-Power brake unit is shot. I have an OEM unit to replace it with, but is it worth it? Should I look for an aftermarket unit? And if so, which one? Seen one video of swapping it for a Bosch Hydroboost, but it looks like a pain in the rear, and it loses ABS (don't want to LOSE features, we're fighting Bimmers, remember?).
-Valve cover gasket (passenger side) appears to be shot. It's smoking up from the valley right around there, so I'm guessing that's what it is. Anything I should know before trying to swap that out?
-Driver's seat needs replacing. It's shorting out (so power adjust doesn't work unless you stick a penny in the fuse box), the bolsters didn't work correctly when I owned the car the FIRST time (they slowly deflate). They're black leather/tweed seats, however, I can't find any replacements. Thought about doing a full seat swap, but I don't know what seats I should swap in, or how I'd even do it. Your wisdom would be helpful here.
-Paint on hood/roof/decklid is completely shot. Already thinking about putting carbon fiber swaps for hood and decklid. Anything I should be aware of with doing that? And anyone know of any good body shops in SE Wisconsin that you would trust to paint your car?
-Looks like the auto seatbelts are shot. Has anyone repaired those (again, want to get all features back up and running), and if so, how'd you go about it? They're just stuck in the forward position.
What's RIGHT about it:
-Apparently, the car has only been driven like 3,000 miles since I sold it. She's due for fresh fluids all around, but that also means...
-The head gaskets I replaced on it before selling have <15k on them.
-The clutch I replaced on it before selling has <15k on it.
Other questions:
-I love the look of the original SC directional wheels, but want something bigger. Anyone have a recommendation of a wheel style that looks similar to the originals, but are available in 17-18"?
-Has anyone found new shocks to replace the Tokicos that also can be made to work with the auto-ride system? I love that feature, but want to upgrade the suspension without losing it. Am I crazy? Or is that possible?
-Anyone put in an Apple CarPlay compatible head unit in their SC? If so, which one, and do you like it?
-What else am I missing/not thinking of/not asking? What awesome ideas have people here had for their SC's since 2006 that I should implement on mine?
I know the car isn't going to be "worth anything" when it's done. It's got 167,000 miles, I know that. But this is a passion project. I plan to learn to work on cars with this, and teach my kids what I learn while doing it. I don't ever plan on selling it, and know every penny I spend on it will be a penny I never see again. That's why I also don't have a deadline on this project. If it takes me 20 years to "finish" it, so be it.
But it's sitting in my driveway, under a cover, and my kids are begging me to get started on it!
