Thread: Southpaw's cylinder head adventure - HG Motorsports E36 M3

So my car started to run like crap, like it was running on 5 cylinders, then 4, so I had a compression test done, aaaaand...



Getting towed home.


Getting started








Dat Organization


Calling it a night.






Some friends stopped by to work on their cars while I did as well.


Lifesaver for headers, until I bought an 11mm racheting box end.

OEM Swag


My other workplace.


Aaaaaaand it's off...






WELL THERES YUR PROBL3M


Back from the machine shop. So pretty...




Looks like the previous owner did the water pump.


I bought the Bimmerworld fan delete kit a long time ago, never got around to it. Also, why don't I have an aluminum radiator? Because my hose neck blew at the track a while ago.


Deleting the horns and heat shield to make room for a REAL cold air intake.

The helpers.




New head bolts.



And here.....we.....go....


She's on!




Bentley is my friend.


VANOS on.


OEM plugs.


Headers on!

Zoe helping me out.


Valve cover all nice and painted. Engine bay super super clean.






Almost done.


It's timing time. Cam locks on.


Draining the oil.


Sooooooo the valve bleeder screw decided the take the leap of faith into the engine bay somewhere, and somewhat ruined the night.


Parts needed to finish, and things to do before turn over time.


SHE'S ALIVEEEE! Test drive time.

Goodnight, sweet prince.


Aaand dyno time at HG Motorsports!




Not bad for a relatively stock, 17 year old, 150k mile car on a heart breaking, low reading dyno. (A brand new BRZ ran a 140whp, a Supercharged E60 M5 ran 450whp, and a stock E36 M3 ran a 185whp)

It equates to about 240whp on a Dynojet, which is what I've dynode my car on twice. So about 12whp and 15wtq after 21.5lb injectors, TRM tune, and the head job. But I'll slap it on a dynojet soon and see.


I'd like to give a HUGE shout out to all my friends who have helped me out, giving me advice, answering my questions, lending me tools, and of course, supporting me through this perilous quest. It's definitely the biggest job I've tackled thus far. And I couldn't have done it without my father. That's for sure.

Hey Southpaw I remember you from way back then on E90post, I had no idea you were on L4P. Great looking E36!!

I have a soft spot in my heart for the e36. Great success!

I love the feeling when you finish something like that on your car. I'm 16 and finished completely rebuilding my engine a few months ago.

What are those wrenches (last picture on the OP)? I have never seen anything like those before.

Looks like a job well done.congrats! I can't imagine how good you must feel to have brought your bimmer back to life.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

A hoodless, WOT video.

95 E36 M3 - no hood, full bolt on mods, WOT - YouTube