zheleznodorozhnikov: Weekend/Track E36 5.0 Build

Hello everyone and welcome to my first ever build thread. Little background about me, I am a 25 year old mechanical engineer originally from NY but now live in Florida. I bought my e36 just under a year ago as a project, but have been undecided until recently in the direction I wanted to go with it. The car is a 1998 323is coupe in Avus Blue. My goal is to build it for weekend use, and HPDE. Named Project Phoenix because of the blue color, and the transformation as I bring it back from a pile of parts to a beautiful street machine! I purchased the car with drivetrain already removed. Here is a picture the day I brought her home.

I have done loads of research, and read many build threads in both the engine conversions section and the track builds section, and have decided on a direction forward, Ford 302 swap. I have always loved mustangs, so its the perfect build for me to get my hands dirty with a mustang engine, but reap the benefits of the great e36 chassis. So after figuring out what I wanted to do, and while searching the internet for my donor motor and trans, I began prepping my car and stripping the interior.

Still have some more to do to finish stripping everything, but then I found a great deal on an engine and trans and couldn't pass it up. After a few hours in the car, and some great conversations with the guy I bought the engine from, here is what i brought home.

Engine and trans are from a 93 mustang. with approximately 60K original miles. Engine has GT40 heads which were just installed and rebuilt 10K miles ago. It is setup for a carb, which i was not planning on, but have now decided to get some experience with carbs, and move forward with that setup.

So what are the future plans you ask? Great question! Here is what I have gotten from my research and been inspired to go for:

Engine:

I am going to stay with the carb setup. I understand that there is the possibility of HP limitations, but I have never messed with a car with a carb before, and the point of this project is for me to learn new things. I want to introduce a little old skool in my life!
Engine did not come with valve covers, accessories etc. Going to pick up what I need as I get to the step where I need it.
While the engine is out, I plan on doing the basics, oil pan gasket, new water pump, oil pump, timing set, etc. I am not removing the heads or changing head gasket. The PO just did it 10K miles ago.
Picked up a set of e33v8 mounts and the guide from a member on the forums, still need to get the transmission mount, or fab one myself.

Trans:

Need to pickup a bellhousing.
Came with cobra clutch kit with 10K miles on it. Going to use this for now.

Chassis:

Fully strip interior. Install Roll Bar. Install 2 Racing Seats.
Once the engine swap is complete, next step will be to go through the suspension and change out shocks, springs, bushings, etc.
After I get everything running and driving well, paint will be my next obstacle. I have some clear coat peeling on a couple panels, but have found some great threads on using color matched paint to fix fenders so I think thats the direction I will go. I would rather have a 95% perfect paint job I did myself in my garage for $300 than shell out $4000 for a professional job. I don't have a money tree :(

Swap:

I want to run rear dump headers. I can wrap my head around having headers dump forward on one or both sides of the engine. Just seems like a shortcut to me. So my goal is to get some block huggers, and some u joints from flaming river, and learn hot to make a 3-joint steering column. The unknown is if I will need to relocate the abs unit but I will figure that out when I get there.
Custom drive shaft. I have seen some swap threads where the drive shaft length is measured and then is ordered online for us. I do not have a mustang drive shaft so i think this will be the easiest option for me. I will figure out the details on this when I get closer.

Current Questions/Unknowns:

I am still unsure about the exhaust setup. I want to stay "classic" and run a rear dump setup, but my experience is limited and I don't want to get in too far over my head. I would appreciate thoughts and input on this, and would love some help/support on figuring out the best/simplest way to get a classic read dump setup. Is welding required for a 3-joint steering shaft setup with the flaming river joints? How difficult is moving the ABS setup? I am willing to do any work necessary, but this is being done in my garage and I do not have welders, or other fabrication tools so that is what i am trying to avoid.
Wiring for carb setup. I have not come across a carb build yet that has a lot of details. I understand the wiring will be much easier, but just an unknown for me at this point because I am not there yet and have no experience. I assume if the engines got fuel, spark and air, then theoretically it should go suck, squeeze, bang, blow! haha I will cross this bridge when I get there, but wouldn't mind any pointers.
Hood clearance for carb setup. Will the carb with the air filter fit under the hood? I know this ones simple, but its an unknown right now.
This is my first build ever, and therefor I have not yet learned the hard way what things are easiest to replace along the way of my project. Therefor any pointers on which order I should complete things and replace things is greatly appreciated. I am in no rush to complete this project, and would rather complete it logistically, then removing and reinstalling the engine 15 times every time I get to the next part I need to replace! lol

So that's it for now. I hope you enjoy this thread and this build as it progresses, and I hope you can learn alongside me as I put my own style and stubbornness into my build!

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