Welcome to our BMW E30 based Marlin Sportster Build Site,
we hope you will find this documentation interesting and helpful.
The site has grown massively since its inception in 2005, I hope to one day soon improve the navigation as it's a bit overwhelming to start with. The main areas of interest to builders will be:
The rolling chassis build
Bodywork Fitting
SVA Issues
Final Assembly
If you would like read about the build in date order then have a look at his page.
It took 2.5 years to build the car and pass SVA and a lot longer to get to where it is now! To see the Sportster out on the road have a look at one of the videos here.
During 2008 we rebuilt the BMW engine from 2.5 to a 2.8 creating an M20B28 stroker engine. It uses the crankshaft from the later BMW M52B28 and the conrods from the M20B20. Not much more work is needed other than a clean up, slotting those bits together and a crank spacer. To read about the engine build click here (very picture heavy!)
Finally in March 2009 it was painted, a full set of images is here.
To read the whole build from the start click here.
07/11/2006
Progress Halted
What's this?
... a 2.8 ltr M52
!
29/10/2006
Little update
The wiring is close to being finished with the completion of the reverse switch, internal heater and radiator fan wiring. Just waiting for a interior light control unit to complete wiring loom.
23/10/2006
A few things
We've made up the joiner pipes for the second exhaust box. Just need to talk nicely with Black-Cat on talkaudio.co.uk to see if he'll weld them up for us!
The rest of the exhaust pipes still need a bit of mock up and layout. The manifold is now bolted on with heat shields in place (what a pain that was - you just cant get to the bolts, even with a ratchet spanner!)
Mean while Richard's made a lot of progress with the electrics, its nearly all done now!
09/10/2006
Exhaust continues
Another view of the exhaust construct
After some careful taping up this will have to be held under the car again to see how it all fits around the rear axles.
08/10/2006
Exhaust
The stunning BTB 6 branch bought via www.E30Zone.co.uk has arrived and it looks amazing, a work of art.
Work continues on the exhaust system:
And thanks to Ziggy on E30Zone we now have a spare TSW BSS style alloy to use as a spare:
30/08/2006
Exhaust Pipes
Noise wise, will have to see what its like, but Jetex sell DB plugs that can go in the long pipes that should quieten it down a bit if needed.
28/08/2006
Tank, ARB & Bodywork
Just enough room here for the belt - its a bit slack and low in this pic
Lots of room
Rear ARB in place using BMW E36 Compact ARB links
25/08/2006
New Parts
14/08/2006
Exhausting
Too much?
Nah!
13/08/2006
Bodywork
Today it was time for some body work:
Rear wing fitment - nothing quite seems to line up anywhere on the rear tub so its not bolted down yet. Still need to spend some time jiggling it about.
Wing/door fitment. The space between the wing and the chassis is quite big so we'll need to do a bit more jiggling.
Striker pin stick out out the body work. Probably going to add a washer to move it a tiny bit further out. The body work will need bolting down here too.
Striker pin and body fitment this still needs work.
It really is starting to look like a proper car!