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.
11/12/2005
Exhaust Test Fit
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In a strange twist the postman showed up today, Sunday! The replacement clock from Marlin arrived, this one now matches the rest. They look really good all lined up together.
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08/12/2005
IVC and AFM
If not then I'll be ordering a new blue temp sensor! Only time will tell once the engine is in a state where I can fire it up again!
04/12/2005
BMC CDA
Click to download (1.8Mb) - Xvid
On the Sportster I will be using the cold air feed pipe with will reduce the noise a little bit - but will get nice cold air in the engine!
I didnt go for a drive because of the 'mad max' style installation!
27/11/2005
All the photos!
19/11/2005
Handbrake!
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09/11/2005
Brakes
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Brakes installed at the weekend. I've only just got around taking pictures!
The clock turned up as well today. Unfortunately it does not match any of the rest of the gauges we already have. So I'm going to have to send it back, its shame as it does look nice, it's just too far off the rest - it will stick out like sore thumb!
03/11/2005
Oil and prop shaft
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3 Empty bottle of gear/diff oil! Changed the oil in the LSD and the gearbox today. 3ltrs was just enough. It came down to the last few ml! Also test fitted the prop shaft. Fits nicely and loads of room for the gear lever linkages.
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Also taken out the pedal box to spray the metal underneath. Going to bend the brake pedal into a better place while its out.
30/10/2005
Wheels and Steering
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Also now under construction an adapter plate to fit the steering column. The steering feels very good even on the spot.
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24/10/2005
Engine in
Gear box/diff oil and brake fluid has arrived today. Courtesy of the oil man (Guy/Simon) at Opie Oils