Installing a M3 dash into a Ti???

[romanescobar]

Does anyone know how hard it is to install the dash from either an M3 dash or a dash from am e36 other than a TI? Anyone know or have any feedback, please let me know???

[thesk8nmidget]

please search this has prolly been brought up 4 times just this month.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/search.php

[romanescobar]

I have searched around and only find people talking about doing one not anybody having done one. I know you have to have a sedan dash, but I was wondering if anyone knew it the vents line up, or if they are different? I am aware the light switches are different, I was wondering if anyone knew if they are changeable? I know the airbags are different, but I was wondering if you just plug the new one in? If anyone could be of any help I would really thank you.

[ATF]

I know there's atleast one active thread about someone getting a parts car with an engine, in hopes of doing a swap on both the engine & interior. I remember there being some structural bar in the way on the passenger side. But other than that I can't really remember. Searching is your best bet.

[angel318ti]

Originally Posted by ATF

I know there's atleast one active thread about someone getting a parts car with an engine, in hopes of doing a swap on both the engine & interior. I remember there being some structural bar in the way on the passenger side. But other than that I can't really remember. Searching is your best bet.

The one you are talking about is phamster. he attempted to do it but had a coupe dash. I bought a sedan dash and I will be trying it out and I willl take a ton of pictures when I do since I spent about 2 hours searching and couldn't find anything.
Roman is right all you find is people talking about doing it but no DIY for it.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by angel318ti

Roman is right all you find is people talking about doing it but no DIY for it.

That's the price you pay for being original.

[angel318ti]

but people have done it in the past just never documented it.

[cooljess76]

I'm using a coupe dash despite what people say, unless I could find someone who wants to trade me a sedan dash which probably won't happen. I've seen it done before, Diogo from Azevedo Motorsports used a '95 M3 dash in his Ti and they didn't even have M3 sedans in 95. Phamster ran into problems with the support bar, but I have the support bar from my M3 coupe, so I'll swap that as well. Doesn't really matter to me if I have to cut and weld it or if it simply bolts on, I'll figure it out when I get there. As for a DIY, well the swap is by no means going to be an easy process. It's probably going to take several days. Usually when I get into something so complex, the last thing I want to do is take a bunch of pictures and notes. This is one of those things that you kinda figure out as you go.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

when I get into something so complex, the last thing I want to do is take a bunch of pictures and notes.

Makes perfect sense to me, I'd be the same way. Keeping the camera from getting greasy would be a major feat in itself. Tell ya what... If I'm not busy when you're doing the swap, I'd be glad to do the documentation. Of course, we'd need to take up a collection to cover my transportation and lodging expenses. LOL

[cooljess76]

aaww man, it would be so nice to have a partner. Just having some company while I'm doing the tedious stuff would ease things up a bit.

[angel318ti]

As long a s somebody posts some pictures it doesn't matter who's holding the camera. It could be an Albino Midget for what I care as long as you post them.

[roadrash]

Yep... I know what you mean there, Jess. And I do think it would be fun to document something complicated like an engine or dash swap. Unfortunately, even if the financial hurdle could be overcome, I'm only times I'm available in the foreseeable future are the first weekends in September and October. Oh well. Surely you can bribe some of the SoCal posse to hang out?

To get back on topic... to the O.P. ... perhaps you could compare the diagrams and various part numbers of the dashes and related parts at realoem.com? That might give you some insight on whether connections could be made, etc. I know it would be a tedious process to do that, but if you documented what you found, you'd eventually be someone's hero. :-D

[3DGE]

All I remember is, get a Sedan dash and center console. There is something about the glove box that dosent work. I think there is some cutting and welding of some pipes. For the most part it should fit just fine. I plan on doing a dash swap with my Ti sometime soon! Right now I have a getto fitment with a M3 center console. I just need the M3 dash and some time.