Bmw E9X 2009 dash in 69 Camaro........

[Norwaycamaro]

Hi guys! I saw there was another thread on here with a guy asking about a conversion like this. We`ve just started doing this on my 69 camaro, and it seems that the dash fits pretty well so far:-) A whole lot of work since we also found a lot of rust and bondo below the new top of the dash that at first sight looked really nice, but no....... The pics are in random order though....:-)4951249524495234952249521495204951949518495174951 649515495144951349525

[Norwaycamaro]

Sorry about the poor quality photos, but my phone is not the best:-)
So far it seems that the outer edge of the dash needs to be trimmed an inch or so because otherwise the dash will sit to far against the driver. We will trim off an inch for starters tomorrow and see how it turns out. The sides fits pretty well- probably need to trim and recess the doors 1/2 inch or so to clear, but no big deal:-)

[neki67]

Keep us posted, looking great so far!

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks bud!:-) We`ll do!:-) Trying to get it to fit properly tomorrow, so we`ll see..:-) This is no hi end pro project either, so im guessing this will be pretty time consuming and somewhat nerve wrecking too compared to other guys on here doing this stuff for a living- but hey i`m sure gonna try anyway:-)

[Chad-1stGen]

Cool stuff. I think the euro styled dash looks a lot better than most of the stuff you get here in the US.

Next time you take pics of the dash in the car close the door or take it from an angle that doesn't have a super bright light source in the background :)

[daredvl22]

Ah!, stole my idea. Looks awesome!! I've incorporated the E92 M3 seats, and was looking to do the dash and center console too. Exactly what model BMW is this out of? Keep us posted.

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks guys! The pics where just some quick ones from my phone today. Better ones will come later:-) I kind of like the us style dashboards alot in general, but never liked the one in 69 camaro much, so it was an easy decision to make to swap it out for this one. The dash is from a 2009 E91 318td station wagon with the optional Mtech. I have a salvage yard here, so the parts where mostly free too:-)....Good starting point for a custom built like this right?!... The only major issue seems to be that the dash will sit a little bit high against the center console. Difficult to see in these pics, but will do better ones later. I think that i need to fab some kind of panel to get the two pieces sit right together stribing to get that "always been there" look..if you know what i mean.. Difficult!!!!!

[Norwaycamaro]

Here`s one pic from yesterday. We finally tacked up all mounting brackets and was able to put everything together to see how it turns out. We actually cut out most of the driveshaft tunnel from the donor car and mounted it more or less on top of my original one. This is because i am going to use the handbrake unit also, and wanted it to sit properly like in the donor. Also the console needed to be lifted a few inches to line up with the dash, so we figured it would be the easiest wat to do it that way.49643

[Ron@JJCustomInterior]

awesome

[l_and_t_reproductions]

That looks amazing! Looks like it was made for the camaro! Do you plan on using the electronics from the BMW (i.e. guages, heater controls....)?

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks! Well no i dont have the skill or even patience to try to incorporate the electronics from the beemer. I am going to put in a steering column that handles hi/lo beam lights,wipers and ign except for the starting relay. I have converted the original start button from the bmw and will be using that, plus also the light switch. The original cd player and heater console will be swapped with a aftermarket multimedia unit. As for heater i am going to use a small hotrod style unit that is controlled with one small button only. Probably hide it where the original lighter is in the console..
As for gauges i hoped on using Dakota digital VHX series, but seems that they only deliver 5" units. Maximum for the bmw bezel is approx. 4" Autometer nexus offers the right size, but then i need to put extra gauges for fuel level, temp etc. The VHX has all these features incorporated, so would be perfect, but we`ll see....:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

Had to put in most of the little things like glove compartment, gauge bezel,seats etc to get a more completed view...:-)4964949651

[Ron@JJCustomInterior]

This is truly awesome. I would love to get a set of our seats in this car. If you are interested lmk and ill make you a deal

[DarkoNova]

Awesome. I love muscle cars and BMW's so this is like heaven for me, lmao.

[Gandalf]

Great job Frank! I really like it. What are you going to use for the gauge cluster?

[Supra510]

Nice.

[CarlC]

That's a very cool swap!

How is the view out of the windshield? Does the hump in the dash cause any view problems?

[chuckd71]

Looks cool.
I think speedhut makes 4 inch multi-thing gauges.

[mc84_zz4]

Nice job! it looks great in there... :twothumbs:

[spacepirate]

This is amazing!!

[Damn True]

Very cool. Looks like it was born there. Looking forward to seeing how you tie in the rest of the interior.

[Norwaycamaro]

This is truly awesome. I would love to get a set of our seats in this car. If you are interested lmk and ill make you a deal
I have been thinking of getting a pair of seats from 98-02 Firebird, but i`m all ears for any other good suggestions!:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

That's a very cool swap!

How is the view out of the windshield? Does the hump in the dash cause any view problems?

I will have to mount the seats slightly higher than i first expected, but should not be a big problem.

[Norwaycamaro]

Looks cool.
I think speedhut makes 4 inch multi-thing gauges.

Thanks a lot for the tip! This is just what i`ve been looking for!!:-)

[Ron@JJCustomInterior]

I have been thinking of getting a pair of seats from 98-02 Firebird, but i`m all ears for any other good suggestions!:-)

www.jjcustominterior.com

Check out our site and see if there are any vintage recaros that catch your eye. Shipping might get a little tricky but worst case scenario i could source a set of seats semi-local to you and ship you new covers/inserts. Love this build

[Norwaycamaro]

www.jjcustominterior.com

Check out our site and see if there are any vintage recaros that catch your eye. Shipping might get a little tricky but worst case scenario i could source a set of seats semi-local to you and ship you new covers/inserts. Love this build

Thanks! I will get back to you on that when i decide what do do:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

Great job Frank! I really like it. What are you going to use for the gauge cluster?
As of today i`m leaning towards speedhuts like these49677

[l_and_t_reproductions]

Those guages would look very nice. What is the $$$, if you don't mind?

[Norwaycamaro]

Well total price for that one plus a similar style speedo- set up like the one above totals 559usd + shipping. Thats about 200-250 bucks less than autometer nexus or similar VHX`s actually:-)

[neki67]

Did you look into these 3 in 1 gauges; http://www.newvintageusa.com/1969.html ?
They are about $200 less than the VHX and they are also able to customize them (at extra cost off course). http://stores.newvintageusa-store.com/-strse-105/1969-SERIES-3-dsh-1-GAUGES-dsh--dsh-OUT/Detail.bok

Believe they are also a sponsor here.

[Norwaycamaro]

Yup actually was checking them out just a few minutes ago!:-) They`re nice too, but i think that with this dash i need to do it somewhat more"eurostyle" rather than old school look that the newvintage gauges.
Extremely difficult to decide actually:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

I wish i had the skill to incorporate the original gauges from the donor. I think they look pretty nice too:-)49678

[Norwaycamaro]

499204992149922:smoke:

In the last pic you can see the raw bracket for the dash on the right side. It will be straightened up and fully welded while the cowl is opened up. Also some minor brackets will be fabbed to support plastic panels under the dash pus some other small stuff. I just wish the rust was long gone, so i could consentrate fully on the fun stuff instead:-)

[acegto]

I think the BMW gauges would look killer in there. There HAS to be someone who can help you get them working right in your car.

[Norwaycamaro]

I totally agree, but do think that it will be way more job and a "thousand times" more complicated than opting for a universal solution. But would have been something else for sure with the stock ones though...

[acegto]

Where did you pick up a dash that clean? Surely not a scrapyard?

[Norwaycamaro]

Yup! I have a scrapyard over here, and was able to buy this donor car from the insurance companies really cheap:-

[SShep71]

Just for curiosity, what is the width of the dash? I wonder how it would fit in an A-body. Im sure with some electrical diagrams and creativity you can get that dash working. But your probably right a universal would be easier.

[acegto]

Just for curiosity, what is the width of the dash? I wonder how it would fit in an A-body. Im sure with some electrical diagrams and creativity you can get that dash working. But your probably right a universal would be easier.

I second that question. My 72 Lemans is begging for a new dash!

[Nemesis RR]

Very brave project. Looks great. I would really keep the Euro look. As far as the seats how about some BMW seats to continue the look. M3 seats would be perfect.

[Norwaycamaro]

I agree on seats, however very difficult and expensive to get coupe seats from a newer bmw here. I bought seats from a 2002 Firebird yesterday, so will put those in there. I kinda like the look of those:-) Also i need to change the backseat because the lower part interferes with my console, and the one from the firebird is perfect for solving that problem.:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

Just for curiosity, what is the width of the dash? I wonder how it would fit in an A-body. Im sure with some electrical diagrams and creativity you can get that dash working. But your probably right a universal would be easier.

The widest part of the dash is appr 58" . I put the drivers door back on the car today just to see how bad it would be against the dash- imagine my surprise when i found out that there is sufficient space for either original or custom door panel. That made everything much easier!!!!5013150132

[rfalker1]

oh yea the Shutt would look amazing in there. nice build too frank!!!!

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks!:-) I am looking forward to get this one done for sure!! Hopefully ready next summer, but we`ll see...;-)

[firebirddady69]

sweet! nice build

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks! Been occupied all day media blasting the sub frame. Found a little rust front right side under the battery area but easy fixed. Going to clean up all welds, fill and smooth it off after that. Waiting for new cowl panel, so not much progress on the car though......

[acegto]

Great job on this. Keep it up!

[terrydmorgan]

Looks great, and dramatically changes the look and feel of the interior. I'm very interested in your dash project, and considering something similar in my Camaro. What do you have planned for the areas between the dash and the A-pillars? Also, are you going to use the stock BMW gauges?

[Norwaycamaro]

We cut out the original top dashboard panel- thats the part where the vin is mounted. This panel needs to be welded back on since it also supports the windshield, so the idea is to cut and smooth it out to lay flush against the new dash, and fill the side areas around the a pillars.
As soon as i get my new cowl panel and the rest of the new sheet metal we will do those areas. I will put out pics as we go along:-)

As for the gauges i have decided on Speedhuts 4" GPS dual speedo and a quad beside it:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

50683

Yay!!!! This one was dropped of in the mail today!! Just what the doctor ordered for further inspiration and huge credit card bills.....:-)

[rossmacd]

There are a few companies stateside who can replace the guts of your gauges with Autometer components, so that they would look like the BMW stuff but function and write like any regular old gauge. Might want to look in to that.

Dash looks great. I wish I had the time to tinker with something like that.

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks:-) Been checking up on that for quite some time, but ended up ordering 4" speedhuts instead. Really like the look of those to. They will have to do for now..
I wish i had more time for this one to... I have it at work, and get to do a little bit when business is slow, so not much time left for it i`m afraid... But we have at least some progress every week though:-)

[Norwaycamaro]

Got my speedhuts today, so had to test fit immediately:-)
I think this will be pretty nice when its done:-)5096150962

[acegto]

Those look good. Now you'll have to change the paint on the outside to match!

[Norwaycamaro]

Yeah the car will be painted- not blue though... I am leaning heavily against an original color named sunburst orange.. Maybe a few shades darker, and somewhat deeper like candy, something in between maybe.. Well........still not quite sure..

[bdahlg68]

updates???

[Norwaycamaro]

Not so much... Been waiting for my new complete cowl panel to finish off the remaining rust.. I will post some pics of my subframe tomorrow. We finished that this week. I also got my new Flaming river column and my Touch Start Keyless Dash Ignition System from them as well. Since the Bmw dash has a keyless start system originally, i decided to try the same path myself... Oh and by the way: Flaming river?.... OUTSTANDING quality parts and customer support!!!!!!

[Supra510]

Speedhuts look nice, and the GPS speedometer simplifies things.

[Norwaycamaro]

True! Can`t wait to try them out!

[Norwaycamaro]

Finally!!
A small update- my seats arrived and just had to put one in to see how it will turn out. I think it looks pretty darn good! What do you guys think?..
Seems there wont be much clearance sideways towards the center console, but i think we`ll fix that. Havent tried the back seat yet, but will soon:-)5195851957

[acegto]

Seats look good in there. Keep up the good work.

[acegto]

Any updates?

[Norwaycamaro]

Well..... Things are coming together real slow. Seems that the more we are trying to do, the more rust are revealed. So waiting for body parts now to solve this issue so that we can go back to the fun part in a while..:-)
Also will start a complete build thread as soon as i get around to it:-)

[Project69]

Love this build so far.

[Norwaycamaro]

Thanks:-) Been slow a few weeks now due to missing parts- also the employee that work with me on this build almost lost one finger changing gearbox in one of my other cars a few days ago, so impossible for him to do anything for a while. But we`ll soon be back on track. I am going to make a new thread under project updates as soon as the progress has gone a little further:-)

[vande596]

Hats off to you, sir! This is amazing!

[Norwaycamaro]

Thank you for your kind words:-)

[Bowtie racing]

I really like this, the bimmer dash looks cool . Cant wait to see more :)

[CKreations]

Wow, what an undertaking. Looking forward to your door panel ideas

[bdahlg68]

would love to see a dash update!

[chuckd71]

Agreed. Pics needed

[Norwaycamaro]

Hi guys! Things have been pretty slow lately, but we are planning to speed up things now when the winter sets in. work has been consuming all time and energy for a while- which is good for my bank account, but not so good for my toys progress. Either way- as soon as we get some work done you guys will be the first to know!:-)

[cdrod]

Frank,
I would love to see how this project turn out. Can you update your thread and post some current pics?

Rodney

[Norwaycamaro]

Hi Rodney!
Sorry to say, but this turned out to be a lost case... The car turned out to be a complete rustbucket, and I had to make a decision to cut cost, and let it go to somebody else who had the time and means to restore..
BUT we will be back with a similar project later:-)