Car formerly known as "The Euro Imports' BMW"

[phoenixZ33]

Is now mine! I picked it up yesterday and it looks like this will be my new racer for a while. It has some pretty cool parts, but also needs some work and improvements. As it sits, it's a 1:10.0 car at PIR.. it should be a 1:08 car when I'm done with it. Details:

-'98 BMW 323is
-3.2L M3 Engine (US Version)
-Bilstein PSS9 Coilovers
-M3 Brakes
-M3 Wheeels w/Kumho V710s
-Full Roll Cage
-Mychron Lap Timer
-Sparco Rev Seat
-Various carbon stuff (Hood, Rear Wing, Front Splitters)
-ATL 12gal. Fuel Cell
-Largus Sway Bars
-Lexan 1/4 Windows
-Ugly headlight duct
-Dated checkerboard Euro Imports graphics
-Perhaps the loudest side exhaust in the history of side exhausts.


And some other stuff. I was told it has "the entire Turner Motorsports catalog" for suspension stuff (links, bushings, camber plates..)

Get a good look at it now as it won't look this way for long!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/8front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/1front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/2rear.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/3side.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/5dash.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/4rearcage.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/6roof.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

Immediate plans (next week or two):

-Remove all vinyl
-Strip black paint off the wheels
-Remove lame carbon splitters
-Remove rear wing
-Remove giant Autometer Tach

-Install new emblems on trunk and hood
-New Headlights
-Install center console, glovebox and A/C vents (so it looks good)
-Install Racepak Data Acq.
-Rear exit-exhaust

Future plans (before racing season):

-Lightweight rear wing
-Lightweight front splitter
-18x10 wheels
-P285/30R18 BFG R1s
-Fancy Graphics

The car will hopefull class out to a NASA Performance Touring B class car, so I can go heads up against Paul Bloomberg and all the Honda H2 guys. Since it only has a 12-gallon fuel cell, doing enduros doesn't seem too likel, unless this thing gets killer mileage. Kinda sucks, as a 20-gallon cell is $800.

[wgnths]

damn you wasted no time! great purchase, i think it will be a fun car. be cool to see it in time attacks too?

[phoenixZ33]

It might be TA legal.. well, right now it's 2600lbs and in order to squeeze into Class B, it would have to be 225hp at the wheels or under. I don't see that being a problem.. or I could always ballast the car up.

Last season everyone freaked when I ran 1:10s and 1:11s in Class B with the Integra. Imagine running 1:08s in Class B.. lol. It's possible for sure, it just depends on whether or not it'll be that fast and still be within the PTB rules.

None of this Class C shit either.. if it's borderline, it's gonna be B.

[wgnths]

true, i was thinking more about the big time attacks! super street etc.

[phoenixZ33]

I'm gonna take it to Super Street most likely.. I don't think there were any BMWs there last year. If it's a 1:08 car at PIR, it'll be a fast car at Buttonwillow.

[phoenixZ33]

what color? i was thinking black with the polished lip..

[kev]

Are you seeking advice on wheel colors?

I'm a fan of black with a polished lip.

[phoenixZ33]

Are you seeking advice on wheel colors?

I'm a fan of black with a polished lip.

sorry about that.. i forgot to include a link. so far it's down to these two wheels:

1. Kosei K1 (every BMW owner on earth has a set of these). Silver finish, 16.8lbs, 17x8.5 and $165 each. (don't mind the crashed up car)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/GRiosVIII/gabe017.jpg

2. Turner Motorsport wheels.. available in silver or black with a polished lip. 16.6lbs, 17x9, $259 each.

http://www.vorshlag.com/images/catalog/products/LTW5_gray-silver-black_091.jpg

http://www.vorshlag.com/images/catalog/products/LTW5_M3_01.jpg

I'd like to run a 255 or possibly 275 width tire.. I think the widest I'd want to go on the 8.5" wheel is a 255/40R17, whereas I *might* be able to fit a 275 on the 9". Supposedly a 255 on the 9" requires banging fenders, spacers etc.. whereas the 8.5" Kosei with the 245 fits perfectly.

And the Kosei wheels are almost $400 cheaper and I don't have to mess around with chincy spacers. Then again, the 17x9s in black/polished look mighty nice!

[kev]

the Koseis look good, but you know you want the wider rim and tire!

the 17x9s in black/polished look mighty nice! That wheel is bitchin.

[crzyjulius]

I vote 17x9!! Wider is better!!

[darkslide750]

I was looking into this for a very short period for my e36. Not sure about the lap times for this car, but it definately has the rubber for something.
http://www.darkslide750.com/work_ebay%20015.jpg
http://www.darkslide750.com/work_ebay%20016.jpg
http://www.darkslide750.com/work_ebay%20017.jpg

[speedblind]

First, badass car. Koseis were the first thing I bought when I got a BMW...but everybody's done it. I'd say the wider wheel Turner wheels if you can swing it and plan to take advantage of it with a bigger tire.

[phoenixZ33]

yeah, that ALMS M3 was probably a cool $80,000. I'll try and set mine up like that though! ;)

[Max Power]

Mmmm, flares. That looks bad assed. I say flares with a nice set of kinesis wheels. I'll buy you the wheels in exchange for the rest of your vehicles ;)

[phoenixZ33]

last night i removed the splitters, spoiler and all of the 4,291 little squares from the sides. my plan is to strip it all down, then put it slowly back together. once i get the headlight replaced, it'll look a lot more respectable.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07101.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07102.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07103.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07104.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07105.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

and the engine, which needs a lot of cleanup work as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/engine2.jpg

[Max Power]

Are you trying to get it streetable or just cleaning it up? Either way it does look a lot better already. I found the Reiger flares... going to cost 640 for the set - but I think you would need a bumper and other stuff to make them look good otherwise they look out of place.

Just steal the panels off that white m3 widebody that's around the track (former vivid car me thinks).

[J0oftheworld]

If you painted the "intake" black it would look fine.
Unless you're planning on driving it and need lights?
I like the black wheels!!

How's the motor? Miles/hours? Stock/built?

[phoenixZ33]

nah.. it'll look a lot nicer with two headlights. plus i'm going to run whatever night events they have, so i want to have two headlights.

the motor is just a stock 3.2L with the OBD1 intake manifold, header, exhaust and the intake. all the engine internals are stock. the motor came out of a crashed M3, I have no idea on the miles though. the car itself doesn't have a lot of run time since it was built. i'm gonna go dyno it soon.. hopefully next week.

[phoenixZ33]

so.. totally lame or what? they're old, but cheap (400 bucks with worn out V710s) and they'll fit. i thought they might be ok for the time being, or as a second set of wheels. they're good wheels, just look dated.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/tsw.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

i really like these wheels as well.. with either a black or silver center.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hesmart/DSC01513.jpg

[Max Power]

As long as they're cheap, in the size and weight range you're looking, and cheap :) then who cares how they look. A little black rattlecan will make them look new again.

[wgnths]

i say kinesis or the 17x9's. i'm sure it would be very fast with 255's. car looks much better now, too. looks like a bad-ass street car. should look very clean with new headlights and the bmw emblems.

[J0oftheworld]

17x9/10 BBS LM :D

[phoenixZ33]

sweet.. a set of kinesis or LMs will only cost 90% of what I paid for the car! lol

[wgnths]

oops, i actually meant the kosei! i was reading albertos reply and had kinesis stuck in my head.

[phoenixZ33]

I think I'm gonna do the Turner Motorsport 17x9s and run a 245/40 or a 255/40. My NASA classing is really borderline right now, so I might have to run a Toyo RA1 to stay in PTB.

As it sits, the car has to be 2980lbs comp weight to stay in PTB with the BFG tires. Supposedly this thing weighs 2600, so no way it's gonna be that heavy at competition weight.. and I'm not adding a ton of ballast either. I get 5 points back switching to RA1s, plus there are a couple other 1 point mods I can remove. If it's not even close to 2980, PTA it is.

[wgnths]

yeah i'd rather run the ra's then try to add weight. shaved ra's will still rock on that car and i'll just take over your bfg sponsor, k?

[phoenixZ33]

apparently every car/wheel/color combination has already been done to a 3-series BMW. i found this on Turner's website..

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/wheels/wheels_ltw5_e36_lg.jpg

sweet.. i want a yellow roll cage now!

[kev]

Both of those cars look pretty sweet.

[Max Power]

Very FN01-ish - but in a better way. Paint the cage pink.

[crzyjulius]

Ya that wheel looks sexy!!!

[wgnths]

looks like a good combo to me. paint the cage purple.

[El Zillcho]

The Turner wheels look snazzy.

[wgnths]

nice choice of jessica for your avatar.

[phoenixZ33]

looks like a good combo to me. paint the cage purple.

http://mashaw.com/Graphics/BMW-Lexan.jpg

a local guy has already done it!

[wgnths]

ah i knew that would be a good color combo! oh well, you're not the 'purple cage' kinda guy. paint it blue.

[phoenixZ33]

that's been done too

http://svenschindler.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/62784394m.jpg

[skilit]

the car is looking a lot better, I like the turner wheels in the full gun-metal(black?) without the polished lip, has more of a purpose built look. Not sure if you know about the local www.azbmw.org (http://www.azbmw.org) forums, they sometimes have good parts for sale for the e36's

[wgnths]

dammit, well turners is a baby blue isn't it? paint it a cool blue.

[phoenixZ33]

Well yesterday the car weighed in at 2489lbs by itself with 1/2 tank. I had to be 2980 to be PTB legal, so there's no chance of running that class.

And of course, in fine BMW fashion, 49%front 51% rear weight distribution!

[wgnths]

should have a good power to weight as it sits. so, pta for you!

[dannydriver]

Well yesterday the car weighed in at 2489lbs by itself with 1/2 tank. I had to be 2980 to be PTB legal, so there's no chance of running that class.

And of course, in fine BMW fashion, 49%front 51% rear weight distribution!

WOW That's light for a E36, my E30 weighed in at 2415 with a 1/2 tank, and I hope to have better weight distribution after I install rear camber and toe adjusters so I can lower the rear. My distribution is 45/55 right now.

What kind of power is it putting down?

[phoenixZ33]

I'm gonna go dyno this weekend. From what I've seen online, it could be anywhere in the 205-240 range. The motor has the OBD1 manifold, Turner ECU, header, intake and exhaust. If the motor is strong and all the Vanos crap works, it should be good.

[J0oftheworld]

I think you're going to like driving this one.. :)

[wgnths]

I think you're going to like driving this one.. :)

he liked driving my wagon, i can't imagine how he'll feel driving this!

[Max Power]

I say we get loud speakers to blare Euro Techno as he drives around the track. I'm going to start calling him Deiter.

[wgnths]

I say we get loud speakers to blare Euro Techno as he drives around the track. I'm going to start calling him Deiter.

well, he has adopted a new look since purchasing it.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2780/1611/320/DSC_8421.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

New trunk emblem

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/trunk3.jpg

New trunk logo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/trunk2.jpg

I'm stylin'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/trunk1.jpg

only waiting on 11 more parts!

[Eunos]

Take that plate off.

[Max Power]

I dunno about the 323is badge... shouldn't it have more of an ///M badge? Oh and doesn't the "s" part mean sedan? Wouldn't it be more of a 323i?

[phoenixZ33]

from what I understand, "is" means it's a 2-door. "i" is a sedan.. that's what a gathered from my autotrader searches. either way, it's much more humiliating to get worked by a 323 and an M3. Plus it has the base gay side moldings and mirrors.

i'm gonna take the plate off and put my car number there.

[wgnths]

looks much better. i prefer it look like a modded, street driven 323. adds to the value as well.

[dannydriver]

That's like my 318i emblem, keeps them guessing!!

[phoenixZ33]

i'm fucking pissed.. I have over 12 parts on order, some of which were ordered on july 8th, yet only two have arrived. argh.. everyday i can't wait to get home, hoping there is some part waiting at the door so i have something to work on, but no! this is getting really frustrating

[phoenixZ33]

so here are the old grils.. plain black, kinda lame looking in my opinion. chrome is ok in certain places.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/oldgrill.jpg

I ordered new grills off ebay for $47.00..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/trunk4.jpg

and if you compare the shapes of the two, you can see the shape is different. i assumed all E36s had the same grills, but apparently they changed in 1997. these grills are for the 92-96. ugh.. so I ordered another set for the 97-98 model year, and have to wait another week at least. double ugh.

[phoenixZ33]

today on the way home i was getting really antsy to do something on the car. i knew the old (current) grills were spray painted, so i decided to test my luck with paint stripper. i didn't know if the heavy duty paint stripper would eat the chrome plating off or not. either way, i had a new set coming in the mail so if i messed these up it doesn't really matter.

a can of paint remover and about 200 fried brain cells later, they came out pretty nice i'd say!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/newgrill1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/newgrill2.jpg

On the car with the new hoob emblem...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/grillemblem.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/front.jpg

as you can see, i'm still waiting on that fucking LF headlight. and now i have $100 worth of new bmw grills sitting around.. oh well.

i measured the car tonight as well so tomorrow it's off to the sticker shop to get some decals made... car numbers, class letters etc.

[VSB XT]

Looks like an awesome car to rip around in. I'ts pretty cool watching go from nasty looking to tasteful.

[wgnths]

yeah i didn't like the black grille. too ghetto for a bmw. guess you should have tried to strip them first, ha!

[wgnths]

went and bought myself an e36 too...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/spoolnv/f29488de-e767-443c-b8f0-299a53527e7.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

well it seems the ebay headlight dude has fallen off the earth and i'm out 50 bucks. it's been two weeks with no communication whatsoever. it seems like everday a new person leaves a negative feedback on his account, so it's not just me getting screwed. all the negative comments started popping up 3-4 days after i ordered my light, so all *appeared* good at the time. i filed a complaint with paypal, so hopefully something will come of it.

in the meantime, i found some flyboy on the az bmw forum selling a headlight for 30 bucks. i got it, installed it and got the car ready for the dyno tomorrow morning.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/front2.jpg

[VSB XT]

Lookin good! Hope it shows some great power at the dyno.

[phoenixZ33]

Dyno Mania!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/dyno1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/dyno2.jpg

All the dyno info I've seen says my setup should be in the 220-240hp range. A stock M3 puts down ~205-210. This car is the M3 engine with intake, header, exhaust and the "better" 325is (non-OBD2) intake manifold, plus Turner Motorsport ECU.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw-1.jpg

I'll take 237hp @ 7000rpm with 225ft-lbs anyday! Just based off that A/F curve alone, it looks like there's room for better tuning and more power by leaning it out. That's turbo engine rich.. even too rich for most turbo engines. My SR20DET was always in the mid-11 range.. For this engine, I would prefer 12.7-12.9:1. Witht cams and tuning, this engine could probably make 255-260hp N/A @ 7500+rpm. This sounds amazing at redline on the dyno!

[Max Power]

Yeah, that's fairly rich. Maybe they did that so they could advance timing a bit more and use the fuel to cool a little.

How's the head on the motor? I mean can the valvetrain rev up any higher? I think with some more serious cams you might have to extend the rev limit a little (it's barely leveling off as right now :)). Should be a fun car. You still planning on KW V3's? Oh, and are you planning on street driving that thing?

[VSB XT]

Nice power! Especially considering how light that thing is!

[phoenixZ33]

Yeah, that's fairly rich. Maybe they did that so they could advance timing a bit more and use the fuel to cool a little.

How's the head on the motor? I mean can the valvetrain rev up any higher? I think with some more serious cams you might have to extend the rev limit a little (it's barely leveling off as right now :)). Should be a fun car. You still planning on KW V3's? Oh, and are you planning on street driving that thing?

not planning on street driving it ever.. i think it could rev higher. i was looking at some dyno charts (at the dyno shop) from other local BMWs and they're all revving to 7500+. being able to rev an extra 500-1000rpm, especially if the motor can handle it, will make a big difference. i'm going to call turner motorsport to see if they can re-tune the ECU (based on this A/F data) and change the rev-limiter.. provided it's safe.

i originally thought the car would have some lame Tokico shocks, but it has really nice adjustable bilsteins. i'm gonna try it as is, but i have a feeling the car's going to be too soft so i might go to stiffer springs.

11.4:1 power to weight is pretty good. i ran 1:10.3 in the NRT 350Z and that car is ~14:1 power to weight. at 12.4:1 my 240 was in the high 1:08s.

[wgnths]

excellent power! especially being n/a. should be nice and responsive on the track. some cams and tuning with a slightly higher rev limit would rock...


is that subaru still sitting back there in a trailer?

[phoenixZ33]

that wrx is still there, but it looks like they're working on it now as it's sitting up in the air on the lift. i checked it out for bit and it's a pretty nice car.. complex, but looks like it has some good parts. if they'd sell it for cheap, i'd consider buying it. i don't even know if it's for sale however.

[Max Power]

Is it the wrecked kingpin car? I forget his name on the forums but the dude who went drifting and effed it up?

[phoenixZ33]

it's the kingpin car as far as i know.. silver, all fiberglass body, rwd, Formula D stickers on the windshield..

[wgnths]

yeah that's the car. i still don't understand the whole story...the guy let kingpin build his car, he lets them use it for formula d, they crash it 3 times, now he doesn't own it? and it was reported to possibly have stolen parts on it...

[El Zillcho]

Nice numbers.

[phoenixZ33]

parts have finallly started showing up. i got a DHL notice on my door saying my splitter was here, so I signed it last night and taped it to the front door. this morning i get a phone call from my mom saying she dropped some stuff off at my place, and "there was a DHL notice on your door, so i put it on your kitchen counter". arugh.. so hopefully tomorrow! lol

anyways, on with the parts:

Turner Motorsport 17x9" Wheels. These babies are *light*. Put one on Erin's scale.. 16.5lbs! The MB Motorsport wheels on my 240SX were 20lbs each.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/wheels.jpg

New/Used engine cover to make the engine comparment look a little more presentable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/cover.jpg

Replacing the lame Autometer with a more sporty looking Pivot tach. This will be placed next to my Racepak data dash, then all the gauges (water, oil temp, oil pressure)will be relocated to the center console.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/tach.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

Which brings me to, a center console. I have to gain 40lbs to meet the competition weight.. and I don't plan on gaining 40lbs myself, so if I can make the car look more tasteful and add weight at the same time, even better
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/console.jpg

New boots for the e-brake and shifter (the whole house smells like these now... yummy)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/shiftboot.jpg

New graphics - car numbers, class letters.. and a "Genuine BMW parts" decal I had made, mimmicking the BMW LMR prototype car from back in the glory days... kinda cool I thought.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/stickers.jpg

Taken from the rear wing of this car
http://perso.orange.fr/buckhorn.wash/cars/vlm/99060409.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

Waiting on my wing and front splitter, then it's time to bust ass and get it ready for September. I'm off to Costa Rica for ten days starting this Saturday, then going out of town for work the week after that, so it's gonna be mid-August before I get to work on the car.. :(

[phoenixZ33]

I forgot about this..

I dumped that old lame steering wheel for this new NRG suede wheel..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/steeringwheel.jpg

[wgnths]

finally, parts are coming! costa rica even better! girls in small bikinis...and bodog fights!

[Max Power]

New pictures... I'm living through you man - I hate working on cars :)

[phoenixZ33]

I know I know.. i need to get it on it. Hopefully later this week I can start putting some of the parts in.

[phoenixZ33]

ok.. i installed the front lip last night. now i just have about 400 other things to do before sept. 15th!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/lip1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/lip2.jpg

the bumper still moves around a lot, which bothers me. ideally i'd like to make a belly pan or something to brace it so it doesn't shake around.

[phoenixZ33]

front end changes from start to finish...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/1front.jpg

and then

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/07102.jpg

and then

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/front2.jpg

and then

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/lip2.jpg

[Max Power]

Looks good... oh and the headlight scoop delete was very good. That was freak nasty.

[wgnths]

looks 100% better. that lip is nice. and you need to mow the grass around your patio, lol.

[crzyjulius]

Looks way better and cleaner!

[El Zillcho]

Lookin good.

[phoenixZ33]

well i've been spending more time working on the car than documenting its progress. it's basically done, aside from cleaning up the interior and a few little things... ugh. i'm tired.

i put it on the trailer last night as i'm going to jeremy's house tonight to work on it. this morning was the first time i've seen the car in the daylight, almost since the day i got it (aside from the other pics). i haven't even considered working on the car during the daytime all summer.

anyways, here it is.. on a trailer. lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw2-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw1.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

new steering wheel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/interior-1.jpg

[skilit]

wow looks sweet, are you going to unleash it next weekend?

[Max Power]

Does it have side windows? FN01's eh? What tires are you running?

It looks great - quite a step up from the original state :)

[phoenixZ33]

they're not FNs.. they're forged aluminum something or other than Turner Motorsport sells. unless they make forged FNs that turner rebadges.. but they're 5lbs lighter than the 17x9 FNs I had on my 240.

right now I'm using the kumhos that came with the car.. they should be toast by the end of next weekend. after that i'm running the R1s.

[wgnths]

amazing how different/better it looks, then when you first picked it up. looking forward to seeing it at the track and your thoughts on it.


p.s. there's a pic of your 240 in the latest Modified Mag, lol. it's in with the recent Lap Battle coverage, and they used a pic of it in a sidebar on the series.

[wgnths]

i hear you ran a 1:07 today, at pir! guess the car is good!

[phoenixZ33]

Good thing I went out to that event.. I wasn't dying to pay $100 for the short amount of run time, but I wanted to make sure the car was ready to roll before the big NASA weekend.

I got in the tech line yesterday, tried to start the car (to leave) and it was dead.. battery dead that is. Jeremy and I ran to the store, bought a new battery and even though it started, it still ran like shit. Long story short, we figured out that the alternator was bad... ugh.

$310 later, we fixed the alternator, battery and every other problem. Other than that, I haven't so much as *touched* the setup on the car since I took delivery... I checked the front toe Friday night to make sure it wasn't totally F'd up, but it was fine.

After all the mess of fixing the car, I got 7 laps in on Saturday.. ambient temp was 107deg. First clean lap was a 1:09.3 (beating Estrada's time by a second, thankfully. Next lap, the gauge cluster fell out and behind the dash.. I forgot to bolt it in place, oops. Since I couldn't see the temps, I slowed down for the rest of the session (all three more laps).

The time trial part was the exact same setup as the Surge Time Attack. ie. one warmup, two hot and a cooldown. My first lap I ran a 1:08.5, then I got really loose in turn 2 and ran a 1:08.9.

Not a 1:07, but pretty good in my opinion. The hardest part of this car is realizing how capable it really is. On my last lap, I went flat from turn 2 all the way into 5.. I've never been able to do that. Likewise, it's totally flat out from turn 9 all the way into 1.. the car has SO much grip (even on the tiny 245s) and a ton of downforce on the oval. The 51% rear weight combined with the flat torque curve makes power delivery *really* smooth and easy. The LSD doesn't seem to be working, as it would spin a little at the beginning of turn 6.

Other than that, it's really easy to drive.. and fast. I kept thinking to myself "this is the easiest 1:08 i've ever driven..", and it's true. Even with my 240 back in the day when I first hit 1:08, it was a lot of work. The 350Z ran 1:09.5 a few times and it was really tough.. no mistakes, it was scary as hell through the oval etc. I think with better tuning (needs stiffer springs), more seat time and cooler temps, it'll hit high 1:07 as it sits. With less weight and more power, perhaps quicker.

Bloomberg is trying to talk me into running slicks and removing more weight, which would probably be instant low 1:07s, in a car with 237hp. Not bad! It's an awesome car, I am looking forward to driving this thing a lot in the future.

[wgnths]

i think that's an amazing time for a new to you, car! so, it must be easy to drive. think how long it took you to get down to those times in your 240. seems this car has some real potential!

[phoenixZ33]

pix from saturday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwpir1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwpir2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwpir3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwpir4.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwpir5.jpg

[wgnths]

did you wax that thing? paint looks much brighter than i remember, when Euro had it...

[Max Power]

I think it's the lack of annoying red square stickers and the loss of the headlight duct that makes the paint look better - it's less full race though.

[phoenixZ33]

got some wheels that are alberto approved... fikse 18x10 and 18x9.5. They fit great, just too wide for the stock fenders.

finding fender flares is another thing, as no one makes anything that's easy, and the one company that does make something, won't have any in stock till 2008.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/wheel1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/wheel2.jpg

poor car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/apart.jpg

some dumb lady on the 101 driving 70mph with a flat tire.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmw/dumb.jpg

[moxie]

Wow...

Must be one of them Run Flats...

Wow...

[Max Power]

Mmmm, Fikse's. I miss my FM5's. Just sawzall the fenders.

You running the same size tire all around?

[phoenixZ33]

285s all the way around, or 285s rear, 275 front.

[phoenixZ33]

i found some universal flares on ebay for like 150 bucks.. they're gonna be ultra ghetto (if they even fit), but they bolt on.. i think. lol.

running these wheels is gonna be really expensive, but i can start running real slicks.. usually you can pick them up from the porsche/bmw rich guys for cheap with only a day or two use.

[J0oftheworld]

Got a steal on those wheels! :D

[wgnths]

sweet wheels! i need to test fit my flares still! been sitting in the box for 2 months.

[J0oftheworld]

You yard looks like a girl I turned into a "woman" back in HS.
Had to borrow my homies shaving kit from his car before I could "dive in"! :D
Years later she was "bare" as a babies arse... like to think I had a hand in that! :)

[phoenixZ33]

285s compared to 255s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/255285.jpg

285
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/285.jpg

255
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/255.jpg

Since the wheels are 9.5" in the front and 10" in the rear, I'm going to run P275/35R18 in front, P285/30R18 rear.

Right now the RF fits under the fender with the 285, and there is about ~5mm between the tire and coilover. Between switching to the 275s and running a smaller spacer to get 1-2mm between the tire and coilover, I think the fronts will fit under stock fenders.

The rears both stick out.. I need to add about 0.5deg camber , so I'm going to do that and see how the wheels fit. I think then I'll have some cutting to do in the fenders, and I'm considering taking the wheels to a machine shop to have ~5mm removed from the wheel.. with that, *possibly* they'll fit in the rear.

I ordered fender flares and hopefully they'll be here this week.. if they look ok, it's party time with the sawzall. If they're ghetto looking, I'll work more on the above items.

Depending on how much progress I make this week on the car, I might run the Solo event this Sunday to see how bad the tires rub.. lol. I'm not looking forward to autocrossing with an open diff.. oh well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/18s.jpg

[J0oftheworld]

Auto-x is Sat this weekend. fyi

Looks sick btw! What about "pulling" the rears a bit!?

[phoenixZ33]

Nevermind then.. I can't make it on Saturday.

I'm going to try heating up the fenders with a heat gun and pulling them out with a fender roller. If BMW sheet metal is anywhere as chincy as Subaru's, I should be in luck! :P

[moxie]

It's not chincy... it's light!

[Max Power]

BMW track car, Fikse track wheels, real slicks - Brady's gone big time.

[J0oftheworld]

Yup, in 2 yrs he'll be trading for a carrera cup car! :p

I think pulled fenders would look better than "crappy flares".. so def give it a shot! ..but post those flares, they might look cool!? :)

[phoenixZ33]

$34 heat gun + fender roller! I'm a hack so it took about an hour, but if someone took their time and did it right, you could make some badass flares on a BMW. I pulled probably an inch more than I needed too, and there's still room to spare.

Before, all four tires stuck out 1/2" past the fender. Now...

Front (the edge is all fuct up from my last rolling with a floorjack handle)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/fender1.jpg

Rear
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/fender3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/fender2.jpg

[Eunos]

Looks really good, but I think you still need more flare. :P

http://car.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/02/2007_alex_nats_1.jpg

[wgnths]

wow, that came out really good. the rears look awesome! what's that big decal on the rear side? my ride is me?

[phoenixZ33]

some dude at my work owns this site "myrideisme.com".. it's like a myspace kinda deal for cars. he bugs me about it every ten seconds, so i put his sticker on my car.

[kev]

Looks great and those wheels kick ass.

Hopefully the next great deal on used wheels will come in a 4x100 bolt pattern :)

[J0oftheworld]

Since you're all done w. that we'll see you out Sat!?
Looks good dough.. nice work!

[phoenixZ33]

I can't make it Saturday. And I'll be out of town for the event in December.

[moxie]

Nice avatar... hah

[darkslide750]

Brady, where'd you get the fender roller? BTW, the 285's fit nice, WHoo!

[phoenixZ33]

Brady, where'd you get the fender roller? BTW, the 285's fit nice, WHoo!

Every guy on the 240SX forum has a fender roller, so they can fit 18x12" wheels (with 225 width tires).

Sell that RX7 and buildup your E36! And sell me those 285 BFGs back, I need them now. lol

[wgnths]

eff that, sell me the e36!

[Max Power]

Why not just sell it to Brady and skip the middle man Erin?

[phoenixZ33]

haha.. erin, you can buy my e36 if you want. i want a 911 now.

[Max Power]

Jeez - didn't even give the bmw world much time. Big time status continues but what's after Porsche?

[darkslide750]

Every guy on the 240SX forum has a fender roller, so they can fit 18x12" wheels (with 225 width tires).

Sell that RX7 and buildup your E36! And sell me those 285 BFGs back, I need them now. lol
Did you get voted off the 240sx island?

Oh and my e36=gone!

285x4
http://www.darkslide750.com/114-1410_IMG.JPG

[darkslide750]

Seriously, Brady, I'd like to roll my fenders a little bit.

[phoenixZ33]

when are you gonna have your RX7 out again? your TTS record was surpassed last event.. and TTU is only a 1:03.5, so you have some work to do!

[phoenixZ33]

Seriously, Brady, I'd like to roll my fenders a little bit.

you can do it, i don't want to be responsible for damaging all of your body panels!

[darkslide750]

I'm going to Super Street, and I'll be at the T-Jive event at PIR.

So, where can I rent/borrow a fender roller?

[phoenixZ33]

what is "T-Jive"?

[darkslide750]

what is "T-Jive"?
Thanksgiving

[wgnths]

shawn, you painted the 7? looks killer, lets see some pics!

[phoenixZ33]

new picture

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/bmwturn3.jpg

[wgnths]

great pic, those really are some steamrollers on there...wait til you see the monsters i picked up.

[phoenixZ33]

so i think this body kit is pretty badass. the kit includes front fenders, rear fenders, front bumper, rear bumper and side skirts. this guy has a different front bumper.. the bumper that comes with the body kit looks better than the ones in this pic.. ie. it's not the E46 wannabe style. $1200 bucks.. i bet i can get it a little cheaper than that.

what do you think? then i could run huge slicks and dominate all of HPDE3.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1227/27jy.jpg
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5527/53xg.jpg
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/697/48og.jpg

[Izerosll]

Get some underglow and your set.
Maybe some strobe lights to go with Dans car as well.
Pretty soon your car is going to be all tire. :)

[Max Power]

335/35's all the way around :)

Looks pretty good. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love flares.

[J0oftheworld]

That would look $$.. then you could go run the nurburgring! :)

[J0oftheworld]

I bet you could order stuff like this from YourRope.. :)

http://gallery.competitiveparts.com/albums/album160/deutgen_1024.jpg

[wgnths]

that would look insane...on a street car. i think a kit like that would be a pain on a wheel to wheel, race car? if it gets damaged anyways. i don't know, i like it.

[phoenixZ33]

so this is what it looks like now

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l78/ChefsVenom/BookReading004Medium.jpg

[moxie]

I guess they like the headlight vent?

Was cooler in yellow.

[wgnths]

jeez, he went all out on it.

notice the truck behind it :)

[Max Power]

Imagine how much tire you could fit in there now!

PS - are all bmw track only guys french?