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#1. Re: [E36M3] Anyone have any info about the Hella Headlight Kit?? - from Brian Terril
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 14:27:40 -0800 From: "Brian Terril" <bterril@twistedparity.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Anyone have any info about the Hella Headlight Kit?? Both InPro and Hella are both doing this. Hella's are smaller rings, which to me looks pretty funny, the InPro lights appear to be the more normal sized ones, and look good, but it remains to be seen if they are going to be projector lights. Other companies are offering kits to modify ZWG (what was it again?) Projectors, designed by Jim Powell. I think someone will be offering projectors, modified with HIDs, and angel eyes already included for a tidy sum (probably near a grand for the set). I think its just a matter of time. BDT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Reid Conti" <reid@conti.net> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 1:59 PM Subject: Re: [E36M3] Anyone have any info about the Hella Headlight Kit?? > Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 13:55:31 -0800 (PST) > From: Reid Conti <reid@conti.net> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Anyone have any info about the Hella Headlight Kit?? > > I think it's in.pro that's doing this. Someone once passed me their US > url, I think they had pictures there. I'm personally afraid they'll use > cheap ellipsoids instead of good ones. I'm just gonna buy the standard > ellipsoids, myself.. I don't need angel eyes :) Hopefully they do it > right and use the quality headlights to do it, though! > > - reid > > > I saw some info that Hella has designed a replacement headlight kit for > > the E36 that has the "angel eye" rings. From the one picture I saw it > > appears that it is a projector type headlamp that might have a xenon > > option. > > > > No info on the hella website yet... > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as the > subject of the message to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. > ************************************************************* > > >
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#2. re: New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... - from andy radin
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 15:20:57 -0800 From: "andy radin" <fourfa@mindspring.com> Subject: re: New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... "First, is there a wiring harness I can buy so that I don't have to cut the factory stuff, in case it's ever desireable to return to stock?" there are two connectors on the amp, one has the wiring to the tweeters/midranges and from the deck, the other goes to the woofers. The former can be disassembled and the pin receptacles non-destructively removed individually. I simply put these into the amp/crossover sockets and lightly turned the set screws into them. seems to work great, and can be put back together exactly as original. I looked all over for a mating connector with no luck, BTW. The second connector is easy - it's exactly the same as the alarm harness. A good car audio shop probably can get one, or order the 'basic' harness from www.autotoys.com (not the deluxe version with diodes). The outputs from the stock deck are speaker-level twisted pair. If you have an amp with screw-terminal high-level inputs, do the same trick as with the tweeters. Mine didn't, so I used a pair of line-level converters I had around that did. This attenuated the signal enough that I picked up a lot of alternator noise. Shortly thereafter I put in a deck with 4V RCA outputs and ran RCA cable - no noise. You can use LLCs and clip the attentuating resistors (mine had instructions to do this), then you have a shielded twisted-pair to RCA converter. Sort of complex though, and more stuff to have to zip tie somewhere. (My experiments soldering and/or crimping RCA connectors to the sockets failed.) You could also find the right pin to insert into the individual sockets, run from the pin to a wire to an RCA connector, and heat shrink the whole thing together. I installed Dynaudio 240mKIIs (7" woofers!), I liked these a lot more than the a/d/s although I never tested the focals. Dynaudio also has a 220 set that drops in with no modifications, I'd audition them. Gorgeous smoooooooooth sound. re: Stealthboxes, I put in twin Kicker F10C 10" free-air subs that are sturdier than the JL IB4s. Made my own MDF mounting plates to use the factory rear deck spots. I'll post up pictures one of these days. Only cost me $200, and I'll wager on better sound than the steathboxes. one note - don't forget to seal up the rear deck. there are large holes venting the trunk to the cabin. good luck, andy r.
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#3. Re: [E36M3] New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... - from Matt Henson
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 15:22:01 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Henson <hensonator@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... Such a pity to spend the money for nice equiptment and leave the stock head unit. It's such a piece of crap, especially the tuner. You'll want to upgrade it soon enough. Or, save your money on the front speakers and get something in the $100 range rather than putting perfume on that pig of a stock head unit. Anyway, to answer the questions.. 1. Both A/D/S/ and Focal are highly respected. You should listen and decide which you like better. mmxpress.com has Focal stuff. I doubt that either are supposed to be sold on-line but, once you know what you want, the prices are much better than at your local retailer. 2. 50W/ch of clean power should be enough for the stealthboxes. I think that they are 4-ohm, or at least can be run in a 4-ohm configuration. JL is right, speaker efficiency doesn't really mean anything important. You really want to know about the woofer excursion and surface area. Anyway, it doesn't matter because they are the only game when it comes to this type of speaker for the M3 so you don't really get to shop around. Unless you're a bass head you'll like the stealthboxes. 3. You will obviously lose some storage headroom. Also you need to make sure that the amp doesn't overheat wince the cooling fins can't do much when it's upside down. Everyone recommends against upside down mounting but I've done it in the past with no trouble. For the M3 I built a custom amp/crossover board that sits behind the left wheel, in front of the brake lights. My biggest concern was losing the trunk height and not being able to fit a large suitcase or tires. I stole the amp mounting idea from someone else here, maybe Chester?? Anyway, it works well and I didn't have to drill any holes in my car. It did take about 4 hours to build it compared to 20 mins for the upside down mounting. 4. I cut the wiring :-). Keep in mind tht the factory line outs to the amp are differential mode. Most amps require single ended input. You might get an on/off pop if you just plug them in. There may be a real ground reference that runs back the headunit that you can use in conjunction with one side of the differential output. Or get a differential to single ended converter or, best, a new head unit. A speaker level converter won't work since it reduces the signal by 30dB or so and it's already line level - just differential instead of ground-referenced. Good luck!! -Matt --- Reid Conti <reid@conti.net> wrote: > Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 11:17:41 -0800 (PST) > From: Reid Conti <reid@conti.net> > Subject: New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... > > I'm going to be upgrading the stereo in my 95 and > have a few questions. I > plan to stick with the stock head unit and changer, > but replace the front > speakers with focal or a/d/s/ 5.25" units, put the > JL Audio stealthboxes > in the back, and fit a 4 channel amp. > > So here are the questions: > > 1. Focal or a/d/s/, and where to buy > > 2. What kind of power do I need to the stealthboxes? > They're 8ohm, 150 > watt power handling (for the pair). I'm looking at > a JL Audio 300/4 amp > recommended to me by someone. I figure if I bridge > the 2 rear channels > and run the wiring in parallel I can pull off 150 > watts RMS at > 4ohms. However, according to the JL spec sheet, the > 8IB4 woofer is rated > at 87dB efficiency, which is pretty damn low. Their > sheet claims this is > not a good measure of how "loud" a speaker is > relative to another, but > everyone else says otherwise. For example, the 8IB4 > is 87.4dB efficiency > (1W/1m) and the 12 is 92.2dB. Seems like the 8 is > not very > efficient. > > 3. Amp mounting - I plan to mount the amp upside > down on the rear shelf, > perhaps by putting a board under the package shelf > and screwing the amp > into it upside down. > > 4. Wiring - I've looked at the unofficialbmw stock > amp wiring, and can > figure out where to tap into what. A few questions, > though. First, is > there a wiring harness I can buy so that I don't > have to cut the factory > stuff, in case it's ever desireable to return to > stock? I'm sure I won't > return to stock even when I end up selling the car > some day, but it would > make me feel better about cutting into wires if they > weren't original > fixtures on the car and could be removed. > > 5. Wiring - What are the inputs coming from the > deck? Are they line-level > inputs, or speaker level, or what? How do I turn > these into RCA > connectors for the amp? Or do I need an amp with > speaker-level > connectors? > > Thanks for any help/info you can provide.. > > - reid > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you > from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the > list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the > requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as > the > subject of the message to the email address > e36m3@bmw-m.net. > ************************************************************* > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com
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#4. Re: [E36M3] New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... - from The Abels
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 18:20:19 -0600 From: "The Abels" <aAbel@austin.rr.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... Eeeks. With quality of gear your reference, I could not imagine anything but the stock head unit destroying any your sql. The stock unit is horrible, as Matt pointed out. The front stage is highly subjective. I like my Boston Acoustic Pros, I like the Focals even better, but I fell in love with the Diamond Audio units, particularly with their silk dome tweeter option. I've been trying to destroy my BA's to justify the DA units. ;) But take my thoughts with a grain of salt, as this is a very personal decision. There are no ads dealers in my area so I have not heard those. But, based on reviews, you cannot go wrong with either of your two choices. You'll love your stealths, unless you have the need to pound the street with crazy bass. Surprisingly clean and accurate. I do agree with Andy R. who already responded though, you could do better and with less cash with a little elbow grease. Jeff 97 M3/4 sans stealths for now, awaiting warranty units ----- Original Message ----- From: Reid Conti <reid@conti.net> To: E36M3 <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 1:19 PM Subject: [E36M3] New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... > Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 11:17:41 -0800 (PST) > From: Reid Conti <reid@conti.net> > Subject: New Stereo Q's, plus stealthbox power... > > I'm going to be upgrading the stereo in my 95 and have a few questions. I > plan to stick with the stock head unit and changer, but replace the front > speakers with focal or a/d/s/ 5.25" units, put the JL Audio stealthboxes > in the back, and fit a 4 channel amp. > > So here are the questions: > > 1. Focal or a/d/s/, and where to buy > > 2. What kind of power do I need to the stealthboxes? They're 8ohm, 150 > watt power handling (for the pair). I'm looking at a JL Audio 300/4 amp > recommended to me by someone. I figure if I bridge the 2 rear channels > and run the wiring in parallel I can pull off 150 watts RMS at > 4ohms. However, according to the JL spec sheet, the 8IB4 woofer is rated > at 87dB efficiency, which is pretty damn low. Their sheet claims this is > not a good measure of how "loud" a speaker is relative to another, but > everyone else says otherwise. For example, the 8IB4 is 87.4dB efficiency > (1W/1m) and the 12 is 92.2dB. Seems like the 8 is not very > efficient. > > 3. Amp mounting - I plan to mount the amp upside down on the rear shelf, > perhaps by putting a board under the package shelf and screwing the amp > into it upside down. > > 4. Wiring - I've looked at the unofficialbmw stock amp wiring, and can > figure out where to tap into what. A few questions, though. First, is > there a wiring harness I can buy so that I don't have to cut the factory > stuff, in case it's ever desireable to return to stock? I'm sure I won't > return to stock even when I end up selling the car some day, but it would > make me feel better about cutting into wires if they weren't original > fixtures on the car and could be removed. > > 5. Wiring - What are the inputs coming from the deck? Are they line-level > inputs, or speaker level, or what? How do I turn these into RCA > connectors for the amp? Or do I need an amp with speaker-level > connectors? > > Thanks for any help/info you can provide.. > > - reid > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as the > subject of the message to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. > ************************************************************* > >
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#5. O2 connector and piston question - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 19:55:00 -0500 From: "Paul Elliott" <pelliott@rcn.com> Subject: O2 connector and piston question I was just told that you can check your Air Fuel mixture by clamping on to the wire that connects to an O2 sensor, and check the voltage at WOT when warm. He indicates it is a black wire under the plastic cover near the injectors. Can anybody describe to me where or how I might identify this wire if I remove the plastic cover/ And, do we have Cast pistons, or forged pistons? Thanks all. --------------------------------------------------------- Paul Elliott '99 White M3; < 40K miles; Dinan stage II SC kit with 6" crank pulley: 11 psi; AA Water Injection; Rotex pads;X-Brace; Stygar SS and Clutch Stop; Sound by Polk, Excelon, JLAudio
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Re: Corner Balancing/Coil Over Post Install - from Ron Katona
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 20:03:51 -0500 From: "Ron Katona" <rkatona@bellatlantic.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: Corner Balancing/Coil Over Post Install Chester Wong wrote: > http://www.grmotorsports.com/cornerweight.html Yeah, that's an excellent article...Grassroots is awesome. As a simple visual, I always equate corner balancing a car to a wobbly 4-legged bar stool. If one leg is too short, the stool will wobble and most of the weight will be on a diagonal of the two legs next to the short leg. The diagonal load of the short leg and its opposite leg will be much lighter. If the legs were all the same length, both diagonal leg pairs will have the same weight on them *regardless of the weight distribution* and the stool therefore won't wobble. However, to change the weight distribution L/R or F/R, you'd have to get the fatt butt on the stool to shift around some. This is why corner balancing focuses on cross weights. If we ran three wheeled cars we wouldn't have this problem. Cars obviously don't wobble because they have a suspension that allows the "legs" to droop back down to the floor. However, it's the same thing as the bar stool. If one diagonal of the car has a leg that's too lightly loaded (short), then the car is a bit "tippy" and isn't equally loading it's suspension at all times. -- Ron Katona
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#7. Hella new lights web site info - from bmwm3nut@att.net
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Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 01:05:19 +0000 From: bmwm3nut@att.net Subject: Hella new lights web site info http://www.hella-press.de/search_detail_e.php?text_id=118 where can we gets these and how $$$ -- Tim Ng 95 YELA/BUZZN/M3 92 325ic M-Tech "ULTIMATE TANNING MACHINE" 91///M3 "SUNNY DAY CAR" 88///M3 "TRACK CAR" SICK ENGINE 87 325IS PARTS CAR HOT ENGINE 83 320i "back for sale, buyer never showed"
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Eurosport OBDII Cam Kit gas mileage?? - from Matt Henson
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 17:26:16 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Henson <hensonator@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Eurosport OBDII Cam Kit gas mileage?? I'll bet you could do it with a $2 uC, maybe a basic stamp. Just needs one input pin and an output pin. Maybe use a timer. Just bit bang and do some math. Probably a PIC would be a good choice. -Matt --- Andy Radin <fourfa@mindspring.com> wrote: > Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2001 17:44:11 -0800 > From: Andy Radin <fourfa@mindspring.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Eurosport OBDII Cam Kit gas > mileage?? > > ah, crap. there are lots of PWM chips out there - > there might be one that > would multiply a pulse interval by a fixed amount. > still might only take > $10 in parts. any EEs here want to suggest some > chips for me to prototype > with? > > andy r. > > > The signal that goes from the DME to the OBC (and > IC) for fuel consumption > > is not a simple voltage function. It is a varying > pulsewidth signal. It > > represents the injector on-time, thus, behaves > accordingly. The pulse > > becomes wider as more fuel is sprayed. (It may > also vary with RPM, I don't > > remember.) > > > > Nick > > '95 M3 turbo > > > > > the answer is probably a fixed op-amp circuit on > the line from the ECU > to > > > the OBC, to increase the voltage by the same > ratio as the injectors flow > > > capacity. I'm guessing this is what Dinan > packages and sells for $400 > to > > > fix this problem. > > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you > from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the > list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the > requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as > the > subject of the message to the email address > e36m3@bmw-m.net. > ************************************************************* > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com
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#9. Bulb for Instrument Cluster? - from Peter Guagenti
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Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 20:18:18 -0800 From: Peter Guagenti <peter@guagenti.com> Subject: Bulb for Instrument Cluster? Anyone know the bulb type used behind the instrument cluster? The bulb near my coolant gauge has blown and I'd like to have the replacement on hand before I pull everything apart. Any help is appreciated. -peterg
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Hella new lights web site info - from The Abels
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 22:32:29 -0600 From: "The Abels" <aAbel@austin.rr.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Hella new lights web site info > http://www.hella-press.de/search_detail_e.php?text_id=118 > Love the reflectors. But the second pic shown in the link. . . the lights look sorta 'beady-eyed'. Oh well, probably just me. Jeff 97M3/4, with painfully poor US spec lighting