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#1. Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! - from Raza Uddin
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 18:09:41 -0700 From: Raza Uddin <raza.uddin@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! Alan, I'm glad you've been asking lots of questions lately as I am planning on following the same route and had many of the same questions. 1) How did you decide on spring rates? 2) Are you also planning on replacing the front lower control arm bushings? How about the arms themselves and the tie-rods? My biggest problem is deciding whether to go to solid bushings (metal). I have a very high tolerance for NVH and am willing to sacrifice comfort. As long as they are streetable (read: don't require too much attention for minimal street use), I'd be very interested in trying them. Drive Safely, Raza On 8/11/05, Chris Teague <cteague@cox.net> wrote: > Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:14:48 -0700 > From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@cox.net> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! > > Alan, > > As for #1, all of them can have blue locktite (the removable kind). > > As for #2, you only need the tool to remove the OE bushing (or install). > The powerflex bushings will press in by hand. You should use the lube that > comes with the powerflex bushing. > > I have the powerflex subframe bushings. However, for the RTAB, that's one > does not rotate around the bolt, so as the suspension compresses, it will > tend to bind up the powerflex bushings. Race cars should go to a bearing > style bushings. Street cars I prefer using OE bushings with the ground > control shims. That will still allow some flexibility to help avoid it > binding up. That's my $0.02. > > Let us know how it all works, and how you like it when you are done. > > Chris > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:55:31 -0500 > > From: "Alan Leung" <alanleung100@hotmail.com> > > Subject: RE: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! > > 1] Which bolts should I be using locktite on when I reassemble > > everything? > > > > 2] What lube should I use on the Powerflex? Does the Victory RTAB tool > > work on it? > > > > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > >
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 21:35:25 EDT From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? In a message dated 8/11/2005 5:51:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, docwyte@comcast.net writes: They'll fit, but that's not the optimal wheel size for a 255... Now, the real question is, will there be so much side-wall squirm that it will negate the extra tire width (ie. grip)?? Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe Philly Region SCCA #13 BSP
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#3. Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? - from Chris Teague
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 18:45:21 -0700 From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@cox.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? Bob, That is a good question. On a previous car, I went from 215's to 235's on the same wheel and lost grip. But that's very tire dependent. I think what we are all saying is you will have a bunch more grip with the 9" wheel. FWIW, if I was forced to use an 8" wheel for autox, I wouldn't go more than a 245 in width. Chris ----- Original Message ----- > In a message dated 8/11/2005 5:51:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, > docwyte@comcast.net writes: > They'll fit, but that's not the optimal wheel size for a 255... > > Now, the real question is, will there be so much side-wall squirm that it > will negate the extra tire width (ie. grip)?? > > > Bob Gill
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! - from Jamie Howton
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 20:55:32 -0500 From: Jamie Howton <jhowton@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! > My biggest problem is deciding whether to go to solid bushings > (metal). I have a very high tolerance for NVH and am willing to > sacrifice comfort. As long as they are streetable (read: don't > require too much attention for minimal street use), I'd be very > interested in trying them. I have the Ground Control spherical bushings on my M3 (RTAB, front control arm, rear shock mount, rear lower control arm) with Urethane rear subframe bushings and TMS sway bars with adjustable end links. I have the TC Kline "Trackline" springs and SA Konis. The suspension is streetable if you have a high tolerance for feeling every pebble and crack in the road but to be honest I haven't much wanted to drive my M3 on the street much since I bought the M5. Torque is addictive and so much less work (rowing gears) for the street. As far as maintenance of the bushings, I lube them with a thin oil a couple of times per year and they seem fine so far. If you live close to Chicago and want to take a ride in my car before you do it, you are welcome, just let me know, I'll be at Blackhawk Farms Racetrack tomorrow if by some chance you are in the area. Regards Jamie Howton 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 21:55:28 EDT From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Will they fit? In a message dated 8/11/2005 9:49:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, cteague@cox.net writes: FWIW, if I was forced to use an 8" wheel for autox, I wouldn't go more than a 245 in width. Yes, I must sadly agree. I'm trying to ask an 8" wheel to do too much. Thanks for the advice. Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe Philly Region SCCA #13 BSP
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#6. Transmission Weight ? - from tetice@triad.rr.com
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 22:48:06 -0400 From: tetice@triad.rr.com Subject: Transmission Weight ? Does anyone know the approximate weight of the 5 speed transmission? Tom Tice '98 M3/4 '98 328iC '02 X5 '93 325iS JP in the works
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Transmission Weight ? - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 20:52:17 -0700 (PDT) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Transmission Weight ? Very heavy..especially when it drops down on you ;) Chester --- tetice@triad.rr.com wrote: > Does anyone know the approximate weight of the 5 speed transmission?
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#8. RE: [E36M3] Transmission Weight ? - from Jeremy Conners
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Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 00:47:14 -0400 From: "Jeremy Conners" <jeremy.conners@comcast.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Transmission Weight ? IIRC, it's about 95 lbm. -Jeremy // // Very heavy..especially when it drops down on you ;) // // Chester // // --- tetice@triad.rr.com wrote: // > Does anyone know the approximate weight of the 5 speed transmission?
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! - from Raza Uddin
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Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 00:45:45 -0700 From: Raza Uddin <raza.uddin@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! On 8/11/05, Jamie Howton <jhowton@gmail.com> wrote: > If you live close to > Chicago and want to take a ride in my car before you do it, you are > welcome, just let me know, I'll be at Blackhawk Farms Racetrack > tomorrow if by some chance you are in the area. Thanks for the very generous offer. I would take you up on it but, unfortunately, I live in California. Luckily, my car sees an occasional trip and street miles really only to track events or autocrosses. I still need to do more research, but your experience is great to know. Thanks again! Drive Safely, Raza
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! - from Jay Hudson
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Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 05:45:05 -0700 From: "Jay Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! > Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:55:31 -0500 > From: "Alan Leung" <alanleung100@hotmail.com> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] Coilover Upgrade - Order Placed! > > James at BW is having some touring car fun at Denver so I spoke with Rob and > I finally settled on: > > GC Race SA Coilover (500F/600R) w/ Hybrid plates and Spherical RSM > GC Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arm & Weight Jack > Powerflex RTAB > X-brace & UUC Transmission Mount Enforcer > > > And I want to thank Dave D, Bill T, Jay H, Carlos L, Shane K, Jim B, Rich D, > "Doc" Josh, Mo K, Scott K, Kim B, Tom T for all your advices on spring rate, > RSM, RTAB, camber plate, strut bar, strut reinforcement plates, rear control > arm, weight jack .... I appreciate all your inputs to help me sort out the > pros and cons of each option. Regarding a couple more "inflammatory" > choices ... GC rear control arm because there are some bad experience on the > Rogue unit and the UUC option is significantly more expensive. Powerflex > RTAB because I want something more durable and rigid and it sounds like by > now they've got it right. I put the money originally for the strut bar and > reinforcement plates towards the weight jack. Now just a few more > questions: > > 1] Which bolts should I be using locktite on when I reassemble everything? Of the components you mentioned above, I wouldn't use loctite on any. Some might say to loctite the 2 lower bolts that connect the strut housing to the steering knuckle, but I don't. > > 2] What lube should I use on the Powerflex? Does the Victory RTAB tool > work on it? No personal experience, but I don't think you need a tool to install the Pflex bushings. Others with knowledge will chime in. > > 3] Specifically which Mobil 1 grease should I use on the camber plate to > reduce pop? I just use a waterproof marine grease. I got it at a boat shop. > > 4] I'm planning on following the H&R coilover write-up on bmw-m.net. Any > other supplemental write-up I should get myself familiar with before I start > tearing things out? > > 5] For parts like the convex washers on the front strut and outer ball joint > on the rear lower control arms I plan on ordering them through realOEM. Any > better choices out there? Not sure what you're talking about. The GC struts should be complete. I use the race plates, but I don't think you need anything extra to install them with the hybrid plates either. As far as the rear LCAs, the only thing you use from the stock setup are the bolts/nuts from the inner and outer ends. > > > I'm so glad that there is such a great list with so many knowledgable M3 > owners. Thanks again. > > Alan > 95 M3 - finally getting some new legs before the 100k mark I just got a new set of rear springs and weight jackers yesterday. Looking forward to the ease of adjusting rear ride height without disconnecting the shock and pulling the spring every time. You're going to love your new setup. Jay