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#1. Several suspension questions - from Mo Karamat
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:38:16 -0500 From: Mo Karamat <karamatm@optonline.net> Subject: Several suspension questions Matt, Hello. I have used the Koni SA + Eibach pro kit combination in my 98 M3/4. The ride was VERY comfortable, and not bouncy at all. The new springs also lowered the car, but not terribly. The car was used as a street / Track car for several years this way. I was very pleased with the set up. One point, I would reccomend the external adjustable rears. Good luck Mo 98 M3/4 95 M3 IP car in progress 91 325IX 83 323i -------------------- 11 -------------------- Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 18:00:27 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Weimer <mjweimer@yahoo.com> Subject: Several suspension questions Hello Group, Any comments or recommendations for a spring/shock combo are appreciated. This car will see mostly street use, however I do not want/expect the ride of a Cadillac. Koni's and H&R OE sport springs? Simple Coil-over's such as a PSS9 kit? Too many newbie questions? Sorry. All input is appreciated. Matt Weimer Hoosier Chapter '88 325iS '95 M3
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata - from Jay Hudson
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:45:29 -0800 From: "Jay Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata Welcome to the slippery slope! I made the same decision a little over a year ago. I'm in the process of getting my CR license (IP). Jay > Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:10:05 -0500 > From: Walter J <m3gtr@adelphia.net> > Subject: Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata > > Well, after mulling over whether to buy vs. build a race car I have made > the absolute wrong choice and decided to build it myself. My interior is > black with manual no-heat vaders, HK sound, basic OBC etc... its a 98 so > its got side air bags and rear headrests. Everything is in superb shape > and still in the car. I'll be taking pics (been saying that for about a > month but I mean it this time) as soon as I can remember to procure the > digi cam from the mrs. Everything I can legally remove for BMWCCA IP is up > for sale. > > The car is located in PA and I have a pickup truck if someone needs a > delivery for seats, etc. in a resonable circumference around the Scranton > Wilkes-Barre area or Mount Laurel, NJ... or somewhere between. This is > usually easy to talk me into if A) you have a cool car for me to oogle B) > Offset the gas in the price of the item by not playing hardball with the > delivery guy when negotiating price C) You do not live in Camden. > > Also available are trunk lining, stock springs, sways, some cats w/ 35k on > them, AC components, traction ctrl components and whatever else I can > unbolt or cut off. > > I have two sets of factory wheels that must go to fetch something lighter > - 4 8.5x17 10 spokes. Painted flat black and used for the fat sticky track > rubber > - 4 7.5x17 10 spokes. In decent shape, 1 excellent, 1 good, 1 average and > 1 scuffed up. Shod with 50% used RA-1s > > I have a set of 38ET 16" Fittipaldi 5 spokes. Only 2 are good - 2 are > bent, would need repair and probably not worth it but if you just need 2 > to get over the front brakes for 16" snow tires (that is what I used them > for combined with a pair of OE 16s from my 328) then give me $50 and they > are yours. > > I have a set of 4 perfect 15" Borbet type T wheels that were bought as > snow wheels for my 328is but never saw duty. I mounted the tires and then > sold the car , unmounted the tires and put them on my wifes car. $200 for > the set. > > I haven't quite thought thru a price list yet but if someone needs > something - make an offer - it saves me the hassle of eBay. Preference > goes to locals but I'll ship if the buyer doesn't care (and mind paying > for) that I'm just going to go to the UPS store and tell them to box it > up. > > The car has to be at the cage builder by 2nd or 3rd week of Feb so I'll be > making haste here shortly to get it stripped - but the parts are still in > the car - please indicate your level of patience for slow delivery. > > -- > Walter
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#3. Re: [E36M3] JTD Underpanl - from Jay Hudson
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:52:06 -0800 From: "Jay Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] JTD Underpanl Not true. Read Stock 7.E.2.a, in '06 rules. Jay > Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:28:52 +0000 > From: gobuffs93@comcast.net (Bruce H) > Subject: Re: [E36M3] JTD Underpanl > > The "in front of the front axle" rule that people keep quoting only > applies to Mod class. It does not apply to stock and prepared. > > Bruce > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: "Kent L. Shephard" <kents@kls-consulting.com> > >> HI, >> >> I don't race, but I do have the JTD underpanel on my car. >> From the rules posted, I don't see a problem. >> >> It is definetly forward of the fron wheels. It actually comes nowhere >> near >> the center line of the front wheels which is what I conclude to mean >> front >> axle. >> >> It stops shy of the front anti-sway bar. >> It meets the letter of the rule and I also think spirit. >> It's also safer than the stock stuff. The plastic bits of the stock >> underpanel will come off >> with the slightest impact leaving debis on the track. Not so with the JTD >> panel. >> >> If you ask me, it should be a required upgrade to race, just like a cage. >> >> Kent >> >> Bruce wrote: >> > Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 19:06:46 -0600 >> > From: "Bruce" >> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] JTD Underpanl >> > >> > Correction... >> > >> > However, as long as the JTD panel is no larger than the stock plastic >> > parts >> > I don't see why it would NOT be legal. >> > >> > >> >> >> -- >> Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. >> It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard >> the >> people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages >> who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good >> masters, but they mean to be masters. -- Daniel Webster >>
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Several suspension questions - from Jay Hudson
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 08:04:01 -0800 From: "Jay Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Several suspension questions Answers about bushings really depend on the part of your driving that isn't "mostly street". OEM is fine. If you plan on track time, others may be more appropriate. As far as RSMs, I'd definitely go with Ground Control or other quality aftermarket. Especially, if you do Koni SAs (rear) that have to be adjusted off the car instead of the externally adjustable type. I highly recommend Konis. I ran Koni SAs and H&R OE Sports for a couple of years. They're great for the street and aren't bad at the track either. If you want to go a little lower, but with same spring rates, the H&R Sports are a good choice. Either way, the Konis are adjustable so you can run them soft for the street and stiffen them up for track days. Jay > Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 18:00:27 -0800 (PST) > From: Matt Weimer <mjweimer@yahoo.com> > Subject: Several suspension questions > > Hello Group, > > I have several questions before starting into the > renovation of the suspension on my 112k M3. First, I > need to state that this is my first E36 after owning > many E30's, several 2002's and E21's (with an E28 > thrown in for good measure). Number one on my list is > a refresh of the various suspension bushings since all > are original and some are very, very tired...RTAB's > for example. What other pieces should I replace > "while I'm in there" doing the RTAB's? I am not > against dropping the entire subframe and replacing > every bushing, in fact this would be a normal > procedure for me on an E30 at this mileage/age. > > The car also has Bilsteins which seem poorly matched > to the stock springs. For lack of better words it is > very bouncy. Yes, the bump stop issue has been > corrected up front so the brutal crashing is gone over > sharp bumps, etc....something just feels mis-matched. > > Any comments or recommendations for a spring/shock > combo are appreciated. This car will see mostly > street use, however I do not want/expect the ride of a > Cadillac. Koni's and H&R OE sport springs? Simple > Coil-over's such as a PSS9 kit? > > Too many newbie questions? Sorry. All input is > appreciated. > > Matt Weimer > Hoosier Chapter > '88 325iS > '95 M3
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#5. Kirkey Seat? - from Stan Shaw
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 11:31:24 -0500 From: "Stan Shaw" <Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net> Subject: Kirkey Seat? Has anyone put a Kirkey Road Race seat in an E36 M3? If so, how difficult was it, and can the stock seats be re-installed. It occurs to me that the almost never used passenger Kirkey seat in my 928 might be a reasonable solution to use. It is an 18" width, which is a bit too wide, but I am not that narrow anyways :-( Regards, Stan Shaw Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net Phone: (413) 599-0399 Fax: (413) 599-0421 Excell.Net Owner/Operator http://www.Excell.Net/ 928 Owners Club President http://www.928OC.org/ 928Racing.net Team Member http://www.928Racing.net/ "Liberty once lost is lost forever." - John Adams
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#6. RE: [e36m3] [E36M3] Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata - from Ahmad Lutfeali
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 11:52:41 -0500 From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [e36m3] [E36M3] Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata Or just go stock. Your car already has the mods for it. Since my car had the swaybars, shocks etc. Just throw in a bolt in cage and get a transponder and you are good to go ;) Personally, I would never convert my street M3 into a gutted down race car. However, if I got a deal like Mo did on his car, then all bets are off ;) Ahmad -------------------- 1 -------------------- Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 23:46:30 -0800 From: "marco" <m3driver@iname.com> Subject: RE: [e36m3] [E36M3] Parting out / selling off bits of a 98 M3 and errata Ok. is there any way I can talk you out of this? Do you know at best if you ever decide to sell your soon to be race car after you've turned it from a perfectly good street car into a car only you can love, you'll get 20 cents for every dollar you put into it? If you know all that then go for it. Honestly I've enjoyed every minute I've spent turning my car into a racecar. But when I do the math on what I could have done with the $$ I shudder. Consider buying one of these. You'll save a ton of money and time, and if you want to tinker you still can customize it all you want. http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/static/forsale/forsale.htm Have fun and hope to see you at the track someday. Marco $100K DM worth maybe $20K
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#7. RE: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? - from Weston-Lewis, Graeme
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 09:37:23 -0700 From: "Weston-Lewis, Graeme" <GWESTON@lsil.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? This sounds familiar. I had exactly the same symptoms. Careful examination of the underside of the top neck on the radiator showed telltale coolant residue. Since the cooling system was original in an 85k mile car, I did the full R&R - radiator, water pump, t-stat housing and of course, flush with new coolant. Good Luck, Graeme -----Original Message----- From: twisty M3 [mailto:twistym3@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 11:42 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 08:44:20 -0800 From: "twisty M3" <twistym3@hotmail.com> Subject: Invisible Coolant?? Monday morning prayer: "Please lord, let this just be a really inexpensive fluke." I started the car up this morning with a "low coolant" message to start my day. Shut it down, got out and checked and... what's this? NO coolant??? Based on the head gasket issues on my old motor a few months back, I immediatly checked the oil cap... All looks normal. Checked the oil level and it was a bit low from a recent weekend at Laguna Seca, but it looked proper and smelled like petroleum products. No mirky coolant or smell in the mix. Somewhat of a relief, but there's no noticeable leaks either. The car's been sitting since Friday evening, when it was running fine, and there was nothing under the car at all. I don't assume coolant evaporates in a couple of days. When the car was running this morning, it sounded normal and there was no steam coming from the exhaust. Where's my coolant? Any suggestions? My first thought is to fill it up and see what happens if I drive it into work tomorrow (14 miles). Car is a '99 3.2L with 157K miles, but the motor has about 57K miles. Jonathan L. ************************************************* 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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#8. M3Performance parts for sale! - from Gary
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 11:59:23 -0600 From: "Gary" <probikeguy@probikeusa.com> Subject: M3Performance parts for sale! Well, since I am going to be turboing the M3, and putting in either a TEC3, or AEM. I am going to sell all the parts I can't use with the Turbo car. I thought I would post it here first. SELLING Euro header swain thermal coated, with resonated center section, Super Sprint Race muffler $1200.00 (for complete bolt on exhaust system) (not separating) 3.5 AFM, 3.5 Dinan CAI (not carbon one) 24lb injectors, chip to match from Turner, included two custom brackets I made for the CAI to keep it from moving around $700.00 (not separating) ***Roll bar, I will be selling my Kirk roll bar also in a few month I bought it this summer. I got the optional removable center section so you can remove ll the center bars and still use the back seat after a track week end. I paid right at 400 new, $350.00 +shipping, has to go truck freight its pretty large. So if anyone want it I can take your name and mark it sold. I will be putting a cage in the car this spring. H&R Race springs used about two years $150.00 H&R OE sports used less than 7k $150.00 I think that's it, right now the stuff is still on the car, except the OE sport springs they are in a box in my shop.. I will be taking the stuff off in a month or so.Since the stuff is matched together I am not going to separate it, selling complete exhaust, and complete intake/injector/cai/chip combo. I can take a credit card through my business. All of above has probably less than 15k on it I put it on last summer. With my 3.2 in the car it made 237hp 226trq on a dyno jet. It sounds pretty nice, not as loud as the UUC exhaust's. I can ship it UPS or it can be picked up at my shop. Thanks! Gary
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#9. Re: [E36M3] best pricing on factory parts - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:24:35 -0800 (PST) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] best pricing on factory parts On Mon, January 9, 2006 10:40 pm, Soracing@aol.com said: > I'm looking to replace the heater valve on my 95 M3 and probably the > heater > hoses and some miscellaneous other items at the same time. Whomever I buy > from will get quite a lot of business from me. I am looking to the group > for > your experiences and suggestions. For many things, I've had good luck ordering through Bimmerparts.com. They are a Worldpac distributor, so it's in many cases the same parts your local BMW shop gets and uses. At least, the recent stuff I've bought have had WorldPac labels on them; YMMV. In addition, there's a local repair shop that I order parts through. Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP
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#10. RE: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? - from Kent L. Shephard
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:33:26 -0800 (PST) From: "Kent L. Shephard" <kents@kls-consulting.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? Hi, Same thing happened on my car about two months ago. I started losing coolant but it wasn't really noticable from where until it got bad. I still don't know if the seal at the side of the radiator went or the neck had a crack. Anyway, new radiator solved the problem. I had already done pump, t-stat, t-sta housing and Samco hoses. Kent Weston-Lewis, Graeme wrote: > Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 09:37:23 -0700 > From: "Weston-Lewis, Graeme" <GWESTON@lsil.com> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] Invisible Coolant?? > > This sounds familiar. I had exactly the same symptoms. > Careful examination of the underside of the top neck on the radiator > showed telltale coolant residue. Since the cooling system was original > in an 85k mile car, I did the full R&R - radiator, water pump, t-stat > housing and of course, flush with new coolant. > Good Luck, > Graeme > -- Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. -- Daniel Webster
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#11. Re: [E36M3] Kirkey Seat? - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:35:51 -0800 (PST) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Kirkey Seat? On Tue, January 10, 2006 8:38 am, Stan Shaw said: > Has anyone put a Kirkey Road Race seat in an E36 M3? If so, how difficult > was it, and can the stock seats be re-installed. It occurs to me that the > almost never used passenger Kirkey seat in my 928 might be a reasonable > solution to use. It is an 18" width, which is a bit too wide, but I am > not > that narrow anyways :-( Refresh my memory, but you're building the car with an eye to doing some Club Racing? If so, please download the 2006 rules and have a look at pages 17-18 (Section 9.D. Aluminum Seats). Dunno if it directly applies to the Kirkey Raod Race seat, but you should be aware of it. Rules link: <http://bmwccaclubracing.com/static/2006Series/Rules/2006BMWCRrules060102.pdf> IMNSHO, these new rules have done a good job of clarifying some "gray" areas, and they've REALLY stepped up the Safety area. Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP