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#1. Header Installation - from Matt Bader
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Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 07:28:05 -0500 From: "Matt Bader" <mbader@exammaster.com> Subject: Header Installation I just got my BMW Motorsport Euro headers installed yesterday so I thought I'd fill the group in on this for those who may be contemplating doing the same thing on their OBD II car. They were sourced from Jon Siccardi at Treehouse, one of Suzy's list sponsors. According to Jon these the best headers (for street use at least) you can get for the E36 M3. (Thanks, Jon, for your help and patience.) The headers are not an exact fit with a stock E36 exhaust. The flanges are of the dual-pipe variety whereas the flanges connecting to the CAT mid-section are more triangular in configuration. Secondly, an o2 sensor bung has to be installed on one of the two exhaust sections (forget which one), which is best done after you pull the factory exhaust manifold, and place the header piece up to the head to check for clearances, etc. The other header piece had the bung already installed. The shop I used, European Performance, is very competent but a little pricey. They basically pulled the entire exhaust out of my car (including dropping my new Corsa exhaust), installed the headers including all new studs, then cut the flanges off of the CAT section, sized everything up, welded new BMW spec dual opening flanges to the CAT section, and then put everything back on the car. The only fitment issue is that one of the exhaust sections slightly touches the transmission housing. So, when I get my clutch replaced we are going to remove a little material off of the housing to get some separation. I used an Active Autowerke air injection simulator which appears to work like a charm. It cost me $150, which was discounted because I purchased their stage II s/c kit. This is basically just an electronic module that connects to the 02 sensor and fools the ECU into thinking everyone is cool with the air injection. On start up, I notice I don't hear the whining any more of the air injection pump. One issue with the AA module was that the supplied wires were too short. Had I to do it over again, I would have told the shop to leave the pump in place, at least for appearances, as there is now a pretty big open area in front of the ECU. This tiny AA module is sitting there in its place. Car appears to run well, and when you let off the gas you get that quick drop in RPM (e.g. lower back pressure) that I have experienced with other cars with headers. Haven't had a chance to drive it much and cannot yet say what power gains I may be getting. Last time I had the car dyno'd it was 330 RWHP on a very hot summer day, and with a very small fan (for cooling) used at the dyno shop. I think my actual numbers were probably higher in a street situation with more air flowing over the intercooler and radiator. Since that dyno test I have upgraded to the m50 manifold, installed the headers, and the Corsa cat-back exhaust. My guess is that I am making 360-370 at the wheels but will need to confirm that. With my set up, you don't have neck snapping acceleration, just a smooth progression of power all the way to redline. At highway speeds, the car is a beast, and pulls strongly in 5th gear at anything over 60 mph. I never have to downshift to pass, that's for sure. The Corsa exhaust sounds great. Regards to all, Matt Bader 98 M3/4 Delaware
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#2. dash, tail and parking lights - from Matthew Teel
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Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 13:03:58 -0900 From: "Matthew Teel" <mteel@beluga.com> Subject: dash, tail and parking lights My dash lights went out the other night, along with the right rear tail light and right front parking light. Fuses and bulbs look good. I am also getting a "Tail Light Failure" error message (or something along those lines). I changed bulbs anyway, cleaned connections etc. Are these related somehow? Any ideas? Regards, Matthew (AK) '98 M3/4
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#3. FS: New 18" tires Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 **price adjustment** - from Duncan Burke
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Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:17:16 -0800 (PST) From: Duncan Burke <pureone55@yahoo.com> Subject: FS: New 18" tires Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 **price adjustment** Hi all, I desperately need the space in the garage. Gotta build a shelf for all my waxes and polishes... I have brand new never mounted Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. Sticker tires looking to keep your rims off the ground. 225/40 18 $185 per tire plus shipping 255/40 18 $235 per tire plus shipping Located at 06330 Thanks, Duncan ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
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#4. Flwheel? E34 or E28? - from ProBikeGuy
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Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 13:39:36 -0600 From: "ProBikeGuy" <probikeguy@probikeusa.com> Subject: Flwheel? E34 or E28? i remember someone using a flywheel from either an E28 535 or an E34. Anyone confim this works with an M5 clutch. I think the standard 535's had the 240mm clutch to. I need a flywheel for my M3 to pull the UUC one out before I sell it... Thanks Gary
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#5. Passing Emissions - from Matt Bader
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Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 19:41:54 -0500 From: "Matt Bader" <mbader@exammaster.com> Subject: Passing Emissions I had to take my car into the DMV today for the bi-annual emissions and safety inspection. A number of issues concerned me, since the last time I took my car in it was totally stock, and a number of enhancements have been made since then. This is my first BMW, and it has been a lot of work and some considerable $$$ to figure out how to improve on an already great machine. This list has been the biggest help to me. I was concerned firstly because of the s/c set-up. Active claimed it would pass an OBDII test but when you shell out thousands of bucks for one of their kits, you still get nervous. Secondly, I had replaced the stock exhaust and removed the air injection system, and again, I looked to Active Autowerke for a digital solution. It's supposed to work, but who knows. One can assume that if your CEL is not illuminated all should be cool, but I wondered what might be lurking in the car's memory that might raise a red flag. The M50 manifold conversion was another minor concern. The first thing they do in Delaware when you go into the inspection lane is plug into the OBDII connector, and the tech took a long time looking at his monitor. I am there standing next to the car, exhaust rumbling, pulley noise from the s/c somewhat audible (to me anyway), and just wondering if this car is going end up being a dedicated track car a little sooner than I had planned. Fortunately, they don't bother opening the hood (unlike the pre 1996 cars where they do open the hood and poke around), and after a few minutes I was told I passed. What a relief. Matt Bader 98 M3/4 Delaware
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Passing Emissions - from Kent L. Shephard
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Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:14:06 -0800 From: "Kent L. Shephard" <e36m3@kshephard.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Passing Emissions Here in Ca. they do a visual inspection on all cars. That is a more "run what you brung" approach. Kent On Jan 7, 2008, at 4:40 PM, Matt Bader wrote: > Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 19:41:54 -0500 > From: "Matt Bader" <mbader@exammaster.com> > Subject: Passing Emissions Snip. > > The first thing they do in Delaware when you go into the inspection > lane is > plug into the OBDII connector, and the tech took a long time > looking at his > monitor. I am there standing next to the car, exhaust rumbling, > pulley > noise from the s/c somewhat audible (to me anyway), and just > wondering if > this car is going end up being a dedicated track car a little > sooner than I > had planned. Fortunately, they don't bother opening the hood > (unlike the > pre 1996 cars where they do open the hood and poke around), and > after a few > minutes I was told I passed. > > What a relief. > > Matt Bader > 98 M3/4 > Delaware >
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#7. RE: [E36M3] Passing Emissions - from Matthew Teel
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Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 16:40:09 -0900 From: "Matthew Teel" <mteel@beluga.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Passing Emissions Our municipality (Anchorage) just voted to do away with emission testing. Not sure I agree with them considering all the big, gas guzzling, unburned hydrocarbon spewing trucks running around. Never the less... as soon as it goes into effect, I think I'll install some track pipes! ;-) Matthew (AK) -----Original Message----- From: Kent L. Shephard [mailto:e36m3@kshephard.com] Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 4:20 PM To: E36M3 Subject: Re: [E36M3] Passing Emissions Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:14:06 -0800 From: "Kent L. Shephard" <e36m3@kshephard.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Passing Emissions Here in Ca. they do a visual inspection on all cars. That is a more "run what you brung" approach. Kent
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#8. [E36M3] Airbag light - from Dave DeBuhr
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Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 10:27:06 -0800 From: "Dave DeBuhr" <debuhr@comcast.net> Subject: [E36M3] Airbag light The SRS light is on on my 98 M3. I hev an SRS tool and get a code 18 from table 02. I the book this reads as the passenger occupancy sensor. I clear the SRS light but it comes right back on, even without someone sitting in the seat. I used to be able to clear it and it wouldn't come on unless someone sat down in the seat. Does this sound like more of a bad connection somewhere or a bad sensor in the seat. Just thought I'd get some opinions before I dig in...I need to get the car smogged and don't think they will pass me with an SRS code fault...I live in CA... Also, fwiw, I have a momo wheel and did the resistor mod a long time ago, but don't have any codes indicating that that is a problem. Thanks for any input, Bassett. ;-) Dave DeBuhr 98 M3/4 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1213 - Release Date: 1/7/2008 9:14 AM
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Airbag light - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 12:07:14 -0800 (PST) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Airbag light On Tue, January 8, 2008 10:30 am, Dave DeBuhr wrote: > Does this sound like more of > a > bad connection somewhere or a bad sensor in the seat. Yes :-) Since you mentioned you've had on-going issues with the seat sensor, I vote that it's finally worn out completely. > I need to get the car smogged > and don't think they will pass me with an SRS code fault...I live in CA.... I'm not sure what airbags have to do with emissions, so I don't see that as a problem :-) > Thanks for any input, Bassett. ;-) LOL! You're welcome. Jim Bassett
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#10. WTB - E36 sedan body parts - from RFKoby@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 23:17:38 EST From: RFKoby@aol.com Subject: WTB - E36 sedan body parts Repairing front end hit / fender bender on a 318ti. All the front end body parts are the same as an 92-96 E36 sedan. I need the following: - front grill panel - RH headlight - RH turn signal - RH fender - RH upper frame support section under fender point (cut off section) - Hood - Core Support If anyone in the Midwest has these parts, or knows of source or salvage yard, let me know. Thanks, Bob (repairing my 3rd totaled E36 in 5 years) **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489