OP
The Bimmer Basement
- Thread starter Mpower5266
- Start date
dubber
Well-known member
Congrats on the slab, thanks going to be perfect!
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
M-technik-3
Well-known member
I saw this and thought you'd like it. It translates to "The Secret Seducer"
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I saw this and thought you'd like it. It translates to "The Secret Seducer"
That's awesome, I don't think I have seen that ad before.
Speaking of the e9, I have some small updates..
We have kinda been in a holding pattern lately. The dash has been delayed since Thanksgiving and I think we have gotten in way over our heads when it comes to body work. The dash is supposed to be in today or tomorrow so I hope we can work on getting the rest of the interior buttoned up this week and then get the car to a body shop the beginning of Feb. The hood latch and mounting hardware was put together incorrectly and had some worn out parts, so we pulled all of it out to sand blast and repaint.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI am hoping that I will have some more updates soon. Its kinda crunch time for getting it to the vintage.
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madison069
Well-known member
That's the biggest battle of restoring a car. Determining what's worn out and what's not. I ordered a new upper door hinge for the passenger side on the camaro cause it's just too worn out to be rebuilt with a bushing kit. Oddest thing is the driver side was rebuildable even though it was missing the bushings!!!! As for assembling, I'm going to be cursing my 15-18 years old self as I'm trying to figure out what goes where cause as a kid I didn't label everything properly, thinking I'll get it all back together. 22 years later and I'm finally getting ready to reassemble it "correctly". That's the key word compare to how I was previously assembling the camaro in my younger days.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Im trying to decided if I want to do it right, or get it done enough for the show in May.
We got the dash back and it looks amazing, I cant wait to get the interior but back together.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Finally got around to putting the stage 3 manifold in the car, this was as fun as it looks.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
And back together, well mostly. I stopped at this stage to start the car and let it run for a little while.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
And fully buttoned up. It made it to work today with not issues.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
I haven't noticed a power gain but thats because I cant get the damn tune to load.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
I will update this once I get the tune loaded.
I also got a new foam cannon recently. MTM was running a sale on the PF22 so I took the opportunity to replace my cheap Amazon knock off gun. The MTM gun is so much nicer than the old one. Way more foam, I don't know why I waited so long.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrAnd back together, well mostly. I stopped at this stage to start the car and let it run for a little while.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrAnd fully buttoned up. It made it to work today with not issues.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI haven't noticed a power gain but thats because I cant get the damn tune to load.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI will update this once I get the tune loaded.
I also got a new foam cannon recently. MTM was running a sale on the PF22 so I took the opportunity to replace my cheap Amazon knock off gun. The MTM gun is so much nicer than the old one. Way more foam, I don't know why I waited so long.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Had bit of a nerve wracking night in the garage last night. I spoke to a guy on a BMW forum about the tune and he advised me to go into the cable's settings to make some changes and to download another set of perimeters. I did this, set everything up, hit enter and bricked my ecu. Thankfully he was nice enough to remote access my computer and help me figure out the issue. After about 2 hours, we got the tune for the intake correctly loaded on my car.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
After that, I took the car for short test drive and this defiantly makes some noticeable power. I need to drive it more but right off the bat, I noticed it pulling harder between 1800-2800 rpm. I'm not going to beat any hellcats but it certainly made the car quicker.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrAfter that, I took the car for short test drive and this defiantly makes some noticeable power. I need to drive it more but right off the bat, I noticed it pulling harder between 1800-2800 rpm. I'm not going to beat any hellcats but it certainly made the car quicker.
M-technik-3
Well-known member
It's a daily, enjoy it before you start chasing the never ending mod after mod. You have the 02 and M3 for fun cars.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Part of the thought process in buying this car was that I wanted something paid off and that I could mod. This was probably the most invasive mod I have planned but I still want an afe airbox and active autoworke cat back.
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Get a euro airbox instead (available on ebay germany, $100-150) and search out the BMW 'performance exhaust'. I had both of these on my E91 and they were money well spent - the exhaust fits perfect, doesnt rattle or drone, and sounds amazing. They're long sold out new but out there and available used.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Euro Box - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460099 (there's one on ebay.de now for under $200)
A bit far, but here's a PE available - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1668704
E90 post is a pretty good resource if you havent been on there. Good luck, the wagon looks nice! I do miss mine sometimes.
A bit far, but here's a PE available - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1668704
E90 post is a pretty good resource if you havent been on there. Good luck, the wagon looks nice! I do miss mine sometimes.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Euro Box - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460099 (there's one on ebay.de now for under $200)
A bit far, but here's a PE available - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1668704
E90 post is a pretty good resource if you havent been on there. Good luck, the wagon looks nice! I do miss mine sometimes.
I was actually looking at that airbox thread earlier. There is one on ebay here in the states for like $275 shipped but I may hold off on it. I have been spending a lot of cash lately and I need to put some more in the wash bay project. That being said Ill probably get bored at work this week and order it.
That is a gorgeous e91, I really widh mine was an LCI sometimes.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I would highly recommend it. I actually just found a dyno sheet in the link below of a Active tuned version thats roughly 20 wheel hp. I think the free tune I did might be a little less but still not bad gains for $300-400.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13660090
For super big brain geniuses like us, is the install tricky or straight forward? Anything trip you up during the install you wish you knew ahead of time?
thanks!
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Its fairly straight forward, but there were some hassles during the physical install. I used a "starter replacement" youtube video for help since there isn't really a good one. I might help a friend do an install on his car, I have considered doing a diy video. It uses basic tools but I would highly recommend this set(pick the brand of your choice, HF was fine for me) of E-Torx for the stress bar removal.
https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...rofessional-e-torx-socket-set-6-pc-56343.html
One of the other issues I came across was the wiring harness/box that was attached to the bracket shown in the photo below the throttle body hole. I could not get the harness to detach from the mount in the car, so I removed the TORX screws, removed the whole bracket, and then bolted the bracket to the new intake while it was in the engine bay. Not really tough but hard to see and kinda fiddly. I would get a good set of 1/4" drive torx bits too if you don't have them.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrThe only other issue was the %#%@%ing vent tube. The tube has two connections under the manifold that you cant get to so you have to detach it at the rear of the engine between the valve cover and firewall. Allegedly, you can squeeze the connector between to fingers and pull it off, but there is no way to get your hand in there. The vent tube is also brittle and tends to break during the swap. Since I have another car to drive I risked it and took my time to carefully remove it and reuse it. If I had to do it all over again, I would have broken the clips and bought a new one to use, as it took me about 30 minutes to disconnect the one clip. The tube part number is 11157559528 I believe.
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Mpower5266
Well-known member
I didn't do too much this weekend, I mostly watched the 24 hour of Daytona and sat around being lazy. I did give the wagon's engine bay a good detail while washing the car. I noticed while I was doing the stage 3 manifold the engine bay had gotten pretty dirty since I detailed it last.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
I also parked on the new slab for the first time. I roughly positioned my car and my wife's Tahoe how they would be parked under the 20x20 carport, I think the tahoe needs to move about a foot or so towards my car. There should be plenty of room.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI also parked on the new slab for the first time. I roughly positioned my car and my wife's Tahoe how they would be parked under the 20x20 carport, I think the tahoe needs to move about a foot or so towards my car. There should be plenty of room.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickrdubber
Well-known member
Very tidy engine bay. I dig it!
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Thanks. Its so simple to just spray a little Simple Green xtreme on it and rinse it before I wash the car, I don't know why I let it get so bad. I need to do the M3 this week as I am taking it to a show this coming Sunday. I may clean it with my steamer and coat the plastic with whats left of my Gyeon trim before it hardens in the bottle.
Speaking of coatings, I didn't do a great job correcting the wagon. I think my Porter Cable is giving up the ghost, and I didn't feel like breaking out the Dewalt. I think Im going to buy the new Harbor Freight DA and correct the car and coat it rather than wax. Are you using any particular coatings? Im thinking about a Gtechniq V4 and Exo combo.
Boosted1
Well-known member
The extra parking space is a nice addition.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I can't wait to get it covered and get the wash bay fully set up. I have a show coming up Sunday and I am going to have to wash the M3 in the dark one night this week.
Speaking of the wash bay I picked up a new bottle for my foam cannon. MTM recently came out with a bottle thats wider and flatter at the base so they dont fall over. Sadly they are sold out everywhere but a friend told me about these Detail Division bottles. So far I am pretty happy with it and now my foam cannon wont fall out of cabinet when I open it.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I didn't do too much in the shop this weekend. Since it was 02/02, I swapped the M3 for the 02(I need to get the wash bay done so I have covered parking for the wagon.) Our hanger has had some bird intrusion so there was quite a bit of poo on the 02, so I got it home and gave it a quick ONR (rinse less wash) bath.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
I usually use like 10 or so microfiber towels when I do this but I decided to try these wash mitts I have. I used 3 of them and pretty much did a panel with one side rinsing and scrubbing on the grit guard often. I kinda like this process.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
It doesn't look much different on camera but it was way better and ready for an afternoon cruise.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
I also gave the wagon a wash and tested out the new bottle for my foam canon. It worked as expected, no complaints. While I was washing the Fedex guy showed up... on a Sunday and dropped off my supplies for an up coming oil change on the wagon. My buddy at Liqui Moly wanted some pics for their insta so I snapped a couple, this was the one they went with.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
After that I went to a buddies house for a Super Bowl party. The pizza delivery time was insane so my wife volunteered to go pick it up. I don't think I have ever seen the wagon rolling, it looks pretty good but I need exhaust.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI usually use like 10 or so microfiber towels when I do this but I decided to try these wash mitts I have. I used 3 of them and pretty much did a panel with one side rinsing and scrubbing on the grit guard often. I kinda like this process.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrIt doesn't look much different on camera but it was way better and ready for an afternoon cruise.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrI also gave the wagon a wash and tested out the new bottle for my foam canon. It worked as expected, no complaints. While I was washing the Fedex guy showed up... on a Sunday and dropped off my supplies for an up coming oil change on the wagon. My buddy at Liqui Moly wanted some pics for their insta so I snapped a couple, this was the one they went with.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on FlickrAfter that I went to a buddies house for a Super Bowl party. The pizza delivery time was insane so my wife volunteered to go pick it up. I don't think I have ever seen the wagon rolling, it looks pretty good but I need exhaust.
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickrdubber
Well-known member
/\ hahaha. I'm the same way watching my wife drive my wagon.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Its so quiet. There is a little growl when the valves open on the intake but its not enough. I just cant decide of its worth putting an exhaust on. I have been tossing around the idea of putting it on bring a trailer and buying an e90 m3 to daily...
Oh, you too?? [emoji48]
I’m all over the place with my next daily, but an E90 M3 is currently in the lead. DCT, though, so the wife can drive, if and when need be. But not the end of the world for a daily.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I love my wagon, but they are bringing decent money on BAT so I am kinda tempted. The other option is to keep the wagon but sell the Chief, xj wag, my 2002 project, and maybe my 944 and get an e92 m3 manual. If I got an e90 m3 daily it would have to be DCT, so the wife can drive it. That scares me a little because she said the wagon was fast after the intake swap.
gearhead1960
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I love my wagon, but they are bringing decent money on BAT so I am kinda tempted. The other option is to keep the wagon but sell the Chief, xj wag, my 2002 project, and maybe my 944 and get an e92 m3 manual. If I got an e90 m3 daily it would have to be DCT, so the wife can drive it. That scares me a little because she said the wagon was fast after the intake swap.
Get yourself the M3 with a stick and buy her a 2020 Mini JCW Clubman. She'll never want to drive your M3 ever.....
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
Get yourself the M3 with a stick and buy her a 2020 Mini JCW Clubman. She'll never want to drive your M3 ever.....
She loves her Tahoe, I could never get her to drive a small car daily. She hauls too many antiques anyway.
Go for it
But I love my wagon so much...
TX4runner
Well-known member
I vote for E9x M3, but I'm biased 
Love my DCT for daily use. Have the Cobra if I need a manual itch to scratch. Which I did yesterday before the game.
Love my DCT for daily use. Have the Cobra if I need a manual itch to scratch. Which I did yesterday before the game.It definitely is a lovable car.
Then Plan B "The other option is to keep the wagon but sell the Chief, xj wag, my 2002 project, and maybe my 944 and get an e92 m3 manual" sounds just about right
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
It definitely is a lovable car.
Then Plan B "The other option is to keep the wagon but sell the Chief, xj wag, my 2002 project, and maybe my 944 and get an e92 m3 manual" sounds just about right
Or a manual and s65 swap into the wagon.
gearhead1960
ALLIANCE MEMBER
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Engine swap...N5X or maybe a supercharger. You have the E36 M3 which is very compentent for road use it's fun and cheap to insure and you can fix it with ease.
I say keep the wagon add a bolt on FI and enjoy it that way. How often do you do auto-x or track time? I love my E30 M3 it feels fast but IT'S not compared to modern standards but it sure is fun. I feel that the weight to fun ratio is perfect, you can easily get into trouble with the law out in the country backroads.
I say keep the wagon add a bolt on FI and enjoy it that way. How often do you do auto-x or track time? I love my E30 M3 it feels fast but IT'S not compared to modern standards but it sure is fun. I feel that the weight to fun ratio is perfect, you can easily get into trouble with the law out in the country backroads.
OP
Mpower5266
Well-known member
I never auto x or track, but I do go up to the North Georgia mountains often(deals gap, suches, wolfpen, etc etc.) I thought about getting back into auto x but I don't think I can comfortably get in the m3 with a helmet on.