The Bimmer Basement

[runit]

^yea...the wheels in post 3,099

 

[Mpower5266]

^yea...the wheels in post 3,099

I like the look but they are narrow and 15's. I am going to keep them and restore them though.

 

[fouckhest]

I have had really good luck with the Nuvite stuff. I used to polish my dads plane with it.

Interesting, I'll have to check them out!

 

[burger]

I see you used the General for your tires. Having put them on a few cars, I have thoughts. The Altimax RT45 is my go to budget all season for a daily beater non-performance car. Put them on a minivan, then a CRV, and my kid's Sentra. Tickled with the performance and life for the price. Recommended them to coworkers, family, friends, they've all been happy. For a car that's just driven to get places, it's a good tire. I put the Altimax Arctic on a FWD winter beater and liked them so much I bought them for a different car as a winter tire. I tried their G-Max on a sporty Acura as a summer tire and was completely disappointed. If you want a cheap but grippy summer tire, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is the way to go. Curious what your thoughts are on the General and why you chose them for this car.

 

[Mpower5266]

I see you used the General for your tires. Having put them on a few cars, I have thoughts. The Altimax RT45 is my go to budget all season for a daily beater non-performance car. Put them on a minivan, then a CRV, and my kid's Sentra. Tickled with the performance and life for the price. Recommended them to coworkers, family, friends, they've all been happy. For a car that's just driven to get places, it's a good tire. I put the Altimax Arctic on a FWD winter beater and liked them so much I bought them for a different car as a winter tire. I tried their G-Max on a sporty Acura as a summer tire and was completely disappointed. If you want a cheap but grippy summer tire, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is the way to go. Curious what your thoughts are on the General and why you chose them for this car.

I have them on my daily 328 wagon, the e24, and now the 944. I have been fairly happy with them and my local shop can usually get them same day.

 

[Bob Heine]

Played around with AI a little, and I think I like the centers in black. What say yall?

Gemini_Generated_Image_cxjd3vcxjd3vcxjd by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Nick, I think the black centers look great. I'm a fan of polished aluminum rims and actually prefer them un-coated so I can freshen them up with buffing pads on a die grinder. Both Corvettes have polished wheels as does the Cadillac. The Cadillac wheels are coated but light buffing keeps them looking decent.

When I bought the '97 Corvette, it had aftermarket wheels on it. Someone spray painted the centers gold to match the below beltline body color. They also hand painted the center caps with a brush.

I stripped the dull clearcoat and gold paint and found the wheels were gold anodized and then machined. Then they pressed black allen rivets into the holes to give the 3-piece look.

Our daily is a 2004 PT Cruiser Turbo with 247 miles on it when we bought it used in December 2004 (it was 19 months old). It's about to turn 60,000 miles and somewhere along the line an unnamed driver christened the right front wheel with road rash on the edge and two spokes. Thinking I would just spray some fresh silver paint, I stripped the paint on and around the damage with a couple of Roloc disks on the die grinder. For shits and giggles I put a buffing Roloc pad on the die grinder and a little aluminum polish, resulting in a couple of nice shiny spots on the wheel. I'm thinking of doing the face of all four wheels, leaving the holes in silver paint that matches the body color.

The Cadillac and '72 Corvette wheels are untouched.

The '87 Corvette wears 255/50-16 tires and those are available in two flavors: Track and Street. A set of four Pirelli P Zero street tires would set me back a bit over $2,000 or I could spring for Michelin Pilot Sport for $2,400. The tires on my cars age out long before they wear out so I opted for four Toyo Proxes R888R Track & Autocross tires for $800. I understand they are terrible in the rain and are somewhat noisy but heck, I only take it for short drives with the top down. On the bright side, there's more rubber than tread.

I bought the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V sedan in 2016 when it had 11,700 miles on it. Assuming the Michelin Pilot Sport tires were original, by December 2022 I was getting nervous about driving on 12-year-old tires (build date was October 2010). A set of four Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (two 285/35ZR19 rear and two 255/40ZR19 front) would set me back $1,600. Better than the 39 year old Corvette but I opted for the General G-Max RS tires for $1,000. I can't tell the difference.

 

[Mpower5266]

Got it out for a short drive this weekend. The suspension settled a little bit, but I still plan on lowering it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am really happy with the new interior and Momo wheel.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Brakes are still soft, it runs a little warm, and there are some other small issues. My dad has a list and I hope to get it out on a longer drive when I get back from Florida in two weeks.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Car is coming along great. The combo of the wheels and the interior really fit it.

 

[River19]

Great job on the 944.

I just picked up a 924S in pretty solid condition and love the Guards Red cars. It was a good addition to my 997.1...........

I need to go back and read your posts on the suspension changes......

 

[Mpower5266]

I was on the road for a couple off weeks working an airshow, but while I was gone my dad has been plugging away on the 944. The brakes and clutch are working great. The ac system has been flushed and converted to r134, and we put in a new radio.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Yesterday, I insured and tagged it so I could take longer shake down drives. It drives great but its still heating up more that I would like under idle. It got to about 3/4 on the gauge when idling but the more I drove it, it seemed to be better. I did notice yesterday that one of the headlights were out so I ordered sealed beam conversions and basically all the other bulbs for the car, they will be in Friday. I plan on going back out Thursday and taking it on about a 10-15 mile drive, and hopefully I will be able to start driving it this weekend or next week.

I took a few beauty shots yesterday while I had it out. Its looking pretty good but its going to need a full detail.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

* Always allow popups..

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

After 7 months, I was able to drive the 944 home. First on the list was a wash and quick clean up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

As you may know, I love watches and I feel like the 944 looks good with a little race livery on it so I bought these decals. I have had them for probably 5 years waiting for this day, and of course I immediately messed up putting them down on magnet sheets.... I have new ones coming that are the more appropriate 80s tag heuer logo.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I was confident enough to drive it into work today and everything went well. The radio is acting a little funky, the rear seat rattles and I occasionally get a wiff of clutch.... but other than that it seems to be okay.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also stopped on the way in for a quick photo shoot.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The plan right now is to drive it a bit, and keep the gas tank under 1/2 to make sure its properly cleaned out. In a few weeks we will pull the fuel filter to make sure its not clogged up and fix some of the other issues that come up. Then a full detail. All and all I am extremely happy with it and the memories from high school are flooding back.

 

[Mpower5266]

Busy memorial day weekend... Friday I was off work, so I dropped the kids off for their last day of school and met a buddy for coffee in a trendy area near my house.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The 944 received a ton of attention in a neighborhood full of grey scale Teslas, Land Rovers, and luxury cross overs. It may have been the pop of color......

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also started to do a little organization in the garage, I put up some shelves and ran my AC unit's drain out of the house.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday there was an attempt to go to cars and coffee, but it was a rain out... I got decent cup of coffee out of it.... And headed over to my dad's shop.

My wife was out of town all weekend so I figured it was a good time to fix a nagging issue on her Tahoe. Long story short, there is a charcoal filter in the fuel tank system that fails, and fills the tank and vent lines with what looks like mouse poop. Most of it stays in the tank so the engine isn't in danger but it clogs the vent lines making refilling a nightmare. The pump will basically click off after pumping an 1/8th of a gallon. On a recent trip to Florida, every fuel stop took 20-30 minutes. The only way to fix it, is to drop the tank and blow out the lines.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I meant to get a photo of what came out of the lines but it basically turned my parents driveway black. It was insane. Here is a photo of the mouse poop in question.....

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I fully drained the tank and cleaned all that **** out, replaced the charcoal filter and one of the vents. While the tank was out, I figured it was a good time to drop a new fuel pump in it. Now it can take a $100 fill up in about 5 minutes.... I'm not sure that's better though.

While I was out at my parent's house, I took advantage of a dry workspace(it rained alllll weekend) and replaced my fog light bulbs and side marker in the wagon... My dude helped me out.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Yesterday was pretty low key. My wife was still out of town so I took the kids out to lunch(FUN!) and they wanted hotdogs for dinner so we went to the grocery store(PURE CHAOS!!!!)..... I would have rather been messing with that gas tank again to be honest.... But we got though it and I was able to start the detail prep on the 944. I gave it a strip wash and a claybar in between thunderstorms... my girlie helped me with that process.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I didn't get it finished before the next storm hit so I just cleaned up my supplies and left it out... After a few hours I pulled it in and dried it off...

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I did a couple quick test spots and I think the paint will come out okay, probably not great, but we'll see. Either way its going to look good enough. More soon.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Kids are growing like weeds! Wow!

 

[Mpower5266]

Kids are growing like weeds! Wow!

You're telling me..... They are growing way too fast.

I got a little time in the garage to work on the 944 after the kiddos went to bed. I started by taping up the trim.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Some idiot(17 year old me probably) didn't have the right grommets for the hood emblem, so they glued it on with RTV.... I went to adjust the tape and it pulled right off. I'm lucky that I didn't lose it driving around. The correct parts are on order, but I am considering replacing it with a decal like on the GT cars. I would just need to fill the divots so it would sit flush. That seems like the perfect job for a 3d printer but its much cheaper to just spend $15 on the grommets for it right?

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I got to work on the paint... before.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And after.... Its taking a lot of work but its looking better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I showed those pics to my son over breakfast and he said, "I can still see cuts...." I guess I have more work to do.

 

[Trapps]

Great progress!

What products are you using for paint corrections?

 

[Mpower5266]

Great progress!

What products are you using for paint corrections?

This was just a DA, microfiber pad and Meguiars 105 compound. I havent polished it yet but Ill use Sonex Perfect Finish and a yellow foam pad.

 

[Mpower5266]

Back at it last night.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I finished up the compounding stage and went after some rough spots. I could probably wet sand and make it look better but I am okay getting it 90% there and just driving the hell out of it. They dont hand out awards at cars and coffee. Haha.

Before
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Before
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I was plugging away and making good progress when I clipped the 944 badge on the back and sent it flying......

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

My immediate thought was to remove the glue and just run it with out the badge but that proved to be difficult and I backed off when I started to remove red with the glue...... I will reinstall the emblem....

Once the whole car had been compounded, I hit it and the e9(terrible week to have it in the garage) with my leaf blower(it was almost 11pm, I am sure my neighbors love me) and wiped the whole car down with panel wipe to remove any left over residue. I will start the polishing process either tonight or Friday.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its not perfect but its looking much better....... Maybe they should give out awards at cars and coffee. Hmmm

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[fouckhest]

Looks great!

 

[Trapps]

...I am okay getting it 90% there and just driving the hell out of it...

Agree 1000%! The time to get the last 10% would eat too much 'available driving time.'

Love the progress!

 

[Mpower5266]

I finished off the polishing over the weekend, I am fighting a little head cold so I am moving slow. Since I am done with buffers, I reattached the 944 badge.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I thought I was going to have to replace this sticker on the rear but I accidentally hit it with a little polish and it looked better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I put a coat of Powerlock on it, went to a watch meet up, and hit it with one coat of 845 when I got home. Its looking pretty good and I hope to dress the rubber/trim, get the last coat of 845 on and clean and seal the glass tonight if I am feeling better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Being a Porsche, it seems like everything is overbuilt.... the shift KNOB....has bushings that failed so I found Poly versions to replace the worn out rubber.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also grabbed a piece of glass from my FIL.... I need to finally get around to decorating the garage and I want a little sitting area for weekend morning coffee and I am going to use two of the wheels as a side table.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr