A Couple Hundred Hours Later... [Archive]

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:10 PM

Quick rundown of the car this thread will attempt to explain:

1995 Alpine White on Grey Cloth 318ti
5 Speed Manual Transmission
Options: Sunroof, Alarm, Cruise Control, Alloy Wheels
102K miles when purchased 2 months ago, put 1K on since then
I have been working on it nearly daily for 2 months...easily 300 hours of work so far, and I have barely scratched the surface.

Goal with this car? Toy car that's meant to keep my "tinkering side" of my brain happy. Autocross toy. 2,200 lbs and 150 hp. Prove a stock motor (virtually) M42 can be a pretty leathal weapon.

When purchased, it had a new clutch, new Bilstein Tourings, and a new cooling system. Appeared to be maintained well, even the paper filter looked brand new.

I do not have a "day I picked it up" picture, but the below is with only minor stripping and stock suspension. Car was degreased, engine detailed, clay bar paint, and wax with NXT 2.0 x2.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/s1.jpg
More Stock Suspension Pics
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z6.jpg
My "Work Area"....pathetic
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z3.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z4.jpg

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:15 PM

What's going on the car (Bilstein Sport and H&R Race...thanks Tire Rack and EAC Tuning).
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4487Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4478Medium.jpg
Comparison of retarded long stock front springs, and H&R Race Fronts
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4493Medium.jpg
Pics after car was put on ground, didn't even drive around yet to let it settle....front is low!
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z12.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z13.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z14.jpg

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:17 PM

Good ole pop can test, can't quite fit!
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z15.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/z16.jpg
Picked this Momo wood steering wheel up from a 84 911 for 50 bucks, and the #2008 Hub from LTB Motorsports for $72 shipped.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4500Medium.jpg

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:23 PM

And here is what took all the time....INTERIOR!
Does this freak you out? Thought so.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4565Medium.jpg
Interior finished, other than:
Try to get as much of the seam sealant off from the areas that are still dark in the pics below (where the sound deadening was), Recaro Pole Position drivers seat, and finish Dremeling off all the unneeded metal brackets and pieces throughout the interior.

P.S.-To get your ti interior to look like this, you need:
1) Balls/Idiocy
2) Time
3) Some skills, a lot of it was custom.
Note: BMW OE radio delete panel from 95 M3 LTW with custom window switch mounting (trusty dremel tool), all wiring not removed neatly covered.
Removed list: heater core, all vents piping, entire A/C system, gutted what's not needed in dash area, all stereo system and wiring, all black plastic pieces in trunk area, all rear seating, rear seat belts, all lighting inside and wiring, rear 3rd brake light and wiring, rear defrost and wiring, sunroof, motor, and all wiring, all sound deadening (it's grey where sound deadening was), both airbags, control module, all wiring under seats for airbag occupancy sensors and airbag wiring itself, also light from cluster area, so no light illuminated, spare and tools (gotta love covering the hole with duck tape!, center console area.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4716Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4715Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4714Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4717Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4718Medium.jpg

Maverix

11-12-2008, 10:31 PM

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4717Medium.jpg

You have the seat on the wrong side :rah:

Lol just kidding. Your ti is hella bombin! I like what you've done. Not a big fan of the wood steering wheel, but the car has a lot of potential!

Keep us interested! :wink:

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:32 PM

Open sunroof area, and also ghetto taped up (waiting for Carbon Fiber sunroof delete panel to arrive, in about a week).
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4709Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4711Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4730Medium.jpg

Heater Core lines plugged with 1/2" PVC Plug and a hose clamp
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4724Medium.jpg

Under hood area (no washer system, cruise control, ghetto mounting of a 25lb LTW battery, full detail, no hood liner, etc...only part left is the P/S delete and custom CAI).
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4723Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4725Medium.jpg

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:35 PM

Car also has fully degreased wheel wells, and every piece of black plastic (including fender liners) has been removed up front. Four bolts and the front bumper is off, no messing around with those little 8mm screws! :)

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:38 PM

Custom 1" and 7/8" caps sanded and painted white to plug rear wiper and antennae holes. Not the cleanest, but $5 in parts works for me.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4713Medium.jpg

Few remaining Misc shots
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4717Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4720Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4719Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4722Medium.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN4721Medium.jpg

bmdubya

11-12-2008, 10:42 PM

nice progress

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:44 PM

On the way:

-Pair of rear Ground Control 650lb, 2.25", 5" springs to further stiffen rear and allow me to lower the rear another 3/4" to offset how light the car is.
-Install 28mm Eibach front swaybar that's on the way, with new front/rear end links, brackets, nuts/bolts, and bushings.
-Install the CF sunroof delete panel
-Install the new lollipops with Turner Motorsport Delrin, Offset front control arm bushings.

To purchase:
-17x8.5 Kosei K1's and race tires
-Recaro seat, slider, and bracket
-XBrace
-Full brake refresh with new front calipers, rotors, race pads, SS lines, and ATE Super Blue fluid
-Full Powerflex rear bushing upgrade
-New Lemfoerder tie rods and control arms
-shifter rebuild and M3/328 selector rod for a SSK on a budget
-J/C chip and custom cat delete and straight through exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler

^ Then she'll be fun! :)

spidertri

11-12-2008, 10:50 PM

Haha, I have the same work area...I absolutely love that steering wheel. Looks awesome, very hard core. Are you going to foam fill the pillars/rocker?

RidingSimple

11-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Haha, I have the same work area...I absolutely love that steering wheel. Looks awesome, very hard core. Are you going to foam fill the pillars/rocker?

Ha thanks bud.
Can you please explain to me what "foam fill" does? Never heard of it.

spidertri

11-12-2008, 11:00 PM

Yeah, I just discovered it and think it looks pretty awesome. I figure with your interior stripped out, why not.

http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?t=162693
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471265&highlight=chassis

tiFreak

11-13-2008, 02:00 AM

wow, that looks like it's coming along very nicely, but, dude... you wear crocs? :no:

RidingSimple

11-13-2008, 02:04 AM

but, dude... you wear crocs? :no:

I know right? Can't get much more homosexual than that. :redface:
I blame it on using them for landscaping side gigs, where a hose off and you're good to go. :cool:

RidingSimple

11-13-2008, 02:05 AM

madfronter

11-13-2008, 02:31 AM

Looks like a fun project car. I'll be in Maui in a couple weeks for a vacation.

RidingSimple

11-13-2008, 04:02 AM

Looks like a fun project car. I'll be in Maui in a couple weeks for a vacation.

Yeah, it's a blast to tinker with, and even better to drive!

Have a great time in Maui, I still haven't traveled there yet....soon hopefully.

RidingSimple

11-13-2008, 07:02 PM

You have the seat on the wrong side :rah:

Lol just kidding. Your ti is hella bombin! I like what you've done. Not a big fan of the wood steering wheel, but the car has a lot of potential!

Keep us interested! :wink:

Hehe yeah, I tried sitting in the passenger seat and driving, so far so not good. :eek::biggrin:

I'll do my best to try and keep yall interested. :cool:

madfronter

11-13-2008, 08:40 PM

Yeah, it's a blast to tinker with, and even better to drive!

Have a great time in Maui, I still haven't traveled there yet....soon hopefully.

Thanks! I am so looking forward to this vacation.

Mallard

11-13-2008, 10:03 PM

impressive progress fella!

that must have taken balls to go soo deep into it :)

i bet at one point you stopped, and sh*t yourself a little bit ?

RidingSimple

11-13-2008, 10:16 PM

impressive progress fella!

that must have taken balls to go soo deep into it :)

i bet at one point you stopped, and sh*t yourself a little bit ?

Haha you bet!
That happened in the cutting wiring parts about 10x.

In other news, the 28mm Eibach bar arrived today! But it came too soon, because I have yet to get my order for new end links, brackets, and hardware....doh!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/1.jpg

elchicano

11-13-2008, 10:51 PM

Dude looks good. Tinting the windows would look great. But I bet thats one thing your not to worried about when comparing to what you have done so far.

tiFreak

11-14-2008, 01:34 AM

But it came too soon,

dontcha hate it when that happens? :tongue:

RidingSimple

11-14-2008, 03:37 AM

dontcha hate it when that happens? :tongue:

Not usually. :)

I couldn't leave well enough alone and installed it anyway with bum end links, and of course, the passenger side bracket bolt came unwelded, so it just spins freely, not allowing me to tighten the bottom 16mm bolt. Guess I'll be ordering the brackets and end links sooner than I thought. :)

gimp

11-14-2008, 07:46 PM

On the way:

-Pair of rear Ground Control 650lb, 2.25", 5" springs to further stiffen rear and allow me to lower the rear another 3/4" to offset how light the car is.

You piqued my interest. Are you using these in conjunction with the Ground Control sleeves/height adjusters, or just installing them in place of the stock springs (if you are doing this, I didn't know it was possible, why I'm asking). Part # on the springs?

RidingSimple

11-14-2008, 07:59 PM

You piqued my interest. Are you using these in conjunction with the Ground Control sleeves/height adjusters, or just installing them in place of the stock springs (if you are doing this, I didn't know it was possible, why I'm asking). Part # on the springs?

A guy on bf.com sold me a lightly used set of the sprigs with Ground Control adjusters for $120 shipped. Came off a E30 M3. No more messing around out back, doing it 650lbs on the springs. These will also allow me to get the rear ride height down, it's high from the 400lbs I've taken out of the car.

My end goal is a beautiful shiny TCKline front coilover setup to go with the rear setup. They sell the coilover front Koni struts for only $310 each (S/A) and the springs for $200 a pair. All I'll need then is the spanner adjustment wrench and the camber/caster plates. Probably going to run 550lb fronts on this. You can upgrade to the D/A Konis on this for only $120 each more for the struts. GC said they wouldn't sell me front coilovers separate, but I know TCKline will. Not to mention TC is about the best you can buy.

I'll post pics of the install of the rear springs and ride heights before and after once I get them in.

EDIT: And you can install any E30/E36 rear coilover 2.25" spring without the adjusters. It will slam the car though and ride pretty rough. But it is possible, a lot of E36 M3 guys do it to go ultra low in the rear. The adjusters even on the lowest setting are still not as low as simply without them. Adjuster is on the bottom and plastic perch on top.

gimp

11-14-2008, 08:12 PM

A guy on bf.com sold me a lightly used set of the sprigs with Ground Control adjusters for $120 shipped. Came off a E30 M3. No more messing around out back, doing it 650lbs on the springs. These will also allow me to get the rear ride height down, it's high from the 400lbs I've taken out of the car.

My end goal is a beautiful shiny TCKline front coilover setup to go with the rear setup. They sell the coilover front Koni struts for only $310 each (S/A) and the springs for $200 a pair. All I'll need then is the spanner adjustment wrench and the camber/caster plates. Probably going to run 550lb fronts on this. You can upgrade to the D/A Konis on this for only $120 each more for the struts. GC said they wouldn't sell me front coilovers separate, but I know TCKline will. Not to mention TC is about the best you can buy.

I'll post pics of the install of the rear springs and ride heights before and after once I get them in.

EDIT: And you can install any E30/E36 rear coilover 2.25" spring without the adjusters. It will slam the car though and ride pretty rough. But it is possible, a lot of E36 M3 guys do it to go ultra low in the rear. The adjusters even on the lowest setting are still not as low as simply without them. Adjuster is on the bottom and plastic perch on top.

Really good info. Thanks!

Ideally, I'd like the rear adjusters as well. I should just go in on the GC kit with you and buy the adjusters/springs from you.

RidingSimple

11-14-2008, 08:18 PM

Really good info. Thanks!

Ideally, I'd like the rear adjusters as well. I should just go in on the GC kit with you and buy the adjusters/springs from you.

Hehe yeah that would work.
I have many other things to spend money on for now though; wheels/tires, rear bushings, control arms, etc. It never ends. :biggrin:

gimp

11-14-2008, 08:30 PM

I've got lots of time.... LOL

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:01 AM

11-17-08 Update:
Today was:
-Install Ground Control 650lb rear adjustable springs used off a E30 M3
-Detail rear suspension area
-Custom ghetto muffler delete
-Bumper cut and gut/skin
-Overall I removed another 35-40lbs of crap today, car is over 400lbs of removal now, so it must be mid 2300s now...need to get it on a scale.

FIRST UP, BUMPER WORK

-Removed fog delete panels, front mesh, and went to work with a Dremel cutting tool on all unneeded extra plastic, as well as the removal of the bumper metal impact beam (nearly 10 lbs). The car already had all the front plastic removed from the underbody and fenders, so why have the mounting holes/parts?

A few pics in the middle of the cutting process.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumpercut1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumpercut2.jpg

And Finished. (had to install a few shims to get the plastic to be secure to the 13mm nuts).
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumperdone1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumperdone2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumperdone3.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/bumperdone4.jpg

Entire front bumper assembly now weighs less than 5lbs...compared to nearly 25 stock with fogs, underpanel, metal beam, etc.

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:06 AM

THE GREASE/GUNK/MESS OF DEATH!
-Let me preface these pics/info by saying mid way through, I take off my left hand glove for some more delicate work and proceed to misjudge pulling out from underneatht the car and cut the **** outta the top of my left hand. Later you will hear how I dropped an exhaust on my face! :rolleyes:

Dirty Time!
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtydiff.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtydriverfloor.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtypassengerfloor.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/passengerdirtyaxle.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/mufflerin1.jpg

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:08 AM

More Dirtiness and the Muffler Heat Shield
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtyheatshield.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtyheatshield1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/dirtyheatshield2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/heatshieldout.jpg

Clean Heatshield (not that I plan on reinstalling it anytime soon)
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/mufflerheatshieldclean.jpg

gimp

11-18-2008, 04:09 AM

Can you get pictures of the rear ride height with those springs?

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:11 AM

Midway Cleaning
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/halfway1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/halfway2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/halfway3.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/halfway4.jpg

Afters (not perfect, but 99% better and I was tired after hours of this)
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/clean1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/clean2.jpg

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:14 AM

More Afters
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/clean3.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/clean4.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/clean5.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/axlesclean1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/axlesclean2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/GCrearspring.jpg

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:18 AM

Muffler Cutout and Springs
Comparison of H&R Race rears and GCs....huge difference.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/GCvsHR.jpg

Muffler part cut off (25lbs alone!)..used trusty Dremel tool, love it!
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/cutoutmuffler.jpg

Remaining resonator that will be installed (can see it installed in the after pics above).
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/resonator.jpg

Well, the car sure is loud, a good loud until the 5K+ range where the car is DAMN loud lol. But losing 25lbs for free and possibly gaining a few hp's works for now. I'll add in a Magnaflow muffler at some point and cut out the resonator and car that's installed now.

gimp

11-18-2008, 04:23 AM

Are you using the threaded adjusters in the back? I don't see them (or at least the red threaded units I'm used to seeing).

Scratch that. I was looking at the pictures with the H&Rs. I should wait until you've finished posting everything.

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:26 AM

Final Full Car Shots
-The springs were already adjusted, so I just popped em in, well the already dropped rear went down another 1.5", so it's ridiculous now, I need to adjust them up another 1/2" soon.

The car feels much stiffer in the rear now. Up next finally get some summer tires and light 16's.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot3.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot4.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot5.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/lot6.jpg

tiFreak

11-18-2008, 04:30 AM

lmao, nice sunroof delete :tongue: haven't gotten the CF one yet? just a warning, I read on BF.C that some of the ones on ebay are cheap fiberglass with a super thin layer of CF over it, and they sometime don't fit right and leave huge gaps

also, just my opinion, your car would be so sick in primer black, sorta rat-roddish :biggrin:

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 04:31 AM

Can you get pictures of the rear ride height with those springs?

I measured, it's way too low....about 23.5" from ground to fender lip, coming from 25" with the H&R Race.

lmao, nice sunroof delete :tongue: haven't gotten the CF one yet? just a warning, I read on BF.C that some of the ones on ebay are cheap fiberglass with a super thin layer of CF over it, and they sometime don't fit right and leave huge gaps

also, just my opinion, your car would be so sick in primer black, sorta rat-roddish :biggrin:

I know right? My current sunroof delete is quite ghetto.
The Carbon panel should be here within the week.
And yeah, I know it's fiberglass and a few layers of carbon on top, but it's the only one available, so it's the one I bought.

Oh, and I think I will keep her white (especially with the hot Hawaii sun), but flat black would look mean. :)

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 05:04 AM

A few notes:

The rear suspension area will soon receive:
-AKG Poly 75D subframe, trailing arm, and diff mount bushings. E30 3.73LSD with matching axles, ss brake lines, new calipers, rotors, and Hawk HP+ pads, and a full sand/paint of the trailing arms and diff/subframe carrier. Oh, can't forget to remove the swaybar, sand and paint it red, new stock bushings, and new end links (as seen in the pics, mine are torn up), brackets, and mounting hardware. Is it apparent I am a nut? Good, I thought so too. ;)

dave45056

11-18-2008, 05:05 AM

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 05:07 AM

Riding that low you need to get a toe and camber kit for the rear to adjust out the huge neg camber and toe in you have now. Take a look at the Ireland Engineering kit or the DIY version I posted on here. Otherwise you will go thru rear tires like crazy. Also are you putting in a LSD? Please excuse me if you have already covered this... I kinda breezed thru some of this post.

I plan on raising the rear a bit, and not using the camber/toe kit. I will be using ZR rated 205/50 16 tires, so price to replace the rears once a year is not a factor. And yep, from post above, a 3.73LSD.

RidingSimple

11-18-2008, 05:19 AM

So yeah...I have to say after lowering most all of my BMWs and many other cars, I've never had one where I could remove the rear spring *without* unbolting the lower shock bolt and the rear swaybar bracket. But on the other hand, you cannot get the springs to seat easily...you have to reinstall the rear wheels and slowly lower the car from the diff and wait until the tires have long been on the ground, and shortly after this, the springs will start to seat in the upper plastic mount. At this point, you have to give them a nudge for them to pop in.....and even better than this, in some off camber turns, they pop. Awesome. :rolleyes: The car is so far from comfortable now, who cares though? :cool: 75D poly bushing should make er rough...lol.

gimp

11-18-2008, 05:26 AM

You may want to consider a set of tender springs to keep everything in place.

RidingSimple

11-19-2008, 05:18 AM

Swaybar Update

So I place a weekend order with Jared of EAC Tuning (great prices...even better service!) and it arrived already today! That's all the way to Hawaii from California in one travel day...amazing!

In the box:
Lemforder Front Swaybar End Links
BMW OE Front Bushing Upper Brackets
BMW OE Front End Link to Control Arm Brackets

Old Hardware (notice one bracket where the welded in bolt came completely off! That's great for handling haha) And the upper brackets had some decent rust going on.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/oldhardware.jpg
New Hardware
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/newhardware.jpg
Front Bar ready to install
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/newhardwareinstalled.jpg
Installed Bar

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/installed2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/installed3.jpg

RidingSimple

01-08-2009, 05:37 AM

New rollers.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3407/91100762ft4.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=91100762ft4.jpg)

Maverix

01-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Whoa.... cool.... :icon_eek:

tiFreak

01-08-2009, 04:41 PM

looks good, fix your sidemarkers :tongue:

mohaughn

01-08-2009, 05:08 PM

You might be able to get it down to 2200 pounds with a different hood, and taking out the complete AC system and removing almost all of the extra wiring. I would also get rid of the 25# battery and go with a deka/oddysey/braille lightweight battery. The pc680 or etx14 weighs in at 14 pounds and will start our cars. You just need to use a battery tender on it when it is sitting.

My car is at the same level as yours, except I have lightweight sparco seats and my car weighed 2500 flat with 3/4 tank of gas(approximately 95# of fuel). I also have a custom rear roll bar that probably weighs 75-95#...

I could get to 2200 but not with the AC system in place, and I would need to cut out a lot of the stock wiring as well.

The only problem with doing all of this is that it puts the car in a very expensive "modified" class in just about any race or auto-x organization. My car, with the proper safety equipment, would fall into the prepared class in BMW-CR as I have all original body panels, no CF.

A ti would get killed in SCCA auto-x modified class with only 150hp. There are other cars in modified that have similar weights with two to three times the amount of power. It might be competitive locally in Hawaii, but at a national level, it wouldn't work unfortunately.

RidingSimple

01-08-2009, 09:31 PM

Whoa.... cool.... :icon_eek:

Thanks.

looks good, fix your sidemarkers :tongue:

Wait are they really backwards?

You might be able to get it down to 2200 pounds with a different hood, and taking out the complete AC system and removing almost all of the extra wiring. I would also get rid of the 25# battery and go with a deka/oddysey/braille lightweight battery. The pc680 or etx14 weighs in at 14 pounds and will start our cars. You just need to use a battery tender on it when it is sitting.

My car is at the same level as yours, except I have lightweight sparco seats and my car weighed 2500 flat with 3/4 tank of gas(approximately 95# of fuel). I also have a custom rear roll bar that probably weighs 75-95#...

I could get to 2200 but not with the AC system in place, and I would need to cut out a lot of the stock wiring as well.

The only problem with doing all of this is that it puts the car in a very expensive "modified" class in just about any race or auto-x organization. My car, with the proper safety equipment, would fall into the prepared class in BMW-CR as I have all original body panels, no CF.

A ti would get killed in SCCA auto-x modified class with only 150hp. There are other cars in modified that have similar weights with two to three times the amount of power. It might be competitive locally in Hawaii, but at a national level, it wouldn't work unfortunately.

Thanks for the input, my car has long since had the A/C removed, in fact the entire hvac is gone, all unneeded wiring,e tc. it weighs sub 2300 already with stock seats up front. with carbon hood, p/s delete, and one race seat, ill be at 2200 or less. I do not care about winning national titles, a 2200 lb car with 150hp set up well will be a decent weapon in autocross, where hp is not everything.

John318ti

01-08-2009, 10:15 PM

RidingSimple

01-08-2009, 10:18 PM

Doubt that, has it been on a scale yet or is that your over-optimistic guesstimation?

Edit; spare tire/carrier, tools, A/C compressor, drier, belt, hoses, HVAC control unit, door panels, sunroof, carpet and rear seat don't add up to anywhere near 450lbs.

I scaled it last week at 2290, thanks for playing.
Not to mention weighing each and every part i pulled and having it hand written for a total of a hair under 500 lbs. It adds up. And why would I lie?

P.S.-your ASSumed "list" is assuming you know the extent of my reduction....that is about half what I have done.

RidingSimple

01-08-2009, 10:19 PM

Ridin' Simple lookin' good bro! Lovin the rims, the suspension looks great, and I don't think your side markers are backwards... :confused:
Maybe he just meant you should get some clear or smoked ones??? I don't know...

Thank you John.
I dont think they are backwards either, and they most certainly are staying amber hehe.

RidingSimple

01-08-2009, 10:26 PM

Eff it, total ownage of those that hate is worth enough for me to waste some time.

Here goes.

all stereo wiring
steering wheel
drivers airbag
passengers airbag
airbag control module
all airbag wiring and under seat wiring on both sides
all hvac wiring
brass colored metal support behind pass side glovebox area
gutted airbox
front bumper impact beam
all cruise wiring
all ews wiring
all door panels
a,b,c pillars
3rd brake lights
all rear window area wiring except license plate light and taillight features
a/c comp
a/c evap
blower motor
plastic surround
all vents
a/c lines
a/c condenser
rear wiper and motor
rear trunk lid power lock
rear antennae
all speakers
head unit
gutted dash
gutted front bumper
no front plastic bits
no cruise control
no sunroof or carrier
no headliner
heater core, lines
hvac panel
all lower dash paneling
all sound deadening
all carpet
lightweight battery
lighter wheels and smaller, lighter tires
rear muffler and resonator
rear heat shield for muffler
all rear seating
all extra metal tabs dremeled off throughout body
all seam sealer
all rear black plastic
hatch cover
rear seatbelts
rear seatbelt anchors
rear split fold seat mounts
washer resorvoir and mounts
rad cover

should i continue?
there is more....that is off the top of my head. i am over FIVE HUNDRED REDUCTION with a simple unbolting of the pass seat...and i still have stock front seat, stock hood, fenders, etc. 2100 lbs is easy.

Now tell me you were wrong, say you are sorry, and skip along jess.

spidertri

01-09-2009, 12:06 AM

and wheels, are those 16" replicas

They look like rial nogaros...? :confused:

cooljess76

01-09-2009, 01:00 AM

They look like rial nogaros...? :confused:
Those definitely aren't Rials.

Deleted my posts, this guys a joke:rolleyes:

pnosker

01-09-2009, 01:09 AM

What's your issue with his lightening? I thought AlaskaBlue got his down to around those numbers with similar lightening...

Plus, your 332ti is going to be a DD, his is just an auto-x car.

tiFreak

01-09-2009, 01:18 AM

Thank you John.
I dont think they are backwards either, and they most certainly are staying amber hehe.

I wasn't saying get clear ones, they are backwards, old pic of my ti:
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/3008000-3008999/3008612_9_full.jpg
I'm pretty sure it was supposed to mimic the slant of the side moldings

John318ti

01-09-2009, 02:15 AM

I'm pretty sure it was supposed to mimic the slant of the side moldings
Ok yeah you're right i looked at it again. They are backwards, but I don't think they look bad like that personally. But yeah you're right.

RidingSimple

01-09-2009, 04:36 AM

What's your issue with his lightening? I thought AlaskaBlue got his down to around those numbers with similar lightening...

Plus, your 332ti is going to be a DD, his is just an auto-x car.

His issue is personal with me, which is fine, I feel the same about him x1000.

Anyways, you are correct, getting down 400+ lbs is not rocket science. Shoot, tons of members on all BMW sites drop a quick 200 with things like exhaust, hoods, seats, rear stripping, batteries, etc. My car has no nothing. Literally, if i did not need it to drive on a public road, it is gone. The only 2 creature comforts left are power locks and windows because i do not see a valid option to switch them to manual.

Any member on Earth can say what they want about what it does or does not weigh, I know what it does, i spend the 4 months working on it near daily, and it is my car.

For those that enjoyed a 318ti photo on one of the most beautiful spots on earth with a D-SLR camera, good. I took the time to take a few photos because i too enjoy looking at a nice ti. Hope you do the same.

P.S.- the sidemarkers are wrong, thanks pauly. the drivers fender is a replacement and the body shop must've messed up looonnngg before i bought it. Thanks for the pm about swapping it jess...I will take my chances that my car looks terrible. :biggrin:

minicoop900

01-09-2009, 04:47 AM

not backwards but reversed haha
pass. side marker is on drivers side, drivers on pass. side

RidingSimple

01-09-2009, 06:58 AM

not backwards but reversed haha
pass. side marker is on drivers side, drivers on pass. side

You got it bud!
It fits the customness of the car....err I mean the hack job car it is! :tongue:

RidingSimple

01-28-2009, 01:06 AM

Got tired of the obnoxious exhaust with the cut out muffler, so I had a Borla XR1 race muffler with turn down tip installed today and had the cat and resonator cut out and replaced with 2.25" piping. The car is quieter (amazingly) and noticeable quicker. Im happy for $350.

Ill take a pic in a bit.

mohaughn

01-28-2009, 06:15 PM

What's your issue with his lightening? I thought AlaskaBlue got his down to around those numbers with similar lightening...

Plus, your 332ti is going to be a DD, his is just an auto-x car.

I don't think he ever got his car running again after he went crazy cutting out wiring. Had an issue with the EWS. But yeah, sub 2200 pounds is definitely possible if you take out all of the extra wiring and start replacing body panels with lighter panels. I should be at 2400 pounds with fuel now. Just did my lightweight battery swap and removed some internal brackets and some random stuff. I'd easily be close to 2300 pounds(with fuel) without the added safety equipment in my car, and I still have the complete AC/heater system, and I've not cut out any wiring unless I could disconnect it properly from the harness.

RidingSimple

01-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Your car sounds like it's coming together nicely Mo, got a thread about it and pics?

Here's the exhaust and a few shots....OH AND I FIXED MY SIDEMARKERZZZ EVERYONE CAN REST DEEPLY NOW! PHEW!:cool:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0193.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0190.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0192.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0194.jpg

Jean H.318TI

01-31-2009, 01:17 AM

amancuso

02-04-2009, 04:19 AM

Nice, let's see how you do at auto x!

Ji Money

02-06-2009, 02:35 AM

It must be hella nice working on your car in the Hawaiian sun. This thread is very helpful with all the pictures for stuff I should upgrade on my ti.

Ray Cism

02-06-2009, 06:07 PM

I like what you've done with it. I wish I had the balls to start ripping stuff out .

mohaughn

02-06-2009, 06:45 PM

Your car sounds like it's coming together nicely Mo, got a thread about it and pics?

I've got information spread across the board in a few different threads. There is a pretty detailed one on my suspension setup, and some info on my safety equipment in a roll bar thread somewhere. I've been saying I would do a complete from start to where it is now thread, but I haven't done it. I haven't even taken the pictures off of my camera from when my roll bar got redone..

RidingSimple

02-06-2009, 07:57 PM

nice job dude looks hella sick, i used to have my car just like that, without any wire cutting but i just put everything back and u can feel the difference, is slower now :( and 150+lbs of sound system lol

hey also can u give me more info of the rear suspension setup part # and where i can find them or whatever

Thanks bud, glad to hear you had done some weight reduction yourself in the past. As far as rear suspension, it's just Billy Sports and Ground Control 650lb Eibach Race springs. 5" length or something, I forget actually. I need to raise it up 1/4 to 1/2" unless I like eating rear tires in no time ha.

Nice, let's see how you do at auto x!

I know right? I just bought brand new Lemforder full tie rods and need to install them and a front end alignment, then Im off to the autocross!

It must be hella nice working on your car in the Hawaiian sun. This thread is very helpful with all the pictures for stuff I should upgrade on my ti.

Yeah, I spend some serious time outside working on this thing....some days I look at the car and get a chuckle with what we've been through already. I literally worked on her for 6+ hours a day for months....was insane!

I like what you've done with it. I wish I had the balls to start ripping stuff out .

Yeah tell me about it....when you get to ripping out wiring you think you dont need and then something doesnt work, it gets a bit scary lol. But I was really careful and all needed equipment still works...err except the horn...damn MOMO wiring!

I've got information spread across the board in a few different threads. There is a pretty detailed one on my suspension setup, and some info on my safety equipment in a roll bar thread somewhere. I've been saying I would do a complete from start to where it is now thread, but I haven't done it. I haven't even taken the pictures off of my camera from when my roll bar got redone..

Yeah I have peeked around and read some of your posts and threads....lotso good info in there!

RidingSimple

02-28-2009, 01:32 AM

6 hour project

Pulled dash, seats, steering wheel, door panels, etc in about 20 min, then sanded the entire interior (parts to be painted) with super fine (fun to breathe that dust in). Then proceeded with Rustoleum anti rust primer and gloss white enamel (used 2 cans primer, almost 3 cans paint).

She looks sparkling, I can't believe the visual difference. Recaro SE grey reclinable seat to go in next. If I don't sell it. :rolleyes:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0409.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0408.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0410.jpg
Custom no dash, ducktaped cluster mod. :tongue:
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0412.jpg

RidingSimple

02-28-2009, 01:35 AM

You can see the nasty, rusty support that goes under the cluster and mounts onto where the HVAC controls were. Well the one pictured, as well as the one not seen (right side) will be sanded and painted white as well.

tiFreak

02-28-2009, 01:40 AM

Custom no dash, ducktaped cluster mod. :tongue:

lol, maybe you should buy aftermarket guages and put them in those pods, don't want to risk the duct tape coming lose during a run ;)

although not that I think of it I'm not sure where you'd mount the pods :lol:

RidingSimple

02-28-2009, 01:41 AM

lol, maybe you should buy aftermarket guages and put them in those pods, don't want to risk the duct tape coming lose during a run ;)

although not that I think of it I'm not sure where you'd mount the pods :lol:

Ha no worries bud, the stock (err gutted stock) dash is back in now. It was out to facilitate easier painting. And I can remove it in 2 min flat, so why not. :)

Although, having a custom VDO tach, oil temp, water temp, and speedo would be niiiccceee.

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 01:48 AM

Car is Sold. :frown:

spidertri

03-04-2009, 02:16 AM

Whaaaaat?! Were you trying to sell it or was it a spur of the moment thing?

wolferj-RIP

03-04-2009, 02:18 AM

Car is Sold. :frown:

That's too bad... You seemed to be having so much fun tearing it down and getting it ready...

tiFreak

03-04-2009, 02:46 AM

what happened? did you have to sell it for financial reasons or something?

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 05:22 AM

Nope, I listed it on CL on a whim, and got my full asking price. Onto something *non* E36 now. Can't do a 7th one lol. Actually looking at this -----> http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/1058942769.html

and this ----> if I want to dig a bit deeper into my bank account haha. http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/1046379966.html

budget76

03-04-2009, 05:49 AM

Sexy Dubs, I'd trade my TI for a R32 in a heartbeat. That's a nice Corrado too. Make sure to post what yo uend up with

Jean H.318TI

03-04-2009, 05:51 AM

yeah i love the r32 even tho i just trade in the TI and bought an srt-4 with the mopar stage 2 turbo kit, really fun car to drive

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 05:57 AM

Sexy Dubs, I'd trade my TI for a R32 in a heartbeat. That's a nice Corrado too. Make sure to post what yo uend up with

For sure, I'll keep you guys posted.

yeah i love the r32 even tho i just trade in the TI and bought an srt-4 with the mopar stage 2 turbo kit, really fun car to drive

Nice! I almost bought a blue 04 new back in the day. Fun cars stock, let alone stage 2! Your thoughts on the car? Pic? :)

Jean H.318TI

03-04-2009, 06:06 AM

the car is sick as ****, u can take any evos or sti with no problem, freeway runs, even if some of them have few mods (intake, exhaust, etc)

week old pics, now have few more mods :biggrin:

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 06:34 AM

^ Awesome! Looks like you are enjoying it so far!
VRROOOOMM PSSSHHHH! :)

gimp

03-04-2009, 04:09 PM

I hated my SRT4, but I do miss the HP.

gimp

03-04-2009, 04:10 PM

I hated my SRT4, but I do miss the HP.

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 08:09 PM

^ I respect your opinions Paul, could you please let me know what *living* with an SRT4 was like? Year and how long you owned it?

Thanks bud.

gimp

03-04-2009, 08:26 PM

Sure thing. All in all, it wasn't that bad. The power is addictive, and the ease of mods is really nice. I only had the car for under a year, but it belong to my neighbor since new, so I was aware of any and all issues it had, which were pretty much none.

I didn't like it because the car handled terribly. Skinny tires (even on the 225 Azenis) combined with lots-o-power and a terrible turning radius meant cornering stunk, even with the limited slip.

Ultimately that, and the safety issues with the car (it crashes very poorly) were the reasons I got rid of the car. That, and I was able to sell it for more than I bought it for, so I could use some of that money on my new house.

Don't let me scare you into thinking you bought a lemon - all in all the car isn't that bad, but I wanted a daily autocrosser that could be competitive, and the SRT-4 wasn't it (not like the ti is either!). The car goes to CSP or STU and is out classed in both spots. Do some of the more fun mods and you're in SM, and good luck with that.

Invest in a check valve, lots of zip ties, and some good, strong t-bolt clamps to start. Personally, I wouldn't go to a big IC until you have a larger turbo that needs it, because that means you loose the front crash bar - car gets mushy and even less safe.

Search around on the SRTforums for my name, I've got a few good posts there, but while you're here:

http://teamziptie.com/misc/reunited.jpg
My old SRT4 with my old turbo Accent

http://teamziptie.com/images/srt4/DSC00518.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/images/srt4/DSC00584.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/images/srt4/IMGP5489001.jpg

http://teamziptie.com/images/srt4/img_1933.jpg
At the Atlanta Pro-Solo DoubleCross

gimp

03-04-2009, 08:27 PM

Catch Can info and routing:
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/twocansetup.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/breathersidecatchcan.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/breathersidecatchcan2.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/checkvalve.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/makeupfilter.jpg
http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/pcv.jpg

gimp

03-04-2009, 08:27 PM

http://teamziptie.com/misc/catchcans/catchcans.jpg

RidingSimple

03-04-2009, 09:15 PM

Wow Gimp, thanks for the info!
I wasn't too particularly impressed with the handling back in 04, but it's been such a long time since I drove one that I was thinking I might like it.

The local one that had me thinking was a silver 04 (with the damn moonroof though!), 37K miles, 2 owner, clean title for $11.8K. I was thinking if I could get it for $10.5-11 I might bite, but I don't think the car is for me really. Thanks again though, I appreciate the insight!

gimp

03-05-2009, 01:56 AM

That's a pretty decent deal. Truth is, for not much more than 12K you can pick up a turbo Cobalt which has all the good power, and handles MUCH better.

SRT4s have been made to handle, but it just takes much more work.

mgbman69

03-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Yeah, like Gimp was saying. The new turbo cobalts are amazing, I'd say they handle at the same level as the Integra Type R. That's saying a lot!

Try one before you settle on an SRT-4

RidingSimple

03-28-2009, 01:27 AM

.....a 1998 Honda Prelude Type SH

Notes:
-One owner
-51K original miles
-all original paint and body panels
-$4500 in service records neatly organized in a spreadsheet in a manila folder
-Only mod is Red JDM "H" badges. lol
-Never been modified (other than a really nice alarm)
-Car is only on second set of tires, that tells you how it was babied
-Still on original brake rotors and pads, with over 50% life left, gotta love Hondas
-Water pump, timing belt, all struts, drive belts, etc are all new within the past 2 years. Previous owner was so dedicated he did the timing belt based on the 7 yr rule, vs the 100K mile rule....great for me!

Driving the car:
-My good friend in college had a stock red Type SH, so I was really familiar with the car. I forgot how little torque steer (if any) the car has and that ATTS system works wonders in the twisties. Looking under this car, the suspension design is light years ahead of the ti, and the suspension components in general are *very* beefy. (swaybars are huge for stock, mounts really tight and solid).
-The motor is a nice surprise torquewise, at 2.2 liters, even before the VTEC switchover, it pulls nicely. The car is deceptively quick (not fast), and pulls all the way to 7500 like nothing.
-Boy I miss these Honda gear boxes! (have owned a 00 Civic Si, 06 RSX-S, and a lot of seat time in my Dads 00 NSX-T). The gear interchange is real snick snick (not S2000 snick snick, but close). It just shifts really well.

I do miss having a BMW, but I have always defined myself as a German *and* Japanese car lover. BMW does things Honda could never do and vise versa.

So far, I removed the ugly stock mud flaps/guards, and detailed the wheel wells and insides of the wheels. The rest of the car is damn near perfect, I get more looks and questions in this than any car I've owned. It is visually stunning in person (despite the stock ride height lol).

I plan on keeping it Honda OE stock as best I can to preserve the value. The price I paid was very good, and I truly feel these will go up in value in the near future in this condition.

As I always preach to people, these are the types of car I drive and recommend others shop for (1-2 owners, all records, no accidents, mint condition, reputable owner, etc, etc).

A few photos after the wheel/wheel well detailing and a quick wash.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0445.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0447.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0446.jpg

RidingSimple

03-28-2009, 01:33 AM

Interior still smells new.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/P1210339b.jpg
Could eat off the engine bay.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/P1210327b.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0449.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0451.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0448.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0450.jpg

RidingSimple

03-28-2009, 01:38 AM

Last set.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0452.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0454.jpg
After scrubbing inside of wheel (needs a clay or light steel wool to get the baked on brake dust spots....I plan on buying a light set of Mugen 16's and taking these off to preserve with a full inner/outer refinish at some point). Interesting point: The stock SH wheels were made by Enkei for Honda, I saw the stamp on the inside spoke, pretty cool.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0436.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0437.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/Nimble27/DSCN0438.jpg