BMW's galore!

[brennon]

if you are going with the 2.8 i would suggest fitting a single mass flywheel as i would assume you have all the parts lying about! it defiantly makes a difference (as rob will confirm as he fitted the single mass on my 7 series!)
also i have read that the standard airbox with a panel filter is the way forward as apposed to a cone filter (with the restrictor tube removed obviously!!) something about heat in the engine bay etc etc. i have a k&n pannel filter on my 328 with the standard airbox and it is lovely, really really nice sound to it as well!
also i have read that switching to electric fans will free a few horses as well but i would assume that you would have to do that anyway to fit it in the engine bay?

[brennon]

also if you are in need of a 2.5 manifold chuck us a pm ;D

[Mark]

Thanks for that. I've bid on one on ebay but if I don't win it I'll defo PM you. I've got the single mass flywheel and will take your advice re panel filter.

Just loaded up and ready for a 5.30 start tomorrow morning.

[e21meister]

Good luck, shame I can't make it tomorrow, still busy getting The Bride ready for PPC.

[rob0r]

I might be missing something, I would have put the ratchets around the wheels, is it ok like that?

[e21meister]

Apr 3, 2011 0:53:29 GMT rob0r said:

I might be missing something, I would have put the ratchets around the wheels, is it ok like that?

Now that you've said it...

[Mark]

What like this?





I did them properly before I left.

Well it was great fun right up to the moment when the nearside caliper dumped all the fluid and I lost brakes. There was nothing I could do except throw the towel in early. I did get a couple of runs in though and I'm really pleased with the performance. It's bloody quick considering. It sounds awesome on full chat too! Plenty of crackle & pop on overrun.

The next event is Crystal Palace on May 29th so I'm going to rebuild the brakes and go through the whole car properly. In fact, it's the brakes that are the weak point on the race car. I might have to upgrade to Wilwoods. I want to lost the e30 BBS rims too. I've got a set of MiMs that I can use once they've been done satin black.

[Ether]

Sad to hear you had problems. Around in North London soon?

[Mark]

Taking MIB off the road today as I'm having problems with over fueling & bore washing. I'm going to whip out the old M20 and get all modern on it's ass with an M52 2.8 instead. I tried an e21 with the 2.5 version yesterday and it would have spanked my 2.7 so a 2.8 version with another 40 brake will be awesome.

There was just time to get a quick e21 feature lined up in PPC magazine though.






I've also had a dream come true this week.





Roll on Brands Hatch on Monday!

[brennon]

when did you get the m3? i saw one rolling round the m25 on monday morning about 8ish. i am also mega jealous!!

[Lewis]

That's very nice. ///M for the win

[Mark]

Thanks guys. I collected it on Wednesday evening. Just been out in it for a blast round Sussex. It's so weird when I'm used to the low down grunt of a 6 pot. I'm sure I'll get used to it though and man, what a great noise! Lots of popping and banging from the exhaust!

[Mark]

Much as I love the wheels on the M3, I love these more.



Going to collect them later and get them refurb'd with polished lips. 225/40's and off we go!

[Mark]

OMG!





I can't wait for the new rubber to arrive so I can bolt these lovelies on.

[stealthstylz]

I don't know if it's just because i've become used to seeing them on bigger wheels, but the M3 looks curse word on those that were on there. Can't wait to see it on the new wheels.

Matt

[Mark]

Early cars only had 15's before the Evo's went to 16's. 16 is about as big as you want to go to retain the handling. 17's look great but they just don't handle as well and ruin the balance.

Hopefully, with 225/40's, these should fill the arches nicely.

[Mark]

Well I got the rears on and the fronts should be done later today.





I think they look pretty sweet and I've ordered some BMW centre caps that will still leave the wheel bolts exposed. I do have the centre covers but just don't like the way they look.

Hopefully, it won't be too much longer till work can start on MIB. A pal ''oop north'' near Sheffield is doing the majority of the work and I'll do whatever I can to help. Having driven his car, which has the slightly less powerful 2.5 fitted, it should be an animal. His 2.5 was easily faster than my old m20 2.7 and the power delivery was just so much smoother and available over a much wider rev range. I'm guessing his chipped 2.5 makes around 190 brake and the 2.8 is good for about 40 more with a few mods. The only real concern then, is that I'll be reaching the limit that the standard BMW LSD can cope with. If it blows, I'll be looking at fitting an e12 M535 diff instead. I just hope I can get the engine swap done in time for Gaydon and the Ultimate BMW show @ Santa Pod. I should be able to thrash some modern metal up the strip!

[Mark]

Job done. ;D

[rob0r]

That's really nice... I need a 5 stud conversion for my e30!

[rysz]

This is stunning - you have now got one of my top three dream cars!

I do love the detail and care that you put in the builds of your cars.

Rysz.