E46 Things

[YoungCR]

Vinyl wrap? Looks good!

[patsbimmer1]

Nice job!

[KaiserRolls]

Keep an eye on that POR-15. I’m sure it’ll be fine but POR usually doesn’t like to adhere to smooth unprotected metal (unless you got the primer/jazz for bare stuff)

Vinyl crunch wrap supreme looks better than silver

[B C]

KaiserRolls said:

Keep an eye on that POR-15. I’m sure it’ll be fine but POR usually doesn’t like to adhere to smooth unprotected metal (unless you got the primer/jazz for bare stuff)

Vinyl crunch wrap supreme looks better than silver 

I know what you are talking about. I have had it peel off as a nice single chunk before. I used the acid etch. I have never had an issue when I have used the etching-fluid or whatever one would call it. 

I have never had a crunch wrap but that sounds so good right now

[SteelBlue]

iz that carbon fiber

[B C]

SteelBlue said:

iz that carbon fiber

Just a wrap. 

Finished the dash trim. The door armrests are going to be a challenge. I had enough trouble with the minimal curves on the dash trim

[SteelBlue]

The center console and dash trim are easy. I never attempted the arm rests for that very reason. So many curves at the same time.

[HipMF]

KaiserRolls said:

Vinyl crunch wrap supreme looks better than silver 

B C said:

I have never had a crunch wrap but that sounds so good right now

$5 box is a great value, but you're gonna need a catch caddy.

[KaiserRolls]

Use heat and quality vinyl for the arm rests

we did the roof on the evo and it has some really weird/sharp bends by the drip moldings. Just takes some heat and patience

[KaiserRolls]

Also use knifless tape if you have some edges that are giving you issues. Makes wrapping even easier

[B C]

Upon further review I decided to apply a second layer of orange film to the lights since in some light settings they looked too yellow.

I like to experiment and feel like the cold shift quality could be improved so I am trying out some Redline D4 ATF. 

and after checking @gilber33 ‘s build thread I noticed some ramps that would be very helpful for using the jack points so I picked them up for $38 off Amazon.

I broke the cardinal rule of oil changes by not loosening the fill plug before the drain plug and then struggled for some hours to get the fill plug off. This happened because the E46 M3/E39 M5 fill and drain plugs (according to many internet posts sharing similar tragedies) require a hell of a lot of torque to remove. I had the wrench slip and get the ball rolling down the path of roundness.

I estimate about 120 ft-lb of torque to remove the bolt.

I tried many methods but the Sears Damaged Bolt extractor kit was the saving grace.

Buy a set while you still can. This tool has saved me on so many occasions.

http://www.searshometownstores.com/product/Craftsman-52166-10-pc-Damaged-BoltNut-Remover-Set?store=&preview=3894&isClearanceItem=F&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&utm_campaign-SC Shopping&scid=scplp39919909&sc_intid=39919909&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8MSGhIDZ4wIVyrzACh1sBwBoEAQYASABEgK_w_D_BwE

 It took many hours to get it to perform for me because there is barely any hammer space so a mini sledge driving it on at a 45 degree angle is as good as I could get.

The right combination of luck and cursing helped too. So glad to have that behind me now.

[gilber33]

I don’t remember how I found those ramps on Amazon, but I wish I knew they existed a long time ago.

[GunMetalGrey]

A friend of mine uses those little wedge ramps for his car, and they appear to be very convenient! 

I have had great success with the rounded head extractor set, though I should really update mine and get the set that goes up to the large sizes! 

How are the cold shifts now?

[HipMF]

I noticed that the Menards by me is selling Craftsman tool boxes. It would be nice if they started selling Craftsman instead of their masterforce junk.

The more likely scenario is that someone will buy the name and the quality will slide down until it's the same as everything else. Not that Craftsman is amazing. Husky is in the same leauge, but doesn't have a lot of the specialty/automotive stuff.

But I digress.

[Jdesign]

I have ramps that I never use. Mostly because my civic doesnt fit on any of them. 

Those extractors are awesome. I have a brand new set that I bought just in case, and I always forget I have them. Thanks for the reminder! 

The amber looks great on the black.  Let us know how the cold shifts feel!

[YoungCR]

HipMF said:

I noticed that the Menards by me is selling Craftsman tool boxes. It would be nice if they started selling Craftsman instead of their masterforce junk.

The more likely scenario is that someone will buy the name and the quality will slide down until it's the same as everything else. Not that Craftsman is amazing. Husky is in the same leauge, but doesn't have a lot of the specialty/automotive stuff.

But I digress. 

Craftsman has been owned by Stanley Black & Decker for a few years now. Sears sold off the brand long before the store closings. The Irwin extractor sockets are the same as what Snap-On sells, I know farm and fleet has those in stock.

[B C]

New fill plug came in the mail today so I was able to get it all buttoned back together. 

The shifting is improved MUCH more than I had ever hoped for!  The oil that was in it was clean and newer but maybe was on the thicker side. The Redline D4 ATF shifts cold like the other oil felt when it was hot. This is how it is supposed to be and I hope the shift quality doesnt degrade in 1000 miles. Im fine changing it every 10k though if I have to.

The clutch delay valve removal and changing the trans oil have made the biggest difference in driving enjoyment and getting the clutch and shifter feel where they should be

[B C]

This update feels like something you might read on priuschat.com or F30post.com:

I figured out how to connect my phone to the car’s bluetooth

ok, now we have  announced that exciting mod here is something slightly cooler:

///M-Track Mode! (The 3/4 arrow, to the left of the butterfly mode symbol)

I found some good instructions online for coding MTM, spent some random free time researching how to code and use the software and today I finally felt comfortable enough to risk bricking my modules and tried it out.

MTM was offered on the CSL and ZCP cars and is a more lenient stability control system that lets you slide but not spin. 

Pressing the DSC button enters MTM, holding it for 5 seconds turns DSC fully off. I will try it out at Blackhawk in September!

[straight6pwr]

once enjoyed, you will start pressing it everytime you get in the car.

then suddenly, youll find yourself reaching for it in the minivan. there will be great disappoint.

[B C]

After installing the front strut tower reinforcement plates and rotating the tires a few weeks ago I wasn’t certain I set the caster back to where it was before and I saw some slight cupping on the inner edge of the front tires. The car has driven and tracked just fine down the road but I figured i’d get the toe and caster checked.

This was my first experience at Big Bear and they were awesome! Jason showed me a few things that could be improved, checked and removed the preload from the front sway bar, and was just a great guy to tolerate all my questions and curiosity.  I had the toe set a little less aggressively and camber reduced just a smidgen. The stability and feel is even better than before and the less aggressive toe will help with tire wear since it is not a dedicated track car.