FuturisticConcept Art BMW E36 with a V8 on a bottom dollar budget

[Jdesign]

suspenceful said:

Sweet. I had a Wink mirror in my Miata. Prepare for the center to start sagging without any bracing.

I think I have bigger things to worry about...

[Daggerty]

Tires look awesome, glad I didn't make you pay for the valve. I have spare solenoids if you need them.

[Jdesign]

Daggerty said:

Tires look awesome, glad I didn't make you pay for the valve. I have spare solenoids if you need them.

Im surprised how they turned out considering its all plastidip. I just bought a new valve online for $30. Earl and I drove the car and the heat started working now though...???

[jc43089]

I think unplugged the valve goes full open, don't quote me on that though.

[Jdesign]

jc43089 said:

I think unplugged the valve goes full open, don't quote me on that though.

Ohhhh? I will have to check. i think most of the problem is the vents in the car and the main interface is just zip tied to the dash.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to convert my door windows to manual crank style?

[jc43089]

Jdesign said:

Ohhhh? I will have to check. i think most of the problem is the vents in the car and the main interface is just zip tied to the dash.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to convert my door windows to manual crank style?

I've looked into crank windows for my sedan and as far as I could tell they were never an option for the USA.  I was looking into it for weight reasons and quit after finding out that the manual mechanisms are almost no lighter than the power system.

[Jdesign]

jc43089 said:

I've looked into crank windows for my sedan and as far as I could tell they were never an option for the USA.  I was looking into it for weight reasons and quit after finding out that the manual mechanisms are almost no lighter than the power system.

Yeah I know. They were availble in the compacts. I was just looking for a simple way to do it, I thought someone may have a lead.

[Jdesign]

Been driving this thing more and more. Adjusted the rear toe angle as the rear still felt off. Turns out that the rear wheels were toes in quite a bit. I adjusted that and its MUCH better. I need to figure out what brakes I have, as the front calipers are rotors are huge for an E36. 17's seem to be the smallest wheels I can fit. I will need pads an rotors soon.

I finally painted the underside of the hood. It use to be white with a weird looking skull from the PO. Black with red paint drips was my quick solution.

I also want to get new coilovers. The entire car just feels so soft, but I do not want to spend $900 on coilovers on such a cheap car.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

So far I have heard - solowerks/maxpeddingrods/ RSK/ Raceland ultimo

[m42b32]

Jdesign said:

I need to figure out what brakes I have, as the front calipers are rotors are huge for an E36. 17's seem to be the smallest wheels I can fit. I will need pads an rotors soon.

I'd guess that they're most likely E46 330ci brakes in the front as they are a direct bolt-on to the stock non-m e36 knuckles and require 17" wheels.

[Jdesign]

m42b32 said:

I'd guess that they're most likely E46 330ci brakes in the front as they are a direct bolt-on to the stock non-m e36 knuckles and require 17" wheels. 

Should I just order pads and rotors and see if they fit? 

Pic of my brakes and 17” wheel for reference;

[jc43089]

Check the rotor diameter.  I have e46 330 front brakes I think they are 325mm, M3 brakes are smaller at 315mm.  That is if you aren't sure if someone put M spindles on at some point.  

Quoted from here linky "The E46 330 uses 325x25mm (front)"

[wasnt m3]

Might just be me but that really looks like a 16" wheel.

[jc43089]

I have 16" Countour Reps and they do clear e46 330 brakes but barely.  Most 16" wheels do not.

[patsbimmer1]

I had a set of FK's and they were decent for the price.  Megan racing makes a coilover and i've always heard good things about them from my 240sx days.  They're slightly more expensive than the other options but only by a couple $100.  Let me know if you go with Solowerks, FK or Megan and I can get you a good price.

[GunMetalGrey]

+1 for SoloWerks
I (and Jake) run them in the daily. The price was hard to beat, and the ride is pretty darn good, especially considering the price.

[Jdesign]

"Maxpeeding" rods it is.

Honestly, the spring rates (8K), 32 levels of adjustability, and the overall quality for $300 is unbelievable. To top that off, they have a two year warranty. I figured that the worst thing that could happen, would be that I considered these a mistake if they are not what I need or im not happy with them, and I will sell them for slightly less and buy something a lot nicer.

[KaiserRolls]

[Jdesign]

KaiserRolls said:

Does this mean you are Whalely impressed?

[KaiserRolls]

Jdesign said:

 
Does this mean you are Whalely impressed?

I’m guessing that’s how the max rods will ride

[Jdesign]

KaiserRolls said:

I’m guessing that’s how the max rods will ride

Whaley stiff?