The Dirty Dolphin build thread
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Andrew just gave me the opportunity to drive this car.
It was so manly, that I grew a third ball.
Abouts like this?
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So today I was planning on securing the loose strut collar nut that Snap helped me discover, cept I'm not sure how im going to get the shock cartridge down into the strut body ( the picture below was taken with the corner in the air aka full droop). Any ideas? The picture shows, from top to bottom, the strut collar nut, the top of the Bilstein shock, and the top of the strut housing. The shock should be entirely inside the strut housing, and should be captured by the collar nut.
Also, I have sandblasted the wheels that were "time attacked" and reinstalled them on the car (pics eventually) I really like the raw blasted aluminum look, and will likely throw a clear coat on them.
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You are going to have to remove the strut from the car, remove the spring, then tap the strut insert down into place by striking the top of the gland nut. If the insert comes out nicely by hand, you may want to check to make sure the oil in the bottom of the strut housing has been removed. (Nitrogen filled struts do not require oil in the bottom of the housing). If you really dont want to remove the strut from the car then I may have some alternative ideas.
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I has m3 rack if you are interested
Sent from the future. Or my phone, who knows.
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http://s471.photobucket.com/user/inline39/media/The%20Dirty%20Dolphin/IMG_0570.mp4.html
Time for new front shocks... and control arms... and how much play should there be in the shock mount bearing?
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She's back on her feet with a freshly tightened strut collar nut. No more big clunks, but it still crashes over bumps more than i think it should. Below is a pic of the raw sandblasted bottlecaps which used to be time attacked. Now I need to source a Z3 rack for the next big project phase which includes the z3 rack, replacing the current damaged front subframe with a reinforced and freshly powdercoated one, and brand new control arms. I may throw new shock cartridges in while i'm at it but i haven't decided yet. I discovered that the poop covered damper (pictured in the previous posts) is not completely blown like i thought.
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An update on the glacial progress of the car. The cardinal interior is in (it has been for a while). Someone sell me some cardinal sport seats! And my spare subframe has been improved. Can you spot the upgrade? Also, has anyone purchased a steering rack from the rack doctor?
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Second on the subframe, looks awesome! Is that powder coated?
As far as the seats, I know your driver seat needs a rebuild. If you'd be willing to fix it yourself you could then just recover the seats too. When I plan to build a set of hybrid e30/e28 sport seats I'm gonna use kits from this seller. http://www.ebay.com/usr/zoomzoomzoom-ing They have good reviews from guys on other forums that have used them and the prices are decent too.
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Subframe so clean you can eat off it
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I need to do that to my subframe! I'd go gold because gold of course.
Nice work!
@DrLeadFoot
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I miss this car so damn much.
E91 328xi - F15 X5 40e - Hopes and dreams of eventually having a cool car
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Just don't change the body color. Love Delphingrau!!!
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Second on the subframe, looks awesome! Is that powder coated?
As far as the seats, I know your driver seat needs a rebuild. If you'd be willing to fix it yourself you could then just recover the seats too. When I plan to build a set of hybrid e30/e28 sport seats I'm gonna use kits from this seller. http://www.ebay.com/usr/zoomzoomzoom-ing They have good reviews from guys on other forums that have used them and the prices are decent too.
I considered having a friend powdercoat it, but i ended up spray painting it with engine enamel. Are you planning to get a kit like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-325i-318i-325IS-M3-SPORT-SEATS-CARDINAL-RED-UPHOLSTERY-KITS-CONVT-NEW-/350963052092?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b7072e3c, and do the upholstery work yourself? Can i do this myself without sewing skills and equipment? Does it cost much to have someone do it? The first review i found of this seller was negative, although it was because of the seat mechanicals, not the upholstery. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1817261-eBay-e30-sport-seats-review-zoomzoomzoom-ing
someone said:
Just don't change the body color. Love Delphingrau!!!
The color is here to stay. I love Delphin.
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I claim victory for the evening. The front subframe is out. I dropped it with the control arms still attached to avoid battle with the 22mm inner ball joint nuts
A reinforced subframe is going back in, along with new control arms, M3 offset CAB's, and new Bilstein sports. I think i have a broken motor mount, so i might as well put new ones in. My swaybar bushings look pretty sorry too...
If you're wondering what's supporting the engine, it's this:
This strange damage/repair job is why I have a new subframe
This 4.10 followed me home from Appleton. My current diff is making awful machining noises...
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