2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread
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Personally prefer this setup to an electric fan swap, because it just works. No overheating in hot weather while stopped, no blasting heat in the middle of summer or messing with fan shrouds etc
Why do I feel like this is a jab at me.
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Why do I feel like this is a jab at me.
Lol! The moment I saw you in 90 degree traffic with the heat blowing and your shirt off I said, that doesn’t look fun.
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Is there not a good efan solution for those cars? Is it a space constraint?
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Is there not a good efan solution for those cars? Is it a space constraint?
Great question. Most run the 16" SPAL like the one in this BuildJournal thread: https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/n15-design-e46-m3-electric-fan-mount-diy/. It seems to cover as much as the clutch fan, but maybe it has to do with the fact it deletes the aux fan and the clutch fan? Not entirely sure.
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Got the front suspension installed with the reinforcement plates, replacing the OE Bilstein kit. Definitely a lot of stuff to balance together while you line them up by yourself. Set them as close to factory height as I could for a good starting point and -2.5 camber. Totally overkill for the factory wheels right now, but plan to get something else before I actually pull it out in the spring.
Full setup is:
- Front
- TC Kline Single Adjustable coilover (uses a Koni shock)
- Ground Control Race Camber/Caster Plate
- 500lb Hyperco Springs
- OEM BMW Reinforcement Plates
- Rear
- TC Kline External Adjustable Rear Shock
- TC Kline Buna Rubber rear shock mounts
- 600lb Hyperco Springs
- Rogue Engineering Spring Perch Reinforcement Plates
- Rogue Engineering RSM Reinforcement Plates
- Front
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Got an awesome christmas gift from @Rekpoint, a genuine BMW fire extinguisher and seat mount kit. These are pretty dang hard to get into the states because they're considered a dangerous good with the pressurized canisters.
The brackets and seat are only drilled from the factory and require a M6x1.25 thread to be tapped. Luckily the included hardware is self tapping, just requires some pretty small tools to properly install everything.
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Saw Turner came out with a revised brake line kit that was stainless steel + zinc plated AND it was on sale over cyber Monday. Couldn't help myself. Finally got around to installing them tonight, and so glad I did because my factory line had a was pretty crusty and had a nasty gash in it that was probably pretty close to exploding! Bled the system with some fresh RBF600 after install
Oooo shiny
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Very cool! Didn't know "newer" cars had the fire extinguisher option too. You could get them on E28's as well along with the spare mounted gas can too.
Definitely is! Seems like it's only a thing on newer cars in the EU, since I think there's certain countries that require them as part of inspection. Since the US doesn't have any requirements, they stopped offering them here and getting your hands on them is crazy hard. Although I know I could just get any generic gloria style canister, having an OEM one is cool!
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Hopefully you never have to use it
Or it’s one of those situations where it’s the only thing you save from a car fire because of how rare it is
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Hopefully you never have to use it
Or it’s one of those situations where it’s the only thing you save from a car fire because of how rare it is
I told my mother if her car ever lit on fire, just to let it burn. It'll be better that way.
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Scooped up a top speed muffler for the M3 for a great deal. I know it’s not in the upper echelon of mufflers, but it’s all part of a combo I want to try out. Installation was super easy, just have to pop off the diffuser to access all the hangers. Stock muffler is a UNIT! Has to weigh close to 60lbs. Top speed one is about 20lbs, so should be about 40lbs off the rear end. Pretty happy with how it lined up too, tips stick out an additional 2” or so, protrude the same on both sides and sit at the same height.
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Here’s a quick startup clip of before/after the muffler. Both clips have the fabspeed headers installed, which honestly didn’t make a big difference in tone or volume in my opinion. Definitely feels loud, but didn’t test out revving yet since it’s in the garage. Will have to get some take off clips in the spring once the X pipe is added!
before:
after:
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Noticed a bit of oil collecting on the top of the valve cover and realized it was coming from one of the gaskets on the nuts holding the valve cover on. Since I didn't know the last time a valve adjustment was done, I figured this would be a good 2 for 1. Ordered a new valve cover gasket kit, new spark plugs and a valve shim kit.
Once I got in there I noticed the cam lobes had some odd wear on the tips. Checked each cam follower and they didn't seem to be chewed up, so it remains a mystery. Guessing some sort of abrasive made its way into the engine at some point. Will monitor it closely and check samples with blackstone next season. Worst case I have a spare S54 thats a bit lower mileage.
The valve adjustment went pretty smoothly, ended up replacing 6 shims total and got everything in spec.
Current mileage: 136,136
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Got everything buttoned back up in the engine bay and the hood shut for spring. Only have the rear suspension to do now, since it was delayed because of some back ordered RSM bushings. Then just counting down the days until I can drive it again. Hopefully will have my own house and garage soon after as well
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Ope I lied time to open the hood back up. Forgot that when I was doing the headers, setting the expansion tank out of the way on it's side broke the measure stick off. Since it was brittle enough to break that easily I figured it's time to replace the whole tank and hose. Installation was super easy with this huge syringe I got to suck all the fluid out and pump it back into the new tank, took no more than 15 min total. Only downside was the cost. Just the hose to the tank was $80!! Since I couldn't find any aftermarket alternatives on FCP, I bit the bullet. Also managed to fish out the loose piece while I had the tank out, thankfully it didn't make it's way into the cooling system.
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