▀▄ eas - 135 Project Journal Thread

[tom @ eas]

This is a list of modifications/picture gallery of project 135's status.

Similar to our e92 M3 project, this thread will serve as an ongoing journal of upcoming mods and informational basis for other things discovered along the way. This buildup will expand as we have a select group of engineers working to make this one badass 135i. Modifications will be ranging from all fields: Performance, Suspension, Exhaust, Electronics, Braking and Aesthetic with many parts originating from our own designs. Other vendors that are interested in participating in the buildup process are welcomed to contact me directly.

Vehicle will also serve as a test vehicle for new parts to be released from eas as well as other vendors, subscribing to this thread will allow you to be a part of the process.



Performance:
Coming soon

Exterior:
Matte Black Kidney Grilles

Suspension:
Coming soon

Brakes:
Coming soon

Wheels:
Coming soon

Interior:
Coming soon

Feedback, recommendations or questions are welcomed in this thread. Opening Post will be updated as items are added.

[tom @ eas]

Delivery

Back in Sept 08, we took delivery delivery of a Jet Black 135i.

Specifications

Color: Jet Black
Interior: Black Leatherette
Packages: 17" wheels, MFSW
Options: 6FL iPod Connectivity & Sirius Radio
Communication: BMW Assist/Bluetooth

Here are some pictures from delivery:















Enough rambling - time to begin.

[tom @ eas]

Weights

Weight is often referred to as "free horsepower" which also have an effect on handling and braking. Our prime goal is to make this vehicle a close contender with to our M3 and provide detailed weights of items that are replaced and/or upgraded while keeping the lost creature comforts to a minimum.

Wheels:

Stock Wheel Stats:
17x7.0" Style 142 (squared)
205/50-17 Goodyear Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat
Total Weight: 53.2lbs

Front:
18"x8.5" ET40 VMR VB3/CSL Wheels in Gunmetal Finish
225/40-18 Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Total Weight: 48.65lbs

Rear:
18"x9.5", ET45 VMR VB3/CSL Wheels in Gunmetal Finish
255/40-18 Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Total Weight: 51.05lbs

Total weight saved: 13.4lbs

[tom @ eas]

reserved #2

[tom @ eas]

reserved #3

[tom @ eas]

CDV Replacement

One of the popular modifications is what is called a Clutch Delay Valve, which limits the amount of fluid transfer/engagement of the clutch for smoother performance, but limiting performance for most.

Rather than go into detail, Zeckhausen has an excellent article here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/cdv.htm

Removing underbody panel:


Location of stock CDV:


Lineup Comparison:


Line-pinch (hose pliers) tool fastened on hydraulic line to prevent fluid leakage:


Line removed:


Comparison of new CDV orface (left) to stock CDV (right)


Shifts are now more crisp with much improved pedal feedback.

[tom @ eas]

Matte Black Kidney grilles

We're also not fans of chrome - not one bit. There are numerous black items on the vehicle from the window trim, hood vents, lower mesh, you name it. The chrome just doesn't seem to mesh well at all - so Matte Black was decided upon in order to give our 135 a much more aggressive look.

Before with OEM Chrome grilles installed


Hood raised, ready for removal


New Matte Black Kidney grilles, ready for installation


Removing torx bolts on upper bumper cover to gain access to rear of stock grilles


Passenger side grill removed showing mounting tab recepticles


New Matte Black grill in place, job is halfway complete


New Matte Grilles installed - much cleaner look


Completed shot showing off new look


In less than 10 minutes, the road to a new look has been successfully completed.

[tom @ eas]

Wheels/Tires

New Shoes are next on the agenda.

[nvk]

Nice, I'm excited abt this buildup. more picssss!!!! car is looking great.

[mkPOTO]

holy crap one HOT 1 series!

[m7ammed]

subscribed

[Mehta916]

subscribed

[135i_jaijai]

OMG.. It's going to be crazy

[mixxer]

looking forward to this!

[tom @ eas]

It's amazing how small of tires the non-sport 1s come with. Simply put - the pizza cutters need to go in favor for wider rubber along with some new wheels. This was also the perfect opportunity to get rid of those god-awful runflats and free up some unsprung mass.

The Style 142 wheels are 17x7 with a square ET47 offset, equipped with Goodyear Eagle LS-2 205/50-17 Runflat tires.

Picture of casting on the rear of the wheel:


4-corner shots showing how much starting room we have to work with:








Gratuitous front brake shot:


Since we have a long relationship with Velocity Motoring - we chose to run their wheels on this project. VMR's 18x8.5" VB3/CSL package in Gunmetal finish provides a simple, yet sporty look and is easy to keep clean.

For tires, we chose the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec from TireRack in 225 fronts and 255 rear for street use, we be reverting to a preferred squared setup when the 1 sees track duty.

Since we really can't explain the tire more than what already has been said, here's an excerpt from the TireRack website:

"The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting and track events. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is for drivers who don’t want to wait as long for their tires to come in during initial runs, as well as drivers of lighter weight vehicles who are often confronted with the task of working tire temperatures up to the point of generating peak grip."

Needless to say, this tire gives an awesome performance on the street.

Stock Wheel Stats:
17x7.0" Style 142 (squared)
205/50-17 Goodyear Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat
Total Weight: 53.2lbs

Front:
18"x8.5" ET40 VMR VB3/CSL Wheels in Gunmetal Finish
225/40-18 Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Total Weight: 48.65lbs

Rear:
18"x9.5", ET45 VMR VB3/CSL Wheels in Gunmetal Finish
255/40-18 Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Total Weight: 51.05lbs

With the new wheels and upgraded rubber, we shaved a total of 13.4lbs from the wheels, while allowing a wider patch of rubber between us and the road.

Wheel receiving a healthy coat of WheelWax on the barrels to allow easier cleaning:


Installed wheel on front:


Measuring torque after installation:


Completed rear shot, tucking 255s:


Completed:


Tom G. | european auto source (eas)

email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com
tel 866.669.0705 | ca: 714.369.8524 x22 | fax: 714.908.1796
[img] http://************/5lwfx6 [/img]

[tom @ eas]

Wheel Weights:







Values updated in Post #3.

Tom G. | european auto source (eas)

email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com
tel 866.669.0705 | ca: 714.369.8524 x22 | fax: 714.908.1796
[img] http://************/5lwfx6 [/img]

[tom @ eas]

Next we tackle suspension. A teaser on what we'll be covering next:



Tom G. | european auto source (eas)

email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com
tel 866.669.0705 | ca: 714.369.8524 x22 | fax: 714.908.1796
[img] http://************/5lwfx6 [/img]

[ssabripo]

Tom, have you been following the KW endlink issue? see this thread.
also, THIS thread has a confirmation.

it would be nice if you could check in your car as well, perhaps take some pics, so we can have Tom Edge at KW follow up with Germany for a solution.

thanks in advance....car looking sharp!

[mkPOTO]

looks good.. love the color spec on the rims

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

Tom, have you been following the KW endlink issue? see this thread.
also, THIS thread has a confirmation.

it would be nice if you could check in your car as well, perhaps take some pics, so we can have Tom Edge at KW follow up with Germany for a solution.

thanks in advance....car looking sharp!

We've noticed no ill effects after the suspension was installed, but will get the car back up on this lift this week to verify.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

We've noticed no ill effects after the suspension was installed, but will get the car back up on this lift this week to verify.

yeah, if you could just take some closeup pics of the endlink screw + nut + shock arm, that would be great. M-Mark also did this and found the same results I have, so I've been in contact with Tom Edge at KW to see what the engineering team in Germany comes up with as a solution.

thanks in advance!

[mixxer]

ttt