N55 E88 First Mods!

[tjswarbrick]

Finally got 'er cleaned up after installing the RENN 12mm spacers:

Before:




During:




After:







To me the effect is subtle, and may even call out for a bit of a drop now more than before. But I do like the wider stance, and I swear twitchiness has decreased and stability increased without affecting steering response. So I'm happy.

[tjswarbrick]

Installed the E92 M3 FSB on Friday.
Attempted to install the Koni Sports and Swift Spec-R Springs, but neither the strut tool I bought nor a good size screwdriver and lots of PB Blaster was enough for me to split the housing and remove the strut from the carrier.
So it looks like I'm off to a performance shop later this week to have it professionally done - along with RSFB Inserts and alignment.

On a side note, I'm signed up for the BMW CCA Car Control Clinic this weekend - so that should be fun - and a good test/break-in.

__________________

[ShocknAwe]

What strut tool did you use? my schwaben spindle spreader has never failed me.

[tjswarbrick]

You know, I thought I bought the Schwaben but when I went to use it the markings looked different - and if I recall correctly I forgot to order it and the strut-nut tool from ECS and found 'em cheaper as a set elsewhere.
So I got it somewhere else.
I threw some calipers on it, and IIRC, it measures .270" max width on the ovals (will double-check that) But I don't know how big the BMW part is supposed to be.

Found the order: ZDMAK Tools #3424. Supposed to work for most BMW's and a slew of VW's.
Per ECS, the Schwaben unit works on a ton of V-dubs and ALL BMW.
But nobody provides actual dimensions on these things...
It fit in the slot just fine, but I could turn it about 60 degrees by hand, and when I went the final 30 degrees to maximum opening with the wrench, it didn't take much force.

[tjswarbrick]

Alright, for anyone still following along.
The part ordered as a ZDMAK 3424 came in marked as a SIR Tools VA6034.
It is .196" wide along the flats, and .275" at the widest point.
It was too small to split my strut housings!

I tried a #3 flat-blade screwdriver which is about .320" on the flats. I ran out of space to swing a mallet before it opened the carrier up enough to get the strut housing out.

If anyone has measurements on the BMW and/or Scwhaben strut carrier splitter tool, I'd love to compare.

[tjswarbrick]

Double-Post

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Installed the E92 M3 FSB on Friday.
Attempted to install the Koni Sports and Swift Spec-R Springs, but neither the strut tool I bought nor a good size screwdriver and lots of PB Blaster was enough for me to split the housing and remove the strut from the carrier.
So it looks like I'm off to a performance shop later this week to have it professionally done - along with RSFB Inserts and alignment.

On a side note, I'm signed up for the BMW CCA Car Control Clinic this weekend - so that should be fun - and a good test/break-in.

__________________

What did you go with for RSFB's? I'm eyeballing the Alekshop solid bushings.

FYI I'm going to do everything this winter (budget willing) when I'm not driving the car so I can enjoy it next spring. Let's see how that works out. You're lucky - you get to enjoy all year long.

[tjswarbrick]

Since I was planning to DIY, won't race, but wanted as much improvement as I could get, I went with the Race Black PowerFlex inserts.
I'll let you know after this weekend how I like 'em.

I never even came across the Alekshop ones in my search. If their ad copy is accurate, they sound awesome. Those guys are about 20 minutes from me, but in my one phone call with them they didn't seem as passionate about the 1 as BR Racing is.

[dbronnik]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Since I was planning to DIY, won't race, but wanted as much improvement as I could get, I went with the Race Black PowerFlex inserts.
I'll let you know after this weekend how I like 'em.

I never even came across the Alekshop ones in my search. If their ad copy is accurate, they sound awesome. Those guys are about 20 minutes from me, but in my one phone call with them they didn't seem as passionate about the 1 as BR Racing is.

BR Racing is run by a bunch of kids, I've heard enough stories from there to know to stay away from there (PM me if you want). IMO, go to Alekshop where either Aleks or Paul is working on your car -- both are great, they have done a lot of work on my car for me! Extra bonus: racing simulator rig you can play on in the waiting room

[tjswarbrick]

Got the car back. Love it.
Still running 12mm spacers at all 4 corners.

One interesting note: The forward lower PowerFlex Black rear subframe bushing inserts were the wrong size. Didn't fit cleanly into the uppers, and would splay out and not install into the bushings. So they put in 6 of the 8 inserts. Back end feels so much better that I'm not worrying about it at this point.
Will probably contact PowerFlex, but it's going to be hard to do a return since the remaining 2 inserts are covered in copper grease and all the rest are installed.

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Got the car back. Love it.
Still running 12mm spacers at all 4 corners.

One interesting note: The forward lower PowerFlex Black rear subframe bushing inserts were the wrong size. Didn't fit cleanly into the uppers, and would splay out and not install into the bushings. So they put in 6 of the 8 inserts. Back end feels so much better that I'm not worrying about it at this point.
Will probably contact PowerFlex, but it's going to be hard to do a return since the remaining 2 inserts are covered in copper grease and all the rest are installed.

So no rubbing with the spacers and drop? You also need to post pix of the new stance.

[tjswarbrick]

Didn't get a very good pic yet, but here's what she looks like so far:



Asphalt under the rear is uneven. It isn't really quite that low.

No rubbing, but a slight chuffing noise on a cloverleaf right-hander. I take it every day, but typically only in the morning, so I'll have to listen and feel more closely to figure out what's going on there. Takes U-turns and freeway bumps just fine.

[tjswarbrick]

Flogged 'er pretty good yesterday. 200 freeway miles and hard braking, skidpad and slalom at a Car Control Clinic.
No rubbing.
The dampers are a little noisier than stock - sometimes (top closed, stereo off, medium speeds, light throttle empty roadway) I can hear 'em squishing a little. Which I think is what the on-ramp chuffing is.
The real test will come in a couple weeks when I get 225/40 PSS's in the front. But from what I've read, and experienced so far, I don't expect any rubbing issues.

If I was keeping factory runflats I'd be tempted to dial the front shocks back a hair (possibly to 1.25 turns from soft vs the current 1.5) But since it won't be long I'm going to keep 'em where they are.

[tjswarbrick]

MPSS on order for Friday installation!

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

MPSS on order for Friday installation!

All 4 right? What size are you going with for the rears?

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by 135ivert

All 4 right? What size are you going with for the rears?

Of course! Finally get to ditch the runflats.

I didn't do like most people out there.
Kept the stock size of 245/35ZR18 in the rear, but bumping up to 225/40 in the front.

[tjswarbrick]

Goin' overboard, but my rears say only 1900 miles left. Just ordered StopTech Sport pads front & rear.

[tjswarbrick]

Square shoulders on MPSS' are a bit much. Had to pull the rear spacers off.