2.8L M20 9.8:1 stroker build: my 323i reincarnated

[jasonbk]

I drove my m20 swapped car(it never came with ABS) through 3 winters and it was totally fine. I only locked up my tires on snow once going downhill. I'd say get rid of that and get a quality set of tires.

[betz]

I would delete the ABS system, especially if you're not taking this car out in the rain ever.

If I can get the brakes feeling alright I might just leave it in there. If I auto-x the car I'm not gonna want to flat spot my tires a bunch, plus ABS will help me learn where the threshold is. Another problem for future me haha.

I let another one of my friends drive the car who's really meticulous about pedal feel and such, he said he definitely noticed a difference with the new booster. So that's good.
But I still think my brakes could be improved. I've suspected that my 3/8" check valve was a little small for the booster so I bought a 1/2", hopefully that will bump up the vacuum slightly. Then I will finally do up the rear brakes.

In other news, I might be a guinea pig for Sssquid's new MAF conversion. See link It's apparently in pre-alpha. Will have to figure out how to plumb it myself, but I've been itching for a proper MAF so I think I might take the plunge and make some basic custom stuff.

[wworm]

I would delete the ABS system, especially if you're not taking this car out in the rain ever.

[betz]

Good look on the booster. I am waiting to see how you build your exhaust, I've got my IEs just sitting on the car waiting for the exhaust shop.

Very nice. How did they fit?

And it looks like the booster made a slight improvement at most. At least it was probably due to be replaced and my brakes didn't fail catastrophically.

Probably going to rebuild my rear calipers, add stainless lines to the rear, and bleed the brakes some more to see if it helps.

I've been wondering if my disabled ABS would have anything to do with the brakes... My front struts are from my 323i so I can't just mount wheel speed sensors without modifications to the struts. So my ABS is currently disabled. Should I delete the system, or try to make the ABS work again? Would it even make a difference?

[AWDBOB]

Good look on the booster. I am waiting to see how you build your exhaust, I've got my IEs just sitting on the car waiting for the exhaust shop.

[betz]

as I was reading that I thought it was going to go a different way!... thats great news.

Not sure what you mean by that... but I was looking into big brake kits for a while there. Might've even gotten one if it would clear my wheels. But I'm glad I (hopefully) found the real problem. This might even have my motor running a little better, there had to have been a slight vacuum leak because of the old booster!

[2mAn]

as I was reading that I thought it was going to go a different way!... thats great news.

[betz]

Was looking for a way to make my brakes feel good... I have rebuilt front calipers, stainless steel front brake lines, and a new 750il master cylinder. But now it feels like I'm hitting a brick wall when I'm braking. My friend says it feels like manual brakes. I'm definitely getting *some* braking assist.. but I knew something wasn't right.

So I jumped the gun and bought a reman brake booster. Man was that the right decision.



My booster was absolutely filled with brake fluid! Holy shit.

In other news, I'm picking up a "spare" 325e exhaust this weekend so I can start working on getting my long tubes installed. Car is driving great otherwise though! It's a ton of fun. I drive it the most often :)

[childsplay]

NIcE!

[betz]

Check out muh sick mawds guise!



Was busy having fun replacing the Boxster coolant tank. Was incredibly difficult for a friggin coolant tank.

Meanwhile I'm going to replace my E30 tank just cus the current one is yellow and a new one is like $25 off rock auto

[betz]

I suppose this is a "member's rides" page so, stoked about the shifter I put in the Boxster after tackling the motor mounts.

Some guy off the 986 forums machines eBay shifters to accept ball bearings. The result? DRAMATIC difference. Before my shifts felt most similar to my roommate's Matrix XRS. Now? It feels shockingly similar to the shifter in the S2000. Seriously. Like a bolt action rifle.

[betz]

Minor update:

I have been working with my coworker to design a bracket for the M30 AFM. Currently my AFM looks like this on the stock airbox. The top two bolts are not mounted and instead I have some duct insulation on top and wedged a couple silicon plugs below the AFM to take stress off the airbox. While this works well enough, the opening/velocity stack of the M20 airbox is smaller, so.. it's not ideal.

My idea is to make a simple bracket that mounts in the stock airbox location and bends to an angle to mount to the two top screws on the M30 AFM. This way I can support the AFM properly and run a cone filter for proper airflow. We'll mock it up in Inventor and print it out on paper 1:1, test fit, adjust. Then when the dimensions are right I'll have it fabbed up in stainless steel at our shop!

I understand an alternative would be to make new mounting holes and route out the stock airbox. But then i'd have to ditch the stock velocity stack. And... this is more fun! :P

In the meantime I've just been driving the car and enjoying it. It's running superb, feels solid as hell and has been a blast to drive. I just installed some new speakers and they sound great. The Porsche has been sitting on the sidelines more often than not.. but I will be putting in a new motor mount for it this weekend and installing a short shifter so that will change a bit.

As for my exhaust.. I'm still on the lookout for a full stock exhaust system. Meanwhile, I got a lead on a reputable shop that will most likely be cheaper than the one I've been quoted at. I'll try and get a quote from them in the near future.

[2mAn]

I tried but my tires are too sticky lol. Too much abuse to make it happen. I'm gonna do it again with my old bottle caps on the rear haha

Whatever it takes

[betz]

I think we're ready for some burnout pics

I tried but my tires are too sticky lol. Too much abuse to make it happen. I'm gonna do it again with my old bottle caps on the rear haha

[2mAn]

I think we're ready for some burnout pics