Granitsilber Coupe: x-country warrior kicking it in SoCal

[straightsixe30]

keep it stock and drop in the 5 speed. Done.

[e30m20TurbO7]

is this laguna beach ?? im in so cal too

[thatphysicsguy]

I have a set, but my drill couldn't get in there because the clearance was only 6 inches and I didnt want to scooch the AC condenser.

The mechanic had a pneumatic angle drill that he used: that was the big thing he brought to the table.

And thanks for the class vs. grade distinction. Yeah the bolts are class 8.8 (I had to go out and buy a few haha) but I figured class 8.8 was equivalent to grade 8. The more you know!

In other news, everything except the speaker is ordered up for the lukebox install. So I should get to work on that next week.

[thatphysicsguy]

is this laguna beach ?? im in so cal too

Yeah, but I go to school out in NY so I'm not around for the spectacular sunsets anymore!

Also, does anyone know where I can get a good tbelt tensioner? the one kind that blunt has is starting to crap out on me I think after 3500 miles...

[thatphysicsguy]

Starting planning for the fun stuff with the long term goal of maybe going 24v turbo.
Planning on:
-GC coilovers (or coil conversion kit)
-rx7/coorado BBK
-new bushings
-new wheels
-5speed swap in the spring after she comes out of storage

I'm looking for a decent set of 16x8 wheels that preferably aren't super heavy. I was thinking rota grids, but does anyone else have recommendations?

Also, how is the rx7/corrado bbk? I've seen many how-to posts discussing the technicalities but not many people actually saying if it's good or not.

As a bonus, here she is in winter storage avoiding all the cancerous road salt:

[thatphysicsguy]

Well the car has been out of storage for a few weeks now. Rolling on new wheels (ssr competitions with 20 mm spacers and some contisport max contact DWs 205/50/15) with plastidip shadowline trim.

With the new wheels:




Masking for the plastiderp:


Done!



Planning on picking up the 5speed swap and associated parts next week. Hopefully I can get this done soon!

[thatphysicsguy]

Progress, slow but at least something. Picked a g260 from an ix at the yard yesterday. going to swap out the output flange and rear casing so it fits in my i. Sorry upstate ix people, but it looks like you're out of a 5speed swap. Also got a single mass flywheel out of the deal.

[thatphysicsguy]

Did a decent round of maintenance a few days back: new fuel pump, fuel filter, coolant hoses, oil change and coolant flush.

Two days into a cross-country road trip (from NY to CA) I've had to put in a quart of oil. I'm not really burning enough for smoke, so it should be a leak somewhere I think.

I know my oil pan gasket is toast, but that shouldn't cause such a big leak during level highway driving right? should I be looking anywhere else for leaks? perhaps would a new headgasket help?

[2mAn]

a quart of oil in, what, 1000 miles?

[thatphysicsguy]

a quart of oil in, what, 1000 miles?

Yeah about 1500-2000. Not that bad I know. But still want to take care of any issues that might get worse over time.

[thatphysicsguy]

roadtrip pics

Already posted a few of these around, but just wanted to include them in the thread as a journal of sorts. Full Album here: http://imgur.com/a/1URyz
hanging out with F34r in Binghamton





About to go up Loveland Pass:


At the top:


Rest stop in Utah:

In-n-out stop in Vegas:

Finally Home:

[thatphysicsguy]

Okay well I've made Steve from blunt tech very busy/rich the past week or two.
Here's what's in store:
Headgasket and general m20 refresh
H&R Race springs
Billy sports
e90 drop hats
Sparco seat to replace the flat comfort driver's seat.
and a g260 to replace the 4 speed slushbox (finally!). Getting the 5speed swap done has been my white whale for more than a year now and it looks like it's going to happen!
Stay tuned for pics of it back on the road.
For now, I'm struggling to get the damn intake & exhaust manifolds off.

[thatphysicsguy]

Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows...



M52tu alloy block from a 99 z3. Looking to swap next summer.

Like I said, this isn't even my final form!

[JinormusJ]

Loving this built! Such a nice color and so clean!

Not crazy about the wheels, but it isn't even your final form, so YOLO

Keep it up man

[thatphysicsguy]

Loving this built! Such a nice color and so clean!

Not crazy about the wheels, but it isn't even your final form, so YOLO

Keep it up man

Thank you!
The wheels are more functional than anything. Only 11 lbs each! That unsprung weight reduction mixed with some lighter brakes will be uber responsive.

My build is somewhat mirroring 2man's white early model, we're both after light weight and balance! running the Type c's also coincidentally.