"Lizzy" My Grey 325e

[Cptcarisma]

that's why shes your "X"....

[dirtbag30]

thats a huge win! my ex hated my car, and the fact that i seemed like i only cared about my car.

[deutschman]

She likes cars as well ;)
Its great!

[dirtbag30]

diggin it
also. your woman is awesome if she buys you car parts.

[deutschman]

Well I landed an ok construction job making an ok amount of money. Working with some decent guys. So between paying off school, and saving up for my move to WA in a year or two, I will have some money to spend on the car. Super happy about that.
I also turned 26 a day ago and my GF got me a nice little something.


My favorite wheel of all time!

[deutschman]

The IE sways are super! Made a huge difference. I need to adjust them a bit as I have some decent under steer right now. I think some adjustable coil overs/struts/shocks will help as well along with camber plates.
I can not for the life of me get that hood to align up correctly. Maybe it had front end damage at some point as there are a few other front end pieces that are wonky.

[serdar255]

I cant wait to get IE sways. Good solid progress, good parts too.

[deutschman]

Thanks man. It does feel good. I really need a job though, its kind of getting me down.
Some work space would be nice as well lol
Hopefully things turn around soon.
Your car is looking GREAT!

[CubbyChowder]

Nice man! Glad to see you're working on an old BMW again. I bet it feels way better with all those new goodies installed. Look forward to seeing more of this!

[deutschman]

I think the next step for this car will be re-installing some sound/heat insulation. I just made the drive down to the SoCal BMW Vintage Show with the guys from Catuned, and man was it LOUD! My GF kept telling me her feet were getting hot on the passengers side as well.
I just got some insulation in the mail yesterday, but have to wait till Friday for some spray on truck bed liner, which I think will help with the noise and also just make the paint on the floor a bit tougher. I dont plan on putting carpet back in. Maybe some aluminum foot rests.

[deutschman]

Well I finely got everything wrapped up, and got my alignment done today. I need some camber plates up front to get a perfect alignment, but that will have to wait till I get coil overs. If you live in the North Bay (Bay Area) I highly recommend Diamond Tire Center. They have experience with BMWs and doing custom alignment specs. Say JP from A1 Auto sent you, or show them a AAA card and get a nice discount.
I am really happy with the way everything turned out. I LOVE MY Z3 RACK!!! That thing is so much fun and I do not understand why some people dont like it. Its not scary or twitchy or anything, but it is fast.
I am also very happy with all my Condor mounts.
All the Ireland parts went in with out any problems and all fit and work well.
I cant wait till I can afford to spend some money on tires/wheels and some coil overs. I think those two projects will be next. Then some better rotors, pads, and stainless braided brake lines. Eventual a bolt in cage of some kind.
I have some small projects planned I can do on weekends that will not cost much and will improve the look of the car a bit, as well as some e30 parts RD ideas I want to invest some time in.
Z3 rack with my Condor power steering delete. Love this thing.






Four tools EVERYONE should have if they even want to think about doing front control arms. Ball joint tool, pickle fork, large hammer, and a retching 19mm wrench. Made life so easy.

[deutschman]

Installation begins today. I have to drag my welder and small air compressor from my storage shed in SF over to the North Bay and then get cracking. Only part I am still waiting on is the steering rack which should show up today or tomorrow. I cant wait till I get all this stuff done.

[deutschman]

My Ireland parts showed up late today as well. I am very impressed by the updated hardware for the sway bars. Andrew asked me to take a lot of pictures of the install and help with some assembly tips/instructions. Hopefully I can help.

[deutschman]

Parts are starting to pile up, and next week should be slow for work. Hopefully I can get the suspension and drive train parts in.
Got my parts from CAtuned today, and picked some re-manufactured CV axles up.

[deutschman]

Ok guys grab a beer. My first update has come sooner then I thought. I didn't have work today because my boss has been up very late three nights in a row finishing a special interior piece for a restaurant and wanted to sleep today. Thats cool with me, I have worked six days in a row as well.

Its about that time of day and I have already started so you guys need to ketch up :drink:


I popped in my Condor motor and trans mounts today and I have some thoughts on them.
First off they were easier to install then OE or poly bushings because the bolts slide through them, instead of beings cast into the bushings. This means you don't have to have the engine or trans lifted as high to slide them in, because you can slide the bushing into place and then slide the bolt through afterwords.
I know, I know. The letters on the engine mount are upside down, but I was to lazy to take it out and bolt it back in again.
Also I know there is oil EVERYWHERE but I dont feel like chasing down small leeks sins this engine will be out in a year or so.



Ok here is what I have to say about the Condor UHMW mounts. They are super solid and I love them. That said, they ARE NOT for everyone! If you want a quiet car do not buy these! If you want a noisy corner munching beast of a car PLEAE PLEASE buy these.

Vibration at idle is not bad but higher then it would be with poly bushings, and much higher then it would be with OE rubber bushings. At cruising speed its not bad ether but also higher then it would be with poly bushings. At acceleration it is mush higher and if you have any loos bolts or washers you will know it quick like. But its not bad enough to be uncomfortable.

The noise at idle is also higher then it would be with poly or OE bushings. At cruising speed it is a bit high and kind of makes my car sound like a Subaru with an aftermarket exhaust. At acceleration its quite a bit higher and sounds like a race car. Its not a bad sound, but would suck in a DD car or any car you wanted to listen to music in or relax in.

They feel great. My shifter does not torque from side to side when I hit the gas anymore, and shifts feel a bit firmer now. I think ones I have all the suspension bushings in everything will feel very solid and crisp which is what I am looking for.

Again if you want a comfortable DD car don't buy these. If you want a DD car thats fun on weekends, buy urethane bushings and lube the shit out of them so they don't squeak. The Condor bushings are incredible thus far but they are loud and vibrate quite a bit.

Here is a short video of the RPM gauge and hopefully you can here the noise at different RPMs. There is no real way to show you guys the vibration at different RPMs.
This is my iPhone. I have a GoPro but its filled with pictures and video from my trip down 101 and I am to lazy to up load all my footage to my computer and all that. Ones I have the entire suspension built I will shoot some stuff with my GoPro so others can get a feel for what it is like.