Matt Sullivan is looking for a new phone in case you didn't know. What should he get? Please take the poll so we can help him decide!

I had a "stolen" BMW "used for a bank job" that I needed to get rid of. I convinced a younger man to trade a haunted Miata for it. I just needed something with a clean title, and I don't believe in ghosts. After laying low for a few months I figured I'd see if I could turn it back into a fun car!
I picked a rainy day to fail roll starting it down the driveway. But with a jump it starts, it runs, it drives!


And compression test ok! But it's got positive camber on the right front. Subframe, frame rails, and control arms seem ok by my crude measurements. I removed the headlights and front clip to confirm the damage is all in the core support, seems to have pushed the right strut mount out a bit.


I'm not sure what the plan is but I'll keep you in the loop. It ends in me driving most of this car to FL for the GRM 2016 challenge.

I'll be moving to Richmond in July. Would like to be around 30 minutes from west creek so either northwest or southwest of Richmond.

I'm pretty desperate to find a roommate. One bedrooms are going to be around $1000 unfurnished a month that have external garages so I'd rather just not pay that. Really don't want to go to Craigslist if I don't have to.

My only priorities are good Internet and would love something with possible garage space to work on a car, doesn't have to be 24/7 access just when I'd need it.

I was looking at self storage units for the car but that is 150+ easy a month. Which is just no. No.

If anyone has any ideas that would be great as well.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Hey guys,

Long shot, but thought it might be worth checking with you guys who are down there. Toni and I are looking to have our ceremony at JMU (arboretum) and the reception nearby at one of the vineyards. To make it easier on guests we'd like to have a shuttle service. Just curious if anyone knows of a company that offers something like that down there and/or any other ideas you guys may have.

Thanks!

2002 Miata LS. Black with tan leather, 115k, 6 speed manual, Torsen differential, also has the optional sport brakes and sport Bilstein suspension. At 110k the throw out bearing started to go bad so I replaced it, the clutch, resurfaced the flywheel, and also did the timing belt, water pump and all other belts since the previous owner was unsure if they ever had been done. Body looks like it's a black car with 115k, not a show car, but it cleans up nicely and I'm not afraid to drive it. This is my daily driver. There is no rust. Comes with the stock 16in wheels, 15in Team Dynamics wheels with new tires, and the hard top (10AE wheels shown in some of the pictures have snow tires mounted and are not included).











$6,500 with everything included

$5,500 w/ the Team Dynamic wheels but w/o the hardtop

$5,000 with just the stock 16in wheels and w/o the hardtop

Prices are firm with no trades accepted.

Thinking about trying this out for $150. I figure it will be fairly easy to just take off from work a few hours early, get some track time in, then be home to put the baby to bed. Anyone else interested?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tracknightinamerica.com/events/1983000-track-night-2016-northern-virginia-may-10">http://www.tracknightinamerica.com/even ... nia-may-10</a><!-- m -->

So the driveway to my new house has a rolled curb that the BMW cannot navigate safely. I attempted to throw something together out of 2x4s and plywood, but my design skills suck, and as a result I finished off the already-mostly-broken passenger's side front bumper clip yesterday.

The problem is the wood turns into a slip 'n' slide when you try to get the car onto it, I could try to improve my design but I'm just not sure it's the right material for the job. Trailer ramps were the next thing I thought of, but ones rated for cars are in the $2-300 range, which seems like more than I need to spend. These ATV ramps would be perfect and are a reasonable price, but half an E36 is just about exactly the maximum capacity of them. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/48-5-Black-Steel-Trailer-Ramps/dp/B005STXA64/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1456755295&sr=1-5&keywords=trailer+ramps">http://www.amazon.com/48-5-Black-Steel- ... iler+ramps</a><!-- m -->

Anyone have some old trailer ramps or some other solution for a steep rolled curb driveway that they don't need anymore and wanna sell me?

Long story short, someone broke into my garage back around the blizzard time, stole a bunch of tools and shit. I had an 18V Black and Decker Firestorm 1/2" drill driver. I loved it because you could pop the entire chuck off and keep a hex bit behind it so you could drill a hole, then pop it off in 2 seconds and put the screw in. Apparently they don't make that anymore so I need to find a replacement.

What are you guys using for heavy-duty grade cordless tools? I also have a Dewalt 1/2" cordless impact that I like, but it was expensive and not sure if I need to maybe buy some kit that can re-use that battery but its not a big deal.

here's the dewalt..uses a DC9096 model 18V battery

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001LQLE2?keywords=dewalt%20dw059&qid=1456671233&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001L ... 1_4&sr=8-4</a><!-- m -->

Repost from another forum, but its good info. Anyone try the ATF/Acetone mix?


"Machinist's Workshop" recently published information on various penetrating oils. The magazine reports they tested these products for "break out torque" on rusted nuts and bolts. A subjective test was made of popular penetrating oils, with the unit of merit being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" bolt.
Average torque load to loosen nut:

No Oil used ........................516 foot pounds
WD-40 ..................... ........238 foot pounds
PB Blaster .........................214 foot pounds
Liquid Wrench ......................127 foot pounds
Kano Kroil .........................106 foot pounds
ATF/Acetone mix...................... 53 foot pounds

The ATF/Acetone mix is a "home brew" mix of 50/50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone.

Note this "home brew" released bolts better than any commercial product in this one particular test. Our local machinist group mixed up a batch, and we all now use it with equally good results.

Note also that Liquid Wrench is almost as good as Kroil for 20% of the price.

ATF/Acetone mix is best, but you can also use ATF and lacquer thinner in a 50/50 mix. ATF = Any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid.



Edit: I now see this was posted here 3 year earlier. I knew I had read it somewhere before. Whatever, still good info.

I can't post any reviews or technical data until March 14, but I can post a few images to social media. The track drive was today at Thermal Club.

Unfortunately there wasn't enough time for me to drive today but I'll probably drive tomorrow. You can see TOV Jeff here flying a drone in pitlane.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCOtTltl2ne/">https://www.instagram.com/p/BCOtTltl2ne/</a><!-- m -->

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk