The following warnings occurred:
Warning [2] Undefined property: MyLanguage::$archive_pages - Line: 2 - File: printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code PHP 8.2.27 (Linux)
File Line Function
/inc/class_error.php 153 errorHandler->error
/printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code 2 errorHandler->error_callback
/printthread.php 287 eval
/printthread.php 117 printthread_multipage



Madison Motorsports
Dj's 1999 M3 Project - Printable Version

+- Madison Motorsports (https://forum.mmsports.org)
+-- Forum: Technical (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: Member's Projects (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=12)
+--- Thread: Dj's 1999 M3 Project (/showthread.php?tid=8528)

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-05-2009

As per typical, a meeting just got pushed back so I have some extra time cause some guy's kid of course got sick.

I bought this car as a replacement track car for the GSX. My intentions are/were to make this an autocross/track/weekend only car. With hopes of entering it into TTD (track) and being completely uncompetitive in STU (autocross). I wanted the car to be NA, rwd, and somewhat light with relatively inexpensive consumables, but still have enough balls where I wouldnt regret it after a few months for having no power.

This left basically a corvette and m3. The only corvette I wanted was a z06, and then I found out how expensive 315 and 335 hoosiers were...(440 a tire, ouch). I decided against an E46 due to their myriad of engine problems and landed myself into a lightly autocrossed prepped 99 Alpine White m3.

Recent maintenance performed by previous owner:
┬À fifth gear bushings replaced to fix the ÔÇÿstickingÔÇÖ issue
┬À drive shaft guibo
┬À center support bearing
┬À front control arm bushings
┬À rear wheel bearings
Wear items like tires, brakes, clutch, etc are all in good shape or close to new.

Previous owner mods:
┬À Bilstein sports and h&r coils (
┬À TMS sways
┬À X brace
┬À Zimmerman cross drilled rotors (
┬À aluminum front underpanel
┬À conforti cold air box
┬À urethane trans mounts
┬À short throw shifter
┬À euro ellipsoid headlights
┬À removed clutch CDV valve

I took delivery of the car and had a blast with iht. Absolutely no problems and proceded to start to autocross it. Then blew a powersteering hose (apparently typical), and so I gotta replace that, but hopefully no more issues. Plans included some type of exhaust (like to hear where I am on track/autocrossing) a roll bar, pads, etc. Basically track prep.

Recently purchased and installed/in the middle of installing:
UUC RSC36 Cat-back Exhaust
TCKLINE Roll Bar
New G-force harnesses
Aluminum Seat Mounts
PFC06 track pads all the way around
blank rotors for track pads
17x9 T1R Motorsports wheels (16lbs woo) with 245 hankook closeouts
UUC teflon coated SS lines
M50 Manifold (still undecided wether im going to install it

Plans include:
Oil Pan Baffle
Oil Pressure/Temp Gauge
Different Shocks/Springs (maybe AST setup)
Sway Bar Reinforcement plates
Front subframe reinforcement plates
(maybe) track headers and mid-pipe

[Image: 3981254997_aafca8a283_b.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - BLINGMW - 10-05-2009

cool list, sounds fun :thumbup:

Front control arms ever been replaced? Be ready for those too if not.
That's awesome the rear wheel bearings have been done, that was one thing I always dreaded cause I probably would have had to take it to a shop. :vomit:

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-05-2009

They look as if they were replaced, but I may replace them again after this season just as a precaution, along with the Rear Trailing Arm Bushings and put in vorshlag RTAB limiters. Also going to be doing the fuel filter, even though it looks fairly new.

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - ScottyB - 10-05-2009

awesome awesome car. any plans for rear subframe reinforcement or have i just been thinking its a bigger deal than it is?

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-06-2009

Rear subframe reinforcement is already on all 95-99 M3s from the factory (thats why they have a part number for all the regular 3 series to just buy and weld on). There is however a need for the Rear Sway Bar mount reinforcers and that is definitely on my list, I checked and they arent bent.........yet...

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - Nis01 - 10-06-2009

Awesome pickup DJ. Would have loved to make it to Verona to see the car in action, even it was only for 1 run. :wink: That car is on my want list. Hopefully I get to see it once I finally make it back to some events.

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 11-24-2009

Update:

Ordered some Pegasus Auto hoses for power steering lines, cut off all the trombone fittings and redid both powersteering lines. Hoses actually match my blue TMS sway bars so Tongue. Along with a new power steering reservoir the thing doesnt leak a drop.

Added a water temperature gauge and she stayed nice and cool on track and I must admit, I really like these prosport gauges. Matches the amber gauges when you turn it on, bright white when you dont have the lights on. Also blinks between red and white and does a LOUD beeping sound when it hits the warning temperature (you can set).

Put in new exhaust hangers as per typical BMW mine had fallen apart, also torched out an exhaust bolt that was being a pain and now no exhaust leaks or weird hanging exhaust.
TIP: Rockauto now stocks exact replica bmw exhaust hangers for 6 bucks each, previously you could only get them from bmw. Rockauto has pictures that look like a ciompletely different part, but once the parts come in, they are the right ones (yes I took a risk because I didnt want to pay 39.99 for each exhaust hanger x2)

Painted the roll bar and she is ready to go in once january/february comes around. Be stripping out the carpet and putting in my 2 sparco Pro2000s in black, aluminum seat mounts, aluminum floor pans, roll bar, and harnesses. Need to order some backing plates for the harness bolts.
Also throwing the contours back on for the winter and getting around to throwing on the UUC ss lines.

Picked up a set of DS2s that I will be painting lime green or orange (leaning towards orange) and throwing either my 245 hoosiers or 255 ra1s I have lying around on for next season.

And pics of the roll bar (It was a horrible yellow before as you can see where the piping was left unpainted as that goes into other roll bar piping.)
[Image: DSC01063.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 11-24-2009

And... track pics because im bored..

[Image: IMG_2165.jpg]
[Image: IMG_1979.jpg]
[Image: 4433.jpg]
[Image: IMG_1810.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-07-2010

About time I updated this post. I will be posting in multiple sections as I get it all in. A decent amount has happened on this car since I bought it. No real issues with the vehicle so far.
Since the update I installed the following things without taking any pictures blah blah blah...
-TCKline Roll Bar
-(2) G-Force Harnesses
-Sparco Pro2000s
- Track brake setup (blank stock rotors, PFC06s all the way around)
- UUC Teflon Coated SS lines.
- TMS Rear Shock Tower Reinforcement
-Alignment
-Stripped back half of the car
- Switched to 255/40/17 Dunlop Star Specs all the way around.
- Airbag delete
- Momo steering wheel/adapter

These modifications allowed me to enjoy the car this year. The car performed flawless and in a 15-event Driver Championship with Capital Driving Club I have garnered 1st place Overall for 2010. Also gained me 1st place in NASA-XD for 2010 (although just 2 autocrosses and one circuitcross for the entire year). This year's upcoming plans for the car included TTC classing for NASA Time trials of which I want to participate 100%, and if I have time to continue with Capital Driving Club as winning this year has granted me free autocrosses for most of next season (8 free autoxs). The car will also be going to Nationals for NASA next year wether ill be competitive or not. Unfortunately I also want to visit SCCA Nationals, but the M3 is not competitively classed. I have paired up with a Liberty University Representative and over this fall/winter/spring/summer we will be prepping and driving a 2006 STi STU SCCA effort in a sort of MM/LU collaboration.

Below are some videos from this season during Capital Driving Club.
In the rain:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJUKkOtTNz8&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJUKkOtTNz8&feature=related</a><!-- m -->
In the dry
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeRmymg_lAE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeRmymg_lAE</a><!-- m -->


It likes to lift the inside whel Tongue
[Image: BRR-SCCA.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - ScottyB - 10-07-2010

congrats on your successes, you've certainly put in the time and effort. can't wait to hear more about the MMLU collaboration.

kind of non-related to the M3 but could you go into your video setup? i'm sort of compiling a list for an eventual setup and right now the easy button is a GoPro HD. what are you using and what do you like to edit with?

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-07-2010

Yep GoPro HD. I bought it cause its water proof (ive taken it tubing just attached around my wrist and lasted smashing against rocks, drinking, and being dunked in the water for periods of time. I will also be using it for skiing, biking, etc.

Sound is amazing if you se the right case for what it is. I still wish you could get the external mic theyve been promising for a year and a half. I edit with imovie and it does a good enough job for what I do. I will be starting a project as well for the MM/LU thing once it really gets underway.

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

Alright continuing on with my updates, about 4 weeks ago I decided it was time to refresh the front suspension and put in a few goodies I had lying around....
OEM L+R Control Arms
OEM L+R Inner and Outer Tie Rods
OEM L+R Sway Bar Endlinks
Turner Motorsports Front Subframe Reinforcers
OEM E46 Motor Mounts
Delrin Front Control Arm Bushings
Safety Wire Oil Pump nut
VAC Oil pan Baffle
UCC Power Pulleys
Bimmerworld Race Intake

[Image: 58340_825455558359_7816010_46563020_1071781_n.jpg]
[Image: 60497_825457080309_7816010_46563068_3816465_n.jpg]

So tuesday night (week 1) I start tearing her apart and having fun. The process involves popping off the x-brace, front control arms, tie rods, and sway bar endlinks. Remove the sway bar, steering column to steering rack bolts, and motor mounts. Then lower subframe with steering rack and remove oil pan. I also removed the Expansion tank, radiator, and fan for the pulleys. Leaving me with this... You can see the metal thermostat husing, stewart water pump, water temp gauge, and UUC oil center (has prots for oil pressure and temp gauges) that were installed 2 months prior.

[Image: 61264_825454989499_7816010_46563014_7349853_n.jpg]
[Image: 57891_825455932609_7816010_46563047_7518685_n.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

Wednesday morning I decided to head over to RRT to get my VAC Pan Baffle welded in and my subframe reinforced. I had seen a posting about RRT having a garage sale so I Decided to check out a few things to see if I needed any. (I guess all disasters end up innocently enough). So I go into RRT and they just HAPPEN to have a full Euro Dual Pickup Oil Pump, and oil pan. For those not in the know, the pump has a siphon pickup, but also two other pickups to pickup from different parts of the pan, somewhat of a semi-dry sump setup. The stock Euro pan is also baffled heavily from the factory and is a real work of art. (for those wondering its basically the same as the LTW dual pickup setup for the factory race setup)....And they were having it for a ridiculous price. (oh no!). So I was like....fuggit, decided to go for it. One or two things needed to be ordered to make everything fit. This includes a new dipstick tube, and 2 main brackets for the pump. RRT Promised they would have the parts and subframe welded up by next day (thursday), as I had a championship points autox on Saturday.

[Image: 63514_825650178339_7816010_46568221_5082447_n.jpg]

So thursday rolls around and they go, "oops" we need to order a VAC Shaft upgrade for the euro pump, and.....we dont have any of your OEM parts here. SHIIIIEEEETTTT. And to make it worse, apparently the OEM parts were out of stock in the US, so had to be ordered from Germany. So it wouldnt be in till next Tuesday. UGH! So there blew my autocross, luckily a random competitor offered up his STi and I was able to make it to the autocross even though id never driven an STi more than a dealership's test drive. Ended up doing the autocross and doing very well. Owner of the car is typically top 5 PAX so I was resigned to thinking he would get me. Well....he wasnt very happy at the end of the autocross when I ended up besting his best time by over half a second on a 40 second course and grabbing first in PAX overall and 1st for driver's championship. Yay not total loss for the weekend.

Anyway's so Tuesday rolls around and of course RRT forgot to order one seal and the didnt press in my bushings etc etc. Sunuva bitch. So I end up getting a few things ready, but unfortuantely couldnt get much progress done because the oil pump is the first thing that has to go back on.

Here is me destrying the OEM front control arm bushing and the mess of itl; and the motor mounts that were in the car. Motor Mounts end up being perfect so ill keep these old ones as extras.

[Image: untitled.jpg]
[Image: 60200_825454695089_7816010_46563011_4859152_n.jpg]
[Image: 59158_825454809859_7816010_46563012_6097493_n.jpg]
[Image: 61609_825455179119_7816010_46563015_6741851_n.jpg]


Also in the mean time I decided I would start fabbing up my headlight duct.

[Image: 61772_825456850769_7816010_46563065_97851_n.jpg]
[Image: 58705_825456925619_7816010_46563066_1163968_n.jpg]
[Image: 60470_825647573559_7816010_46568086_4345394_n.jpg]


Dont forget on a longer project to cover up so stuff cant get up there.
[Image: 60055_825456651169_7816010_46563064_6267777_n.jpg]

Oil oil pump, suction pipe setup.....
[Image: 58292_825455338799_7816010_46563019_697268_n.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

On Wednesday I received the subframe back all welded up (tab within that boxed in aera, and then tab overlaid that you can see. Suffice to say they did a DAMN awesome job welding and a clean job). I would go back in a heartbeat to have them weld up stuff.

[Image: 62777_825648047609_7816010_46568112_2992030_n.jpg]

Mount and torque the control arms, then install Inner/Outer Tie rods and mount steering rack back on Subframe.

[Image: 58611_825647892919_7816010_46568097_4883230_n.jpg]

Then installed my UUC Motorwerkes Power Pulleys. Reasoning behind these is not the supposed "power" id be gaining, but since I went to an electric fan I had to take points for pulleys anyway (bmw fans like to explode), so any power I could get was good. And then the main reason existed was it underdrove the power steering, meaning the power steering would be less likely to cavitate at high speeds and give that "dead" power steering feel near redline during autocrosses.

[Image: 63349_825454191099_7816010_46563006_4196322_n.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

Then Thursday morning rolls around (oh shit NCCAR is this upcoming weekend, HAS TO be done tonight so I can leave for the track friday). So I drop by RRT and they have the final parts in, whew! So I grab the box and run home....

[Image: 63068_825792887349_7816010_46571863_6256363_n.jpg]

First things first, I install the 2 brackets that go to support the pickup tubes on this euro pump, these go underneath main bearing bolts, remember to always have your torque wrench ready!

[Image: 58298_825649868959_7816010_46568209_7133586_n.jpg]
[Image: 59524_825649414869_7816010_46568187_5889947_n.jpg]

New VAC shaft upgrade with proper sprocket for US S52 motor...
[Image: 61939_825649998699_7816010_46568212_875733_n.jpg]

Install pump on motor...(in these pictures its missing one pickup tube that gets installed later)

[Image: 61675_825648621459_7816010_46568144_1447799_n.jpg]


Install sprocket on pump, and put bolt in counterclockwise threading (VAC Shaft upgrade makes it a bolt for safety use instead of crappy stud on stock). Use loctite and torque to 18ft/lbs.

[Image: 59307_825648351999_7816010_46568128_465305_n.jpg]
[Image: 61068_825648446809_7816010_46568133_3305646_n.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

Now you throw the pan on with a new gasket and liquid sealant in a few key locations and be careful tightening down as it is an aluminum oil pan and bolts do not require much torque. Install new dipstick tube, and route old PVC line to nipple on oil pan next to dipstick tube. Then install the UUC Magnetic Drain Plug. Then with the help of another person (thanks Jason Happ), lift up your subframe and align with steering column and subframe bolts. Line up and torque to specs after installing motor mounts and rotating to correct position. Then drop the motor down onto the motor mounts.

Do some quick measuring of the tie rods to make sure they are equal on both sides (and measure old tie rods to get somewhere close on alignment). Install along with sway bar and endlinks. Torque control arms and install Delrin control arm bushing with lollipops onto control arm with Marine Bearing grease. Lastly throw x-brace on and do double check of of all bolts.

Then I threw back in my radiator (mishimoto with electric fan and new hoses). And fill and bleed with distilled water only, and one bottle of water wetter. (Coolant is NOT okay in a track car).

[Image: 58632_825454395689_7816010_46563008_854015_n.jpg]
[Image: 60888_825454290899_7816010_46563007_2119192_n.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - .RJ - 10-08-2010

Where's the safety wire?

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

So car was ready to go, threw her up on the trailer and headed down to NCCAR. Of course when I tried to install my track pads and rotors, the allen key to hold down the rotor (stupid bmw) was stripped (former own sunvuanbvl abjv;ava) So I tried drilling it out. Well my drill bits suck and it ended up not getting through it. Justin mentioned I could work on my car at his place. So friday night I stop in Richmond at Justins. Pull the car off the trailer and into his garage. Drill out the key (nice bits Justin Wink ) and threw on my track pads and rotors. Woot! All ready to go!

[Image: NCCAR.jpg]

NCCAR was fantastic and I had a hell of an awesome time. Ill update this post with video of NCCAR when I have some time to edit at home. Mike D'Amico joined me at NCCAR for tracking his m3, has the black roof M3.

[Image: NCCAR2.jpg]
[Image: NCCAR3.jpg]

I then had an oopsie moment trying to get as much speed out of corner exit and dropped 2 wheels off. Well NCCAR isnt very finished so there is no curbing, meaning it drops pretty heavily into dirt. My cat-back caught and rippped off the exhaust hangers meaning I dragged my exhaust into pits. No problem, removed the cat-back and continued on the weekend albiet a bit louder Tongue

Exhausting track weekend it was nice for the first time to just drive the car up on the trailer and head home. Truck and trailer are really easy to drive, enough so that I trusted my girlfriend to drive the whole ensemble home.

[Image: NCCAR4.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - D_Eclipse9916 - 10-08-2010

That week turned out to be incredibly busy at work and had no time to work on my car. Still managed to harass Eric Wong (a NASA racer) into helping me build a splitter for the car. All I had time for was to check fluids, brakes and load her back up on the trailer to go to Summit Point Shenandoah course. Didnt have time to put back on the cat-back but I figured no noise restrictions on track; so who cares?

[Image: new3.jpg]
[Image: new2.jpg]

Went to Shenandoah and again will post video once its uploaded.

[Image: Shenandoah.jpg]

Anyway last session of Saturday I notice the car becoming NOTICEABLY louder and luckily the session was almost up so I pulled in and put the car up to see what was wrong. Oops, apparently between last weekend and this weekend, the mid-pipe rubber hangers broke (original), and allowed the midpipe to swing and ended up cracking a header at the flange. SHIT!. Oh wait, its after the primary o2s.....soooo...yes I continued on the rest of the weekend, REALLY LOUD. hahah.

When I got home, I didnt have time to address it so the week continued on to Wednesday night when I wanted to address it. I also wanted to install my m50 intake manifold (upgrade for 96-99 m3s) so I recruited the help of Mike D' Amico and we tackled the job of headers and intake manifold. This is the header that destroyed itself...
[Image: 37957_833759547099_7816010_46812277_4110456_n.jpg]


My classing takes points for headers so I decided to throw another set of stockers in. Although this time I decided while I was in there to wrap them up to keep engine bay temps down even more (even though stock there was no shielding and it was fine), and to keep exhaust velocity up. Remember with heat wrap to take your time and plan in advance so that the wrap stays TIGHT, plenty of overlap and to make sure it stays out of the way of bolt holes.

[Image: 40735_833759836519_7816010_46812280_6234280_n.jpg]

I also covered the heat wrap with a silicone spray the helps keep out moisture and keep heat in.

[Image: 64655_833760295599_7816010_46812284_3317952_n.jpg]


Then we finished up the intake manifold, installed the headers, put new exhaust hangers in for the midpipe and buttoned her up. Cat-back still isnt on because im waiting for exhaust hangers for the cat-back. Now shes ready for VIR this weekend!

[Image: new.jpg]

Re: Dj's 1999 M3 Project - Sijray21 - 10-08-2010

i love this thread.

great job and sorry about your Team Green excursion