I wasn’t saying my car is simply a newer version of a e46M, just saying I wanted to go back in time to when BMW’s weren’t bloated and filled with fancy screens and fake leather. I lack the connection to my car like I feel in older BMWs and so I would love to experience that by owning an E46 either M3 or 330 to be a more practical track build one day in the future.
Makes sense honestly, I would have done the same and sounds like you’d already done the research. I do see the Vince as being more effective based on the description of it but I guess the more the merrier if you have the time/skill/resources. DJ what style did you do, simply weld onto the outside? If that worked for you, then I’m thinking it wouldn’t be an issue considering my times will probably be closer to a EV truck if I ever turn this dream into a reality
(10-18-2017, 03:35 PM)Beej Wrote:(10-18-2017, 02:07 PM)GTBrandon Wrote: Why did you end up epoxying plates rather than welding. Seems easier but not as structurally sound, no?
Just sorta happened, ha. I originally just planned on pulling the diff to replace the input seal...once I got that out, the job snowballed.
Beforehand, I had talked to two race shops in the area about reinforcement, neither of which wanted to take it on. So I was on my own. My general experience (and I know there are good ones out there), is that welds always rust. Even if properly protected on the outside, it's thin metal and I didn't trust it to not rust inside the RACP.
So that, combined with the fact that my RACP was in good shape, the car was stuck on jack stands, and I could do epoxy myself...here we are.
I am in no way qualified to speak to whether welding or epoxy is better/stronger (particularly for this application). I did like that epoxied plates are "glued" for 100% of the surface area as opposed to just where the perimeter of the weld is. Where the welds do one-up epoxy is that you're instructed to drill/expose the threaded receiver in the RACP so as to (rosette, I believe is the term?) weld all 3 layers of metal together. All I really did was strengthen the skin. I believe the "Vince-style" support is all done from above, so the plates shouldn't interfere should I decide to go that route eventually.
Makes sense honestly, I would have done the same and sounds like you’d already done the research. I do see the Vince as being more effective based on the description of it but I guess the more the merrier if you have the time/skill/resources. DJ what style did you do, simply weld onto the outside? If that worked for you, then I’m thinking it wouldn’t be an issue considering my times will probably be closer to a EV truck if I ever turn this dream into a reality
Current:
13' E92 M3 Comp | 05' Yahama R6 | 95' E36 M3
Past:
14' BMW 335xi GT | 06' Porsche Boxster S | 15' Jeep Grand Cherokee | 84' BMW 733i | 85' Honda Shadow VT700 | 06' Acura TL