Just another M3, this time with a V8.

[-Rob]

Just caught up with this, epic updates.

I too have had the Por15 tattoo’s. I once painted the underside of one of my cars and it ended up flicking all over my face. Nothing gets it off even cellulose thinner, had to scrub It off with a scouring pad in the end and my colleagues at work thought it was hilarious the day after. I did laugh when the tin said it comes off with time

Cheers man

It’s brutal stuff! Gives me hope it won’t come off the car though..

I had to attack my face with a scouring pad and pure alcohol to get a few spots off, wasn’t pleasant!

 

[Brigsy]

Cheers man

It’s brutal stuff! Gives me hope it won’t come off the car though..

I had to attack my face with a scouring pad and pure alcohol to get a few spots off, wasn’t pleasant!

Ill never forget the red rash from the scouring pad

The finish is very durable will last great. I done my Extra van jacking points and sills ten years ago, has not come off. I reckon i would need to attack it with a knotted wheel to get it off.

 

[Greeny.]

Where abouts you from rob? I’m just about 50 mins from Snet so my local as well.

 

[Pep]

Amazing car this, great work!

 

[-Jamie-]

Pikey subframe coating [emoji102]

 

[-Rob]

Where abouts you from rob? I’m just about 50 mins from Snet so my local as well.

Norwich centre for the most part

Amazing car this, great work!

Thanks Joe, you still got your 46?

Pikey subframe coating [emoji102]

Itll do for the time being.. probably a winter job to take it all off and re do it properly

 

[-Jamie-]

Definitely better than nothing though, I've forgotten what the underside of mine is like tbf

 

[Philip.]

Absolutely love this! I want one 😂

 

[-Rob]

Have some big plans in the pipeline for the centre console, chucking loads of ideas around.

Carbon fibre
Alcantara
Kevlar
Perspex insert so I can still see the CAE
Double/triple Gauge pod where the ashtray was..

Undecided yet! But it’s getting there!

 

[NorthloopCup]

@-Rob what issues are you having with the battery mate? Has the car been ‘told’ it’s got a different battery on it? If it hasn’t, it may have issues charging it at the correct rate. The alternator doesn’t charge in the same way as a ‘normal’ car.

 

[AdDaMan]

You need an Awron gauge imo. They are awesome.

 

[-Rob]

@-Rob what issues are you having with the battery mate? Has the car been ‘told’ it’s got a different battery on it? If it hasn’t, it may have issues charging it at the correct rate. The alternator doesn’t charge in the same way as a ‘normal’ car.

Battery went from 12.8v to 2.8v in less than 12 hours. The 4 days prior to that it dropped 0.21v with the alarm and normal drain. Alternator is working as it should. Battery has been returned for testing and I got a free upgrade to a heavier/stronger battery which I’m not going to grumble about as it may suit the car more for daily use.

You need an Awron gauge imo. They are awesome.

I do like the Awron gauge, just suppliers that put me off.

 

[-Jamie-]

Battery went from 12.8v to 2.8v in less than 12 hours. The 4 days prior to that it dropped 0.21v with the alarm and normal drain. Alternator is working as it should. Battery has been returned for testing and I got a free upgrade to a heavier/stronger battery which I’m not going to grumble about as it may suit the car more for daily use.




I do like the Awron gauge, just suppliers that put me off.

Get them direct for a lot cheaper than our favourite “M Specialist“

 

[-Rob]

New rear camber bushes arrived, because my camber is 0.7 out of perfect when setup. Not to mention my inner bush looks absolutely destroyed after 12 years on the road. Should keep my camber more consistent especially under load - must have for running slicks.

Anyone know how to fix this LED board on my LED sidelights? Would like to fix these as they’re £115 and im decent with a soldering iron. So if anyone has any suppliers that would be appreciated as I can’t find anything.

 

[-Rob]

Today’s been a mixed bag, spent a fair amount of time faffing around with the car today - one of those days where nothing really went right..

Got my delivery from BMW that consisted of my Tiny foam dampener between the CAE selector rod and the gearbox selector because the old part had worn away into a nub. Took 5 days from ordering which wasn’t ideal as I’ve been itching to get the shifter on and working 100%.

Adjusted the CAE for the second time to make sure the shifts were perfect.

Jacked up the gearbox, put the mount on..snapped this bolt putting it in. Managed to drill through it and the drill on reverse removed the left over bolt in the chassis - which was very lucky!

Ordered and paid for new bolts from BMW that were missed by the garage on the lunchtime delivery by 10 minutes. Expecting them the middle of next week now as they weren’t sent out today so they’ll be processed on Monday now.

Made do temporarily with these I had laying around from another project. So I put them in, torqued them to spec and marked them in hopes they don’t cause me any problems until the new OE bolts arrive.

I managed to fit the new upgraded Deadweight Max battery today, fits substantially better than the previous one, no faffing - complete plug and play and at 950cca and 120ah it far outperforms the standard battery at 800cca and 80ah. Plus it only weighs 5kg instead of the 27kg original battery.

Everything seemed to be plain sailing from there on in, fitted the centre section back underneathI’ve realised it’s exceptionally easy fitting an exhaust by yourself when it’s made from titanium!

Back-boxes left to fit and then I can drop the car on the ground and use it for work again..

Then this happens;

Fatal. New exhaust clamp online earliest delivery is Tuesday next week so I’ve asked around local garages and a few specialists in the hopes of finding two new 60-68mm exhaust clamps.

One step forward and two steps back, at least once it’s all done I know it’s been done properly with no corners being cut.

 

[-Rob]

Just to show it doesn’t live on axle stands, got stuck in Tesco last night as it wouldn’t select reverse.. had to push it out of the parking space..

It’s being jacked back up, entire exhaust off again and the heat shields just to adjust the CAE again..

 

[frayz]

This is exactly why I haven’t fitted my Numeric Racing setup in the Cayman. I can’t be arsed with the inevitable dicking about. 😅🤦🏽‍♂️

 

[-Rob]

This is exactly why I haven’t fitted my Numeric Racing setup in the Cayman. I can’t be arsed with the inevitable dicking about. 😅🤦🏽‍♂️

If I wasn’t in such a rush to get it fitted I’d have checked the alignment in the car, because I had dirty jeans on I didn’t sit in my seats and try it out.. now cost me about 2/3 hours work.. how it is sometimes!

I think the gearbox mounts are coming off as it feels like a vibrator at anything over 5000rpm. Not sure I can live with it.. Not to mention I think it’s amplified the noise from the lightweight flywheel.

#onlyadaily

 

[-Jamie-]

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Had similar in the Megane except I couldn't get 1st/2nd, That was embarrassing in the middle of town

 

[Strell]

Such an amazing build. Next level stuff. Just google the battery as I was interested for my track car. At the price!

 

[Ash J]

Amazing work.

Love all the top quality parts, Millway stuff is p**n.

I had the same with a ZPO shifter in my Megane Trophy, went to do a 3 point turn in the middle of turn as couldn’t be asked waiting in a queue, swung it round and then wouldn’t go in reverse, so was just sat there middle of the road in a liquid yellow Megane 😅 very embarrassing.

 

[-Rob]

Glad I’m not the only one to have gear shifter woes and embarrassing moments!

This could be the reason it wouldn’t select reverse..

Some idiot put the butterfly clips on the selector rod the wrong way around.. (me) so it was hitting the bracket below.

The CAE tolerances are minimal so I had to take the entire selector rod off - about 40 minutes of faffing later.. swapped the pins and butterfly clips around and it worked as it should.

Put the BMW motorsport gearknob back on the shifter. Feels nicer than the CAE gearknob.. need to find some thread paste/glue/tape to thicken up the thread/stop movement.

Even managed to take it into town without getting stuck!

Fit new intake when it arrives from America
Front dampers off for a refurbishment
Rear brake calliper rebuild x2
Track wheels back on with DZ03G
Driver corner weight and string alignment

 

[-Rob]

Guess what?

It’s back on axle stands.

Time to get these sent off for warranty work. Should come back as brand new.

Also found this front lower arm, so I’ve ordered two new ones, track rod ends and tie rods so it can all be added for the fresh alignment.

Need to find some incredible aluminium cleaner as I hate the pitted look on the subframe.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Guy I know used to race BMWs and had a set of custom Nitrons on his car. He called them 'shiterons'.

I know they're well regarded in the Lotus and TVR scene but the guys I knew with them were never impressed.

 

[-Rob]

Guy I know used to race BMWs and had a set of custom Nitrons on his car. He called them 'shiterons'.

I know they're well regarded in the Lotus and TVR scene but the guys I knew with them were never impressed.

Odd that he said that then, obviously didn’t know how to set them up or they weren’t setup for the right application.

Bespoke dampers are only as good as the guy setting them up and driving them.

Majority of fast BMW’s run Nitrons. Including the 6:59 Schirmer GT. My time around Snetterton proves they’re not bad as I’m hardly a racing driver.

As for the corrosion warranty issue, it’s been dealt with alright. Shouldn’t have been a problem for 6 month old dampers though..

 

[neil a]

I had nitrons on my Lotus and was very impressed , but as they are a race car part the build quality as far as longevity goes isnt the best for road use and really a yearly overhaul is to be expected.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Odd that he said that then, obviously didn’t know how to set them up or they weren’t setup for the right application.

Bespoke dampers are only as good as the guy setting them up and driving them.

Majority of fast BMW’s run Nitrons. Including the 6:59 Schirmer GT. My time around Snetterton proves they’re not bad as I’m hardly a racing driver.

As for the corrosion warranty issue, it’s been dealt with alright. Shouldn’t have been a problem for 6 month old dampers though..

This was a while ago mind you, I went on many a trip to their offices and Guy was always a gent.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

I had nitrons on my Lotus and was very impressed , but as they are a race car part the build quality as far as longevity goes isnt the best for road use and really a yearly overhaul is to be expected.

I think this is the real issue in a lot of cases. These things just aren't designed as 'fit and forget' items. They are designed for cars that are used, then put up on stands and cleaned. On WRC cars, they will often use more than one set of dampers in a single day, rebuilding and rotating them 😂

 

[-Rob]

I had nitrons on my Lotus and was very impressed , but as they are a race car part the build quality as far as longevity goes isnt the best for road use and really a yearly overhaul is to be expected.

Definitely, scheduled service was after 5,000 miles or a year or two depending on use. They’re going back to Nitron after premature corrosion and noises.

6 months old and 2,500 miles. A years warranty with the dampers so they’re sorting them out. Was a powder coating problem with the batch of springs apparently.

May I also highlight that they are designed and marketed for race and street application and being made from titanium and aluminium they should be up for hard use and road conditions. Something I’ve had lengthy discussions with Nitron about.

I think this is the real issue in a lot of cases. These things just aren't designed as 'fit and forget' items. They are designed for cars that are used, then put up on stands and cleaned. On WRC cars, they will often use more than one set of dampers in a single day, rebuilding and rotating them 😂

As above, I cleaned them many times over the last 6 months. Which is how I noticed a powder coating issue on the springs.

Anyone that fits dampers worth just shy of £5000 and forgets about maintaining them is daft IMO.

 

[JackJack]

This build is quality

 

[-Rob]

Intake kit arrived from America, that’ll do! Bit of a used bargain.

Cleaned up and re oiled the filter.

Before

Size difference

Air filters pretty huge..

Finished

Should give 8-12hp which I can’t argue with. Lovely fitment!

Hopefully get the rear callipers done this week along with some more underside cleaning and fitting of the new suspension parts.

 

[-Rob]

Dampers arrived back from Nitron, like new!

Decided my hubs and other arms could do with a bit of a clean so I bought some Frost Ali clean, this stuff is epic! One pass with it made a world of difference..

Before

After

Also replaced my lower front arms as one inner bush emptied itself and they were beyond their best. I also bought inner tie rods and new track rod ends which will be fitted once I buy a 38mm

Nitrons fitted again.

Now waiting for my new brake duct kit to arrive so I can get that fitted and clean up my brakes, may even put new discs and pads on. These still have a trackday or two left in them though..

 

[-Jamie-]

That frost stuff looks the tits, may get some for my inevitable refresh


Nitrons seem to be pretty hardy, a mate had them in his Megane for like 2/3 years now and they still look and perform like new.
Same can't be said for AST [emoji849]

 

[frayz]

Gonna put some covers on em this time Rob?

 

[-Rob]

That frost stuff looks the tits, may get some for my inevitable refresh


Nitrons seem to be pretty hardy, a mate had them in his Megane for like 2/3 years now and they still look and perform like new.
Same can't be said for AST [emoji849]

I was blown away at how good the Frost stuff is, if I find the time I’ll go over the subframe area again with it.

That’s why I went for the Nitrons because they seem to last, I guess I was just unlucky with the paint defects on mine.

I think AST are pretty decent aren’t they?

Gonna put some covers on em this time Rob?

If I have no other option but to run the car over winter then I’ll get covers for definite. For now, a ceramic coating of everything and a nice lathering of XCP (like ACF but scored higher on tests).

I have absolutely no intentions of running the car when the salt is on the road again 😕

 

[-Jamie-]

Performance wise yeah they are really good but they just didn't stand up to road use

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

What a car.

Part of me still wonders whether I should have started my M3 journey with one of these.

 

[-Rob]

What a car.

Part of me still wonders whether I should have started my M3 journey with one of these.

Thanks mate, it’s a great car and at the prices they’re now going for theyre a bit of a bargain!

 

[-Rob]

Before and After on the tie rods and track rod ends.

All fitted!

Then set about fitting the prototype brake duct kit with plastic printed duct adaptors.

Booked Snetterton 4th June for a shakedown, hopefully do my first ring trip early to mid July all going well.

 

[-Jamie-]

New products [emoji102]


Did your splitter not have the ducting on it?