Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / shifter

« on: June 11, 2009, 02:52:43 PM »

You do not need to do all that to install a shortshifter, take the pin out of the shifter mount at the tranny #3, take the clip out if the selector rod #15-17 and disconnect the reverse switch wires #21 and the whole shifter assembly comes out the bottom

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=25_0027&hg=25&fg=05

..... no matter how you unhook it .... this is still less work!

Lots of naysayers here, huh.
Oh well ..... I was just trying to do a favor for y'all.
It's just an alternative part to the expensive versions.

2

Engine + Driveline / Short Shift Bargain of the Century!

« on: June 11, 2009, 12:06:39 PM »

I have 'legitimate' BMW short shift kit that I was going to install in the 318is.
I wasn't looking forward to having to remove all that stuff to get to the install. One day I was scanning through E30bay and found this thing made by Cartoka. It was very cheap, about 30 bucks, but install looked a lot easier. I bought it, more to test out whether or not I would even like a shorter shifting car, but also because I was interested in it ... and it was cheap!
This piece required no driveline or exhaust disassembly .. took all of 20 mins to put in.
It's excellent! And it's made really well; those are roller bearings where the extension stud pivots. The first thing I noted was how little movement the stick now had. It really is switch-like. The second thing I noticed was that the system got more notchly, but that's due to the 180k that my car had on the existing bushings. After a few hundred miles the system has smoothed out nicely ... or maybe I got used to using a 'switch' shifter. Clicking through the gears is lightning quick now, making it easy to keep the m42 in its perfect range. I now do not mind that it takes two shifts to get to 60 ... it's FUN!
BMW sourced kit went to a friend and I spent the extra funds on gas.

3

General Topics / Black hole

« on: June 04, 2009, 06:38:34 AM »

I feel you on that one, this is what I would do--check Ebay and see if they have a website and If they do, then check all of their feedback from buyer's so you could get a picture for yourself on how they conduct business.  Then again, you could alway's call the BBB and see if they really are a registured business.

Great advice!
I'll do that.

The BBB seems to be as effective as Carfax, so I'll most likely avoid them.

Thanks ... and thanks for your service to my country and family.

4

General Topics / Anybody buy wheels from AllFactoryWheels.com?

« on: June 03, 2009, 02:16:15 PM »

Just want to make sure I'm not sending money into a black hole.

j

5

General Topics / M42 vs the rest

« on: May 31, 2009, 06:07:40 PM »

I have three BMWs.
One is a fire breathing e34 540i that puts down something like 330 hp at the wheels and handles like an M5.
The car I have the most fun with is the e30 318is. It is far better balanced, gets way better gas milage, much easier, cheaper and simpler to mod and work on and is easily a far better bang for the buck. It has a "usable" amount of hp and torque for blasting around anywhere, (even track days) not just stoplight to stoplight tuner posing. It has always been reliable, constantly is a source of joy, and it is a daily driver to boot ... going totally unnoticed by the local cops, speeding around is a freebie. It's simply a great car and BMW will never again build a car so amazingly perfect (sad indeed).
If I want to blow smoke up some corvette ass then out comes the 540, but believe me, those moments are few and far between even when I'm deliberately fishing to kick some unsuspecting butts.
BUT ... PLEASE YOU GUYS ... stop drawing attention to how excellent these cars are, willya! I want these all for myself and the few other chosen M42 true believers ONLY! I do not want to share these with dopes!
Let them elitist snobs have their visions of six and eight cylinder bliss!
At the end of the day, they'll still come home empty.

6

Engine + Driveline / Longevity of M42

« on: March 10, 2008, 07:30:06 PM »

I have a '93 e36 with the M42.
I'm second owner (its my second car to an e34 540i and a daily driver).
First owner is a good buddy who took great care of the car and gave it to me after nicking a wall with it. I put it all back together.
It has now passed through the 270k mile mark on just regular, but attentive maintenence. Overheated once due to cracked radiator from the accident that I did not catch during the rebuild ... but NO engine damage. Everything inside that motor is original (I added in a Dinan ECU chip when they were on sale).
In fact, the motor outlasted the tranny!
Burns 1/2 quart of oil in about 3.5k miles ... or within one oil change. Runs, pulls excellent, smooth and quiet. It will easily reach the 350k mark before it will need any major maintenence. Try that with a Camry .......

I'd buy another M42 bimmer in a New York minute!

7

Engine + Driveline / Transmission conversion question

« on: March 10, 2008, 02:39:38 PM »

Hi all!
I need to know if the 5-speed tranny out of an early e36 325 is the same as that used in the e36 318is (m42 eng).
Does anybody know for sure?


j

8

Engine + Driveline / e36 318is vibration and noise problem

« on: November 20, 2007, 03:20:13 PM »

270k miles on this beast, still runs great BUT ... I get a vibration, high freq. and a lot of vibration noise right at 3700rpm .. drowns out the tunes.
What do I look for?


j