M5 "Makeover" (Photo Heavy!)

[Tammer in Philly]

Car looks amazing. Great work. Hope you held onto the stock S38 parts.

I am trying hard, but I think the only gripe I can make is that I don't love the intake hose between the carbon fiber pieces. Is there an appropriately-sized silicone tube or something that could work and be a solid color (preferably black)?

Overall--stunning. By the way - in your first round of pics, I was thinking "such a nice and clean car but that old coolant bottle ..." Well, you fixed that and more!

[Tifoso]

Car looks amazing. Great work. Hope you held onto the stock S38 parts.

I am trying hard, but I think the only gripe I can make is that I don't love the intake hose between the carbon fiber pieces. Is there an appropriately-sized silicone tube or something that could work and be a solid color (preferably black)?

Overall--stunning. By the way - in your first round of pics, I was thinking "such a nice and clean car but that old coolant bottle ..." Well, you fixed that and more!

Thanks! Yes, absolutely, I have retained all of the stock S38 parts.

I hear you on the intake hose. The original hose that we found was red, which I was not happy with, so this one is a huge improvement! I agree that it would be ideal to have one that was all black, but I think it's difficult to find one with the right heat/rigidity specs in the proper 120 mm diameter.... I will definitely keep my eyes peeled, though.

[m-racer]

Excellent work. I used Alpha N on my former (TiminNF's) stroker M30because I had good experiences with the system on E30 M3s. Your is the only S38 with that engine management that I have read about. How is it working for you - what type of performance change did you see? I assume you used closed loop. Look forward to reading more.

[HealeyBN7]

With the new air box and snorkel are you still running an air filter? I just can't figure out where is would be given the headlights are just about inline with the radiator cross brace.

[tn535i]

I like almost everything and I won't say what I don't because it's personal preference but agree with that hose and where is the AF now ?

You might try some of those plastic straps with the snap together grips if they come big enough. The would look cleaner and are easy to reuse and it's not like you need an absolute seal there. I'm thinking the 120mm is probably going to limit your choices though and 100mm (4") would have probably been plenty big and give more options for hose and clamps. A nice aluminum transition on each would look good and could be glued on the CF boxes.

Where did you get the coated headers? Nice. What about the rest of the exhaust or did I miss the description?

Great work, wish I had the time to spend on a project like this. Maybe in retirement. Hah.

[HealeyBN7]

I do like it. The location of the MAF sensor is also interesting. I am using Dan Millers 4" MAF and I considered restricting the ID to 3.5 or smaller to pick up a more definitive signal at idle to 3k. I know that would be a trade off at 7k.

I probably won't do it as I have it dialed in well enough to pull cleanly to redline and still pass smog, but I must be missing something in my analysis of you are able to get excellent drivability with a Panamal canal sized ID. It must be the better ECU that allows the soft are signal?

As another data point, I have wonderful traceability on my Lotus with no MAF and a well tuned OMeX system.

Enough rambling. Nice work!

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

I do like it. The location of the MAF sensor is also interesting. I am using Dan Millers 4" MAF and I considered restricting the ID to 3.5 or smaller to pick up a more definitive signal at idle to 3k. I know that would be a trade off at 7k

What MAF sensor?

Nice to see someone getting good streetable results from Alpha-N tuning. I've been contemplating this path on my ITB'd M30 to avoid an airbox all together and am beginning to lean towards it more now I've seen this.

[HealeyBN7]

What MAF sensor?

I didn't realize the Alpha-N system didn't use a MAF. I should have done some homework before commenting... Always a good rule.

I guess that's a temp sensor I mistook for a MAF. And I should have noticed the TPS was changed. Probably to get a linear signal.

Nice set up.

Dean

[Tifoso]

We're planning to dyno tune shortly, so we should have some numbers to test my seat-of-pants observations which are: quicker throttle response, slight reduction in low end torque, and a solid wave of more power from 4,000 RPM on up. Driveability (including stop and go, part throttle inputs, coasting, idle quality) all remain excellent.

Someone asked about exhaust specs -- the euro headers are mated to a VSR center section and a B&B muffler. I like the exhaust sound -- I was worried it would be too loud when I added the headers, but not at all the case. A nice bellow when you get on it, fairly quiet at cruise, and no droning whatsoever....

In terms of filtration, we had to improvise -- VSR used some filter foam to fabricate a panel filter that sits just in front of the airbox, with a bracket system that allows fairly easy removal for cleaning or replacement. I will post a photo.

Carmine

[austin_caccavo]

Does it get more perfect than this? I am beyond jealous!!

[tn535i]

So I gotta say after spending my career in filtration I don't like foam filters. They don't perform well and if you get the efficiency up at all they have way too much restriction because the area is tiny by comparison to pleated paper. That is by far the better way to go and the stock M5/6 filter is good design for air.

Keep that machine on clean roads in fair weather, you don't want to get it dirty anyway.

[dan101smith]

I like this a lot. Certainly neater than my effort:

[Tifoso]

So I gotta say after spending my career in filtration I don't like foam filters. They don't perform well and if you get the efficiency up at all they have way too much restriction because the area is tiny by comparison to pleated paper. That is by far the better way to go and the stock M5/6 filter is good design for air.

Keep that machine on clean roads in fair weather, you don't want to get it dirty anyway.

While some may disapprove, I never drive this car in the rain or on any dusty/dirt roads - she's a real princess!

[Tifoso]

I like this a lot. Certainly neater than my effort

Totally badass! That's the other (larger) box that I considered.... Performance must be amazing.

[CBREEZ]

True inspiration for a fellow M5 owner, and best of all rather local! I love it!!!

[CarNut68]

Maybe I missed it but what is the exhaust system? Very nice looking.

[leadphut]

i don't share many colored, bea gifs, but this car is worth it.

[Tifoso]

Maybe I missed it but what is the exhaust system? Very nice looking.

Exhaust details are buried in one of my responses above: " the euro headers are mated to a VSR center section and a B&B muffler. I like the exhaust sound -- I was worried it would be too loud when I added the headers, but not at all the case. A nice bellow when you get on it, fairly quiet at cruise, and no droning whatsoever...."

[Tifoso]

A quick update: the car has been running great overall with the Alpha N tune. The only issues I've been experiencing are some occasional stumbling/stalling at low RPM. VSR did a dyno tuning session yesterday, and it seems much better. Still not always perfect coming off idle, but there is more fine tuning to do. The car dyno'd at 272 hp at the rear wheels (at 6300) and 246 lb ft of torque (at 5400). With an 18% to 20% drivetrain loss assumption, that's around 330 crank hp. I can post the dyno sheet, but not sure how to post a PDF on here....

[Tifoso]

FYI, I have posted my Fikse wheels for sale in the classifieds, in case anyone is interested:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=146141

[Tifoso]

Another update: I have added a stitched vinyl dash, "fake" euro wipers (i.e., just the wipers, none of the other mechanicals), Condor shift knob, and my 4th and FINAL set of wheels, a custom set of BBS E50 replicas made Image Wheels in 17" x 8.5". I think I'm finally done!

Here are a few new photos:

[brickwhite]

any more pictures of the e28goodies dash?

[milarsky]

Killer build!!! Great job.

[tig]

I think I'm finally done!

Ha! That's what they (we) all say.

Good work, regardless.

[Tifoso]

any more pictures of the e28goodies dash?

I don't have any, unfortunately. There are a bunch more on e28goodies web site, which actually very accurately represent the dash.

[Tifoso]

Killer build!!! Great job.

Thanks!

I think I'm finally done!

Ha! That's what they (we) all say.

Good work, regardless.

Hey, may as well try to deceive myself for a day or two! Thanks, Charlie.

[EuroShark]

Amazing! I love it.

What model wheel is that? I've looked at Images site but I can't seem to find this exact style.

[Tifoso]

Amazing! I love it.

What model wheel is that? I've looked at Images site but I can't seem to find this exact style.

Thanks! This is a one-off set that Image did for me based upon a 16" BBS E50 wheel they had for measurement purposes. In addition to their standard wheel styles, they also do custom requests....

[tn535i]

Can I give you my run down as it looks like you are asking for it?

Was the interior fully replaced also? The color is more modern looking and IMO better suited to black than US M5's originally had. Beautiful choice and work.

Wheels and tires and stance are so much of an 'in the eye of the beholder' thing that I would have chosen a little different but still looks amazing to me and not the overdone drop and such so many go for. Very much perfect.

The newly minted Blaupunkt receiver discussed in another thread might be better suited than the Nakamichi. Take a look.

Since it's so near perfection I have to point out it appears the front bumper trim is running a little downhill on the left front corner. Maybe that's just me imagining that.

Overall score, STUNNING and more and more STUNNING.

Thanks for sharing it with us I wish one day I could bring my car (M6) anywhere even close to that level.

[Tifoso]

Can I give you my run down as it looks like you are asking for it?

Was the interior fully replaced also? The color is more modern looking and IMO better suited to black than US M5's originally had. Beautiful choice and work.

Wheels and tires and stance are so much of an 'in the eye of the beholder' thing that I would have chosen a little different but still looks amazing to me and not the overdone drop and such so many go for. Very much perfect.

The newly minted Blaupunkt receiver discussed in another thread might be better suited than the Nakamichi. Take a look.

Since it's so near perfection I have to point out it appears the front bumper trim is running a little downhill on the left front corner. Maybe that's just me imagining that.

Overall score, STUNNING and more and more STUNNING.

Thanks for sharing it with us I wish one day I could bring my car (M6) anywhere even close to that level.

Thanks so much! Interior was re-done in euro cloth by a prior owner. I re-dyed the leather and did other odds and ends like steering wheel, stereo/speakers, carpets, shift knob, etc. And lots of elbow grease! I missed the Blaupunkt thread, will have to check that out.