FUBAR 528e, Gauging Condition of the M90

[LeiseyJr]

[LeiseyJr]

I bought two tires and have have two decent ones on the back. Still really con fuddled on what do with coil-overs, keep flip flopping ideas. I can't make up my mind, finals is coming up my grades are decent in most of my classes. I got some more pics of my junk though. I signed up for an event on the 22nd, time to fuck some more tires up!! We also got our wait time to 14 minutes when I worked there Saturday, but I smart mouthed my boss because I am tired of some broken equipment. So that's funny. Life overall though is pretty good.

Pics yo by samleisey, on Flickr

Untitled by samleisey, on Flickr


Pics yo by samleisey, on Flickr

Pics yo by samleisey, on Flickr

Pics yo by samleisey, on Flickr

I bought extra strut housings so I don't ruin mine. I made sure to get rusted out spring perch ones since I don't need those for coils.

[LeiseyJr]

I was going through my dads old springs from the E46 he has two 7 inch 500lb springs. So that's what I'll be using in the front ordered sleeves as well, hopefully they fit. I also found a set of brand new GC Rear Shock mounts on fleabay, still need IE Rear Coilover conversion, and Ground Control Race Camber Plates. Hopefully I can scrap enough money to go to the Koni Race shock, KYB AGX Mr2, or 325ix inserts. I would try 500F and 400 R just to see if the non revalved sports can handle it just because. I want to do this right though, so delayed gratification is a bitch. My wallet is bone dry though due to christmas gifts and track events.

[LeiseyJr]

Last track day on the Spax seup it convinced me to just get some camber plates and sleeves. I am in the advanced group with these guys finally, so I gave a ride to one of my friends.

MSR advanced by samleisey, on Flickr

MSR advanced by samleisey, on Flickr


Here is my cobbled together setup:
Used 2.5 inch 7" 400lb/in springs for $48
ALL64145 Perches $25 a corner
Ground Control Camber Plates $319 Shipped

Coils by samleisey, on Flickr

I kept the factory perch, just in case I wanted to go back to stock. You can't go hella stupid low like this, but its working.
Kurvenkamph Coils by samleisey, on Flickr

The max plate can go without cutting
Kurvenkamph Coils by samleisey, on Flickr

Final ride height
Coils by samleisey, on Flickr

Feels really good on the street, I'll see how it does on the track this weekend.

[LeiseyJr]

IMG_1516 by samleisey, on Flickr

Holy fuck is this car awesome now. It just does everything I want it to on track. On the street its not comfy, but I've ridden in worse. If I would've got the hybrid plates it'd be pretty good but I went full racecar because I am an idiot. Other then that it did fantastic. I set two 1:53.59's and topped it off with a 1:53.56 with a real SOLO Aim lap timer, not blistering but the car is finally consistent. A big brake kit is on the way once that is installed it will be a fantastic car, and I can drive the wheels off it lap after lap and just get better. It can be a sub 1:50 car with brakes new tire, and when I really learn this track.

Sorry for my stupid ass music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMSqqpjwrY4&t=17s

[LeiseyJr]

I got some pics from Saturday

IMG_6478 by samleisey, on Flickr

IMG_6479 by samleisey, on Flickr

IMG_6481 by samleisey, on Flickr

IMG_6489 by samleisey, on Flickr

IMG_6491 by samleisey, on Flickr

IMG_6468 by samleisey, on Flickr

My favorite pic of my car so far:
IMG_6493 by samleisey, on Flickr

[LeiseyJr]

I got my A/C functioning again, should be converting to R12 Friday. I also cleaned my sunroof drains because it rained again and it went all over my passenger seat.

Here's the trick I found, find a metal coat hanger and instead of cutting unwind it where its wound to bound together. Make sure you leave the part that looks a drill bit. Then pull the hose out the speaker area, stick hanger with drill bit going into the hose until it hits the blockage. Then chuck the coat hanger wire in a drill, you'll need an assistance maybe to hold the trigger while you support the wire. Then drill out the blockage. Flush with water into a plastic container and then reinstall until it comes out clean. Rear hoses are the same except you remove the C-Pillar trim piece thing.

[Tiit]

Where did you get R12?

[Bonsaibacker]

I got some pics from Saturday

My favorite pic of my car so far:
IMG_6493 by samleisey, on Flickr

That is a great pic- perfect signature.

[dsmith]

Ugh. Reminds me why I hate CW at that track. So pushy and boring.

Those drains must be really clogged. I have always been able to chase from the top with weed trimmer line.

[LeiseyJr]

Where did you get R12?

Found some from a dads friend. People are sellimg it on eBay.I pushed back converting as Im
Missng the side tap to get the freon out. I was advised by Hitman X (Eric) to just air duster which Im leaning towards now. Just need the side tap thingie

[LeiseyJr]

Ugh. Reminds me why I hate CW at that track. So pushy and boring.

Those drains must be really clogged. I have always been able to chase from the top with weed trimmer line.

I still find that way more fun

But yeah they were really bad. Weed wacker wire wasnt going through it at all. Hopefully no more wet passenger seat and drivers floorboard.

[LeiseyJr]

Its filled with airduster so it blows colder, has a BBK from a 540 w/ PFC pads and RE71R’s in the front. Those tires are heavaenly. That is all.

[LeiseyJr]

I will be dailying the in the fall and summer. So I am trying to fix all the broken little things, and annoying stuff.

540 BBK for my good grades for the fall semester. They have PFC race pads which are fine to daily drive so far.
Untitled by samleisey, on Flickr

Hitman X helped me filling with Airduster


I got a steering wheel that I could see the gauges with and not destroyed leather. This was of course after I found out the bolt pattern was not a momo, but a Nardi pattern. Luckily, my father saves my ass once again.



I then wasted 2 days worth of work on dumb euro things like shadow line taillights, a euro light switch and a euro check panel which should get here soon.


Untitled by [url=https://flic.kr/p/SrV7EA]Untitled by samleisey, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2evspUG by samleisey, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2eA4A4p by samleisey, on Flickr

I like the stance, I am still unsure if I need to go stiffer like 500-600lb springs but then it will ride like ass. I might need to get Fortune Auto Coilovers, so I can actually be low and comfy.

I also went drifting which was fun and did this. There was a cone hitting competition, and well I hit the cone but washed out. If I had an ebrake, I couldve tightned the arc. Oh well
https://flic.kr/p/2du3ypS by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132920043@N07/]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCdSySCHtUQ
Luckily it's built like a panzer and it didnt really care. I was also very happy I used my old RS4's to go sliding as well, instead of my brand new RE71R's.

I also had it with just a straight pipe for a bit here is how that sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjpaYTpCJw8

I need to track it again soon and see how it feels before I change the suspension. I am only 2-3 seconds away from a sub 1:50, which would be fantastic for my old 5-series. The OBC is also working now just need a lightbar and it'll be like brand new again.

This is a car thread, but I like to add a life update as well. I talked to James Clay, and hopefully will be pit crewing for him at COTA for the end of the month. I should also be getting a internship at NOV over the summer, which means I can quit Discount Tire.

[tschultz]

Sometimes in harsh direct sunlight I look at faded paint and think it is sad to see in that condition, but the other part of me thinks, wow this item is worn in and holds a variety of stories and history. They are sort of like scars subtley hinting at adventures and such--like all the detail you share in your update posts. Great to see you enjoying it.

Here's my '85 still going strong after a decade of use. Now in winter mode lifted a bit.



Being involved with a race team has always seemed like a neat thing to me, whether that is driving, design, or simply assistance with the crew and maintenance. The team aspect combined with Motorsport sounds like a good use of time. Good luck, keep us updated.

[LeiseyJr]

Yeah if I painted that car it really wouldnt be the same. It’s a driver. I find it very fitting, and I’ve saved it from a Pick N’ Pull, and dumped almost all of the 11K I’ve earned at Discount into it keeping it going and it still looks like shit.


On the race team matter, I hope it works out because I have put a lot of time into road racing and cars. It would also be very memorable. Seems weird to throw that experience away at a 9-5. Who knows what will happen or where I’ll end up.

[adam_poll]

I've done the fortune auto thing on my 525i track car and if I could go back I'd change it up a bit. Stock the rear lower mounts have the back of the car low at full height, they would probably be maxed out on height to sit where you currently have your car sitting with room to go a lot lower. I contacted them after I installed mine and they sent me lower mounts that let me bring the back up more but still go lower then what you have (I paid shipping to Canada, parts were free, their customer support was great), I can send you part numbers and drawings for those if you like. If I could do it again though I would do what the speed academy guys did and get different rear shock with more travel (mine are 4" front, 3.5" rear, they got 4" rear as well) as more travel (and droop travel) is always good. The front you can decide where you want to set the ride height range when you weld them to your struts, I put mine about 2" up on the tube and because of that I am running E46 sway bar links which are longer then the E28 part.

I went with 10k (550lbs/in) front and 9k (500lbs/in) rear originally. I did experiment with 450lbs/in front and 400lbs/in rear but they rode worse as I was blowing through the travel too quickly. I'm now running 500lbs/in front and 450lbs/in rear and the ride is good and they're still great on track with nice even tire wear all around. I used QA1 long travel springs (7" long 2.5" diameter) from Summit and they seem pretty nice for the price, it wouldn't surprise me if that is what they are using for their Gen 7 coilovers stock. Next I'll probably play around with bump stops, stock they are hard poly so I think there's some room for improvement there.

The rest of the setup on the car is 16x8 ET23 E38 basket weaves with 225/50R16 Hankook RS-4 all around (10mm spacers up front), fully adjustable rear subframe, 25mm front and 19mm rear adjustable ST swaybars, moosehead thrust arm bearings, E31 lower control arms, poly rear subframe bushings with stock trailing arm bushings, E34 540i vented brakes front/rear with HP street/track pads.

Glad to see you're having fun with your car and keep the updates coming.

Adam

[LeiseyJr]

I've done the fortune auto thing on my 525i track car and if I could go back I'd change it up a bit. Stock the rear lower mounts have the back of the car low at full height, they would probably be maxed out on height to sit where you currently have your car sitting with room to go a lot lower. I contacted them after I installed mine and they sent me lower mounts that let me bring the back up more but still go lower then what you have (I paid shipping to Canada, parts were free, their customer support was great), I can send you part numbers and drawings for those if you like. If I could do it again though I would do what the speed academy guys did and get different rear shock with more travel (mine are 4" front, 3.5" rear, they got 4" rear as well) as more travel (and droop travel) is always good. The front you can decide where you want to set the ride height range when you weld them to your struts, I put mine about 2" up on the tube and because of that I am running E46 sway bar links which are longer then the E28 part.

I went with 10k (550lbs/in) front and 9k (500lbs/in) rear originally. I did experiment with 450lbs/in front and 400lbs/in rear but they rode worse as I was blowing through the travel too quickly. I'm now running 500lbs/in front and 450lbs/in rear and the ride is good and they're still great on track with nice even tire wear all around. I used QA1 long travel springs (7" long 2.5" diameter) from Summit and they seem pretty nice for the price, it wouldn't surprise me if that is what they are using for their Gen 7 coilovers stock. Next I'll probably play around with bump stops, stock they are hard poly so I think there's some room for improvement there.

The rest of the setup on the car is 16x8 ET23 E38 basket weaves with 225/50R16 Hankook RS-4 all around (10mm spacers up front), fully adjustable rear subframe, 25mm front and 19mm rear adjustable ST swaybars, moosehead thrust arm bearings, E31 lower control arms, poly rear subframe bushings with stock trailing arm bushings, E34 540i vented brakes front/rear with HP street/track pads.

Glad to see you're having fun with your car and keep the updates coming.

Adam

We have very similar setups, and what you are saying confirms my fear of needing to go up to 500. I don't want to drop $1500 on Fortunes though, since I've already have sunk cost in current setup. I am pretty sure at that spring rate the Bilsteins will give out. I'll put 500lb springs on them and see how they do. 500F and 400R is what I am thinking, if the Bilsteins blow they blow.

[LeiseyJr]

I just put some 6" 550lb springs on I found in my dads old E46 stuff. Car feels better, since I'm really low it keeps me off the bump stops. The ride is questionably more comfy. Perches are on the way so I can put a 400lb spring on the rear.. I am trying to adjust it ratio wise, so old rates were 400F/300R. That's a 75% difference, so for 550 it would be roughly a 400lb spring on the back. So luckily I won't need to buy new springs. Then adjust it from there sway bar wise or respring in the back if necessary. Bilsteins appear to be doing okay

[LeiseyJr]

I am pit crewing for Bimmerworld at the end of this month, have to take a math test in the morning then cannonball to Austin. It like sank in when I got 4 emails about it this morning. Should be fun, I hope.

[jayjaya29]

Crewing for BW should be fun. James Clay is a great guy.

[LeiseyJr]

550lb front springies, they're a bit short. They were in the stash though, so I will try them out this weekend if the weather is right.
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

I then moved the 400's to the rear, which meant converting to coilovers. This was a lot more pain in the ass then the fronts. I forgot to measure, and I had to set the spring perches. They were in and out like 4 times. Figured how to adjust circlip in the car
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

I had to trim the bumpstops

Update by samleisey, on Flickr

I also was going to cut up some metal from this 528e but someone beat me to the punch
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

After failing my Cal midterm it was off to COTA still found construction in the middle of nowhere.
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

To sum up the experience it was COLD and I spent most of my time just moving tires around, air pressures, and get this detailing cars. I lost my Discount Tire wind breaker jacket thing, so I was layering up. There was a lot of wind, awful misty rain weather. It was worth the networking though
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr


I also don't work at Discount Tire anymore but on the last day got a set of takeoffs for pops. Hoosier S100's
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

I got my German Check Panel working, brake master cylinder and fixed my motor mount.
Update by samleisey, on FlickrUpdate by samleisey, on Flickr
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

I also almost installed some 4 points today. We'll see.
Update by samleisey, on Flickr

[LeiseyJr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOtCNPI_sLc&t=247s

Testing didn't go well. Tire choice was shit, starter died, had like 40 psi in my gas tank because I took off muffler by diff. So it basically cooked fuel tank, car felt like ass due to tires stepping out everywhere, and had to push start home not a ideal/successful day. Pretty pissed at myself and car. Also pissed because I don't know if changes were beneficial, because car felt super loose. Probably because of the RS4's but again I won't know until I go back on fresh tires. However I didn't want to waste my fresh tires going CCW, since I was learning that way and I still don't like it that much. Why the fuck would 5 year old RA1's with barely any life yet grip and 1 year old RS4's be trashed?!?
f
I should've just left my re71r's on and muffler on. Oh well. We'll get em next time

[LeiseyJr]

M30 died, timing chain failure. Died lifting off throttle cruising and that was that. Swapping in dads old motor from Burgundy and we'll rebuild this motor again with 10:1, B35 valves, my schrick cam, and motronic 1.3

Honestly pissed at the car, but is what it is. I rag the shit out of it and I should've replaced the chain last year when I did the tensioner, even though that chain was a brand new BMW one. I should've assumed it stretched. Will be swapping it in about 2 weeks, should be R&R.

[1st 5er]

Sad news, but then, you do "drive dat bish".

[Tiit]

What excactly happened? Skipped a tooth or broke the chain?

[LeiseyJr]

Sad news, but then, you do "drive dat bish".

Yeah, its been a weekend car due to me not dailying since I live at school. So its only been seeing backroads and track events when I am hooning I keep at 4k-6600rpm. Even at cruising its 3.5K at least because no overdrive. So she's spinning. I got a solid 45K out of her, and it'll be rebuilt with more power. All actions catch up to you, thankful it broke down by home and not at Austin or at MSRH. Fix it. Race It. Break It. Repeat.

[LeiseyJr]

What excactly happened? Skipped a tooth or broke the chain?

Chain is super duper loose, and not connected with bottom end. So I'm assuming it broke, we''ll see clearly once motor is out.

[LeiseyJr]

Untitled by samleisey, on Flickr

Untitled by samleisey, on Flickr

Old is gold by samleisey, on Flickr

Stay Tuned for engine swaps, this will be a good time to redo those power steering lines while its all out. You all know I am throwing that old engine is exactly how it is currently.

[LeiseyJr]

Neat by samleisey, on Flickr
Neat by samleisey, on Flickr

Almost ready to throw original Chumbucket motor back in.