Newbie with a serious tuning disorder.

[Alun1976]

Also, I forgot to mention that there is actually a full rear axle of an E46 M3 available at the moment on eBay. They don't seem to pop up very often.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-M3-E46-Diff-And-Complete-Rear-Axle-/181305590841?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a36a7c439

 

[Stevie.w]

I agree, when you poly bush a car it totally transforms it and with proper coil overs and bars it ends up being a real track weapon.
Just wondering what power your motor runs with the charger fitted?

 

[Alun1976]

I agree, when you poly bush a car it totally transforms it and with proper coil overs and bars it ends up being a real track weapon.
Just wondering what power your motor runs with the charger fitted?

I haven't had it dyno'd since fitting the supercharger but ESS quote in the region of 350hp and 430Nm of torque. In practical terms, I have managed to leave an E46 M3 standing, however the E92 M3 left me standing (414hp I think they are). I'm currently rebuilding an engine with forged low compression internals though and schrick cams going to the next level (ESS TS3) which is quoted to give me about 460hp. Just waiting for some overbore dimension for the new pistons from ESS, they haven't been too forthcoming. Should be exhilarating to drive once all finished.

Anyone else on here gone TS3? If so, did you keep a copy of the data sheet for the pistons?

 

[Stevie.w]

What pistons are they? It's just I build race engines for a day job and may be able to find out for you.

 

[Alun1976]

Hey thanks, hope you can help me out here as ESS will not even respond to my emails. The pistons are forged CP pistons for the M54 engine 84.5mm diameter and 9:1 compression ratio. That's as much as I know about them. My local machinist said that it is standard to overbore such that there is 0.004" clearance. I haven't got a clue if this is correct but others have strongly advised that I obtain the correct data sheet.

Thanks

Alun

 

[Stevie.w]

Alun do they have a coating on the skirts, normally CP don't. I would run .003/.0035, what boost pressure are hoping to run also. For your machining work speak to Steve at Roland L Alsop, does all mine and second to none. He will also confirm clearance as .004" will probably be a bit noisy.

 

[Alun1976]

I haven't got them in front of me at the moment but am pretty sure that they don't. Im also pretty sure that they have CP logo on them. What do you mean by noisy? The difference between 0.0035 and 0.004 can make that much difference? I'll give them a call to see if they can help me.

Thanks

Alun

 

[Alun1976]

Forgot to mention, boost pressure will be 14-15 psi.

 

[Machine monkey]

Alun i need to have a chat with you at some point. I love what you have done to your car Did the M rear ARB fit straight on i have the front one on my car with Polly bushes and spax coil overs. I have the rear one in the garage waiting to go on when i overhaul the rear end and put an LSD in of some type. But it looked like it would foul the stranded diff casing. Obviously you have a m rear axle. Just wondered if you could shed some light? Also it looked like its just the cooling fins in the way. Could a slot be machined into these so it fits or is that a big no no?!?!

Stevie i have said it before but i love what your doing and i drool over this thread

 

[Alun1976]

Alun i need to have a chat with you at some point. I love what you have done to your car Did the M rear ARB fit straight on i have the front one on my car with Polly bushes and spax coil overs. I have the rear one in the garage waiting to go on when i overhaul the rear end and put an LSD in of some type. But it looked like it would foul the stranded diff casing. Obviously you have a m rear axle. Just wondered if you could shed some light? Also it looked like its just the cooling fins in the way. Could a slot be machined into these so it fits or is that a big no no?!?!

Stevie i have said it before but i love what your doing and i drool over this thread

Yes the rear ARB fitted straight on, in fact it come with the M rear axle, just needed to swap out the bushes. Will you be fitting the complete rear axle of the M3 as I'm not sure if you can overhaul your existing one to fit a LSD? Mind you, I bet you could with your engineering skills. I don't have those skills so for me I had to swap the complete rear axle which was an easy enough job, it was a straight swap. The rear diff casing did foul the diagonal struts. I didn't do any machining, all I did was fit the rear axle to the car, making sure I used my original wheel sensors, and once fitted I held the diagonal struts in position and used a marker pen to mark out what material needed removing from the rear diff case fins. It was very little that needed removing. In theory it would reduce the cooling efficiency of the diff but not by much whatsoever. I was then easily able to cut the small section of the fins away using an angle grinder which to be honest ended up being a very neat job. If I was to do this again I wouldnt bother removing the diff case and have it machined, it's just not worth the extra work IMO, and you can achieve a relatively good job using an angle grinder and a file. Feel free to PM me if you need anything clarifying.

Steve, sorry for hijacking your thread

 

[Machine monkey]

Thanks Alun
Sorry Stevie.

 

[Stevie.w]

All very interesting Alun, I'll be heading a similar route. I take it the M3 axle is wider than standard Z4 and probably bigger brakes/stronger shafts?
As for piston clearance you'd be surprised the difference .0005 and .001 can make to piston noise. Normally CP's come with a spec list of all dimensions and suggested running clearance? They usually have CP cast on the underside of each piston. What you'll notice they'll be noisy when cold and quieter when fully heated.

 

[Stevie.w]

Thanks Alun
Sorry Stevie.

No problem MM. I take it your looking at swapping to m3 rear end?

 

[Machine monkey]

I want an LSD thinking about swapping to an M3 rear end. Also looking at swapping out the internals in my diff. Both have the ups and downs.

1. M diff I won't know what condition it's in until I get it. Should be slightly cheaper and I can sandblast it repaint and fit all new bushes so it's all ready to fit. And there is the brake upgrade that comes with the swap.

2. Do like what yorky z did and drop the axel do the above stuff sand blast paint new bushes. And fit new LSD internals. The car would be off the road a bit longer but the LSD would be new.

What would you do??? Are you likely yo do??

 

[Stevie.w]

I want an LSD thinking about swapping to an M3 rear end. Also looking at swapping out the internals in my diff. Both have the ups and downs.

1. M diff I won't know what condition it's in until I get it. Should be slightly cheaper and I can sandblast it repaint and fit all new bushes so it's all ready to fit. And there is the brake upgrade that comes with the swap.

2. Do like what yorky z did and drop the axel do the above stuff sand blast paint new bushes. And fit new LSD internals. The car would be off the road a bit longer but the LSD would be new.

What would you do??? Are you likely yo do??

I would prefer a fully plated diff to drop in. The M3 seems a good option, but they are a serviceable item around 80k and all seem to be sitting around that mileage. Just wondering if the two diffs are similar sizes or is one stronger than other. Would it be better fitting plated diff to M3 axle than Z4?

 

[Grumpyowl]

Bump
Any updates on your project Stevie.w ?

 

[GP06Roadster]

Bump
Any updates on your project Stevie.w ?

+1000

 

[Stevie.w]

The suspense too much for you all.
Well eventually got it of for the custom exhaust system
It's being worked on this week and should be ready to return sometime next week. Stainless creations in Falkirk are doing the work as I've seen their work and very pleased with the end results. They did a twin turbo system on a car I was building a very special engine for.
The only other bits I've managed to start on is the remote oil filter setup and oil feed and return pipes from the engine block.
There will be a larger oil filter fitted when finally installed. What's required next is a thermostatic sandwich plate with take off's to a 30 row oil matrix, with oil lines made up as per engine spec.

 

[GP06Roadster]

When do you think it might be running Steve? Ps that Imprezza motor looks pure evil! :evil: what was the output?

 

[Mark-Z4]

I can't believe I've only just seen this, amazing!