The car that stole my life

[nwh5024]

Just to throw this out there -
I installed your panels with the larger window regulator. Just a few notes.
1. I used longer hardware (3/4" long) to help walk it into place.
2. The door handle trim does not fit because of the bow toward the front of the panel.

Regardless, still could not be happier with them.

[Spyke]

One of the few brave souls lol. Thanks for chiming in here Nate!

[Spyke]

Doing a full fresh coat of Sharpie for the big Berkeley Marina meet. Always looks SO damn good when it's fresh.

[Spyke]

IMG_0005 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[xfghu]

holy wiring nightmare batman! Did you swap the wiring harnesses? Why did you mess with the wiring? Looks insane... Damn good work though Gregg!

[RandomHero27]

As far as I know, yes. I mention to everyone that taking them out (especially on a track or dual-duty car) makes these super flush aluminum door panels easier to fit. But in the end nobody seems to want to sacrifice power windows. Even a manual regulator swap does not save any weight really... it just takes out one more electrical component and point of failure.

If it's a coupe with the silver metal motors: it is tight, it does create a small bulge, but it will fit and attach securely, and the power windows will still operate with zero issues. Most people decide the small bulge is a very minor sacrifice to keep everything simple, and actually have door panels that don't come off in your hands, rattle around, or look like a preschooler did the bubbling vinyl covering.

GOOD


BAD

im considering picking these up, i have the "bad" motors on my coupe, should i be worried?

[Jaws]

Well sheeet. Now I can't say that I'm one of the only people I know running status in an e36.

[Spyke]

IMG_0074 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

IMG_0065 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[Cuhrode]

awesome build man. I'd love to do something similar but I want to start with a lower-mileage bigger-engine car. I daily drive a '94 318i with 332k miles on it haha. bought for $700 like yourself but spent a good bit of my bank account on it. it's great fun but sometimes I wish I had something a little quicker.

also I sent you a PM about some door panels, let me know if you got it because it isn't showing up in my sent messages for some reason,

[Aapex05]

Big fan of the car spyke! Even bigger fan of the shots your getting with it. Could you tell us what kind of camera you've been using? Keep up the great work dude!

[Spyke]

awesome build man. I'd love to do something similar but I want to start with a lower-mileage bigger-engine car. I daily drive a '94 318i with 332k miles on it haha. bought for $700 like yourself but spent a good bit of my bank account on it. it's great fun but sometimes I wish I had something a little quicker.

also I sent you a PM about some door panels, let me know if you got it because it isn't showing up in my sent messages for some reason,

Nice. I am just waiting for this engine to call in sick, before I do a swap... but it's extremely healthy for now. Got your PM and you have one back sir.

Big fan of the car spyke! Even bigger fan of the shots your getting with it. Could you tell us what kind of camera you've been using? Keep up the great work dude!

Thanks man. Until just these last few pics, I have been using a Canon 450D. It's a crop sensor, but I always used nice lenses so it performs VERY well. It's a ridiculous amount lighter than my new Canon 6D full frame. Last 3 were taken with the 6D.

[Spyke]

IMG_0143 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[Spyke]

Sealer rear trailing arm bearings by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[Spyke]

Just fyi for everyone, after coils and sways, those RTA bushings/bearings are the best handling mod ever!!! I thought the car was dialed in and precise before with poly ones.... but now looking back the poly were a joke. The car is even more tight and crisp now. Ride quality has been unchanged, no more noise or anything, yet the car is more stable in and out of hard corners, and I no longer get twisting resulting in a "wiggle" out of hard corners. I can just point the car and it goes, with no steering correction needed to keep it straight.

Just superb, in every way!

[Spyke]

Getting out the last orders before I move. This is a "ghosted" flag done with frosted vinyl on matte black

e36 coupe ghost_frosted 1 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

e36 coupe ghost_frosted 2 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[Spyke]

New windshield!! It's so nice, no crack and no chips all over the place. One of the things I had to do before moving off the mainland & pass safety inspection.

[Spyke]

IMG_0608 by Spyke e36, on Flickr

[nwh5024]

Off the main land? Moved somewhere exotic?

[Spyke]

Just about to. Finishing up a few things here and prepping the e30 to sell. I'm giving up my Cali life here and moving to Hawaii, as soon as July.

[Spyke]

Most likely my last pic in Cali !

Enhanced2.2-0076 by Greg FEightytwo, on Flickr

[Spyke]

Had to bypass the heater. When I got it from the dock it was leaking coolant from the heater control valve. I've yet to pull it out and see if it's just clogged or if it's the usual cracked plastic hose fittings. I will likely end up taking out all the heater parts since I will never ever need a heater here. Otherwise the car arrived intact. When I get some time to myself finally I'll take some pics.

[travys]

Wow! That's awesome. Cant wait for my boy to get the breakdown. Great post. Subscribed.

[Spyke]

Hawaii: Land of everything must go wrong and you can never get parts in less than 4 days

IMG_0879 by Gregg, on Flickr

IMG_0881 by Gregg, on Flickr

[rajicase]

I could never live there...

The whether is great... its pretty there.. other than that, Id blow my brains out..

[pDubs]

I don't understand... The t-stat housing gasket was leaking? What did that have to do with the heater, and what does that have to do with Hawaii?