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Thread: A vintage BMW race car build....Racing all over California with VARA in C-Sedan!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan

    A vintage BMW race car build....Racing all over California with VARA in C-Sedan!

    I've kept a build blog on the http://www.bmw2002faq.com site and I've decided to post a copy of it here in case you missed it on that site....and since unless you own a 2002 you never even heard about that site!

    For full project details,pics,vids etc... visit my site
    http://www.bmw1602.com
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A little back history...

    I’ve been a fan of the BMW 2002 ever since a club racer passed me in one turn 2 of willow springs during a driving event. I've always like the boxy style of 2002, Datsun 510’s and of course 88 m3’s. So in January of 2001 I decided to visit Ireland engineering to look at a fiberglass hood for my 88 ///M3. I got there early and while waiting for the employee to arrive and open up I noticed a dusty ’02 parked outside the shop. As I tried to peek inside the dusty windows and started to look more closely at it my mind started racing and getting bad ideas….

    1 week later I was back and after arranging a price with the owner, Jeremy (Ireland employee) I was back with a check. Purchased the car rust, dust, blown head gasket and all…….

    The rest is history as they say.....

    In the first 5 of so years I owned this car I slowly started modifing it more and more, fixing lots of rust, doing lost of what I call racetoration.....much later I added the cage and a few more items.....

    here is the car as I found it...



    here it is a few years later, rust fixed and now with a cage....



    my build blog picks up around may 2006......here we go!

    ------------------------------------------------

    I moved to a house with a garage!! Imagine that!

    So naturally I started on the rocky road to having new paint this Saturday. I started to remove trim and grind and use paint stripper to remove the 4 coats of paint I have on my car.

    Thank god did not find any new rust and took the time to do some more seam welding and reinforcing.

    I'm so happy about this garage.......

    then on Sunday I went the VARA British extravaganza race for some inspiration/motivation/information session. Pics of the race to come. It was the most fun I've had at a event in years!

    Here some pics from this weekend.
    Here's a link to the album on my site too;

    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...eparation&pn=1










    Date: Sat May 06, 2006 8:46 pm

    Pulled out the car once again and finished the trunk....

    Got a whole lot better at plug welding the trim holes....

    Plugged most of the trim holes today and welded a tow point for the rear and reinforced and finished welding the fuel cell cradle...

    then I primered everything white..... it Looks like progress!

    here's the link to all the pictures....
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...n/Day%202&pn=1





    fuel cell cradle



    Love my miller 130xp!



    Date: Sun May 21, 2006 8:30 pm

    progress this weekend

    Saturday
    -skinned the doors
    -welded more holes
    -masked a lot of stuff
    -removed more stuff

    sunday
    -masked more stuff
    -removed more items
    -Sanded/grinded to bare metal 1/2 of the car!!

    next weekend I'll do the other half!

    maybe even do some bondo work next time.....





    Date: Sun May 21, 2006 8:34 pm

    8" Makita sander and 80grit norton hook and loop disks.....worked like a charm to remove all 5 or 7 layer of old paint and bondo...






    now I just have to do the other half....!!!!!!!




    Date: Sun May 28, 2006 11:56 pm

    Got some new tools for the shop/garage...

    both for $2500 bucks!! I got a sweeeeeet deal! they were practically brand new too....less than 8 mos. old!

    It's a Miller Syncrowave 180SD TIG and Miller Spectrum 625 Plasma Cutter!

    now I got to wire the garage for it....soon some pics from new projects with the new tools...






    now it's time to practice....practice....practice!!!

    Date: Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:10 pm


    got the rest of the car down to bare metal ( rockers, window areas, door jambs detail stuff)

    and did some seam welding of areas I saw could use it. They do this on rally cars to help make the "uni-body" more unified. I figured I have the tools/skill plus it's a old car.....it can't hurt right?

    now it's BONDO time!!!!!!!!!!

    how fun..... not.




    Then repeat this x2000 times around the car....

    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:07 am

    More work today......

    I'm currently attaching the roll cage to various points on the unibody.

    VARA allows this in my class C-Sedan, although in BMW CCA doing this to my cage moved me up from "prepared" class to "modified" class. I would never be competitive in mod. class. But I only plan on racing with VARA so.....

    the seam welding and these "ties" will considerable help with the overall torsional rigidity of the chassis.........I hope!

    I needed some practice with the TIG anyways.....

    I do have to say welding "out of position" is extremely challenging.... this time I was hanging over the door bars essentially looking upside down at the project and welding on a vertical surface!!

    a torch operated control would be preferable in these extreme out of position TIG welds. It becomes a challenge to operate the foot control in some positions....

    even so........my welds were acceptable. I know they might not look great, but I am confident I got good penetration.

    I learned some things doing the right side, now on the other side I hope to see better welds!

    after adding a couple more tubes on the cage, I'll be ready for BONDO! then primer.....







    my acceptable TIG welds...



    did some of the overhead tabs today along the roofline....

    not sure how much difference this all going to make but hey I felt like welding something!





    Date: Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:22 pm

    I'm so excited !!!

    My CAR is in Classic Motorsports Magazine !!!

    Imagine my happiness when I greet a fellow 2002 racer today at VARA's German challenge race at Buttonwillow, CA and he say to me..."your Pedro right?" i said yeah... " your car is in this month's Classic motorsports magazine!"

    I was so excited!!

    Made my year!

    I slowed down on it a little lately but now I determined to finish it this year!

    It's off to paint this week I hope!

    I know it's a small mention and picture but it meant alot to me.....



    here's the original picture....





    Date: Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:53 pm


    On High reving m10 motors the higher lift cams the oil from the oil spray bar gets even more atomized and tends to leave the stock oil breather located at an alrming rate. Even tough this is more of a problem on 316 or 336 cams above 7000rpms I decided to do this on my engine since I have experience some oil loss to my coke can catch can.

    taking inspiration from Skidmark Racing's Bob Breed's car....



    here is my creation, see both of them here.....from start to finish
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...20Systems&pn=1






    Since the second one came out so much better I decided I could sell it. So if you have a race car and were looking for a valve cover like this email me!

    I polished the details FIRST on the second try and then masked them prior to painting....perfect. I also got better at painting with the wrinkle paint and achieved much better welds on my second try. Welding the cast aluminum was tricky.

    here are some different designs I took pictures of at VARA Oktoberfest race......


    Jeff Ireland race car


    Date: Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:00 pm

    I NEVER WANT TO PAINT A CAR AGAIN IN MY LIFE......

    -I HATE BONDO DUST

    -I HATE SANDING

    - I HATE SANDING

    - HATE SANDING

    SANDING SUCKS

    S A N D I N G S U C K S

    ARRGGHHHHH!!!







    old hood pin locations fixed



    cutting the holes for the my vent project on my hood.......




    my made at a home tow hook, my tig welds are getting better... I'll clean it up later with the die grinder...




    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:11 pm

    -Etching primer first

    - then high build primer.....

    -sanding

    - sand.....

    argh!!!

    It is AMAZING TO FINNALY SEE THE CAR IN ONE COLOR!!!!





    no booth, GRASSROOTS style !!!

    now it's time for more sanding.......

    then tommorow the first coat of WHITE !!!!!


    unemployment has it's benefits...............

    Date: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:53 pm

    sprayed the white today!

    link to all the pics

    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...id=324&stage=2









    At this point I have to thank my good friend Edward for helping me out with the body work and spraying.........THanks dude!





    Date: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:57 p
    m

    On the seventh day god created urethane clear coat and we applied it !!

    soo nice! I am so excited !! I simply cannot believe that this is the same car !


    this is THE magic moment of the painting process.... you spray the clear and the paint comes alive!

    so white it was blinding me !











    3 quarts of etching primer, 1 gallon of high build primer, 2 gallons of Gran Prix white (could of used more!) and 1 gallon of Omni clear coat.

    $3000 paint job? nah...... not in my life

    (mix 1:1)
    Etching primer 1 qt $22.28
    activator $14.56

    (mix 1:1)
    Nason speed highbuild primer 1 gal. $60.56
    Acetone 1gal. $15.90

    (mix 1:1)
    Nason Base coat Grand Prix white 1.5 gal. $133.56
    Reducer 1.5 gal $32.80

    (mix 4:1)
    OmniSV Clear 1 gal. $61.70
    Hardner 1 qt. $46

    Nason gun cleaner 1 gal. $14.72

    Misc. sandpaper, bondo, spreaders, fiberglass&resin(for hood) $100

    labor 2 people 7 days maybe 200 hours plus of time spent....$$$$$ I currently unemployed so .....

    one happy bmw owner!!


    Grand TOTAL $502.08

    not bad for what came out to be quite a nice paint job. First time for me and my friend!

    now it's time to put everything back together and make that engine scream!!!!!!!



    After the Clear cured..... we color sanded and buffed the paint....



    Date: Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:13 pm


    I hung the the doors this weekend and installed the fenders and started unmasking everything.

    later in the day I used my new tool! Air snips! made a poster board template and cut some door panels....

    Fun stuff......anything is better than sanding...





    Date: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:08 am

    A little bit every weekend.....

    I wired up the dash and all the gauges back

    and made myself a dead pedal !







    Date: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:17 pm

    made templates out of poster board cut them with the pneumatic shears and riveted them in place......



    Date: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:20 pm

    made a better accusump valve mount this weekend. Well better than the zip ties that I was using before....

    took me 30 mins to fab up........and it shows!

    not very pretty but functional.....

    Handmande....can you tell?





    Date: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:29 pm

    I had to do some modifications to the seat mount to mount the passenger seat in.......

    it's starting to look like a race car!!!!


    driver seat is in !

    now both seats are done......




    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:13 pm

    some new pics of the installed valve cover.

    Looks good huh?

    ...and no ACS. parts in my car except for the oil cap!







    Date: Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:04 pm

    I found a great deal on the VARA message boards!

    nice open single axle with electric brakes, brand new rims and tires and a emergency a breakaway thingie....all for $700 !!

    I'm one happy camper!!!

    now I'm ready to hit the track!

    armed with my welder trailer modifications are on the way!






    Date: Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:13 am

    IT"S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I finnally have a sweet looking BMW! All one color! no primer spots anymore!

    I just sat back and stared at it for awhile in silence.....

    after installing 29.95 door trim from pep boys that worked perfectly and putting in the last rivets on the door panels......


    enjoy it in all it's glory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    now back to the funs stuff..........tunning ...... suspension.....motorwork...etc...

    I'm also very happy with my choice in mirrors! what do you all think?














    Date: Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:19 am


    ta-da!

    I 'm speechless !!!!








    wow.......I'm so proud.....





    Date: Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:52 pm

    By the way I work at Stealth Auto now! so if anybody is interested in anything I'll send you my discount code!


    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:32 pm

    Gotta love LA weather!

    beautiful day for the first drive in 1 year!!!

    I taped on the lisc. plate with masking tape and we drove to a neaby spot. Praying the whole time that no cops would spot me!

    Great light, beautiful day.....and a brand new $7000 Pansonic HVX200 HD camera!

    My stepdad has just finished his Avid (editing software) schooling and bought himself a broadcast quality camera.

    Our first video project will be making a DVD of my first vintage race event which should be the British Extravaganza in May. We'll be documenting the event and shooting some awsome footage of my '02 in action.

    Let me just say the few mins of footage we got today was AWSOME!!!!!!!!

    WOW!!!!! I had so much fun!!!!! I was smoking my azenis tires for the sake of art.

    I did some fun drifting and luckily we didn't get hassled by the cops.

    I can't wait to compress the video from today and post it so everybody can see!! Soo COOOL!!!!

    The car is so bad ass I had almost forgotten. I have Never gotten so much attenion at stoplights like I did today!!!!!!!

    here are some pics of the first day of shooting!!! Can't wait to post the video(maybe tommorow)

    Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!! I so glad I'm done with painting!




    shooting begins....









    I dedicate my car to the memory and life of Aryton Senna....RIP



    Date: Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:25 pm

    Here is the a frame taken from the video we shot this weekend....

    we shot some awesome,amazing stuff at 60FPS.....just looks too cool....can't wait to get some track/racing footage at speed.

    Actual video clip to come sometime soon when we have a chance to do some color correcting and proper compression down from the HD1080i we shot it at to a more "web" size file size and quality.......

    We are going to make a short documentary/dvd of my first event this year at the british extravaganza.....should have some great action from plenty of 2002's and a 3.0cs that run at that event.



    Date: Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:55 pm

    getting my car ready for my first shakedown trackday....and for tech inspection...

    -Added a rollbar mounted master cutoff switch.

    -Installed 10lbs. AFFF fire system with 1 nozzle in the trunk, 1 on the driver and 2 over the engine.

    1 over the header and valve cover and 1 over the carbs/Brake fluid and fuel lines

    Full install pics
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...%20System&pn=1







    This is the handle I never want to pull!!!!!!

    otherwise know as the "OH SHIT" !!! handle



    Date: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:03 pm


    I stopped by Ireland Eng. last week and I picked up a radiator restrictor..

    I forgot to take a picture of it before I installed it. But it's basically a chunk of alum. rod with a hole thru the middle to size down the flow into the radiator.

    Idea is the longer the water stays in the radiator....the more efficient the radiator will be better cooling.

    OF COURSE THIS ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE NO THERMOSTAT....



    Date: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:08 pm

    More small stuff in road to becoming a real race car.....

    Got this mesh window net on ebay and fabricated the mounting system.

    bought a generic seat belt at pep boys and sliced it so I could weld it on the bar...

    also...

    Installed Longacre 17" racing mirror....lets see how good I can see all the guys passing me at big willow on Thursday....

    looks pretty good tho...

    also installed some SFI rated self adhesive rollbar padding











    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:39 pm

    FINALLY the day has come........

    wow where do I start. What a day.

    Last Thursday I took my car to it's first day in the spotlight. Went to a track day at Willow springs international raceway. For me it was to be my shakedown run to get my car ready for my racing school in 2 weeks.

    it all started the night before as I finished fabricating a mount for my laptimer and installed my new 38mm chokes for my webbers. In addition to lots of small things!

    Then I had to learn how to load the car onto my new(to me) trailer. When all was said and done it was 4am!! We decided to not sleep and beat traffic to the track. We ended up not sleeping at all!

    unloaded the car, got it started and idling then decided to drive around the pits to warm it up at bit.

    SURPRISE!!! The car would not rev above 3k !! Crap, what happend? Fast forward to 4 hours later......I AM A DUMB ASS. In my late light scramble I had installed one of the aux. venturies upside down!!!!! flipped it reinstalled everything got my gear on and the track marshall said the session is over and were breaking for lunch! I told him if I could go out just to see if I fixed it.....

    did 1 lap! sure thing that was it. who hoo!

    cleaned things up during lunch, calmed down and plugged in the Innovate lm-1 into the tailpipe.

    1st session - SWEETTTTTTNNESSSS!!! car running a bit rich, but it handles awesome! Stumbling a bit here and there...maybe too rich

    2nd session - leaned it out a bit - 160 mains and 180 airr corr. water temps higher....take more tape off....

    3rd session - Lm-1 confirmed jetting is almost perfect....about 11.9 air/fuel down the straight in 4th gear.

    now during the last lap of the 3rd session the water temp climbed to 230! so I pulled in......right as I'm pulling in the tach starts bouncing like crazy then stumbling then the engine quits........

    I quietly coast into the pits....

    ??what the F*&^k??

    the car starts, idles the tach start jumping then the engine quits....

    the plugs look great, the water was low in the radiator so that explained the higher temps..................

    something must be up with the pertronix or distributor?

    it was late and I was tired from not sleeping....so we packed it in. The car ran long enough to run up the trailer....

    I had a few issues,

    1-the drivers side underbody was covered in tranny fluid??

    2-noise in left corner from rear?

    3-obvious electrical failure of some sort?

    Well once I got some sleep and reviewed my cap and rotor, the rotor and a small crack in it on the black plastic area and the cap looked dirty and in need of replacement.

    my tranny oil looks like it was coming from a vent I didn't know about.

    my noise in the rear turned out to be dry poly bushings.....not sure how to lube them yet......

    Got lots of question answered once I talked to Jeff Ireland on monday.

    1-There is a tranny vent on the top left front of the transmission. Apparently in racing conditions you need to remove the pressed in breather and replace with a barb connect a hose and run it to a can. Or do what the sklidmark guys did and use AN fitting and tap the hole.

    either way problem answered and soon solved.

    3- Jeff quickly told me what my problem was! I wish I would have known sooner!

    Apparently the stock bosh rotor has a resistor buried in that black epoxy that connects the center to the edge electrode. If you are running a big coil and a race ignition like me (crane hi-6,ps-92coil) you have to modify the rotor by taking a dremel and diggin out the black epoxy to reveal the resistor. Cut and remove the resistor and replace with a short piece of 14ga. wire. If you don't do this eventually at high rpm's the power from the upgraded coil will overload the resistor and burst it. Creating a small crack in the epoxy like mine did!

    Jeff says this will make the engine shut down in short order!

    this seams to be exactly what happened to me!

    So if you are running upgraded ignition system please make this modification ASAP. Jeff said they might get 1 day out of a stock rotor before it fails.

    So I should be getting a couple of caps and rotor tomorrow and will test and confirm that this was the source of all my issues.

    SO all in all was a trying day BUT I learned a bunch and I CANNOT express how amazing it felt after all these years to blip the throttle turn into turn 1 get on the gas, hear the DCOE's gasp for air then being replaced by the sound of the rising exhaust note......as I crept up on the rear of a porsche rs replica.......only to pass him on the exit of turn 2!!

    wow.....what a feeling. Makes it all worth it.....really does.

    I can't imagine what it will feel like to grid up on a grid full of other 2002's, alfa's mini's and datsuns......ohhhh.

    here some pics from that amazing day, for all the pics from that day check out this link on my page....
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...Shakedown&pn=1

    XT laptimer mounted the night before!!




    THE FIRST TOW!!!








    to my surprise i did pass this beautiful RS replica that was there that day....





    in the end of 3 sessions....

    I got a string of 1:46 laptimes. (115wrhp)

    a few months ago in the VARA race held there the winner in CS class was lapping at 1:43. So ind the end 3 secs off is not bad considering I only got a few laps and I was running a heavy 15" wheel and Falken azenis street tire. Plus I was not running past 7k rpms.

    I left alot of time out there, I'm sure I can run in the 1:43 or faster on race tires and after some sorting out.

    not a bad start at all........




    Date: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:19 am

    In case you were curious, here is my Innovate LM-1 log file.

    It contains 3 sessions.

    first session was 160 mains and 170 air corr.

    last session was 150 mains and 180 air corrector

    (please note: higher the main number the richer it gets, the lower the A/C number the richer it gets. Because the Main flow fuel and A/C flows air)

    you will notice when the car is on the straight when you see 5-8secs of steady readings. During shifts and on decel the trottle plate is closed and the car will go lean. This is normal it is also like this in fuel injection engines.

    in the first session you will note around 10-10.9 a/f on the straight at full throttle in 4th gear.

    then by the 3rd session it went up to 11.9-12ish at full throttle in 4th gear.

    TO VIEW LOG FILES,

    DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL LOGWORKS,
    bottom of the page under legacy software... logworks 1.1
    http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/support.php

    download my log file
    - open logworks
    -open file - browse to my file

    I'm only using input 1, I do not have the rev counter feature.

    make sure the software is set to view in AFR not lambda.

    Under "session" choose what session you want to view.

    use playback control to splay, pause, stop etc....

    have fun!



    Date: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:19 pm

    Well here is the fix as described by jeff ireland.

    Dremel out the black resin in the rotor including the buried resistor.

    solder a 12-14ga wire in place,

    drop back in and enjoy full spark from your big coil and ignition.

    all is ready for my Vara University this weekend.

    best tool to hollow it out is the dremel bit in the picture.








    Date: Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:25 am


    You see it's the annual Vara University this weekend,

    Vara U. is a 2-day school where would be vintage racing drivers go once a year to see if they can become part of the "show". (www.vararacing.com)

    I've been waiting all my life for this and started dreaming about it 7 years ago when I got my project car. A lot of emotions are building up inside of me right now. I can't imagine when I actually get to grid up for a real race!

    My car is as ready as it will be. Which is to say I'm fixed most of the blaring issues(I think...this issue will keep you up at night). I'm really worried my car will quit on me before I get a chance to get that rookie lisc. on sunday. But lets hope the stout german engineering of 30+years ago will hold up to my abuse.

    As for me.....I'm definately ready! It's not my first time on the track by a longshot. I raced motorcycles for years. But this is definately different. I more anxious than nervous. I just want to get it over with almost.

    All my friends flaked on me so I'll be going solo. Doing this old skool style and sleeping in the back of my mom's 4runner and turning my own wrenches like I used to do when I raced motorcycles.

    to make matter's worse!!!!! the weather looks like shit.
    http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...ink_undeclared

    Rain for both days!!! I live in California for @#$ sake! what is this? (east coasters ignore my weather tantrum)

    Now I have to quickly spray all my rust spots under the car so they don't rust away by the time I get back! hehehe.....

    So the rain will make things a bit more "interesting" for sure! For one, since I deleted the windows.....i will be soaked! My brand new fresh Sparco WHITE driving suit will turn black for sure and the inside of my car will be a mess.....why did I pick a white car and a white driving suit??? oh yeah....cause I live in sunny hot kalifornia........

    On the plus side when I get out of the car after a few laps me and the car will look like we just finished a stint in a 24h race!

    Let's just hope I won't be wet and miserable the whole time.(no wonder all my friends found something to do...)

    Seriously, I'm excited and only snow would dampen my mood right now. I'm still praying for some sunshine and that my falken azenis will do good in the wet. I'm sure I won't be too lonely either as the people are great and I'm sure to make some new friends. If anything goes wrong with the car I might be lucky and have some fellow's competitor's help. Not to mention I'm damn lucky to have Jeff ireland in the pits to answer any questions I might have. He is also an instructor with VARA so I might have the man himself sharing his wisdom and helping me with my driving. After all it's in his best interest as I will be lining up on the grid with him in a few months!

    and....

    I guess I deserve some rain for all the sunny warm days we get out here while half of the country in buried deep in white stuff and left to polish chrome and post away on this mesageboard all day.

    So for all you eastcoasters looking at bmwporn all day on the internet....Hopefully I will have some very wet pictures to post up on monday, and with any more luck I'll have a soggy rookie lisc. in my back pocket and a grin all the way home....

    wish me luck and thank you for all the help thru the years,
    talk to you all on monday!


    Date: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:29 pm


    Wow, what a weekend!

    My first steps into the exiting world of vintage racing.

    My weekend started when I left my mom's house with the car in tow. I aravied at Buttonwillow raceway at around 3.20am found a nice spot in the paddock moved some stuff out and setup my "bed" in the back of the 4runner and quickly fell asleep.

    I woke up around 7am with the sound of revving race engines! Sweet! Best of all NO RAIN!! Started to unload the car and setup my little tent and pit area. Got the car warmed up, went to the tech line. I did pass tech but they showed me a couple of things I have to fix for my first event. Lined up at the skid pad for some exercises....that went fine did some drifting and spinouts...then we went to the classroom talked a bit and headed out to a "slalom" course for some runs. They split the course in 2 halves. east loop and west loop. We did 2 sessions on the east course (no passing) then after lunch and some more classroom we ran on the west course. Finnally on the last session of the day they went to an "open passing" session. WOW that got my attention! I had sooo much fun!!!!

    although I was having stumble everytime I turned right! I think my float level is too high.....it would clear up as soon as the car would straighten out.

    The classroom sessions were informative but relaxed and I picked up a thing or 2. The real value was riding with an instructor. He really helped me and learned some valuable stuff.

    Just as I got out of the car on the last session.....Rain drops started to fall!

    I quickly covered up my car and put it under my tent. Made some new friends and we all went out to dinner to a small hole in the wall Mexican place a few miles away. There were 15 of us I think. It was loud, fun, great conversation and the food was amazing! It was now raining steadily as we drove back to the track. Setup my bed in the back of the 4 runner again and it was not too bad. Felt bad for the guy in the tent as the rain increased in intensity! grabbed my laptop to watch a DVD and to my amazement the track had WiFi network and I could surf the web too! Buttonwillow rules! Watched my movie promptly feel asleep to the sound of rain.

    Once again I woke up to the familiar sound of warming race engines but as I open the fogged up car windows I saw a clear blue sky and the sun in the sky already warming things up! SWEET!

    The first few sessions ran in the wet tarmac and a few people ran off and got stuck in the mud! serious mud too! Luckily we had a classroom session and by time we took to the track all that remained was a few puddles! They opened passing only on the straights for the first session and now we were running the full length track layout. Funny enough my stumble problem disappeared in almost all the corners since I was now going thru them with more throttle and in my theory draing the float level a bit so it would stop stumbling? In any case the only corners were it would stumble now were the 2 slow corners.....annoying but I didn't know how to fix it.

    After lunch they opened FULL passing. Now I was having some fun! Not because I was passing people (I was) but more because I could run full speed and not be held up. Rode with the instructor again and after a couple of attempts and passes he gave me some great advice on "racecraft" and setting up passes. Basically told me to calm down a wait and set things up more and the pass will almost naturally occur.

    After one last classroom session were ALOT of talk was made about passing and vintage racing rules and emphasis on NO contact! Clean passes etc....

    The moment of Truth had came,

    time for the final exam! Practice starts!

    Much like a real race weekend on the first start we would be placed by the officials. then based on the finishing position of the "qualifying race" is were we would be placed for the "flag" race.

    Naturally I rushed to gas up my car and arrived late! so they placed me 2 cars from last place! Actually is exactly what I wanted because I wanted to expirience lots of cars around me and lots of traffic so I can learn how I reacted and dealt with that situation.

    As the group bunched up in the last few corners and started to focus and dropped into the right gear and just as I exited the last corner I saw the flag! Sounds erupt around me as I quickly shift into the next gear and pass my first car (merc 190SL) as I dive into turn one I have on car on teh inside and one car on my bumper! I barely remember the rest of the first lap! It was action packed! I proceeded to focus on my lines and quickly passed more and more cars! I had one kinda hairy moment coming into a heavy breaking zone (star mazda corner) and just as I was vlose to passing a celica GTS(school car) I hit the rumble strips on the inside and my car got sideways and got my heartbeat going! Thankfully the '02 is a wonderful car and I was able to handle it with no issues. As I approched the lead group of 2 2002's (autobahn rennsport cars) I thought to myself "this is my life?" ...."sweet" after sucking in behind them for a few corners I passed the red one with no drama then sized the yellow car for a lap....I remembered my instructor telling me to calm down and set it up. So in the last corner leading to the final straight I braked early and calmed the car down and took a great line, while he fumbled a bit and dove in a bit too deep....I made a textbook pass as I carried more exit speed. To my surprise i saw the checkered flag!!! sweet.

    As I came into the hot pit to line up for the 2nd practice start... the car was a bit hot....humm...

    They lined me up in pole! I guess I did it on that last pass!

    My instructor ran up to the car and yelled...."finally a student that listens!!" He congratulated me and told me "...Pedro your ready to race." It felt great to get his respect and realized that I did just execute on something were were working on in the car together. I learned....imagine that!

    Being on pole on a rolling start is a big responsibility.....you are responsible for controlling the speed and making sure the group is tight.... Not to mention you can choose your speed for the start......so I got in 3rd AND the flag waved!!! crap should of been in 2nd! The yellow 2002 and a celica passed me into turn 1! What followed was an epic battle for 2nd place between me and the celica. Until 3rd lap when my car showed 220 water temp so I had to back off put into 5th gear and cruise for a lap until my temp got down to 180 again...then would do 1 lap at full tilt....then have too cool down for a lap again......so then a couple of cars passed me and that's when I ended up at the checkered.

    I think the water is just not staying in my radiator long enough. I have no thermostat and running a restritor in hose and a 320i radiator. The would cool right down so the cooling system is working good....i just need to figure it out..... maybe it's time for the crank pulley to underdrive the pump and slow the fluid a bit.....

    anyways.....gave all the corner workers a thumbs up on the cool down lap and drove in from the track with all the instructors and organizers clapping and giving all us graduates the thumbs up!

    The sun was just about to start setting and it was the end of a magical day for me.

    The weekend could not of been better! Everything went great. The car has a few issues that will be resolved and I'm now a racer.

    Many thanks to all that helped me get here. Many thanks to the organizers for a great event. Thanks to all my fellow graduates for keeping it clean.

    ...and now the fun begins.

    my first Race as a Rookie.

    March 31& April 1st
    High Desert Challenge
    Willow Springs Raceway

    if you want to check out all the pictures from thsi weekend check out;
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...sity%2007&pn=1

    ***I made the stupid mistake of not taking any tapes for the video camera, assuming they would have some at the track or the neighborhood. Naturally no tapes to be found. No video!!! Sorry******

    I did buy ALL the pictures the track photographer took and he got some great shots!! so I will be posting those as soon as I get them in the mail!!











    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Date: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:45 pm

    after the school I suspected maybe my headgasket was bad so off with the head...

    Pretty corroded......got sent out to get checked and cleaned.

    let's see what the shop says....

    drum roll.....

    I hope all is well so I can go race next weekend.


    can u tell my carbs were not sync'd?



    lots of corrosion!





    Date: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:50 pm


    Check out my new racing setup!

    13x6 mesh rims (maker unknown) 13.5lbs.

    I'll probably keep the old Kumhos for auto-x or any street duty this car might see.

    weight with Kumhos victor racer 205/60/13 (very worn)

    33lbs.

    weight with Toyo RA-1 205/60/13 (Shaved to 4/32)

    31.5

    I havn't weighed my current setup yet 15" 2-piece weds on Falken azenis 205/50/15

    ?? lbs.

    The smaller diameter and the weight loss would help with acceleration.

    new race rims and fresh TOYO's





    Shaved




    here is is ........

    My first race……sorry it has taken me so long to write the story about it it’s just ….. well I have no excuse really. Here it is……


    Find all the pictures from that weekend here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...nge%2007&pn=14

    Years of preparation, sacrifices and hard work have all come to this weekend. My first days as a race car driver or "pilot" as we say in Brazil. It’s official this poor Brazilian kid has a race license and a race car! Spent all Friday morning eager to get leave work since I know I had lots to do before I left to be able to make it to my rookie ground school. Ground school is a required classroom session on Friday 6.30pm. It’s the last chance the instructors (in many cases our fellow competitors) have to give us our last warnings, instructions and advice. Well it is required to me to attend to be able to race that weekend and I had a lot to do before I hit the road!

    I left work around 12.30 and raced to my mom’s house in Burbank. I had to pack up all my gear, load the car on the trailer, load up the 4runner (aka hotel room), prepare some food for the weekend etc…. etc…. all by myself! Somehow this is the story of my racing life. Ever since the days of my motorcycle racing, my friends all find better things to do along with most of my family members. I’m left to do run around like crazy and try not to forget anything. Well I had to make it to the racetrack classroom by 6.30pm for the ground school…. Willow springs international raceway is around 90 miles from Burbank, CA were I was. Normally it would take you around 1hr 45 mins. to get to WSIR. Well when I finally sat in the drivers seat of my mom’s 4runner and pulled out of her driveway with my car in tow it was 5pm!!!! So it was in this mad dash that about 20ft. into my trip I had a feeling I had forgotten something…..so I glanced in the rear view mirror to see of all things my freshly painted fiberglass hood flying 15ft above my car!!! Aarghh!!! Nooooooo!!!! I as screamed and slammed on the brakes to see almost in slow motion it slamming into the tarmac!. I ran out to survey the damage. Turns out in my rush I forgot to pin my hood down! Luckily it landed paint side down (ouch!) but it landed flat. So it did not break in half or severely damage it. It now had some road rash across the hood and a small crush on the corner. I was so mad at myself! But I had no time to morn my paint job I had 1hr and half to get to the track. I pined it down and checked the trunk lid and ran back to the truck and gassed it onto fun LA Friday freeway traffic. This was just not my day as I inched ahead on the freeway. By some miracle and my heavy foot I arrived at the familiar sight of WSIR and ran into the classroom only 15mins late. Somehow I managed to get there 1 hr 45 mins.!! I soaked in as much as I could during the class. The instructors basically hammering into our heads to be safe and our goal this weekend was simply to have a clean event and finish. Good goals for anyone

    here's some of the damage on my hood.....argh.






    Now that that was over, calmly walked over to the truck and began unloading at setting up my pit. Was able to find a spot surrounded by most of the BMW racers, Jeff Ireland, Scott Parsons, Mike Ward, Nick Reed and others. We hung out chatted a bit as I began to make friends with everyone. I have to say the vintage racing community is so friendly and everyone has welcomed me. I could not ask for a better welcome. In true grassroots fashion I prepared my bed inside the 4runner. You know, with the seats folded down a pillow and a sleeping bag I was pretty comfortable! I opened up my laptop and to my surprise they had wireless internet! So I was able to make some posts and watch a dvd to put my nervous mind to sleep.

    It is a marvelous thing to be awaken by the sound of vintage racing motors warming up! No time to eat and wake up, we were in group 1 the first group on the track that weekend. I ran over to sign up then to the drivers meeting. Quickly from there I put on my gear get in my car and anxiously head to my first tech inspection. I read thru the rulebook carefully and I was feeling pretty confident about passing. He found a few minor things that he just noted in my brand new logbook but he put the ok sticker on my windshield. I put on my balaclava and tightened my helmet straps dropped it in first and made my way down the hot pit lane and onto the track. It was a surreal moment. No time to be emotional. Time to focus and qualify!




    Qualifying

    As I drove around the first lap and warmed up my brand new Toyo’s my many years of motorcycle racing around WSIR helped me get up to speed fairly quickly. It was quickly apparent that I was not the slowest in the group as I made a few passes. My car was stumbling heavily exiting most corners suggesting a fuel delivery issue and was really lazy above 6000 rpms. I dealt with it and just tried my best to put down my first laps as a racer in the most professional manner I could. I was able to put down a fastest lap of 1:45:881. Getting me a starting position of 21st out of 32 starters for Saturday’s 12 lap qualifying race. Not bad! It was cold and besides the stumble on exit everything was okay.



    *** Fastest BMW was 06’ class champ Pam Plavan qualifying in 7th with a 1:42:778. Steve Link in his Datsun 510 grabbed pole position with a blistering 1:38:382 ***

    Pam Plavan tearing it up.

    Super Fast Steve link



    I came back to my pit with a sense of relief more than anything. Relief that I just achieved my dream of build my car and racing it and relief that I didn’t screw up and that I was not sucking too much!

    I pulled my plugs and saw that I was lean!! No wonder that car didn’t want to rev! So I increased my main jets and changed my air correctors courtesy of my new pit buddy and owner of Long Beach Autohaus (http://www.lbautohaus.com/) Scott Parsons. So big thanks to him!

    I rested attempting to keep cool in the increasing desert heat and tried to calm down for my first real race....Saturday's 12 lap qualifying race.

    Saturday’s qualifying race (12 laps)


    Got my head together, my gear on and found my place in the pre-grid lineup. Now as the worker flashed her 5 fingers at me signifying 5mins. to start It finally hit me and the butterflies in my stomach were quickly drowned out by the thundering sound of 20 cars ahead of me leaving single file onto the track for the warm up lap. I pulled in the clutch rev’d my M10 and rolled onto the blistering blacktop of willow springs 2.5miles of high speed heaven. I did my best to imitate everyone around me swerving left to right to try to build up some heat in our tires. I love how as soon as my foot made it’s way to the sheet metal all my worries and butterflies disappeared and my mind cleared and my world shrank to a very small world of my car and the track. I tried my best to watch to line up in my spot in the rolling start. Rolling starts are new to me as all motorcycle races at standing starts and I’m learning this new technique. I left way too much room between me and the car in front when the flag was thrown. I was cautious thru turn one as everybody bunched up and tried their best to position themselves.

    I had a good battle with a red 911 but 3 laps or so in my temp gauges was north of 210 degrees, soon it was at 220! I had not choice but to take it easy on the straights and wave people by me as I attempted to finish. The temps did come back down to 200ish and when the brown immaculately prepared 2002 of Ken Blasko passed me I had to give chase! But soon my temps rose back to 220 mark again! To add to my woes was that the jetting change did not correct my corner exit stumble! So I had no choice but to back off and be content to nurse it to the finish. I was relived to see the checkered flag as I limped my way back to my pits concerned with my temps. I didn’t even realize that I had just finished my first race! ! !

    Watch all the action of my First race on video here,

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=ouNomP5qRjI

    I finished a disappointing 30th out of 34 starters. Jeff Ireland was the fastest BMW putting down a fast lap of 1:40:121 !!

    I took my gear off and had a much needed drink of water. Pulled my hood off to start to address my issues. I took light of the good side, I finished and my car survived. That’s about it really!

    Luckily Jeff Ireland had one of his new aluminum radiators on hand and gave me a great deal on it ! (Thanks!! www.bmw2002.com).



    Just as I started to remove my brass 320i radiator my mom and my step dad arrived. Was nice to see them and I cought them up on the latest news. They helped my by going to the race supply store and buying some water wetter and some silicon radiator hose (they only had a straight piece.) I was able to quickly install the Ireland radiator.



    I also went to a bigger main jet and Scott adjusted my float bowl height to address my G-stumble. I rotated my tires since willow has lots of right handers put the cover on it and went to sleep this night in the cushy confines of my parents hotel room! Yeah!

    Find all the pictures from that weekend here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...nge%2007&pn=14

    Morning practice

    After a good hotel breakfast we headed to the track for morning practice. In traditional desert fashion it was cold as I suited up and began to warm up my car. The water temp with the new radiator was not surprisingly stone cold and it never got above 160 degrees. So it seamed as my cooling issues were solved with the new radiator but the ambient temps were on the low side. Practice went pretty smooth except my stumble was still there and then on the last lap of qualifying……..all went quiet ! Oh no! Pedal to the floor…..snapped throttle cable? I was able to coast my way into the pits and pushed my way to my pit area. The hunt was on for a throttle cable! After looking for 40mins all I could find was a broken Porsche cable (but long since engine is in the rear). I was able to ingeniously make it work for me. It was not the best but better than packing up and going home! I could race! Scott also broke out the manual and we readjusted the float height again. Cleaned my windshield and tried to relax. I was very happy to see my brother. He came just in time for my race. I finished in the nick of time and put my gear on and carefully headed to the pre-grid.

    Me trying to mikey mouse my go-cable.....





    The big Show the final run to the flag!


    I nervously gave my brother the thumbs up as he turned my camera on for me and I tightened up my belts and ran through my first laps in my head. I now headed onto the tarmac with confidence despite my mickey moused rigged throttle cable.

    I was a bit confused when we bunched up again for the rolling start but I followed the Datsun 510 ahead of me around the outside of turn one as I was able to pass a few cars as they all bunched up toward the inside. This put me on the inside of turn 2 and followed the same 510 passed a few more cars!



    What a good start to my race I thought for a second as I exited turn 2 with good speed and trying to avoid what typically in my motorcycle days a turn were lots of first lap accidents happened at willow, turn 3. As I rounded on the outside (luckily) my reservations were confirmed as all hell broke lose and a big 3 car accident unfolded in front of me. I managed to squeeze my way between the crumpled cars and narrowly avoided a rogue wheel. I was fazed for a second and a triumph went passed me and I realized the race is still on you dummy! I floored it going down the hil toward turn 5 and did not loose any more positions as I screamed over the hill in turn 6 I saw what I was expecting, the red flag. (this mean a halt to the race as the incident is severe and ambulance needs to go onto the track) we slowly made our way onto the front straight as we all parked our cars and waited for the restart. As I sat there in the oven that my car was becoming due to the desert sun I realize my stumble was now gone! We all just sat there waiting. After a long wait we were told it would be a 3 lap sprint race due to the long cleanup and the 7 races that needed to be run after ours. So off I went warmed up my tires again and prepared for the single file restart. I had a decent start but a few fast cars went by me.




    The car was handling well and I was having a blast when I came into turn 9 on the second lap of the restart my throttle got stuck!! Crap! Just when I was going to take action it snapped back as go on the front straight again. The throttle was sticking so I slowed my speed as I evaluated weather or not to bring it in next lap. Just as I went into turn four my pedal went to the floor again and I thought I guess my rigged cable snapped or failed ……. I found a safe place to pull off the track and remained in the car strapped in like I was instructed while I waited for the end of the race and a tow back to the pits. As I sat there I was oddly still so exited about my first race! I was able to avoid the big crash and did very well with what I had. I undid my camera from the mount and filmed the end of the race. I waited for the tow truck and they pulled me into the pits. Unfortunately they took off and luckily my bro was there to help me push my way into the pits...






    Everybody helped me to push my car on the trailer and we confirmed that indeed my rigged cable did not fail! Turns out my linkage bolt backed out and the toothed wheel fell off!! Reminder Locktite EVERYTHING on a race car!!

    Here is a closeup of the bolt that backed out and allowed the toothed wheel to fall completely off!


    WOW! What a rush! Even tough I had failed to finish I tried my best and I did not make any mistakes. The car didn’t get hot enough to test the new radiator but it looks like it defiantly made an improvement. (ultimately did not fix my issue, more to come)

    I said my good bye’s, packed up and headed home pretty happy with myself actually. Things could of gone way worse!

    I had a great time hanging out with everybody made some new friends and sorted out a few issues with the car. Got my first race experience and 2 race starts under my belt. Later reviewing my tapes I learned a bunch actually.

    Enjoy all the action of my Sunday race even a slow mo of the accident !
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=CE1czK6vUtE

    I said my good bye’s, packed up and headed home pretty happy with myself actually. Things could of gone way worse!

    I had a great time hanging out with everybody made some new friends and sorted out a few issues with the car. Got my first race experience and 2 race starts under my belt. Later reviewing my tapes I learned a bunch more.

    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Now the work starts to address some issues before the next race....

    I fabricated a new throttle cable bracket and installed and adjusted a brand new race throttle cable from Ireland Engineering.






    Top View also new return springs


    Bottom cable stop (goes to lever arm for gas pedal.




    I figured that besides reducing my rotating mass and free'ing up some HP it might help improve my cooling. Since the water pump will be rotating slower the water will be flowing a bit slower thru the block at 6-7000rpms and therefore soaking up more heat and then staying longer thru the radiator therefore exchanging more heat......

    that's my theory anyways.....

    Lets see how it works out.

    The stock crank pulley is 1lbs 3oz.
    The Ireland Pulley is 9.2 oz. (nice weight savings huh?)

    Ireland alternator pulley 7oz.











    If your going to be draining your alum. radiator alot like I do sooner or latter the threads might get damaged.

    My solution was to install this cool little petcock I got from my local hardware store.

    I highly recommend it ......





    I saw this on the table at a race supply vendor at willow springs and picked it up.

    During my first race weekend I quickly realized that paying attention to the oil pressure gauge during a race is very difficult and can be dangerous.

    So i thought a simple oil idiot light would be a good important addition to my dash.....

    From Longacre products
    http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=785&catid=11

    removed my dash drilled hole for the red light
    installed the T on the back of the gauge.
    voila

    done!

    Hopefully this idiot will see this light if it ever comes on.....


    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    I'm proud to release my latest "project" .....

    Hope you enjoy...let me know what you think!

    It's short but sweet!

    Camera & Edit by James LaViola (assistant editor-Pedro G.)
    Filmed in HD on a Panasonic HVX200
    Edited & Tweaked on AVID Xpress Pro



    on YOUTUBE
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=VCHzWfNItQc

    OR


    CLick here to watch high res version


    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Beautiful Downtown Burbank
    Posts
    863
    My Cars
    1969 1602, 1998 M3 Sedan
    Finally! British extravaganza race report and video!
    Finally sat down tonight and put it all online as we finally got to editing the video last weekend.

    First here's the report!

    2007 British Extravaganza

    After my throttle cable broke at my first race and quickly installing a new Ireland radiator to help deal with some cooling issues my second and biggest race weekend of the year did not start so well ……

    My mom had to sell the 07’ 4Runner tow vehicle due to financial reasons and left me without a ride! I quickly called on my only friend that happened to have a Toyota Tundra….. I managed to convince him to lend me his truck for the weekend! Trouble is his truck did not have a tow hitch! Argh! Off I went and had no option but to buy a tow hitch wire everything up to work with my trailer and get everything else all packed up … Naturally it was all last min……as always with me. How last min? Well I got to the track at 3:30am! Found a spot with all the 2002 guys and hop out, unload my car and put all my boy scout skill to the test and start to assemble a tent that I never seen before in the dark by myself…..well is was not easy but by 4:30am I was asleep in my sleeping bag.

    After sleeping for a amazing 2 hours I woke up at 6:30am to the familiar sound of people awakening from their comfy trailers to warm up their race cars. I was so excited I got up without much delay said hi to all the familiar faces and went thru the now familiar morning routine of check-in at sign desk and tech inspection. Ran back and got my own car warmed up and ready went thru my checklists……tire pressure….arming the fire system…..checking fuel…cleaning windshield …..etc….

    As usual the first session of the weekend is actually a qualifying session for the afternoon qualifying race. The best lap is what counts here but it’s also your first time out on the track! The car was handling good as usual and the toyo’s still very healthy. I love Buttonwillow and quickly got up to speed and was really enjoying the corner named “Talladega” (long banked right hander taken flat out) and the infamous “magic mountain”. Out of 8 laps I managed a best of 2:18:385. Good enough for 10th spot out of 17. My previous carb stumble was long gone but towards the end of the session my water temp again was kinda high. I was defiantly worried about it for the 12lap race in the afternoon in the higher heat.

    **Micheal Ward was fastest 2002 in class with a 2:12.9. He is also putting out a reported 145-152rwhp and is a top driver.

    There was not much I could do about my potential cooling issues except richen up the carb a little bit just to help things a bit.

    Another potential problem was that I noticed my newly installed oil pressure light coming on during heavy breaking and in certain corners. I would notice the accusump would kick in and quickly inject oil into the sump and the pressure would quickly rise and the light would turn off. Ever since I installed this stock head before willow I noticed a lower oil pressure at idle and during running. Seamed worse this weekend and now with the light coming on it was clear. I wonder if something in my hotrod head was different and this new stock one…nobody had any clear answers. So I poured in an extra quart of oil and the light never came on again the whole weekend but the pressure was still low. Someone mentioned damaged main bearing could cause low oil pressure as well.

    I hung out mostly and checked out Mike ward’s custom made weber trumpets. He said I gained a whole 10 rwhp from it. He claims 152rwhp! Holy crap! That’s a whole lot more than me! Most of the competitors deemed his trumpets Illegal since they protruded past the hood. Okay for this weekend but next race he must remove it.

    Saturday’s qualifying race !

    Well I lined up for the race and the adrenaline started to rush again. Man was I happy! This is the moment we all live for and I wish you all could experience sitting there amongst all these cool cars in our group. All our motors revvin’ anxiously waiting to head into battle! Our race group contains many different classes amongst the cars I would be sharing the tarmac with are many very fast Datsun 510’s, mini coopers, Triumph heralds, spitfires, MG’s, Alfa GTV, Lotus Cortina, Morgans, Mercedes 190sl, fiat spiders, Fiat Abarths, Volvos and a few others!! The feeling of racing amongst such cool vintage cars is one that is hard to explain to some of my younger friends.

    The start of this race was just intense! Button willow is much narrower than willow springs with much tighter turns and makes for a crowded track. While my CS class had 17 cars at the drop of the flag our group had 40 cars!!! A datsun 510 made a risky inside pass into turn 3 luckily I thought he might do it and I saw him and I gave him some room still he had to put his 2 inside wheels into the dirt in the apex. Usual first lap stuff I guess! I got a decent start and managed to pass a few cars and was having a great time! Unfortunately the tape on my in-car camera ended a few laps into it! So that’s all you guys get to see! In any case I had a great race and settled into a nice groove by lap 10. I had been keeping an eye on my water temp and by lap 2 or 3 it had already hit 230 degree mark! Crap! I kept my eye on it and it stayed at 230 every lap until naturally the last lap as I crest magic mountain I quickly glanced and at that very moment I see the gauge suddenly shoot up and my heart sinks as I quickly shut my motor off and with 2 corners to go I pull off disheartened and worried about any possible damage. Unfortunately I’m getting real good at getting pulled into the pits by a tow rope….. argh… Still I managed to finish 21 our of 40 starters and 10th in class. If I can only manage to cross the dam finish line one of these days that would be great!

    See this race on youtube
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oteyyd1kvzU

    After taking off all my nomex and getting into my shorts again I pulled the hood off and my overflow catch tank was overflowed! Looked like the alternator got loose probably caused by me starting to hit a few curbs more as I explore more of the racing line. The belt looked like it got loose and then wasn’t turning the water pump and thus the likely cause of my fast rising temps. Other than that everything looked normal. The car started up and ran fine…. Many fellow ’02 racers offered suggestions about what It might and even did a pressure test and the cooling system help 30psi for 30mins. Plus it’s a fresh stock head, new IE alum. radiator and new head gasket. No smoke out of the tailpipe, no oil in the coolant and no coolant in the oil…..left everyone scratching their heads. A few issue were brought up as concerns that might be contributing to my poor cooling performance.

    - My oil cooler was mounted directly in front of the radiator. Blocking 1/3 of it and basically pre-heating the airflow to the radiator.
    - The straight silicon hose I used to install the new radiator at willow had to turn 90 degrees and was kinked probably restricting cold water flow into the motor.
    - Poor air management of air entering thru the front grill.

    Even so we couldn’t figure it out. I richened up the mixture again just to be on the safe side. I did the only thing I could try right there and the track and removed the restrictor on the inlet hose to the radiator. Not sure if that would help or hurt but it was the only thing I could try to help the situation.

    I enjoyed the free bar-b-q and basically did what I could and enjoyed the rest of the night. Crossed my fingers and went to sleep.

    Sunday Morning Practice

    Got geared up and lined up for practice. Like my previous race the morning practice session with its colder temperatures helped matters. Removing the restrictor did not do much. The car got hot and I backed off a bit and so I got thru the morning practice without much drama ….. still it seamed like I would defiantly have issues during the race. Oh well!! This is low budget racing at it’s finest. So I just cleaned my windshield and try to relax.

    Had a friend show up since he had been at Bimmer Fest the day before and drove over from Santa Barbara. Was nice to have a someone there cheering for me.

    I was anxious but excited for my race. I figured I’d race hard for a few laps then limp my way across the finish line.

    The big show …. the main event.


    As I took my warm up lap I focused on staying closer to the car ahead of me. After reviewing my last race I saw this as one area of improvement. I got a great start and we were 3 wide down the front straight! It was so loud that my shift light luckily reminded me to shift as I could not hear my own engine over the pack’s collective roar. I managed to get a good start and had a interesting moment as a 510 squeezed himself past me on the inside curb. The next lap was me hounding Ken Blasko in his beautiful 2002 trying to find a way around him. Finally I got a better drive and past him in Talladega where I had been fast all weekend. I quickly caught up to the red 2002 of Alan Deszcz (CSM class w/dcoe carbs) and was in a hurry to pass him and decided to pass him into the heavy breaking zone on the last turn before the front straight.

    As I exited the esses with a good drive I made up my mind that I would pass him under braking for the 90 degree left hander that leads onto the front straightaway. I should of just relaxed taken a good line and gotten on the gas earlier to set him up to pass him on the exit like my instructor told me to do. But NOOO….. Instead my poor instincts took over and I misjudged my approach a bit. It was now quickly apparent that my usually braking point was much deeper than the car in front of me. The distance between us disappeared during braking and I realized I would have to slide over and pass him on the inside as I had too much speed. Unfortunately I don’t think he saw me and started to turn into the corner! I started to turn in as well in hope that he would give me some room. In a split second I realized that he still had not saw me and would go for the apex. Since two objects can occupy the same space at the same time it was wither collide with him and mix our paint or shoot towards the inside of the corner and cut thru it to avoid him. Unfortunately the curbing or “zebra stripes” in this corner was not a slight raised section but rather more like a ramp.

    My car shot skyward as I got airborne. Must have been quite the site from a spectator view. To make things worse I just happen to land with the middle of my car on top of the curbing on the exit! SMASH!!! Something hit very hard and my engine quit seconds after… I happened to be right were pit-in was and I just rolled into the hot pit. I was pissed at myself for my bad judgment. My car would not start. After a few tries I gave up and I was towed into my pits as the rest of the group raced around for 10 more laps. Man was I bummed. I got my hot suit off and went to inspect the damage.

    Looks like I totally smashed my headers flat. Lifted my tranny enough to poke a hole thru the tranny tunnel too…. Argh. Also in those few laps I managed to fill up my coolant overflow bottle. So something is defiantly up. A few people helped me load up my car. I watched a few other races and started to make my way home. I had a lot to think about on the long drive home. Lots more to do to prepare for the next event.

    I decided to take my time now and sort out my car more before entering another race. I have to figure out these cooling issues.

    It was a trying weekend. I do think I learned a valuable lesson and it could have been a lot worse… I just need to take my time and focus on passing cars more on the exits than under braking. Take my time and think the moves through. Looking at my lap times and the times of the red ’02 in front of me I was 2 secs faster than him in previous sessions. I would of passed him eventually. Live and learn….

    In case you were curious, Jeff Ireland won the race with a 2:12 laptime. I ended up not surprisingly last in my class(15th) and dead last out of 39 starters.

    Now I have lots of work to do!



    I think this is my best video yet, I got 3 different camera angles and was able to keep it entertaining......well you'll let me know what you think!

    to watch the video...

    to view it on youtube click here
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Qlc8WyjCc

    or I would recommend watching it in this higher resolution version here on my site
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/video_BE.php



    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  11. #11
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    My first order of business was to find out if I indeed had combustion gases in my cooling system as is suspected.

    Jeff Ireland was nice enough to lend me his "sniffer test kit".

    Basically you let you car idle until the engine is warmed up. then you pour the test liquid in the test tube. The liquid starts out a dark blue color. On one end of the tube there is a conical shaped rubber insert that goes into your radiator. on the other end you attach a small squishy ball that basically suck or pumps air from the top of the radiator thru the liquid in the tube.

    You do this as the car is running and you pump ait thru the tube for about 30-60 seconds......then you wait. In about a min time if the liquid stays blue then you have not combustion gases in your cooling system. If the liquid turns yellow then it is a positive result for combustion gases in you cooling system. Which usually means.....blown headgasket, cracked head, cracked block etc...

    My test quickly turned yellow....giving my the sad news.
    before

    during

    after...yellow

    before and after



    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  12. #12
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    one last thing I wanted to re-check was a pressure test of the cooling system. Basically here a used a borrowed snap-on tester. It replaces your radiator cap and with a hand pump you pump up to 20 or 30psi and leave it pressurized for 30 mins. and see if there is any change when you return.

    If there is a change then you cooling system has a leak (head gasket).

    Mine had 0psi of change.




    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  13. #13
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    Next up I pulled the smashed headers from my off track excursion at buttonwillow.....


    Click here for all the pics
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...ment%2007&pn=1

    For the new system I just copied what Jeff Ireland and many others on the grid are running. It a very loud but legal setup. IE stepped race headers to 3" collector to small section of 3" tubing to a downturn. Loud but effective on the dyno according to Jeff Ireland himself.

    So I quickly fabricated and mounted my own.....
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...20Exhaust&pn=1


    You can see a few shots below







    new exhaust








    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  14. #14
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    I decided to remove the head as a preliminary measure to see what was going on....

    See all the pics
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...l%2006_07&pn=1

    Clearly upon removal the tii cutting ring gasket had failed........but now I had a decision to make....

    DO I take a chance and put a new head gasket on and see if it continues to overheat? I've been here before not too long ago. A few had told me it could be a cracked block. The only way to check that is to disassemble the block and get it checked.

    what to do........






    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  15. #15
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    so......what to do....what to do........

    @#$% IT. I'm pulling the motor and rebuilding it.

    I'll get the block checked and put in some new bearings just in case my low oil pressure were indeed caused by knackerd bearings....


    Borrowed my neighbors cherry picker. Unbolted the tranny, disconnected everything and voila! in about 30mins I had the engine on the ground.

    see all the pics here...
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...oval%2007&pn=1









    Last edited by MauiM3Mania; 10-15-2010 at 08:16 PM. Reason: profanity

    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  16. #16
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    next I removed the front subframe....in preparation for complete overhaul and reinforcement....

    quite simple really.....

    1- disconect steering
    2- remove rotors and calipers
    3- unbolt struts
    4- put a jack under it
    5- unbolt subframe
    6- lower and remove!

    I had 2 bent control arms....

    see all the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...oval%2007&pn=1






    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  17. #17
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    next I removed the tranny.

    I cleaned it up and set it aside for now....
    It will get new seals and fresh juice before going back in...


    See all the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...ning%2007&pn=1










    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  18. #18
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    for my next trick I removed the rear subframe...

    This was a bit more tricky to do alone....but I did it.

    You put at jack under the diff.
    remove the wheels
    remove the drums and pads
    remove the brake lines
    remove the driveshaft
    undo both subframe bolts
    lower the complete assembly
    roll it all from under the car

    ...admire your handiwork

    see all the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...oval%2007&pn=1








    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  19. #19
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    Decided to do a overhaul of my front suspension components including some new paint on everything!

    cleaning, brushing, sanding, spraying....

    Even the steering box got some nice silver paint.......

    All the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...haul%2007&pn=1








    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  20. #20
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    believe it or not my subframe was bent!!!!!

    Weather it was from my little incident at BE or from before is unknown. But now we know it can happen. I bought a junkyard subframe and had it sandblasted.

    I fabricated a plate that I welded to the inside of the engine mount and added another brace on the other side as well. On top of that I decided to go all crazy and add a steering box brace/support.

    why not I got time, tools and nothing else better to do.

    While I was at it added some dimpled plates to the bottom and stitch welded some of the seams around the subframe

    see all the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...forcement&pn=1










    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  21. #21
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    Reinforcing the front control arms...

    Seeing as BOTH of my front control arms were bent....some reinforcing was in order.

    Now I have seen many racers do this to their arms. I've seen some stitched and some with 1 plate added. I did one better and stitched the arm and added plates. Each plate once dimpled only added 6oz. so total weight gain in this crucial unsprung weight area was 12oz per side....not bad I think....

    Stock control arm sand blasted = 2lbs 5.5oz
    Gussets (dimpled) =6oz each
    complete welded assembly = 2lbs 12.2oz

    ....plus they look kick ass! don't you think? worthy of a baja trophy truck!

    click here for all the pics...
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...ol%20Arms&pn=1














    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  22. #22
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    Fabricating solid rear subframe bushings....


    First you have to completely remove the rubber from a stock bushing. I did this by drilling out most of the rubber on my drill press then using a dremel.

    then you have to fabricate the to endcaps

    then you have to correctly position and weld the central insert/bushing

    You can get these ready made from Ireland Engeneering...for $125

    Worth every penny if you can afford it. As this project too a good amount of time...

    I too broke and well I have all the tools and did a pretty good job with the tig welder if you ask me!

    see all the pics here....
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...%20Mounts&pn=1














    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  23. #23
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    Next up : Reinforcing the rear trailing arms.

    Now unless you can find yourself a nice new set of boxed Tii arms you'll have to "box" your trailing arms yourself. I seen many other people doing it many ways....I think my design is pretty sweet. and STRONG.

    Initially I was going to add an additional bar across the arms but I really do not think it is necessary.

    One of the dimple hole line up with the brake line holes for installation.

    Once again fixturing/jigging is the name of the game here. The last thing you want is bent reinforced arms that are useless. Welding tends to warp/shrink everything. I found that I actually had to preload or stretch the arms apart so that when I was done I would had the same measurements.

    This whole process takes alot of work!!

    Remove arms
    disassemble arms
    sandblast arms
    paint arms on the inside
    clean arms for welding (grinding)
    make template from cardboard
    cut gussets from sheet metal
    dimple sheet metal
    bend/form gusset to control arm curve
    secure in place for tack welding
    measuring
    applying "jig"
    measuring
    welding reinforcements
    Cleanup
    Painting

    finally re installation!!

    wow...trust me it takes alot more time and work to do it than to write this post!

    I know what some race shops charge to do this and now I know why.

    once again if your going to do this yourself be very careful not to end up with bent arms!!!!

    see all the pics here
    http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/...ng%20arms&pn=1




































    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  24. #24
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    Finally the time has come! I can now talk about it!

    The reality show I was on is going to premier next Thursday on speedtv here in america.

    Funny enough the was a few BMW racers driving besides me.

    You can see my face in the first promo for a sec too.....

    watch the promo here.... http://www.setup-tv.com/

    BTW- thats me in the gif below in the black hood.....hehe



    There will be a new episode each week. 8 total episodes and SpeedTV website says it available on HD.

    Still hasn't really sunken in yet that I will be seeing myself on TV.....worse yet that the whole country will too.

    I hope they make me look good. I know I didn't make a fool of myself like some did.

    I'm so pumped for this I can't wait. Big viewing party at my friends house for sure next Thursday!

    We are bound by some serious contracts so I can only talk about whats made public. So I can talk about each episode after it airs......

    The stakes are high, the driver talent pool is MUCH higher than season 1 and the action was non-stop.

    NEXT Thursday set your DVR to record! Should be a very entertaining 8 episodes!!

    BTW.....the cars were Pontiac Soltice GXP (turbo I-4, RWD) 260hp I think and roll cages made by Pratt&Miller....they were alot of fun but I missed my BMW!!!


    That's my ugly mug in the promo video! SET YOUR DVR to RECORD!! Cheer me on!!

    69' BMW 1602 Vintage Racecar BS-L Racing w/ VARA in Cali (@1602racer on IG)
    10' Toyota FJ Pre-Runner (LS3 big suspension - @trophyFJ on IG)
    17' F250 6.7l Tow Rig and shop truck
    '12 X5d Wifeymobile
    89' M3 *Sold / 88' M3 *Sold / 98' M3 Sedan Sold / 06' M3 Comp.Pkg.SMG *Sold
    My 1602 race car build thread.




  25. #25
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    northeast, CT
    Posts
    1,479
    My Cars
    1986 Mercedes 190E 16V
    WOW.... I know where I'm spending some time today, .... reading this thread!


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