I've been definitely thinking over battery options. I've found some as light as 12 lbs and the 51R you referenced is in the 27-28 lb range which is still pretty light compared to stock. I've been researching in Miata and S2000 forums to see what they're using. This car would really only be driven a few days a week since I have the M3 for a daily. I just don't want to have to keep it on trickle or worry about it dying if I don't drive it every 24 hours.
Haha this actually made me lol at work this morning, thanks man!
Last edited by Ragnorak; 02-13-2013 at 02:28 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Subscribed..
Definitely gotta meet up once the swap is done .
I'm doing the same swap..
House OF The swapped Compacts !!!! Mzk2built
98active 318ti s54 cf airbox alpha-n-tune by RK Tunes 325rwhp 257rwtq
98 Cali edition 318ti completely stock daily (FOR SALE)
95 318ti active w/winter package long time drag project awaiting S/C s54 swa
The 51r is just short 50cca for the ls1 and fits perfectly in the right rear storage area, with the bin removed, and it's already a vented access area and far away and enclosed enough that in a rear collision, it shouldn't affect the passengers.
2001 E53 X5 - 5.3 Procharged, 4L80E RWD, Brembo, 20" alloy, EBC race, Forge, A2W intercooled, Alcantara interior, 3.62 LSD and more!
2005 E53 X5 - 6.0TT, 4L80E RWD, 20" alloy, EBC race, Forge, A2W intercooled, Alcantara interior, 3.62 LSD and more!
1996 E36 335ti - N54b30, A2W intercooled, ZF 6speed rwd, 4.10Lsd, Speedline magnesium rims, Brembo, S55 exhaust, 245/40/17-295/30/18, idrive, Forge, logic 7
1999 E36 360ti - 6.0, ls6 springs, ls6 cam, hardened pushrods, trunion, racing baffle, t56, ls7 clutch, m3 brakes, 4.10lsd
That's awesome man! Plus you're close as hell to me. We should meet up sometime and trade swap tips. What airbox is that in your sig?
That's basically where I was planning on dropping it too. I was looking at Odyssey batteries as well since they go down to ~15 lbs. I have a bunch of OE battery cables too I can use to wire it to the front terminal box, which is nice for fit and finish.
Last edited by Ragnorak; 02-13-2013 at 05:00 PM.
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
So small update, but grabbed an AA track pipe today off of a partout in RI. I don't need the section A, so that's for sale if anyone needs it! Now I have to decide if I want to use this or go with a modified AA race exhaust and go full 3"..,
Instagram filters lol (dasGoldfinger btw):
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Nice build.
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Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Here's where I got the idea. All the details are there. It's an old thread, but I've been using one since 2010. It's been in my daily driver E36 for the last 18 months, and it was in a previous car before that. I sometimes park the car (in the garage) for up to 6-7 days at a time. It never fails to start the car. It has on occasion turned over a little slower than usual, but that's been because of pretty cold conditions (below 20 degrees F).
Pay close attention to all the warnings and the details in the thread. I followed those to a T, and I've had no issues, even at autocross (start and stop the engine up to 20-25 times in an 8 hour period). The only difference for me is that I did a 16 cell pack (4S4P) whereas the OP did a 20 cell (4S5P).
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-f...d-battery.html
This is a somewhat nerve-wracking yet sweet DIY battery setup. I'd just be worried about fires in the back of my head but it's not even a relevant fear with the phosphate oxide batteries. I like your custom enclosure/bracket too, it came out very nice! Did you purchase the same A123 (lol bankrupt) batteries?
Last edited by Ragnorak; 02-19-2013 at 11:28 AM.
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Here is a calculator you can play around with the get an idea how different transmissions work with different rear gears.
http://www.bokchoys.com/differential...calculator.htm
1988 911 - Carb'd - Twin Plug - 3.6
1999 SL 500
2016 4Runner TEP - Gone
1995 M3 - LS2 - Gone
1998 M3 - Gone
1991 M5 - Gone
1993 RS America - Gone
1995 M3 - Gone
I did use A123 cells. I bought them a while back (3+ years ago). I didn't know that A123 had gone out of business. I'm sure there's still enough battery stock on eBay to serve us for many years to come.
The LiFePo4 cells are totally benign when it comes to overcharging or physical damage, so no fears about fires or explosions. I dropped quite a bit of weight by changing to this battery. There's the 38lbs of the original full size battery, and the 6lbs of heavy duty battery cable running from the trunk to the engine bay (mine's a coupe), as well as the battery hold down brackets, etc... all that replaced by 3lbs of battery.
Last edited by jakermac; 02-19-2013 at 12:29 PM.
It's funny you mention it because that's the same calculator I've been using for a while now. It's definitely set up nicely and has all the diff ratios for the E36/E46 rears.
Apparently the ZF 5 speed/3.38 combo (very popular on E36 M3s) has the same final drive speeds as the 6 speed/4.10 combo. Cruises at roughly 3500 rpm on the highway with 275/40/R17 tires. Looks like I'm going with a 4.10 Torsen from a 2.8L automatic Z3.
I don't think they're out of business but they did file Chapter 11. Now a Chinese company owns it.
It's almost comical that the battery you built weighs less than the OEM battery cable. This might be something where it'd be fun to CAD a bracket and case for the batteries in Solidworks. Did you just buy them off eBay? I see a bunch listen, not too terrible in price for what they are.
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
I've only skimmed through, but what are you doing for engine management?
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
I am using a Miata battery in my ti with S52. The car used to sit 10 days or even 2 weeks between start-ups and would fire right up.
I drive it now once or twice a week. No issues. And it fits perfectly in the little cubby.
Pierre
1969 2002 M20
1974 tii
1976 530i 3.3
1979 323i
1981 528i
1990 325i
1990 325i trailer project
1991 318is
1996 318ti S52
1997 318ti
1997 z3
2002 330i
2002 1150 RT
O==00==O
Oh China.
I was considering that before but I may make a project out of this as well now. You can get a batch of 100 cells for a decent price online...
And now I just found out that Bimmerworld's S54 midpipe is on backorder. Great. Hopefully they'll get one in soon.
Last edited by Ragnorak; 02-20-2013 at 04:38 PM.
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Need moar updates!!
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
Hey Garrett long time no see! My friend was telling me yesterday you were building a S54 ti. I'll have to come by and see it. Good luck with it!
Thanks man, how' everything been going?
Another small update. Decided to go OEM BMW on the headers as well. European market, catless headers. OE fitment with the same performance as all the non-stepped headers on the market. Hopefully they'll get here by the end of next week so I can mount them up and get the motor in the car!
Past Builds:
S54 E36 Compact Build|Thread|IG|@_goldfinger|
Current Fleet:
Z4 M Coupe - Black Sapphire Metallic over Black
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