Justin's LS E46

[protomor]

Not like it has to run along the panel. Just has to be close-ish lol. Although that eats into your space to work back there.

[Press22]

https://youtu.be/4TD5Rq1uG2c?t=7m55s
Skip to 7:55

I would aim for something like this for the rear.

[Novablue454]

Made the new filler neck relocating the cap to inside the trunk. First time trying aluminum, was a pain.

[tptrsn]

That doesn't look bad at all for first try! Aluminum is a totally different beast, but once you get enough practice in on it and figure out the tricks, it's really a pleasure to deal with other than tiny stuff with thin walls... Then I find I have no choice but to use pulse to keep out the heat. Even that smaller piecut-ish piece you did could be a bit of a pain on the shorter side. Using pulse for a while on stuff like that helped me out.

[Novablue454]

I am just going to use the steel rod I used for the trunk skeleton to make some arms with tabs on the ends that the tail light mount studs will slide in to. Hard to explain without a visual.

Got a start up map as well as getting the water pump/fan wired and bled the cooling system. It sounds soooo good. I am waiting on a bumper skin and then I'll mount up the catback and get some video.

It's finally starting to come together, but I am hitting that overwhelmed point in the build. Seems like every thing I cross off my list I add 3 more things to it

- - - Updated - - -

That doesn't look bad at all for first try! Aluminum is a totally different beast, but once you get enough practice in on it and figure out the tricks, it's really a pleasure to deal with other than tiny stuff with thin walls... Then I find I have no choice but to use pulse to keep out the heat. Even that smaller piecut-ish piece you did could be a bit of a pain on the shorter side. Using pulse for a while on stuff like that helped me out.

I was using 1/8 Lanthinated, I switched to 3/32 Ceriated IIRC and had a much better time.

[doktor b]

Very relatable on the overwhelmed at the home stretch.
i find that working on stuff that's not terribly important or stuff that I know I can knock out quick are great slump-busters.

[Press22]

Very relatable on the overwhelmed at the home stretch.
i find that working on stuff that's not terribly important or stuff that I know I can knock out quick are great slump-busters.

Same here.

[tptrsn]

I was using 1/8 Lanthinated, I switched to 3/32 Ceriated IIRC and had a much better time.

So far I haven't had any luck using 1/8 electrodes for anything.

Recently I just use 3/32 for everything. Sharpened to a really sharp point for thinner stuff (gives a super nice clean start on low amps, and softens/broadens the arc), and a blunter angled point for stuff that I want better penetration on.

I've used 1/16" to good effect too, but I'm just too lazy to change the collet over most of the time.

[Novablue454]

Yeah, I wasted like 6 hours making that filler neck and now I don't think it's going to work, haha. The tube rear on this car just has me so dang frustrated every time I try to mess with it, I think that's 1/2 the reason I built the engine, just to do something not at the rear of the car. I'm on the home stretch now, and once I get the tails mounted the car will be driveable again, which means I can get aligned / a tune /etc scheduled and finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Novablue454]

woo!





After seeing it with the CSL trunk I am in love and don't think I am going to run a wing. It's mostly together now, going to tear it back down and get it prepped for paint / sprayed, then off to alignment!

[Mikestokman]

Looks super good, don't back dat ass up into a wall so hard this time!

[tptrsn]

Damn!!

[protomor]

Paint? I like it how it is lol.

[Press22]

Mmmm that looks good. I love the CSL trunk. you should pick up some RPF1s or something of the sort

[Novablue454]

Never! BMW gives me true 2 piece BBS, I'm sticking with them! Plus I have 16 of them, lol.

And yeah, I'm at least going to spray the rear bumper black. I'll probably spray the 1/4s too. Just leave the hood and trunk CF. I'm not big on that mismatched panel look. I also need to mount the side skirts.

Metal just showed up so I can get going on my A pillar gussets as well.

[Press22]

Never! BMW gives me true 2 piece BBS, I'm sticking with them! Plus I have 16 of them, lol.

And yeah, I'm at least going to spray the rear bumper black. I'll probably spray the 1/4s too. Just leave the hood and trunk CF. I'm not big on that mismatched panel look. I also need to mount the side skirts.

Metal just showed up so I can get going on my A pillar gussets as well.

I figured with all the carbon on the car you might like some weight savings.

[doktor b]

I figured with all the carbon on the car you might like some weight savings.

Agreed. Paint is heavy.
all the exposed carbon

[Novablue454]

Very true. Those damn BBS are far from light. I just have never been much of a wheel guy. I'd spend more then a set of wheels on about anything else, but I can't bring myself to spend much on them. Shit, I got a quote from a few places for -15 offset wheels and they were INSANE. Like, 1800ish a wheel. No thanks!

[doktor b]

Very true. Those damn BBS are far from light. I just have never been much of a wheel guy. I'd spend more then a set of wheels on about anything else, but I can't bring myself to spend much on them. Shit, I got a quote from a few places for -15 offset wheels and they were INSANE. Like, 1800ish a wheel. No thanks!

dude.
you're clearly not afraid of work.
just scoop a set or two of used 3 piece, or haggard 1 piece forged, and refurb them yourself. you get great wheels at great pricing (plus a sweat investment)

and if you elect to go 3pc, you can build them to whatever spec your heart desires. be it +45 or -15.

new wheels are for dudes/ladies that ball waaaaay harder than i do.

[Novablue454]

Well this happened



Sounds like I'll be driving LSFest in Vegas as well (fingers crosssed)

[Press22]

Sounds like I'll be driving LSFest in Vegas as well (fingers crosssed)

Hit me up when you come to Vegas for sure!

[Novablue454]

Got the email back today, so this is happening!



finally got some pics of the rear end finished







Made some a pillar gussets





Some tires showed up

[doktor b]

Get that work done!

[protomor]

I'm just going to call you chelsea jr.

[tptrsn]

Damn!!