This is beautiful
While waiting on more parts I worked on the harness. Stupid crank sensor plug snapped in half. Ordered a new connector and crimped new pins.
All done.
Suspension parts started arriving. Got Koni Actives, new strut mount, new swaybar endlinks and lower control arm. Thrust arm looks ok, so I did not order one.
My turbosmart diverter valves and new charge pipe showed up today. Also picked up a new spring compressor, tired of using the deathsticks. I can remove springs in 30 seconds now
Started assembling the suspension. Got all the pieces for the struts. New spring pads, bellows, bump stops and strut mount.
Old and Busted
New Shiny
All put together.
What brand and model is the strut tool?
My GAS monoballs arrived. Even though my thrust arm looked ok, I got new one just for piece of mind. This was the last piece I needed to finish the front end.
Got most of my CIC / combox / logic 7 retrofit as well. I was originally going to go aftermarket, but the prices for the oem stuff are so low it's a no brainer. I got most everything for $600 total. Just need to buy logic 7 subs and get couple connectors to build a harness for the combox.
Got a bunch of stuff done on the car.
Got the motor installed.
Most everything reconnected
Got my PSP 600 Intercooler hooked up. Very happy with it, very good fitment, uses factory mounting points. Built in bracket for transmission cooler.
Fitment is good
All put together
I neeed to fix one of my axles, it had a torn boot. I tried removing it and it was such a pain in the ass. With a huge puller I finally got it out, but it collapsed a few threads and I could not get a axle nut on it anymore.
Ended up getting a new GKN Axle, only $180 so not too bad for OEM quality.
I drove it car a bit, but was getting a couple transmission codes related to the valvebody. It was the last straw for me, I wanted the manual swap anyway, so I was just looking for any excuse to throw the autobox in the garbage lol.
I picked up a 6MT and I am in the process of doing a manual swap.
New Trans!!
Pedals out!
New DMF Flywheel
New 335is clutch, should be good for 550hp.
New seals for the trans, flywheel bolts, bellhousing bolts. Some synchromax fluid. Upgraded pivot and new shifter bushings.
Can't forget new ZHP Shiftknob
While waiting on some parts, I got the CIC retrofit done. The coding was a total pain in the ass, I used the patcher method to generate my own FSC certs so I didn't have to use any emulator. FSTOOL is worst piece of **** software ever, took me like 3 days to get it working. I also installed combox, so now I have bluetooth streaming. Combox is tricky since there is no vehicle order for it on a E60, you need to create a custom sdd file and use a E90 vin and manual code it. After some trial and error I got it all working.
I am in the process of installing the logic 7 speakers and amp. I am using a technic harness to tap speaker inputs at the cic, so I don't have to run all new speaker wires for the new amp. Just waiting for a pin extractor tool so I can redo the amp harness.
I also ordered a 3.08:1 rear diff to better match the transmission, auto diff is 3.46:1.
This is a very impressive build. I continue to be amazed. You might have more than $3k in it when you are done but it will be an awesome car.
That is how it goes, buy BMW for 3K and spend 6K to make it run good lol
Got few things done in the last few days.
Found some aluminum trim, was getting tired of the wood.
Got the clutch installed
Pedals installed
Clutch line done
Transmission installed
Shifter linkage
Shifter in the CAR! shifts so nice
6MT Swap all done, finished CIC swap as well, so I could put the interior back together. Got all the Logic 7 speakers installed and got the aluminum trim installed.
Found a local M5 owner selling his old set of wheels. ACE Design AFF05 flowform. 20x9 fronts and 20x10.5 rears. 20 offset both. Extra set of rears as well. Tires are Pirelli Pzero 255/35/20 and 275/35/20.
Front might rub a bit, but once I roll the fenders it should be ok. There is like barely any clearance between strut and tire, but it fits
Washed the car and got the wheels installed. Now just need M sport bumpers.
And???
Man. This was a great read.
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