Wheels for E46 Build? and Update (Yes another one)

[CP Louie]

Several people have requested that I give an update, but I didn't have any low res pictures and I have been busy building the car. Current schedule for completion is the first of April. I keep getting "surprises", two today.

Car was built from a body in white and has a Fall Line cage. I did all the seam welding (hundreds). Most of the other parts came from our friends at Bimmer World. The donor car was a 2004 wrecked M3 with 12,000 miles on the clock.

The most interesting thing so far is the complete relocation of the DME and stripping of the wiring harness. The DME has been relocated over the trans hump. All the engine wiring now goes thru the center of the firewall. I hope it starts!! Dry sump plumbing will be done (professionally) Friday, then it will be time to run the pump and test for oil pressure. If that is good, commence firing!!

Wheels

I am still looking for wheels. Based on what we know Dr. Clay has suggested 18 x 9.5s. Here are the brands that I am looking at that are either 18 x 9.5 or 10.

Enkei wheels that Steve J. bought (18 x10) $356
BBS Doesn't make a 40 mm offset 18 x 9.5 that we can find.
SSR Type C RS Tire Rack 18 x 9.5 $479
Fikse FM/10 $1150 that's each
CCW Classic, C14, SP18 $600 Looking at seriously.

Any feedback on these or others that I should look at thanks,
Chris

[Steve J.]

Looking good Chris, I like how they do the full length of the B pillar gusset, very cool.

In regards to wheels, the Enkei 18x10 are through evosport, and the prices are on their website. Also, Dale/Brad would be happy help you I am sure, just give them a call. They look to be one of the cheapest wheels on your list, look great, very strong and light.

The wheels are awesome.

I'd suggest, if you flared/rolled the fenders to make room, use 280's all around on 18x10 Enkei's.

I'm a bit surprised you did not go with stand alone if you spent all that time rewiring/rerouting. Any specific reason why?

Also, nice to see the Diff pump/cooler, I'm putting together one as well, but it won't be visible, its being mounted up where the stock gastank usually is, and gets airflow from rear 1/4 window.

Where is the Sump tank going, trunk?

One last question, I promise, do you have a picture of the "X" between the rear shock towers? Obviously Fall Line modeled it after motorsport, but is it just welded to the chassis, or does it go through to underneath? Looks good either way though.

I don't know how I took such a cool picture, but I think the wheels are gorgeous.

[CP Louie]

I'm a bit surprised you did not go with stand alone if you spent all that time rewiring/rerouting. Any specific reason why?

The orginal price for Motec was huge, and with the limited current motor mods, Motec doesn't gain you that much. Other EMS (engine managmement systems) had not mastered dual Vanos, but the real reason was the challange of doing it. I may convert to something else next year (or if I can't get it started.) Total wiring harness reduction was 25 lbs from 50 lbs.

Where is the dry sump tank?

Fall Line did a nice job modifying the right rear of the trunk. I don't have a low res pic of it. I have a pic of the high tech heating system in my temp shop.See below.

One last question, I promise, do you have a picture of the "X" between the rear shock towers? Obviously Fall Line modeled it after motorsport, but is it just welded to the chassis, or does it go through to underneath? Looks good either way though.

I don't have a low res pic of that either. They cut through the upper parts tied it below the interior sheet metal and then welded it back. They also added plates below as well.

I think it looks very beefy, but that it obviously an inspection item.

Thanks for the comments, you may ask more questions Steve.
Chris

[Steve J.]

Are you serious? C'mon man, go buy a space heater for $150 from homedepot/sears, thats too ghetto to be in the garage of an E46 m3 racecar

I'd definitely take the advantage of Stand alone with no vanos, than stock with vanos.

[CP Louie]

Are you serious? C'mon man, go buy a space heater for $150 from homedepot/sears, thats too ghetto to be in the garage of an E46 m3 racecar

I'd definitely take the advantage of Stand alone with no vanos, than stock with vanos.

That's not ghetto, that's my powder coat oven. I promise to get central heat one day.

Chris

[Steve J.]

Yea, I assumed it was serving double duty. Not a bad idea for PC'ing.

Do you have that handheld system from Sears? Any example of how it works?

[CP Louie]

Yea, I assumed it was serving double duty. Not a bad idea for PC'ing.

Do you have that handheld system from Sears? Any example of how it works?

I bought the Eastwood system, it works fine. PC is faster than paint if you have a little area to do it in. I am going to have a table top vent booth in the new shop that can be used for PC or paint. I did a lot of parts for my FFR Daytona.

[sandford]

what do these attach too? spring perches? subframe?


gorgeous car

[Steve J.]

Cool. We're planning to put an ~8x10 paint room in the new garage I've got some cool ideas to make it work well (downdraft inlet, with lower exhaust vent and floordrains).

what do these attach too? spring perches?

Check post #3. Reinforce subframe mounts it looks like. I think he is using full rear coilovers, so he might be using tubular upper/lower control arms.

[CP Louie]

what do these attach too? spring perches?


gorgeous car

They attach to rear subframe mounting points. Spring perches are more outside, and are not used (but are seam welded) since the car is coil over.

Thanks,
Chris

[sandford]

thats wickid. thanks

[jayhudson]

Chris-

Might be a dumb question but why isn't the cage tied to the front shock towers?

Jay

[B.Watts]

CMight be a dumb question but why isn't the cage tied to the front shock towers?

It looks like it is to me?

[tynashracing]

Beautiful looking car Chris.

Personally, I think you were wise to stick with the stock engine management. Get the car sorted and when you find the need to begin doing crazy stuff to the engine...then go SEM.

Best wishes for completing the build.

[jayhudson]

It looks like it is to me?

Right you are. I didn't notice the tube down low. I expected to see the tube(s) tied to the top of the strut tower. Guess I need to get my eyes checked more often. Although I did pass my annual exam with 20/20 and 20/15

Jay

[Steve J.]

... Although I did pass my annual exam with 20/20 and 20/15

Jay

C'mon, fess up, you memorized the chart

[jdholder]

Very very cool!! I like the cage!
Keep on showing us pictures! I need ideas.

[CP Louie]

Beautiful looking car Chris.

Personally, I think you were wise to stick with the stock engine management. Get the car sorted and when you find the need to begin doing crazy stuff to the engine...then go SEM.

Best wishes for completing the build.

Thanks Ken. With headers and low restrictin exhaust, dry sump and cool air intake, the stock motor should be in the 380 BHP range, and the car is going to be about as light as it gets without CF body parts. It should scare the pee out of me out of every corner. I had a car that had that power to weight ratio and it was FUN!!!

This car has a fully tunable suspension and that will be enough tuning for the first year.

Anyway, the custom electronics will make another nice winter project. this car is basically new, every part is either new, or cleaned and painted.

Chris

[CP Louie]

Chris-

Might be a dumb question but why isn't the cage tied to the front shock towers?

Jay

I see that you found the tube. The shock towers only have one tube it that I wanted to retain the stock MC and ABS system (which is another reason for retaining the stock DME).

The way this is working out it will be possible to add additonal bracing if I ever go to a custom pedal MC system. Again another great winter project.

Chris

[Steve J.]

So what do you think it'll weigh wet, 2700?

[Cory M]

Nice build. Another wheel option that is priced about the same as CCW is Kodiak. It is kind of nice to have 3 piece wheels, if you bend a rim you don't have to trash the wheel.

[vinnymac]

Beautiful car!

Is that the diff cooler from Bimmerworld? How do the fluid lines physically attach to the diff? I've been considering one for my E36 IP car but haven't explored it that much. Do you have to drill the diff cover to route the lines?

[CP Louie]

Beautiful car!

Is that the diff cooler from Bimmerworld? How do the fluid lines physically attach to the diff? I've been considering one for my E36 IP car but haven't explored it that much. Do you have to drill the diff cover to route the lines?

Yes it is the diff cooler kit from BW. You replace the fill and drain plugs with plugs that are male AN-6. You then make up 5 lines that connect from the diff to the bulkhead adapter (BA), from the BA to the pump in, pump out to cooler, cooler to BA, BA to diff. Obviously you suck (not you personally of course) from the drain plug and discharge in the fill plug.

Fill up the diff, turn on the pump and make sure that the pump has primed and is returning fluid to the fill hose. Connect the fill hose, run the pump and then refill to the fill hole level.

Don't do this when you shop is 35 F.

Chris

[CP Louie]

So what do you think it'll weigh wet, 2700?

I hope that I never get it wet.

I have no idea. It's pretty stripped, but since I have 2 sets of stock panels, I don't plan to use CF.

Chris

[kaiservon]

Nice Chris. Taking a while, but looking good