i should have known better...

[dschultz]

Was at Buttonwillow this weekend, had a great first session this morning and was a couple of laps into my second session when I heard a clunk from under the car and got a mild vibration through the drive train. Returned to the paddock and waited for the car to cool a bit before poking a prodding. It sounded kind of like an exhaust problem, which I thought might be the case since I had just installed new (to me) mufflers. Couldn't see any problems, and nothing seemed loose, but packed up and headed home.

At home I pull off the reinforcing plate and see the bad news. Both lower engine mounting bolts on passenger side are gone. One must have backed out, the other snapped. I ask my shop to check the bolts each time they have the car... last time was about 3 months, and 2 track days ago. For some reason I thought that was enough. *sigh*

As it happens I was planning on installing coil-overs, arbs and DKF section 1 anyway. Since I'm going to be taking some things apart I figure I'll do the usual upgrades while I'm there.

- Vibra-Technics Road engine mounts
- trans mounts, haven't decided on which yet
- RE X pipe (since section 1 and cans are replaced, may as well do this too)
- FCABs/RTABS Look ok, but I now know how much that's worth... powerflex? RE?
- I'll replace pretty much every bolt I have to undo

Anything else I should consider replacing? Thanks in advance for any opinions.

[itdnwiwbp]

A little while ago someone here suggested upgrading from the 8.8 rated bolts to the stronger 10.9 rated bolts. With the amount of track work you do that would probably be a good idea (unless you already did, in which case, glad there wasn't any damage and good luck in the future).

[Vanne]

shit eh? yeah easy fix though VT def are the best, i went with oem tranny.. for me after the whole refurb, the engine and tranny mounts made the most difference..

just feels … new… everything is nice and notchy and clicky..

[dschultz]

Thanks. Definitely doing the 10.9 bolts all around. Going to try to RE tranny mounts, see how that works out.

After further inspection both front bolts backed out, one all the way, one about half way. That left the VANOS pressure accumulator flopping around and I'm concerned that the high pressure oil line between VANOS and accumulator may be damaged. Both RE and Bimmerworld describe this line as an annual maintenance item and sell their own upgraded version, but I've seen almost no discussion of this here. Anyone done this "upgrade"? Are folks changing this line regularly?

[StickMon]

I think I've read every thread on Vanos failure modes, and experienced most of them first hand.
Never heard of anyone having an accumulator or line failure.
(Someone chime in if you know of any. Maybe I'll be on board then.)
Get the VT motor mounts, some 10.9 bolts, and the RE trans mounts and you should be good to go.

[inTgr8r]

Have never seen any posts here re the hp line.

[dschultz]

Well, VT mounts, RE tranny mounts, new engine mount bolts, and DKF section 1 with resonators all installed. Eisenmann cans done a couple of weeks ago. Ready for thunderhill this weekend! Only issue, I had to shorten the tranny mount bolt on one side to clear the exhaust. Quick work with dremel and a cutting wheel. Thanks to all those who did these mods before me and shared their expertise and experiences here.

[StickMon]

Yea, all of the aftermarket section 1s I've seen bend in a slightly different place than the OEMs.
I have the RE, and the holes were sloppy enough that I was able to rotate it down away from the bolt.
Clears the bolt, but if you look under the car, it hangs down.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by dschultz

Well, VT mounts, RE tranny mounts, new engine mount bolts, and DKF section 1 with resonators all installed. Eisenmann cans done a couple of weeks ago. Ready for thunderhill this weekend! Only issue, I had to shorten the tranny mount bolt on one side to clear the exhaust. Quick work with dremel and a cutting wheel. Thanks to all those who did these mods before me and shared their expertise and experiences here.

Yeah, I had to cut that bolt too.

Sounds all buttoned up and ready to go. Enjoy!