Modding the M coupe... again

[O-cha]

Links to mod posts:

Deceased cars original supercharger + header thread

Meth pics and all together

Videos

Stoptech brakes And on car

Carbon filter, cdv removal, Strut bar and taking out the interior so I can find harness mounting points

Clutch arm bushing to get rid of the horrible slop in it.

Gauge wiring in new car + wheel stud installation and some current pics








So for those that don't know I had an interlagos blue Mcoupe which I had put suspension brakes and a supercharger on and tracked frequently. But the first weekend out with the supercharger I made an error in judgment by choosing to pass someone late in a straight which resulted in totaling the car.

I took the insurance money and built a nearly 1000hp e46 m3. I did not buy a new Mcoupe at the time because I was looking for more power then 450ish wheel and there were no prospects for the Z4.

But I could not stay away from the best driving BMW ever made. Many say the E30 is, but those people haven't driven M coupes.





Anyway, I picked up an Imola red one this time around with only 11k miles on it and in very good condition. I must say it looks very different in imola. I still like Interlagos more, but I don't regret this because it gives me a chance to go a different style route.

Plans for the car are similar as can be seen below. I will be tracking it heavily but not until I can get A race seat and harness in it as well as fabricating a trailer hitch so I can tow a tire trailer.


First pice are BEFORE lowering and brakes. Bla bla bla here are the pictures.










Front shocks on




Rear shock, different from my old set (this is a new suspension as I sold old one) These have a plate which goes up top and drops down studs. This makes it possible to take the shock out from the bottom and adjust the valving without taking the carpet back out as well as distributes the load a little better. I won't be putting the carpet back in so I don't care.










Now I have the entire rear/trunk area apart here because I am looking for good places to mount a multi point harness You'll notice all the electronics modules mounted to the back of the frame piece, the carpet backing sits a good 6 inches from the metal red portion, this would give you plenty of room to hide things in here if you really wanted. (like a traqmate or something). Right now I am thinking of mounting the shoulder straps to the top of that frame piece rather then bringing them around back. It looks like The plstic pieces behind the seats will have to be removed too, but I believe these hold the speakers so something will need to be done.





And finally a teaser of it lowered w/ brakes.















Future: stud kit, Supercharger, paint stupid reflectors, Multi point harness and race seat, Traqmate + cameras

[jra]

looks fantastic, can't wait to see everything come together

[Matty C]

Looks great. Love the suspension. What are you doing with the old brakes and rotors?

[Starscream]

GL with this one

IMO you choose the best color anyway

[GP20]

Nice! What wheels do you have?

[crfine88]

Welcome Back.

[F360C]

Looking good O-cha! So glad to have you back in the M coupe Family! I am interested to see what you do with the harnesses because this has been something I have been wanting to do for a while.

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by GP20

Nice! What wheels do you have?

They are VMR v710s, 40mm x 8.5 up front and 33mm x 9.5 rear 255 front 275 rear.

Originally Posted by F360C

Looking good O-cha! So glad to have you back in the M coupe Family! I am interested to see what you do with the harnesses because this has been something I have been wanting to do for a while.

It will likely get mounted to the frame piece behind the seat, but require stripping a few more panels to do right (this wont be that hard). My only concern is the lack of roll bar, but as best as I can tell there is really no place to put one that wont take up precious head room (barely fit now) or be high enough to really make a difference. More reconnaissance will be done after the holiday.

FYI you HAVE to have a race seat to go with the belt in this car, it's a non option.

[Kream]

Good to have you back O-cha! Can't wait to see the finishing of your M.

+1 what are you going to do with your stock brakes and rotor?

[O-cha]

Not sure about the stock brakes and rotors.

[datbimmerdoe]

Sick M coupe.

[F360C]

Originally Posted by O-cha

They are VMR v710s, 40mm x 8.5 up front and 33mm x 9.5 rear 255 front 275 rear.



It will likely get mounted to the frame piece behind the seat, but require stripping a few more panels to do right (this wont be that hard). My only concern is the lack of roll bar, but as best as I can tell there is really no place to put one that wont take up precious head room (barely fit now) or be high enough to really make a difference. More reconnaissance will be done after the holiday.

FYI you HAVE to have a race seat to go with the belt in this car, it's a non option.

It is very obovious that the stock seats won't work with a harness although I have seen one M Coupe that did do this. Looked like crap and I'm sure performed the same way.

Have you seen DeKnight's cage? I like it all except for the cross bar that goes through the door between the seats. The only other cage design I have seen is the one on the viper green Studie M Coupe but they cut out the metal re-enforcement between the front seats and the rear trunk

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by F360C

It is very obovious that the stock seats won't work with a harness although I have seen one M Coupe that did do this. Looked like crap and I'm sure performed the same way.

Have you seen DeKnight's cage? I like it all except for the cross bar that goes through the door between the seats. The only other cage design I have seen is the one on the viper green Studie M Coupe but they cut out the metal re-enforcement between the front seats and the rear trunk

With the stock seats the harness can slip off and basically kill you, so unless he cut a hole in the seats and reinforced them he's driving a death trap.

I saw his cage yes, but his roll portion is directly above where my head is when I'm in the car (he must be short) and would make it so I don't fit at all. That's really the only place you could put it though and make a difference.


I took some more pics I'll upload them.

[O-cha]

Some updates, managed to get around to a few things.

CDV removal:


Charcoal filter removal:


Strut bar addition (strong strut) really happy with how well this matches the OEM finish:


More recon on belt attachment points:




Possible roll bar point, unlikely though without serious reinforcement.





Coming soon:

[G80indy]

nice shot of the speakers.
did you pull the CDV entirely?
and the carbon filter?

[MR PERSONALITY]

Looking really good, thinking here of cdv removal too

[fatmatt0116]

why pull the carbon filter? Did you replace it with anything? Is there any downside?

[jragan]

Originally Posted by fatmatt0116

why pull the carbon filter? Did you replace it with anything? Is there any downside?

Pluses - Better sound, more free-flowing intake
Minuses - Could potentially throw a CEL in the right conditions (although I've never encountered one) and BMW Service books claim the filter is absolutely required (and it's not available as a separate part, you have to buy the entire air box for $$$) so there are potential problems there (although if my engine was ever acting up, I'd throw the filter back in before taking it into the dealer just to keep them from bitching)

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by 330indy

nice shot of the speakers.
did you pull the CDV entirely?
and the carbon filter?

Originally Posted by fatmatt0116

why pull the carbon filter? Did you replace it with anything? Is there any downside?

Originally Posted by jragan

Pluses - Better sound, more free-flowing intake
Minuses - Could potentially throw a CEL in the right conditions (although I've never encountered one) and BMW Service books claim the filter is absolutely required (and it's not available as a separate part, you have to buy the entire air box for $$$) so there are potential problems there (although if my engine was ever acting up, I'd throw the filter back in before taking it into the dealer just to keep them from bitching)

Yes CDV completely out, no reason to leave it in besides warranty, but most techs wouldn't know the difference if they were looking for it.


As for the charcoal filter it is a restriction. It's purpose is to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping out the airbox, IE crank case fumes from leaving the intake track after shutting the car off. It has no filtration purpose for your engine. It is purely an "emissions" part. I don't see any way it could cause a CEL though I believe it might effect idle just a tadbit from the free flow.

It unclips from the lid of the airbox very easily.

[Kream]

Originally Posted by O-cha

As for the charcoal filter it is a restriction. It's purpose is to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping out the airbox, IE crank case fumes from leaving the intake track after shutting the car off. It has no filtration purpose for your engine. It is purely an "emissions" part. I don't see any way it could cause a CEL though I believe it might effect idle just a tadbit from the free flow.

It unclips from the lid of the airbox very easily.

That's interesting. I always thought the filter was necessary for our cars. Learn something new everything. I'm going to try this when I get home. Did you guys replace it with another less-restrictive filter or running free-flow?

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by Kream

That's interesting. I always thought the filter was necessary for our cars. Learn something new everything. I'm going to try this when I get home. Did you guys replace it with another less-restrictive filter or running free-flow?

This is NOT the air filter. There are 2 filters in the airbox.

Just remove it completely, don't expect much though.

This is the white/black filter NOT the paper filter. Do NOT remove the paper filter.


Sorry but it seems more then one person thinks its removing the paper filter.

[fatmatt0116]

thanks cha-cha! good luck with the M, keep us posted.