2007 IR E86M Photo Journal

[crfine88]

0001

Keeping this journal to document the build and experience of E86M ownership the second time around
Photos also posted to IG: CSLFMotorsport

Links to Journal Entries:

0002 Seat Upgrade: Cobra / VAC / Schroth

0003 Pedal Upgrade: Pedal Haus

0004 Shifter: Autosolutions

0005 Half Cage Preparation: Bulkhead Delete

0006 Air Intake: Eventuri

0007 Suspension Upgrade: JRZ / Hyperco / Ground Control

0008 Strut Brace: Rogue Engineering

0009 Battery Upgrade: Braille / Macht Schnell

0010 Half Cage Preparation: Headliner & Wire Harness Protection

0011 Half Cage Build

0012 Battery Relocation

0013 Aero Upgrade: VRS GT Wing

0014 Half Cage Preparation & Paint: Titan (Titanium) Silver

0015 Exhaust Upgrade: Stromung Axle Back w/ 89mm Tips

0016 Exterior Upgrade: Gloss Black Roof

0017 Wheel Upgrade: HRE R43

0018 Exterior Upgrade: VRS 2 Piece Splitter / Euro Bumper / Aero Side Skirts

0019 Intake & Tune Upgrade: Evolve

0020 Exhaust Comparison: OEM / Supersprint / Rogue / RPI

0021 Intake & Tune Upgrade: Karbonius + Evolve

0022 Steering Wheel Upgrade: Sparco + NRG

0023 Stereo Upgrade: Appradio + JL

0024 Transmission Mount Upgrade: Rogue Engineering

0025 Engine Mount Upgrade: Vibra-Technics

0026 Engine Mount Bolt Upgrade: McMaster-Carr

0027 Shifter Upgrade: CAE / Hard Motorsport

0028 FCAB Upgrade: SuperPro

0029 RTAB Upgrade: Meyle + ECS

0030 Exhaust Upgrade: DKF S-Pipe

0031 Brake Upgrade: Brembo GT BBK

0032 Road Trip / Parts Run: VRS Cooling Bonnet + Rear Diffuser System

0033 Weight Comparison: Varis VSDC Hood VS OE Aluminum

0034 Quality Check: OE vs Varis Hood Mounting Point Dimensions

0035 Exhaust Upgrade: Rogue Engineering X-Pipe

0036 Pre-Install Detail Photos: VRS Diffuser System 1 & 2, Carbon

0037 Pre-Install Detail Photos: VRS Cooling Bonnet, VSDC

0038 Data Acquisition Upgrade: Coolant Temperature Sending Unit Installation

0039 Cooling Upgrade: CSF Aluminum Radiator

0040 Dipstick Upgrade: OE BMW CSL

0041 Photo Opp: Engine Bay w/Hood Removed

0042 VRS Cooling Bonnet Installation

0043 Data Acquisition Upgrade: Bimmerworld Oil Distribution Block + Oil Pressure Sending Unit

0044 Exhaust Upgrade: KKS Titanium Axle Back Mufflers



The calm before the storm.



Picked this beauty up from a fellow ZPOST member. Added APEX ARC-8 wheels, Toyo R888s and RPI GT exhaust to the otherwise stock M


First deep cleaning!

[crfine88]

0002

Seat Upgrade Time!

Cobra Evolution / VAC motorsport mounting Kit / Schroth Harnesses

Pros:

• Significant performance upgrade
• Maintained comfort for long road trips
• Seat, Mounting Kit and Harnesses quality all top notch

Cons:

• Loss of quick electronic adjustment for use with multiple drivers
• Increased time to buckle up with harnesses compared to OE belts

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0003

PEDAL HAUS Upgrade

Pros:

• Improved grip
• Improved aesthetics
• Easy installation

Cons:

• None observed yet

PHOTOS:

[Philly_sweden]

Holy shit!
Wow!!!

[crfine88]

0004

Autosolutions SSK

Pros:

• Significantly shorter distance between shifts
• Crisp/positive engagement into each gear
• Eliminates the "rubbery" feel of the OE shift lever
• Helps to reduce the common 2nd gear denial during fast shifts

Cons:

• None observed yet

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0005

Bulkhead Delete (Preparation for Half Cage)

Pros:

• Makes room for half cage
• Opens up cabin

Cons:

• Difficult to reverse

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0006

Eventuri Intake

Pros:

• Beautiful piece, top notch quality
• Fast shipping from the UK
• Improved engine bay aesthetics
• Improved engine sound

Cons:

• Sounds great, but wish it was louder

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0007

JRZ / Ground Control / Hypero Suspension Upgrade

Pros:

• Best Dampers I have used
• Significant performance increase at the limit
• Better than stock ride quality on street when dialed back
• Best rear spring mounting solution I have come across (articulating and adjustable from beneath the car

Cons:

• None observed yet

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0008

Rogue Engineering Race Brace

Pros:

• Reinforces shock towers
• Improved engine bay aesthetics
• Top notch weld/finish quality

Cons:
Required some extra fitment work during installation (not surprising considering the one piece construction and worth the extra work IMO)


PHOTO:

[crfine88]

0009

Braille 21lb Battery / Macht Schnell Bracket

Pros:

• Significant wight savings
• The most reliable "race" battery I have used
• Smaller profile increases cabin space

Cons:

• None observed yet

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0010

Custom Frog Tape Headliner & Final Preparation for Half Cage

Pros:

• Interior protected
• Half Cage can be built with headliner in place

Cons:

• A lot of freaking tape and time

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0011

Half Cage Build

Pros:

• Improved Safety
• Built to SCCA specification & could be converted to a full cage
• Imporved interior aesthetics (if you are into motorsport )

Cons:

• Tough to reverse
• Takes up cabin space

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0012

Battery Relocation Project

Pros:

• Saves cabins space

Cons:

• Tough to reverse

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0013

VRS (Varis) GT Wing

Pros:

• Increased rear downforce
• Top notch quality (Motrosport art )
• Butterfly approved

Cons:

• Requires drilling holes into hatch

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

0014

Half Cage Prep / Primer / Paint

Titan Silver OE Color Code 354

PHOTOS:

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by Philly_sweden

Holy shit!
Wow!!!

[Mirko]

Wicked! Worth the wait!!

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by Mirko

Wicked! Worth the wait!!

Thanks!
More to come

[dre99gsx]

Saw the bulkhead removal pics ... and I thought I was crazy Looking good!

[EMP07]

Nice Chris, always setting a high bar!

Q: Why VAC vs Macht Schnell floor mounts?, Do you find that at least the drivers side is not shifted to the right enough for the VAC?

Looking forward to seeing more!

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by dre99gsx

Saw the bulkhead removal pics ... and I thought I was crazy Looking good!

Thanks!

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by EMP07

Nice Chris, always setting a high bar!

Q: Why VAC vs Macht Schnell floor mounts?, Do you find that at least the drivers side is not shifted to the right enough for the VAC?

Looking forward to seeing more!

Thank you!

I like the floor mounts from MS and VAC equally. I went with VAC this time because I prefer the adjustability of their side mounts and took advantage of their package deal for seat mounting hardware. Was able to save a couple hundred dollars overall installing driver and passenger seats.

I haven't run into any fitment issues using the VAC floor mounts withe VAC side mounts. I have the driver seat installed all the way up agains the center console. There is still room to push further toward the console in the mounts.

I did experience what you are talking about when using Recaro side mount with VAC floor mounts. The narrow base of the Recaro mounts combined with the narrow inside VAC floor mount did not allow enough movement toward the center console. MS Mounts are definitely the way to go in this scenario or any other narrow based side mounts like Recaro