[uucdigest] Wednesday, March 15 2000 Volume 03 : Number 444 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | For all available Digest commands including unsubscribe/subscribe, | visit the BMW UUC Digest page: http://www.uucdigest.com | Send SUBMISSIONS to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Complaints? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you must. | Visit http://www.bubbaclub.com | www.bimmers.com - "serving enthusiasts on the 'net" | Visit http://www.bimmer.org - ultimate BMW bulletin boards! | Subscribe to the Zionsville Autosport Parts Digest: | http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/majordomo.htm ����������������������������������������� In this BMW UUC Digest: [uuc] How do I isolate a noisy tappett (lifter) [uuc] Re: <E30> OBC bulbs [uuc] Re:First radar detector [uuc] RE:Sell of Rover? RE:[uuc] Uhhhhgly? Er... [uuc] re:<e-30>Shocking Suspension [uuc] <E30> Tie Rod Questions [uuc] WTB E30 M3 front bumper Re: [uuc] Status of S52 Engine in M Coupe Re: [uuc] Alternators [uuc] E36 vs. E46 gizmonics [uuc] re: radar detectors [uuc] radar detectors RE: [uuc] Uhhhhgly! [uuc] RE: First Radar Detector ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 11:23:42 -0000 From: "Miles Reading" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] How do I isolate a noisy tappett (lifter) Hi guys, Hopefully someone will be able to help. I have a 92 e36 316i (M40 engine, UK only spec) that has a noisy lifter, How do I isolate which one is making the noise. I know it isnt damaging the engine but hey its a BMW so I think it deserves to be fixed ! Thanks in advance Miles Reading MIS Dept Danka UK Plc Headoffice 0118 903 2094 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 07:44:44 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <E30> OBC bulbs This only works on the clock, the OBC requires a whole different procedure. (you watch though, some bonehead will F*CK up his OBC trying to follow this procedure.) Use a tiny flat screwdriver and pry the face plate off the unit. Under the face plate are a pair of tabs, squeeze the tabs and the entire unit comes out of the housing. Unplug it if you need to move it further out. Replace whatever bulbs you need to. Brett Anderson www.koalamotorsport.com Home of the E30 M3 CD-ROM repair manual > From: Arnerich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] Re: <E30> OBC bulbs > Another BTW, if it comes out > the front, what holds in place? Are we talking about about the same > piece. The "clock" is more than a clock. > > > Cheers, > Evan ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:13:57 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re:First radar detector If the Fuzzbuster was not the first, then it was at least one of the most "crude". I had one in the 70's and I think it had a label under the huge warning light that read "get out your license and registration " ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:21:20 -0500 From: "George, Zachariah (CICG Development)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE:Sell of Rover? Any chance they'll still be making the "classic" mini. The new one just doesn't rub very well with me. It looks like something on steroids, or I must be getting old. I've always dreamed of owning a mini, ever since I saw one, growing up as a child 20/30yrs ago.. Zach '94 325i w/sport pkg. 5-spd. Sharked > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 20:45:55 -0500 > From: "Susan and Sam Adams, Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] [all] Sell of Rover? > > Greetings, > The Daily Telegraph from the UK reports that BMW has found a buyer for > Rover. The report stated that BMW planned to retain the Mini > and Land Rover > divisions. It also reported that the buyer is not an established car > manufacturer. The BMW board meets tomorrow (that could be > March 16 since > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:29:45 -0500 From: "George, Zachariah (CICG Development)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE:[uuc] Uhhhhgly? Er... After all this "bashing", I have to beg to differ. I, for one, think the Focus in this group is the exception. I *really* think it's a fine looking car. Very sharp looking. I liked it instantly. I agree with Andy T. *rant off* Zach > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 21:15:22 -0500 > From: Ethan Stock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] Uhhhhgly! > > Keen-eyed art critic Rich said: > > > Toyota Echo > > Honda Insight > > Ford Focus > > > >All three of these cars could have just as easily come out > of the same > >design team....UGLY. > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:37:08 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] re:<e-30>Shocking Suspension Scott, I have an 88 325IS. I put Bilstein HD struts on it a few years ago, and then last year put Racing Dynamics springs on. It's about a 1" drop. Didn't change the struts. Everything is fine, no problems and I have driven it 20k miles since, including interstate, track, and pot-holes here in Minnesota. Mike T. Northstar Chapter, CCA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:42:05 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Bob Fluharty) Subject: [uuc] <E30> Tie Rod Questions Changing a worn tie-rod this weekend. Mr. Bentley doesn't seem to be telling me the whole story. Can anyone else help? To remove the tie rod from the rack, Bentley says unbend the lock plate tabs, turn the wheel all the way, and use a wrench. I'm not getting a high-definition mental picture from their description. When I take the boot loose and can see the lock plate, will it be obvious what I should unbend and what I should wrench? Any surprises lurking in there? Besides the tie rod (and the nut at the wheel end), what should I replace? Lockplate? Boot? (looks fine from outside). Clamps? Want to have everything I need when I start. Thanks Bob Cincinnati '87 325is - programmed for tie rod replacement at 134,600 miles ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:53:23 -0600 From: "Jason Lile" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] WTB E30 M3 front bumper Alrighty... I'm making one, last, feeble plea for an E30 M3 front bumper. I need a complete assembly, but I'll take any used parts that you might have (rebar, fog lights, cover, etc.). This is my last ditch effort before coughing up the big bucks for a new, complete bumper assembly :( Thanks for any help. - ----------------------------------- Jason Lile Zionsville Autosport "BMW Parts Specialists" 1-800-BIMMERS http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com Administrator - BMW Parts Digest - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:46:46 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Status of S52 Engine in M Coupe I agree with Andy. There is no way a 240 hp car will be as fast as the same car with 321hp. Gearing helps but not that much. The difference will be more noticeable at higher speeds, and the 240 may be plenty fast below 80 mph but the 321 hp will be lots faster. The Euro engine also has more torque at lower rpm. The only time the 321 hp won't be faster is when both cars are traction limited. That might be up to 30 mph. The high power car will be traction limited to a higher speed Of course a spinning tire has less traction than a non-spinning one so proper driving techniques are necessary to get max performance. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Speaking of "gearing suitable for US conditions" - I find rather difficult > to understand this. Outside of small sections of German autobahn, just about > all countries have speed limits. Amongst other countries which get the 321 > bhp motor, Australia is limited in dreadfully draconian fashion to 68 mph. I > have travelled much faster on the freeways of California than I ever have in > New South Wales. Yet the more expensive car is sold in Oz, where the cheaper > US car would be much more appropriate (if only they would make it in RHD). > > Andy T ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:53:36 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Alternators An alternator only puts out the power demanded by the electrical system. Once the system voltage rises to about 14, the alternator output is cut back to maintain that voltage. It takes a rare combination of having every electrical accessory on at the same time to tax the alternator. A larger one, operates at a lower duty cycle than a larger one and may last longer. The battery is there to start the car, once running, all electrical loads are taken from the alternator. Driving normally in the daytime, the alternator may put out only 15 to 20 amps regardless of its full rating. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Remember if you don't "need" a bigger alternator (extra > >lights, big stereo etc.) a bigger alternator will just be a > >drain on the engine and you will have slightly less power > >and use slightly more gas (something to think about with gas > >in SF at $2.15/gal). > > > > Kevin Kelly > > > >> > >>I disagree. Alts load on an engine is related to the load the regulator puts > >>on the alt. The load on the engine with a 120A alt is similar to a 80A alt at > >>the same electrical load. The drawbacks are weight and size. > >> > >>- -John > > Actually, I believe you are both right, sort of... > Kevin is right in saying more amps = less engine power (out). It goes back to > the old saying, you can't get something for nothing. Power consumption (engine > HP) is going to be greater when you have more demands (anyone remember the > undersize pulley thread awhile back???). > HOWEVER, the HP lost is based on the power consumption curves for the two > alternators at a given speed. I just compared an alternator that can supply > either 12V/105A or 12V/130A (two different alternators, same alternator family). > Comparing the two curves at the same speed gives a HP difference of only 0.53 > HP. I'm pretty sure most of us can't feel 5 HP, much less 1/2 HP. > Realize, though, that the two curves I used are not the same as the alternators > previously discussed. The results will, however, be similar. > > So John is also right in saying the size and weight of the bigger alternator are > drawbacks. > > Andy Messer > Hoosier Chapter > > 88 325iX > 78 FJ-40 Land Bruiser > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:12:56 -0500 From: "Robert Steele" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E36 vs. E46 gizmonics The E36 had ABS, ASC+T (or AST+C?), and OBC. The E46 has these plus DSC, HPS, etc. The radio has RDS and the list goes on. I know that the E36 optional OBC is full function (and I really like it). The E46 standard OBC looks like it is in between the standard E36 display and the full OBC...so it looks like a "downgrade" to me. All of which leads to my question.... Overall, are the gizmonics (gizmo + electronics = gizmonics) on the E46 an improvment over the E36, or have the engineers gone overboard and taken too much away from the driver? Certainly, the E30, with only ABS, left a lot to the driver. Any thoughts on this... I am confortable with keeping my E36 a few more years, but just was curious how the E46 people feel. Thanks Rob '97 328i ASC+T OBC BL/SS K&N H&R No RDS, except when I am driving [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:10:10 -0800 From: "BILL MITCHELL" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] re: radar detectors Scott Miller writes: "The second best detectors are made by Cincinnaty Microwave. That is the company that Mike Valentine used to work for, is it not? I've owned 3: An original Escort, an original Passport, and my current Solo 5 (now out of production). They have all saved me from tickets." Well, Scott, Cincinnati Microwave USED to make/sell the Escort brand detectors, and Mike Valentine was one of the founders of that company. However, some time after Mike left the company fell on hard times and eventually went out of business, and a new company, operating under the name of Escort, picked up the pieces and now sells those detectors. The old Escort/Passport units were good, and I used them 'til V-1 came out. Matter of fact, my son has my old Escort(the one that has to be re-energized every so often or it locks up) in his truck. He wants a V-1 badly and I may get him one, since he's gotten two speeding tickets since he began his college career. He's paid the fines so far. I can't speak to the worth of the new Escorts, as I have no experience, but all this just points up the fact that the V-1 is still the BEST. My current one has the laser feature, which I think is mostly useless, but it came with it. I like the remote(used to be called "stealth") unit mounted on my dash so the main unit next to the mirror never lights up. Hardwired so it always comes on when the car is running. BIll-banger ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:46:15 -0500 From: "Cagann, Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] radar detectors I am fully aware of the greatness of the V1. However, I would be very pleased if Mike would make a V1 that you could integrate into the car like the old K40 unit I have.....with the box in the front grill and little display above the steering wheel. I know the V1 has the remote display, but you still have to have the unit hanging inside the car. I'm anal with respect to having the interior organized neatly. Now, when I bought my M5 it had the K40 already mounted...it shows on the window sticker it was a dealer add-on...so the unit is a 1988 model. Is this thing worthless now? I use it, it seems to work, but doesn't seem to work that well. The unit is behind the front grill, and when I bought the car I saw they moved the ///M5 logo to the passenger side grill so the K40 would have a clean path. I hate having the logo on the wrong side, so I moved it back over the K40 unit....the radar seems to work the same as it did. I can't move the transmitter (or whatever) because there isn't enough extra wire. Doesn't the radar still shoot through plastic pretty well? Alex Cagann 88///M5 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:51:04 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Uhhhhgly! Let's see if I can get it to the right list this time.. the people over on the real BMW list know all about M50/M52 engines now :-) Ethan Stock said about the Toyota Echo: >For some reasons, the first example of this piece o' crap that I saw had >trashed rear shocks (new car, I know, but it was true) and I came upon it >from behind doing <1 mile under the speed limit> and the only impression I >took away (narrow track, tiny tires, honest-to-God lead springs, that tall >profile, and riding six inches high and bouncing due to the busted dampers) >was... covered wagon, 1848. Who says history is dead? > >Blech. > > -- Ethan Have to admit - tis a vehicle which makes an M-Coupe look positively loverly. A real case of function over form. The upside of the Echo is that I have yet to see one that has been performance enhanced (slammed, blacked out, rootie-tootie exhaust, 20x10x400 tires and emblemized with green turnsignals and blue headlights and the Holland Tunnel exhaust..). The downside is that we prolly would steer directly off the road from hysteria if we ever DID see one thats been enhanced. First time I saw one (on the NJ Turnpike, bobbing along - Ethan, I think that's the standard performance suspension you saw) it was a case of "what IS that thing?" then "why is that thing?" then looking at the occupants to see WHO would buy one? "Yetchhh" is the term that best describes it. The original VW bug was a case of function over form, but with some taste moderating the functional shape. With the Echo, Toyota just left the taste part out of the equation entirely (not the first time they've done this - remember the strange Tercel wagon with all the odd and different sized rear windows? - just the worst example of it we've seen lately). ................................................................... Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ JMP#1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] NJ Shore BMW Riders web page: http://www.monmouth.com/~deilenberger "You're absolutely right, and I apologize" --Darryl Richman "Silly me... I apologize." --Tim Hall "Sorry..." --Magwa ................................................................... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:58:54 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: First Radar Detector Jeff opines: >From: "Jeff B." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: first radar detector > >Don, Please don't say it was that Heathkit type crap. In 1965 I >completely built from scratch a short-wave radio. This was before >circuit boards. I was 15 at the time and it never really worked that >well. If your radar detector was from one of those type of companies(I >think they all went out of business by the mid 70's) then I'd be >surprised if it would go off even if you were standing in the middle of >a hospital. BTW, I'm also from Dayton and all I can remember >are the FuzzBuster ads stating that they were the original and everyone >else was selling an inferior, cheap knock-off. Had a friend work their >too. >Jeff Becht OK - so it should be in the digests somewhere what it was.. Radar Sentry. Although it was in the catalog as being available in kit form - I suspect this was to get around selling an illegal device in states which forbid it, and this was only in the later catalogs it was listed in. IE - I think this was - a legal dodge (sorta like how the real radar jammers - highly illegal - are sold, as a bunch of parts, you plug together - so the manufacturer isn't selling an illegal device - just the legal parts which you might assemble an illegal device from). As far as FuzzBuster being first? Dunno - but I would hazard a guess not.. the Radar Sentry was in catalogs back around 1964 - anyone have a date for the first FuzzBuster? It prolly would be correct to say the FuzzBuster was the first useful radar detector, since the Radar Sentry was basically useless.. it was prolly inferior and cheap but I don't think it was a 'knockoff' (a knockoff might have worked.. :-) ................................................................... Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ JMP#1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] NJ Shore BMW Riders web page: http://www.monmouth.com/~deilenberger "You're absolutely right, and I apologize" --Darryl Richman "Silly me... I apologize." --Tim Hall "Sorry..." --Magwa ................................................................... ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #444 ************************** _________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Bonneville Motorwerks . http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com | Circle Tire Co. (used & classic BMW parts) e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Curry's Auto Service . http://www.currysauto.com | Eurosport . http://www.eurosport-hp.com | Koala MotorSport . http://www.koalamotorsport.com | Taylor BMW - http://www.taylorbmw.com - Doc Bimmer! | The Ultimate Garage . http://www.ultimategarage.com | UUC Motorwerks . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com | Zionsville Autosport . http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com ����������������������������������������
