[uucdigest] Tuesday, March 28 2000 Volume 03 : Number 522 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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] <E30> Mysterious Rubber Thread Should Go [uuc] This rotor thread [uuc] BMW/Williams or Williams/BMW?? Re: [uuc] "Friction Relign"? What is this? [uuc] Injector Information (FAQ) [uuc] RE: Replacing Fan Clutch on 1991 525i m50 [uuc] Mysterious rubber thread [uuc] The new ML55 AMG [uuc] E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? [uuc] RE: Certification. Reply to Old Post. [uuc] Re:Roll Bar High Impact Foam (longish summary) [uuc] testing wheel trueness ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 10:04:55 -0500 From: dstevenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E30> Mysterious Rubber Thread Should Go Hi Jeez lemme see, maybe they were old condoms and they turned black from the heat. Maybe it was the original site of the Yokohama plant. Why don't we drop this thread, it is starting to get ugly and meaningless. Thanks Don Stevenson/BMWCCA Boston Chapter All Rubber accounted for on all cars 1988 325IS, (too much to list), should have stayed the street car. (Sharked) 1987 325IS, project, should have been the track car. (Sharked) 1988 Volvo 240 Wagon 5 Speed. (Green Wheels) **************************************************************************** This message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged or confidential information. Unless you are the intended recipient, you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone any information contained in this message. If you have received this message in error, please notify the author by replying to this message and then kindly delete the message. Thank you. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 11:10:34 -0500 From: "Money, Jack (J.J.)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] This rotor thread It seems to me that the info that has been presented shows that the consistency of the quality of the ATE slotted rotors is questionable. One must at least concede that given the number of different outcomes that your chances of receiving a poor set are decent. This, of course, assumes that the individuals who are having the problems are not causing the problem. Since I haven't really paid attention to who has been posting which type of story this could be a bad assumption, I don't know. I looked into the ATE's last year when I replaced my rotors and given all of the varying responses I decided to avoid them. I mean, what are the chances that mine will be good? Or bad? I decided that the stock rotors would be fine (which they are) and the $$$ wasn't really the issue. YMMV, quite obviously! Regards, Jack Money Motor City Chapter iX Registry, E30 M3 SIG '89 iX ----> Sharked! E30 M3 ----> Evolving mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or reply http://skumwerks.net ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 10:22:41 -0600 From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] BMW/Williams or Williams/BMW?? I was looking in the paper yesterday, and they showed the race results of the Brazillian F1 race, and I noticed that there was no mention of BMW. They were listed as Williams. I thought BMW paid big bucks for the team to be called BMW-Williams, instead of Williams-BMW. I didn't get to see the race, but it doesn't look like BMW is doing all that terribly this year (so far). Can't wait for Indy..... yeee ha. Michael 88 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 08:23:10 -0800 (PST) From: David Morrison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] "Friction Relign"? What is this? Here in TX a friction reline is typically pads and turn the rotors if needed and then various inspections to try and sell you on other "needed" work :^) As discussed before, don't turn your BMW rotors, replace them if out of spec. David Morrison Austin TX 96 328i - --- Moe Drippins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > There's a chain of brake stores in town with a > really cheesy radio > commercial that advertises a 50,000 mile warranteed > (pro rata) > "friction relign" brake job. > > I'd never GO to this place, I'm actually looking > forward to my first > DIY brake job here in a couple weeks, but was > wondering what this was. > Never heard of it before. What are they doing for > their $99? > > -- > Just Moe > '95 540 6 speed, BL/SS > BMWCCA Peachtree Chapter > ===== David Morrison Austin TX 96 BMW 328i Sedan 85 4Runner Crawler, Lifted & Locked __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 09:25:01 -0700 From: Land Shark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Injector Information (FAQ) Ladies and Gents In response to the many questions we've received from BMW owners in response to our Gateway Tech introduction of the Shark Injector(tm) We have prepared a FAQ. This FAQ answers the majority of questions we have been asked and can be found at: http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com/info/injfaq.pdf It is (as most of my docs are) in the Adobe PDF format, and a free reader can be obtained at http://www.adobe.com Thanks! Jim Conforti ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 08:32:05 -0700 From: "vanderHeide, Alain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: Replacing Fan Clutch on 1991 525i m50 > From: David Moore [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 3:25 PM > > Greetings, > > I'm about to replace my fan clutch on my 1991 > 525i m50. Bought the part from Steve D (plug > plug) along with a 32mm open end wrench. > > I've check the Bentley book..looks straight > forward although it does mention a special BMW > tool to hold it in place as you WHACK it. Does > anyone have a tip or two before I do this without > the special tool? I just replaced the water pump on my '95 M3, which required removing the fan. What I did was the following: 1 - Get a piece of sheet metal (I think what I used was roof flashing) about 5" wide by 2' long. 2 - Measure the center to center distance of two bolts on the fan pulley. 3 - Drill two holes slightly larger than the heads of the fan pulley bolts very near one end of your piece of sheet metal. Cut a notch between them to clear the pulley shaft. Your end result should look better than this poor ASCII representation (best if viewed with a fixed font): | | | | the Os are the holes for bolt heads | O O | the ^ is the notch |____^____| You may need to put a little "s" shaped bend in this guy to clear things. Put the holes over the bolts, hold the other end. Wallah, all the leverage you need. Oh yeah, on mine (and almost certainly yours) the fan nut is a LEFT HAND THREAD. "Any PC built after 1985 has the storage capacity to house an evil spirit." - - Rev. Jim Peasboro ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 09:58:40 -0500 From: dstevenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Mysterious rubber thread Hi Can you please step in here and squash this thread? Is is pointless and getting ugly. Thanks Don Stevenson Network Administrator Batterymarch Financial Management Inc. 200 Clarendon St. Boston, Ma. 02116 617-351-2353 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________- Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 22:48:44 -0500 From: Patrick Burns <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] RE: <E30> Mysterious rubber pieces under hood.. Prob.? James Moran wrote: > > OK... How do those sheared off teeth make it outside the timing cover > and land in the engine compartment? The original post asked, > paraphrasing, "Hey, what are these rubber bits in my engine > compartment?" > > Have you ever looked at your engine? My my, aren't you the wise ass? Yes, I had to look at my engine when I changed the cam belt and water pump two months ago. The broken teeth could have scooted out through the space behind the rubber cam belt cover and engine block on the driver's side under the thermostat housing. Have _you_ ever looked at an M20 engine? - - **************************************************************************** This message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged or confidential information. Unless you are the intended recipient, you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone any information contained in this message. If you have received this message in error, please notify the author by replying to this message and then kindly delete the message. Thank you. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 11:16:44 -0600 From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] The new ML55 AMG I got an invitation in the mail to go check out the new Mercedes SUV - ML55 AMG. They are going to be running it at Soldier Field, where you get to drive it, professional drivers take you on a "hot lap", drag race it against a Porsche Boxster. The competition will include the Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus RX300, and the BMW X5 (OBMWC). The mailing said these other models will be there for "demonstrations and friendly competition...we're not worried though." They say they are going to have "two high-speed tracks, a rigorous off-road course and three Mercedes-Benz SUV models to choose from." It isn't until mid May, but I am already looking very forward to it. Think I'll make them nervous if I show up in helmet and nomex? :) Michael itty bitty 1988 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 12:59:03 -0500 From: "Cagann, Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? OK, my friend has an 88M5 with 175 grand on it. It is beaten up pretty nicely. The other day, a coolant hose broke, the engine overheated a bit, and it went in to the shop. Apparently the engine is ok, but while in the shop the mechanic found the following list of items that need work. This is the list from the mechanic with his part prices and labor. Please let me know your collective thoughts on 1)part prices 2)labor costs 3)alternatives to the listed items 4)the mechanics statement that he will not do the work unless he gets the parts at his mark up. He is a bit weary of spending a bunch of mulah on this car because it is in such bad shape. It is a shame....really....this M5 has shot interior, dented up panels, etc. This is the email from my friend: Dear Alex: Thanks for your help. <beep> said as follows: Part Part Price Labor Price Idler Arm $47.85 $42 Front Shocks: Bilsteins $160 ea. $168 pair Support Arms (2) $119.90 ea. Bushings $41.8 $218.30 Right Rear Subframe Mount (2) $38.78 ea. $224 pair Rear Brake Pads $60.23 $42 Total $787.24 $694.30 <beep> says he has markup in parts and can't do job without markup. Thoughts? I appreciate your help. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 10:15:53 -0800 From: John Edward Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: Certification. Reply to Old Post. > Hopefully you can clarify, but isn't the V-6 used in the 9-5 just a > turbo-charged derivative of the GM one used in the Catera/Omega, or I am > totally offbase here? BTW, I recently had the chance to drive the latest > Saab turbo 4 in the 9-3, and it was impressive, especially on the > highway. > <snip> > >> 2. The injection of more money into BMW would give it the funding >> required > to develop more models and more motors. >Remember how SAAB always claimed > their I-4 turbo was as good as any V-6 and then made a V-6 the minute GM > took over and the >money poured in? I've heard quite a few good things > about their V-6. The Saab 2.5 and 3.0 V6s are versions of the 54-degree UK-made V6 that GM uses in the Catera/Omega, the Vectra, the Saturn LS/LW, and probably others I can't recall right now. Early versions thereof got nasty reps for cam-belt problems (Saab ended up paying for 15K-mile cam-belt changes for the life of the car, if I recall correctly.) It's a tremendously compact engine. As for BMW needing more funding to produce more models and more engines...they already have a very comprehensive line of engines, and a pretty exhaustive model range. They've voiced an intent to get into the lower end of the market, which had been what they'd counted on Rover for. Is that the right place to put the BMW brand? I guess the most comprehensive answer to that question would be 'how has the Benz A-class done?' and I don't know the answer to that one. Oh (pulling Nomex on for the inevitable 'No BMW Trucks' flamefest) and they don't have a decent tow rig. John. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 13:22:30 -0500 From: Peter H Reinhart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re:Roll Bar High Impact Foam (longish summary) Thanks for all the replies and pointers on the high impact roll-bar foam. I certainly learned more about roll bar foam than I ever thought I wanted to know. The final upshot is there are 2 sorts of foam - standard polyethylene or neoprene foam in many colors (yes, even in gray) sold by numerous mail order places, and high density foam sold predominantly by NASCAR suppliers. According to a number of sources as well as a scientific study "....analysis of the impact data shows that the majority of products used as roll cage protective padding have little or no energy absorbing capabilities.... " (see http://www.stockcarracing.com/tech/barpad.html ) Wow! So much for the roll bar material I see in most cars. Neither open-cell nor closed-cell neoprene or polyethylene foam offers much protection for your head or helmet. Whereas your helmet is the first line of defense as the severity of the impact increases, roll bar padding becomes essential. To cushion the G-forces tending to push your brain into your skull, the padding needs to be thick enough, and be made of the right material. Spent a long time chatting with Matt Ray at Brotherton Supply Co Inc. (BSCI; they supply the shops that supply NASCAR and played a role in setting up the SFI 45.1 specifications), who convinced me that roll bar material needs to be high density foam that has passed SFI 45.1 specifications. The SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI; http://www.sfifoundation.com/) is a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing equipment. The SFI roll bar padding test procedure is similar to the test used for evaluating crash helmets. The testing consists of three successive impacts by an 11-pound aluminum DOT headform traveling at 14.5 feet per second (approx. 10 m.p.h.), all at the same point on the padding. To pass the test, the acceleration may not exceed 200 G's for the first impact and 250 G's for the following two impacts. In addition, the calculated Gadd Severity Index can not exceed 1500 for any of the impacts (above 1500 leads to head trauma). Since many of the energy-absorbing polyurethane foams decrease in firmness with increasing temperature, the roll bar padding materials are required to pass the impact tests at 70�F and at 110�F. Finally, the materials are required to self-extinguish within 10 seconds following exposure to an open propane flame, and to do so without melting or dripping. According to SFI president Arnie Kuhns, none of the popular offset-center roll bar pads made from polyethylene foam stand a chance of passing the tests. That also means they will not offer you much protection. If they won't pass a 10 m.p.h. test how well will they do when going significantly faster�.? A number of you pointed out a few Mail Order Houses that carry SFI 45.1 padding including Summit Racing (http://store.summitracing.com), and IOPort Racing (http://www.ioportracing.com/padding.htm). I'm sure there are others. Some of the NASCAR suppliers include RDI (704-892-8688), H-R (704-597-1373), and BSR (704-795-0901). So the punch line is - go with the padding that will protect you, color be damned (and If you're still reading you too now know more about roll bar padding than you ever thought you wanted to...... ). Cheers, Peter Reinhart E36M3 (gray interior, BLACK SFI 45.1 padding) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 10:23:27 -0800 (PST) From: Christopher Myers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] testing wheel trueness Does a tire shop need a special machine to test the trueness of a wheel, or can they just use a balancing machine. I have a set of '95 M3 wheels that I want to check before I spend the money on tires. By the way, is a 235/40/17tire a good size for these rims or should I stick with the 225/45/17 size that was stock? Not for racing, mind you, but I though the larger size might protect the rims better from any inadvertent curb taps. TIA for you input. Chris __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #522 ************************** _________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Bonneville Motorwerks . http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com | Circle Tire Co. 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