The BMW UUC Digest 
Volume 2 : Issue 62 : "text" Format

Messages in this Issue:
  Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages)
  Re: E34 540i issues
  Re: Dyno Speeds
  Re: Dyno Speeds
  Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
  Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
  Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
  Re: Dyno Speeds
  Re: Dyno Speeds: Was Alutec or ASA wheels
  Re: <E38> Trans Fluid Change Question
  New Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire
  Re: New Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire
  Re: New Member BMW CCA
  Re: New Member BMW CCA
  FYI Michelin Pilot Sports...

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Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 10:27:14 -0500
From: "K.C. Boyce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages)
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

We sell it for $6.50 per small bottle (~8 oz.).  We also sell a larger (~16
oz.) bottle, but I haven't checked the price on it lately...

<Shameless Plug>Check out www.REI.com (303 isn't there right now, we must be
out at the warehouse) or your local REI store.</Shameless Plug>

   KC Boyce
   '97 M3/4
   E30 Eta Page: http://www.e30eta.com



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Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 10:44:59 -0500
From: Marty Fraiser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: E34 540i issues
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Hi Steve,

I was thinking the same thing about the wheel size, just hoping for some 
confirmation that I'm not causing myself problems.

According to receipts the clutch, flywheel, etc were replaced @ 76K 
miles, which was less than 20K miles ago.  I hope it doesn't need 
replacing already - but I guess it's possible if someone abused it (not 
me, of course).  Does a high engagement point indicate a worn-out 
clutch?  I'm thinking there's probably no adjustment since it's hydraulic?

I was thinking maybe the burning rubber smell was clutch but it doesn't 
seem to slip and it's distinctly rubber smelling to me - doesn't smell 
like clutch friction material.  But I'm not positive and couldn't say 
what the clutch might smell like in this car.

Thanks,
Marty
'96 M3
'95 540i-6

Steve Stoner wrote:

>Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>Marty,
>
>welcome to the digest.  I have a few answers comments.
><<1) The ride: Was it a mistake to get 17" wheels>>
>Shouldnt think so.  17" wheels came with sport packages and M5s
>
>
><<2) clutch: it's been replaced but ....>>>>
>In my 95 540, the clutch was good for 40-45K miles....
>You could be due..  
>
><<3) burning rubber smell:>>
>Is it rubber, or is that clutch? 
>
>
><<5) transmission>>
>Redline fluid change sometimes helps.  Stock bushings and stuff in the 
>shiter mechanism are likely worn. 
>
>That's all I know.
>
>Steve Stoner
>97M3
>95 540iMsport - gone not forgotton
>325ix, 318is, 535i, gone.
>
>__________________________________________________________________________
>In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA.
>
>UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate
>Short Shifter - accept no substitutes!
>908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com
>
>  
>

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 11:01:27 -0500
From: UUC Digest Monitor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Dyno Speeds
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

As some of you know, DynoLab in Marietta, GA is my home base.

(Shameless plug: http://www.dynolab.net)

When cars are tested at DynoLab, tests are always done in  4th gear 
(usually the gear closest to 1:1 ratio). This emanates any variations in 
drivetrain loss and should provide the most "true" reading.

Testing a car in 6th gear, in my opinion, is abusive and unnecessary. You 
put additional strain on the engine & drivetrain as well as incurring the 
additional "danger factor" of a tire blowing out.

Just my $.02, ymmv.

At 12:01 AM 3/3/2004 -0500, you wrote:

>Brett's point was that the dyno operator didn't need to run the car up to 
>that sort of speed to get a good reading.  there is no difference in the 
>power that the engine makes in 3rd gear thru the rev range as compared to 
>6th.  running it in 6th just seems silly.

Michael K Donohue
System Administrator
UUC Digest
http://www.uucdigest.com


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Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 11:50:17 -0500
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Dyno Speeds
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Brett -


  Verrrry Interesting!

  I always thought that the gear closest to 1:1 -- where drivetrain losses are the 
least -- was the best for dyno.  Had no idea about the DME changing timing.

  What gear would you recommend that I dyno my Coupe (with the 3.15 rear end you built 
for me)?

  Thanks.

Neil Simon
99 M Coupe
DC tags "MDORPHN"


> Above about 120mph (varies depending on model), the car needs more torque
> than power to push it through the air.  The DME has a vehicle speed input.
> When it sees high speed, it changes the timing, reducing HP, to increase
> (actually to simply maintain) torque, to get you through 
> the air.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 12:53:24 -0500
From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Neil (not the guy with a new kidney) Simon wrote:

> What gear would you recommend that I dyno my Coupe
> (with the 3.15 rear end you built for me)?

why go with a 3.15 as compared with the stock 3.23 in
your '99 ?  I know you have the JimC cams & such, but
I'd think you'd not want to go taller, rather stay stock
or go slightly shorter, say a 3.46.  (tho there's gotta be
something between a 3.23 & a 3.46, right ?)

The S54 MZ3 guys were quite fond of going from their 3.15's
to a 3.46 IIRC.



Ben
3.46 w/euro 3.0 motor & same trans as Neil's car, more
wheelbase & less weight tho :-)


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 14:30:19 -0500
From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

I'll let Neil answer the why part, but interestingly, my experience is the
most popular ratio for the S54 MCoupe/Roadster is actually 3.73....

Brett Anderson
KMS


> -----Original Message-----
> Neil (not the guy with a new kidney) Simon wrote:
>
> > What gear would you recommend that I dyno my Coupe
> > (with the 3.15 rear end you built for me)?
>
> why go with a 3.15 as compared with the stock 3.23 in
> your '99 ?  I know you have the JimC cams & such, but
> I'd think you'd not want to go taller, rather stay stock
> or go slightly shorter, say a 3.46.  (tho there's gotta be
> something between a 3.23 & a 3.46, right ?)
>
> The S54 MZ3 guys were quite fond of going from their 3.15's
> to a 3.46 IIRC.
>
> Ben
> 3.46 w/euro 3.0 motor & same trans as Neil's car, more
> wheelbase & less weight tho :-)



------------------------------

Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 15:04:42 -0500
From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Neil's tall diff (was: Dyno Speeds)
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Brett Anderson wrote:

> I'll let Neil answer the why part, but interestingly, my experience is the
> most popular ratio for the S54 MCoupe/Roadster is actually 3.73....

wow, that's a pretty short diff - I don't think I'd enjoy almost
4k revs at 80mph* on the street.  they'd have to do their dyno
runs in 4th to get to your target 120mph as well.

actually I think Neil  would as well, assuming I've got the ratios
right in my excel speed calculator thing.  then again both of them
could be running wider/taller tires than stock & that would offset
some of the revs.

I've been out of the MZ3 scene for a while, the S54 cars hadn't been
out too long when my lease was up.  I forget what ratio diff Ron Stygar
was trying to get from Germany for his powder-coated, chromed,
illuminated garage queen...



Ben

*going to end up with these sort of revs on the track car
to/from the track, but hopefully my brain won't be turned to
complete mush - earplug headphones are your friend...


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 14:35:26 -0500
From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Dyno Speeds
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Gear ratio makes no discernable difference in dyno readings.  There are no
more driveline losses in one gear than another.

The ideal dyno run will be done in a gear that keeps the car below 120mph at
redline.  That'd probably be 3rd in your car with the new diff.

When I first started running dyno tests, years ago, I questioned my dyno
supplier on it.  In order to convince me, we began testing every car in
every gear except 1st.  The charts could be laid over each other and make a
single line.

I should also add that you want to use the tallest gear that will keep you
below 120mph (or thereabouts) because that will extend the sample time.  The
longer the sample, the more accurate the power/rpm tables.

Brett Anderson
KMS


> -----Original Message-----
>   Verrrry Interesting!
>
>   I always thought that the gear closest to 1:1 -- where
> drivetrain losses are the least -- was the best for dyno.  Had no
> idea about the DME changing timing.
>
>   What gear would you recommend that I dyno my Coupe (with the
> 3.15 rear end you built for me)?
>
>   Thanks.
>
> Neil Simon
> 99 M Coupe



------------------------------

Date: 3 Mar 2004 16:30:35 -0000
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Dyno Speeds: Was Alutec or ASA wheels
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> I see your point about the tires , but to complete a dyno run I would think 
> you need to run up to the red line. 

You do -- redline in 3rd gear. I have never heard of a dyno run being done in anything 
other than 3rd or 4th gear, with 3rd gear being the 
standard that most magazines use. It is just plain dangerous to run a car up to 200+ 
mph on a freakin' roller.

-peter*g



------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 10:49:02 -0600
From: "Sam Drake" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: <E38> Trans Fluid Change Question
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

I gotta ask something I will get to in the next paragraph. I have taken care
of maintenance and whatever happened to all my cars including the ones the 4
children went through; 53 Oldsmobile rocket 88 holiday coupe (my first), 57
Plymouth wit push button tyranny, 63 VW Beetle, 65 Plymouth Barracuda, 69
Ford F250, 73 Oldsmobile custom cruiser, 76 Dodge Van, 80 VW Diesel Rabbit,
85 Nissan Maxima, Honda civic, Ford Pinto, two BMW 320i, Mercedes 240D I
rebuilt and a few others. Wore most of these cars out. I have been very
negligent of my transmission maintenance and have been just lucky. Only had
transmission trouble on one car, the 85 Nissan Maxima at about 230K miles.
I took it to a transmission shop that I knew to be knowledgeable honest
people and got good results.  But my children, and many of my friends and
neighbors have had bad experiences, good money after bad, with regard to
transmission repairs. I think I have missed out on some fun. With the right
information and parts sources I will probably tackle my next transmission
problem, a 94 Dodge Cummins 4x4 with 215K on it at this time.  I hope it
doesn't fail while I am working on my 85 BMW 318i with 205K that I and my
wife use as the run about and somewhat daily driver on which the air
conditioner has finally played out. Need to do a R134a upgrade anyway.

I said all that to say this.  Not many people get into their automatic
transmissions so there is not much knowledge to pick up visually or by hear
say. There was a time when I didn't mind risking higher cost to do it myself
because I just wanted to get rid of the intimidation.  I hate to drive
something I do not understand, sort of a "If I own it, it's got to run"
philosophy, but now it is primarily an economic decision.

1. Is the shop manual that the manufacturer puts out adequate for a
mechanically inclined but otherwise ignorant mechanic.
2. Did you just have fun or did you also save money on this project? Where
did you get your parts. Perhaps if from a dealer you might have been equal
money to just buy another transmission somewhere; is that the case or not?
For example, if I had to buy all my BMW parts in the past from the dealer,
the cars would have become junk much sooner. Sometimes I have tackled a job
because I wanted to get rid of the mystery or make it perform the way I
wanted it to perform even though I knew I would not save enough money to
justify the time and aggravation.  Over all I have saved tons of money,
though, by accumulating tools and familiarity with my cars.  The nothing to
lose idea works for me when deciding whether to risk trashing an otherwise
trash car but if money is my main motivation now.  Will a mostly, "feel your
way through it do it yourselfer" likely come out ahead by diving into a high
mileage auto transmission?

I do not frequently reply to others in these discussions because there is
nearly always a good answer forthcoming before I get the chance to answer.
My cars have all been old enough that I was not blazing any trails with my
problems.  And most of you guys throw money around like it is water so my
kinds of input do not apply to your needs very well. This digest has been a
life saver to me however and I sincerely thank those responsible for keeping
it going and those who answer so faithfully. I do buy parts from places I
hear about on this digest.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of John Bolhuis
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 9:54 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [UUC] <E38> Trans Fluid Change Question


Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]


On Tue, 2 Mar 2004, Robinson, Lee wrote:

> I was actually wondering about this whole "lifetime fluid" thing
> anyway. How good are the filters in these auto trannies?  If I
> remember correctly, auto trans have several clutches in them along
> with planetary gears & the torque converter.  Now these clutches
> should wear out & deposit friction material into the fluid which
> then (presumably) goes through the filter. However, I would still
> think this would leave a ton of gunk behind, especially on cars
> that spend a lot of time in hot climates in heavy traffic (i.e. no
> cooling airflow).  How much crap can the filter take before it's
> so clogged with crap that there's either crap blow-by or
> starvation of oil, cavitation of the pump, etc?

 I recently rebuilt the transmission on my wife's Maxima - the car is
worth $0 without a working tranny, so I had nothing to lose.  :)  The
clutch packs are stacks of metal rings and friction material, and as
far as I can see from the stuff stuck to the magnets inside, both
friction material and metal are released to circulate.  The filter in
my case did not catch everything.  There were bits of dust way up in
the valve body on top of the unit that got pumped through.
 It looks to me like a little bit of friction material should not
spell doom, at least in the unit I worked on.  The sliding clearances
of the valves in the valve body are very tight however, so excess gunk
or a small metal shaving could easily prevent a valve from doing its
thing.
 You can see pictures of this unit with roughly 100k miles to give you
a general idea of what you'll find inside an auto tranny:
<http://www.bolhuijo.com/gallery/nissan>
 I'm just happy that I was able to make this thing go again with new
clutches, seals, gaskets, solenoid valves, and fluid.

--
 "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster."
   -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro

__________________________________________________________________________
In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA.

UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate
Short Shifter - accept no substitutes!
908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com



------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 09:47:18 -0800 (PST)
From: Andre Yew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: UUC Digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: New Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Just read about the new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire on
autoextremist.com: 

http://www.autoextremist.com/page6.shtml#table

(Scroll down about 2/3 of the page.)

Can anyone translate the marketing-speak, especially the "Variable Contact
Patch" system?  The tread design also appears to be pretty different than
current Pilot Sports, if that makes any difference.  From the sipes on the
left edge, it may be an all-season tire, too.

OBMWC: it appears to be mounted on an 18-inch E46 M3 wheel

--Andre


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 13:12:04 -0500
From: "Bill Matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: New Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Tire rack has them available in some sizes. For instance 275/35-18 for $284
in the YR rated Max performance summer tire category. Actually $64 cheaper
than the old style pilot sport still listed. Tire rack explains a little
more about the technology.

<http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?TireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+S
port+PS2&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=735YR8SPORTPS2&fromCompare1=yes>

In tinyese:
http://tinyurl.com/32opc

The Geezemobile has worn out her S-03s so I will probably try a set of
these.

Bill Matthews
Hockesin DE
00 M Geeze
some Volvos
other cars

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andre Yew" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 12:47 PM
Subject: [UUC] New Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire


> Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> Just read about the new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire on
> autoextremist.com:
>
> http://www.autoextremist.com/page6.shtml#table
>
> (Scroll down about 2/3 of the page.)
>
> Can anyone translate the marketing-speak, especially the "Variable Contact
> Patch" system?  The tread design also appears to be pretty different than
> current Pilot Sports, if that makes any difference.  From the sipes on the
> left edge, it may be an all-season tire, too.
>
> OBMWC: it appears to be mounted on an 18-inch E46 M3 wheel
>
> --Andre
>


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 12:37:48 -0600 (CST)
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: New Member BMW CCA
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> my # is 327419.  That's a lot of BMW club members!

The membership numbers jumped a large gap when database system was
changed. <I think>. You can find the latest membership numbers on the
bmwcca.org website. Go to the sitemap and find News from National. Just
because the number is 327419, that doesn't mean there has been that many
members up until now. Some people let their membership lapse and get a new
number. Others are able to prove that they where a member and retain their
original membership number. Membership numbers are not recycled.

...steven
NCC BMW CCA

http://www.nccbmwcca.org/techfesteast
Just added -> David Hobbs, Friday keynote speaker

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 13:45:48 -0500
From: "Steve Stoner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: New Member BMW CCA
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

My number is 76064.  And I just want to say that here in the mid-Atlantic regioin 
where the weather is fair, portending spring, I had a blast driving around at lunch 
with the windows open, enjoying the UUC exhaust on my M3.  And furthermore, I picked 
up an Ingersol Rand 2131QT impact wrench this week and now I know what "nut bustin 
torque" is all about.  The QT stands for quiet, and it is that.  Life is good. 

Steve Stoner



------------------------------

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 11:37:12 -0700
From: Peter B Du Bois <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: FYI Michelin Pilot Sports...
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>






In the 235/40ZR-17 90Y size are selling for 155.00  incl. shipping at:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com .

Peter



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