The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 83 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Seat belt receptacle Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Dash Crack
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:27:54 -0500 From: "john grills" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'John Peacock'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> John, I got a German Cloth replacement from World Rudolph a few years back for my 87 E30 iC (~$500). It was OEM quality. I managed to get it fit pretty easily, and I'm still dry, so I guess I did an acceptable job! It took a weekend to get it fit in there well. No glue (3M yellow goo) until you adjust it many times! I also had that BMW Shop video which provided some basic guidance on install, but again, it's E30 specific. I also replaced all the rubber seals and tension straps (of course). Those straps were pricey! but they are a wear item. Maybe yours are still ok? Just depends if you're feeling lucky! If you screw it up, you pay twice! Cheers! John Grills BMWCCA-NCC 98 M3/4 88 M3 87 iC -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Peacock Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 9:06 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [UUC] Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Some guys on the Porshe digest recommended this list. I have been on for a week or so, and reading/lurking. I have owned several e36 cars, including a convertible 99 M3, a 97 M3, a 99 323 convertible, a 97 318 convertible, a 93 325 sedan, a 99 328 coupe, and a couple others. Yes I like them and I get bored easily. I currently have a 99 328iC convertible with full M3 suspension and catback(just installed) and M3 wheels. It is the green with green top, which we hate. Well at least the green top. The rest looks great. So finding this list is great. I have a question, if anyone knows. I am getting ready to replace the top on my 99 328i convertible. Has anyone done this themselves? I have replaced tops on several cars in the past, but not a BMW. They want anywhere from $500 to $1000 in labor to replace it. One guy even quoted me $4700 to replace it with their top. If anyone has done this procedure, can you give me some insight into what to look for? What to make sure not to miss? etc etc? Thanks in advance John Peacock Deland FL Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ 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, 1 Mar 2006 17:59:14 -0500 From: "John Peacock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "john grills" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> All but one shop said, after looking at it, that they could re-use the straps. When ordering the top I could have gotten them for an extra $75, but I think they are ok. The main reason for replacement is that the rear window is fogged over and the top is green. We dont like the green top. I purchased a Haartz Sonnendeck top in black. I thought about eliminating the headliner. Has anyone done this?? I have owned many many convertibles without a headliner and it seemed fine. Thanks again John' ----- Original Message ----- From: "john grills" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'John Peacock'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:27 PM Subject: Re: [UUC] Newbie here, e36 convertible tops > John, > > I got a German Cloth replacement from World Rudolph a few years back for > my > 87 E30 iC (~$500). It was OEM quality. I managed to get it fit pretty > easily, and I'm still dry, so I guess I did an acceptable job! It took a > weekend to get it fit in there well. No glue (3M yellow goo) until you > adjust it many times! I also had that BMW Shop video which provided some > basic guidance on install, but again, it's E30 specific. I also replaced > all > the rubber seals and tension straps (of course). Those straps were pricey! > but they are a wear item. Maybe yours are still ok? > > Just depends if you're feeling lucky! If you screw it up, you pay twice! > > Cheers! > John Grills > BMWCCA-NCC > 98 M3/4 > 88 M3 > 87 iC > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Peacock > Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 9:06 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [UUC] Newbie here, e36 convertible tops > > Some guys on the Porshe digest recommended this list. I have been on for > a > week or so, and reading/lurking. I have owned several e36 cars, including > a > convertible 99 M3, a 97 M3, a 99 323 convertible, a 97 318 convertible, a > 93 > 325 sedan, a 99 328 coupe, and a couple others. Yes I like them and I get > bored easily. I currently have a 99 328iC convertible with full M3 > suspension and catback(just installed) and M3 wheels. It is the green > with > green top, which we hate. Well at least the green top. The rest looks > great. > > So finding this list is great. > > I have a question, if anyone knows. > > I am getting ready to replace the top on my 99 328i convertible. Has > anyone > done this themselves? I have replaced tops on several cars in the past, > but > not a BMW. They want anywhere from $500 to $1000 in labor to replace it. > One guy even quoted me $4700 to replace it with their top. > > If anyone has done this procedure, can you give me some insight into what > to > look for? What to make sure not to miss? etc etc? > > Thanks in advance > John Peacock > Deland FL > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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, 1 Mar 2006 16:30:44 -0800 From: Mark Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: John Peacock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: john grills <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: Newbie here, e36 convertible tops Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> As owner of an E30 convertible I often wish I had a headliner. One important reason for the headliner is sound insulation. My E30 is almost as noisy with the top up as it is with the top down. Sincerely, Mark Gold Sacramento Chapter BMWCCA On Mar 1, 2006, at 2:59 PM, John Peacock wrote: > All but one shop said, after looking at it, that they could re-use > the straps. When ordering the top I could have gotten them for an > extra $75, but I think they are ok. The main reason for > replacement is that the rear window is fogged over and the top is > green. We dont like the green top. I purchased a Haartz > Sonnendeck top in black. > > I thought about eliminating the headliner. Has anyone done this?? > I have owned many many convertibles without a headliner and it > seemed fine. > > Thanks again > John' > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "john grills" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "'John Peacock'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; > <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:27 PM > Subject: Re: [UUC] Newbie here, e36 convertible tops > > >> John, >> >> I got a German Cloth replacement from World Rudolph a few years >> back for my >> 87 E30 iC (~$500). It was OEM quality. I managed to get it fit pretty >> easily, and I'm still dry, so I guess I did an acceptable job! It >> took a >> weekend to get it fit in there well. No glue (3M yellow goo) until >> you >> adjust it many times! I also had that BMW Shop video which >> provided some >> basic guidance on install, but again, it's E30 specific. I also >> replaced all >> the rubber seals and tension straps (of course). Those straps were >> pricey! >> but they are a wear item. Maybe yours are still ok? >> >> Just depends if you're feeling lucky! If you screw it up, you pay >> twice! >> >> Cheers! >> John Grills >> BMWCCA-NCC >> 98 M3/4 >> 88 M3 >> 87 iC >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Peacock >> Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 9:06 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: [UUC] Newbie here, e36 convertible tops >> >> Some guys on the Porshe digest recommended this list. I have been >> on for a >> week or so, and reading/lurking. I have owned several e36 cars, >> including a >> convertible 99 M3, a 97 M3, a 99 323 convertible, a 97 318 >> convertible, a 93 >> 325 sedan, a 99 328 coupe, and a couple others. Yes I like them >> and I get >> bored easily. I currently have a 99 328iC convertible with full M3 >> suspension and catback(just installed) and M3 wheels. It is the >> green with >> green top, which we hate. Well at least the green top. The rest >> looks >> great. >> >> So finding this list is great. >> >> I have a question, if anyone knows. >> >> I am getting ready to replace the top on my 99 328i convertible. >> Has anyone >> done this themselves? I have replaced tops on several cars in the >> past, but >> not a BMW. They want anywhere from $500 to $1000 in labor to >> replace it. >> One guy even quoted me $4700 to replace it with their top. >> >> If anyone has done this procedure, can you give me some insight >> into what to >> look for? What to make sure not to miss? etc etc? >> >> Thanks in advance >> John Peacock >> Deland FL >> >> Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/ >> [email protected] >> >> >> _____________________________________________________________________ >> _____ >> 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 >> >> Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/ >> [email protected] >> >> >> _____________________________________________________________________ >> _____ >> 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 > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/ > [email protected] > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ____ > 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, 01 Mar 2006 21:58:49 +0000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "Richard Dorffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Then teach the lady how to shift her man's stick!!! (<: > Gee Barry, can't you read? John made it perfectly clear why it is an > automatic. > Regards, > Rich >> The best and first performance upgrade an automatic //M3 should get is >> a proper 5 or 6 >> speed conversion, and a proper 3.38 rear, if your car didn't come with one. >> 7000rpm in second >> gear with a 3.38 is 60mph, just right for us 'mericans. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:42:24 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "john grills" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you must have an automatic, then the best performance upgrade is a Chevy LS1 and matching transmission <grin>. Gary Derian > Barry > >> The best and first performance upgrade an automatic //M3 should get >> is > a proper 5 or 6 speed conversion, and a proper 3.38 rear, if your car > didn't > come with one. 7000rpm in second gear with a 3.38 is 60mph, just right > for > us 'mericans. > > Figured this was coming...Not gonna think about spending > $6800 for a transmission conversion. I would buy another car 1st (hmmm I > really do need a Coupe...). > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 15:07:21 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Seat belt receptacle Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> What is it that wears out or breaks in the inner receptacle (E30/E36 style) of the seat belt that prevents or hinders the red release button from returning to it's rest position? Can the receptacle be taken apart? If so, how? -Kevin ---------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail communication is confidential and is intended only for the individual(s) or entity named above and others who have been specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose the contents of this communication to others. Please notify the sender that you have received this e-mail in error by replying to the e-mail. Please then delete the e-mail and any copies of it. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 19:44:51 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> What did your test data indicate about the iron manifolds? Considering there is no overlap between the 3 exhaust pulses in the iron manifold, I'd expect relatively little gain with stock cams. Gary Derian > we've done tests on a stock exhaust and a borla and a supersprint. > > 1 hp diff between the stock and aftermarket. > > The aftermarket sound way better and weigh a lot less. > > Of course if you have a 95 get rid of those damn iron manifolds. > > Marco ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 17:43:34 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> my test data obtained on my bathroom scale showed that they were made of iron and damn heavy ;-) Marco -----Original Message----- From: Gary Derian [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:45 PM To: Marco Romani; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades What did your test data indicate about the iron manifolds? Considering there is no overlap between the 3 exhaust pulses in the iron manifold, I'd expect relatively little gain with stock cams. Gary Derian > we've done tests on a stock exhaust and a borla and a supersprint. > > 1 hp diff between the stock and aftermarket. > > The aftermarket sound way better and weigh a lot less. > > Of course if you have a 95 get rid of those damn iron manifolds. > > Marco ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 20:38:57 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> btw - what's your opinion/thoughts on a cross over for a I6? I think it's snake oil, but I can be convinced otherwise. Marco -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Marco Romani Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 5:44 PM To: Gary Derian; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades my test data obtained on my bathroom scale showed that they were made of iron and damn heavy ;-) Marco -----Original Message----- From: Gary Derian [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:45 PM To: Marco Romani; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades What did your test data indicate about the iron manifolds? Considering there is no overlap between the 3 exhaust pulses in the iron manifold, I'd expect relatively little gain with stock cams. Gary Derian > we've done tests on a stock exhaust and a borla and a supersprint. > > 1 hp diff between the stock and aftermarket. > > The aftermarket sound way better and weigh a lot less. > > Of course if you have a 95 get rid of those damn iron manifolds. > > Marco Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ 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: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 00:26:51 -0600 From: "Paul Garnier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Gary Derian'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "'Marco Romani'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hey guys, I got a supersprint header and cat-back exhaust with stock cams & cats on a 95 M3. Got the euro airbox(snorkel), and big MAF (might be euro or might be 540i, how can I tell?) Dunno if I got software, or bigger injectors, but I doubt it on the injectors. I'd like 300hp @ the crank, what would you suggest? Thanks, (jut thought this might be a good time to ask this question...) Paul Garnier Fastnetworking.com 95 M3 Avus/Dove 99 528it Ti/Grau 97 Chry T&C Lxi -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gary Derian Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 6:45 PM To: Marco Romani; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades What did your test data indicate about the iron manifolds? Considering there is no overlap between the 3 exhaust pulses in the iron manifold, I'd expect relatively little gain with stock cams. Gary Derian > we've done tests on a stock exhaust and a borla and a supersprint. > > 1 hp diff between the stock and aftermarket. > > The aftermarket sound way better and weigh a lot less. > > Of course if you have a 95 get rid of those damn iron manifolds. > > Marco Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ 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, 1 Mar 2006 23:20:08 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> tell me what color the injectors are where they connect to the fuel rail. If they are a light blue they are the stock injectors. I honestly think claims for a 95 to get 300hp without professional internal work are creative dyno runs. At least on shitty CA gas they are. I just don't think 300hp is a real number. Now does it really matter what the hp at the crank is? Are you happy with the performance as it is? If you want it better you can get significant improvements that really wakeup the car from stock but don't get hung up on dyno numbers. So having said that -- If you don't need to worry about smog checks... Cams will really wake up the car. Schrick worked well for me, I've heard good things about the Sunbelt cams. You will need 24lb or bigger injectors. Depending on how many miles you have on the car if you do cams you'll want to do springs/valves/retainers. Lots of miles will require the bottom end to be freshened too. Find a good shop that can do a good valve job and if you don't have any race rules to worry about get the head ported and polished by someone that knows what they are doing. If they don't have a flow bench to show you before and after numbers walk away. If you can afford it put an aftermarket ECU in like a Tec3 with a wideband O2 sensor. Way easier to tune and it has data logging and on the fly mapping so you can do real world tuning. Or some guys like doing a zillion dyno runs to keep the stock ecu. In the end the total cost is probably the same. Don't do things piece meal. Do all the engine mods at once and then get it tuned. Euro sensor matches up perfectly with the stock box and tube. The 540 clamp tabs aren't in the same place so it's a bit of a kludge to hook it up. On my S50 I was getting 234 at the wheels with just the schrick cams/euro maf/headers/no cats blah blah. I've seen OBD1 conversion S52s getting 250 at the wheels. My destroked S50 to 2.9L is getting ~260 at the wheels but that is with some serious work - custom pistons, cams, solid lifters, porting&polishing, ceramic coated combustion chambers, tec3. My engine builder thinks we can free up some more hp by redesigning the intake plenum and runners along with a much larger TB. It's in the works. I'm about 25hp from my 110hp/liter goal. This engine is not suitable for street driving. Lots of valve overlap, lots of lift and duration, idles at 1500rpm but runs like a scalded cat. probably some more tuning and playing with cam timing would solve the cold start and low speed issues, but it's a race motor and rarely sees under 4k rpm on the track. Or just drop in a Chevy LS2 and be done with it. I have seen some nice S54 conversions in an E36. Marco -----Original Message----- From: Paul Garnier [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 10:27 PM To: 'Gary Derian'; 'Marco Romani'; [email protected] Subject: RE: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Hey guys, I got a supersprint header and cat-back exhaust with stock cams & cats on a 95 M3. Got the euro airbox(snorkel), and big MAF (might be euro or might be 540i, how can I tell?) Dunno if I got software, or bigger injectors, but I doubt it on the injectors. I'd like 300hp @ the crank, what would you suggest? Thanks, (jut thought this might be a good time to ask this question...) Paul Garnier Fastnetworking.com 95 M3 Avus/Dove 99 528it Ti/Grau 97 Chry T&C Lxi -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gary Derian Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 6:45 PM To: Marco Romani; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] E36 M3 Performance Upgrades What did your test data indicate about the iron manifolds? Considering there is no overlap between the 3 exhaust pulses in the iron manifold, I'd expect relatively little gain with stock cams. Gary Derian > we've done tests on a stock exhaust and a borla and a supersprint. > > 1 hp diff between the stock and aftermarket. > > The aftermarket sound way better and weigh a lot less. > > Of course if you have a 95 get rid of those damn iron manifolds. > > Marco Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ 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: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 08:39:49 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Paul Garnier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Performance Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Horsepower is irrelevant, acceleration is what counts. 300 hp is a nice round number. 223.7 kW isn't. Gary Derian > Hey guys, > > I got a supersprint header and cat-back exhaust with stock cams & cats on > a > 95 M3. Got the euro airbox(snorkel), and big MAF (might be euro or might > be > 540i, how can I tell?) Dunno if I got software, or bigger injectors, but I > doubt it on the injectors. I'd like 300hp @ the crank, what would you > suggest? > > Thanks, (jut thought this might be a good time to ask this question...) > > Paul Garnier ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 08:28:21 -0500 From: "Walker, Scott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Dash Crack Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Morning all, I've noticed a small crack (1/4" long) has started in the dash of my E34. What is the best way to stop it before it gets any bigger. Scott ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(13 messages) **********
