Austin's E46 build (2/10, do not recommend)

[kittenpuncher]

updates........

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

So, if I'm reading the photo of your scavenged air ride components correctly, you're going to use truck air ride height valves? If you're using them like they're used in a truck (you know, connected to the suspension for height control), you're going to need a serious compressor, either engine-driven like a York, or something ridiculous like an Oasis.

That or you're using them like paddle valves, in which case, more power to you, so long as they don't allow flow side-to-side when closed.

[mozinqo]

Holy crap! That must have been an experience! Once, I forgot to torque my lug nuts on my e30, I got about 200 feet down the road and it felt loose in the steering wheel... I went home in discovered my loose front wheel... That scared me...


Excited to see how the air set up goes!

It scared me too when it came off lmao.
I'm excited to see how it goes too, hopefully we can figure something out with it.

one of my friends lost a wheel doing about 60 and it completely trashed everything, cant imagine how scary it must be haha. its always cool when you come back stronger though! your plans sound awesome and i love the air build, its expensive stuff so doing what you can to save yourself money is awesome!

It was pretty bad, I ground down a lot of stuff under my car but nothing that wasn't fixable. It wasn't the funnest ride I've ever been on though. I'm hoping I can make them as awesome as they sound

updates........

They should be coming soon, either tonight or tomorrow depending on what all I get done.

So, if I'm reading the photo of your scavenged air ride components correctly, you're going to use truck air ride height valves? If you're using them like they're used in a truck (you know, connected to the suspension for height control), you're going to need a serious compressor, either engine-driven like a York, or something ridiculous like an Oasis.

That or you're using them like paddle valves, in which case, more power to you, so long as they don't allow flow side-to-side when closed.

A viair compressor pushes 150 psi, and a truck runs on about 60. I won't act like I know much about car air systems though, so what's the problem with that? I'm still not 100% on using the height valves either. I'm thinking of just doing it with switches and letting the bags air all the way out/air all the way up. That seems like a simpler way, and it isn't like I can't redo it after sowo. Advice is very much appreciated!

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

A viair compressor pushes 150 psi, and a truck runs on about 60. I won't act like I know much about car air systems though, so what's the problem with that?

The issue isn't with pressure, it's with flow rate. Those valves, at least the ones I've seen, are set up in a way that every time the suspension compresses they add air to the bags and every time the suspension extends they vent to atmosphere. That means that literally every bump the car goes over will vent air from the system, and the compressor will basically be constantly running. That's not a problem with a belt-driven York that makes more air than is expended in most hurricanes, but it is a problem with a small electric compressor, which I doubt will be able to keep up.

You could set the valves to not be very sensitive to bumps by attaching their linkages inboard on a suspension arm or adding some slack into the linkage connections, but then you're limiting how sensitive they are to ride height changes. That kind of defeats the point.

I'm still not 100% on using the height valves either. I'm thinking of just doing it with switches and letting the bags air all the way out/air all the way up. That seems like a simpler way, and it isn't like I can't redo it after sowo. Advice is very much appreciated!

Driving aired all the way up is hard on your bags, particularly if the bags are captive at both ends, and it's certainly uncomfortable. Manual paddle valves are dirt cheap; you can get a set of four from Bag Riders for like $80, and they'll give you all the control you could want. That'd be the way I'd go.

[laBeef]

Cool build. I like where its going.

[arellarenz]

E46 looks good.

[mozinqo]

The issue isn't with pressure, it's with flow rate. Those valves, at least the ones I've seen, are set up in a way that every time the suspension compresses they add air to the bags and every time the suspension extends they vent to atmosphere. That means that literally every bump the car goes over will vent air from the system, and the compressor will basically be constantly running. That's not a problem with a belt-driven York that makes more air than is expended in most hurricanes, but it is a problem with a small electric compressor, which I doubt will be able to keep up.

You could set the valves to not be very sensitive to bumps by attaching their linkages inboard on a suspension arm or adding some slack into the linkage connections, but then you're limiting how sensitive they are to ride height changes. That kind of defeats the point.



Driving aired all the way up is hard on your bags, particularly if the bags are captive at both ends, and it's certainly uncomfortable. Manual paddle valves are dirt cheap; you can get a set of four from Bag Riders for like $80, and they'll give you all the control you could want. That'd be the way I'd go.

Yeah, I see what you're saying. The plan was to use it just for airing up and airing down not for adjustment while driving. I'm not sure that's possible though. I assumed airing all the way up would be bad on bags so the idea was to set the valves where I wanted my ride height so it would stop there. I'll probably end up just doing paddle valves, it definitely seems like the better option for a quick thing. I'll see if I can't get a more technical system going in the long run.

[mozinqo]

Cool build. I like where its going.

Thanks man, hopefully it ends up making a cool car.

E46 looks good.

You look good.

[ImAwesome]

Pikeville is a nice area, but I'm sure it is lonely for you

I dated a girl who lived out there

[mozinqo]

Pikeville is a nice area, but I'm sure it is lonely for you

I dated a girl who lived out there

Yeah, it's a nice place. Honestly, the car scene in the Pikeville (well, more the Goldsboro) area has been growing a ton lately. It can still get pretty lonely but it's getting better. It's mostly all replica wheels/parts and guys with a foot ground clearance who put things like #static and #solow on their instagram pictures though

[mozinqo]

Just wanted to let you guys know I just ordered the rest of my air stuff, 3 day shipping on everything so the good stuff should start by the middle of the week. I did some more measuring today and everything should go correctly, but knowing my past with things there's no way it's going to go the way it's planned. I'm waiting on ordering the wrap just because I'm honestly pretty scared because I've never wrapped anything before. I don't know, I'm a dweeb. I'll probably order it tomorrow because it'll look bad to raise my card's limit for the third day in a row.

RIP my bank account, cause of death: car parts

[mozinqo]

In the wise words of Staind, it's been a while.

I've actually got quite a lot done, and I'm hoping to drive it to town for a little meet thing tonight. So let's go over what all you guys have missed. By the way, my ratchet air system worked perfectly



It sat here for the longest time, while parts were being shipped and all.



Then I got all of this in one shipment



It was then sketchily driven home a few miles like this



to go in the shop behind our house. Then the tear down process began, which really wasn't that bad. The hardest part out of all of this was running the air lines, but even that wasn't too bad at all.



The poor man's guide to front camber.



Getting the back bags to sit right was the hardest part of the whole process, we ended up using the mounting plates they gave us and some other things sitting around the shop to make a plate that mounts to the top of the frame there to hold the bag in place.



cut and ready to weld




some welding process pictures



running the lines to the back



I think I may end up having to cut this and weld it together shorter, because it's given me a lot of problems. You can see down at the bottom where it's basically cut a gash into those arms, it's the same on the other side. I don't know.



Putting my switches and gauges here, so cutting these all up



cutting switch holes



and cutting the hole for the gauge



finishing it all up, we ended up having to redo it because one of the lines was crimped, but you get the idea



went out and took some crap iphone pictures because instagram game proper

Alright, now is when we first started testing the air. I want you guys to realize just how much of an idiot I am before this next picture comes up,because I may or may not have aired down onto a jack



by may or may not, I mean I most definitely aired down with a jack under my door.

Oh well, time for a new door.



But boy was it worth it

So now I still need to put my compressor in, which finally decided to show up.

Also, my wheels are in and have been on for a few days. Finally no more black M3 wheels I also ordered spacers because they need them, and extended lugs for the backs, and I've got some 10mm to go up front. Should make everything look great. Those and braided air lines for the front should be in by the 8th hopefully, because there's a show I was hoping to make it to on the 10th. But anyway, I'll post some more pictures later. I just felt like I needed to finally update this thing considering I've actually made some progress. Later

[mozinqo]

I went on and took some more pictures, and found some too. I probably won't post any straight side pictures but it's not very hard to guess what the wheels are



So first and foremost, my friend finally decided to jump into the car scene and I'm beyond jealous. He's driving to sowo with my brother and I, we should have a few more guys driving with us. I cannot wait to see all of y'all's cars there. Too much excitement.



Now I know it's difficult to see past 1) the beautiful, mint condition 1988 Festiva and 2) the lowest quality picture ever taken, but now you see why I need spacers in the back



And this is how it will probably be driven to town tonight #stayratchet

[DER E30]

That's a sick festiva! Your e46 is ok too I guess...:lol: I Kid.
I like how you used the "useless for anything taller than a coke can" cupholder for the air gauge.

[mozinqo]

That's a sick festiva! Your e46 is ok too I guess...:lol: I Kid.
I like how you used the "useless for anything taller than a coke can" cupholder for the air gauge.

The festiva will always outshine my car, understandable.

I **** that cupholder, whoever designed the armrest to come down directly on top of it wasn't having his/her best day. But it makes for a great gauge holder.