Round 3....another M3 build

[hinrichs]

cant wait to see what you do with this since I'm always eyeing corvettes myself.

Oh god the corvette is gonna be good!!!

Ill make a thread for it soon enough

[rightfullrudder]

Oh god the corvette is gonna be good!!!

[Miroteknik]

cant wait to see what you do with this since I'm always eyeing corvettes myself.

[hinrichs]

So I never remembered to really ever update this. Unfortunately the cars head gasket went, I let it sit since we had no race season. I bought a back up car, traded that, then sold the car it was traded for. In that time the M3 also went to its new home. I think it is in perfect hands and will be fixed and better than ever.

My main thing other than fixing the M3 was how little power it really makes in my race class vs what it would cost to be competitive. Sure I could have driven it to the limit years down the line, but It just wasnt worth the money anymore to try and compete with a mustang having 700hp.

So......I replaced it with an old man car.

IMG-2368 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[hinrichs]

Cleaned up the shop a little, trying to keep myself busy while "working"

IMG-0765 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[parttimeprojectionist]

i feel ya on the wanting a daily more than a racecar that sits around waiting for you to drive it, its a hard line to walk.
sorry about all the buyers being shit heads. whenever a kid and their dad shows up you know its not gonna go well. ive walked away from a showing midsentence a couple times. have you considered parting it out, easier deals and may get more money back...

[hinrichs]

Got my new needed hardware, so threw the rear end back together. If I find a new diff I will just swap the rear cover to keep my bushings there. Re-install really wasnt bad at all. Had to take it apart a few times but its solid now. Ended up with condor bushings, and also bimmerworld camber arms.

IMG-0756 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[BUILT_S2K]

One of my favorite M3 besides the E46. Keep up the awesome work

[hinrichs]

So since I have been working from home, of course I set up my office in the garage after a few days. Figure I am not really all that busy so I should get out there so I can either get it cleaned up (hasnt happened yet) or just get some more work done to the cars. Ignore my super basic shitty work space.

IMG-0699 by minthinrich, on Flickr

First onto the list was install some rear subframe bushings and also reinforce the subframe mounting points. Everything came out easy enough thankfully. For the diff I used one of my rolling storage cabinets which I might replace today with an actual took caddy or something easier to manage.

IMG-0700 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Decided to first do the subframe mounts, and I must have hit the lottery. The car has the oem ones already so that sure saved me a bunch of time. Now to sell or return the ones I dont need anymore.

IMG-0701 (1) by minthinrich, on Flickr

Next was getting the subframe bushings out. I have a 20 ton press which I thought about using but it seemed like a pain. So I went on youtube, and 20 min later all the bushings were out. I was surprised how easy it really is with using a torch. Heat up the bushings till they start to bubble, and a few good hits with a hammer and they pop right out. I then half ass wire wheeled the subframe and then put in the new bushings.

IMG-0687 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-0688 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-0689 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-0690 by minthinrich, on Flickr

I needed to order some new subframe bolts since they came out when I needed to pull the subframe again and I now need to cut the nuts off since they wont budge (high torque) so I cant throw it back together yet. I also ordered some new camber arms to ditch the ebay ones so once all that shows up the rear will be back together. I still need to track down another diff, but I am holding off since someone who wants the car cant decide till next week about it. Funny how each time I spend some money on the car someone wants it again.

[hinrichs]

Man that sucks that guy ended up being a time waster hopefully someone else comes through despite the economy.

I'm sure someone is panic selling a nice E46 m3 for a decent deal right about now haha

Oh I had the perfect one lined up, and ended up making a new online friend due to it. I just didnt want to have 2 cars and still be stuck with the E36. I have another guy who was talking to me about it, but never made a decision yet. I told him I would even deliver since its only to pittsburg.

[19birel]

Man that sucks that guy ended up being a time waster hopefully someone else comes through despite the economy.

I'm sure someone is panic selling a nice E46 m3 for a decent deal right about now haha

[hinrichs]

Man selling cars sucks, and selling racecars even more. People just come for a joyride in a quick car and just waste the owner's time.

Well, at least it runs again and you can maybe enjoy it for a bit more

I kind of knew right away after a few things he said that he just did not understand what he was actually looking at. I sent so many pictures and photos it was crazy. And to drive a 400 mile trip for nothing amazed me.

I don’t understand some people. The same thing happened while I was selling the 2002. Every time someone showed up without a trailer I knew I was just in for another hour of my time wasted. Hope the right buyer comes along soon!

I have another guy who wants it, and funny enough the original guy got back in touch with me after a week. The biggest thing holding everyone up now tho is the economy. I am still working on the car here and there incase I do have to race it this year. I am just holding off on the things I really want to do like a new cage.


Since I will be working from home for a little while, I ordered some rear subframe bushings and diff mounts. Gotta keep ticking off small boxes while I have nothing to do.

[bwwaaaa]

I don’t understand some people. The same thing happened while I was selling the 2002. Every time someone showed up without a trailer I knew I was just in for another hour of my time wasted. Hope the right buyer comes along soon!

[Fruttolo]

Man selling cars sucks, and selling racecars even more. People just come for a joyride in a quick car and just waste the owner's time.

Well, at least it runs again and you can maybe enjoy it for a bit more

[hinrichs]

So I had a guy drive 3-1/2 hours to come purchase the car. We had been talking for about a month, decided on a price, and set up a meeting. Pushed myself hard to find all the parts for the car, get it running, sort out a lot of other little details and all so it was ready to leave.

First was to get the trunk latch figured out. I was going to run the stock one, but I lost it. So ordered up some Uxcell ones....sparco showed up which was even better. Honestly I think they are the exact same thing but for only $14 instead of $50 or whatever they were. Threw them on and I am kind of happy with them. I could have done a better job attaching them, but whatever they work. It is a race car right?

IMG-0535 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Another issue was the trunk floor. (I did this last night but it makes more sense in the story here). I cut the trunk floor out for weight, and also to make getting the diff out a lot easier. My friend did it, was it worth it? Probably not but hey it looks kinda cool. Also needed to make a battery mount, which I didnt take any pics of. Basically made some mounts, put in a flat piece, and fully bolted down my battery mount. Much better than ever honestly.

IMG-0632 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Now a gaping hole doesnt look good, and I was lazy to make my own. Ordered up the hardmotorsport piece and I have to say for $100 I dont think I could have made a better part. Sure I could cut one out, but I dont have, nor do I know anyone with a bead roller that could have done the center for me. I used 3M trim tape and stuck it down along with some rivets. I hope it doesnt rattle too bad.

IMG-0633 by minthinrich, on Flickr

So after all that, I pulled the car out front and we waited together to meet its new owner...

IMG-0546 by minthinrich, on Flickr

So the guy showed up with his dad, and they didnt have a trailer. First sign something was up. He said they had one waiting at U-haul so I didnt really think too much into it at first. We got to talking he looked over the car, and then goes "Wow it really is a race car" He was sent a lot of pictures to explain everything over the last month. We started it, still running just the full straight pipe, and it did have a major exhaust leak since I forgot an O2 sensor. "Its really loud, I am not sure the local track will be okay with it". I explained it had 3 different options and the resonator or cat really quiets it down. So then I let him take it down the road and back since there was no plate on the car, it had no brake lights, and its still on the slicks on a cold day. He takes forever since he didnt know how to get the car into reverse to turn around, then finally shows back up. They kept talking to me about the car, how some stuff worked, what it would need yet, and why I am getting rid of it. He decided that the car was too much for him since he is new, they cant drive it on the street (total BS since I do and its inspected). They tried to get me way down on price with my trailer included, so then they left.

I had plans on leaving right after and going for a new car, so I was kinda bummed out, kind pissed off at the offer, and just annoyed that my time was wasted. So here is a picture with my Fiances dog.

IMG-0556 by minthinrich, on Flickr