A big MAHALO to thrlls for hosting our first DIY session. Thanks for the great workspace, food and drink!

It went quite well today. We worked on the brakes of 4 cars: thrlls M Roadster, Islands52 M Coupe, ZZZING Z3 and my 750il. All went well until the last car, my 750il. Bled the rear brakes and worjked my way to the front. Couldn't get the nipple loose and I ended up breaking it. No parts were available this afternoon and I have no time to do the work this week, so off it went to my friends shop.

Yeah, I think it went well, bummers on your bleeder nipple, I think I'll go pick up some extra nipples for the next time anyone has a brake DIY.
Mahalo to Beastmaster for your advice and help, especially your low rider jack. That made everything so much easier. Looking forward to the next DIY.

Mahalo to all that attended: Beastmaster, IsandS52, and ZZZING.

:checkered

Thanks again Thrills for everything, and thanks again Beastmaster for use of all the cool tools! I hope that the brake bleeder nipple does not turn into a big headache for you.

Can we have a cooling system overhaul DIY day next time? Hopefully more members can make it, but 3-4 cars seem like the most cars we can give attention to over the course of a day.

Cooling system should be okay. We just need time to cool the cars down and to pressurize and bleed the systems. Well, we could park over a storm drain and empty it that way. NOT!

Regarding the nipple, it appears that it may be a little difficult to tap out the part. :( I may have to get another caliper if it cannot be done. Next time, we soak the nipples to break them loose.

Originally posted by IslandS52
Can we have a cooling system overhaul DIY day next time? Hopefully more members can make it, but 3-4 cars seem like the most cars we can give attention to over the course of a day.

Sounds good to me.

By July 1st we should have all of the moving issues squared away, so I'll be able to make it to the next one. :)

Besides, no one has seen my supposed "M3" yet.

Hey wait, does anyone want to wash my car at the DIY session? :stickoutt

I have a Porter Cable, so if anyone wants to do a buffing session on the side you are welcome to use it. Maybe we can set up one of Beastmaster's tents.

I just got off the phone with Dean, he did indeed have some bleeder nipples laying around. :( Those bleeders should only be finger tight. He says sorry he wasn't home, or there to help.

Yeah I figured he would have the nipples laying around! In retrospect, I could have driven teh car home to work on in my spare time. I figure the nipple was not open as it broke in the closed position.I could have set the caliper aside and just put on the Brembos!

Hmmm, the DIY auto care session! Oil changes, brake and radiator flushes, wash and wax, dent removal....What else can we do? Maybe a session every quarter? Now we just need a good place to hold it!

Cooling system flush sounds good to me, the only problem is where to drain the fluid? If we were in the Atlantic ocean it wouldn't be so bad (green water) .....just joking for all you HazMat Coordinators. In the future I'd like to do my flywheel if anyone knows how to do that. Anyone needs to do a clutch job?

IslandS52 -
I just got out of two hour meeting today regarding our big sale this weekend, the TRD stuff will NOT be at 30% off :( .
I couldn't get an exact % off, but I was told it would only be between 5% - 10%. Still cheaper than norm. Have your friend call me and I'll try to get better then 10%, but it won't be 30%. All other Toyota parts will be 30%.

Reid -
We should have a help you move DIY. I could come help this Sunday.

My wife told me we could have a DIY session at her place of work, off Waiakamilo. Not too much shade, but there is a lot of room. We could easily do three cars at once, providing we have enough tools for whatever DIY we are performing. Just another avenue to go with if we don't have anywhere to go. It's a Food Distribution Company, so we can't do anything inside the warehouse.
We could also have at my house again, but some of you will need to travel far.

:checkered

Originally posted by thrlls
Reid -
We should have a help you move DIY. I could come help this Sunday.

Thanks for the offer, Woody but we're almost done with the move.:clap:

Now I just need to try to install a bunch of parts before Thursday, if at all possible. Then my M3 will hit the road by this weekend with a bit more thrust. ;)

Sounds like your M3 will be ready for the Aloha 500.
Are you going to attend?
Are you bring out your M3 on the 6th auto x?

:checkered

Originally posted by thrlls
Sounds like your M3 will be ready for the Aloha 500.
Are you going to attend?
Are you bring out your M3 on the 6th auto x?

:checkered

I will attend the Aloha 500. I should have been at Spring Fling, but Voytec did not have the time to tech my car. :(

Next time, I'll have to make sure to tech well in advance.

I am not sure if I'll be attending the autox on the 6th as the Pirellis get very greasy and make the car disappointing to drive.:az:

Come on Reid, you can compensate for the tires with your superior driving skills...

Gene

Originally posted by Gene V
Come on Reid, you can compensate for the tires with your superior driving skills...

Gene

LOL!

If only this were true.

I've decided to hold off on ordering 17x9 SSR Comps and 245/40/17 S03s until after these tires have worn out.

That said, I'll be at autox to abuse the tires more. :)

I hope to get the car somewhat sorted and aligned by then.:clap:

You could go with Kumho MXs, they're a bit cheaper than the SO3s...

In the meantime have fun with the Pirellis, just hafta go easy on the throttle...

See you on the 6th...

Originally posted by Gene V
You could go with Kumho MXs, they're a bit cheaper than the SO3s...

In the meantime have fun with the Pirellis, just hafta go easy on the throttle...

See you on the 6th...

I was thinking about giving the MX a try. Also I could always use 17x8.5 Kosei K1s, but I figure in the long run of owning the car the price difference will be moot (or at least I keep telling myself that).

Do you find yourself constantly needed to modulate the throttle so as not to lose traction?

None of my business really, but if you really want to vie for top dawg in SM you're gonna need R compound tires...

so why don't you keep your Volks for the street and mount up some Kumho V700s (Ecsta or Victoracer, whichever comes in 245/40) on the SSRs...

or, if money is a consideration mount the R compound Kumhos on the Koseis which would cost not that much more than the SSRs alone...

and yes, I have to modulate the throttle and I probably make 5/6th the HP you'll be making with the cams, etc...

Edit: the Kosei/Kumho combo would actually save you money over the SSR Type Cs by themselves...

If you can wait, try Kumho Hawaii. They give discounts to CCA members, but as they bring their tires in from Korea, it may take a couple of months. Also, you may have to special order the tires from them. All in all, prices are comparable to Tire Rack when you factor in the cost of shipping.

Heck Reid, with your driving skills you could use bias tires and still place high in SM.
I just have to make sure that I'm in front of you and not behind when doing fun runs..hehe
I wish I could run 45's on all four corners, but then again with my driving skills it wouldn't make much of a difference...:offwall

See you guys on Sunday.

:checkered

Woody,

Can I borrow the bleeder to finish the left front brake? I have a spare bleeder, just in case!

Success! The trick is to use a deep socket and some penetrating oil to loosen the bleeder.

Glad to hear you got it done!
I hope you used teflon tape when replacing them.

There's nothing like tefloned nipples.....he he

:checkered

No need to replace them. Soooo, if we ever do it again I have a spare bleeder.

Originally posted by Gene V
None of my business really, but if you really want to vie for top dawg in SM you're gonna need R compound tires...

so why don't you keep your Volks for the street and mount up some Kumho V700s (Ecsta or Victoracer, whichever comes in 245/40) on the SSRs...

or, if money is a consideration mount the R compound Kumhos on the Koseis which would cost not that much more than the SSRs alone...

and yes, I have to modulate the throttle and I probably make 5/6th the HP you'll be making with the cams, etc...

Honestly, I'm only autoxing the M3 so I can get the "reckless" driving out of my system during fun runs. I want to see how the M3 feels when it's pushed out of shape. It is just driving in a manner that would endanger myself and/or others if done on the street.

I am not trying to compete in SM. If I were, I'd bring the ITR back out (it's SM legal and I have a better feel for that car).

I need to focus my time and money on getting the ITR legal for Solo I, not trying to get the M3 to be competitive in SM.

Autocross is fun, but I'm addicted to the road course.:)

Originally posted by thrlls
In the future I'd like to do my flywheel if anyone knows how to do that. Anyone needs to do a clutch job?

I changed my clutch/flywheel last night. I still need to reinstall a parts like the driveshaft and exhaust after work today.

If I were you I would get an estimate from Voytec on the installation fees.

Then again, it was only difficult because the shop manual failed to mention *minor* steps, like needing to lift the engine with a hoist to remove the motor mounts so that the engine could be rested on the front subframe.:az:

It would not take nearly as long to do the second time though.

Reid,

Hope hope you get this "reckless" madness via autox out your system soon...one less car for me to take a back seat to in SM...

Originally posted by Gene V
Reid,

Hope hope you get this "reckless" madness via autox out your system soon...one less car for me to take a back seat to in SM...

LOL!

Those Kosei K1s are looking more and more enticing.

To all with S50/S52 powered vehicles:

If you want an Evosport header, be prepared to deal with a big headache during installation. :az:

I think I have my plan of attack figured out, and I hope to be able to install them tonight.

Oh yeah, Woody, John and Andy, you guys are OC about your cars! I never met anyone that washed the wheelwells on their cars before. Now I met three of them in one day!:eek:

Hey that's like your arm pits man, things can get ugly if left unattended...he he
And what is OC...off camber!

I'll call you later about the jack, probably next weekend. That red crp has gottah go!
The brakes are awesome! Still squeals a little F/L, but now I can brake so much later. I did that as I approached the stop sign coming down the hill (3 way stop) and there was this guy approaching his stop sign on the left, he must have thought I wasn't going to stop. You should seen his eyes :eyecrazy: and all I could do was smile :dent: Can't wait to try it on turn one at HRP.
Only 22 more days!

:checkered:

lol!...damn thrills. You are a menace on our roads!

You guys were laughing at me, but I knew that red stuff on the pads would bug me! :)

I got black caliper paint if you want to use it. I could bring to work and drop off to you, and you can do yours when you want, unless you want to do it here? Only thing is, we will need to let it dry b4 you drive.

:checkered

Obsessive
Compulsive

Oh, that's IslandS52, I'm just Off Camber...he he

More like Off Course!:buttrock :biglaughb

I wish I knew you bought the caliper paint! I just did my fronts in Red today. I think maybe I should have stuck with black. I didn't get the $$$ stuff either, just hi temp Rustoleum and clearcoat.

I didn't get the high $$$ stuff either, but it is caliper paint from Ron's performance in Mapunapuna. Let me know if you want to use the black, I can bring it on Monday.

Beastmaster >
I'd like to borrow your jack tonight if possible. You have mail. I miss placed your cell # so give me a call.

Okay, I washed the front wheelwells on Barney and it was not very rewarding. My hands and forearms got really dirty and I could not reach all the way inside. What do you guys use, a toilet brush?

The reward is knowing your arm pits are clean....he he he

Looking forward to meeting Barney, I'd like to see his tail waggle!


:checkered

The aluminum racing jack that we all were so impressed with at the DIY session seems to be available here for $99. Well, at least it LOOKS the same. I am betting that it is a single piston. I ordered one today. $30 for ground shipping. I will update when I get the jack or if there are any problems, but if you guys want to order one of your own here is the link.

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/misc_alumracingjk.html

John,

Be sure and let us know how this jack works out...

FYI, Checkers is selling aluminum "racing jacks" for $229.00...

Gene

p.s I really don't clean my wheel wells, I'm not that sick...

Gene,

Thats the one we used at the DIY. Bryon bought one and it was very impressive. It was the only jack I have seen that goes right under my car without using 2X4's.

For half price i'll try this one.

John,

The jack looks similar, but maybe a little less hefty in the front roller area.

Got the jack today. I guess they had no problem with ground vs. air freight. The jack is awesome! Its been a month or two, but its looks like the same jack that BM bought. It could be a little smoother but no complaints at all for $120 shipped!

If any of you were thinking about it...go for it, this thing is great and it has the lowest jacking pad I have ever seen! I have never had a jack that would go right under my Coupe and this one does it with a few inches to spare.

Since you have space to spare, how's about coilovers and really slam them!

Sounds like this jack is a must have, it gets old real fast using two jacks just to get the car on stands.

Exactly. This jack goes right under the E30 M3 also. No more driving onto 2X4s.

I dunno about coilovers, it already rides pretty rough for the street. Its better than the M3 but I am getting to old to be bouncing around.

Appears to be the same jack (tradename Rapid Pump) that Harbor Freight sells for $159.99...good buy!

I've read that the jackpad fingers can break off if one or more of them takes too much of the load, i.e. the load is not evenly distributed among all the fingers....the cure is to place a circular piece of hardwood in the center of the jackpad to distribute the load evenly...

IslandS52,

You SCORED!...softwareandstuff is sold out of the jacks...

IslandS52 you got a new toy huh?
You scored big time. The closest price to that, including shipping was $169. I told Nancy about your new toy, now she said she'll look to find one, I told her I don't think so!
As long as Beastmaster doesn't move, I should be okay.

That place has the jack back in stock and it's down the road from our Cupertino house. I think I may just have it delivered there and bring it back whenever I get up there again. Actually, I may order 2 and leave one up there for my brother.

Can you get one for me too and haul it over the ocean?

Don't know if it's do-able as I can only bring back two bags at 50 lbs each. I do need to bring back my clothes and omiyage.

No sweat beastmaster, this was more a needle then me being serious. I am actually seriously thinking about getting a compressor and air tools and/or also the Bimmerworld brake ducting kit for the M.

I got my compressor and air tools from Costco. It was a good deal and they are quite durable.

That same place you are getting the jack from, has a lot of other tools also, which are cheap in price.....not sure of the quality, but the jack is good!
Leave the omiyagi, there is a lot here and bring back three jacks. Tie them together and send as luggage.....

:checkered