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Chris Wright

Re: A Diff Diff? Worth the effort?

Post by Chris Wright »

The Sixer Kid wrote: Phillip, this is the same combo I'm running in my '87 635. 3.73LSD and 4hp-22. Works Great! No complaints.
What did it do to the gas mileage?
The Sixer Kid

Re: A Diff Diff? Worth the effort?

Post by The Sixer Kid »

Chris Wright wrote:
The Sixer Kid wrote: Phillip, this is the same combo I'm running in my '87 635. 3.73LSD and 4hp-22. Works Great! No complaints.
What did it do to the gas mileage?
Stayed roughly the same. Dropped maybe 1mpg overall as compared to the 3.46LSD that was in there originally.
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Masked Man
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Post by Masked Man »

George,

Thanks! That's great to hear. Did you notice much difference in performance and if so, where? I'll probably do some work on the brakes and suspension at the same time. Maybe an upgrade and take a serious look at the steering as well.

when the student is ready, the teacher will appear

Phillip
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Big Brake Upgrade
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The Sixer Kid

Post by The Sixer Kid »

Phillip, there was a noticeable improvement in acceleration.

At a rolling speed the car is simply faster. It pulls pretty well on the freeway. Just remember, the car is always going to be slow. Just less slow with a shorter diff. With the auto trans, highway revs are still pretty reasonable.

I'd replace the output flange seals and rear cover seal before installing the new diff. Much easier to do it with it out of the car.

Have the current owner of the diff pop the rear cover so you can inspect the gears for wear. This is usually a decent indication of how the diff has been treated.
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Just when I thought...

Post by Masked Man »

Well, I thought I was going to get a running start at several things today. I have a new dizzy cap, (as our British friends call it) New rotor and new fan clutch. Plus a whole Big Brake upgrade setup.

I went to my local AutoZone to get a 3mm allen socket to facilitate removal of the rotor. I had to buy a set instead of just the 3mm but I reckon I will put them to good use at some point. Anyway, the 3mm allen worked like a charm. No stripping of the heads and just like that, the old rotor was off and the new one in its place. My buddy Vince, purchased the fan clutch removal tools so I was ready to begin the re-assembly. But first I needed to put the belt back on and tighten it in place. Aaaaaaand here, ladies and germs, is where what was a PITA turns out to be, -in reality- a blessing in disguise.

The lower bolt which is the pivot point for the alternator, snapped as I was attempting to flex the belt tight. This bolt broke off right where the threads start. Which of course means that the remainder of it is going to have to be extracted using an EZ-out or some such. Sucks, right? Buuuuuut I'd much rather have it break now, in my driveway, than just about anywhere else. So, updates as conditions warrant.

Keep the shiny side UP

Phillip
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alpinacsi

Post by alpinacsi »

Not sure which bolt you are referring to but ususally the alternator bolts are thru bolts with nuts on the back side. Just push it thru and find a replacement. The upper bolt that works with the adjuster is also a thru bolt and the other end of the adjuster bracket bolts into the alum mount that is shared with the PS pump. If that is the bolt that sheared off; you should be able to remove it without an easy-out. It is not threaded into a blind hole so spray some penetrant/lubricant from the back side and then try using a pick to see if the bolt turns. If it does not turn you can try using a drill from the back side to spin the bolt out of the hole. This should also work if your lower bolt is threaded directly into the alt.
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Post by Masked Man »

alpinacsi wrote:Not sure which bolt you are referring to but ususally the alternator bolts are thru bolts with nuts on the back side. Just push it thru and find a replacement.
Thanks for the suggestion but Alas, alpinacsi, my lower alternator mounting point is a threaded mount and I will in fact have to use some nefarious removal method. Oh joy, oh rapture.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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It's ALIVE!

Post by Masked Man »

=D> =D> =D> =D> Well, there are things that I need to do but the alternator is back in and I heard, (for the first time since May 17th!!) that throaty roar of my big 6 coming to life!!!!!! Whooo Hoooo! \:D/ \:D/ \:D/

The day just got a bit sunnier

Phillip
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It's WORSE than a woman! LOTS!

Post by Masked Man »

Yikes!

So, I thought my ECU was bad cuz she wouldn't come off of idle when warm. Bogged down like a cold engine that you pushed the choke in too soon. Tried replacing the ICV but nada. Pulled the in tank fuel pump to check for gunk, nada. NEW ECU, (well, new to me) off of a running 535is.........NOPE! Removed the AFM, squinted at it, thought about tackling it but Vince said, try seeing if unplugging the throttle switch makes for any change. Theoretically, while you'll have a rough idle, it will rev.

So, I put everything back together and fired her up...............Ran........Like.........A..........Champ!! Just for giggles I disconnected the throttle switch plug aaaaaaaannnnnnndddddd it didn't even stutter. #-o #-o #-o #-o

Now I have NO freakin' idee what might be the issue, unless it's the connector for the AFM? I'm going out in a few minutes and judiciously clean each of those tiny connectors with a very fine jeweler's file and then blow them clean with my compressor. ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Gentlemen? I'm completely confubulated! [-o< [-o< [-o<
I am just holding my breath to see if/when the trouble returns.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip

PS j24sailorboy? I sorta figured I wasn't gonna be any help, sorry dude.
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Post by Masked Man »

I think the phrase is, 'an embarrassment of riches.' #-o :roll: #-o :roll: I am now in possession of
1. A big brake upgrade kit
2. A new -well, refurbished- steering box subframe support thingie
3. A 3.73 LS differential (which Vinceg101 -from MyE28- is bringing down from NorCal today)
4. An SI board -still needing new NiCads-

I gotta set up a wrench day or 7! I don't have anymore room in my garage for this stuff! Any SoCal 6er types available to help me muck this up? Bueller? Spicolli? Witwicky?

Updates as conditions warrant!!!

Phillip

PS I also have a set of injectors (they came off of a running 535i) that I want to get refurbed? Who does this well and what are the lead times/costs of this service?

PPS update 4/7/11 I got a set of Bosch Design 3 19lb injectors w/204cc/min flow rate for $57.99 on fleabay. So, more stuff!!
Last edited by Masked Man on Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by bkbimmer »

Looks like a fun project!
'81 euro 635csi
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Week's upgrades

Post by Masked Man »

On Wednesday I swapped out the original injectors and put in a set of Bosch design III 19lb injectors. The difference is not as stark as I might have thought but it is clear. The idle is still lumpy and maybe a touch higher but the acceleration is much smoother and more linear. The old injectors (not surprisingly) had some flat spots.

On Saturday we'll be (Vince & I) swapping out the 3.25 open differential for a 3.73 LS dif. This upgrade really excites me since on the 30th I'll be chasing a bunch of 02's through canyons again and I'm gonna need every advantage I can find to keep those little pocket rockets reeled in!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Post by Freshbread »

Nice Phillip. Reminds me to update my project #-o

Just curious what fuel pressure regulator (bar) are you running with those 19lbs injectors?

Dan
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Post by Ralph in Socal »

Good upgrade Phillip. The 3.73 LSD will wake up that slush box. I forgot to show you how to adjust the kick down cable to allow for higher RPM shifts. Vince should know what I'm talking about.

Goslings is doing me very well right now. Thanks very much. I'm surprised Jeff and John haven't posted the Mulholland drive here. Maybe you can give them a shout. I actually thought it was this weekend.

Ralph
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3.25 OUT! 3.73 LS in!

Post by Masked Man »

Over last Saturday, Vince and I swapped out the 3.25 and installed the 3.73LS diff. Definitely going to make a difference on Saturday, chasing a bunch of 02's thru the canyons of SoCal!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip

PS Just in case you haven't done this mod? You HAVE to mount the upper most 2 bolts before you try to start the lower 2. Hang the unit on the big rear bolt and then start the 2 upper bolts.
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Masked Man
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New tie rod kit
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Ignition switch, HOW do I love thee?

Post by Masked Man »

The sweet taste of victory! With oodles of thanks to Ralph in Socal, my shark now starts e-v-e-r-y time through the use of ~Yeah, I know, what took me soo long~ the KEY!!!!!

I have now had this beast 2.5 years and FINALLY she works like she had oughta! Sort of. Discovered today that the rather too loud engine noise is likely because of a cracked exhaust manifold. ~le sigh~

But I want ya'll to know that I upheld the 6er banner last Saturday on a spirited driving event up Mt. Baldy!

Next up, big brake upgrade and speedo/odo gear replacement!!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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This is the old switch.  I wonder if it's rebuildable?
This is the old switch. I wonder if it's rebuildable?
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Big Brake Upgrade 7/16/11 Whoo hooo!

Post by Masked Man »

Not quite sure how long I've had the parts but Scott Bourke who has a sh*t hot 02 that he tracks, has offered up his expertise and garage space, well, driveway space anyway and several other BMW enthusiasts of various stripes are gonna fall by to lend a hand.

Vince G. graciously lent his brake bleeder, jack stands and crawler to the endeavour. (that spelling is a nod to our brethren in the UK & OZ) So, the Black Diamond is gonna get new binders =D> =D> =D> =D>
I'll try and take pictures to post here, that is all.

Keep the shiny side up!

Phillip

PS if'n you're in SoCal and wanna fall by? Drop me a pm and I'll shoot you the particulars
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Got em front &amp;amp; rear, THANK you!
Got em front &amp; rear, THANK you!
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Got my brakes!
Got my brakes!
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Got my parts!
Got my parts!
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Bloody Odo gears!!!!!!!!!

Post by Masked Man »

Okaaaay, who's in charge here? I have the exhaust sys off to get some welding done to to the downtube and so I decided this was the time to pull the instrument cluster out and replace the odo gears and re-battery the SI board so my speedo will work.

So, I pull out the frackin' cluster, open the sucka up and my bud Vince, over at MyE28.com tells me that there's a guy who is selling odo gears for $15 thru a site called,
http://www.garagistic.com/
There has been some hue and cry over there about the quality of the gears, which got a touch heated but some folks have ordered and installed their product and so far, so good.

So, I contacted the folks and was asked which E3 gear I have? 48/17 or 48/19? Wellll, it seems I have 48/18 and of course they don't HAVE that one. #-o #-o #-o #-o ~le sigh~ So, I'm going to purchase mine thru Odometer gears dot com. for $65. Grrrrrrrrrrr Why do I have to have the odd car?

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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85 635CSi Euro
Big Brake Upgrade
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Upper & lower control arms
New tie rod kit
Big6

Post by Big6 »

I bought a replacement cluster SI board from the recommended guy on ebay and was happy with the transaction (though it turned out to not fix my issue). Just an FYI if you dont want to deal with the soldering.
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Post by Masked Man »

Big6 wrote:I bought a replacement cluster SI board from the recommended guy on ebay and was happy with the transaction...
Um Big6? Which recommended guy? I have a second SI board that I got through a fellow BIgCoupe member, some time ago -and of course now I'm forgetting who I got it from :-k :-k -but I'm going to get batteries and do that whole soldering thang.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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85 635CSi Euro
Big Brake Upgrade
Ireland stainless exhaust
Upper & lower control arms
New tie rod kit
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Masked Man
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When does this get funner?

Post by Masked Man »

Okay,

Got the exhaust system welded so it will no longer sounds like a '55 Chevy Nomad; check!

Replaced odo gears; check!

Got new NiCads soldered onto all 3 SI boards in my possession; check! And Batteries Plus did it for $10/board including soldering the suckers in place.

Put all of these various and sundry BACK together and hook em up. [Just so you know? If you have to drop the exhaust? Remove the 6 nuts holding the down tubes in place and then try to dis-connect the cat from the resonator because otherwise you won't have room to reach the uppermost nut/bolt pairs.

Aaaaaaaannnnnnnd still no speedo/odo function. #-o #-o #-o So, pulse generator/s next? Oh and just by way of information? Concrete floors get harder once you pass 58yo, yes they do. ~groan~

Updates as conditions warrant, keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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85 635CSi Euro
Big Brake Upgrade
Ireland stainless exhaust
Upper & lower control arms
New tie rod kit
ron
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Re: When does this get funner?

Post by ron »

Masked Man wrote: .......Oh and just by way of information? Concrete floors get harder once you pass 58yo, yes they do. ~groan~
They are even harder at 68!!
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
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Try this Harbor Freight creeper

Post by JCS »

This creeper is molded and quite low to the ground. It is more comfortable than the normal creeper.

I have seem them on sale at HF for around $18.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 67449.html
Jay
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Post by Masked Man »

I know what my next purchase is! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Thanks Jay
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Big Brake Upgrade
Ireland stainless exhaust
Upper & lower control arms
New tie rod kit
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Masked Man
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STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST!!!

Post by Masked Man »

So um, my new boss? He's like a car guy, a BMW car guy, and after riding in my lovely 6er, John insisted -really- that I needed a new exhaust and bought an Ireland stainless cat back system. The um unit wasn't quite a bolt on, though it's unclear (to me) if that was because I'm driving a Euro oooooor some quality control issues w/the made in China unit. With the good works of 2 very good technicians, the necessary cuts, welds and tweeks were effected and WOW, does my car sound GREAT!

<a><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/633 ... 321c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Stainless Exhaust#2"><a><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/633 ... 4640_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Stainless Exhaust">

Ain't it purdy?

Keep the shiny side up?

Phillip
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85 635CSi Euro
Big Brake Upgrade
Ireland stainless exhaust
Upper & lower control arms
New tie rod kit
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