Michael.

So for the past 5 years I've been getting my cars exhausts done by this one guy but unfortunately he is changing jobs and won't be doing car exhausts anymore. Can anyone suggest who they have used for while with good results? I always tend to get fiddly exhausts done so prefer some that doesn't mind a bit of a challenge. The only other place I've been to has been is Woolf Mufflers, but I haven't been there for a while now.

Yeah not all of them have them.

I've found with 3mm rings it still allows the wheel to seat nicely on the hub, theres no difference on my car with or without them (other than the ever so slight rub on the tyre), from what I have read online 5mm+ spacers can give problems, especially with the beveled edge.

I ran 3mm spacers up front on my E34 with E38 wheels to clear the strut. Didn't make any difference to the shimmy condition it had. Since then I've replaced the thrust arms (ball joint and bush) and now it's fixed it nearly completely, still a slight vibration, but it's different and hard to noticed, more than likely caused by other worn links and the driveshaft center bearing being a bit tired.

Hehe, been there. Try put a V8 in your car at home. As much help as my dad was, he still had his hang ups about the whole thing.

Mmm I like that new concept!

Will look good painted up with the rest of the engine bay put back together. Are those M3 top strut mounts I see?

Heh yeah. I like the technology that is in it, but I don't see why I needs to look so abstract, interesting maybe, but...... I don't know maybe I am just boring and like conservative BMWs of old.

I think it's stupid. Anyone would like such a **** driving down the road in one of those....

Shame that ugly red one series got in shot... It's like the uncle no one likes

Nice job reinforcing the rear subframe mounting points with a bit of additional cage work.

Those GTRs sure look impressive under full throttle!

How come you're selling?

I love it. Slightly overkill perhaps, but why not. What tube spec did you use?

Yeah, I always drift into thinking the VVTi version are a good way to go, but at the end of the day they aren't really as good as they seem on paper, construction is weaker through out, rods, pistons, and stud (to save weight), they are drive by wire, and have other electric issues to factor in when converting. Plus, trying to work on the vvti heads by upgrading camshafts... sounds like a head ache! I've got a 1993 1st generation 1UZFE in my current setup, at least it's ideal for future upgrades, especially if I decide to go FI one day, the factory pistons and rods are more than sufficient. Plus, the early V8 was quite a good looking motor, the later ones through all that out the window and are pretty ugly.

I thought that would be the case, I've just been weighing up the costs of importing a late 90s or early 00's Toyota Celsior, (LS400 or LS430), they they have the nice VVTi V8 and 5 Speed auto. The 00's Celsior is particularly nice with the 4.3L V8 3UZ-FE, all they really need is a good set of headers, a new ECU and they put out a reliable 320hp / 450nm or so. Seems I could get a mint one to strip landed for 5-10k. Just pondering the idea if I decided to make a second set of mounts up for another E36 V8 conversion down the line off my CAD plans. Then again, if I really think about it I'd be better off just buying an early 90s crate engine here for a couple of grand and spending 5k tuning it.......... If you're using a non-M car and putting a S50 into it then I would say you would require a cert, best to cover all you bases rather than loose out on insurance if they cross reference the engine numbers and pull you up on it.

That's good to hear. In a way I suppose it depends if you enjoy fixing a few things on an older car. Personally I prefer a car that needs a bit of money spend on it as it keeps things interesting.... a project as such.

Welcome Marty. Hmmm that M3, I heard it certainly needed a bit of attention hence the bargain price! ( I believe this was the old thread about the car ) Did you get a BMW mechanic to inspect it before you purchase it?

Heh, love your friends attitudes "Wait till it breaks down" Seems to be quite a widely shared view that BMWs are notoriously unreliable, mostly from people that have never actually owned a BMW before. I was originally put off by buy a BMW for that reason, but since buying them for the past couple of years I've been pretty impressed with their reliability and ease to work on.

Well I've been told this by 3 different tyre guys I've used in the past couple of years. Further more, reviews on the internet also suggest they aren't as good as the German made ones, so yeah.

Bugger, I had a 3.91 set but recently on sold it. Just have a 4.27 set left at the moment.

Happy Birthday Brent!

Every tire person I've talk to says they aren't the same quality and don't balance well. Avoid and stick to the Japanese or German made sports tires.

I love the look, but for me and my driveway, they just aren't practical.