Karter16's E46 M3 Journal

[Karter16 416]

Today I cleaned up the top front RACP points and sprayed with the e-coat matched enamel I have.

First up I masked the area around the mount (photo taken prior to clean up).

Then I used a ziploc bag as a miniature spray booth by taping it to both the RACP and the spray can. I also made sure to cover/block every other hole/exit point in the RACP so I didn't get any over spray wafting out anywhere. This approach worked really well, the whole thing only took about 15 minutes to do.

And the end result (paint is still wet here):

I have some clean up to do on a few rust spots on the seat bench, but will do this once I have the A08 in hand and can touch it up properly.

At this point though the front mounts are ready for the installation of the brace (drilling and tapping will be done at the time of installation of the brace as I need to take the subframe off to tap the threads.

[Karter16 416]

I've been going through the public XDF for the 0401 binary and sorting out some of the incorrect references. They're usually pretty easy to confirm by looking at whether the data makes sense. This one made me chuckle 😛

[Karter16 416]

I've spun up a thread (https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/special-interests/coding-tuning/287069-csl-0401-program-binary-disassembly-notes) in the Coding section which I will keep updated as I work through the disassembly. Aim is to make the info easy to find and also splits it out from this build thread.

Edited December 14 by Karter16

[Karter16 416]

Finally made it to my summer break! Did a quick fitment check of the airbox, filter and Haimus snorkel to make sure I don't get any surprises during install. I've noted others have found the hose attachments to be tight so am prepared that I might need to do some adjustments there like heinzboehmer did to get them to click in correctly.

The CSL dipstick tube is finally with the local courier for delivery, more than 6 months after I ordered it, so should get it in the next few days. The only other thing I'm waiting on is the silver replacement screws for the two halves of the airbox, but they aren't a blocker given I can use the ones the airbox came with and swap out easily later.

[Karter16 416]

Yesterday afternoon I conditioned the intake boots and clamped them to the airbox. The tool for the Oetiker clamps works out at about $100NZD however you approach it so I saved $85 dollars by using the dremel to modify some standard $15 SuperCheapAuto clamp pliers.

This worked very nicely - I'll paint the pliers so they don't rust and they can go in the toolbox for next time.

I also installed 2x new rubber isolators - Being 20 years old the rubber in the current ones is probably soft and perishing.

Plans for between now and whenever the dipstick tube turns up is to remove the LHS radiator cowl shield in preparation for installing the airbox.

Yesterday I also took the car for a drive and logged the relevant variables with TestO to get a baseline capture before I go making any changes to the car. I want to make sure I'm as prepared as I can be for moving across to the 0401 program. To that end I will also be doing another full review of each change I've made to the partial as part of v1 of my tune. It's been long enough now since I did it that I should be able to do a good review of it and make sure I haven't made any mistakes.

 

Edited Sunday at 07:56 PM by Karter16

[Cement 892]

That's some pretty pornographic carbon work for sure 🍆 I like the paint booth, about to do something similar in my kitchen 🤣 Gotta love those holiday projects hah

[Karter16 416]

This morning I removed the LHS radiator cowl. My objective with these modifications remember is that I retain the ability to return the car to stock. I therefore didn't want to cut-down or cut off the cowling. It was a quick job to detach the top radiator pipe and slide the cowling out.

Then right on cue the CSL oil dipstick tube showed up (along with the silver-coloured hardware I was waiting on for the airbox as well).

So I carried on going...

I didn't have a turkey baster for removing the SMG fluid from the reservoir, but I do have an abundance of my son's old enteral syringes and feed pump tubing 🙂

All pretty straightforward - the little connector on the bottom at the back is a bit of a pain, but all done without too much fuss.

Next up will be a quick general clean up, as well as cleaning the ICV and throttle bodies (might as well while I'm in there) 🙂

[Karter16 416]

Forgot to add as well that Dad made up a threaded guide for a long 5mm drill bit for drilling through the RACP mounts 🙂