updates!

I went for a longer drive today - boy it felt good. I feel confident now to actually drive the thing. what a feeling!


when the engine was in the old car it started to heat up further before the thermostat kicked in.
it'd get to 94ish before cooling back down.


I've since noticed it staying hotter, round the 92 94 mark, which is too hot (given this was only ever for <5min drives). So this weekend I removed and replaced the waterpump and thermostat. Not only did I get rid of the squeel from the waterpump but the cooling work great now. sits at a nice 82 :) perfecto.

However with the lack I squeeling I notice a light rattle. I think its been there for quite a while, but it doesnt really sound like tappets. I think perhaps it might be something to do with the dizzy.

The noise is noticable on back off mostly, and at idle. Anyway, its the next thing on the list. That, and a proper tune and upping the boost back to normal ranges. (~12psi, its at like 4-5psi now).

initial tune, and moar progress

initial tune time,

well I went and met up with my main man Benny. On arrival it was apparent by the third full oil catch can (of PETROL) that something was wrong. Thats right fuel vapours making up about ~200ml maybe. I suspect a lot may of been from its NOT wanting to start, and running uber rich.

Anyway, Benny gave redbob an initial tune, tweaked the idle, and generally played around. From here, we knew before we actually did any real tuning, I'd need to do a few things.

So Benny sent me off with some homework ;)
First off was some was heat shielding the leads and clutch slave. I used acl heat shielding, which is piss easy to work with. I created a tunnel of sorts for the leads to sit in, in effect the lower (where the manifold is) is double layered. After a long drive it was fairly cool (before, the leads were almost to hot to touch!) on the inside of the shielding.

redbob is very dirty, dusts n shit from other projects in the shed ;)






So next off was an overflow container, which previously was a spring valley 600ml juice container :D The 318i's come stock with really effective overflow containers, the ground!

I picked up a appropriatly fitting overflow container for the wreckers, and fitted it, easy. Needs a clean, a bottle cleaner would work well :) I'll pick one up from coles next time Im out.




Anyway, redbob is running much nicer now, revving much more lively. I'm still worried about tune damage, glazed bores etc. But I think it'll be ok, the ole m10 can take a thrashing.


Stay tuned for some more updates soon as Benny weaves some more tune magic.

little updates

Exhaust.

Today I removed the exhaust and wire brushed it and painted it with high temp black paint.

Looks good i think.

5th gear.

Since I got it all back together I noticed my 5th gear was missing. Turned out it was just a plug bolt from the old plate style linkage setup. Cut this puppy shorter, and replugged it up, and viola, 5th gear again.

USB to Serial.

I've never been able to get my USB to Serial working, I went down to jaycar today and purchased an adapter, which worked first go. So redbob is all ready to tune now!

And, would you believe, rego is due tomorrow. It's been ANOTHER year off the road.

new wheels :)

So I went and bought some wheels. 16 x 7.5 @ et22

The rear fits extremely well, the front could do with a little less offset. However with some m3 control arm bushes and perhaps ajustable camber it should be ok.

On the road, the semi slicks really do help it stick. Even in the wet roads yesterday it felt like it was sticking more than Ive expected from any car. Kinda cool.

New Exhaust.

So today I worked on redbob, and the exhaust is installed, we still need to install some proper hangers, its hanging slightly low as a result.

So redbob is much quieter now, and after a trip (after these vids) to the petrol station to wash out the 2 year old fuel - she is running SO much smoother.

Coming VERY soon: TUNE TIME!

First start up, as you can hear this is prefuel - and rough as (included is some free fuel being expelled from the base map tune).



And a small drive by



Really average edo grade pic

Exhausting work this.

Well, I received the majority (still waiting on 2 flanges) of exhaust parts today :)

Its a fairly significant era in the saga of redbob, its one of the largest things I've put off doing.

So in walks our magnaflow highflow metal core cat, 2nd hand magnaflow muffler (needs a bit of a clean though) 3m of straight, 4 x 45º bends, some flanges and gaskets.

This weekend, I shall practice some welding on my old exhaust pipes... I may even get the first coupla 45's and cat mounted. we'll see how I go.

He likes it out of the garage.

Well, today I took him out of the garage for the 2nd time this year.
I gave him a quick rub down (very quick) and and lap round the block.

Today (in that 44^o weather) I rewired the fuel pump relay. Which previously was just dodgy twist wired for test purposes. (I ran out of spade terminals)

While on a roll as far as electricals go, I wired in the old spotlight switch via accessories to turn on (via relay) the thermofan. Previously I used a sensor, which was damaged. When I begin re-tuning redbob we'll fire the fan via the Microtech.

Next weekend I hope to do the exhaust. I have purchased a pre-loved Magnaflow muffler. And now just have to purchase a matching Magnaflow catalytic converter, and some (mild) pipe and a coupla mandrel bends.

I'm pretty stoked he's on the road anyway. Even if it sounds like a turbo charged tractor at the moment.


Here he is in all his faded multicoloured glory.

Its alive. happy days!

Well, after having large difficulties firing him up. Cooking the ecu twice. Losing my tune. I finally got it going.

Note: Dont ever, ever, ever, forget your earth strap!

There is a lot to be done yet, but Im quite happy that it actually still goes!