Group Buy: ATI Damper for M54 - Page 4

fishforlife · 07-24-2010, 04:12 PM

my commitment to this group by is contingent upon renting the install tools.

bigjae1976 · 07-24-2010, 09:39 PM

I'm interested in this but is this a 1-time deal? The earliest I could do the install is next summer.

I'm in Korea until Apr 11. I don't trust anyone here to install wiper blades on my car let alone this. I still have to ship it back to the US so I really can't chance screwing my car up. Not to mention that I have to order parts online if I end up needing anything.

Jackcat559 · 07-24-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I'm interested in this but is this a 1-time deal? The earliest I could do the install is next summer.

Just put it on the shelf until then.

I won't be able to put mine on during the rebuild, so it has to go on the the shelf until later

McSpeed · 07-24-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighBoostin330

Opps, I thought I put my name down the list. McSpeed, can we rent/borrow that tool package you put together? We need to start a separate list for this.

Yeah totally - I have to check out shipping & packaging factors before I come up with an actual figure but I'm basically thinking it'll be shipping plus $50. It's about $600+ worth of stuff. Also, the giant torque wrench cost me $96.47 for a 7 day rental w/ 3 day UPS shipping.

Install writeup forthcoming. It wasn't easy but it did go just as planned

Lil. Lucas · 07-25-2010, 01:25 AM

What the total cost of extra tools needed to install this over a OEM unit? Given my location I will most likely have to buy my own..

Jackcat559 · 07-25-2010, 08:34 AM

Where did you rent the torque wrench from?

McSpeed · 07-25-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackcat559

Where did you rent the torque wrench from?

I went with this one:
http://jmtest.com/pages/productdetail.asp?ID=222

McSpeed · 07-26-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I'm interested in this but is this a 1-time deal? The earliest I could do the install is next summer.

The price outside of the group buy is $650 so it's no big deal if you miss this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackcat559

Just put it on the shelf until then.

I won't be able to put mine on during the rebuild, so it has to go on the the shelf until later

Shelving it probably isn't worth the trouble unless you happen to have easy access to the crank snout - which it sounds like you may have, Jackcat. For anyone with their engine IN their car it's best to do it all at once: you have to pull your stock damper, measure your crank snout with a micrometer, tell ATI the measurement so they can tailor yours accordingly, and wait a few days for the super damper to come in before you carefully put everything back together using a lot of force.

It's important for everyone to understand there's customization and downtime involved. My car was on jackstands for a week. Also consider that with one tool package going around, there's going to be a wait for that as well.

aggieE46 · 07-26-2010, 10:52 AM

Go ahead and get it. When you get back into the states, I'll certainly have installed mine by then. I'll help you put her on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I'm interested in this but is this a 1-time deal? The earliest I could do the install is next summer.

I'm in Korea until Apr 11. I don't trust anyone here to install wiper blades on my car let alone this. I still have to ship it back to the US so I really can't chance screwing my car up. Not to mention that I have to order parts online if I end up needing anything.

McSpeed · 07-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggieE46

Go ahead and get it. When you get back into the states, I'll certainly have installed mine by then. I'll help you put her on!

Maybe ATI would be willing to onto it until you give them the measurement when you get back?

There'd be less repeated effort & shipping that way.

aggieE46 · 07-26-2010, 11:41 AM

I must have missed that I actually have to measure my crank snout. Thanks for the reminder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpeed

Maybe ATI would be willing to onto it until you give them the measurement when you get back?

There'd less effort & shipping that way.

McSpeed · 07-26-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggieE46

I must have missed that I actually have to measure my crank snout. Thanks for the reminder.

Yeah it's an unusual process. In case anyone's wondering: once your damper is ready (~3 mos after ordering) ATI calls up and asks for your snout measurement so they can do the final honing inside the hub to give you a custom "interference fit" of .0008" - .0011" (this is part of what makes the Super Damper so good). When they're done a few days later they charge the final payment to your CC and ship it out.

Jackcat559 · 07-26-2010, 04:45 PM

Aha, now I'm getting the picture.

How much is the deposit? I thought it was a full payment up front. Having it split makes the bank account hit a bit easier.

McSpeed · 08-11-2010, 03:03 PM

Here's my install writeup:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...1#post12108181

aggieE46 · 08-11-2010, 03:28 PM

Thanks for the write-up!

Fair · 08-11-2010, 05:35 PM

Hey, did you know that if you spin an otherwise stock M54B30 to 7500 for less than a second, the oil pump nut falls off in about 7 autocross runs? Ask me why I know that...

Blah. That's all I have to say about this underwhelming M54 motor. BLAH!

This ATI damper looks nice, but $575 seems... steep? I agree now that its apparently needed, and I'm sure that's what they want to get for a low volume production balancer, of course. I called my engine builder, who buys a lot of ATI dampers for all sorts of engines. He says they "usually cost from $280-400 for most motors". He said that price is more than what a NASCAR engine's balancer costs... crazy high. But its such a low production volume (they've made what? 2 of them, ever?) that this is probably why. That and the BMW Tax.

He's checking on this part number and will get back to me - if he can't get it for under $575 I'll get on the GB here (if I keep racing this car into next year).

Thanks for getting this GB going, guys. $75 off of the insane $650 price is better than nothing.

Jackcat559 · 08-11-2010, 06:14 PM

Almost to 10 people

HighBoostin330 · 08-13-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackcat559

Almost to 10 people

Sounds like we only need one more!

Jackcat559 · 08-13-2010, 09:18 PM

Getting a bit antsy on the balancer.

Funny, ATI is less than 10 mins from my house. Who knew?

bigjae1976 · 08-14-2010, 05:03 PM

If I get in on this group by, could I wait until May/Jun 11 to provide the snout measurement?

I don't feel like messing with this in Korea. If I screw something up, I'd have to get a hack mechanic here in Korea to fix it. And then I might as well drive the car into the Han River because it will be perma-focked. This is the beauty of cheap labor...cheap results.

08-11-2010, 03:03 PM	#74
McSpeed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,068 My Ride: 2005 ZHP TT Stg 1 View My Garage	Here's my install writeup: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...1#post12108181 __________________ Technique Tuning Stage 1 Turbo w/ Greddy Profec B Spec II \| 3.07 Quaife ATI Super Damper \| Vaio Oil Pump \| VAC Pan Baffle \| SRE Organic Clutch Turner Reinforcements \| SPC Camber Arms \| Powerflex FCABs & SFBs Turbo Driveability Video Horsepower vs. Torque - updated

08-11-2010, 03:28 PM	#75
aggieE46 Keep it clean Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Royse City Posts: 8,011 My Ride: Evo, 330Ci, Xterra View My Garage	Thanks for the write-up! __________________ ^No longer looks like this Buy my:: 3.46 Differential Coolant hard line European Head Unit

08-11-2010, 05:35 PM	#76
Fair Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 34 My Ride: Various BMWs View My Garage	Hey, did you know that if you spin an otherwise stock M54B30 to 7500 for less than a second, the oil pump nut falls off in about 7 autocross runs? Ask me why I know that... Blah. That's all I have to say about this underwhelming M54 motor. BLAH! This ATI damper looks nice, but $575 seems... steep? I agree now that its apparently needed, and I'm sure that's what they want to get for a low volume production balancer, of course. I called my engine builder, who buys a lot of ATI dampers for all sorts of engines. He says they "usually cost from $280-400 for most motors". He said that price is more than what a NASCAR engine's balancer costs... crazy high. But its such a low production volume (they've made what? 2 of them, ever?) that this is probably why. That and the BMW Tax. He's checking on this part number and will get back to me - if he can't get it for under $575 I'll get on the GB here (if I keep racing this car into next year). Thanks for getting this GB going, guys. $75 off of the insane $650 price is better than nothing. __________________ Terry Fair @ Vorshlag

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07-24-2010, 04:12 PM	#61
fishforlife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: connecicut Posts: 9 My Ride: 325 View My Garage	my commitment to this group by is contingent upon renting the install tools.

07-24-2010, 09:39 PM	#62
bigjae1976 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 11,395 My Ride: A car View My Garage	I'm interested in this but is this a 1-time deal? The earliest I could do the install is next summer. I'm in Korea until Apr 11. I don't trust anyone here to install wiper blades on my car let alone this. I still have to ship it back to the US so I really can't chance screwing my car up. Not to mention that I have to order parts online if I end up needing anything.

07-25-2010, 01:25 AM	#65
Lil. Lucas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 363 My Ride: E30 M3 View My Garage	What the total cost of extra tools needed to install this over a OEM unit? Given my location I will most likely have to buy my own..

07-25-2010, 08:34 AM	#66
Jackcat559 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 124 My Ride: 2003 530 View My Garage	Where did you rent the torque wrench from?

07-26-2010, 04:45 PM	#73
Jackcat559 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 124 My Ride: 2003 530 View My Garage	Aha, now I'm getting the picture. How much is the deposit? I thought it was a full payment up front. Having it split makes the bank account hit a bit easier.

08-11-2010, 06:14 PM	#77
Jackcat559 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 124 My Ride: 2003 530 View My Garage	Almost to 10 people

08-13-2010, 09:18 PM	#79
Jackcat559 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 124 My Ride: 2003 530 View My Garage	Getting a bit antsy on the balancer. Funny, ATI is less than 10 mins from my house. Who knew?

08-14-2010, 05:03 PM	#80
bigjae1976 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 11,395 My Ride: A car View My Garage	If I get in on this group by, could I wait until May/Jun 11 to provide the snout measurement? I don't feel like messing with this in Korea. If I screw something up, I'd have to get a hack mechanic here in Korea to fix it. And then I might as well drive the car into the Han River because it will be perma-focked. This is the beauty of cheap labor...cheap results.