M3Dragon - NorCal CSL build

Insane build.
Cannot wait to hear sound clips on the complete setup.
PS. Why didnt you go with the evolve intake kit rather than the OEM. Wouldn't it have saved you a few thousands?

Originally Posted by snikwad

Insane build.
Cannot wait to hear sound clips on the complete setup.
PS. Why didnt you go with the evolve intake kit rather than the OEM. Wouldn't it have saved you a few thousands?

I went no OE on parts in the past IE roof. I rather spend the $$ for no install issues. Granted Evolve is probably a perfect fit and may even make more power by a small margin. However I have gone full OE CSL to this point so might as well keep the theme going to make a complete car.

I hear you.

Originally Posted by m3dragon

I went no OE on parts in the past IE roof. I rather spend the $$ for no install issues. Granted Evolve is probably a perfect fit and may even make more power by a small margin. However I have gone full OE CSL to this point so might as well keep the theme going to make a complete car.

Cant beat OEM quality.

Today the miscellaneous box of parts showed up. This contained mostly the parts for the center console. Also included was the OE BMW differential parts and the SMG expansion tank. Basically all the nuts and bolts HAHA. All that is left to arrive is the CSL cam, Bumper, snorkel and center console.

i barely made it one year with no front plate

Finally got the SMG controller from ESS. I was disappointed in how they returned the unit to me. Controller was not in a static free bag as I sent it to them and it was in a USPS flat rate box with only one pass of bubble wrap. They are also slow to respond to emails. Anyone else have these issues with ESS or am I just the lucky one? I have taken it for about 40 miles of driving and can’t tell 100% if there is a change. From what I notice it seems to change up a smidge faster and downshifts are a smidge faster in feel. I am taking it on a “spirited” drive this weekend.



Also arrived are the Samsco hoses as part of the coolant system refresh when I take out the radiator. Hopefully these will keep the car cool for many years to come =)

Holy pictures Batman!

good for you man. after years of modding bmw's i realize these are how the cars should be built. big fan

great car! The more I look at these pics, the more I realize, I think I was at Thunderhill march 3rd. I was in the black ZHP. I think I even parked near you. I can't really remember anymore.

Hope to see you soon at another trackday!

Originally Posted by crazyxzer0

great car! The more I look at these pics, the more I realize, I think I was at Thunderhill march 3rd. I was in the black ZHP. I think I even parked near you. I can't really remember anymore.

Hope to see you soon at another trackday!

Could have been. There was a lot of BMW's there when I was. That was my second track day which compared to my first one was much better. The first track day had rain all afternoon.

Originally Posted by m3dragon

CSL intake is does not give you much unless you do the cams with it. The headers, cats help with mid ranges or high ranges. So unless you are willing to do cams as well the intake is not worth doing.

First, great build! I will follow this until the end!

Please send me your contact for the CSL parts....I am interested in the cam!

BTW, I have 302 to the wheels with no cam so once the cam goes in you should be closer to 330!!!! BIG DIFFERENCE!!! (I have the Evolve intake, SS V1 headers/cats/Eisenmann race/Alpha-N tune)

Keep it up!

M

Finally was able to install one of the major parts on the M3 on Saturday 9/1/12. My wife's father works for a Porsche/Subaru shop so I was able to get access to a lift so I could install the steering rack. I combined it with two oil changes as well. Might as well make the most of having a lift right. Below are the images of the day and the work done to the M3 and 1M.

Image of the wife driving the 1M to the shop. Nice morning AM drive on the free up to Auburn.



1M was up first as that was just in for a oil change. So needed it as it was almost 7000 miles. I know bad M owner but I have been busy.



The following images are of the install of the steering rack. Sorry for the crappy image quality as all I had was my Iphone. I forgot the good camera so this is the best I could do. The install of the steering was pretty straight forward and took about 2 hours to do the install. I also changed the oil as it was due.

The change in the steering is noticeable. I was concerned a little as some said they did not notice a change when they drove their M3 and a M3 with the competition steering rack. The steering feels sharper and I can notice I do not have to turn the wheel as much as I did before when making hard over turns. It is not major change but enough that makes the steering feel closer to the 1M which was my goal. I believe that if I did try the ZHP rack of a 330 it probably would feel a tight as the 1M does but I did not want to go that extreme. OK so enough talking from me, images of the work below.

For kick and giggle I wanted to see what 10 years of ownership looks like in paperwork. It basically means a whole lot of paperwork in a hanging folder that I will have to split into two eventually.

I did a drive last weekend with some local NorCal guys up HWY 1 on a 189 mile loop. (345 miles total for me). For those who say there is not a major change between the CSL/ZCP steering rack and OE need to take it on a super twisty road. Like most I did not feel a major change when driving surface streets and making tight turns in town. Hitting the back roads and taking hair pin turns is where I really felt a change. Bear with me as I try to explain. Before on a tight hair pin I would have fully crossed my arms over and still would need to turn more to make the turn. IE remove hand(s) and turn the wheel more. Now I do not exceed making a parallel X when having to crank the car over. Sorry best way to explain it. Bottom line is I just got my justification the cost was worth it. ESS software seems to make down changes and up changes in mode 5 a tad faster for a update there.
Here is one of the images of the drive.

If you care to see some more images of the group drive I lead you can see them at www.norcaldrivers.com. Hopefully I will expand this website to the other states for the routes/photo places if anyone ever sends me routes and photo locations..

So the long awaited big items arrived today. Thank you to the Evolve guys for a great packing job. A thing to point out is that the bumper comes with the gasket, splitters, and tow hoot cover. So I have a spare tow cover, 2 extra splitters and a spare seal. Kind of nice but at the same time could have saved the funds. Ok as usual images below.

Items all packed up and delivered





All the miscellaneous parts needed to install and complete the bumper installation.



Last of the interior parts from BMW were in this order. One step closer to getting the car to the interior shop. I hope to be able to pick the seats up next week as they are in.







The bumper itself. It comes painted which is kind of a bummer as I need to repay it. The bumper also seems to be some sort of carbon fiber? First time seeing a OE CSL bumper off a car.























I have 2 pairs of splitters. The splitters are super light and seem to be a thin carbon fiber. I will do a write up OE vs VS splitters.











OE grill so nothing to unusual here.





[b]The final piece of the intake puzzle. Only bummer part with this order is you can only order it with the servo. I am going to see what it might take to get it to work. Nice thing about having a mechanical / electrical engineer as a father =)[p]

Wow, that is one amazing car! Keep up the good work

This is the way these cars should be modded.

With class, and style. Yet, still maintaining the sporty and aggressive visual appeal.


Nice car man. Real nice.

wow amazing car, the car looks like its in great shape. I eventually want to own an e46 M3, and keep it forever. Just wondering how many miles are on it?