Group Buy: ATI Damper for M54

Originally Posted by aggieE46

Ricky said the adapter would not be included. Man, they're not helping out much with this group buy. No shipping, no adapter... Bummer.

How much is the adapter?

so what's the final price of the balancer and specialized install tools? I've got 4 weeks until reassembly of my M54, and I'm thinking very hard about doing this.

No word on the price of the tools.

4 weeks isn't enough time for them to make the dampers. It'll probably be several weeks from the time we finally get 10 people, which is looking dim.

hmm, B30 will be ready to install next week. Not convinced I need this..

It's not for everyone

Originally Posted by Lil. Lucas

hmm, B30 will be ready to install next week. Not convinced I need this..

It's a shame I can't get one before I put the engine back in. It would be sooo much easier to replace the balancer, with the motor out of the car. Getting the OEM balancer off after seven years was a huge PIA.

I'd hate to see this GB opportunity die on us. I'm offering a bump to see if we can stir some more interest on this.

McSpeed; since you were successfull at installing your unit, Is it possible for others to rent/borrow (w/ deposit) the tools necessary, minus the torque wrench, to install the damper?

Thanks

Originally Posted by gte869h

McSpeed; since you were successfull at installing your unit, Is it possible for others to rent/borrow (w/ deposit) the tools necessary, minus the torque wrench, to install the damper?

Yes, I was planning on it I should have mine installed on Friday.
Here's the tool package so far:

1. Mitutoyo .0001" 1-2" outside micrometer & Mitutoyo 1" gage blocks
2. special tools for pulling stock BMW damper
3. ATI's installer/puller kit w/ the thread adapter they made
4. Custom fabbed pulley holder for final 300ft-lb crank bolt torquing
5. 22mm 3/4 drive socket for crank bolt
6. The hex socket and the torx socket for relieving the belt tensioners
7. 5/16 12 point socket for removing the AC pulley from the Super Damper

And I can suggest a place to rent a monster 100-600 ft-lb 3/4" drive CDI torque wrench (and smaller ones if you don't have them). Some anti-seize and grease might also be needed. Oh and a 1/2" drive breaker bar or wrench that you can put a ~4' pipe extension on to get the crank bolt off would be important (pics later).

Keep in mind that the group buy would be cool but you can always pay $75 more if you don't want to wait for it.

Make sure you post any driving impressions. Planning on a dyno before/after? I'd like to see if it makes a difference in the smoothness of the curve.

Originally Posted by McSpeed

Yes, I was planning on it I should have mine installed on Friday.
Here's the tool package so far:

1. Mitutoyo .0001" 1-2" outside micrometer & Mitutoyo 1" gage blocks
2. special tools for pulling stock BMW damper
3. ATI's installer/puller kit w/ the thread adapter they made
4. Custom fabbed pulley holder for final 300ft-lb crank bolt torquing
5. 22mm 3/4 drive socket for crank bolt
6. The hex socket and the torx socket for relieving the belt tensioners
7. 5/16 12 point socket for removing the AC pulley from the Super Damper

And I can suggest a place to rent a monster 100-600 ft-lb 3/4" drive CDI torque wrench (and smaller ones if you don't have them). Some anti-seize and grease might also be needed. Oh and a 1/2" drive breaker bar or wrench that you can put a ~4' pipe extension on to get the crank bolt off would be important (pics later).

Keep in mind that the group buy would be cool but you can always pay $75 more if you don't want to wait for it.

Originally Posted by aggieE46

Make sure you post any driving impressions. Planning on a dyno before/after? I'd like to see if it makes a difference in the smoothness of the curve.

Will do. I think my clutch is too toasted to dyno right away but I'll see if the warm weather helps - otherwise I'll dyno after the new clutch.

this post signifies ill commit a little more. im in little rush at this time but thats not to say ill back out if this happens within the next month. ill continue to watch this thread. "thanks you" to all those that have contributed to this project.

I'll add your name.

1. aggieE46
2. bluejeansonfire
3. trippinbimmer
4. gte869h
5. fishforlife
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Put my name on the list also.

Have you tried other m54 owners besides 3 series? There maybe some on bimmerforums e46 & e39, or z-4um.com

1. aggieE46
2. bluejeansonfire
3. trippinbimmer
4. gte869h
5. fishforlife
6. Jackcat559
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8.
9.
10.

Originally Posted by aggieE46

Make sure you post any driving impressions. Planning on a dyno before/after? I'd like to see if it makes a difference in the smoothness of the curve.

I just wrapped it up and went for some highway flybys
WAY smoother revving up top. WAY.

Walk me through this, is this damper available outside of the gb? I just realised the OEM damper is $450 from tischer, making the ATI damper all the more attractive Guess where I'm at is if we can get another 3 people to commit within the next month count me in, otherwise I will work something else out..

1. aggieE46
2. bluejeansonfire
3. trippinbimmer
4. gte869h
5. fishforlife
6. Jackcat559
7. Lil. Lucas
8.
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10.

Originally Posted by McSpeed

I just wrapped it up and went for some highway flybys
WAY smoother revving up top. WAY.

How many miles on your stock damper when you replaced it? I noticed a pretty big reduction in vibration when I replaced my stock damper with a new stock damper at ~ 90k miles. Prior to the replacement, you could actually see some wobble while the car was at idle as the rubber had given out.

aggie - definitely gotta put the new clutch in before dyno

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

How many miles on your stock damper when you replaced it? I noticed a pretty big reduction in vibration when I replaced my stock damper with a new stock damper at ~ 90k miles. Prior to the replacement, you could actually see some wobble while the car was at idle as the rubber had given out.

About 75K. I'm trying to think of a way to explain the difference and I'll see if I come up with any other ideas while I'm driving today but it was like...uhh...the same NVH I'd normally see at 3K is retained straight up to redline. Ok the N changes obviously - the engine gets louder but now it's totally pleasant and comfortable. I'd usually be cringing a little at 6000 - 6800 as it got to feeling kind of wild but now it just zips up there fluidly. It's like taking the NVH and stripping off the V&H.

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.

I'll do a dyno of the car after I get this installed, since my dyno graph shows very jagged edges up top after 6000RPM right now. Sounds like my damper is shot.

1. aggieE46
2. bluejeansonfire
3. trippinbimmer
4. gte869h
5. fishforlife
6. Jackcat559
7. Lil. Lucas
8. HighBoostin330
9.
10.

Renting the intall package would be nice