Project: Sleeper wagon

Dirty.

Originally Posted by lakedude90

this is just f@ckin awsome man, great job. Did you get the timing/ping-ing issue figured out? or you just leaving it and letting it do what it wants to do?

Still working on it. The car is very driveable and quite fast. I just can't drive it too hard, that's when I get some pinging.
ESS is being very helpful, we are just trying the new tune delivery system (e-flash). Instead of sending the ECU to them they will just send me the tune through email and I'll flash it myself. This process is still new to them so there are some bugs.

Next on the list is finally hooking up the AFR gauge, fixing the o2 sim installation and reinforcing the rear subframe mounts.

its weird that I am having a similar issue - did you check your primary O2s?

Not yet, Asbjorn keeps blaming the tune (and my BMW performance intake). I'm patiently waiting for the new tune and if it doesn't fix it (and I don't think it will) I'll continue troubleshooting.
I suspect an o2 sensor, knock sensor or even mechanical problem like timing chain tensioner.

What diagnostic tools are you using?

Originally Posted by NJ323i

Dirty.

Dirty as it's not cool to pretend my car is slow?
Or dirty as I should really wash it at least once a month?

This is my daily driver. It's primary use is to get me to work, haul groceries, two kids, bicycles, etc ...

Dirty as in it's awesome and I like it a lot.

Oh crap, am I really turning into old geezer that doesn't understand kid's slang?

Dirty comment would bug me too

Heh. That makes me feel better. Must be some NJ thing

Back to troubleshooting. What diag tools are you using Stu?

Haha probably

Curious to see how you sorted the pinging.

Still waiting for the new tune. The car drives nice, just can't drive it too hard (which is probably a good thing because I haven't reinforced the subframe yet)

You guys totally inspire me to go nuts on my Touring. I'm "knows enough to be dangerous" guy though when it comes to turning the wrenches so I've got to be careful. I'll stick to vanity plates for the time being haha

Small update.
Came up with a plan to make the E-flash tool work (it's not working because my DME was reflashed with 330 tune and the VIN was not programmed). I will get the car reflashed back to stock (indy shop with Autologic), then use the E-flash to load a custom tune for the 85mm pulley. Once we get that running then we'll try to go back to 83mm.
Interesting thing I learned from this - ESS says the car would drive even with the stock tune as long as I'll keep it under 40% throttle. I'll test it tomorrow.

Subframe reinforcement kit ordered (HPF). The spare engine in the garage is collecting dust. I don't feel like dropping another 10K into the low compression engine right now but who knows ...

Edit: Interesting. The car runs just fine with the stock tune.

Subframe is reinforced. There were no cracks. Alignment done.

-1.5 front camber
-1.9 rear camber
0 toe front
1/32" toe in rear

Still fighting with stupid O2 simulators. I don't get the cat related code anymore but still get the heater code.
The new tune seems to be working better.

heater code? the heated O2?

or because the O2s do not get hot enough?

I got no cats, bimmerbrakes headers, all 4 sensors installed.
I was getting the cat converter inefficiency codes (for obvious reasons).
Installed O2 sims (from bimmerbrakes) and it took care of those codes but introduced new codes - post cat heated O2 sensor (both banks). I'll take a look again at what exact code I'm getting when I get the INPA working.

^^ look in this thread for all cat related issues http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=713645

i dont have an s/c
but i do have the same headers and no cat related issues
ive been running like this for a 1.5 years

Sweet, thanks. That should do the trick.
If not I'll just install couple of high flow cats behind the headers.

I should really take some new pics of the car but I would have to wash it first
Here is an update. I got the new tune from ESS and it helped a lot. Still not perfect though.
I have been fighting a cold start issue. Likely nothing to do with the SC. I'm gonna look into SAP, temp sensor, and ICV.
I'm also tired of the smell and the SES light. Getting a quote for couple of magnaflow cats.
Don't get me wrong, I love the car. These are minor issues.
Here are the top 5 things that put a smile on my face:

1. stepping on gas
2. letting the rear end slide
3. shifting into 6 gear
4. opening the sunglasses holder with hidden boost and AFR gauges
5. just looking at the car

The car is so much fun to drive I don't even care the stereo sucks. No tweeters, no amp, blown speakers ...

And onto something little more serious. People asked me what it cost to make this car. I was afraid to add it up until today. I'm gonna renew my insurance and there is now a way to include mods.
The number is - $26000
Sadly, that does not include the car and labour as I did just about all the work myself.

Would I do it again?
Yeah, look at the name of this website.