More Suspension Work

- Darin's handywork on the spring adjuster perches.

 - Our replacement Bilstein strut insert.  Can you guess why it was $34?

- More of Darin's handywork fixing the strut.

- One strut installed.

Front Suspsension

Front struts were removed a few days ago.  They all came out pretty easily, and the wheel bearings appear to be in excellent shape.

- The balljoints on the control arms seem to be in great shape as well.

- Wielding an industrial grinder, Darin was able to reduce the large spring perches down to a perfect platform for our coilover spring adjusters.

Maintenance Work

Darin spent the day doing routine maintenance:
-Timing Belt
-Tensioner
-Water Pump
-Thermostat
-Valve Adjustment

Logan used the air-chisel to remove the trunk tar and dash.
His tool of choice:

And the dash is out!

Fashionably late as always, Joey showed up to lend some muscle.

 HVAC... gone!

- Logan found us a turret for the tank cannon.  Where did that piece come from?

 - I guess we're not carrying a spare.

- Our sweet engineering to bypass the power steering!

Stripping Her Down

A lot was accomplished in a few hours this evening.  We removed the complete air conditioning system, including the lines.  The power steering was also taken out... we won't be parallel parking on the track.  Finally, we yanked out the fuel cooling system.  Yes, you read correctly, fuel cooling system.  For three short months during the '87 model year, BMW decided to route the fuel return line through a heat exchanger within the AC system.  The idea was that on hot days, when you had the AC on, the fuel returning to the tank would be cooled.  No explanation is necessary for why they scrapped that idea.

 - As it sits now

- Rear H&R Springs, and Bilstein shocks installed

- The sweet Road Ryders we yanked out.  We'll definitely be taking them along as spares, however.

- Some of unnecessary parts we pulled this evening.

  - Grease-monkey fuel

The Project Begins

The Task:

Assemble a race-worthy car for less than $500 (safely equipment excluded, obviously), for the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Infineon Raceway on March 26th and 27th, 2011.

The Crew:

Kenny C.

Darin S.

Joey L.

Logan C.

The Car: 

1987 BMW 325e with a "Total Loss" title.

- That'll buff right out. 

  - Take note of the duct-tape intake boot.

- That death-trap of a seat will be replaced soon with a beat-up MOMO race bucket.

After three days of struggling to get it to start, we finally have the car in our possession.  Frankly, we're not even sure what finally brought it back to life, but I'm leaning toward incessant cranking, new spark plugs, and a strong will.  But hey, we can't expect much from a free car, can we!?

After a brief brainstorming session last night, we have decided to transform our lowly 325e into a WWII-esque German tank.  Having a very limited budget will have us searching for scrap metal for months, undoubtedly.

Now to carry out this audacious plan.