BavAuto Show and Shine Sunday

[frank]

Here are a few shots from this weekends event in Portsmouth. Sorry the rain prevented me from getting all the 02s. It was nice to connect some faces with the FAQ names.

[winstontj]

Hey Frank! It was really nice to connect some names and faces. This weekend I met yourself, Ryan and his father (Schnell944), Scott & others. It was also an eye opener to really see Bav Auto's target market... maybe that's not fair because it was raining/poor weather I'm sure more "trailer queen" types stayed home but none the less there were only 7 02's as I counted. Mostly E46M3's. Several nicely done e30m3 M-Postors and I didn't see even one car with a full cage. Several half cages, roll bars, etc. but not a one full cage!

The exit was interesting to say the least!!! Take 100 "souped up" BMW's, many, many M3's... add in rain, bald or intentionally slick tires, free Red Hook, and 100 testosterone-filled drivers between the ages of 18 and 35... and I was actually shocked there were no accidents, no one got run over, etc. The boys in the back, behind Bav Auto were laying strips right down the rows of cars!

Next year I will surely be back and hope for better weather! I would like to bring the same car back only this time rather than having the early bumer, dapbmw's alpina flares, etc. all in the trunk - I'd like them to be on the car and the car to be in much better condition! Thanks for the photos!

[frank]

It is always interesting to see how that lot empties out at the end of the event. I hear it was more "exciting" before the police were stationed at the exit. Post some pics when you start the flares. I would like to know how the installation works out. Any way you decide to do it I am sure they will look great.

[winstontj]

It is always interesting to see how that lot empties out at the end of the event. I hear it was more "exciting" before the police were stationed at the exit. Post some pics when you start the flares. I would like to know how the installation works out. Any way you decide to do it I am sure they will look great.

I hope they will come out great... They cover the entire rusted area on the car so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that by running the flares it will solve some (not all) of my rust issues...

BTW, both you and Scott MADE MY DAY with your "Oh... It's not THAT bad" comment! or "at least your fender isn't held on with bailing twine like that E30 kid"...

It was funny to just place the car, open the hood and walk away. I hung out a few cars away and just listened... "Must be a race car with the bumpers removed like that" "Chasis flex must have cracked that guy's windshield during a race" "That guy must get some horsepower with that fuel injection setup - I bet you that's one of those rare early motorsport cars"

REALITY: Car was run off the road when PO fell asleep at the wheel. A post was hit which ruined the bumper and pushed the hood into the wiper, which cracked the windshield. Chasis flex is complimentary... thanks to the rust....

REALITY #2: No idea how many miles or what condition the motor is in... it was sitting in ToddK's parts car for several years... squirted with some starter fluid and driven - changed the oil at least... Oh and my "Motorsport Fuel Injection" is an old, tired, 32/36.

Rob Gibney @ Bav. Auto is putting together a nice example of a euro 320i (6-cyl) although he's got tripple side draft carbs and some crazy 3.0L stroker motor, it's still an M20 E21... regardless of how many times you tried to convince some that it was a legit car and not just some "ghetto aftermarket bolt on exhaust"... All of this coming from guys who install strobes into their side marker lights that flash in sequence of the bass in their boom-boom system... It was an excellent time and I enjoyed it a lot.

Also spoke to the Bilstien rep... Sports in the stock 2002 config ARE actually valved stiffer on the rebound than the HD's. Additionally, they have the SAME travel length. The compression valves are the same, the rebound valves are stiffer (the stiffest possible without being custom). This according to the little chart he was looking at with rates and valving. He also added that in the past there was different travel lengths, as well as other BMW's there is only a difference in travel, not valving. Interesting....

[schnell944]

Thanks for the pictures, Frank. How were the new H4s on the drive home? It was great to see you and Tom.

Yes, it was much more *interesting* when the police were not there back in the day. I remember showing up at 9 and being able to actually park in the front. I got there at 8 this sunday and had to park on the side. Not that it matters...it just shows how huge that show has become.

I always have good fun seeing the wide spectrum of cars there. It really brings out a range of folks interested in different aspects of the BMW. Glad to see some nice '02s thrown in the mix!

[frank]

The H4s were a major improvement! How did you guys make out with your "on the lot" project? I didn't have time to stop back and check it out. That is an auesome Alpina set up.

[scottt]

Hey, I was being honest, your car looks better than the last 4 2002's I've owned. I was glad to see all you guys with 02's, someone has to provide the historical perspective around here.

I spent many hours with Rob assembling his motor in my garage, it has a td crank, custom oversize hi-comp forged pistons, ported head, Shrick cam, a set of triple 2-barrel downdraft webers, and a header. It really rips.

[winstontj]

The H4s were a major improvement! How did you guys make out with your "on the lot" project? I didn't have time to stop back and check it out. That is an auesome Alpina set up.

I agree!!! I had never seen (or remember seeing) an A4 setup like that. It was really cool to see your car!!! Glad the Slave Cyl. issues worked out and you guys made it!

[schnell944]

Right, special thanks goes to Tom for hooking me up with a clutch slave so I could actually take the tii!

the tii rubber intake bellows I bought from Bav Auto work percectly. They're much more flexible than the hard plastic bellows that were on there. Theys will allow the connection btw the air box and the venturis to have much more give and a tighter seal. They only had 2 though, so I'll have to wait for the other 2 in the mail.

Tom, I also thought your car was great! Can't wait to see how the flares look on in.

[Brandon]

I was going to go to Portmouth on Sunday but the rain kept me home. My '73 is a no rain vehicle....hopefully next year will be nicer. I've been in the past and there is usually a nice turn out of mostly late model bmws there. A handful of 02s attend, and I think I saw an 1800 sedan there one year, along with an M1 and an e30 alpina racecar...

[winstontj]

My '73 is a no rain vehicle....

MUST BE NICE!!! (just jelous)

Next year I'll be back! I'm going to also try and convince ToddK to bring his ITB widebody race car. I didn't see a single car there with a full cage and it was a little dissapointing. There were a few with half & roll bars but nothing forward of the B-Pillar from what I remember.

OH & Scott did Gib ever get a LSD for that thing? Last time I saw him driving that e21 it spent more time sideways than going forward. It must be SO much fun driving a tripple side draft M20 like that!

[scottt]

Yup, Gib put a LSD from a roach E21 parts car in that thing. It's still always sideways :-)