dang

When cars had only 100HP, they had smaller and lighter wheels. Cars got bigger, with more power and bigger wheels came along. It takes more power to spin those heavier wheels. More brake too.

Using big heavy wheels will rub your 2002 from power, braking, and will over ride your suspension. 15" is as big as you should go with a 2002.

These wheels are going on an M20 2002. Power won't be a problem.

Dan

I'm in the market for 16" Alpinas to go on a 2002 with turbo flares, but I saw those 17" Alpina Kopi's on Ebay and wondered if they'd fit or look good on the car. Think they'd be too "bling"? I think the 16's look perfect!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E30-17-Hyperblack-Alpina-Replica-Wheels-4x100_W0QQitemZ8075704911QQcategoryZ43957QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Upper Radiator Mount and Hood Support

I used rubber mounts from a Jetta auxilary air pump for the top support and tied in the support bar to the hood supports...

Mmmm, orange sherbet....

looks good dan. does your son take an interest in the build?? my sons are totally different. one loves to get greasy and work and the other likes to just drive

He's taking more of an interest lately since his buddies have been talking about fixing cars. I guess I should say he's not naturally motivated to get greasy, but he does fine when he gets into it.

Looks great. I would make a gusset where your front brace is welded.

John

Even though it doesn't feel like it needs it that's probably a good idea. The nose of the car is rock solid now. Much stronger than with the original sheet metal.

Dan

Radiator and fan mounting:

I managed to find a radiator that will work and got it mounted along with a cooling fan. Still need to figure out the top mounting, but I think I may incorporate it with a cover that cleans up the front so it may take some time. More pics and details on the link below...

M20 Project Page: http://www.dagsites.com/2302/

If you have spark and compression, adding fuel (starting fluid) should get some kind of life. Gotta have all three...

Dan

Adding a support bar for the nose...

http://www.dagsites.com/2302

A small group of us 02 bozo's are meeting at Peet's Coffee on the corner of 19th and R st at 7:00am. We should be heading out around 7:30 if anyone else wants to join us. This should be fairly central to most of us. If anyone wants to pick up the caravan on the way to PA let us know and we can meet you somewhere. I think we'll probably go Interstate 80 to 680, then cut across in the south bay.

Dan

My M20 engine is now in and I've taken a measurement between the guibo and the flange on the differential. Before I go out and have my driveline shortened, I'd sure like to know what the "normal" length of a 5-speed driveline should be. FWIW, I measured 56 7/16". This is with a 3-bolt output flange on the tranny.

Thanks!!!

John N

The two halves are splined in the center.

Dan

I'll be driving my beater CS and parking across the street at the shopping mall. I'm bringing a bag to wear over my head when walking from my car to the show...

Dan

I went to that event. If its the one I'm thinking of it was put on in conjunction with a VW Thing gathering at the marina. I think Rob T. helped the guy here in Sac organize it, or coached him, and I suspect the reason it didn't continue was due to the amount of time and energy put into it. It wasn't much of a show, maybe 15 2002's, and some people got bored and left after an hour or two. Events like that usually take years to catch on.

Now that the BayArea02 show is so big, I don't think a Sac show would work..

Dan

Out with the 323i motor and in with the 325i motor. I found a radiator that might work (late model Saab 9-5) and we're playing with mounting designs. I'll post more pics soon.

I like the idea of a place for projects, but I was wondering if everyone would like a gallery-type format with individual albums. Similar to Roadfly, with comments under each image (if you choose). It would be a little more organized in my opinion.

I could get a domain name that would be appropriate and have a dedicated site, or talk the guys who run this site into making one. 8-)

Dan

I left the upper bulkhead in place (that forms the airbox for the heater/vents), so leaving the intake manifold on was very difficult. We ended up taking it off to put the engine in. The exhaust manifolds were fine left on.

Best case, no other damage than the timing chain. Worst case, some bent valves and some gouges in the top of some pistons. If the rpm's were low you might get lucky...

Dan

Awesome thread! I love seeing what others are doing with their cars. You're off to a great start and look like you're doing it the right way. Keep the pictures coming...

Dan

...business don't get involved with discussion boards because they don't care what the disgruntled have to say and wouldn't change anything anyway...they all, including al, work on the law of large numbers theory....there are enough unknowing or new souls to keep them floating and they don't rely on or neccessarily give a rat's ass about repeat customers...

I'm all for hijacking this thread and talking about small business. Anyone else interested? 8-)

Esty, you are correct in your assessment except for the "they all" comment. I wouldn't be so quick to group eveyone together. Some do operate on the theory that there's plenty of one-time customers to go around, but others recognize that there's a lot of useless banter on forums and its a waste of precious time. Some people nit-pick about every little issue and blow it out of proportion, others have very good constructive criticism, but as a business owner you rarely have the time to deal with it.

Running a small business will consume you. Every part of your life whether you like it or not. I personally think that Al is doing the best he can right now, and I expect things to get better on the customer relations side.

Dan

Here's an opinion from someone who has never met Al nor done business with him. Based on what I've heard here (and only here) he reminds me a lot of a guy I do business with. This guy local to me here in the Sacramento area is an absolute artist when it comes to doing sheet metal work on cars, but he operates in his own world. Nothing motivates him to get a job done any sooner than his personal time table. The thing is, everybody knows that, so they bring business to him and just wait for him to do it. Bad business? Guess that depends on who you ask. He could care less if you bring business to him or not, so its not bad business in his opinion. If you're a person who wants his expertise and rare abilities but want to be treated like customers are "suppose" to be treated, you'll never be satisfied.

This is basically what Esty is saying when she refers to it not being Al's fault because customers continue to go to him. You have to remember, the "PISS POOR BUSINESS" comment is just Esty's opinion, period. If I told my friend that he had piss poor business sense he'd just laugh at me and tell me to take my business elsewhere. That's fair in my book.

My bottom line.... take a look around and see how many businesses get involved with discussion forums. There's a reason why most stay away from "the talk".

Dan

Mark, I still have a webpage dedicated to your Schnitzer. If you want to send me pics as you go I'll keep posting them...

Dan

http://www.dagsites.com/schnitzer_02/index.htm

which are the correct fasteners for Turbo flares?sre they chrome, stainless, black....

any pics and where to buy them, they are NLA from the dealership and ireland doesnt sell them.

I think the correct ones are stainless or chrome screws with inserts pressed into the fender. I'll either go that route or use flat head rivets like you see on race cars. Since my turbo bodywork is going on a car that's obviously not a true 2002 turbo, I'm not worried about being "correct", just done well.

Dan

At any rate if you'd ever like to see what Sean Casey did for me, let me know. I'd be more than happy to let you take a look.

Can't wait to see the final product!

Even, thanks for the message. I'd love to check out your ride. Maybe we can plan to meet somewhere halfway for breakfast or lunch some weekend. Vacaville or Fairfield, or if that doesn't work for you we can drive to your place. My son is getting more and more excited as we make progress, so he's pushing the project now! 8-)

Send me an email...

Dan

How expensive can the correct seals be? I would at least look at an automotive supply catalog for a generic seal that works, or JC Whitney type of place.

Tunnel clearance was a definite issue. I'm sure a car that came as an automatic from the factory would be much easier to deal with. Here's some picks of what I had to do to get the tranny to clear. The picture show the motor mounted in place, which leaves maybe an 1/8" of an inch clearance to the bulkhead. I've decided to cut the entire upper portion of the bulkhead out, similar to other M20 conversions.

I also found the intake manifold on the 323i motor to be cracked. Another reason to use the 325i motor I have. We'll see...