Dj's 1999 M3 Project

[D_Eclipse9916]

Okay, so quick review of what has happened in the past 3 weeks. My list of wants that are completed
Djs February "Has to be done list" with wants below:
1. Finish the last Ball joint into Rear Trailing Arm -Done-
2. Install Rear Trailing arm bushing. -Done-
3. Cool Tape/Fabric for front/rear ball joints to protect them -Done-
4. Power Steering Copper Washers install -Done-
5. Flush out coolant from winterization -Done-
6. Oil Change -Done-
7. Transmission Fluid
8. Rear differential Fluid -Done-
9. Straighten Front Splitter
10. Exhaust downturn and heat shielding for it. -Done-
11. From welding, prep and paint subframe and inner wheel wells -Done-
12. Press in new bushings on lower control arm -Done-
13. Drill out and tap diff for new diff bolt -Done-
14. Install subframe/diff/upper and lower control arms/rear trailing arms/sway bars/e-brake cables -Done-
15. Vinyl numbers and class numbers along with contingency stickers. -Done-
16. Install Motons and Vorshlag Camber Plate -Done (sorta went to GC camber plates)
17. Alignment -Done-

Wants:
1. Front brake duct installation
2. Reinforce front splitter
3. Reinforce and create a bit more ducting on undertray
4. Wash/Wax.

Unfortunately this all had to happen in a few days right before my track day. As well as me not getting my camber plates till 2 days before I had to leave for VIR. Getting this car ready for VIR was a flipping fiasco of parts not coming in and random failures.

First of all, some pictures of goodies that came in so I dont bore you with the rest of this...






After getting the rear end all together, I flushed the rear differential and proceded to install the Motons. I *thought* this would be easy as ive installed a ton of suspensions before, but no of course the one that is under time crunch runs into issues.

First things first, I pull off the stock front and rear suspension and notice that nicely, the previous owner had put in all the reinforcers for the top hats...sweet. But still damn, cause I paid for all new ones. After throwing on the reinforcers on the front, I noticed at the camber settings I wanted, the reinforcer was completely in the way. I ended up having to cut the reinforcer and do extensive work with the angle grinder to ensure no clearance issues. Oh, great, so im behind already. I then go the back and install the rear springs and rear shocks...easy enough. Then set the springs to the middle range as I was hoping to save some time and jsut go with it, and not worry about ride height till next event.

Moving onto the front, I set them about mid-way, install em and put the car on the ground. Measure floor to frame rail clearance....and shit..im WAYYY too high. So I decide I go to the back, jack up the car, take off the wheel and adjust them WAY down. Put it back on the ground and sweet, about 5-inches in the back. Right wwhere I want it. Jack the front, and lower it down. Get it down to about 4.75 after a few adjustments. Good! As I tighten down the last lug nut I press on the wheel to launch myself back up and notice the wheel spins for half a second...then stops dead. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHH!

After inspection, turns out with the helper spring, my main spring is now too long and at the recommended ride height the perch rubs straight into the tire. Considering its 12PM the night before an alignment (and work) I say fuck it, I dont have time to pull the whole front suspension apart and just raise it up enough to clear. Then I have to go again to the back and raise the back way up. Finally get it on the ground and meh, a little higher than I want, but im just going to have to deal with it.

Next day I go to work and then leave at 4 after I made an appointment that morning at Merchants for 5pm for an alignment. Get the car trailered over there and they go, no we cant do that car, its too complicated. I say...okay its just STOCK adjustments, please just align toe. After fighting with me because they say just bring it in the morning (wtf difference does that make for the complicated part), they agree to do it. I should have just taken it home, but the next morning I had to be heading down to VIR. They get it in the air, and then 30 minutes later the mechanic comes back and says..we cant get it within spec. Im like wtf, I go back there, and theyve started playing with my camber adjustment. After I told the manager, had him write it down and then reminded them again NOT TO TOUCH IT. They then start arguing with me that they cant get the TOE right without the camber right.... FACEPALM! We argue and they do the best they cna and get it off the rack.

Alignment after they touch it. Rear Right -.29 toe, Left Rear +.59 toe.... Are you ****ing serious?!!!? NEVER take your care to Merchants in Vienna, bunch of idiots and a waste of my time. So after this fiasco I harass Goodspeed and Jason Happ to help me get the car prepared. I wanted to make sure everything was tight in the rear, rotate my sway bar bushings, flush my coolant and attach the front bumper and splitter. All was going well until at 11PM, Jason informs me that the radiator plug stripped out while pulling the plug out. Flip! I gotta have the car loaded and on the road by 7AM tomorrow! Damn lucky I had a stock radiator and in the quickest radiator change (for an e36) ever, had the new radiator in.

Next morning I drove the car down through Richmond and decided id try the Merchants down in Richmond. Drop it off..and then dont hear anything for 2 hours...im like uhoh. So we drive up there and theres my car sitting in the parking lot. Shit they havent gotten to it or a complication. Walk in, and hear the greatest news ever. Your car is done...I say relaly? and they hand me the spec sheet....perfect. I Asked if they had any problems and they were like...no? GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! **** YOU MERCHANTS VIENNA!!!!!!!!! Never take your car there.

Sorry not many pictures, this was all rush rush rush to get this shit done. Next update includes a summary of VIR.