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Archive for the 'Cars' Category

328i – 102,245 miles – The transformation

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

It had to happen sometime. Every morning I looked out into the driveway to see two relatively late model BMWs, ready to whisk the Incredibly Understanding Wife or me to parts unknown with speed, poise and comfort. For a short time, I was pleased. I was proud. I was a responsible [...]

Springs and things

Friday, October 7th, 2005

I bought some cheap springs for the 1600-2. I attribute their cheapness to the fact that they are intended for circle track race cars, not to a lack of quality. I have no basis for this conclusion.
The springs only come in certain lengths, none of which are appropriate for ancient German [...]

Stage 3b – Recaro 2 and custom bracket!

Friday, October 7th, 2005

No more offest! Hoo freakin ray. I am thoroughly impressed with myself. I fabbed up some brackets out of angle aluminum from home depot (6 feet for 11 bucks). Just some measuring, and drilling. Oh, and filing. Lots of filing. Apparently my measuring and drilling wasn’t so hot.
I [...]

Stage 3a – Recaro 1, and another 32/36

Friday, October 7th, 2005

SWEET SEATS! I ended up with two passenger seats, but hey, I am poor. Someday I will see if I can get a driver’s seat. For now, I am stoked. I have only installed the driver’s side, as I need to make my own brackets for the other seat (I only [...]

Stage 2b – Shocks, bushings, wheel bearings, big brakes, cv halfshafts (finished but no better…)

Friday, October 7th, 2005

Done! I have replaced all the stuff listed in the heading right there. And you know what? The car is still old. But now I can REALLY drive it hard. In so doing I found that the car will lift the inside rear in turns. And I mean LIFT. [...]

Stage 2a – shocks, bushings, wheel bearings, big brakes, cv halfshafts (too much…)

Friday, October 7th, 2005

What happens when you buy the cheapest car ever and then drive it as hard as you can? Well, besides that tingly feeling on the backs of your wrists and neck as you pitch so violently into corners that oncoming cars actually just drive off the road to avoid you, you begin contemplating how [...]

Stage 1 – Wheels, tires, and Weber 32/36

Friday, October 7th, 2005

So, hey, it has a fair bit of body rust. And a banged-in fender. And the bushings bushed their last when Bush was still just a vice president. But come on – I NEVER HAVE TO SMOG IT, and it weighs 2028 lbs. What more could I want for 900 bucks?
The [...]

The beginning

Friday, October 7th, 2005

The BMW 2002 is a car that needs no introduction. Its status among enthusiasts is legendary, and the standard it set is one that every sporting sedan has had to live up since the 2002 first tore up the roadways in the late 60s.
But, wait, what’s the 1600-2 got to do with all of [...]