BMW E36 Compact

Finally made it out to CORE today with Dave. After his first two laps I said, "Hey, can I take Cody around for a few laps?" Sure! Alright!
Impressions? Holy amazingly fun! Car was almost easy to drive. Everything about it felt amazing! Plenty of power, super quick and tight steering, did whatever I asked of it and more.
I don't know if I've ever seen so many smiling passengers as the 5-6 guys Dave took out.
Thanks Dave!

without pictures, it didn't happen...


but right on, nothing beats going out for a test run and having it work well.

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alkun
without pictures, it didn't happen...
but right on, nothing beats going out for a test run and having it work well.

Don't go getting ahead of me here. I said it was awesome, not that it went perfect. The car was pushed onto the trailer at the end of the day.

The car had a very, part of me feel. And very very nimble. Like driving a go kart and super predictable and easy to drive fast. Huge smiles per miles. Once this back recovers, the Merkur is going on front burner! I'll skip rally specific stupid things like the fuel cell protection unit for the fuel cell protection unit and such.

I know you have not driven your XR in a while, but how would you say it compares?

That's a hard one. I even came home and watched pretty much every in/out video from the Merkur I have. I feel like it felt easier and more nimble. I guess the best description is that it was easier to initiate things but that might have been related to level of effort. In the Merkur I charge into things and try to push limits. Which is why I go off alot at CORE. In Dave's car I was taking things pretty easy. But the amount of confidence the car inspired was huge. And motivating!

Grant, how much have you messed with your springs/valving? Didn't John and Dave go back and worth on the suspension for awhile? That could be part of the difference in feeling/handling.

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Dazed_Driver
Grant, how much have you messed with your springs/valving? Didn't John and Dave go back and worth on the suspension for awhile? That could be part of the difference in feeling/handling.

Grant has just driven it (into some huge rock the size of a desk).

But on Dave's Beee Em Dubya:

Yes, that's how good communication works. It was good right out of the box except one quirk, and Dave was----unlike most----willing to think hard, and talk about it, answer LOTS of questions thoughtfully and TRY OUT some small changes..Upped the spring rate by about 17%, and tried some alternate bump rubbers.

That's how it's done.

Grant has been too busy to either discuss what I've changed since his stuff was done so many years ago, or try anything---or for that matter put his car back together....but in his defense, he did finish it and ran it hard in some events...unlike you know who...

It's a shame he's just too hip to call and/or send his front stuff up for freshen/update now while there's plenty of time--the car being apart and all. Really he doesn't need to call, I could pretty well guess is some nice washed and clean Xratty stuff arrived from Colorado, and when it was refreshed and updated I could look on Facebook or Twitter of whatever the latest toys for boys is and message him that way..

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

I thought Dave's rear was maybe a bit oversprung but if it avoids bottoming... And I have zero complaints about my setup. I was more talking about camber and caster settings. I ran one very non-technical and boring hill climb on the adjustable TCA and the one or two corners where there's any skill involved that aren't hairpins the car felt awesome and confidence inspiring. That was what I was referring to.
I'll know this week about the school position. If I take it I'll have 1-2 dedicated days during the week to do car stuff, including rebuilding the Merkur and developing some other stuff.
John. I hate my phone. I should ditch it for a land line. I literally don't call people because I can't hear shit on it and catch about 50% of the conversation.

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NoCoast
. I should ditch it for a land line. I literally don't call people because I can't hear shit on it and catch about 50% of the conversation.

Try listening to heavy machining and grinding all day at work and then 20+ hours a week of gawddam 2 stroke bikes for 20 years---then later more machine shop, and now airplanes 500 feet overhead taking off with loadsa of flaps and big fuel loads.

Life's rough all over, Buckeroo.
Wha?

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Glad you had fun Grant!

FWIW, on the suspension, when it does come time for a rebuild, I'll probably bump the compression and rebound up one unit (whatever that is) to deal with the 200# springs, as those shocks were setup for a 175# spring. I think its good enough for now and not something that would be holding me back.

Speaking of holding me back, this engine issue might.

Dave

Didja figure out what the issue is? Want me to bring by compression tester tomorrow evening? Suck.

On a sort of related note, Grant, I should have your front stuff ready to ship in 2 weeks. Do you care if it is not painted?

Sean.. Lemme know when you need $$ for the front stuff!
And the Kompact looks awesome!

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phlat65
On a sort of related note, Grant, I should have your front stuff ready to ship in 2 weeks. Do you care if it is not painted?

I should have a load of stuff to get zinc palted by then...Hmmmmm
pretty gold...You could throw the stuff you have in and still be below the minimum charge.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Quote
NoCoast
Didja figure out what the issue is? Want me to bring by compression tester tomorrow evening? Suck.

Yes, just pulled all the plugs. 4 of 6 holes had oil in the plug wells, and the rearmost plug had minor damage to the tip (one of two electrodes bent in until it was touching the tip). I'm assuming it dropped a valve at a minimum, still unsure if there might be crank and/or clutch or flywheel related issues too.

Already put out feelers for used S50 B30 engines locally. One good candidate on craigslist, but its an old ad, so not sure if its sold already or not. Found a mostly complete 175k one as well, but would prefer something with less miles if I had the choice.

Also, had a BMW guy tell me that these engines don't like to live at high RPMs...but I gotta wonder, WTF did BMW set the rev limit so high if the engines can't handle it? :grrrr:

Dave