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RichSperry

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Posts posted by RichSperry

  1. Interesting...

     

    I started modding the car even before it was delivered...lol Or it at least seems like it.

     

    If it were me, I'd make sure that I followed an old school maintenance schedule, and performed routine inspections, if I was going to keep the car long term.

     

    If all maintenance is up to date, and you know of any little niggling issues, and you have some discretionary income, go ahead, mod the car.

     

    Life is really too short to drive a really boring car.

  2. Here are my thoughts.

     

    BMW/MINI, (and every other car manufacturer), says to start the car, let the idle stabilize, and then start driving. Why? Because they want to get the car to actually warm up.

     

    Most engine wear occurs when the engine is first started and the oil is cold. Letting it idle to warm up increases emissions, and takes longer to warm the oil, leading to increased engine wear.

     

    If you really want to do something, install a block heater.

     

    But I'm just a old dumb engineer, I could be wrong...

  3. I've got the Alcantara/leather JCW wheel, had it for about 2 years now. It's holding up fine. But I don't park it in the sun either.

     

    The key is to keep your hands clean. If you are one that uses a lot of lotions, or sweat a lot, it may not be for you.

     

    The wheel itself is much better than stock. It's thicker, and more squishy. It feels great... The stock wheel feels like a brick now.

  4. I had the TSW springs on DB until they wore out and just last year replaced them with the Koni Sport kit. Springs alone were a great cost/performance compromise and the full kit is MUCH harsher than just the springs (but holds WAY better in the curvy bits) :top:

     

    The springs wore out? Really?

  5. Heck, I'm retired, so if I'm not playing golf or mowing the lawn, (or more recently visiting doctors? what's up with that??? lol) I'm free.

     

    What type/size walnut media do you have? I'm pretty sure that the valves should take a 20/30 (medium if I'm not mistaken?) And the medium is reusable (up to a point) I'd think you would want something more abrasive than that for the wheel centers.

  6. Hi all.

     

    Here's my $0.02...

     

    Ally, buy ANY torque wrench you want. All you are going to be using it for is your wheels, so it really won't make any difference. They all will be within the accuracy range to make sure the bolts don't come out.

     

    Pick a 1/2" drive model. Most 3/8" drive wrenches won't go high enough to do the job.

     

    Pick a wrench where the torque you are applying is above 1/4 and less than 3/4 fill scale. (ex: if you are applying 88 Lb=ft of torque, a 10-100 Lb-ft wrench is NOT adequate.) But a 10-150 wrench is. The reason is that wrenches are much less accurate near the extremes.

     

    For your intended use, A cheap Harbor Fright Tools 1/2" drive 0-150 would be fine at $20. While you are there, buy the lug nut socket kit. It's 3 plastic coated sockets (6 total sizes as the sockets have two sizes each), and an extension. It protect your wheels. I think I paid $6...

     

    That said. I've got 6 different torque things. A 0-250 Torque angle wrench ($250), a Snap-On flex head (got it in barter, but probably cost $400 or more), a 0-150 electronic load cell (accurate to +- 2%), a 0-80 3/8" and a 1/4" drive lb-in wrench, and a HFT 1/2"er... Guess which one I use the most? The HFT's wrench. Mostly because wheels are the most frequent thing...

     

    What can I say? Some people collect shoes, or Hummel's, or baseball cards.. I collect tools...lol

  7. To get the front strut out, I use a piece of wood (1x1xabout 3') between the bottom of the spring mount on the strut and the ground and then lower the lift. First soak the part where the strut goes into the spindle with AiroKroil or other penatrating oil.

     

    For the rear bar, I just remove the rearmost subframe bolts, and loosen the front. It makes the job way easier. And if I read the rules correctly, you can modify, or replace a SINGLE anti roll bar. http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/2012_Solo_Rules_May.pdf Rule 13.7A.

     

    Anyway, If you want to come out here to Eldersburg, you can use my lift and tools. (heated garage a bonus...lol)

  8. I've done a few of these things, and I don't see how you'd do the rear without lowering (maybe not totally unbolting the subframe). I'd pass on the front bar anyway.

     

    You will also have to drill out the rear spring hats to 12mm so the Koni's will fit through.

     

    Also you need a way to get the front strut out of the spindle. It's not as easy as the write up seems.

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