325TI - Project Mpact
Discussion
don't do that....stay with us!
RoadRunner220 said:
Thornaby said:
There is no reason that you shouldn’t be the UK version of ‘Singer’
This build really is on a par with their products isn't it. Every time you think it can't get any better any update is posted.geeks said:
Ok fine, but I expect you to send me some stickers for the racecar and I want zero s
t for not having the eye for detail that you do 
EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
Stickers, that's food for thought t for not having the eye for detail that you do EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
I'd never knock someone else's work, we all have to start somewhere!
gregs656 said:
Outstanding craftsmanship.
I loved my 325ti - would buy another one tomorrow - I actually think they are nicely proportioned and good looking cars but I appreciate I am in the minority.
This is going to be something else when it's finished.
Thank you, yes i'm quite fond of the way they look too..... or maybe just the Sport models that is. I loved my 325ti - would buy another one tomorrow - I actually think they are nicely proportioned and good looking cars but I appreciate I am in the minority.
This is going to be something else when it's finished.
Performance matters said:
Fordo said:
Im curious what you'll do with the rear axle / diff. Can you put the M3 diff straight in the compacts diff housing, or does everything need to be swapped?
He is using the E46 M3 rear subframe/differential cradle. And, no the M3 differential cannot be fitted to an non-M3 differential cradle. 
amc_adam said:
geeks said:
Ok fine, but I expect you to send me some stickers for the racecar and I want zero st for not having the eye for detail that you do
EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
Stickers, that's food for thought t for not having the eye for detail that you do EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
I'd never knock someone else's work, we all have to start somewhere!
If you send me two sets I will put a set on my Compact as well!
geeks said:
amc_adam said:
geeks said:
Ok fine, but I expect you to send me some stickers for the racecar and I want zero st for not having the eye for detail that you do
EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
Stickers, that's food for thought t for not having the eye for detail that you do EDIT - P.S Superb update pics, forgot how clean everything was underneath!
I'd never knock someone else's work, we all have to start somewhere!
If you send me two sets I will put a set on my Compact as well!
Court_S said:
Bit late to the party on this, but wow, just wow. The workmanship is incredible. There have been some very good threads on here, but this is really next level stuff. The exhaust is a work of art. 
Very kind of you to say so, thank you. It's a shame there isn't more 'over involved' threads on here, everyone likes over engineered shiny things! amc_adam said:
Court_S said:
Bit late to the party on this, but wow, just wow. The workmanship is incredible. There have been some very good threads on here, but this is really next level stuff. The exhaust is a work of art.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you. It's a shame there isn't more 'over involved' threads on here, everyone likes over engineered shiny things! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's been quite a few weeks since the last update, i didn't realise quite how long as I've been a bit side tracked. Tinkering has progressed on the compact with more bits being cleaned/painted and other things being made 
Front Top Mounts,
As many of you will remember back in the thread i was in a bit of a pickle with what to do the the front top mounts. I have E46 M3 KW V2 suspension which have a larger diameter shaft than a stock Non-M E46. I'm keeping the stock compact front track width which means i need an M3 top mount (which are offset for the wider track width) but with the geometry of the Non-M top mount..... make sense? Also, as its going to be mainly a road car i didn't want to go for adjustable top mounts as there solid mounted and a bit too harsh for daily driving (personal preference).
So, after doing lots of thinking this is what i came up with.
The stock E46 M3 Top Mount, (Picture borrowed from Google)
Notice how the casting is in the above picture, i chopped off the part that sticks out,
Then the threaded studs were pressed out, holes were then re-drilled and the studs pressed back in in there new postion.
Hey presto, E46 M3 top mounts with Non-M Geometry,
Another thing i noticed, M3 top mounts have 2 degrees camber built into them... i refitted the suspension/top mounts to the car and this isn't a problem, all bolted up nicely.
With that done and out the way, next was to clean up the Drive Shafts..... the end that goes into the hubs was surprisingly pitted with rust, i taped up any crucial areas to protect them, then put them into the blast cabinet to remove any nasty corrosion. After that, i used POR15 and repainted them... i didn't feel the need to rebuild the joints, just replaced the CV clips with stainless ones.
And that will do for now
Front Top Mounts,
As many of you will remember back in the thread i was in a bit of a pickle with what to do the the front top mounts. I have E46 M3 KW V2 suspension which have a larger diameter shaft than a stock Non-M E46. I'm keeping the stock compact front track width which means i need an M3 top mount (which are offset for the wider track width) but with the geometry of the Non-M top mount..... make sense? Also, as its going to be mainly a road car i didn't want to go for adjustable top mounts as there solid mounted and a bit too harsh for daily driving (personal preference).
So, after doing lots of thinking this is what i came up with.
The stock E46 M3 Top Mount, (Picture borrowed from Google)
Notice how the casting is in the above picture, i chopped off the part that sticks out,
Then the threaded studs were pressed out, holes were then re-drilled and the studs pressed back in in there new postion.
Hey presto, E46 M3 top mounts with Non-M Geometry,
Another thing i noticed, M3 top mounts have 2 degrees camber built into them... i refitted the suspension/top mounts to the car and this isn't a problem, all bolted up nicely.
With that done and out the way, next was to clean up the Drive Shafts..... the end that goes into the hubs was surprisingly pitted with rust, i taped up any crucial areas to protect them, then put them into the blast cabinet to remove any nasty corrosion. After that, i used POR15 and repainted them... i didn't feel the need to rebuild the joints, just replaced the CV clips with stainless ones.
And that will do for now
Nice bit of lateral thinking there. 
I use Millway adjustable top mounts (with KW CS) and expected the issues you mention but was pleasantly surprised. The only point of note though, was that the adjustment markings bore no relation to actual changes in camber etc, so were a bit pointless. Anyway, your excellent solution is much more in keeping with the rest of your car.
I use Millway adjustable top mounts (with KW CS) and expected the issues you mention but was pleasantly surprised. The only point of note though, was that the adjustment markings bore no relation to actual changes in camber etc, so were a bit pointless. Anyway, your excellent solution is much more in keeping with the rest of your car.
e46m3Mark said:
Nice bit of lateral thinking there.
I use Millway adjustable top mounts (with KW CS) and expected the issues you mention but was pleasantly surprised. The only point of note though, was that the adjustment markings bore no relation to actual changes in camber etc, so were a bit pointless. Anyway, your excellent solution is much more in keeping with the rest of your car.
Thank you Mark, i did look into the Millway top mounts as a last solution if my brain didn't work. They do look very well made and a nice quality item!I use Millway adjustable top mounts (with KW CS) and expected the issues you mention but was pleasantly surprised. The only point of note though, was that the adjustment markings bore no relation to actual changes in camber etc, so were a bit pointless. Anyway, your excellent solution is much more in keeping with the rest of your car.
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