Big refresh/modification underway.

[DropTopKingM3]

Hey guys. I’ve owned my 2001 M3 convertible since March of 2005. It’s basically a garage queen as of currently sits with 71k miles and purchased almost 16 years ago with 38k. The car turns 20 years old this year and I’m looking to hang onto it for a lot longer.

ive decided to do a refresh, modification, and preventative maintenance on the car.

Any advice, suggestions, “while they’re in there” is greatly appreciated.

Here’s what I had done this past spring.

New Eldor ignition coils
Ngk spark plugs
New pulleys, belts.
Optima red top battery
New oem headlight lenses wrapped in xpel.
New fog lights
Oem guibo, center bearing, driveshaft CV joint
Rogue engineering tranny mounts
Transmssion fluid/ diff flush
Cabin/engine air filter
New side markers, front turn signals
Fuel filter
New cigarette lighter and socket
New rear ashtray with roller.
New center console.
New windscreen
Bosch wipers blades
New jack pads
New sos mirror with homelink and new mirror glass.

Convertible top components refresh Oct 2020
New headliner
C pillar repair
New bosch convertible flap motor under rear seat.
Bulletproof hydraulic pump (top hydraulics)
New extended lines 23/24
Replaced “hall” sensor.
Rebuilt convertible top latches.
Airbag recall.


Parts I’ve been collecting since October but haven’t installed yet. I will be installing within the next few weeks. **Any recommendations while I’m in these areas would be great**

Eventuri intake
Euro headers and euro section 1
New oem header install kit and all gaskets for entire exhaust.
Fuse box fan (to get rip of the chirping sound)
ST front and rear sway bars.
New Moog front endlinks for my KW coil overs
Osram cool blue boost HID bulbs
New philips high beam bulbs
New oem motor mounts
Vac coated rod bearings with extra clearance
Vac oil pump upgrade kit
Redish Motorsport subframe reinforcement
AKG 95a yellow subframe bushings
OE diff cover.
Avin avant 4 head unit with most of the options.


Later this year
Either a vanos from vac along with the vac vanos hub upgrade or from Besian.

Possibly a Zhp steering rack, new tie rods, control arms, and control arm bushings. The car is definitely going to get fully wrapped in xpel ppf along with fresh new ceramic tint.



If I’m leaving anything out just let me know. I have most of the parts already, just waiting for the snow to melt so I can bring it to the shop.


Thanks.

[oceansize]

Why did you buy the the extra clearance rod bearings? Why did you get the upgraded oil pump? Does the OE oil pump have problems?

This has been all over the front page for a week describing the likely possibility that newly installed extra clearance rod bearings are the cause of low oil pressure:
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...ng-replacement

If you are dropping the subframe put in some ARCAs while you are there in case you ever want more adjustment.

[Thoglan]

DropTopKingM3 I have heard some very worrying things from a race engine builder near me regarding vac bearings. He's had the vac extra clearance bearings still be too low clearance, under 2 thou. Make sure every rod bore is measured before you get everything back together and running.

[heinzboehmer]

I've heard some bad things about VAC in general. You should ask Obioban how he feels about them

[Thoglan]

DropTopKingM3 yep and I don't have any concrete evidence. However, I'm going off the word of one of the most thorough and knowledgeable engine builders in nz. He's built s54 race motors since they were knew and has tried every option multiple times, every option race tested. He gave me a very scalding review of the VAC bearings. He tried them multiple times and every time something was wrong (the only example he gave was the extra clearance bearing being even tighter than the OEM bearings). And with such a critical part of the engine, there's only so many errors from a product you accept before it becomes too large a risk. Don't expect you to go off the word of someone you've never met of course, but do report back with your experiences once it's all said and done.

ACL is the way to go imo, they seem to hold up better than OEM bearings not to mention being cheaper and having more options in terms of clearances.

[oceansize]

I read that thread and even a great company like FCP Euro said it was an installation error and an O-Ring was damaged during the install.

VAC BMW S54 Oil Pump Upgrade Kit M Coupe Roaster Z3m Mz3 Mz4 Z4m E26 M3 (vacmotorsports.com)

You are quoting this post. How can an FCP technician possibly know for sure without taking everything a part (he could certainly be correct)? What do you think you are gaining by going with the extra clearance bearings? Why deviate from factory spec on such an important item? Not being a smart ass either, genuinely curious on what you believe the benefit is.

[Thoglan]

DropTopKingM3 depending on mileage you should absolutely still do the rod bearings, just take the extra steps to do it right.

I would grab these from FCP (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...l-6b1569hx-std)

You could even go with their set of OEM bearings if you don't trust the ACL ones and the cost difference doesn't bother you. Either way the lifetime warranty is nice. But my rationale is if they're good enough for racecars that have been running around for a few seasons then they're good enough for me.

I can't remember what the ideal clearance people aim for is, I think just over 2 thou (.0021" - .0024"), worth doing some research to check that though. Measure all the bores before you slap everything back together to make sure you're within that spec. And boom you're away.