The Phoenix: My Build Journal Excerpts

[Epoustouflant]

Close to fully caught up to current status. Delayed parts delivery is giving me some time.

NEW BUILD JOURNAL ENTRY
Casting light with color.
Link to the full entry.
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In this entry, we've dusted away the shell from the never-ending sanding process, and we get to painting most of it.

But first, let's cast light with color: as naturally aspirated M cars age and decay, some of you will eventually cross the intersections I do in this restoration.

Yet, from years of experience in this industry, these are two observations that have proven true:

1. Most people don't understand automotive paint
2. Most body shops make money from this information asymmetry

Whether you do it like I did doesn't matter - I want you to know what it is you'll be paying for once you get to this complex crossroad in your E46 M3 ownership journey.

I give you more insights into the paint process, how a paint shop makes or loses money - and where you should focus the budget. I hope you find value in this one.

See below for the preview.

Up next: we get to the underbody, switch up the original plans and pay hommage to PY.

Enjoy the read,
Matt

[Epoustouflant]

I have finally caught up!

NEW BUILD JOURNAL ENTRY
"What is done is done. What is past is past."
—

Click Link to the full entry.
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In this entry, I go down the rabbit hole. The underbody gets dismounted and we get disappointed by BMW once more.

We revise our plans, strip the underbody, put money where it matters and discuss durable coatings.

Lastly, in an inspired decision, I wink at the E46 M3’s past:

I paid hommage.

See below for the preview.

Up next, time to finish the paint process on all remaining parts, and take a detour on engine work:

We bulletproof the S54 and we upgrade the cams.

We'll be back to chat on permanently bulletproofing the rear chassis of the E46 afterwards as we start seeing the home stretch

[...] or will we ever?

Cheers,
Matt
@m3_epoustouflant

[Casa de Mesa]

Ha! Nice touch with the Phoenix yellow subframe!

[Maxima SE]

He put phoenix yellow where it can't be seen. Now that says a lot about PY !

[Epoustouflant]

He put phoenix yellow where it can't be seen. Now that says a lot about PY !

😂 I will never please PY purists but hey I tried - I went with the black underbody for it to give it a chance, c'me on now!

[Epoustouflant]

Ha! Nice touch with the Phoenix yellow subframe!

I have no merit - it's from a previous experiment

You really get a sense of how raw the E46 M3 is when you compare front and rear subframes - the E9x are quite literally twice the size.

[Epoustouflant]

NEW BUILD JOURNAL ENTRY
The Hiatus is over!
Link to the full entry.
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Special Series: Restoration of The Phoenix
Link to the complete series.
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In this entry, it's a test of patience.

The build is put to a stop as parts slowly creep in and shop time gets limited. I document the bottlenecks and give a quick preview to the parts that came in.

I had forgotten how much there was to this restoration and CSL’ification.

See below for the preview.

Up next: we get back to work.

In late June, the carbon doors finally showed up. Doors get ready for paint. The subframe gets reinforced and the engine work is back on: time to slap some cams in this straight 6.

Cheers,
Matt
@m3_epoustouflant

[0-60motorsports]

I really like the labels. Who made them for you?

[Epoustouflant]

I really like the labels. Who made them for you?

BMW

[0-60motorsports]

BMW

OE new ones? Interesting.

[karter16]

OE new ones? Interesting.

Yes you can still obtain replacements from BMW, I recall from when I looked into this that some of them show differences compared to the originals that came on the car.

Note that any that include VIN etc require a dealer to sight your vehicle before they can be ordered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Epoustouflant]

OE new ones? Interesting.

Correct!

Yes you can still obtain replacements from BMW, I recall from when I looked into this that some of them show differences compared to the originals that came on the car.

Note that any that include VIN etc require a dealer to sight your vehicle before they can be ordered.

That's 100% right.

[Epoustouflant]

NEW BUILD JOURNAL ENTRY
Let 'em brag
Linkto the full entry.
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Special Series: S54 Schrick Cams
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In this new entry, I unbox my S54 Schrick cams, I look back at the CSL uprated cams and how we can improve upon what BMW spec'ed for the street.
I touch on the fundamental camshaft nomenclatures of duration & lift, and rationalize my decision making process on the 288/280s.

Sign up on the waiting list for the upcoming Social Buy here. The S65 and S85 applications are on board as well.

See below for the preview.

Up next: we get the OEM camshafts out, compare them side by side with Schrick, and get the new camshafts in fast.

Or so I thought, AH!

It'll be a great opportunity to touch on the valve adjustment service and what it entails.

Cheers,
Matt
@m3_epoustouflant

[maw1124]

Matt, the color is stunning! Thanks for the journey.

maw

[Epoustouflant]

Matt, the color is stunning! Thanks for the journey.

maw

: ) Thanks for following.

Last body panels are finally getting sprayed this week!