KhanArt's Jet Black///Cinnamon 6spd E46 M3 build journal

[KhanArt]

Update (9/8/2013) Detail/Paint Correction

I ordered some new supplies taking the suggestions I got from Drew and other members on M3F. (Dawn, Wolfgang, S100, prewax cleaner, ect..)



And I finally had some time this weekend to get to detailing/correcting my car and use the new products I bought.


Exterior

Wheels cleaned
Tires cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips polished
Washed
Clayed
Washed again
Dried
Compound (machine)
Sealant (machine)
Wax (hand)

Interior

Vacuumed
Trim cleaned


Products used

Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner
Griot's Garage Green Wheel Cleaner
Dawn Hand Soap
Griot's Garage Bug and Smudge Remover
Meguiar's Quik Detailer Spray
Meguiar's Clay Bar
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze 105 Ultra Cut Compound
Griot's Garage Pre Wax Cleaner
Wolf Gang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
S100 Paste Wax
1Z Cockpit
Zaino Perfect Tire Gloss
Rain X Glass Cleaner


Tools used

Griot's Garage 6" DA Polisher
Craftsman 5hp 12 gallon shop vac
Uber Super Drying Microfiber Towel
Grit Guard
Craftsman roller seat
Various brushes
Meguiar's microfiber towels
Lake County foam pads


Sorry no pics right now... :censor: I was working on and off the whole weekend on this and now it is too dark for pictures. I still need to vacuum and finish waxing. Hopefully I will all be done soon and edit this post with after pictures. The before wasn't bad at all. This is prep for hopefully making it to next weekend's Mpact show.

[KhanArt]

Update (9/2/2013) Short Center Console/Armrest Delete with Euro Tray, Updated Center Caps, and new Fog Light Cover

Installed the short center console/armrest delete with euro tray that I received this past week. I love the clean look and added room. Next for the interior will probably be Alcantara shift and E-brake boots.

Old vs. New



Before



After



I installed my updated BMW center caps. Much cleaner now.

Old vs. New



Finally installed passenger side fog light cover. I lost my previous one on the interstate by road debris, luckily that was the only damage.

Before



After

[KhanArt]

Update (8/30/2013) Misc Parts & Detailing Supplies

Ordered some misc parts that I needed or wanted off my list. Ordered the "Short" style center console with armrest delete and euro tray. My console now was showing it's age so I plasti dipped it but wasn't satisfied with the results so this was perfect and also will eliminate the armrest in the process.

I also purchased some OEM 18's not too long ago that were in decent shape but the center caps could use some help so I bought the new updated center caps.

Finally I lost my passenger side fog light cover on the interstate when a piece of a shredded tire that I couldn't avoid took it out. I think that was the extent of the damage. Picked up a replacement.

Hopefully I can find some time soon to slap all these on. I will post before and after pics once installed.




I also picked up some more detailing supplies. I'm trying to move away slowly from off the shelf products to slightly better quality products. Excited to try the 1Z Cockpit cleaner, Wolfgang paint sealant, and the S100 wax which is basically the same thing as P21s. Thanks to Drew "Boomersooner523" for the tips. I will make a detailed post whenever I get a chance to do a full detail/correction.

[KhanArt]

Update (8/24/2013) Vanos Relearn

Had my vanos relearned via Autologic tool and then driving on the interstate a shredded tire took out my passenger side fog light cover :banghead:

If anyone has one let me know.. otherwise it's cheap and I'll order one.

Also looking for a set of OEM headers with good cats locally if someone is willing to part with them.

Thanks

[KhanArt]

Update (8/4/2013) Wash and Pics

The wife and I are expecting our first baby this week so I figured I give the M a good wash, take her for a spin, and take some pics. Not sure when I will get the next opportunity. It was great weather here today so that helped.

[KhanArt]

Update (5/25/2013) Broken Exhaust Hub Fixed

I had Dave come back today to finish up my broken hub. Parts that were changed:

OEM Exhuast Hub
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Oil Pump Disk
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit
Dr. Vanos Cam Bolts
Valve Cover Gasket
Vanos Gasket

That broken tab was stuck in there pretty good, still can't believe how my engine didn't blow... Really lucky.

Damaged OEM Oil Pump Disk



Broken Hub.. tab is in the bottom left next to the chain



Broken Tab Closer View



New Cam Bolts Going In



I stopped taking pics of the fix after that. Dave has a detailed thread that he will update on the fix later. Link:

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=444494

But I did do a mini photo shoot..





Dave's car is :drool: Believe it or not the car is quieter and pulls harder.

Link to the photo shoot thread:

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showth...4#post15454864

[KhanArt]

Update (5/20/2013) Vanos Repair Parts

Almost all parts for the fix have came in.. Just waiting on my Dr. Vanos updated cam bolts.

Valve Cover Gasket - Tisher and Vanos Gasket - BMW of Fairfax



Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit - Beisan Systems





Oil Pump Disk - Beisan Systems





Hub - OEM

[KhanArt]

Update (5/18/2013) Valve adjustment

Had member Dafoe (Dave) come by this morning for my valve adjustment. I had 18 out of 24 valves out of spec... I was a little surprised. They were slightly out of spec but still.. Dave said he believes this is the first time my car has had it's valves adjusted.



Now to the bad news... not happy at all. Broken hub! :thumbsdown::facepalm:
It could have been much worse I know but still not very happy right now. We believe the broken tab is still lodged in there.. see pics. I already started buying some parts,

OEM hub from member Coinage (Matt) thanks man hope this one doesn't break.
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Oil Pump Disk
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit
Vanos Gasket

Hope Dave can get this squared away for me next week. I think he is going to start a more detail thread on this..

Broken hub





Broken Tab

[KhanArt]

Update (5/7/2013) Detailing continued

I did the exterior trim (Gills/Grills) and engine bay with Mothers Back to Black today. Took all about 15 minutes.

Some pics

[KhanArt]

Update (5/4/2013) Paint Correction/Detail


I finally had some time this weekend to get to detailing my car and use the new Griot's 6" DA Polisher I bought. Let me say that this was the most time and effort I put into cleaning a car but the results are great! I still see some imperfections but I didn't use the most aggressive pad and polish since this is the first time I am doing a paint correction, next time I will step it up a notch.
I couldn't really get any good 50/50 shots since the lighting situation in my garage but let me tell you there was a difference.

Shout out to Phil and Detailers Domain for supplying some of my products. :hattip:


Exterior

Wheels cleaned and clayed
Tires cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips polished
Engine bay cleaned and dressed
Exterior trim dressed
Washed
Clayed (windows and wheels also)
Washed again
Dried
Polished
Waxed

Interior

Vacuumed
Trim cleaned
Leather cleaned and conditioned
Interior windows cleaned

Products used

Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner
Off brand bug and tar remover
Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Meguiar's Quik Detailer Spray
Meguiar's Clay Bar
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze 205 Ultra Finishing Polish
Meguiar's Ulitmate Liquid Wax
Meguiar's Ulitmate Quik Wax
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer
Gliptone Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Mothers Back To Black
Zaino Perfect Tire Gloss
Rain X Glass Cleaner


Tools used

Griot's Garage 6" DA Polisher
Craftsman 5hp 12 gallon shop vac (vacuuming and blow drying)
Uber Super Drying Microfiber Towel
Grit Guard
Craftsman roller seat
Various brushes
3M and Frog Painters Tape
Meguiar's microfiber towels
Lake County foam pads


Before








During.. all prepped up





Craftsman Roller Seat and Shop Vac.. made life much easier



Uber Super Drying towel... also a must



After
















Enjoy! :thumbsup:

[KhanArt]

Update (4/24/2013) OEM 18 wheels with tires/DA Polisher/Camera

My front tires were in bad shape on my OEM 19's and I was planning on buying 2 Pilot Super Sports to replace them but a forum member offered me a set of OEM 18's with tires for a price I couldn't refuse. Wheels are in pretty good shape, slight curbage nothing serious. Tires have a lot of life but are on the cheap side. Doesn't matter got a great deal and I have 2 set of wheels now.

These wheels/tires have a smoother ride than my 19's, I assume because of the larger side wall. Also I do not rub with these wheels/tires, my previous set up rubbed on the passenger rear during hard acceleration.

On to the pics, haven't been cleaned yet. I plan to hit them with Sonax and some clay.






I also picked up a Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital with some pads, compound, polish, MF towels. Don't know when I will have time for a detail/paint correction but will post before/after and 50/50 pics. Very excited to see the results!




Finally I picked up a Nikon DSLR camera so I can take some real pics. Hopefully this will be the last of the iphone pics. I need to get up to speed fast so I can start doing some photoshoots

[KhanArt]

Update (4/14/2013) Tuning Tech Frank Smith Custom Tune

I have had my car dyno'd by Frank Smith from my first baseline to after each performance mod done on my car. It was during dyno'ing we discovered that my car had a tune by the previous owner, Frank believes it is a Active Autowerke's tune. Anyways I had some CPI performance parts added to the car and dyno'd after each but never had the opportunity to have Frank tune my car.

Well that changed today...

In short car has only:

CPI drop in filter
CPI RTX section 1
CPI X Stream section 2
Active Autowerkes tune (previous)
Tuning Tech Frank Smith custom tune (As of today)


I highly recommend Frank, he is a stand up guy. Even before today it was great talking and having my car dyno'd by him.

Here is my before graph from 2 weeks ago.. pretty damn strong for oem headers..



This is today with no change in parts just tuned by Frank Smith...HOLY :jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop: The bottom line is the baseline today before the custom tune, the top line is after the tune... Gains all though out the RPMs!!!

[KhanArt]

Update (4/6/2013) CPI X Stream Section 2, CPI high flow drop in filter, dyno testing

Was able to test the CPI X Stream section 2 today at a local dyno day held by Frank Smith along with the the CPI RTX I already have. I also tested a new CPI drop in filter I put in the last few runs.

Just as jack told me there should be gains in hp and tq in the upper RPMs, there was. But there was also a small gain in hp/tq in the mid range. I have included my last dyno with the RTX and the new dyno from today on the same graph. At the top end it is identical. I made 307.9whp before and I made 307.8whp today but you see the gains in hp/tq in the mid and upper RPMs on the graph.



Then on the last few runs I threw on the CPI drop in high flow filter and the car made gains in the upper RPMs. A gain of 7whp! I was not expecting that much from a filter. I am now highly considering getting a intake elbow.



I was expecting the sound of the car with the X Stream section 2 to increase but it really didn't. It may have increased slightly but very hard to notice. Still a very clean sound with no rasp. Also I noticed the car was slightly more peppy and I had a fun drive home but it's not a drastic difference plus I also had the help of a new CPI drop in high flow filter.

All in all I am very happy with how my car is running and sounding right now. Lighter than stock, hp/tq gains, good fitment.

Video of one the runs:

CPI X Stream Section 2 and CPI drop in filter - YouTube

X Stream pics:

[KhanArt]

Update (3/30/2013) CPI X-Stream section 2, CPI high flow drop in filter, heat gun.


I picked up a CPI X-Stream section 2 from Jack today and will test on my car with I have the RTX section 1. Hopefully will have dyno results next weekend. Lighter than stock section 2, SS replica.




Gaskets and hardware




I also picked up a CPI high flow filter from Jack. I will try to put this on the last dyno run to see if it makes any gains. I do not have a intake elbow yet.



Finally I had a Habor Freight gift card so I picked up this heat gun, probably will need it later.



Looking forward to the dyno day!

[KhanArt]

Update (3/24/2013) CPI RTX Section 1 videos

Jack from CPI will have these section 1 rasp terminators for sale soon so I went out and made a few videos.

Sorry for the poor quality iphone videos but you will get an idea how the RTX will make a stock E46 M3 sound. Basically no rasp and all motor.

CPI RTX E46 M3 in cabin - YouTube

E46 M3 with CPI RTX drive by - YouTube