Tyler's 04 slicktop 6spd Silvergrey MCS/Brembo/CSL/Karbonius/Nogaros/Supersprint

[Tbonem3]

Yes that'd be awesome. Maybe if/when I convert this thing to a race car!

[maupineda]

I forgot I had bought a new gas fill neck-gasket IDK what to call it, but my original was badly cracked. I had assumed it was a hard job, so I put it off until 0-60motorsports did his and said it was easy.

Really easy actually. I coated the new one in 303 aerospace which both helped it slip on and made it look fresh rather than so ugly with some sort of protective gunk it comes with.



I also got around to doing the Powersteering pump shim mod... After driving an E9x m3, even with steering servo on low, you get real disappointed when you get back into the ol' E46. The E90's steering is so stiff and heavy, but my favorite part is that it's so linear - it feels stiff from 0 whereas the E46 feels pretty loose at first, then gets a bit better (and I have zhp rack plus wide front wheels/tires!). So I was very interested in something that would reduce boost and get me closer to the E90 feel.



Got shims from @bigjae. Volke said each is about 12.5% reduction iirc. I settled on 2 shims for 25% - didn't want to get too crazy.



Work is done from below, but I removed my airbox "trunk" for more light and so I could refill the PS reservoir at the end. Loosen the big nut on the line



And fluid will drain. Maybe you lose like half a quart? You will definitely need some ATF on hand, not more than a quart/liter imo. Though not a bad time for a complete flush.



Now, remove the regulator with a big hex like 26mm - I only had standard that big and 1-1/16th was perfect



This was the hardest part. The little valve is pretty stuck in there (hydraulically I mean, I think) and it took many tries to coax it out. In the end, the only method that worked for me taking 3 skinny cynlindrical magnets, grouping them together, then pushing on the valve, then pull to use both spring force and magnetism to pull this guy out. It barely worked, but enough to grab it and pull it out.



There's one shim on there by default, now I have 3 total



Topped off and ready to test!

Unfortunately, it didn't make things much better. There does seem to be more effort needed, so I guess the 25% claim is pretty spot on, but the initial "play" is still there, and the springy character remains. It also feels like it gets stiffer in a gradual way. Maybe I could add another shim, but I feel like I've scratched this itch and will let sleeping dogs lie. The E90 can reign supreme on this one.

At least it's an almost free mod!

I think if you change the steering guibo for a u joint may fix that dead center feel. The Z4M has that design and is uniform from center to lock.

[heinzboehmer]

Yes that'd be awesome. Maybe if/when I convert this thing to a race car!

No need to make it a race car! Here's my solution for the triangulation:




Keeps all the street car comforts and the braces come off with four nuts for working on the engine.

I really need to get to posting all the stuff from this project so others can adopt on their cars...

[Casa de Mesa]

Tyler - thanks for the detailed steps on the P/S shims.Will likely do this over the winter, doesn't look that bad. Wish I had done that when I had the car disassembled.

No need to make it a race car! Here's my solution for the triangulation:

I really need to get to posting all the stuff from this project so others can adopt on their cars...

Yes please! 😀

I've been delaying the Slon strut brace just due to competing projects on other cars. Very curious about this. Almost looks factory.

EDIT: I just went over to your build thread. Holy hell Heinz! That strut tower conversation there is awesome.

[heinzboehmer]

Yes please! 😀

I've been delaying the Slon strut brace just due to competing projects on other cars. Very curious about this. Almost looks factory.

EDIT: I just went over to your build thread. Holy hell Heinz! That strut tower conversation there is awesome.

Done!

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/321060-e86-front-triangulation-braces-retrofit#post321060