Cockroach Individual M3 3/18 string align, ancient "d"evolve airbox

[samthejam]

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Brand used Ebox fan. I had a code for this not showing a CEL but when I did scans on the DME was flagging a code a lot of times. The "bad" one didn't show the usual signs of a tired electric motor. Anyways, It wasn't that bad of a job, I'd though it would be worse. We'll see if the intermittent code goes away for $30.

[samthejam]

So one of my goals for 2026, was to try and working on how I present myself to the world. That meant trying to clean up the E46 M3. The top surfaces on the car are pretty fucked as you all know.

Anyways with ignorance and borrowing some stuff, I went straight ahead into totaling one of the most important panels on the car. My friend has done a lot of DIY paint and wraps for his car, I decided to just go straight ahead into spraying it myself on Friday at 3pm. He had all the tools and knowledge, and IMO if you have that and someone willing to help you jump in. So we did.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

We took the gas cap to a local shop, gave them the paint code and they did a quick eyeball color match. It's just one buisness day for as near perfect as they can get it, but we aren't repairing a perfect paint car so I didnt wait.

All this was done with a spray gun. I sanded it down with 400 until it was smooth. Then we did 3-1 primer. Then we wet sanded that down with 600 before doing the base coat.

All these layers came out smooth with good coverage.

The following day we waited to do the clearcoat and the cheap gun started acting up, I should be able to fix the clearcoat with wet sanding and polishing but a little disappointing as due to how long it took to get the clear down we got a lot of crap in the paint and splatter of clear from the damn gun. I am gonna wait a week for it to cure before doing that, they were confident it will clean up pretty well once we wet sand and polish.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Color has a lot of flake in it.

Yes the top of the fenders, will be mismatched we are going to wetsand that, cut and buff as well and see how it comes out. Yes the whole car needs a repaint but I dont trust anyone, and I want to learn something. I can fuck it up myself for cheaper than paying a cheap paint shop.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr



We also were able to bring some life back to the trunklid.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Just a quick update of what is still in progress. Since this car is 1/7, I'll never be able to find used panels with original paint in good shape. The fenders honestly need to be replaced and painted.

I am also going to do a CSL bumper, not sure if Bimmerworld or ECS

[samthejam]

Girodisc installed!

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

I cannot really bed this on the street, there is a trackday in about 2 weeks though.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

These were the rotors that came with the kit when I bought it. So we'll see how these new ones do and can gauge service life of the disc.

Also washed the car before the year ended.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

To celebrate the new year did a valve adjustment. Scored a genuine BMW shim set for $200 off Ebay. It took me most of the day, but it wasn't too bad. Just a lot of double and triple checking. 6 valves were out of adjustment, mostly just being a touch too tight. Exception of cyl one, that was super tight.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

[bigjae46]

Yeah, the 335x32 discs are mostly standard - Stoptech, Girodisc, and Brembo. I have a mix of Girodisc and Stoptech on my car.

[samthejam]

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Primary 02s replaced and finally, snipped the secondarys out of there so less wires. I had block off plugs that came with the headers, but they didn't have a crush washer. So I'd rather just use an old 02 sensor. I had to lower right side of subframe to get clearance to thread sensor in and out, that was fun.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Also on sourcing rotors for Stoptech ST40 355x32 BBK Owners, who happen to be reading here, maybe will move to another post.

I have 355x32mm rotors so that will be all this pertains to.

For Genuine stoptech rotors you have a couple of options.

Race Hardware: (fully floating, makes noise and from what I read can beat up the aluminum hats that are NLA)
31.737.1101.87 (left)
31.737.1102.87 (right)

Street Hardware: (semi floating, what most people run these dont float these do allow for radial float but its not fully free axial float like the race)
31.737.1101.99 (left)
31.737.1102.99 (right)


I almost went with the race until I read about the potential hat issues. I was able to find them for as cheap as $550 for both sides. Now the rotor disc, are the same the kits only have hardware differences. The rotors must be sold with hardware as they are only one time use, and one is technically a replacement for the trophy or street kit but the rotor itself is the same. So technically a race kit could be converted to a street kit if you had the hardware set.

Here are the hardware part #s:
Street: 89.000.0001
Race: [89.000.0022]



Now for non Stoptech Options, Girodisc is making replacements.

355.32.52

ECSTuning offeres them with a lifetime warranty

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-girodisc-parts/girodisc-97-04-audi-a6-allroad-c5-w-alcon-stoptech-355x32-rotors-slotted-front-rings/gd355.32.52~grd/

What is fascinating, is these Girotechs say they fit a lot of other kits and the ECS ad actually shows the Brembo hardware as well. Which is the McLaren hardware.

https://www.zeckhausen.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=6445&srsltid=AfmBOopKQm-a-bZBCNEfj14CSCdZ9WZa3aQINW84ZV9LVWu2LWbfN2hb

Bimmerworld says these are replacement disc for Stoptech or Brembo:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Slotted-Rotor-Rings-Girodisc-355x32.html

So possibly could also use Brembo disc on the Stoptech kits.

[samthejam]

Another GA Trip, I actually didn't take a single pic on the way there. Just cannonballed.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Arrived jayjaya29 in the evening. Started the next day with rescueing a local friends F8x. My spare SSR came in handy!

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

He donated high pressure steering hose (Rein) off his parts car, that was recently replaced for it was taken off the road.

Also finally trimmed my Bimmerworld Elbow to fit correctly. So now my airbox is actually secured properly.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

The other fun thing is all my wheels are pretty bent. With the new pavement changes at MSR, I cut the corner pretty hard last time and bent something. My friend Faustino does offshore work and he was off, so he came up just to hang out. We loaded up the wheels in his M5 and took it to a tire shop to see which ones might work on the front.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Conclusion was only one was straight... but one wasn't that bent. So made do and moved it all around accordingly. I have each wheel paint marked in all my sites so they always go back to the same corner, just helps me keep track of my wheels. For my E28 I had about 13 wheels at one time, so it's handy to know which is which. I also bought thermals as the temps we would drive to in the track the next morning would be 18 degrees. A052s are good to 17, and I left my car in the garage to make sure they'd be happyish.


Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Took me quite a few sessions to get the pressures right. If I'm being honest I forgot what they were now, I believe 36 hot. Which was 25 on LF, 27 on right side and 26 on Left rear cold. Once I did that, I went from 1:40s to 1:38, in one session. The car felt nervous but it was cold and I was on a brand new tire setup I hadn't dealt with before. But eventually got it down to 37s. A little mad at myself I didn't get a 36.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Ambient was in the 30-40s but we had sun! As soon as the sun went away lap times plummeted again, it was an open day so I ran all day. Temps and the power of the car was wonderful. Min speed out of 7 was 48 mph, so the A052s decent grip. Car got all the way to 143 on the back straight, so great mph and mechanical grip. The 245s A052s really impressed me. There are some things I don't like but man were they fast!

Here are the laps:

vroom vroom
dZISIPTRM-Y

Exhaust is horrific on the street but man on track it sounds great!

Drove until it got dark!
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Now the car is fuel starving sooner, so I'm finally pushing it hardish. Now it starves at a quarter. Goal is to do 1:35 on street tires, very aggressive ones. So hopefully next trip can get a 1:36, in 2026.

Worked from home in Atlanta for a few days before returning to the doctor for complications from my recent surgery and see my sisters graduation via flight.

During that time, Jay let me use his white E46 M3 when I was in town. Man these are nice stock! We have some cars locally with carbon airboxes, but so far Jay's has the best intake noise I've heard in person on these. Just has a sound generator mod thing. No business being that good but it works!

IMG_5780 by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Upon returning, back to Atlanta. This time came with my wife, and picked the car from where I left it. Airport Park N ride.

We did estate sale shopping and went to the art museum.

Getting directions after street parking it.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

At this point M3 had 3000 miles on the oil and one event so changed it.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Also added chrome fender grills, very uppity.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

We then went to NOLA to spend 3 nights finally get some time to explore that place. We stay in a hotel right by the french quarter and just lock it up there.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

We saw all the museums we could, ate some alligator and drank a bit. Went to all the various galleries and antique stores. Also got to finally meet a E28 online friend he was rolling through on a trip.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

We cannonballed home for my birthday, on Christmas eve so I could install a new dogleg trans in my E28 that was dropped off while I was out of town.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


On Christmas day, unloaded car and saw the spare fuel pump. It was very low on fuel, since we only did one fuel stop from New Orleans decided to change it. Took the original 9.04 pump for a 2020 date code pump.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Took it on a validation drive for a family Thanksgiving thing before shoving it into garage.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Car is at 140k and change miles now. Definitely some projects for 2026 I need to do.

- Original clutch, rear main is weeping.
- rear camber arms are original. Meets camber targets but would like to refresh that
- diff leak is not getting better
- RACP only has bottom side reinforcement for front mounts (look into vince cups)
- axle boots are torn and some rotational play
- diff probably needs refreshed
- original center support bearing
- install wideband or get a dyno tune just for monitoring health
- replace primary 02 sensors (have, waiting on one tool)
- front rotor now has a crack to the edge, so source rotors (ordered, but still havent shipped need to follow up)
- get injectors serviced because
- replace plugs, they have like 40k miles on them now
-biggest on going cost is see what do about tires for 2026 season
- csl bumper, see what I can do to make this roach more presentable

However I really need to put some love into my E28, and it now has a transmission I don't have to double clutch perfectly which is great.

So yea do the above work in 2026, and drive more. Blown away by cars pace, but I am still not as comfortable in any situation like I am in E28. It just is so expensive to run comparatively, that yea just am not getting the amount of laps I want to.

[samthejam]

That is like playing cat and mouse. More often the part that goes wrong is the part I didn't bring. But one tactic I used is to see what auto zone and o' reilly's has in stock near the track you are going to. So you can probably get things like spark plugs, O2 sensors, ignition coils (search for an LCI 330Ci - same coil pack) and some sensors like a MAF from a local auto parts store.

Other things I do is I carry a voltage regulator rather than an alternator. A starter solenoid vs an entire starter. Wheel speed sensors are important to maintain ABS.

And of course...extra wheel bolts or studs. I've helped at least 6 people by giving them my spares. Of course when I needed some spares...I left the f'ing things at home...lol

Now that I trailer the car I just bring a box of crap with me and pray I have what I need when I need it. I'm 0 for 4 so far.



Man, that is really on the edge. It is missing material so it is being filled in with weld. And it is a second repair on the same site - that area around the repair is likely significantly weaker. Not sure if you can harden the repair somehow?

Yes the wheel can explode which would be bad. My bigger worry and I think more likely scenario is if the tire loses air and comes apart...a flapping tire carcass can cause a lot of body damage. Worse if you get unlucky and lose the tire at a bad spot on the track.

Much better off replacing it.

Good point on the regulator, that will save me space. As well as the studs. Can't remember if I have extras of those. I know I fucked up one of my dads weekends by losing his lugnut lol at TWS. After that always had an extra ziptied under the seat. But yes, yea it's a game of cat and mouse. I've done so many events in my e28 across country to barber and atlanta, and just the vintage car shows. I have never needed anything I've ever brought. I have a box of mission critical stuff that will leave you stranded, but I sleep better knowing I have them. Basically packing enough to make sure I can get home, or to the best of my ability. So fuel pump also goes in there. That type of stuff.


As far as the wheel repair. So there's a lot of interesting stuff with the repair. But yea first place it cracked, they boogered it bad. Than it cracked there and around the poor weld they did. The fabricator thinks it cooled too fast. Also the outer lip for the wheel is extruded and rolled over. So it's hollow inside.

He used rod for 6061(?), he also preheated it before welding. He said it dissipated heat quite quickly so was hard to keep heat in the area. But yea a brand new set of wheels will probably need to be purchased next year.

A air loss failure at a high speed section suddenly, is my primary fear as well as any suspension failure leading to car going to a stationary object that keeps me up at night.

[bigjae46]

I was also planning on gutting the S54 I have sitting in garage to put together a survival kit. Alternator, crank sensor, tps, actuator etc for these trips.

That is like playing cat and mouse. More often the part that goes wrong is the part I didn't bring. But one tactic I used is to see what auto zone and o' reilly's has in stock near the track you are going to. So you can probably get things like spark plugs, O2 sensors, ignition coils (search for an LCI 330Ci - same coil pack) and some sensors like a MAF from a local auto parts store.

Other things I do is I carry a voltage regulator rather than an alternator. A starter solenoid vs an entire starter. Wheel speed sensors are important to maintain ABS.

And of course...extra wheel bolts or studs. I've helped at least 6 people by giving them my spares. Of course when I needed some spares...I left the f'ing things at home...lol

Now that I trailer the car I just bring a box of crap with me and pray I have what I need when I need it. I'm 0 for 4 so far.

I was getting my wheels ready for the new tires to be mounted. Noticed one was flat.

Man, that is really on the edge. It is missing material so it is being filled in with weld. And it is a second repair on the same site - that area around the repair is likely significantly weaker. Not sure if you can harden the repair somehow?

Yes the wheel can explode which would be bad. My bigger worry and I think more likely scenario is if the tire loses air and comes apart...a flapping tire carcass can cause a lot of body damage. Worse if you get unlucky and lose the tire at a bad spot on the track.

Much better off replacing it.

[davidinnyc]

I wish the wheel shop I took a wheel with a small crack on the inside of the barrel did that nice of a job...

[samthejam]

I was also planning on gutting the S54 I have sitting in garage to put together a survival kit. Alternator, crank sensor, tps, actuator etc for these trips.

[samthejam]

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Not too bad of a stretch. Width when mounted isn't that different than my 265/35r18 RS4 spare.

Unfortunately last night found, a bad tie rod on RF doing a nut and bolt check. It's just starting to go. So ordered both sides. I also yesterday found out I have a sinus infection from the left side of my face not healing right post surgery, pit crewed another WRL race which probably didn't help. Unfortunate as the first visit was almost to the 2 week point which was one when I had the go ahead to go back to normal activities. Everything was great. One day after the two week started to feel off, than worked the weekend. Just felt exhausted. Went in for the final cleaning, and he now saw the infection. So that's fun.

But anyways yea those parts are overnighted, need to somehow get it aligned as well before I leave this weekend.

Just to give myself a little more rest. I'll probably wait until Sunday to leave but fun. Event is on 12/15.

Good news is the new A052s definitely have more grip, than the ECFs.

[fattycharged]

accidentally ordered two sets of ARC8's for my e36, 17x9.5, just sayin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[samthejam]

I was getting my wheels ready for the new tires to be mounted. Noticed one was flat.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

So this wheel I had gotten welded by a local wheel repair place. I wasn't very pleased with it but it held air. I noticed a crack developing for COTA and I JB welded it. I than forgot about it, as I got the other SSRs in silver matching. I used these wheels again at MSR twice. Anyways, yea that could've been bad.

This time I took it to a fabricator friend. I understand these wheels are very well past their prime. I understand Aluminum fatigues in a not so nice way. I understand, that when you weld an old race wheel up that means it will just crack somewhere else. I still need a set of 4 wheels pretty ASAP for my trip so dropped it off at a friend who does fab work.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Using what I got.

Here are those wheels possibly in use in 2008...




Let's see how many more laps they have left in them.

[samthejam]

Going to Road Atlanta again soon, so trying to just go through and take care of more stuff on the car.

Went ahead and did every single cooling line.

I had to penny pinch on a few things, went to Ebay and found a 2018 date code expansion tank as well as a similar date OE fan.

- used OE expansion and fan blades (newer date codes)
-Tropical sachs 75C fan clutch
- Bimmerworld Radiator hose kit with new ends(they were on Black Friday sale)
- Rogue expansion tank vent hose (easier to fix god forbid I need to at side of road and about same price as OE)
- OE hoses for everything else (3 heater hoses and expansion tank outlet hose)

Car already has a koyo rad and 70C thermostat. Now it is a little too cold blooded for street driving tbh and the weather we are having right now.

I installed the upgraded orings on all the non OE hoses. I'll have the upgrade ones in a bag as spares with me.

It is icky in there.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Desperately needs a pressure wash.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Also did pads for the front.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

and I ended up with a set or two of Hawk Blue after selling some parts. Not too excited to run them, however the price is right. The noises they make have been funny so far, and I am pretty tolerant of race pads. I daily drive 20k+ miles a year on PFCs. However these Hawk's might be too much.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

These Conti ECFs are fucking bricks, they have stopped wearing out. They still annoyingly have plenty of tread. Should be at 13k miles now with the June Road Atlanta event on them. I can easily spin 1st and 2nd on a cold dry day. I just got major sinus surgery, and still haven't fully healed as of writing this so probably shouldn't have been doing this car work but whatever.

Anyways tire budget is struggling but found some used 245/40R18 A052s from one of my favorite used tire guys for $600. So I'll be trying those. Should have plenty of sidewall support on my 9.5..... I was going to get Hoosier R7 scrubs but my wife will be with me on this trip and 4 tires in the car would be a big ask from me for her to put up with. So these should get me through the trip and probably a local DE or two as well.


Bridgestone RE71RS is being discontinued so hopefully can get 265/35r18 set on sale as retail is like $1600 after taxes. So far that 265 size seems to work the best with my setup and wheels.

[George Hill]

Great opportunity, and drank from the garden hose as far as learning what works for these cars for racing. Got to do the pitstops too, was a good time.

Love that livery, love that team.

Great experience!