Valve Cover, Swaybars, Differentials, OH MY! (56k safe)

[GoldenOne]

Well yesterday and today I've been a busy bee just doing various projects, amongst them was a LSD!

First Project: Painted Valve Covers
Had the old ones laying around from my old engine that blew a few months back and decide to clean it up a bit. Used some hi-temp "wrinkle" paint and heated it up with a heat gun to enhance the wrinkle effect

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/DSC004R.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/DSC002R.jpg

Final Product:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Valve%20Cover/DSC081.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Valve%20Cover/DSC079.jpg

[GoldenOne]

Second Project: Smoked Taillights
Bought these on a whim off eBay for $100 shipped....not OE Hella but it'll do until I can find an authentic set somewhere at a decent price.

Final Product:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/DSC015R.jpg

Third Project: Racing Dynamic Anti-Swaybars
Got these off a guy who had them for 4 months but sold the car...the upgrade is pretty amazing in handling, dont really have a shot but heres a comparison of the rear...i was surprised how the stockies are quite puny in size...almost worthless IMO

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Sways%20and%20Diff/IMG_1296.jpg

[GoldenOne]

Fourth Project: 3.91 LSD
I was helping my indy move some stuff around in his shop and stumbled upon a differential that kinda looked like one for the e34. I think it came out of an e32, it has a different bolt pattern, bigger spacing…soooo we swapped out the half shafts and the main plate that the driveshaft connects (name escapes me)…buttoned everything up and took it for a spin…and WOW what a difference…accelerates like a beast! I haven’t driven it long enough to notice how much the gas mileage have suffered but the increased acceleration around town is fun!

Out with old:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Sways%20and%20Diff/IMG_1297.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Sways%20and%20Diff/IMG_1294.jpg

In with the new:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Sways%20and%20Diff/IMG_1298.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k263/kwalsh87/Sways%20and%20Diff/IMG_1293.jpg

[GoldenOne]

Also a question for those with RD Sways, do you rub at full turn lock?? I noticed that I am rubbing (i can see rubber on the sway)....trying to ponder a way control and ultimately shorten the amount of wheel turn...anybody got ideas?

[BillionPa]

i almost ran into a severe issue with rubbing trying to use a 750 mtech front bar (which i still have if anyone wants it) on mine.

the whiteline front doesnt rub, however i am running stock wheels.....

now all you gotta do is swap out your shock/spring combo and get some M3 calipers to match them wheels!

[zmuff]

Also a question for those with RD Sways, do you rub at full turn lock?? I noticed that I am rubbing (i can see rubber on the sway)....trying to ponder a way control and ultimately shorten the amount of wheel turn...anybody got ideas?

I have a set of RD greens and I do have a very slight rubbing at full lock. Only enough to rub off a small patch of green. It's been that way for 5 years with several driving schools in the mix, no ill effects at all.

Oh, my car is lowered and has 235/45/17 on e39 style 32 8.5" wheels on the front.

I like what you've done so far with your car...keep it up! I am jealous of the 3.91 though.

[Dave M]

Busy day(s) ;)

Car looks great, looks like you're going with the dark theme. Thought about shadowline yet? When I did my engine work last winter I repainted the valve covers, but stuck with the original color scheme. Quite a PITA to mask off the stripes and vice-versa. I like the wrinkle look, might have done it myself if I saw your pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Apr182006005.jpg

[Gayle]

I have a set of RD greens and I do have a very slight rubbing at full lock.

Oh, my car is lowered
Ditto on the slight rub. Lowered with 18 rims.




.

[GoldenOne]

So you guys (and girls) live with the rubbing? I just dont want to burn through my tires on the inside...

[Boone.Msi]

im jealous... keep up the good work

on a scale of 1-10 how much better is cornering with the new sways?
stock being a 5

[Macv]

Great job. Keep it up!

[GoldenOne]

im jealous... keep up the good work

on a scale of 1-10 how much better is cornering with the new sways?
stock being a 5

id give it an 8.5-9, i was very surprised how much body roll I lost (granted theres still some)...I think its one of the best mods one can do to their car.