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DSG at PRI 2008 : 2008-12-13

The guys over at Dentsport Garage (DSG) have a bunch of pictures posted from the PRI 2008 tradeshow.

Thanks DSG!

Project Resell : Day 38 : 2008-12-11

oilcoolerThere’s this cute little pipe that goes from the coolant pump to the oil cooler, connected at each end by hose. I spent a good half hour cursing at it a few days ago when it just did not seem to mate up properly. After reviewing old pictures from the build up of my personal car, I determined that the pipe that came with this car was not correct or misfigured in some bizarre way.

I ordered a new one Friday late in the afternoon, picked it up today, and installed it tonight. It fit perfectly.

Stock injectors and stock turbo inlet pipe are on their way. Can it be that I will finally mount the intake manifold assembly?

Project Resell : Day 36 : 2008-12-09

The big recent decision is that the car is going to have stock power level. I am lacking the stock downpipe pieces, so I was planning to go for a cheap aftermarket cat-less downpipe and aim for a “Stage 1″ setup (turbo-back exhaust and ECU remap). With many surprise parts missing or damaged, I’m tightening down on the budget and “Stage 1″ is out the window.

So now the known missing parts are:

  • Stock radiator core
  • Stock turbo inlet pipe
  • Stock downpipe (2 pieces)
  • Stock injectors
  • Replacement front bumper in World Rally Blue
  • Stock wheels (getting these for free!)

Progress has been glacial lately. I had plans most of this past weekend. I got the engine mounts, oil cooler, and oil filter put on.

I started cleaning up the intercooler.

I got the car up on jackstands and removed the 17×7 ADR “Spade” wheels. The wheels are in ugly shape but hopefully they’ll sell because of the nearly new Falken tires on them.

Suspension-wise, I found that the rear struts are some shortened model of Tokico (light blue in color) while the front struts are stock. Tein H-Tech springs all around. The car is dropped nicely in the rear and the front still looks stock (big wheel gap). So yippee … that will need to get figured out as well.

BMW Service with “Augmented Reality” : 2008-12-09

BMW Service is researching augmented reality? Pay attention to the explanatory white text in the video if you’re not familiar with this sort of thing.

EFI Logics’ Built 3.3L NA Impreza : 2008-12-08

Eargasm time.

  • EG33 flat 6 from a Subaru SVX
  • Custom Ported heads
  • Manley Rods
  • Custom Web cams
  • Supertec valvetrain w/ BMW Solid buckets
  • Modified cam gears
  • Custom JE High Compression pistons
  • Custom 1 3/4 Headers (Bob The Fabricator)
  • Custom MSD Ignition
  • Autronic SMC Engine Management with Autronic CDI box

Restocked Sizes of EJ’s Boxing T-Shirt in Ash : 2008-12-08

We’ve got Large and X-Large sizes of the ash-colored EJ’s Boxing t-shirt back in stock.

Truth in 24 : LeMans Movie : 2008-12-05

If the enthusiasts are lucky, Truth in 24, a movie funded by Audi and produced by NFL Films, will make it into their hands some day. Here’s the 30sec trailer, but definitely check out the slick website too. [ via : Livesockets ]


Truth in 24 - 30 Second Trailer from Truth in 24 on Vimeo.

Project Resell : Day 30 : 2008-12-04

The new dipstick tube is in place. Comparing the old one to the new one was almost comical. No wonder the old one was hard to get in place.

The flywheel is resurfaced and the replacement oil cooler (used) is on its way.

I’m still trying to track down a used aftermarket turbo inlet pipe. It’s the major hold up.

It dawned on me while doing a compression test on my “real” car this weekend that I’ve not seen any coil packs as part of the project car. That’ll probably end up being another surprise cost.

The Want List : 2008-12-03

Ahh, the want list - that list of things you’d love to be able to buy for your ride but can’t. What’s your list to take your car to the next level without being completely unreasonable? It’s easy to say “magnesium wheels” or “custom-spec Moton suspension”, but I’m not talking about that. Here’s mine:

  • ACPT or Braille carbon driveshaft : ~$1100
  • Okada Projects Plasma Direct coils : ~$600
  • Oil pressure gauge : $100-$130
  • Replacement NTK L2H2 O2 sensor for Hydra ECU : $250
  • GrimmSpeed 8mm Phenolic Spacers for intake manifold : $85
  • APS turbo inlet : $330?

Now THAT’s a Valve : 2008-12-02

Snapped this with the phone at a local machine shop. It’s from a train. Note the ruler behind it and the average sized piston to the left.