M42 Rotrex (for sale!) + track build

[rix313]

Thanks for that Tim, a real help Let me know when you're about next week if at all

[rix313]

1.25mm*pi*((85mm/2)^2)= 5.67cc

....That an m44 HG is 1mm larger dia than m42 gives an extra .23cc

5.87

Tim,

Just wondering about this bit. You started with 5.67 and then changed to 5.87 after mentioning the '.23'. I'm assuming you added the two together but (need I say it) that makes 5.90? Can you just explain if yu did edd the two together or how you got from 5.67 to 5.87?

Cheers

[rix313]

Engine started today, had a tinker and now she fires up. I didn't put bolts in the crank pulley wheel (the ones that hold the PAS pulley in place (I wasn't running PAS while it was in the garage)). At high RPM the wheel came away from it's locationg pin and cause it to sit in a totaly random place so the ECU just got random signals in the wrong place and couldn't fire. Pulled it off today, moved it round and matched it to the engine I have on the stand, pluged everything in and turned the key, bish bash bosh, fired up. Just need to put the whole lot back together again and that should be that for the minute.

I am now getting a proper iS gearbox, as soon as that gets here, swap the boxes whip the prop on and drive it

[tim_s]

1.25mm*pi*((85mm/2)^2)= 5.67cc

....That an m44 HG is 1mm larger dia than m42 gives an extra .23cc

5.87

Tim,

Just wondering about this bit. You started with 5.67 and then changed to 5.87 after mentioning the '.23'. I'm assuming you added the two together but (need I say it) that makes 5.90? Can you just explain if yu did edd the two together or how you got from 5.67 to 5.87?

Cheers

Er just some half-assed rounding Makes bugger all difference...

[tim_s]

Engine started today, had a tinker and now she fires up. I didn't put bolts in the crank pulley wheel (the ones that hold the PAS pulley in place (I wasn't running PAS while it was in the garage)). At high RPM the wheel came away from it's locationg pin and cause it to sit in a totaly random place so the ECU just got random signals in the wrong place and couldn't fire. Pulled it off today, moved it round and matched it to the engine I have on the stand, pluged everything in and turned the key, bish bash bosh, fired up. Just need to put the whole lot back together again and that should be that for the minute.

I am now getting a proper iS gearbox, as soon as that gets here, swap the boxes whip the prop on and drive it

Good work dude, glad you had another crack at it, it didn't sound like there was something wrong with the engine from your description - sounded much more like this kinda thing

[rix313]

Ok well, been a busy bee again

Got the engine running 2nd day into the year so that was good! Turned out the crank pulley had skipped off of it’s locating pin (my fault) and was giving the ECU random signals, oops, live and learn. While diagnosing previously, a cap head rounded off which held in the cam sensor. Couldn’t live with having it so popped the upper case off and swapped it for my spare one (which also had proper threads in it for the cam cover! (the other ones’ were stripped)). Bought some new gaskets to make a proper job if it then this happened:




A couple of weeks later when RM finally decided to move their arses, they arrived and got the engine back together. Turn the key, nothing happened, check engine bay, in excitement forgot to plug in the cam and crank sensors doh. Then the fuel pump was playing up, gave it a smack, now it works, time for a new fuel pump?

Radiator and hoses fitted, coolant in, bled up, lovely. Looking good again:




Also a new zoner came from heaven with a nice 318iS gearbox with the correct flange which arrived the other day. Got a ramp Tuesday evening sooo might be able to drive it by the weekend




Finally cleared the boot out and clamped the battery in there. I’ve left the bit of cable as I would like to get a light weight battery in the future so might need some extra length:




While it was working I bought some go faster bits. I bought a 350mm steering wheel for the inside






Finaly I had some rear strut reinforcement plates made (got loads if any one wants a pair ). Also ordered some CompBrake rose jointed top mounts but they haven't arrived yet:






After the box is fitted just gotta bleed the brakes up and it should be fit for a track day

[DHFiS]

Are those strut reinforcement plates different to BMW ones?

[rix313]

Only the fact they don’t have BMW stamped on them . They’re made from 3mm stainless steel.

[appletree]

Nice wheel rich did you get it from pistonheads? good luck swopping the gearboxs i can see lots of scrapped knuckles getting to the top bolts

[rix313]

Yeah I saw the wheel there but they didn’t have the boss so I ordered it all together when I got back, got it from Peter Lloyd Rallying was a bargain

I’m doing all the prep work for the box this evening, getting the bastard starter motor off being one of the jobs

I’ve had a change of heart too. For now, and more than likely indefinitely, I’m going to take the Mocal take off plate off and fitting the OE filter housing so I can use your bracket. I was hoping to space it out but when I measured it, it was needing to be about 95mm

I keep meaning to take the cams off the E36 engine and measure the valves for you, I will do it soon I promise lol.

[appletree]

Down your way next week mate, i'm servicing to machines at marshfeild dairy, not sure exactly were it is in relation to you but i drove past it just before i got to yours, we'll be satying at the local premier inn what ever that is if you want to meet up for a pint, hopefully yours will be running buy then.

Are you copying my bracket or are you after mine?, if you want it you can make me an offer not after much for it, it will give me the kick up the ass to get my new one made. could even bring it down to you next week.

[rix313]

When I said your, I meant your design, but if it's going then I'd be interested

Marshfield isn't far from me, pretty much next to where I used to work. Gimmi a ring at the weekend when you know where you are and what ya doing

Recognise this

[tim_s]

glad it's coming along Rich

[rix313]

Gearbox changed, bugger me I have fallen in love with transmission jacks and ramps

Prop is fitted up, just need to fill the box with fluid, refit the starter and the wiring and then see if it drives!

Looks like the head gasket is on the way out though but going to get it on a track day and worry about that after, time to have some fun!

[rix313]

Well today I took the 2hr trip up to Leamington Spa to pick up an M44 block and bits from Odbod for this hybrid engine.




The timing case that came with it was a bit of a double wammy. It was from an M42 so has the lug for the CPS but also has a guide instead of the idler pulley for the timing chain:






I've got so much else to do with the car I'm not going to crack on with it straight away but I will be tinkering with it from time to time


The one question I have if any one can help is how do you safely store a block without the bores begining to rust?

[odbod]

lots of wd40, and regularly I've stored it for 6 months like that!

[appletree]

In your mums airing cuboard

[odbod]

with a head on it and in the car???

[GeoffBob]

The one question I have if any one can help is how do you safely store a block without the bores begining to rust?

Paper towl spayed with WD40 bunged down the bores.

Well done on the new engine Rich.

[rix313]

Okey doke will do

Did the gearbox fluid today, finaly, for the first time in over a year I drove it out of the garage and took it for a few short first gear trips up and down our driveway. The exhaust is too smokey for my liking which worries me alot if I'm honest but so long as I can do one track day then I will have achieved something!

[MrBenn]

Rich, just stick a bottle of Kalimex K seal in before keevil and fingers crossed on the head gasket, I just stuck some in mine and it fixed a small leak in the heater matrix But its also in there as I suspect other problems could be on the way.
Should be Mot'd tomorrow and then I'll book myself in too.
Alex

[rix313]

Nice one

[rix313]

Well today was the first mile stone reached with the project I finaly drove the thing and completed a track day! (only took me 4 years ) I sorted out the smokey Joe zaust with a dose of K-seal as recommended by Mr_benn! Worked a treat.

The car did really well, I did about 75miles on 20L of fuel . Got the brakes bled up first thing and then spent abit of time just bedding them in. Was a little worried about how loud my exhaust was going to be but was only 88db.

The only problem I had all day was a slight issue with a leaky steering rack seal and a small drip from the engine some where but nothing like a day ruiner!

Any way, piccys








Queing:




The track awaits:




Go time








Checking the front brakes:




After lunch Mr_benn arrived:










Back on the trailer to go home:

[GeoffBob]

Well done Rich. Great Pics.

[MarkT]

Where's the track mate?

[rix313]

Was at a Keevil, a local airfield.

[tez180]

Awesome, how did it fair in the end?

[MarkT]

Thought it might be. Bath way isn't it? Good track?

[appletree]

Nice pics rich, car performe well then?? just needs 14psi now and you'll bee well away

Nice trailer by the way

Did you ever get the pics from your mate doing the eaton build we spoke of??

[rix313]

Yeah was really good. Was just on standard Kumho road tyres and I had the dampers up 4 clicks although I was more interested on making sure everything else was ok.

Brackets are looking good looking forward to getting it

Sadly the trailer isn't mine, it belongs to the chap with the E36 who I'm working with this year.

I did email the pics of the Eaton to you dude, to your 'identity' email?

[rix313]

Well it’s been a while. I hope this isn’t too boring After discovering my steering rack was leaking I set about making a plan. During my post shake down check over I was looking at the front suspension and just thought ”˜to hell with it, overhaul time’!

I got a shopping list together and set about saving back some spondies to buy all the bits. My shopping list consisted off:
- new Lemforder wishbones,
- Powerflex eccentric purple poly wish bone bushes,
- a replacement offside adjustable damper,
- a set of -60mm springs all round,
- new steering rack.

It all arrived end of last week







I’ll be stripping down the front struts and sending them off along with the lollipops to get them powder coated. Once they’re back I’ll be putting it all back together and will have a nice refreshed front end!

On the steering rack side of things I couldn’t decide whether to get an exchange recon PAS rack or do an E36 rack conversion to lower the lock to lock ratio. After some thought I remembered hearing that a few racers had or have manual racks. I quite liked the idea of a manual rack because:
A. I can save a little bit of weight doing away with all the pipe work, pump and associated ancillaries.
B. It’s one less thing with high pressure fluid running through it that could fail.

I decided to get a manual rack and Chris-w sorted me out with one:




The issue with the manual rack is that it would obviously still be the 4.5LTL ratio which is hardly desirable. Subsequently I've sent it off to Quaife to let them check it out and make a quick rack and pinion for it going to have something like 2.5 like the Z3 rack.


I also got my bracket through from Matt which is lovely. I’ll be having a play with that once the suspension side of things is finished

[MarkT]

Quaife group buy?

[GeoffBob]

Great progress as usual Rich.

I can't recommend Quaife highly enough for their service, so they should do an excellent job of your rack-&-pinion. When Birds Auto couldn't answer my questions/concerns with regard to the Quaife LSD (they are the Quaife sales agents) I mailed Quaife directly and John Quaife actually phoned me I was gobsmacked I can tell you. He began the conversation with "I can't talk long, I'm off the SEMA in the US this afternoon". Don't all the rich folk say that when they wan't to impress, eh? Needless to say I was really impressed that he took the time to phone me and answer my questions. He knows his stuff, and I should hope so since his Dad invented the helical type LSD. Imagine being able to tell people that about your Dad!

[Injectortune]

Awesome news Richard - I'm really happy to see that she's doing well.

[rix313]

Well it's been a while. After a rather inspiring weekend working with the Kumho Tyres BMW Championship I have a burst of energy to get this suspension sorted, only took 2 months

Hit it hard and after a couple of hours the car was off the ground and the front wisbones and struts were off along with the rear dampers for the new top mounts:






Ball joints look suitably buggered:




The ARB looks a little rough too so I'll be popping that off for a spruce up and will get some poly bushes and new brackets for it as well as some new drop links.

Hopefuly it'll all be back together soon