2007 Progress
November 4, 2007
I finally got the 4 speed transmission out of my car and started the prep work for the 5 speed. I really hope the aluminum rails will hold the rear of the transmission without flexing. Sometime this week I plan on trying to put the 5 speed in the car. The worst part of the install is lining up the input shaft on the transmission with the fly wheel and clutch on the engine. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be able to drive it again. I think its been just over a year since I last drove it and I miss it, especially with the Sunfire leaking oil and the brakes making noise. Sure the 02 might do this too, but at least it is more fun to drive.
September 26, 2007
It's been a while since the last update and really there isn't much going on right now. But that should change in the next couple of days. Now that I am done with college I have a little more time on my hands. Oh and with the house painting and other projects out of the way I can finally do something with the 02. In August I was able to get just about all the parts for a 5 speed conversion from a guy in Topeka, KS for $350. All I needed was the speedo cable and the clutch fluid hose and the mounting brackets. Well, I ordered the cable and the hose on Monday from Dave at Aardvarc racing, they should be here in a couple of days. For the rear mount I am trying something different. Most people use a pre-made kit that bolts to the old location, some people weld or bolt new mounting spots for the cross member. Then there are others that use 1" angle iron (which is actually steel) that go from the original mounting spot to the center bearing mount on each side. Well, that is the one that I am doing, only I'm trying it with aluminum.
I'm hoping it is strong enough, it shouldn't take long to find out. I choose it because it weighs about 1/4 the amount of the steel and is easier to working with. I'm hoping that having the angle with strengthen it enough. I should have more to report on Saturday.
July 2, 2007
On June 29 BMW "accidently" released the info early on the new 1 series coupe. By July 2 the info was everywhere. Just about every automotive website had something about it. And for good reason. The top of the line 1er is the 135i which uses the same engine as the 335i. Let's just say, putting a killer engine in a smaller, lighter car equals major fun. And that is what this car is about. It isn't a status symbol, this is a true drivers car. BMW says its roots come directly from the 2002 and the E30 M3. The following are a few pictures from the press release. I can't wait to see the other colors.
As for the 02, in a few weeks once school is done, I will be taking a week off from work to get the transmission swapped out and a few other things done.
June 23, 2007
Haven't had much time to get to the transmission. School has been eating up my time. The main thing I have been working on it trying to clean up the transmission that is going into the car. It has a lot of grime on it and not much has come off yet, I think I need something a little stronger.
I did unbolt the starter and a couple of other bolts around the tranny, plus the center bearing on the driveshaft.
May 29, 2007
Well, the tranny is coming out. The slave cylinder still refuses to move and since the tranny is leaky I'm going to replace it with my spare which has the slave cylinder removed. I just have to pull the transmission from the car, prep the spare and install it. And all the stuff that goes along with it. At this point I'm not sure what shape the clutch is in, I'm hoping it is okay. Looks like I'll finally have something interesting to get pictures of.
May 10, 2007
It's been a while since I've been able to do anything on the site. I missed the 07 midamericafest because of the slave cylinder. Yes it is still stuck. I've decided that in order to get it out I'll have to remove the center linkage for the steering, so while I'm there I'm going to replace the idler arm bushings. Since I have 3 weeks off from school I will hopefully have the time to do it.
Oh, got a new digital SLR camera that takes really good photos, I'm going to try to get some good shots of the car once I can get it out of the garage.
February 12, 2007
Pictures are circulating the internet of the new 1 series coupe.
This car is the spiritual successor of the 02 as you can tell from the lines of the car and the size. We should see the car here in the USA in early 08.
With the weather the way its been around here lately I haven't been able to get the car out of the garage. But I will be ordering the clutch slave cylinder replacement soon. Once that is replaced I'll only have to wait until the weather is better and the roads aren't so nasty. Then you'll be able to see why I can't give up the 02 and what makes a person an 02er (pronounced oh-two-er).
January 25, 2007
I can drive at night now. Thanks to a seller on Ebay I was able to get a working turn signal high beam switch/lever for $6. I got it installed the other day and it works great. While I say I can drive at night, the car actually is still in the garage waiting for better weather and still a new clutch slave cylinder. Then I'll be able to drive it.
I'll be working on some changes to the site too. I need to archive the 2006 stuff to it's own page to clean up this page.
One piece of really good news is that BMW has released info on the 1 series 3 door and information about when we will see the 130i and 135i here in the USA. Most sites still say the coupe and convertible are the only ones, but some are now saying that the 3-door could come too. The 1 series has been refreshed for the 08 model year will be released this fall. New front and rear bumpers are on it and the sides have been toned down on the "flame" surfacing. Plus the engines have been reworked and now provide more power and better fuel efficiency. The 118d and 120d both get over 60 mpg.
