bmw racing

2011 american lemans

Source: http://americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=gallery

ALPINA Rear Trunk Spoiler

This is an ALPINA Rear Trunk Spoiler for BMW E21 models.  It would have originally come on either an  Alpina C1 2.3 or B6 2.

BMW 16" Style 4 Forged Wheels E38 750iL 740il 740i rims

Set of Four (4) Style 4 Forged 16" Wheels.

Super strong forged wheels, 16x8, 5x120 bolt pattern, ET23 offset, and a classic Alpina style design.

recaro seat restoration

Capital Parts Numbers

• 0515072300    Bolster Foam - Left Hand
• 0515082300    Bolster Foam - Right Hand
• 0530001100    Outer Backrest Foam

Each Recaro has a basic model number such as A8, LS, SRD. The first 2 letters stand for the back of the seat. The last digit stands for the base of the seat. For example an LX will stand for the back of the seat with its trademark pointy triangular bolsters but an LX-A will be the same back mounted to a flat base. Here is an example of a 3rd gen LX (top picture) and a 3rd gen LX-A (bottom)

Notice the BMW logo on the sides of these seats.

Source: http://www.capitalseating.co.uk/productlist.asp?type=s&view=range&rid=61&mid=2

Source:  http://www.jjcustominterior.com/RESOURCE___DIY.php

Source: http://77e21.info/recarofoam.htm

Source:  http://www.2002parts.com/html/recaro_seats.html

wide body e21

bmw323i e21 rally santa brigida

Alpina Bar Plus*

Alpina bar expanded!

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

VW Up!

the new VW Up!  i like it...

Alfa Romeo Announces New 1.8-liter Turbo Production Starts in 2013

New 1.8-liter Turbo Engine with up to 300HP

The Fiat Group has revealed plans to produce a new four-cylinder gasoline direct injection turbo engine for Alfa Romeo at the firm's FMA plant in Pratola Serra beginning in early 2013

 

The Italian company said that the all-aluminum powerplant has a displacement of 1.8-liters and will feature advanced technologies such as a 200-bar gasoline direct injection system, dual variable timing and a high-efficiency turbocharger. It will be offered in numerous versions the most powerful of which will develop 300-horses.

While the Fiat Group did not give out any details about the models scheduled to get the new engine, it did say that it has been designed for use in both transversal and longitudinal applications and that it will be compliant with future emissions standards in both Europe (Euro 6) and the U.S. (Tier 2 Bin 5). 

 

The upcoming 4C sports coupe and the delayed Giulia premium sedan that will replace the current 159 will most likely be the first cars to get the new powerplant.

“This is an extremely important step for Alfa Romeo, as we continue to reposition our brand and prepare it for global distribution. The United States remains our primary objective as we prepare for a 2013 introduction of our models,” said Harald J. Wester, Fiat’s Chief Technology Officer and head of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati Brands. 

 

“The dedication of Group-wide resources to develop specific powertrain solutions for the specific needs of Alfa Romeo is a reflection of the renewed thrust we are placing on the development of this brand. This is a first step in a series of initiatives to be implemented in the near future which will reconnect Alfa Romeo to its historical roots as a premium Italian sports car brand,” he added.

Source:  http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/10/alfa-romeo-announces-new-18-liter-turbo.html#disqus_thread

BMA Wheels

18" shown without Lockplate
Available in 15" - 20"
Sandwich mount shown
4 & 5 stud fitment inc Centre Lock

Source: http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/pages/wheels_cast.html

brake performance

Well that depends on what sort of brake "performance" you're talking about.

Stopping distance: Depends mostly on your tires. Brake upgrades won't change this much.

1977 Frnt Calipers

Fade resistance: Depends partly on rotor cooling and partly on pad compound. Vented rotors and good pads will help with this. Calipers have no effect.

Pedal feel: The pedal will take less force but longer travel to achieve the same brake torque with the Volvos compared to the 323i calipers. You may want to change the master cylinder to a larger bore to make the travel shorter again. Once you do that there is probably no difference in the feel.

The size of the pad area only effects how long it takes to wear the pads out. It does not effect the braking torque and probably has minimal effect on the feel.

http://www.massivebrakes.com/kits/e21/front/300/32/

Basically you need vented rotors, good pads, and good fluid. Caliper choice is 1/10 as important as any one of those. Front 323i calipers are identical to '77 320i calipers, and their only advantage is that you are able to run a vented rotor.

Braking torque can be a consideration, however, how much does brake torque matter once they've been locked up if you don't have ABS None. Once you start running bigger&stickier tires, it becomes harder to lock the tires up, so then more brake torque is needed. Until you get to that point, bigger brakes will just have a longer life and stay cooler (definitely advantages to both of those) and will likely have more un-sprung weight (not so much of an advantage).

1977 Front Calipers

Rotors need 2 things, mass to instantaneously absorb heat during a braking application (heavier is better), and some way to cool them before the next brake application (venting, possibly with air ducting/diverting). The stock non-vented rotors have very little of either of those things.

i do know that with stock vented rotors, calipers, hawk hp plus pads and ATE fluid, i can overpower the summer tires i'm running.

Pads: Hawk hps brake pads are about as good as it gets.

Torque is a measure of the turning force on an object and is greatly influenced by the length of the lever. the longer the lever the greater the mechanical advantage. therefore a bigger diameter rotor has more torque. i really don't believe pad size makes much difference with torque. (larger pads = longevity!)

Wilwoods brake calipers usually have a larger pistons (and several sizes are available) which does increase brake torque for a given line pressure, but you can always just press harder on the pedal instead. Wilwoods are also much lighter which is kind of a big deal since they are unspung weight (attached to the movable part of the suspension). But yeah, any brake upgrade that uses the same rotors is mostly for cosmetics/bragging.

there is a good discussion over on the forums regarding the upgraded girling calipers...its worth reading...it can be found here...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308282

Quote of the month

there are two kinds of people who own old Bimmers, BMW mechanics, and those who wish they were.

old school bavarian motor works

Tool Kit for iS models

Complete Tool Kit

flywheel

This is a VAC Motorsports Aluminum flywheel (extreme lightened) for a bmw m10 engine...amazing, but not practical.

as the above but with the pressure plate

model a ford

these cars are like an old lover that won't leave me alone...i really like model 'A's'...i have already been wondering what kind of car i want to do next...and believe it or not i have considered a model 'A'...

brake ducts

You are looking at one Porsche 944 924 968 Brake cooling kit. 

post-modern 320

323i

"This is my 323i which has been refinished in the original Brazil Brown. I have removed the markers installed when it was converted, and have replaced all  rubber and moldings with Original BMW . Original BMW Motorsport front spoiler and 15/6 and 15/7 BBS wheels.  After ordering 2 Alpina spoilers and having them arrive damaged, I decided to go with the Motorsport spoiler , However, I may try one more Alpina as well. Current plans are to have the BBS wheels refinished in body color with polished lips. Although replacement with Alpina wheels has been contemplated."

Notice the BMW Motorsports Front Valance

Source:  http://www.323i.net/

320i windshield wipers

driving the car back home from california jonathan and i ran into a rain storm and the wipers seemed to turn slower than typical...i would like to either put on a new motor...(doubtful)...or have the old motor rewound and have new brushes put into it...there is a place on rt. 65 that still does this kind of work...