Got these at last from Techno Toy Tuning and can't wait to get to the garage to try these on. Oil pan is now also ready.

Season is over

I finally ended the driving season and drove the car to my garage. Nothing broke and in spite of a few boost leaks and boost control issues caused by that I had no problems what so ever. So this winter I will mostly be building my race car and keep changes to this one to minimum. I will do some little changes to oil control and rear suspension, but that's all. Well, maybe a little more power also but just a little as this already is more than a handful to me like it is.

Here's some shots by my friend Heikki Malinen from our trip to Tierp.

New colors

Didn't quite like the golden lips so I got them polished. At the same time centers were painted with wine red candy to match the interior.

I got the car inspected and while testing it afterwards I broke the driveshaft. It's been at the shop for two weeks now so I should get it back soon. As the car now is undriveable I managed to install the complete air suspension. At front I now have the Airrex struts and at rear Airlift universal sleeve struts. Without driving the car I have a feeling the Airrex struts are better allthough the range is 20mm less, they just feel much stiffer. But we'll see when I get on the road again.

I also got the seat cushions back from Allankoski. I think they look 1970's enough.

I made new top mounts and got the front 25mm lower when aired out. However, the bag now hits the body and will not work like this. So, I ordered new Airrex struts for BMW e60 as they were correct length and quite easy to install. Let's just hope they will work, at least the bag diameter is 25mm less and should fit without problems. The car looks stupid this low but I think it's better to have enough suspension travel before it hits bump stops.

Up and down

I finally got the air suspension working. Well, at the front anyway as the rear struts are still on their way.

Also the engine is running like before and basically the car is now driveable. Still a lot to do but I'm happy how things are going now.

Engine in

I finally lifted the engine back into the car. I installed new intercooler, much bigger than the old one, and it fits just fine. I haven't tried the hood yet but hopefully it fits also. I also made some strut support bars as the body felt quite lively. Air springs are also a little stiffer at ride height so extra support really is needed.

This is the lowest it now goes. Front is sitting on bump stops and as I still don't have air struts at rear it will not go lower.

Looks just about right at rear for driving height, front needs to be a bit higher.

Finally some progress. I got the front struts installed and measured that I would still need 20mm more drop if I want to get the wheels to touch the arc. Well, this will do for now as getting lower means getting new inserts and strut sectioning. I just hope the bags are stiff enough at drive height.

I also got the solenoid valve and suspension management wired. Basically only things that are missing are the rear struts and compressor. I will have the compressor hopefully this week but the struts are on a ship in the middle of Atlantic so it will take almost a month until I get them.

I also glued the dash top on. It fits better than I had thought after some cutting ahd heating but it's still a plastic cover. 

I also got the wheels colored. I got tired of the polished lip and now, well, they're golden. It's a bit too bright and reddish but I can always redo them next winter. Now I will concentrate getting the car driveable.

Front struts

I had to make spacers for front bags as the thread on the strut body was bigger than bag's ID. Now I can adjust the height / stiffness at least a little.