GotZHP's E46 330i ZHP Maintenance & Build Thread w/ Pics & DIYS

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Originally Posted by slater

all engines use a little oil... the M54 uses oil thanks to the CCV system. it's entirely fixable for $10 in parts.

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Originally Posted by slater

3' of vacuum line and a 1-way check valve for the drain line to the oil pan. if you search of 'oil consumption thread' on here, you will find it detailed. this 'fix' works well if you're in a warm climate - where are you located?

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Are you now proposing this over your oil catch can setup?

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Are you now proposing this over your oil catch can setup?

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no... well, yes and no. ;)

i think my catch can, with the heating system, is the best solution for any climate where it gets below freezing temperatures.

for warmer-climate folks - this mod (with a fresh CCV i might add - an old clogged one won't help much), seems like a solid choice - the vacuum results are the same as my catch can, which is important for good ring seal. also important is the 1-way check valve for the oil drain line - that is crucial. i'm recommending this simply for OEM-ness and ease of install. if you want a catch can setup, you need to be willing to check the can contents every so often, and you need the right can - 95% of the designs i've seen out there aren't very good.

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Originally Posted by slater

and you need the right can - 95% of the designs i've seen out there aren't very good.

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Great point!
The Mishimoto can I have is well made and looks great but it's just an empty can, no baffling whatsoever inside. Research well before purchase...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...62f0a85f19.jpg

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Beyond minimizing the risk of a burst soft line I'm not really sure. I doubt it would change pedal feel. My gut tells me that since the brake system and clutch system share the same reservoir, that changing out only the rubber brake lines for SS lines will make the rubber clutch line the new weak point in the system.

I did notice a slight difference in clutch pedal engagement when I replaced my rubber clutch line for an SS line, but then again I did the CDV delete at the same time which I would think contributed to most of the change in pedal feel. Interesting aside, wsmeyer wrote an interesting post about the CDV and its impact on clutch pedal feel, stating it really shouldn't occur and is most likely negligible under regular driving conditions (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...lics-Explained)

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Yeah I pretty much replaced it for the same reason. I couldn't feel the difference since I did a flush as well so all the pedals feel firm already without the air/water in the system. But the CDV doesn't affect the feel of the clutch at all. All it did for me was get rid of the slight delay when you let the clutch out fast. With the CDV, it just slows it so that it always goes the same rate no matter how fast you let the clutch go.

I went with the Rogue Engineering SS Clutch line. It looked to be better quality than the UUC SS. Also, I had a discount on RE since Tom@EAS gives me a discount on most things he sells.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

Thanks for the input. Nice to hear from guys who have done it all once before. A UUC SS clutch line seems like a good idea and I was planning on getting their short shifter and shifter linkage kit (DSSR). Asking the GF for new shift know for X-mas so that should be huge feels improvement. Honestly, to me the biggest let down coming from the BRZ to the ZHP was the clutch feel. The clutch in the BRZ was light, crisp, precise, and extremely easy to quick shift. The ZHP feels squishy and soupy. This is going to be my first mod once maintenance is complete.

Fluids I was thinking redline for Tranny and Diff. I think it is worth the extra $$$ when it comes to lubricating fluids. Brake fluid, I may go cheap for now and will replace in a year (as well as pads) before hitting the track

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Man I hated the clutch in the BRZ lol It was way too light. When I first stepped on it, it was like wham to the ground lol To me, it had less feel than any other car. However the pedal didn't have any play. What I like more about the BRZ was the shifter. Feels more precise than the E46, even mines with the RE SSK. But I have a custom Autosolutions SSK sitting here waiting to be installed. I'd recommend getting the AS SSK personally. It feels great in my buddies M3 that I tried. Definitely don't go with RE SSK. For the clutch pedal, I want the Mason Engineering one. It's more solid, changes the engagement point as well. But I doubt you would like it, since it would be an even heavier feel than stock.

Well you'll be replacing the brake fluid after every track session anyways. I don't think it's that much. I swear motul was like $40 for 2 bottles or something.

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Originally Posted by ELCID86

You didn't get a low oil light/beep? I did while in SC and had to add almost a quart.


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - anonymous E46 fanatic

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No warning light or beep to appear which is slightly scary. I am going to double check the connection but I am pretty sure the connector was in good condition. I did not replace that sensor but I havent heard anyone mention it failing. The sensor that attaches to the passenger lower control arm was in rough shape (headlight angle sensor? or is a pitch or yaw type sensor?)

Added a quart and then cracked a second bottle and poured in half to get it back to a more normal level. I drove 130 miles on Friday and will be doing 130 miles tmrw morning at 4 or 5 am. I really like driving Rt 1 hard in the morning but may have to coast (no pun intended :) ) it this time. I will hit 500 miles by end of the week and will check it before driving from Irvine to Santa Barbara. This will be ~130 miles of mostly traffic with a few stretches of highway moving at 85mph or so.

The car does need some tie rods, but at speeds around 80 on the highway, the ZHP glides. This car is so much more comfortable at speed than the BRZ and the ride is not as fatiguing (or deafening #3"Non-ResonatedStraightPipeExhaust)

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Originally Posted by slater

3' of vacuum line and a 1-way check valve for the drain line to the oil pan. if you search of 'oil consumption thread' on here, you will find it detailed. this 'fix' works well if you're in a warm climate - where are you located?

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Socal. Always pretty warm. It was "cold" the morning at a brisk 46 degrees out. My washer bottle emptied all its contents in protest.

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Originally Posted by sillieidiot

Man I hated the clutch in the BRZ lol It was way too light. When I first stepped on it, it was like wham to the ground lol To me, it had less feel than any other car. However the pedal didn't have any play. What I like more about the BRZ was the shifter. Feels more precise than the E46, even mines with the RE SSK. But I have a custom Autosolutions SSK sitting here waiting to be installed. I'd recommend getting the AS SSK personally. It feels great in my buddies M3 that I tried. Definitely don't go with RE SSK. For the clutch pedal, I want the Mason Engineering one. It's more solid, changes the engagement point as well. But I doubt you would like it, since it would be an even heavier feel than stock.

Well you'll be replacing the brake fluid after every track session anyways. I don't think it's that much. I swear motul was like $40 for 2 bottles or something.

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So, you have to do a few things to the clutch first, to get the right feel. First, acquired a custom weighted shift knob for better shift feel. Then I adjusted the pedal to sit a little lower than the break pedal so it was a very short motion. Also removed the clutch pedal return spring and swap out the clutch master slave cylinder to a slightly larger bore ( a Forester Part I think?). Then you are good to row through the gears like a mad man. The gears would go by really fast when running on Ethanol and having a catless header.

And I do like the way the ZHP shifts for the most part, although shorter is always nicer. A new alcantara shift knob would be nice too.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

No warning light or beep to appear which is slightly scary. I am going to double check the connection but I am pretty sure the connector was in good condition. I did not replace that sensor but I havent heard anyone mention it failing.

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I had the oil level sensor fail earlier this year. Didnt get any yellow light warning either and when I checked the oil level, it was barely at the 'minimum' mark. Its a cheap part and an easy DIY during an oil change.

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The sensor that attaches to the passenger lower control arm was in rough shape (headlight angle sensor? or is a pitch or yaw type sensor?)

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That's the headlight level sensor for NA cars equipped with the HID lights.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

No warning light or beep to appear which is slightly scary. I am going to double check the connection but I am pretty sure the connector was in good condition. I did not replace that sensor but I havent heard anyone mention it failing. The sensor that attaches to the passenger lower control arm was in rough shape (headlight angle sensor? or is a pitch or yaw type sensor?)

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It doesn't really beep unless it's extremely low. The warning light does go on though if you're pretty low.

The sensor on the control arm is the auto-leveling sensor.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

So, you have to do a few things to the clutch first, to get the right feel. First, acquired a custom weighted shift knob for better shift feel. Then I adjusted the pedal to sit a little lower than the break pedal so it was a very short motion. Also removed the clutch pedal return spring and swap out the clutch master slave cylinder to a slightly larger bore ( a Forester Part I think?). Then you are good to row through the gears like a mad man. The gears would go by really fast when running on Ethanol and having a catless header.

And I do like the way the ZHP shifts for the most part, although shorter is always nicer. A new alcantara shift knob would be nice too.

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Well I mean stock vs. stock. If you're doing all those mods to get it to feel right, you could mod the E46 as well and they would both feel great lol Other than that, the BRZ is a nice little car to play around with. I had this customer that came to me to do some lighting stuff. The car was modded ugly as hell lol But I did a few things that I guess hasn't been done on the forums yet which sucked cause I had to think lol Like making the DRL fog things stay on all the time (now I see that there is an easy way to do that). Then did those Diode Dynamics turn signal boomerang things (which I ended taking back off, long story). I think I installed like a Greddy ti-c exhaust and stuff. That car has so much space to work on things. Just hated taking off the bumper to do lighting stuff.

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Originally Posted by anandoc

I had the oil level sensor fail earlier this year. Didnt get any yellow light warning either and when I checked the oil level, it was barely at the 'minimum' mark. Its a cheap part and an easy DIY during an oil change.

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Don't buy BMW for the oil level sensor. It's the exact same part as the Hella unit, with the BMW logo ground off. Save yourself $70 and get the Hella.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Don't buy BMW for the oil level sensor. It's the exact same part as the Hella unit, with the BMW logo ground off. Save yourself $70 and get the Hella.

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+1

This is where I ordered mine from:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003NE119O/...580_TE_3p_dp_1

Even cheaper ;)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELLA-Oil-Le...9UkbDR&vxp=mtr

Alternatively, I'd get it through FCP Euro since they have a lifetime warranty on their parts:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-12617508003-1

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Originally Posted by Sockethead

Great point!
The Mishimoto can I have is well made and looks great but it's just an empty can, no baffling whatsoever inside. Research well before purchase...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...62f0a85f19.jpg

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I had started to look around at catch cans and was eyeing the Radium Engineering setup. Did not see if the catch can was baffled. I really like the idea of a catch can, but in general, think they are over priced for what you actually get which is some hoses and a can and a few clamps.

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Originally Posted by sillieidiot

It doesn't really beep unless it's extremely low. The warning light does go on though if you're pretty low.

The sensor on the control arm is the auto-leveling sensor.



Well I mean stock vs. stock. If you're doing all those mods to get it to feel right, you could mod the E46 as well and they would both feel great lol Other than that, the BRZ is a nice little car to play around with. I had this customer that came to me to do some lighting stuff. The car was modded ugly as hell lol But I did a few things that I guess hasn't been done on the forums yet which sucked cause I had to think lol Like making the DRL fog things stay on all the time (now I see that there is an easy way to do that). Then did those Diode Dynamics turn signal boomerang things (which I ended taking back off, long story). I think I installed like a Greddy ti-c exhaust and stuff. That car has so much space to work on things. Just hated taking off the bumper to do lighting stuff.

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The BRZ is a Great little car when you are pushing 225HP at the rear wheels ;) I did a whole sound deadening mat project to the car and have the entire interior stripped out except the driver's seat and drove around like this for a week or two. Probably removed a few hundred pounds from an already pretty light weight car. Was a blast and the poor prius tires suffered dearly. Went through 3 sets of the OE tire in 36,000 miles. Guys who would buy new wheels or tires would sell the stock ones for ~$25 a tire! would buy a set and ruin them in 12,000 miles lol

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Alternatively, I'd get it through FCP Euro since they have a lifetime warranty on their parts:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-12617508003-1

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Curves, I swear your car is like 1 or 2 years ahead of mine in terms of what is going to break and the new parts going in lol. never heard of the oil sensor failing until now! FCPEuro seems like a good deal and no one car argue a lifetime warranty. Not all parts that come new are of quality as my DISA valve goes to show. Speaking of, need to get that replaced

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

I had started to look around at catch cans and was eyeing the Radium Engineering setup. Did not see if the catch can was baffled. I really like the idea of a catch can, but in general, think they are over priced for what you actually get which is some hoses and a can and a few clamps.

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personally, i would not buy the radium engineering can. they use what appears to be a dish scrubber for baffling - pass. what if a piece of that broke loose? you don't want that going into your engine. kaboom.

200 - 300 ml of oil for 50 miles of driving would be considered excessive consumption right? I have had to add about that much for the past two days after the work commute.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

200 - 300 ml of oil for 50 miles of driving would be considered excessive consumption right? I have had to add about that much for the past two days after the work commute.

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That is a LOT... are you sure you don't have a m oil leak?


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Originally Posted by san

That is a LOT... are you sure you don't have a m oil leak?


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Pretty sure I don't. Going to double check today at lunch. Unless something broke, I shouldn't have a leak. And if the CCV wqs broken there would be an issue with vacuum. My valve cover is leaking some but I dont think it is that much.

Going to take the car for a quick spin to bring it back up to temp, then I am going to park over some SPC spill mats to see if there are any drips.

What grade of oil are you using? My consumption went down a little when I switched to 5W40 Liqui Moly - Leichtlauf High Tech. Short distance driving will also attribute to more oil consumption.

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Originally Posted by Sreten

What grade of oil are you using? My consumption went down a little when I switched to 5W40 Liqui Moly - Leichtlauf High Tech. Short distance driving will also attribute to more oil consumption.

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Using what BMW Irvine supplies me with. Was BMW Twin Power Turbo 5W30 but BMW has recently changed the standard oil, at least in Socal, to 0W30. I had 5W30 in there and have been topping off with 0W30 oil

Parked over some SPC oil spill mats at work today and not a drop on the ground. Was parked motionless from ~9:30am to ~4:00pm. Engine was brought up to temp and then parked over mats. Only some leaves and seeds from the near by landscape.

Attachment 28084Attachment 28085

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

The BRZ is a Great little car when you are pushing 225HP at the rear wheels ;) I did a whole sound deadening mat project to the car and have the entire interior stripped out except the driver's seat and drove around like this for a week or two. Probably removed a few hundred pounds from an already pretty light weight car. Was a blast and the poor prius tires suffered dearly. Went through 3 sets of the OE tire in 36,000 miles. Guys who would buy new wheels or tires would sell the stock ones for ~$25 a tire! would buy a set and ruin them in 12,000 miles lol

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Those tires suck for grip. Man that's so cheap. I'd probably do that too if I could lol Did it feel slower after you put everything back? I know sound deadening material puts on some weight too.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

Parked over some SPC oil spill mats at work today and not a drop on the ground. Was parked motionless from ~9:30am to ~4:00pm. Engine was brought up to temp and then parked over mats. Only some leaves and seeds from the near by landscape.

[ATTACH]28084[/ATTACH[ATTACH]28085[/ATTACH

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Well all the oil could be contained in the underbody panel. Did you take that off before parking on it?

When my OFHG was leaking, there wasn't much if anything on the ground. The splash shield was covered in oil.

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Originally Posted by sillieidiot

Well all the oil could be contained in the underbody panel. Did you take that off before parking on it?

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LOL, Underbody panel was taken off the car a weekend ago

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Originally Posted by holyc0w

When my OFHG was leaking, there wasn't much if anything on the ground. The splash shield was covered in oil.

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No splash shield on the car as well.

Tie rods are happening this week and I popped the under body panels off when I did the Fuel Filter. I was suppose to do both in the same day, but life happened, and then I went to work on my garden.

lol Well I guess it's just burning then. You're still using BMW's oil which is a half synthetic blend. I would try switching to a fully synthetic oil. But it could be leaking and then just burning off. Like on the VCG near the back of the engine. It'll fall on the headers/exhaust and just burn off. How many miles are on the car now? I'd try a 5w-30 GC for a higher mileage car.

BMW's oil is full synthetic. If it was half conventional, it would need to be changed every 5k

Use of blends or strait conventional is not recommend

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Originally Posted by sillieidiot

lol Well I guess it's just burning then. You're still using BMW's oil which is a half synthetic blend. I would try switching to a fully synthetic oil. But it could be leaking and then just burning off. Like on the VCG near the back of the engine. It'll fall on the headers/exhaust and just burn off. How many miles are on the car now? I'd try a 5w-30 GC for a higher mileage car.

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Car is somewhere around 122,xxx now

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Originally Posted by Sockethead

BMW's oil is full synthetic. If it was half conventional, it would need to be changed every 5k

Use of blends or strait conventional is not recommend

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https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...30-engine-oil/

This is what i use for oil. Was the 5W30 up until a few weeks ago but BMW has changed what is recommended for the e46. LOL at the price. I pay $7.40 a quart at the Irvine BMW because I got the hook up! The guy in line in front of me paid $12 dollars for the same oil lol Sucker!

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Originally Posted by Sockethead

BMW's oil is full synthetic. If it was half conventional, it would need to be changed every 5k

Use of blends or strait conventional is not recommend

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No it's not. They are able to call it fully synthetic only because they restructure/refine the crude oil to make it a synthetic base and then add some synthetic additives for more protection and longer life. It's a group III oil. It's not really half synthetic, but it's not full synthetic either.

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Originally Posted by GotZHP

Car is somewhere around 122,xxx now

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Yeah that's not too bad. Maybe try some BC (used to be German Castrol, but now it's made in Belgium) 0w-30 first and see. Although I would do your VCG and whatever seals and stuff you may be missing as well as the oil sensor.

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Originally Posted by sillieidiot

No it's not. They are able to call it fully synthetic only because they restructure/refine the crude oil to make it a synthetic base and then add some synthetic additives for more protection and longer life. It's a group III oil. It's not really half synthetic, but it's not full synthetic either.



Yeah that's not too bad. Maybe try some BC (used to be German Castrol, but now it's made in Belgium) 0w-30 first and see. Although I would do your VCG and whatever seals and stuff you may be missing as well as the oil sensor.

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My plan was Vanos & VCG at thanksgiving but then our plans changed and we are going up the coast to a sick mansion on the beach! I'll be sure to post a few pics. Most likely will be nursing beers instead of the Bimmer.

What is odd, is the oil consumption has slowed down the past few days and i even drove 120 miles last night at 80 to 90mph with minimal consumption. Traffic out here is terrible, but when it breaks and the highways are open, man do people haul ass. I was keeping pace at 85pmh at one point when some AMG of some sort went by going about 115 i bet. Crazy people.

I'll be checking the car again tomorrow to get a reading as it hasn't moved all day and the engine oil is cold. Will be doing some items to the GFs car this weekend, so most likely will make a run to a parts store in my car.

Man, you know life is too busy when you don't have a few minutes to update your own project thread! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I know I did. Did not do a single car project but caught up on massive amounts of sleep and gained back some of the 10lbs i've lost since starting my new job :)

Anyways, I do have some updates! Good news, Bad news time....

Good news is I have found a hood!!!! Woohoo. Finally after 2 months with out one, I have found the replacement. It is a black hood which is going to remain black for now. Paint is in great shape and so is the condition of the metal. There may be one ding, but a guy at work does PDR on the side. I will eventually sand blast it at my work and get it painted to match the car, but for now, it will remain black. It is coming from a 2003 325i and for $200 dollars, its perfect! Will outfit with new hardware, a new safety latch, and new openers / ejectors (what ever the springy things are called). hood will be installed Friday on my way home, then off to the DMV to get it registered.

Bad news, more SES light codes. I am now throwing a P0461 which relates to the fuel level sensor? i did just replace the fuel filter so it may be time to do this sensor. Other bad news is I am still struggling with the post cat O2 sensors, and the car is going to be due for smog in a month or two. In the state of California, you cannot pass smog if you have [U]ANY[U] engine codes, regardless if they are emissions related or not.

Going to have a few solid weekends of projects coming up, especially in December when the GF is in France. Tie rods, Fuel level sensor, Oil change & oil level sensor, clear corner lights, and the O2pilotmod are on the list at the moment, and I am sure it will grow to be longer by the time I get half that done. Such is life owning a neglected e46.

Kind of been a lull in work on my car. I have been working on a few other cars and have done a break job on a Z3, fixed the upper engine mount in a Nissan Maxima, and now I am going to help a guy at work fix the front end of his 2004 Z4. I will hopefully have more updates and photos to come as get some more work done on the ZHP.

Tomorrow will be the last day rolling around like this....

Attachment 28311

Finally

This will be my new my hood!

Attachment 28312Attachment 28313

The pictures are not the greatest because the sun was setting but the hood is in very good condition. The guy is including the hardware which means I will have a handful of items to return. Does not come with grills but I have already purchased new ones. There are few rock chips on the front near the grills, but nothing beyond what would be considered consistent for a 13 year old car. It really really needs a wash and so does the rest of my car. Can't wait to wash and wax her again. And for Christmas, The ZHPs present will be an engine detailing overhaul. It has gotten quite dirty over the past handful of weeks.

nice update. glad you finally got that hood. since you didn't update your thread for awhile, i got bored and started doing the stuff i procrastinated on doing lol

looks like a whole car again!

Cool. Any plans to paint the new hood ?