New to here, not E46Fanatics

[CarbonZHP]

So I've spent about the past year on E46Fanatics getting situated. If youre over there you might recognize me, same username. Anyway I thought I'd join the site for my actual car. By the way I work part time at ModBargains.

[Smilez]

You telling me you work with Ernie ? Welcome to the most friendly forum.

[CarbonZHP]

Yes I do haha. Hes great

[WOLFN8TR]

Welcome! Yep recognize you from E46F's

[johnrando]

Welcome over. Def recognize the name. A little more about your car and pics please.

[danewilson77]

Welcome

[CarbonZHP]

Funny being the new guy that Im generally welcoming. Car is an 04 ZHP Vert A/T (i know, sorry). 120k miles, bought with 106k. 2nd owner. When we bought the car it was taken to a BMW indy who thought it was kept in a garage except the miles didnt reflect that. Car has a clean bill of health. Hasnt been back in a shop since for anything at all. All modifications done to the car were by me in a garage. Maintained well. CCV is in the process of going so I'm researching the catch can option. Anything I missed? :dunno

[CarbonZHP]

While this is on my mind, any zhpmafia stickers? Id love a sticker just like the website header. Maybe 3x7 inches. If anyone has done this let me know

[danewilson77]

While this is on my mind, any zhpmafia stickers? Id love a sticker just like the website header. Maybe 3x7 inches. If anyone has done this let me know

In progress.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?13091-ZHPmafia-sticker-design-contest

[Avetiso]

Welcome!

[Oli77]

Welcome! car looks really spiffy!

[derbo]

welcome! what kind of rear diffusor is that?

[Fenrir]

Welcome!! And DITTO ^^^ :drool:drool:drool

[3ZHPGUY]

Welcome

[Dave1027]

Car is an 04 ZHP Vert A/T (i know, sorry)
No need to apologize. There is nothing wrong with the AT in these cars. Actually it's about the sweetest AT I have ever owned. You can pretty much do what you want with it.

[CarbonZHP]

I shift manual about 99% of the time. Feels great until I drive my F06 and then it feels like a telegraph to change gears. My diffuser is by brokeduetom3 on the Fanatics. I met up with him and got him my stock diffuser so he could get specs to create this. Mines the first one and so far the only one for ZHP in existence. PM me and I can get you his contact info. Hes a great guy.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/2014-05-23070212_zps2a645dcf.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/2014-05-23070212_zps2a645dcf.jpg.html)

[E_Rak]

Love that diffuser, looks angry!

[CarbonZHP]

Thanks! Yeah its the thing I get the most questions on, especially at work.

[cakM3]

Willkommen :thumbsup

I will add you have one very nicely modded ZHP :)

[fredo]

Welcome, sir. Car looks sharp.

[Pip]

Welcome.

[oldzilla]

Welcome

[johnrando]

Great looking vert. You don't have to apologize for driving AT on this site. You're right, it does take forever to shift. Try the paddle shift mod, maybe some Dinan STEP s/w, and for an even better feel a Sprint Booster or Pedal Box to remove the drive-by-wire throttle lag. It will really change the feel and fun to drive/fun to shift factor. Come out to the South Bay and I'll show you my setup.

[CarbonZHP]

I believe you were talking to me earlier about wanting to see my Sub/amp setup. Yes we will need to meet up. Thanks for the suggestions. Hadn't heard of the step software. Also I just got my wheel refinished so can't justify buying an SMG wheel right now. Would love to have paddles though

[johnrando]

Yup, we did talk about that. Unfortunately you can't get the paddle shifts w/o an SMG steering wheel. The STEP s/w difference isn't much at all, but every little bit helps. When you're hitting it hard, the s/w helps hold the revs longer and then shifts just a teense quicker. I got it on sale so it was worth a roll of the dice, not sure it's worth it at full price. It's on the Dinan website, and a indy shop in Glendale installed is. AVUS or something close to that, drawing a blank at the moment. Overall, it's really not an expensive mod at all... the wheel is the biggest part. I agree that you wouldn't want to "throw away" a good wheel.

Also, tell me about your splitter skid plates. If they are working for you I'd love to either buy a set from you or learn how you did them. Also, we should talk suspension. I have the H&R Touring Cup Kit. Used to have the Race springs which I loved, but H&R said they don't go with the cup kit shocks, so I had to switch them out. How is your setup working for you?

[CarbonZHP]

The skid plates are great. I made them myself since I can actually scrape on flat ground under hard braking. I somply bought thin gauge aluminum and traced the splitter shape on using some carboard. More info can be found on CTDs thread where he is selling the splitters, a few pages back. I can always bring it over. The suspension is working great for me. Bilsteins seem to take the beating and the performance is definitely great. Only thing I feel it needs are sways. Other than that cornering is great. There is some initial lean due to it being progressive but once loaded it performs great. And honestly, ride isnt too bad. I love feeling everything through the suspension and steering. Passengers, not so much.

Edit: Here was my mini writeup http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=821594&highlight=ctd&page=14

[Hermes]

CCV is in the process of going so I'm researching the catch can option. Anything I missed? :dunno

Just replace your CCV, catch can is an illegal mod in Cali

[CarbonZHP]

This is true. But Im able to tuck it down low near where the CCV was. The only way to fail smog is visual, since emissions will actually be better with the can.

[Hermes]

I'm not talking about smog, although that does play into it. When you have a modified car that gets attention, cops give it attention too. I have seen many cars seized for illegal mods, it's just not worth it.

The CCV is a perfectly fine system and will last you a long time, just replace it. If you want a catch can and all the fun race parts you should look into dry sump first, but honestly don't even worry about them

[johnrando]

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out. We did an experimental skid plate but it seemed like it would catch so we ditched 'em. I've been thinking about a sway bar but I hadn't really looked into it in depth to see if it would make much of a difference vs. the money.

[CarbonZHP]

What I did to stop the catching is curled the front edge up with plyers. Created a lip that curls around the front of the splitter more while not being visible. If you really want I could see what it would cost me to make some more

[johnrando]

For sure, thanks. My car is fairly low and the splitters are getting chewed up.

[CarbonZHP]

My curling may not be perfect since I can no longer test fit to my splitters

[Hornung418]

I was the initial group buy starter for those splitters and I still haven't installed mine...I am waiting for my bumper to get resprayed. I'm lowered and scrape on everything that's not flat ground lol.

Sent from my GS3.

[CarbonZHP]

Same. I scrape on both ends because of the diffuser. The front edge of my splitter is 3.5 inches from the ground.

[Hornung418]

Same. I scrape on both ends because of the diffuser. The front edge of my splitter is 3.5 inches from the ground.

Can you take more pics of the diffuser?

Sent from my GS3.

[CarbonZHP]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/2014-05-20172606_zpsb3e294fb.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/2014-05-20172606_zpsb3e294fb.jpg.html)
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/2014-05-18190800_zps000cd64d.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/2014-05-18190800_zps000cd64d.jpg.html)
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/2014-05-18132109_zps45ba3bf4.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/2014-05-18132109_zps45ba3bf4.jpg.html)

[Hornung418]

Okay. So it is removable. Thats what I wanted to know. It looks great and super racy.

Sent from my GS3.

[CarbonZHP]

Yeah it bolts up and uses the existing diffuser holes. Also the holes in the lower diffuser are rectangular so it can be slid out or in.

[Hornung418]

Yeah it bolts up and uses the existing diffuser holes. Also the holes in the lower diffuser are rectangular so it can be slid out or in.

Nice. What did you pay for that?

Sent from my GS3.

[CarbonZHP]

I was the first guy so I worked with Josh to make it. Ended up charging me 120, picked up at bimmerfest, I believe now they are somewhere closer to 180.

[Hornung418]

I was the first guy so I worked with Josh to make it. Ended up charging me 120, picked up at bimmerfest, I believe now they are somewhere closer to 180.

Good to know. Will be saving up!

Sent from my GS3.

[johnrando]

I have an extra set of splitter if you need to use them to test fit. They are my backups I bought from CTD.

[CarbonZHP]

Its just a matter of how much of a lip to give it. I can just guess it. Even if Im off, itll be very minor. All i do is go across the entire front of it and curl the front 1/4 inch slightly, inch by inch.

[328ioc]

Welcome.

Love the car and the diffuser as well.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[CarbonZHP]

I was lacking motivation to make the new skid plates. Well going down beach blvd today and I see a piece of rubber fly behind me. For some reason I stop and pull over. In the process my steering became ridiculously heavy. Idler pulley had blown up and taken the fan belt. Magically got it onto the flatbed safely but taking it back down the front skid plates were ruined. Get to make new ones now yayyy but first I need my car back from the dealer :)

[johnrando]

Bummer to hear! Since you're making them, I'd appreciate a set. How much are they?

[CarbonZHP]

I'm not sure john. Still don't remember my cost. When I get th car back I'll start right away

[CarbonZHP]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0519_zpsyvnqrjhb.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0519_zpsyvnqrjhb.jpg.html)

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t187/littletwerpy/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0520_zps0wbo9kbz.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/littletwerpy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0520_zps0wbo9kbz.jpg.html)

New and improved

[johnrando]

[emoji106]

[CarbonZHP]

[emoji106]

Probably $25 plus ship or we can just meet up. Also if you want Im going to prime and paint mine just for the extra secret-ness

[sillieidiot]

john, i could meet him up and pick it up for you today. since i'm heading to your house tomorrow anyways

[CarbonZHP]

john, i could meet him up and pick it up for you today. since i'm heading to your house tomorrow anyways

Let me know. 562 315 3678

[Simmsled]

Love the wheels/stance.
I know BMW makes a few different wheels that look similar.
What are the wheel/tire and suspension specs?

[CarbonZHP]

Yeah theyre from the current F10 M5. Offsets are custom as there was some hub shaving and I may have lost track of what they are. Need to figure out how to accurately measure the offset. Wheels are 19s. 9" in the front, 10.5" rear. 225/35/19 front and 255/30/19 rear. Stock camber arms. Yes there's a bit of tire stretch. Wheels could very easily hold a 255/285. Honestly the stretch wasn't my choice, as I'm not a hellaflush guy, but it was necessary.