Upgrades/Replacements Begin

While waited for the cage builder to have some time to build me a cage I decided there were some things that I could purchase and install in the mean time.

From Bimmerworld.com I picked up the following:
-OEM Control Arms
-Powerflex Offset CA Bushings
-Ireland Engineering Poly Motor Mounts
-Upgraded (Stiffer) Rubber Tranny Mounts
-Powerflex Poly Rear Diff Mount
-Hawk HP+ Pads
-Brembo Blank Rotors
-To be delivered in March...D-Force LTW5 15x7's ~13lbs each

From TurnerMotorsports.com
-Bosch W8LCR Spark Plugs (no local stores carry copper plugs anymore)
-A couple spare lug bolts

From TireRack.com
-Avon Tech R-A's 205/50R15's

The stack of 205 Avons is approx. 2.5" taller than the stack of 225 Azenis...sweet.


First to get replaced were the control arms. I assumed this would be as simple as it was on my old Nissan, well it wasn't and quickly led to the replacement of the motor mounts sooner rather than later. The inner balljoint on the passenger side subframe did not want to cooperate. It was a combination of having zero room due to the aftermarket headers running in the only place where a wrench would be useful.

Even after removing the subframe with the passenger side CA still attached the balljoint still refused to come loose so we resorted to grinding the bitch off.

The quality motor mount completly sheared the top mounting plate off when the subframe was dropped.

The engine sat supported by the jack and a backup jackstand for about a week while the subframe was cleaned up and the control arms were installed. Note the new shiny yellow IE motor mount.

New contol arms installed on the subframe. Much easier to properly torque the balljoints when you aren't cramped around the engine. However putting the subframe back on the car alone with the control arms mounted was an interesting experience. Slightly awkward/heavy trying to align holes while working around the engine being supported by the jack.

Subframe finally re-installed and the engine supported with the new mounts. Took a few attempts (1.5 hrs) to get the subframe mounts and the motor mounts to all line up. Will take a lot less time the next time the subframe comes off now that I have the process down.