Belvin's Jet Black ZHP

[PirateZHP]

Well... here we are... Welcome to my project page. I have had the ZHP for about a month now, and have loved every second of driving it. From the 30 mile HWY commute to work, to the back roads around northern Raleigh, NC, this thing has been awesome! But, after reading and seeing so many great ZHPs in the family, I figured I needed to start doing some small things here and there. Thus... a project thread!

On Saturday (09/14/13) the project/work began:

#1) Smoked tails and corners - I thought it may look cool and different on the jet black

#2) Cleaned the front headlight lenses with a 3m repair kit - they needed it

#3) 10mm spacers in the rear, 5mm in the front - Yes... I realize now that it isn't much, but you have to start somewhere, right?

#4) Hotchkis front and rear sway bars - well... you can't just work on looks alone, can you?

On Sunday (09/15/13) - Fun!

I enjoyed the car a bit in the morning, and then took my girls to the park for a picnic.

*First pic is the day I got her. Second is the smoked front with cleaned headlight lense. Third is rear smoked. Fourth is the wheel fitment with the spacers.

**I would have loved to take more pics of the installation of the sway bars, and had even thought about trying to write up a DIY... but you would not want a DIY from me as it took many trial and error and way too much time. My suggestion is to download instructions from Hotchkis website. They saved us... once we decided to read them!

Thanks for reading, and I hope to be able to have many updates!

[PirateZHP]

Forgot to post this pic... these are my girls.

[johnrando]

Nice werk. EDIT: Family smiling by the ZHP.... :thumbsup

[Avetiso]

Good stuff! About time you made a thread.

Sent from a junkyard via GS4.

[danewilson77]

Good looking Family Pirate. Good werk.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[PirateZHP]

Good looking Family Pirate. Good werk.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4


Good stuff! About time you made a thread.

Sent from a junkyard via GS4.


Nice werk. EDIT: Family smiling by the ZHP.... :thumbsup

Thanks, Fellas... you really know how to make a guy feel special! :blushing

[ELCID86]

Very nice, family, car and work. Appears you left the side markers amber? Plan to swap them? Maybe clear or smoked??

[JupiterBMW]

Great looking car, great looking family. From a guy that also has all girls. :thumbsup

[fredo]

Well done, sir ! How do you rate the 3m repair kit from 1 to 10 (with 1 the easiest) ?

[PirateZHP]

Very nice, family, car and work. Appears you left the side markers amber? Plan to swap them? Maybe clear or smoked??

I will replace them to smoked as well... I just forgot about them until I went to install everything. :facepalm


Great looking car, great looking family. From a guy that also has all girls. :thumbsup
Thanks, Joop. You looking to do an even trade? My jet black for your alpine white?! :begging

You have my favorite ZHP on the site!


Well done, sir ! How do you rate the 3m repair kit from 1 to 10 (with 1 the easiest) ?

The kit gets an 2 for easy to use. But, I think there are other kits that would work better. It looks good, but not great.. imo.

[JupiterBMW]

Hah, sorry man. If I do let the ZHP go, it will only be for another AW car, which of course wouldn't be a ZHP.

[ELCID86]

The kit gets an 2 for easy to use.
Agree.
I had my 18YO help me use the kit on my Accord a few weeks back. Drastic improvement and not too complicated. Just multiple steps.

[PirateZHP]

Hah, sorry man. If I do let the ZHP go, it will only be for another AW car, which of course wouldn't be a ZHP.

AW ZHP has now become a dream of mine... even though I have just gotten this one.

[illirep]

Nice Matt - those lights look great ;)

[PirateZHP]

Nice Matt - those lights look great ;)

:cheers Thanks (to you), Bill.

[330i ZHP]

nice - welcome to ZHP ownership - enjoy her

[PirateZHP]

nice - welcome to ZHP ownership - enjoy her

Thanks, Stuart. I am enjoying every minute of it! I already get really upset when I have someone going too slow on an on ramp... that's MY playground they are messing with!

[PirateZHP]

Small review of the Hotchkis Sway Bars:

I have the front on the middle setting and the rear on the softest setting.

In normal driving around town, I really dont feel much of a difference. It is when you really get into a turn or curve that the sways really seem to take over. The best way to describe it is that when you start to push the car, the sways "engage" and flatten the car out. It feels amazing.

I have thought of putting the front to the stiffest setting, but I am unsure what that would do. I may do that after I get the new front endlinks from hotchkis.

**Also, if anyone has any thoughts on going with anything from hotchkis, I STRONGLY suggest you do. Their customer service has been top-notch! I could not have asked for more!

[johnrando]

Good info, keep us posted.

[PirateZHP]

Some of you may remember that when I bought my hotchkis sways, the hotchkis front end links were also given to me. In that thread, I mentioned that I had learned that hotchkis had gone to a different style of endlink and/or ball joint... (Dane, you may remember that you didn't realize they could be seperated, to which I promised pics... here they are!) and that I also heard they would replace the old ones free of charge. Well, pictured here are the old and new front end links for the e46. I will work on installing these in the next week.

Old ones are first: As you can see, the end link itself is a female piece and the ball joint screws into it. The new ones are opposite of that. The new ones are also thinner, but feel stronger to me (in my hands).

[danewilson77]

Typically, just the ends would need to be swapped, unless the rods were warped/bent or there were other integrity issues.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH now Free ('http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')

[PirateZHP]

Typically, just the ends would need to be swapped, unless the rods were warped/bent or there were other integrity issues.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH now Free ('http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')

Hotchkis sent me the new ball joints first, but then realized that I had their old endlinks and sent me the new rods to go with the new ball joints.

[danewilson77]

Ok

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH now Free ('http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')

[PirateZHP]

Finally got the new front end-links from Hotchkis put on. I didn't think that there would be much of a difference, I was just adding them to "complete the set-up". But there is a difference. These things feel like a dream. Now, it may be that ANY new front end-links would make the car feel better (mine were original, I believe) however I am very happy to have gotten these on.

That, unfortunately, was the extent of the work done this weekend as the forecast did not cooperate... at least in the afternoon. The first half of the day was spent keeping up with my buddy's viper as we took it out to his friend's place for storage while his house sells. Pics below!

[PirateZHP]

Wouldn't let me attatch second pic...

[johnrando]

Nice garage!

[PirateZHP]

Well, today was a special day...

I completed my first ever oil change! Very simple. Car still runs, so I did a good job. :rockon

BMW Oil Filter
Castrol 5w-30 synthetic

Please excuse the gross looking amber side marker... :facepalm I promise to get that changed soon! Or maybe someone will feel bad enough and just send me some... :shift

Yes, the car also got cleaned today. I know it is stupidly dirty in the picture!

[PirateZHP]

Then...

I recently bought some 15mm spacers. SO, I was going to put those on. I took off the rear tires to find this... (I did get the 15mm spacers on, but forgot to take pics...)

Called around, best bang for the buck that was available today was Continental DWSs. So the ZHP got 4 new meats. It rides GREAT now!

As a side note: Does anyone else's tire shop clean your wheels for you once they have put everything back together? Mine does!!

**Evidently ZHPM doesn't want me to post more pics... maybe later?

[PirateZHP]

Hooray Pics!

[ELCID86]

Yikes. That's some chewed up rubber.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[johnrando]

Congrats on the 1st change! Cool that the shop cleans your wheels.

[Johal E32]

whoa. What caused that? Maybe check those RTABS out, and the alignment..

[HokieZHP]

RTAB's were replaced when I bought the car with 111k or so on the clock so doubt it's them. I never had wear issues like that and i went through 2 sets of tires on that car.

[PirateZHP]

I am getting an alignment this week. Not to worry. Couldn't get it Saturday due to the last minute "FIND ME SOME TIRES NOW"... I'm not worried. Those tires were fairly gone when I bought the car. I knew tires were coming... just didn't know it was that bad.

[PirateZHP]

Alignment happening tomorrow. Pumped to get it done. Car will ride beautifully with new tires and perfect alignment.

[PirateZHP]

I need help...

I like my smoked tails. But, I am not sold on the smoked front corners. So... smoked or amber? and GO!

[ELCID86]

I prefer amber or maybe clear.

[Avetiso]

Amber.

[PirateZHP]

For comparison... go!

With fingers touching the screen...

[Avetiso]

Again, amber.

[PirateZHP]

Alright... then how do you feel about leaving the smoked rears with the amber front corners?

[alexandre]

I'd do either one of the other. I like uniformity, but of course this is your car.

[danewilson77]

Again, amber.

+1

Ambers on rear as well.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Avetiso]

I'm with Dane, and Alex. Leave one color all around, and I would choose amber or clear. Amber first, clear second.

[PirateZHP]

Well, I would need to find some mint rear lights. One of mine has a crack. Maybe I throw up my smoked rear and corners for a trade for mint ambers...

[HokieZHP]

I always kept the ambers because it was unique since most people change them out for clears or smoked. If anything, I would change to OEM clears though. corners, tails and sides.

[PirateZHP]

Alright... I am going to attempt to go back to ambers all around. I just need some better amber oem rears... someone got some?

[PirateZHP]

Back to ambers... :-)

Sorry the car isn't cleaner when presented to the family. :-\

With fingers touching the screen...

[ELCID86]

I like it!


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[PirateZHP]

I like it!


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

Thanks! Now I just need some gloss black kidney grills...

Or should I go with CF?

With fingers touching the screen...

[cakM3]

Matt, go with the "gloss" Performance kidney grills. They will look much better! Love the full amber look on your ZHP :thumbsup Glad to be of service! :)

[danewilson77]

Yes! Shadow line.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[ELCID86]

Or stay chrome ??


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[PirateZHP]

Or stay chrome ??


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

I don't mind the chrome except that there is no other chrome on the car. So, the chrome kidneys just stand out.

With fingers touching the screen...

[PirateZHP]

Matt, go with the "gloss" Performance kidney grills. They will look much better! Love the full amber look on your ZHP :thumbsup Glad to be of service! :)

Yes! A big THANK YOU to Charlie for sending me his old OEM Tail lights.

With fingers touching the screen...

[Vas]

Some BMW performance grills and a new set of headlight lenses.

[HokieZHP]

Always wanted to do black grills and new lenses just never got around to it. Looks good though! Glad she's being taken care of!

You going to be in town the weekend after thanksgiving?

[QC_ZHP]

Ambers look great on black, nice choice. A gloss grill would look great on the car too, get on it!

[derbo]

Belvin How much was those ramps?

[PirateZHP]

Always wanted to do black grills and new lenses just never got around to it. Looks good though! Glad she's being taken care of!

You going to be in town the weekend after thanksgiving?

Yeah, I'll be here. Give me a call or text. I may even let you drive her again... ;-)


Ambers look great on black, nice choice. A gloss grill would look great on the car too, get on it!

Thanks! I'm trying to get on it!


Some BMW performance grills and a new set of headlight lenses.

Both of those are next on the list. Anyone know of what lenses I should buy or where? Seems like there are a lot out there.


Belvin How much was those ramps?

I don't own ramps. Those are my buddy's. I will ask him and let you know.



With fingers touching the screen...

[QC_ZHP]

http://www.khoalty.com/headlight-lens-replacement.html

No complaints here. Best price out there

[danewilson77]

http://www.khoalty.com/headlight-lens-replacement.html

No complaints here. Best price out there

Right. They won't last as long though.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[PirateZHP]

Right. They won't last as long though.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

Soooo... does the boss have a suggestion?

With fingers touching the screen...

[danewilson77]

Magnetti Marelli or BMW or cheapos with clear Lamin-X

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Vas]

OR cheap ones with automotive clear
OR factory ones, sand and automotive clear.

[illirep]

Ambers look good on black!

[PirateZHP]

Ambers look good on black!

Thanks Bill! Do you still have those gloss grills?

With fingers touching the screen...

[PirateZHP]

Just made the best and most important mod to my car... a new sticker! :-)

[Avetiso]

I love that sticker.

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[PirateZHP]

I love that sticker.

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Thanks, Dario. My buddy has one on his Jeep SRT8 as well. I've only seen it on our cars so far.

[Avetiso]

Thanks, Dario. My buddy has one on his Jeep SRT8 as well. I've only seen it on our cars so far.
So, any plans for the car at the moment?

[PirateZHP]

So, any plans for the car at the moment?

I have plenty of "plans"... but I also have a wedding to pay for at the end of June, so that takes priority.

I want to do:

Cooling system
Refresh suspension (adding some low) - some parts have been done already by Hokie/Chris
Refinish wheel and/or get new wheels - and probably go to square setup
New front Bumper
Intake
*Maybe* Exhaust - if retired from DD driving
Eurocharge
Leatherique the front seats
Armrest delete with euro tray center (probably convert that to black)
New headlight lenses (mine are gross)
Replace Fog lights (I have one cracked one)
LSD

There is plenty more I can't think of right now that come through my brain. It really all depends on how soon the zetchpa retires from DD use. Or maybe I'll go full Charlie on it... who knows

[PirateZHP]

AND plenty of stickers!!!!

[ELCID86]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15982650&postcount=1214

and http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15982689&postcount=1215
(grin)

[PirateZHP]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15982650&postcount=1214

and http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15982689&postcount=1215
(grin)

What exactly are you trying to show me, Shawn? Maybe it's not working great from my phone...?

[HokieZHP]

Damn throwback there Shawn. That's a really old post by me on e46f in a college kids and e46 thread. Some pics of the car right after I bought it.

[ELCID86]

Damn throwback there Shawn. That's a really old post by me on e46f in a college kids and e46 thread. Some pics of the car right after I bought it.

Yes, and the quote- "I would have sold my freshman year roommate into white slavery if I could have {gotten] an e46 for college."

[HokieZHP]

Yes, and the quote- "I would have sold my freshman year roommate into white slavery if I could have {gotten] an e46 for college."

Yeah that made me laugh haha

[PirateZHP]

... waiting on my Gruppe M intake... supposed to arrive Friday. I need it!

[Avetiso]

... waiting on my Gruppe M intake... supposed to arrive Friday. I need it!

Dat induction sound.

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[PirateZHP]

Dat induction sound.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

So ready for it!!

[QC_ZHP]

You're gonna love it. You'll be flooring it everywhere for the first couple of days lol.

[PirateZHP]

You're gonna love it. You'll be flooring it everywhere for the first couple of days lol.

Goodbye gas mileage...

Been meaning to ask you, Steve: How do you like the 3.38 rear diff? I found one fairly cheap and was wondering if it would be worth it...

[QC_ZHP]

Love it and absolutely worth it.

[ELCID86]

You're gonna love it. You'll be flooring it everywhere for the first couple of days lol.

:biggrin

[HokieZHP]

You're gonna love it Matt! I loved mine

[cakM3]

Matt as Chris stated...you're gonna love it! I approve of his statement because I definately love mine!!! :) Brings a grin to my face every time I go WOT...

[PirateZHP]

It with the old, in with the new! Gruppe M intake is now installed. When it arrived, it needed the surround around the edge of the intake cone. So I bought some of the rubber door protective strips and put it around the edge. Below are pics for your viewing pleasure...1281112812128131281412815

[PirateZHP]

Final product!12816

[PirateZHP]

My initial impression: What a sound... especially past 3500rpm! But what I'm more excited about is the feel of the engine. I don't know that there is any power gain, but I am confident that it made the FEEL of acceleration different... in a better way! It feels free-er... like the engine can breathe better.

Bottom line... I'm stoked!

[Vas]

What protein mix is that on the counter ? You lift bro ?

[PirateZHP]

What protein mix is that on the counter ? You lift bro ?

Yeah, I lift 4 days a week and cardio 2 days a week. That is CSN Protein... cookies and cream flavor!

[Vas]

That's awesome.

Oh and sweet intake. :-)

[danewilson77]

^protein stalker.

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[PirateZHP]

That's awesome.

Oh and sweet intake. :-)

Thanks (for both comments?)


^protein stalker.

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Everyone wants to know everyone else's protein...

[gmurphy]

Beautiful intake. If you have time someday make a video of it!


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[PirateZHP]

Beautiful intake. If you have time someday make a video of it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll see what I can do. ;-)

[cakM3]

Matt the Gruppe M looks perfect in your engine bay! :thumbsup


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[PirateZHP]

Matt the Gruppe M looks perfect in your engine bay! :thumbsup


Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD

Thanks, Charlie!

[Vas]

^protein stalker.

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Just curious is all.

[danewilson77]

I know. J/K is all.

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[Avetiso]

How do you the protein? I'm running out, gonna need to restock it.

Nice intake. :biggrin

[QC_ZHP]

Awesome man, glad you got it. The sound is addicting

[PirateZHP]

How do you the protein? I'm running out, gonna need to restock it.

Nice intake. :biggrin

Dario, I like the protein. It is a solid blend. If you are needing pure whey or pure casein or something, you will need to go a different way. But, I have been using CSN for a while. And, you actually get more in their packaging than others for right at the same price. :thumbsup


Awesome man, glad you got it. The sound is addicting

You know... I wish there was more sound in the lower RPMs. I don't slam the car up to 4k-7k very often, and at the lower RPMs it sounds about the same as stock. Maybe I need an exhaust? :innocent:devilish Just don't tell my fiancé... :ducking

[cakM3]

You know... I wish there was more sound in the lower RPMs. I don't slam the car up to 4k-7k very often, and at the lower RPMs it sounds about the same as stock. Maybe I need an exhaust? :innocent:devilish Just don't tell my fiancé... :ducking

Matt... I was thinking the same thing until I picked up my Corsa TSE3 exhaust. Now I have that "perfect blend" of intake/exhaust noise that I have found to be fully satisfying... Corsa TSE3...... Matt.....

[PirateZHP]

Matt... I was thinking the same thing until I picked up my Corsa TSE3 exhaust. Now I have that "perfect blend" of intake/exhaust noise that I have found to be fully satisfying... Corsa TSE3...... Matt.....

Charlie, you know I am getting married soon. Maybe a wedding gift is in order? :fingerscrossed HAHA!

[cakM3]

Charlie, you know I am getting married soon. Maybe a wedding gift is in order? :fingerscrossed HAHA!

Yeah....I know Matt :biggrin This can be on your "list of future mods" ;)

[PirateZHP]

I should make a list:

Need list:
New front mtech2 bumper
New center console with armrest delete
Shift knob
Leatherique font seats
Recover all pillars

Mod list:
3.46 (probably LSD)
Pulleys
Exhaust
Eurocharge

That should do for a while...

[ELCID86]

Bumper cracked?

[Vas]

That is a good list. I driven a car with a eurocharge tune on it and liked it.

I just ended up buying a brand new zhp shift knob.

[PirateZHP]

Bumper cracked?

It's cracked at the bottom and has already been through a respray at least once. Multiple shops (that I respect) told me the bumper is not worth a respray. So... I'm on the hunt for a bumper...

[ELCID86]

My initial impression: What a sound... especially past 3500rpm! But what I'm more excited about is the feel of the engine. I don't know that there is any power gain, but I am confident that it made the FEEL of acceleration different... in a better way! It feels free-er... like the engine can breathe better.

Bottom line... I'm stoked!

Glad you like it!

[PirateZHP]

So, the zhp got a cube trim refresh today! I forgot to take before pics, but the trim looks AMAZING now. Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure...12851128521285312854

[danewilson77]

:drool

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[cakM3]

You did an awesome job Matt! Looks great!

[Avetiso]

Glad to see you painted it instead of dipping it! Looks awesome!

[PirateZHP]

:drool

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You did an awesome job Matt! Looks great!


Glad to see you painted it instead of dipping it! Looks awesome!

Thanks, fellas. Super easy job. I used Bill's DIY: sand with 400 grit, three coats of paint, touch up the edges at the end, put refreshed cubes back on.

[Avetiso]

Get any chipping? I got some peeling on the piece over my LCM.

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[PirateZHP]

Get any chipping? I got some peeling on the piece over my LCM.

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No chipping or peeling. Just freshness! :-)

[johnrando]

Intake, :drool

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[Vas]

Good job on the trim. Looks nice and fresh.

[PirateZHP]

Intake, :drool

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Thank you, sir. I like it.

[PirateZHP]

Good job on the trim. Looks nice and fresh.

Thanks, Vas. It came out really well. The pictures don't do it justice. It looks brand new!

[HokieZHP]

Glad you did the trim refresh. Something I wanted to do for a while but just never got around to it

[PirateZHP]

Glad you did the trim refresh. Something I wanted to do for a while but just never got around to it

I'm soon to get some leatherique and do the front seats. I hope to get a new center console too... then the interior will be on par with the exterior (minus the front bumper)

[johnrando]

Oh yeah, and the trim looks great!

[HokieZHP]

I'm soon to get some leatherique and do the front seats. I hope to get a new center console too... then the interior will be on par with the exterior (minus the front bumper)

Seats were like that when I bought the car. Another thing I never got around to. I was going to re-dye and condition them. If you get all that done, the interior should be good!

[Vas]

I'm soon to get some leatherique and do the front seats. I hope to get a new center console too... then the interior will be on par with the exterior (minus the front bumper)

Armrest delete is my suggestion.

[PirateZHP]

Seats were like that when I bought the car. Another thing I never got around to. I was going to re-dye and condition them. If you get all that done, the interior should be good!

That's the plan!


Armrest delete is my suggestion.

That is also the plan!

[ELCID86]

Hey Matt, wishing you well on the wedding this weekend. Post pictures (after the honeymoon). And I better not see any cans tied to the back of your Bimmer! :-)

[Avetiso]

Hey Matt, wishing you well on the wedding this weekend. Post pictures (after the honeymoon). And I better not see any cans tied to the back of your Bimmer! :-)

Why cans? Install some headers! Same effect. :biggrin

Congratulations, Matt!

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