Griff's Garage
- ChrisoftheNorth
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I managed to fix all of the issues on the 328i today! Replaced the plugs with $15/each BMW units and reset the misfire code, so far it hasn't come back and is running well. I switched the coil pack from cylinder two (that had the code) to one, so if I get another code it should be easy to diagnose.
I replaced one of the parking bulbs which caused the
error.
Finally... the noise. It turns out this wasn't related to the exhaust at all... perhaps the stupid clip was hanging on by a thread and the extra vibration caused it to snap, but certainly not directly related. The e-brake cables run above the drive shaft through the car, so I had to lower the BROla, remove the heat shield, loosen the gas tank and remove this clip and replace. Twas an epic pain as the clip was bolted on a stud that also holds up the center of the gas tank. It's not a great design, I could see the new clip already straining under the tension of the cables, so I added some zip ties in as well for extra security. All in, feeling good that I spent four hours on the car and $70 on parts to fix what would've been $1500 at the
rape center.
I replaced one of the parking bulbs which caused the

Finally... the noise. It turns out this wasn't related to the exhaust at all... perhaps the stupid clip was hanging on by a thread and the extra vibration caused it to snap, but certainly not directly related. The e-brake cables run above the drive shaft through the car, so I had to lower the BROla, remove the heat shield, loosen the gas tank and remove this clip and replace. Twas an epic pain as the clip was bolted on a stud that also holds up the center of the gas tank. It's not a great design, I could see the new clip already straining under the tension of the cables, so I added some zip ties in as well for extra security. All in, feeling good that I spent four hours on the car and $70 on parts to fix what would've been $1500 at the

- max225
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
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Glad it’s all fixed, any pics of the plugs ? They only had 30k or so on em, curious what they look like as I’ll be there in a bit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 4:32 pm I managed to fix all of the issues on the 328i today! Replaced the plugs with $15/each BMW units and reset the misfire code, so far it hasn't come back and is running well. I switched the coil pack from cylinder two (that had the code) to one, so if I get another code it should be easy to diagnose.
I replaced one of the parking bulbs which caused theerror.
Finally... the noise. It turns out this wasn't related to the exhaust at all... perhaps the stupid clip was hanging on by a thread and the extra vibration caused it to snap, but certainly not directly related. The e-brake cables run above the drive shaft through the car, so I had to lower the BROla, remove the heat shield, loosen the gas tank and remove this clip and replace. Twas an epic pain as the clip was bolted on a stud that also holds up the center of the gas tank. It's not a great design, I could see the new clip already straining under the tension of the cables, so I added some zip ties in as well for extra security. All in, feeling good that I spent four hours on the car and $70 on parts to fix what would've been $1500 at therape center.
I tossed them but they all looked great, wouldn’t replace at that mileage unless you have an issue.max225 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 4:51 pmGlad it’s all fixed, any pics of the plugs ? They only had 30k or so on em, curious what they look like as I’ll be there in a bit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 4:32 pm I managed to fix all of the issues on the 328i today! Replaced the plugs with $15/each BMW units and reset the misfire code, so far it hasn't come back and is running well. I switched the coil pack from cylinder two (that had the code) to one, so if I get another code it should be easy to diagnose.
I replaced one of the parking bulbs which caused theerror.
Finally... the noise. It turns out this wasn't related to the exhaust at all... perhaps the stupid clip was hanging on by a thread and the extra vibration caused it to snap, but certainly not directly related. The e-brake cables run above the drive shaft through the car, so I had to lower the BROla, remove the heat shield, loosen the gas tank and remove this clip and replace. Twas an epic pain as the clip was bolted on a stud that also holds up the center of the gas tank. It's not a great design, I could see the new clip already straining under the tension of the cables, so I added some zip ties in as well for extra security. All in, feeling good that I spent four hours on the car and $70 on parts to fix what would've been $1500 at therape center.
- Apex
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FWIW my R56 had a slight high-rpm misfire that was solved with a set of new plugs at just over 30k.max225 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 4:51 pmGlad it’s all fixed, any pics of the plugs ? They only had 30k or so on em, curious what they look like as I’ll be there in a bit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 4:32 pm I managed to fix all of the issues on the 328i today! Replaced the plugs with $15/each BMW units and reset the misfire code, so far it hasn't come back and is running well. I switched the coil pack from cylinder two (that had the code) to one, so if I get another code it should be easy to diagnose.
I replaced one of the parking bulbs which caused theerror.
Finally... the noise. It turns out this wasn't related to the exhaust at all... perhaps the stupid clip was hanging on by a thread and the extra vibration caused it to snap, but certainly not directly related. The e-brake cables run above the drive shaft through the car, so I had to lower the BROla, remove the heat shield, loosen the gas tank and remove this clip and replace. Twas an epic pain as the clip was bolted on a stud that also holds up the center of the gas tank. It's not a great design, I could see the new clip already straining under the tension of the cables, so I added some zip ties in as well for extra security. All in, feeling good that I spent four hours on the car and $70 on parts to fix what would've been $1500 at therape center.
- max225
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Oddly enough my M3 which has a plug interval of 30k and $800, started running much smoother after. I wonder why BMWs are so tough on plugs. I go 100k on the crown vic and it runs smoother than any BMW product I ever had.

- max225
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I’m actually willing to argue this one. You have to remember 4 speed vs 8 also a crown Vic is far bigger and way less aerodynamic than the 3 series.
Runs on donkey piss no problem. And I also don’t know that any bmw motor can make it to 400k
I don’t disagree but that’s kinda my point, BMW is a high strung car that will eat consumables more but it certainly performs better. The N20 is by far the best 2.0T I’ve ever driven. Better than the Focus ST, GTI, WRX, etc for smoothness, linear delivery, sheer powah.
- max225
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I prefer the fraud 2.3 .... have you driven one yet ? that displacement really helps out. Agreed on the others. The current 4 cylinders are nothing like the ones of the past that were gutless pieces of shit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 1:55 pmI don’t disagree but that’s kinda my point, BMW is a high strung car that will eat consumables more but it certainly performs better. The N20 is by far the best 2.0T I’ve ever driven. Better than the Focus ST, GTI, WRX, etc for smoothness, linear delivery, sheer powah.
I haven’t driven, definitely seems great though, they’re legitimately powerful.max225 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 2:34 pmI prefer the fraud 2.3 .... have you driven one yet ? that displacement really helps out. Agreed on the others. The current 4 cylinders are nothing like the ones of the past that were gutless pieces of shit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 1:55 pm
I don’t disagree but that’s kinda my point, BMW is a high strung car that will eat consumables more but it certainly performs better. The N20 is by far the best 2.0T I’ve ever driven. Better than the Focus ST, GTI, WRX, etc for smoothness, linear delivery, sheer powah.
- MexicanYarisTK
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I have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headmax225 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 2:34 pmI prefer the fraud 2.3 .... have you driven one yet ? that displacement really helps out. Agreed on the others. The current 4 cylinders are nothing like the ones of the past that were gutless pieces of shit.D Griff wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 1:55 pm
I don’t disagree but that’s kinda my point, BMW is a high strung car that will eat consumables more but it certainly performs better. The N20 is by far the best 2.0T I’ve ever driven. Better than the Focus ST, GTI, WRX, etc for smoothness, linear delivery, sheer powah.

- max225
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These engines date back to the Mazderp dates from 20 years ago... I am sure there is plenty of empirical data to see if they are reliable or not... I am sure there are a few 100 and 150k motors out there already.MexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:50 pmI have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headbut then again, the mustangs are longitudinal so not exactly like FoST.
- MexicanYarisTK
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that said, it is the standard engine now, and assuming runs donkey piss 87, mostly driven by people who aremax225 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:59 pmThese engines date back to the Mazderp dates from 20 years ago... I am sure there is plenty of empirical data to see if they are reliable or not... I am sure there are a few 100 and 150k motors out there already.MexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:50 pm
I have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headbut then again, the mustangs are longitudinal so not exactly like FoST.

- max225
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That engine is in quite a few vehiclesMexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:03 pmthat said, it is the standard engine now, and assuming runs donkey piss 87, mostly driven by people who areso I can't doubt there isn't much to worry about.
Mustang
Explorer
Focus
Ranger and a few lincolns. I am sure it's just fine for as long as anyone cares for it... 0-150k miles after that i wouldn't trust any modern fraud.
- MexicanYarisTK
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max225 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:05 pmThat engine is in quite a few vehiclesMexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:03 pm
that said, it is the standard engine now, and assuming runs donkey piss 87, mostly driven by people who areso I can't doubt there isn't much to worry about.
Mustang
Explorer
Focus
Ranger and a few lincolns. I am sure it's just fine for as long as anyone cares for it... 0-150k miles after that i wouldn't trust any modern fraud.

The FoST is a different motor, 2.0T versus the 2.3 in the 'stang. I have always heard good things about the 2.3, the old turBRO versoins in the SVT Fox Bodies were quiteMexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:50 pmI have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headbut then again, the mustangs are longitudinal so not exactly like FoST.

- max225
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I should have specified FoRS, but same thing really the engines are all really similar...D Griff wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:45 pmThe FoST is a different motor, 2.0T versus the 2.3 in the 'stang. I have always heard good things about the 2.3, the old turBRO versoins in the SVT Fox Bodies were quiteMexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:50 pm
I have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headbut then again, the mustangs are longitudinal so not exactly like FoST.
and a popular swap in Rangers.
- MexicanYarisTK
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yeah the SVO's, those were actually just slightly less or more in hp compared to the GT of it's time iirc, unlike the current gen. The thunderbird (super t-bird?) of that era was pretty cool too.D Griff wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:45 pmThe FoST is a different motor, 2.0T versus the 2.3 in the 'stang. I have always heard good things about the 2.3, the old turBRO versoins in the SVT Fox Bodies were quiteMexicanYarisTK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:50 pm
I have heard rumors on the 2.3t ecoboosts that the carbon buildup gets so bad, it might need a new headbut then again, the mustangs are longitudinal so not exactly like FoST.
and a popular swap in Rangers.
I haven't updated here in a long while, but I started a moderate restoration on the
this weekend.
Things I'm planning on:
1. Clean all grounds and remove the dumb ground connectors - solder all of them to regular eyelets - I've had electrical issues here and there and this should help
2. Install Z06 power steering cooler.
3. Refresh suspension/steering components
4. Install C6 seatbelts to better fit my Sparcos
5. Change all fluids and clean everything up
6. Rebuild calipers, replace brakes (maybe will just reuse the rotors and pads for now until I fully use 'em up, but have new parts already on hand)
7. New tires, I might get my wheels powder coated/refinished
8. Replace oil pressure sensor again, intake manifold gaskets, maybe the wiring/try to figure out why that keeps not working
I put the car up on jack stands and started pulling some things apart. So far the power steering hard line to the pump is a bitch to loosen but I'll get that figured out. Other than that, it should be straight forward. Have pulled out some things to get to the grounds, that's easy enough.
So far it's been really enjoyable and nice to have the car somewhere I can leave it on stands and work on it when I have time without stressing to get one thing finished and having to jack it up each day, which is time consuming.

Things I'm planning on:
1. Clean all grounds and remove the dumb ground connectors - solder all of them to regular eyelets - I've had electrical issues here and there and this should help
2. Install Z06 power steering cooler.
3. Refresh suspension/steering components
4. Install C6 seatbelts to better fit my Sparcos
5. Change all fluids and clean everything up
6. Rebuild calipers, replace brakes (maybe will just reuse the rotors and pads for now until I fully use 'em up, but have new parts already on hand)
7. New tires, I might get my wheels powder coated/refinished
8. Replace oil pressure sensor again, intake manifold gaskets, maybe the wiring/try to figure out why that keeps not working
I put the car up on jack stands and started pulling some things apart. So far the power steering hard line to the pump is a bitch to loosen but I'll get that figured out. Other than that, it should be straight forward. Have pulled out some things to get to the grounds, that's easy enough.
So far it's been really enjoyable and nice to have the car somewhere I can leave it on stands and work on it when I have time without stressing to get one thing finished and having to jack it up each day, which is time consuming.