Hey everyone how's it going!
I apologize for taking so long since the last update. A lot has been going on and I've just been going crazy trying to get it all worked out.
Most you guys already know that I've missed the first three races of the season due to mechanical issues so now were kind of in another race to be ready for next months race. We're still waiting on parts that are back ordered or got lost in the mail so unfortunately were having to deal with a bunch of minor set backs but it's all starting to come together. We still have a lot the car needs to get it to where it will be championship contending, but we plan to just get it all put back together and go try and shake it down with what we have so far.
Like I was saying in my previous post that were now left figuring out all the issues with the controls to make the car functional, we basically had to restart from scratch and pretty much threw the last two months down the drain.
The shop that did the work delivered such a sub par product that the car was basically inoperable for anyone, disabled and able bodied alike. The first day we got the car back to the shop, the steering column snapped just trying to push it around and turned the wheel.
In a way it was kind of a blessing in disguise I guess that the controls made the car un-drivable because otherwise I most likely would have been in the car on track when the column snapped and probably would have totaled the car as well as injured myself.
So we began disassembling the New setup and couldn't believe how much of a death trap the whole system really was. Luckily I've had quite a few intelligent good people helping me out and we were able to problem solve and come up with a few good solutions.
We ended up using the rack and pinion that is out of an older BMW Z3. This one has a much quicker gear ratio (one of the fastest bmws ever made.) then my stock M3 rack. Everything bolts right up so it made for a easy fix that will hopefully workout. We also got a different steering quickener that should be much better/stronger. We're hoping with this new combination we should be able to get the steering response that I'm looking for out of the car, or hopefully at least be in the ball part for minor adjustments. All I'm waiting on now so we can test the steering amount is a coupler to attach the new quickener to my column. I hope to have that made by next week so we can see where we are at, I'm just working on finding someone that can cut splines for me.
I've also been working directly with B&Z MFG. machine shop that has been extremely helpful with teaching me the ins and outs of everything I need to know about manufacturing and working with a machine shop.
They've been awesome with helping me learn how to take my drawing from the computer, to a format they can use, and then to actual reality. It was pretty cool seeing my first set of parts go from the screen to my hands! Lol I'm just excited to finally get to put them to the test after all these years!
We are actually building two prototype sets, so once they are done I plan to put one of them in my M3 and the other set in my GSX. I've been talking to a buddy about helping me to get that thing all rebuilt and finished up so I'm hoping to possibly have another car all fully prepped and ready for some other differently abled individual can take out and enjoy it! We're still figuring everything out but all in Gods time it's all starting to fall into place.
I cant thank the guys at B&Z MFG. enough for all their time and help, it has been a great experience and I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you for everything!
I'm stoked to say Bimmerworld and Gopro are now helping me out this season as well.
I wanna thank them, D2 racing, Spy Optics, HMS Motorsports, VMR wheels and BST Ink. For all their continued support and encouragement and I just want to thank Perfect Harvest for making all of this possible! It's been a crazy slow starting season, but I look forward for what's still to come and can't wait to show the world what I'm actually capable of!
Thank you all for your encouragement and cant wait to put these new controls to work!
Stay posted and I will post a video of the next test drive hopefully this week.
God Bless & Keep Em Spinnin!
