Project ET-001, Update

This is an update to an earlier project, the ET-001. At this point everything except the block and a few pistons, with connecting rods still attached, has met its recycling maker. The block and remaining parts have received a proper bath which removed all remnants of oil and coolant, but they did not come out as perfect and shiny as I expected them to. In case you still have not figured out what this is going to be, well, it will not be going into a Miata or anything REALLY cool like that.

This engine, with about 80,000 miles on it, was removed from the car after the radiator went to crap and the engine overheated, which on BMWs takes about three seconds, if you’re lucky. The engine actually ran after the radiator was replaced, but not well. … Continue Reading

Project ET-001: BMW M62 4.4L V8 Engine

I still remember the day I saw the first one. It was a nice early spring day in 1997 and I was in walking around near Battery Park in downtown Manhattan. There in the corner of my eye I saw it; jet black, on its three-piece wheels which came only on the models with six-speed manual transmission and mandatory sport package, was the new E39 chassis BWM 540i Sport. The front seats were occupied by two happy looking Wall Street-types that were wearing matching fancy sport sunglasses contrasting their starched-up shirts and ties. That car was just beautiful, an instant modern classic in my mind. Perhaps you recall the cover of Motor Trend from that period where C. Van Tune, the editor at the time, had the speedometer of this very car pegged at around 155mph on the German autobahn. The car, with its 282-horsepower engine and six-speed transmission was definitely awe-aspiring, especially to young college student such as myself. … Continue Reading

Project: Trailer Hitch Install

One of the best accessories to any family vehicle is a trailer hitch. Aside from the obvious ability of towing a trailer, a hitch has many more benefits, which are listed after the jump. It’s a cheap and easy way of putting more U into your SUV.*

… Continue Reading