I’m no good either. But, it did sort of just click after a few times. Once you get the launch to hook up first time, it will keep you coming back.
The 1/4 mile is not as easy as you might think it’s going to be, especially the first time around. October of last year was my first visit and I made so many mistakes it was almost as if I just started driving a manual. You’re adrenaline gets pumping and you make every mistake under the sun. One thing that I think helped me was just ignoring the tree and the car in the other lane. Just try and nail your launch and then hit every gear normally after that. If you can do that, just try and improve a little more each time you make a run with quicker shifts. It’s definitely a great time.
I wish I could say that this is a first time or even a single type occurrence, I consistently have a terrible start. The car always gets up and moves after the 330ft, and in the back 1/8th, always picks up 25mph, I cannot get below a 2.0 60ft, ever. Poor car has a shitty driver.
Got the new oil pump chain installed, began installing the front sealing flange and realized I couldn’t pull and press the front main seal at home, so I will do on my lunch at work tomorrow. Heres a few pictures.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160718_211046_zpsfthyunpk.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160718_211213_zpsbu11ptpa.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160718_211520_zps5t510w5q.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160718_211527_zpskwwkvlcg.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160718_215136_zpsjmxxobvc.jpg
Old front main seal pressed out and ready for new one
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160719_080848_zpshcrfruow.jpg
Installing oil supply lines AFTER buttoning up front seal flange
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160721_190729_zpsyjtbzj8p.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160721_190949_zps7i9kcp01.jpg
Fitting Lower Oil Pan Gasket (listed for the 2.8l 30v)
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160721_191320_zpsv2zjacue.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160721_194055_zpssxzuhq8k.jpg
and where it sits as of right now, I will be ordering a Valley Pan Gasket next and then dive into the cooling system
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160721_194131_zpsn73abgy0.jpg
An update for those that are following (if any) my dog saga, we had a scare earlier this week with Kaiden, he began limping Tuesday morning, fortunately his limp subsided and he is walking normal, right now. Artoo is 8lbs at 5 weeks, we go and pay for him this weekend and he will come home August 10. The only current picture is of his whole litter as of yesterday (he is the apricot color laying downing in the middle of the picture).
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3068_zpsutl9mm7e.jpg
My wifes phone took a dump this weekend, new phones for everybody!! and I paid the balance off for Artoo, my discretionary funds are negative, which really means I can’t buy any car parts currently. Oh well, here are some pics of Artoo, 6 weeks and 9 lbs. In the last picture, it is one of Artoo’s brothers that is a silver brindle, which I absolutely love his coloring.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3187_zpsfjaqr1y0.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3186_zps7hdrktho.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3165_zpsk83jjlxa.jpg
Realized I forgot to put on the oil chain tensioner, so a little disassembly was in order, not a big deal. I got a bag of parts as well, valley pan gasket, new rear flange/gasket, and oil chain tensioner. Anyways, I will seal it up tomorrow and be done with the lower end. I did buy a 2001.5 intake manifold, maybe to send out and have it modified, maybe to powder coat or maybe just a waste of money as I do keep hearing a voice in the back of my head to just buy the RS4 manifold, we ll see.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160803_204944_zpshb3fh29x.jpg
You deffinitly want to put that tensioner in. That would have been not too good lol. Lots of good parts and new friends to help keep you company while you more along with the project.
As for the intake. I would not waste the money on sending it out. Just go 100% rs4 anything else is an attempt to be an RS4 intake manifold. I think if you shop around you can find some good prices.
Just remember the only good advice youll ever get from a B5 owner is the one in your head. The rest of the B5 guys for the most part…well your dogs are probably smarter.
That would have been a catastrophe. I have my service manuals that guide me down the correct path, my buddy at the machine shop and my boss who is a top master mechanic for Bmw (not that he can help vehicle specific questions, moreso the theory of operation). There used to be some knowledgeable people in the b5 community but they either grew up and left the platform, got tired of the childish bs inherent to a high schooler priced car, or just wanted a more refined/civilized vehicle that could make great power on pump gas. In all honesty, we will see what happens when i finish this motor, but i have been keeping an eye out for the right b7 rs4.
Got everything back on track, also moved forward with the Crankcase Breather (Valley Pan and Gasket). I didn’t bring home any of my hex bits, so I will have to torque it down tomorrow, but it is in place.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160804_204418_zpsejagmgnp.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160804_204442_zpsygaslioq.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160804_205551_zpslwem1ibk.jpg
Kaiden is doing really well even though his tumor is changing shapes (it hasnt gotten bigger just different looking, still not good)
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/part9_zpsnksr6a74.jpg
The even more exciting thing is that it looks like Kaiden and Artoo will get to meet each other this upcoming Tuesday when we bring him home. We got to go out and visit Artoo and his 10 other siblings for the last time (I wish I could have taken home all 11 of them).
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4718_zps6qgzzrsu.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/part6_zpszxpimxtq.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/part5_zpsnypdn2mr.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/part2_zpsaq3yanvs.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/part7_zps54f0z76b.jpg
I thank everybody that has followed or commented on this thread, being able to talk about it here has really made a tough situation a little less.
Artoo is going to a great home!
Thanks Happy, my wife and I like to think we spoil them rotten.
I got most everything bolted in, obviously I need a new thermostat housing/thermostat, a bolt for the harmonic dampner, and I have to put the motor back on the hoist to complete the rear sealing flange. Next big undertaking is to take the heads in and rebuild those. I am trying to decide between a stock valvetrain or build it so I can rev higher, some input would be appreciated.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160807_095339_zpsilqb4t74.jpg
So I believe that I am going to go for the upgraded valvetrain as well as aftermarket exhaust manifolds. I see that ARD makes basically the same set that VAST had made with basically a guaranteed failure rate, though with a lift, I m not to concerned about dropping the motor to replace them. Lifetime warranty against cracking. I was also looking at the Wagner’s but at $2k for the set, it may be a bit before I can justify to the wife about spending that kind of money. I have tubular manifolds on my S55 and those fuckers crack at least once a year, and while it is not a big deal once I set in to do the work, it sucks to have to continually reweld shitty craftsmanship, so maybe the Wagners are worth the money. Now I just need to figure a way to sell it to the old lady.
I haven’t been able to do much recently because I am sleep deprived, working and running around after this little guy. He is quite amazing and him and Kaiden are starting to get close (super excited). I did forget how much energy a puppy has.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160813_075744_zpssnw5l6qm.jpg
Handsome lad…
I know its not the case, but the 2.7 engine looks to have a cozier spot in the house than the pup! Whats up with that? 
Lol, Au contraire mon frere 
the whole living room is dog beds, pillow pets and squeaky toys.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160813_104653_zpsiqgyyqig.jpg
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20160813_182942_zpst0hmv3ox.jpg
Hello gents, well, Kaiden is kickin along, doing well, Artoo is frickin huge already (10 weeks/25lbs). Anyway, talked the wife into Wagner exhaust manifolds, so now starts the push to acquire the needed SuperTech Valvetrain and Exhaust manifolds. Ironically, I am getting a settlement from Merrill Lynch for them not correctly reimbursing their advisors’ business expenses. This will go towards the manifolds. I am trying to get the heads into the machine shop within the next week or 2, I will keep the post updated.
Update:
The motor is still sitting in the dining room and the heads still in the garage. So, in terms of progress, none. I did have to replace brake rotors, pads, etc…which I am slowly working on and taking the opportunity to change the color of the calipers and adding a rear big rotor kit (300mm b7 rear rotor). Currently calipers are spray painted to see if I like the color enough to powder coat.
Old Color
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20161009_132204_zpszilrcqae.jpg
New Color
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20161016_172936_zpsjruk9zxs.jpg
Kaiden is still doing great though his leg has taken on some weird shapes at the tumor site, but no limp or pain, knock on wood. Artoo has already done 1 dog show (1st in class, 1st in breed and 3rd Overall). 16 weeks and a little over 60lbs
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/m-tre/Mobile%20Uploads/20161007_120551_zpswjzbynhd.jpg