Wicks' E46 M3 Build. Hertz 3-Way Set from Tony D!

[Wicks]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Time to swap out the CSL Rims for the OEM's with Blizzaks...

Here's some small updates on the new buss bar system I'm fab'ing.

Anybody know a good way to polish aluminum? I tried a buffing wheel on my side-grinder.....didn't work so well.

I'm short on vids and I'm sorry about that.

I just noticed that my crappy lil digital camera decided to start working again so I took a real quick flex vid after work one day.

Turns out I can't stream Bluetooth music from my iPhone and take videos with it at the same time so I'm stuck with my digital camera at the moment:

I was at work so I didn't want to turn it up too loud but I am noticing that the XL's are loosening up a bit!

Ooo yeah. Got some great news from Cody (CJ18).

In a few weeks I'm going to have a LOT more flexxx...

[scooter99]

[the_garynator]

Awesome build man, looks amazing!!!

[Wicks]

Awesome build man, looks amazing!!!

Thanks, much appreciated.

Since I'm posting, here's a mini update:

More work on the custom buss bar, fuse distribution in my trunk.

I was sick of trying to figure out how to attach a ton of cables to one battery post.

So I decided to just build a buss bar system for fused-power and ground distribution.

I don't like exposing open power rails in a trunk so devised a plexi cover to help protect against falling screwdrivers and such.

I also saw a FB post that Rusty had more caps in stock so I jumped even further on the DC bandwagon.

In a couple weeks you're really going to see some DC dedication...

I needed some extra 0ga cable for the buss bar system so I ordered some.

Got a call that they were out of 0ga but would send me some 0/2 instead for the same price...

Cableyard.com customer service won me over for life.

Great cable at great prices and awesome customer service.

[Kyblack76]

Bad ass bro...

and that storm out of now where sucked a nut didnt it??..

i was not even close to winterizing my shiz.....

and then we break a warm record on trick or treat day...

fuckin nuts..

anyway.. good poop man... dig it..

[Twostrokeking]

Looks so good!! I love clean wiring. haha. I wish I knew how all that you just did worked.

[scooter99]

Man that fuse block is tits bro! That's along the lines of what I was wanting to do for my build! You nailed that shit! Nice work!

[Wicks]

Bad ass bro...

and that storm out of now where sucked a nut didnt it??..

i was not even close to winterizing my shiz.....

and then we break a warm record on trick or treat day...

fuckin nuts..

anyway.. good poop man... dig it..

Yep, the inevitable CO snow storm in October...

I made damn sure to get my snow tires on early this year. Caught me slippin' last year and had one HELL of a drive to work the next day...

Now we're forecasted in the mid to high 60's and sunny.....

Looks so good!! I love clean wiring. haha. I wish I knew how all that you just did worked.

Thanks!

Yeah clean wiring helps the overall look so much.....I just can't wait 'til its finally over.

I haven't been able to re-mount my plastic trim pieces all over the car in MONTHS...lol

Hey, any questions on how anything works, no problem...ask away.

Man that fuse block is tits bro! That's along the lines of what I was wanting to do for my build! You nailed that shit! Nice work!

Thanks, I'm really liking it too. Couldn't find anything off the shelf that seemed to do what I wanted so screw it...build your own

Took a bit of effort but I think the end result will be sweet.

The biggest problem by far is mounting this stuff solidly in the trunk.

The trunk is full of round metal curves and braces and not many good places to bolt something to that isn't outside sheet metal...

[Wicks]

Major update teaser...

Cody (CJ18) sent me some really good news recently.

Since I'm here, a couple little updates.

I was working on dressing up the opening around the front of the sub box.

While fitting some bracing in the area, I decided to attack my rear deck and add some Second Skin because since I'm porting through the rear deck, I'm expecting some vibration.

This is not a fun process and takes a while to get all the necessary panels out of the way but it should be worth the effort as this rear deck tray is pretty "tinny" sounding.

As I mentioned, I'm porting through the deck so I can't cover up any holes.

Makes adding the Second Skin harder but here's the result.

Helps take that hollow sound out of the metal and helps a lot.

Sooo this damn rear side panel has been giving me a HUGE headache lately.

It popped off a while ago and I haven't been able to get it back on.

Maybe I just need to vent a little...

Those stupid little plastic clips don't line up very well and a few of them break as I'm trying to press the panel into place.

I'm open to any and all suggestions on this. Sounds trivial but this is the hardest "clipped panel" I've ever had to deal with.

Here's a quick shot of the brace bar that I'm trying to fit along the front of the rear deck lip.

I'm currently trying rivets to secure it but they're a tad short and pop out of the holes.

More on that later...

Was messing in the trunk and needed to countersink my bolts holding the plexi window.

This will help the outside trim panels fit flush.

A tricky process to countersink a big chunk of plexi that is already drilled...and try not to scratch it....

Since I had the plexi off, I also decided to clean up the wiring.

I should have a really big update tomorrow (fingers crossed).

[scooter99]

Very nicely done. Not sure on the panel, but when I have an issue with one I put it down and come back to it later and let my mind rest as well as my frustration. Sometimes I go back and it was something stupid like one clip not being all the way in the bracket on the panel, throwing the whole thing off. Keep at it, you'll figure it out.

Can't wait to see what's in the package! WOOT! I have my own packages coming!

Edit; Sorry forgot, what are you trying to obtain with the flat piece of aluminum/metal on the top? Is that what you're talking about as far as bracing? What if you used a piece of 1 x 1 or 3/4 x 3/4 angle iron instead? Paint it black, and bolt it in vs rivots. I don't think you're going to get much rigidity out of the flat stock? Your strength comes from it being on it side not flat. But with a piece of angle iron, you have a flat piece to attach to the deck, and the other angle to act as your structure. Painting it black will allow it to blend in when the seats up. Unless you can put it under the deck. Just suggestions. Keep up the good work my friend! I enjoy your build alot!