Signal Green M3 and Performance Air?

[Powerbeast]

Sick dude!

[JEllis]

Here is what I am calling the trunk pallet. I made it out of 1/2 thick particle board so its relatively light. I want something compact, easy to conduct maintenance on, and removable.

Below is with all the lines laying in the trunk. Its a mess and intimidating to look at.

IMG_2976.JPG by JEllis, on Flickr

The trunk area can be a huge mess. For reference, there are (4) air lines running into the trunk, (4) sensor wires, (1) controller line, (4) power lines, (1) relay line, (1) manifold line, (1) ignition line.

Here is after some serious clean-up. All of this is below the trunk floor and pallet. You can see the air lines have routed behind the the trunk liners, even though they are not installed here. The relay and wires are bundled and secured using OE mounting points.

IMG_2982 by JEllis, on Flickr

Marking up the tank to keep track of how I want to install everything. I decided to use the lower vent as a place I could attach a line and the use the system as a mobile air compressor to fill tires etc...

IMG_2977 by JEllis, on Flickr

IMG_2978 by JEllis, on Flickr

IMG_2980 by JEllis, on Flickr

Covered with nearly matching material and test fitting

IMG_2983 by JEllis, on Flickr

IMG_2981 by JEllis, on Flickr

For size reference

IMG_2988 by JEllis, on Flickr

The whole pallet probably weighs between 30-40lbs. Without the pallet, the air springs weigh less than the steel coils so there is some weight savings. The compressor pallet makes up most of the weight gain, but again, probably only 30lbs or so.

There is some space lost in the trunk. A carryon size for sure.

More to come....

[M3ANMACHINE]

Interesting. Sub'd

[roastbeef]

i've seen your car at malek's shop when i was getting some work done. great car and done very well, i'm sure you'll execute this tastefully and well. can't wait to see it.

[JEllis]

I did not take a lot of pics of the air line routing. The E92 M3 has covers/aero along the bottom of the car which is great for protecting the lines. I followed the brake and fuel lines on the drivers side and the battery/power line on the passenger side. I sued double wire bundle holders or double loop zip ties and sleeved everything with Protec.

IMG_2973 by JEllis, on Flickr

The wiring is a little painful just because there is a lot of it. Airlift gives you enough length to wire up a big truck. The compressor needs to be wired directly to the battery but uses a relay that interfaces with an ignition source. I tapped the same line I am using for my Valentine V1. I routed all the wires under the rear seat and under the interior plastics. Below is a "during" photo.

IMG_1195 by JEllis, on Flickr

Routing under the plastic paneling.

IMG_1196 by JEllis, on Flickr

Shot of the BC camber plates.

IMG_1174 by JEllis, on Flickr

[FMLYSDN]

Everything looks really good. Good photos. Thanks for all the insight and best of luck with the install. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Sco Cuddie]

Looking good so far! I just recently bagged my daily E91. Debated on bagging the M3, but didn't want to risk performance. Please keep us updated on what you think.

After riding around in my e91 for a month, I've found to air suspension a bit rougher then stock. Some adjustment was needed on the shocks, and I ended up running almost full 'soft' to maintain a stock like feel. I'm running the V2 system, keep us updated on the 3H. Seems like the way to go!

Also, i've read that the check valve that comes with the compressors seems to be a weak point. I change both my check valve and water trap for SMC, which seem to be the go to brand.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by Sco Cuddie

Looking good so far! I just recently bagged my daily E91. Debated on bagging the M3, but didn't want to risk performance. Please keep us updated on what you think.

After riding around in my e91 for a month, I've found to air suspension a bit rougher then stock. Some adjustment was needed on the shocks, and I ended up running almost full 'soft' to maintain a stock like feel. I'm running the V2 system, keep us updated on the 3H. Seems like the way to go!

I have found that, with the pressures I am running, the ride is very firm. The ride was very firm on KW Clubsports but the 3H air setup may be a little more firm. I am sure that might be a shock to some. It was to me.

[Sco Cuddie]

Originally Posted by JEllis

I have found that, with the pressures I am running, the ride is very firm. The ride was very firm on KW Clubsports but the 3H air setup may be a little more firm. I am sure that might be a shock to some. It was to me.

As it was to me as well. I ended up setting my front shocks at 5 clicks from soft, and the rears at 7 clicks from soft. Been riding this for a week, and so far its as close to stock as I got it.

Also, i'm running 40/85 psi for ride height. Gets me an inch lower then stock height, but still ride comfortable. Make sure to play around with pressure setting, as that will also determine ride comfort.

[Jay-K]

very interesting,
love you do everything by your own!

[HELROTM3]

What is the "benefit" over KW Clubsports?

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by Sco Cuddie

As it was to me as well. I ended up setting my front shocks at 5 clicks from soft, and the rears at 7 clicks from soft. Been riding this for a week, and so far its as close to stock as I got it.

Also, i'm running 40/85 psi for ride height. Gets me an inch lower then stock height, but still ride comfortable. Make sure to play around with pressure setting, as that will also determine ride comfort.

I am going to go into more detail soon but right now I am at about 41/65 psi front to back with 5 clicks from full from in the front and 8 in the back. The ride is very similar to KW CSs.... which is firm.

Originally Posted by Jay-K

very interesting,
love you do everything by your own!

Thanks

Originally Posted by HELROTM3

What is the "benefit" over KW Clubsports?

There are a few reasons I am doing this which I detailed in my first post. In a nutshell, I wanted to learn about the relatively new performance air suspension options, first hand instead of relying on assumptions and anecdotes from forum members.

I wanted something I could raise and lower so I could get into steep driveways without scraping the crap out of my car.

I wanted something I could raise and lower at speed if the roads were terrible or I was approaching construction, which happens a lot here in DFW.

[shimmy23]

finished trunk/setup pics?

[Matt@AUTOcouture]

Nice work man! Props for tackling this yourself. Always been a huge fan of this car.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

finished trunk/setup pics?

Soon, I have gotten bogged down in the details and getting everything the way I like it. I spent the last two weeks experimenting with pressures/damping settings. I have a ways to go with that.

Originally Posted by Matt@AUTOcouture

Nice work man! Props for tackling this yourself. Always been a huge fan of this car.

Thanks!

[shimmy23]

if ya ever decide to upgrade shocks/struts check out hp drivetechs. maybe that's another option for ya?

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

if ya ever decide to upgrade shocks/struts check out hp drivetechs. maybe that's another option for ya?

Good call. I am not a fan, just looking at pics, of their bag setup but their shocks look great.

[DemolitionJim]

welcome to the dark side.

[HELROTM3]

Originally Posted by JEllis

I am going to go into more detail soon but right now I am at about 41/65 psi front to back with 5 clicks from full from in the front and 8 in the back. The ride is very similar to KW CSs.... which is firm.



Thanks

There are a few reasons I am doing this which I detailed in my first post. In a nutshell, I wanted to learn about the relatively new performance air suspension options, first hand instead of relying on assumptions and anecdotes from forum members.

I wanted something I could raise and lower so I could get into steep driveways without scraping the crap out of my car.

I wanted something I could raise and lower at speed if the roads were terrible or I was approaching construction, which happens a lot here in DFW.

Good luck with everything. One of my favorite e92's ever. Love the mirrors!

[Powerbeast]

Jason, looks great dude and hats of to you for still rocking those mirrors.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by DemolitionJim

welcome to the dark side.

Thanks

Originally Posted by HELROTM3

Good luck with everything. One of my favorite e92's ever. Love the mirrors!

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by Powerbeast

Jason, looks great dude and hats of to you for still rocking those mirrors.

Yeah, I love them too much

Back to the build. I still have a few things to work out but after running the air lines and installing the height sensors, most of the hard stuff was done. Below isa pic of the rear setup, showing the height sensor installed.

IMG_2996 by
JEllis, on Flickr

I highly recommend checking how the wheels and tire will clear everything in the wheel well prior to using the system. The car will go from full up to full down during calibration and you don't want to break anything.

IMG_3001 by JEllis, on Flickr

Control screen after first power up. You can see the tank pressure on the top right.

IMG_3012 by JEllis, on Flickr

A good example of how pressure on the bag will effect air pressure and thus ride and handling quality.

IMG_3014 by JEllis, on Flickr

[e90///M3]

just out of curiosity, how you considered the air cup kits kits that can be mounted on your coilovers including your KW's such as the Umbrella VRH kits? if so, was there a reason you went with these over a cup kit?