TWR August Drive - Dog Days Dash - 31 Aug
#26
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Washington State Parks don't seem to have addresses (at least that I've been able to find). However, you can use the following coordinates
48.07480,-122.78953. The park is East of the intersection of Old Fort Townsend Rd and Hwy 20.
48.07480,-122.78953. The park is East of the intersection of Old Fort Townsend Rd and Hwy 20.
#27
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Also, as soon as we got it onto the truck, fluids went everywhere. When the car was on an angle, all the fluids went to the back of the block and out the hole created by the piston rod. As of 10:30, when I left Dan's house, Dan and Kristian (the M3's owner) were discussing options. On the table was putting a 3.2L block in it if they could buy one independent of the head.
So up until the M3's untimely demise, this drive was a blast. I'd love to get everyone's pictures from the day, especially those shots of the cars with the mountains in the background.
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The owner was understandably not happy. While I was there he wasn't expressing anger directly at Kris but he was definitely upset, though still composed. He's looking at it as an excuse to throw a 3.2L block in, I think, and gain some "free" horsepower out of the ordeal. We'll have to wait to hear from Kris about where blame is being placed...
Last edited by Anijo; 09-01-2008 at 12:15 PM.
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Kris, you are not having good luck with any-type of engine, right now. Glad to know your OK. An engine can be repair or swap. People can't. I hope everything work out OK, for you and the owner!!!
P.S. stay with Rotary engine, you can't threw a rod on then and they have less moving parts.
P.S. stay with Rotary engine, you can't threw a rod on then and they have less moving parts.
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Yah, it was a pretty bad situation, I didn't envy Kris at all. Sorry if my post was unclear, it was exhausted when I made the first one.
#44
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yeah, the drive was a blast until the M3 blew the rod. I'm just glad that Kris and those behind him were ok. That mini van was quite the ***. I believe they even laughed when they passed by him at the bottom of the hill.
Personally i don't think that one drive was the main cause of the issue. It had to have built up to that much longer than before Kris got the M3, especially with only 50k miles on it....
On another note, I'm glad i got an opportunity to meet those up in Washington and participate in the drive. I'm looking forward to the next time I go up there and drive with you all again.
Personally i don't think that one drive was the main cause of the issue. It had to have built up to that much longer than before Kris got the M3, especially with only 50k miles on it....
On another note, I'm glad i got an opportunity to meet those up in Washington and participate in the drive. I'm looking forward to the next time I go up there and drive with you all again.
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So as an aside, Dan, the guy whose house we brought the M3 to, was easily the coolest car geek house I've ever seen. It was this farmhouse with the huge garage attached. It was just as big as the first floor of the main house, I'm pretty sure he could have fit 8 cars into it. It had 2 Double doors, facing 90 degrees apart from one another so the inside of the garage made an L. He was renting the place entirely because of the garage. The house itself was much bigger than he needed.
#47
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Sorry for the delay. I was exhausted yesterday and didn't even turn my computer on.
So, yes, the car was a loaner and Christian was not riding with me when it happened. Of course he's understandably upset, but with the situation, not me. His exact words "It's not your fault, there's nothing you could have done. It would have happened anyway." He bought the car with 44K on it, from a guy who'd used it almost exclusively as a track car. So obviously the car has seen some abuse, though I suspect a manufacturing defect in that one con-rod. It was a wonderful drive, none the less. It's too bad I didn't get to take you folks down the other couple of back-roads I had planned. The first one was just a more entertaining way to cover the miles than 101 is. But the second one is nothing short of awesome. The folks who've done the Hood Canal run have done half of the second side trip (Dabob Rd) and can tell you what you missed, Hopefully Ruby get's her new engine this week, as I'm not inclined to borrow anyone else's car right now. Unless, of course, you want a new engine .
Anyway, thanks for the well wishing, and Nick, thanks for updating everyone, and the ride back to Carnation. It was a long day for you, too.
Erik, thanks for the AAA tow. It wound up being 96 miles (Whew).
I'm sure some of you are wondering how the M3 handles. I should tell you, it's an E36 (1994) so it's not the last generation, or the new V8 version. That being said, Torque is nice to have, and the I6 is a very smooth engine. Not a smooth as a rotary, but the smoothest reciprocating engine I've ever driven. The control layout is weird, but once I got the seat adjusted, it was an easy car to drive. The steering is a little light, and while I didn't think it had the same road feel in the wheel, Dan (the garage guy) assures me it's there, and perhaps with more time behind the wheel I'd pick up on it. It's tough to compare handling to the 8. Ruby's been on upgraded suspension bits for along time, but I think the M3 has a lot more body roll than the 8. The brakes are a bit soft too, but they work just fine. It simply requires more pedal travel to get the same effect. I had commented, at lunch, that I was unable to get the back to rotate with either brakes or throttle. Experience is the key. Coming down the hill I was able to step the rear out under power and braking, the dynamic balance required for that is just different from the 8, plus with the peaky piston engine, you have to be much more precise with revs.
All in all, it's a good car. Their owners like to claim it's the best daily driven sports car value under $15K, but with used 8's available in that price range, I'd have to disagree.
So, yes, the car was a loaner and Christian was not riding with me when it happened. Of course he's understandably upset, but with the situation, not me. His exact words "It's not your fault, there's nothing you could have done. It would have happened anyway." He bought the car with 44K on it, from a guy who'd used it almost exclusively as a track car. So obviously the car has seen some abuse, though I suspect a manufacturing defect in that one con-rod. It was a wonderful drive, none the less. It's too bad I didn't get to take you folks down the other couple of back-roads I had planned. The first one was just a more entertaining way to cover the miles than 101 is. But the second one is nothing short of awesome. The folks who've done the Hood Canal run have done half of the second side trip (Dabob Rd) and can tell you what you missed, Hopefully Ruby get's her new engine this week, as I'm not inclined to borrow anyone else's car right now. Unless, of course, you want a new engine .
Anyway, thanks for the well wishing, and Nick, thanks for updating everyone, and the ride back to Carnation. It was a long day for you, too.
Erik, thanks for the AAA tow. It wound up being 96 miles (Whew).
I'm sure some of you are wondering how the M3 handles. I should tell you, it's an E36 (1994) so it's not the last generation, or the new V8 version. That being said, Torque is nice to have, and the I6 is a very smooth engine. Not a smooth as a rotary, but the smoothest reciprocating engine I've ever driven. The control layout is weird, but once I got the seat adjusted, it was an easy car to drive. The steering is a little light, and while I didn't think it had the same road feel in the wheel, Dan (the garage guy) assures me it's there, and perhaps with more time behind the wheel I'd pick up on it. It's tough to compare handling to the 8. Ruby's been on upgraded suspension bits for along time, but I think the M3 has a lot more body roll than the 8. The brakes are a bit soft too, but they work just fine. It simply requires more pedal travel to get the same effect. I had commented, at lunch, that I was unable to get the back to rotate with either brakes or throttle. Experience is the key. Coming down the hill I was able to step the rear out under power and braking, the dynamic balance required for that is just different from the 8, plus with the peaky piston engine, you have to be much more precise with revs.
All in all, it's a good car. Their owners like to claim it's the best daily driven sports car value under $15K, but with used 8's available in that price range, I'd have to disagree.
#48
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Thanks Kris for getting us an update. I am just glad everyone is alright.
It was great seeing all the new people out Sunday and seeing the regs.
I will send you the pictures that we took.
It was great seeing all the new people out Sunday and seeing the regs.
I will send you the pictures that we took.