North Star Bavarian

May 2012 May 2012  The BMW M Coupe shown was modified and built exclusively at BMW of Minnetonka. PRESIDENT Eric Christenson [email protected] What’s Inside VICE PRESIDENT Rob Snyder President’s Report...... 2 [email protected] Carmudgeon Chronicles...... 4 TREASURER Larry Atneosen [email protected] The Turbo Project...... 6 SECRETARY & PHOTOGRAPHER Meanwhile, Back At The Wrench...... 11 Tracy Rolf [email protected] Club News...... 13 ADVERTISING Gary Ganser [email protected] Dave Nielsen 651.644.6739 [email protected] On The Cover

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Craig Lovold built a crazy Jonathan Bush [email protected] turbocharged E36 out of a used Chump Car and a bunch MEMBERSHIP of parts he found in his rather Dale Olson large basement. Yes, really. 715.425.8555 [email protected] SOCIAL EVENTS John Ford [email protected] SPONSORSHIP & PHILANTHROPY Dave Nielsen 651.644.6739 [email protected] TECH EVENTS COORDINATOR Dick Nyberg Here at BMW of Minnetonka, we only say “working on BMWs” [email protected] WEBMASTER because “loving on BMWs” sounds a little creepy. Brian Thull [email protected] TECHNICAL ADVISOR Paul Dzimian At BMW of Minnetonka, wrenching on Bimmers is our passion – on the clock, off the clock. That’s why we Motorwerks BMW “North Star Bavarian” is published by the North Star Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America, [email protected] Inc. Please address correspondence to P.O. Box 2774, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2774. All information have the expertise to handle everything from the standard BMW lineup to the mod-stuffed racer you see furnished herein is provided by membership for members only. Ideas, suggestions and opinions, tech- here. Thinking about what we can do for your BMW? So are we. DRIVING SCHOOLS nical or otherwise, are those of the authors, without authentication by or liability to the officers of the Club. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the Club endorses no person, product, service or business. DRIVING EVENTS CHAIR North Star Chapter, Inc. is a non-profit Minnesota corporation. For a limited time, BMW Club members receive 10% off parts and service. & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR Dave Miller This newsletter and other information about the chapter may be found on the internet at: 612.518.4971 www.northstarbmw.org [email protected] Contact for Ad rates: Dave Nielsen DRIVING EVENTS COORDINATOR [email protected] The only locally owned BMW dealership. Eric Christenson [email protected] Artwork - TIFF or PDF preferable, Macintosh or IBM compatible to: [email protected] WINTER & CAR CONTROL Sheldon Nelson Deadlines for next full newsletter: 763.542.1485 Copy and advertising to editor no later than the 10th of the month preceding publication date, [email protected] or contact [email protected] [email protected] Publication Dates: 394 West of 494 3/1, 6/1, 9/1, 12/1 A iiProud North Member Star ofBavar Twinian Cities Automotive 15802 Wayzata Boulevard Minnetonka phone: 952-303-7500 bmwofminnetonka.com May 2012 

%0:B0:B&KDSWHUBDGBIQOLQGG 30 President’s Report Eric Christenson

In my final article as President of the the Twin Cities premiere of the docu- Senna add illuminating commentary, ties does explain why it was inevitable a sports figure to worship; he was also Senna grew older and more successful, North Star Chapter of the BMW CCA, mentary, Senna. The film covered the adding context to his life and the key they would become rivals. Prost thought a philanthropist for the less fortunate you could see that helping the people of I would like to thank all of you for your life and times of Brazilian Formula 1 rac- events that took place. methodically, kept those thoughts and and a spokesperson for Brazil. Senna Brazil became increasingly important to support of the club and your friend- ing legend . Senna died in strategies to himself, and drove his car donated large portions of his fortune to him. Although he only lived to 34, Sen- ship. My two years as President went by 1994 in a crash during the Imola Grand For the hardcore racing enthusiasts the precisely by taking calculated risks. Sen- poor children, and near the end of his na lived a more vibrant life than most quickly and I have many good memo- Prix. The movie Senna is now available film is, as expected, spectacular. It is a na was emotional almost to a fault, read- life created the Instituto Ayrton Senna, people are fortunate enough to do. ries from this time. I am stepping down on DVD as well as Netflix. thrill to watch the in-car video of Senna ily shared his feelings with the press, and an organization dedicated to helping as President to pursue other goals and zipping through the narrow streets of drove his car on the edge, taking risks Brazilian children. A final piece to note: I encourage racing to experience new things. I will still be The film is composed of a collection of Monaco, passing other competitors as other drivers would not. The common enthusiasts to share this film with non- around to support the club and help in videos from Formula 1’s archive, news if they were on a parade lap. There are link between the two drivers, and major I came to appreciate and admire Senna racing enthusiasts. It is a very well made various areas. interviews, home videos from the Sen- several key moments in Senna’s racing contributing factor to their rivalry, was more and more throughout and after the documentary I feel most persons will na family, and other behind-the-scenes career, and we get to see those from mul- of course their intense desire to not only film. Sporting stars these days give by- enjoy because it tells a story of triumph As I step aside allowing others to lead material. The clips are, for the most part, tiple angles with commentary explaining win, but to be a world champion. the-book answers to media questions, and tragedy. There are poignant life les- and shape the club, I urge those read- assembled chronologically, and tell the the significance of each in F1 history. donate minimal resources to charities, sons to be learned here. ing this article to consider how they story of Senna’s rise from a karting One of the special parts of the film not and even “play” only when they want can help. This club is entirely volun- champion in Brazil to a 3-time Formula When the action is not on the tracks, we to be overlooked is Senna’s achieve- (Randy Moss, anyone?). Senna was teer-based. Our valued board members 1 World Champion. Some of the media are treated to a behind-the-scenes view ments away from the race circuits. The nothing like this. The only things in life contribute their time and serve the club personalities and persons who knew of the elements of the world of Formula film does a wonderful job letting the he valued more than racing was God, his with passion, a sense of re- 1. There are insightful inter- audience know the man behind the family and his home country of Brazil. sponsibility, and dedication. actions between drivers and driver. We come away seeing Senna was Senna took pride in his racing, and was It is very important to the their engineering teams, a sensitive person, devoted to his family never entirely satisfied with his driving. longevity of the club, as well the media, and Formula 1 even though he had not started his own. He gave thoughtful, insightful and hon- as the quality of our events, management. I especially We also see Senna was more than just est answers to the media’s questions. As that our members contribute enjoyed the banter between some of their time to help, up the drivers and then-For- to and including filling open mula 1 boss Jean-Marie board positions. New people Balestre, as well as peeking with their own set of skills in on the drivers’ pre-race Auto Edge and experiences enrich our meetings. You come away club, and without the infu- with a feeling of their high- sion of new talents and en- stakes, high-reward world. 651-777-6924 ergies we risk having board The director definitely Maintenance, Performance, and Track Prep member burnout and stale wanted the audience to see events. that behind all the on-track drama, there was also plenty If you have found value in of off-track drama with the In-house dyno our club’s events, met new numerous political webs in friends, and/or have an area Formula 1. We are your local source for Active Autowerke, of passion or talent you can Fabspeed, Moton, Forgeline, HRE and more! share with us, please consider The key dramatic matchup giving back and volunteering. in the film is the rivalry be- Worried about lack of experi- tween ex-teammates Senna Check out our project cars on ence? We would happily show and French F1 champion AutoEdgeRacing.com you the ropes. Please contact . Their relation- me or other board members ship changes through the with your ideas! film: From being team- We service most vehicle makes and models mates, then to bitter rivals, Rental cars available at our location Professional Alignments to suit your driving needs Last August, car enthusiasts and eventually ending with Pick Up and Delivery options available from the North Star Chapter respect. The contrasting of and other car clubs viewed the two drivers’ personali- Custom Roll Cage Design and Installation

 North Star Bavarian May 2012  Carmudgeon Chronicles Ken Kamstra Finally, Some Swag To Call Our Own!

Winter Is A Time For Reflection North Star BMW CCA is proud to announce That’s the word among us car-crazed But I was now a real Porsche guy and It was a car show that brought my our new line of high quality merchandise. as we wait for spring. Maybe you are a member of Nord Stern. They hustled daughter, Angela, together with John Since we now have a brand new logo de- one of them. I know I am. I have been me off to Brainerd’s Donnybrooke Race Jacobson. They’ve been married 8 years. reflecting on the joys of “autoerotic Track for some serious driver training. Is he a car guy? John restores them, signed by club member Brian Thull, we dependency” (see my book) for more You’ve probably been through it. Today bringing them back to life so beautiful- decided now was a good time to bring than 50 years. it’s the Brainerd International Raceway, ly that one is even in a museum. I just out our first round of clothing including but the drill is the same. play with cars. t-shirts, hats and polos. There are many My conclusion: We are all blessed by our obsession with cars. We are even First you walk the track. All three miles Every now and then I think about what items perfect for both women and men. more blessed by the great people who and ten turns of it. And you pay atten- life would be like if John had been an And remember that each purchase pro- share our passion. tion while the pro instructs you on the auto-immune guy. What would we talk vides a portion of the price back to our intricacies of staying alive while im- about? Just bombing around backroads and pressing your friends. Then comes the club. Thank you for your support! trying to stay out of trouble with the law scary part. Your instructor takes you I started this column about my first is fun. “But join a club to do it right,” I around the track at throttle. Straights Porsche. I close with my last (as prom- said to myself. So I became a member are good for 200 mph. My 356 was only ised to Marion), the Panamera. It cost Available now! Only at: of the Nord Stern Porsche Club. good for 100. more than our first two houses but boy http://www.northstarbmw.org do those 400 horses sound great! It goes I started my learning process in my “Maybe I’ll just stick to back road ral- like hell all the way to 175 MPH, but brand new 356B Porsche, a 1960 red lies,” I tell myself. The club has plenty you don’t get a stick to help it get there. ragtop. New, it cost about $3,700. I re- of those plus autocross events, parties, ally couldn’t afford it and the poor thing shows and more. So a word of caution: Keep your stick had to suffer the indignity of sitting out- shift as I have, because computers con- doors year ‘round. That was my tradeoff And if one car club is fun, wouldn’t trol most of today’s new cars. While I with my wife, Marion, who insisted on more clubs be even more fun? “Yes!” write this, driverless car development keeping our one-car garage for the fam- I said as I joined the BMW, Mercedes continues apace. ily car. I can’t remember what that was. and Ferrari clubs.

Sterling Enterprises DETAILING OF FINE AUTOMOBILES JOHN BIESECKER 480 OLD HIGHWAY 8 NORTHWEST NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112 612-598-7920 [email protected]

 North Star Bavarian May 2012  The Turbo Project Words by / Photos courtesy of Craig Lovold

Those who know me are aware that for the last few years I’ve I blame Steve Petersen at Blunt Tech for suggesting a turbo been collecting derelict BMW E36 3 Series, mostly 325i se- build. I’ve never built or tuned a turbo engine before so it dans. It started after my 1998 M3 sedan rolled and I bought sounded like a fun new challenge. a parts car to fix it up. I kept a bunch of the spare parts in my lower garage and sold a few pieces off to help defray the I sold the original engine from the 325i and used the money rebuild cost. to have the M50 head planed and inspected, and had new valve guides put in. I put it back on with a .140-inch multi- One of the cars I bought turned out to be fairly decent, and I layer head gasket to slightly lower compression and bolted it decided not to part it out. It was a red 1992 325i sedan (with down with ARP studs, hopefully to keep it from lifting under the non-Vanos M50 6-cylinder). I didn’t really need another boost. I built the engine on a stand in my garage over the spare car so I took the opportunity to turn it into a Chump winter. I traded a spare engine I had to Brynn Rogers for a Car, which we raced last year at Brainerd International Race- turbocharger. I threw a Walbro high-output fuel pump into way. That was a blast, but afterwards I realized I wouldn’t -re the tank to feed those hungry 60lb./hr. fuel injectors. ally be able to race again for a few years due to family obliga- tions, among other reasons. I could just barely see the edge of the slippery slope from here. In the meantime, I began wondering what I would do with a car sporting a full roll cage and a stripped interior, one that is The M52 block is great because it has thicker cylinder walls rusty and looks awful. Maybe I can justify keeping it around than the S52 (E36 M3), so in theory it should be more dura- as a spare car in case one of our other spare cars breaks down. ble and hold up well under boost. I planned to start at around Maybe I can make it into something fun at the same time. It 8 psi of boost. I didn’t plan to run higher boost levels because would never be a pleasant daily driver. It is loud, and has no I wanted the engine to be durable. I figured it would probably AC or rear seat. Plus the roll cage. I began thinking it could be crazy fast enough to scare the pants off me anyway. double as a track rat. Then I needed some way to get the power to the ground. I mean, I’ve got a basement full of parts, so what the heck? The stock 325i drivetrain definitely wouldn’t cut it. Once more into the basement! Rummaging around secured an M3 I began to take inventory of what was on hand. An M52 transmission and driveshaft, to which I added a UUC Car- 6-cylinder (1997 328i) engine with a cracked head but low bon/Kevlar clutch. I also replaced the shifter detent pins and miles, a good head from an M50 (1994 325i), and the cam- guides while I was in there, just to freshen everything up. shafts from a 1997 M3. more: I got to thinking again, which can never end well. can’t imagine my relief when the engine fired right up and settled into a rock-solid idle! No fluids spraying anywhere or I had a bunch of trick performance M3 suspension parts nasty bangy snappy sounds. in the basement! M3 front subframe with a Z3 close-ratio steering rack? Check. M3 front spindles with Bilstein shocks, A local guy helped my with the exhaust and wastegate and I Dinan camber plates and wheel studs? Check. Complete finally got the car on the road. The spare Supersprint muffler M3 rear suspension with wheel studs and Ground Control I installed has a nice mellow sound while not loud enough to monoballs? Check. M3 rear subframe with Powerflex bush- draw undue attention. ings? Check. Ground Control sway bars? Check. I had the wastegate set to open around 5 psi. I wanted to start This was getting a bit out of hand. out at a low level to make sure everything was holding to- gether. After I started getting a bit more confident I saw the By then I had the engine, complete with SPA manifold and boost was going higher than I intended, to around 12psi. The bottom-mount turbo, about to go in. I used a trick curved mo- engine is built for a reliable 15 psi so I wasn’t too worried, but tor mount allowing the turbo intake pipe to come out straight the boost was surging and inconsistent. forward instead of under the subframe like some people do. I can’t believe anyone would run this under the subframe! While trying to figure out was going on I took a friend for There still wasn’t enough room for the intake pipe because a ride over lunch. I dropped the hammer in 3rd gear at 55 the rubber engine mount support was too wide. Brynn Rog- MPH and the boost suddenly surged to 25 psi. Both rear tires ers made me a set of solid billet aluminum mounts. I threw broke loose and the back end did a little dance. Yikes! I later on some solid transmission supports to match the engine discovered the boost source I had used for the wastegate was mounts. getting turbulence. Moving the source farther from the turbo tamed the wild boost surges. I don’t think there are any rubber bushings or supports left on this car. The car is an absolute blast to drive. It is definitely worth all the effort. It vibrates. It bumps and buzzes. It transmits every I would have to keep this beast cool so I installed a radiator crease and ridge in the road right through you. The steer- from an S54-powered BMW M Coupe, a Spal fan, and an oil ing is tight and precise. The engine makes the most glori- filter housing and cooler sourced from a European-market ous sounds. You can hear the turbo spin up, and every shift M3. I got the housing and cooler from Chris Orr, who I also results in a solid thunk. The closest thing I can compare the blame for encouraging me. sound to is a WRC rally car.

I programmed the base computer tune and I couldn’t wait I’m keeping it as ugly as possible. The tinted rear windows to see if the engine would actually fire up after all the work make it harder to spot the roll cage from the outside. I slapped I did. There was no exhaust and the turbo plumbing was in- an old wing on the trunk just because. It’s rusty and dirty on complete, so there was no boost. But I just had to try it. You more:

 North Star Bavarian May 2012  Meanwhile, Back at the Wrench... Jonathan Bush

Of Old Men And Old Cars

Like many of us, I was indoctrinated Throughout my teen years these guys days he rolls in a 2007 335xi coupe. into the Cult Of Car at a very young age all worked on cars. Elan and Jerry had by my father. He probably didn’t even a couple of Roadsters, a 610 wagon, and Woody flushed the 300SD once the know he was force-feeding me the Kool- an 810 coupe. Reed and Woody moved electrical system started going sideways, Aid. Regardless, I’m pretty sure my first on to an Alfa Romeo Spider and a which is odd for a W126 Mercedes. It word was “car.” Which is good, because Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo that had was also developing some nasty rust it could have been a lot of other things. belonged to jazzman Benny Goodman. because, despite living out its final days in Virginia, its early years were spent in If it was the weekend, Dad was We still had the 510 wagon, but it Connecticut and New York. wrenching on his Fiat 850 Spider to was largely a garage ornament by better the chances of completing his then, a victim of my failed attempt Woody now drives a Toyota Tundra 100-mile round-trip commute from at a restoration: the body a sculptural four-door when he and his wife Linda ...the outside but shiny and new on the inside. The old racer saying ‘keep the shiny our home in southwestern Connecticut medley of 2x4s and bondo, and the fuel aren’t using their Lexus LS460. Woody side up’ doesn’t really apply to this car since the shiny side is underneath. out to Long Island, NY come Monday. system feeding from a gallon jug wedged still wrenches on his yard implements, It wasn’t so much that the Fiat was under the hood. Dad and I would still and builds the type of furniture you’d So if you see a tacky-looking, red 325i sedan with suspiciously tinted windows and a unreliable. Rather, when you have 850 work on my Rabbit convertible and his typically find at ultra-high-end home- J.C. Whitney-style wing give me a wave. And listen for the turbo. cubic centimeters of Carlo Abarth’s rage own Datsun Roadster, two of the better- furnishing stores. Indeed, he created the on tap, it’s best to keep it in fine fettle. functioning examples of our actual wood trim for my 1972 Bavaria from abilities as shade-tree mechanics. Birdseye maple using some old pieces Dale, Wrenching next to him on his own Fiat as patterns and shear acres of talent. 850 Spider was Dad’s best friend, Woody, As time went on, more and more of the I thought you might get a kick out of whose son Reed would become my best cars they had to tinker with fell by the Dad still has his Roadster. He drives it this. Did you ever see the E36 cockpit friend. Woody had a shorter commute, wayside. In 1990 Jerry traded his 1985 in the nice weather and wrenches on that I cut out and made into a driv- but his reasons for fiddling on the Fiat BMW 735i five-speed in on a Lexus it as necessary, which isn’t very much ing simulator? I had to tear it down to were essentially similar; they were Fiats LS400 and never looked back. As he because it’s not British. I think the last make room to finish the basement, but in Connecticut. So much so, in fact, that put it, once the 7er had fully funded the items to fail were the clutch master I’m working on bringing it back to life. Woody’s eventually broke in half. local BMW dealership’s new showroom, cylinder and the battery, and both of Last time around it had a plastic pedal there wasn’t much point in keeping it. those were several years ago. set on the floor that I wasn’t happy Meanwhile, Reed and I were That, and my aunt drove it through a with. I had the PlayStation steering performance-tuning our tricycles. deer at 75 mph. A few summers ago my parents were wheel attached to the end of the steer- visiting and Dad helped me replace a ing column so I could use the stock E36 Assuming his Fiat was happy, Dad Jerry toyed with buying an 850CSi trunk hinge on the Bavaria. Replacing steering wheel, which was kinda neat. might be playing with our Datsun several years ago. We talked about the said hinge isn’t such a bad task. 510. This green 1972 station wagon history and significance, as well as the Reinstalling the trunk torsion bars is That was fun, but I want to take it to was Mom’s grocery getter. Some of my care and feeding, of such an animal. I did bad, and worse. A symphony of anger the next level. The plastic pedals with earliest childhood memories include some searching around and connected and profanity severe enough to set off be replaced with metal petals mounted sitting on the floor of the back-seat area with a guy in southern California the local tornado sirens accompanied from the top so they will be much more playing with my Matchbox cars on the who had a stunning Lagunagrun-on- the job. Still, Dad was into it, happy to like the factory pedals. The brake pedal rear seat cushion while Mom ferried us Parchment example with low miles lend a hand. will by hydraulic, so it will feel like a to Burger King. Hey, it was the 1970s. and all the paperwork. In the end Jerry real brake pedal. The stock BMW steer- Seatbelts were something that happened decided he didn’t care enough about a Now we have the next generation ing wheel will be replaced with a Logitech G27 wheel. I wanted to keep the factory steering wheel but it isn’t practical. The Logitech to front-seat passengers. car he would have to pay attention to, coming up. Reed spins the spanners on wheel has paddle shifters and shift lights on it, so it makes more sense to just use that. And this time I will hook it up to a PC run- and we scrapped the plans. weekends, and his young daughters are ning iRacing. Hopefully with a multi-monitor setup. The extended Bush clan had many showing an interest in garage endeavors. Datsuns, including 510s, 610s, the Somewhat recently, Elan had a couple My own son is a little young at two, but With any luck I should at least have it mostly done and running before the Garage Door Opener. occasional 710 and 810, and Roadsters, of Volvo 240 Turbo wagons. He tried to he’s already showing great progress, at but strangely no Z cars. Dad’s brother get his son and daughter into it when least in taking things apart. Craig L. Jerry and my oldest cousin Elan kept they decided they wanted to learn about the fleet running for that end of the cars. Once the kids moved on, so did And he’s got a shiny new tricycle that’s Oh, boy. Did he ever! -Ed. family. Elan. The projects went away, and these just begging for upgrades. 10 North Star Bavarian May 2012 11 Club News

Our 2011 New Member Picnic was a huge success thanks to our members and volunteers. Now we are looking forward to our 2012 shindig at our NEW location!

Brookview Park Golden Valley, MN Sunday, July 15 – 11:30 AM (Under the Big Shelter)

We can’t wait to see you!

Please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/59FSVSZ to cast you votes in our 2012 Election! The ballots will remain open until June 30, 2012.

12 North Star Bavarian May 2012 13 North Star Bavarian Non-Profit P.O. Box 2774 U.S. Postage Paid Minneapolis, MN 55402-2774 Wayzata, MN Permit No. 227

Dated material Please do not delay www.northstarbmw.org

14 North Star Bavarian