corsachili
Well-Known Member
OK, so I didn't cut any holes in any boxes, but I did complete the first step in my CSL's transformation back to stock. After weeks of rain we finally had a dry weekend and so Saturday morning I drove up the peninsula to retrieve my precious from storage. It's always great to see her again after weeks or months of separation. Watching the door roll up on the storage space and seeing her all safe and cozy and dry is a great feeling. It's even better when the day is clear and dry and I get to take her for a drive.
I made the short drive south to the Cowpoke Racing garage, with Kurt driving my M635CSI. We tore down 101 in formation, passing each other every few miles to admire the sight of the cars on the road. Pulling in to the garage I wasted no time and got her up on jack stands and removed the 16" Alpinas for the last time. Off came the H&R springs, the camber plates, and the strut brace. It took most of Saturday to do 2 of the wheels and since I had a social obligation Saturday night I had to leave the final 2 wheels for today. Getting the rear springs of of an E9 is a little tricky. I let the diff down as far as it will go, along with letting the shocks and sway bar links drop all the way. There's just enough room to get the shock off and the springs out. I then reinstalled the stock CSL springs. I finished early enough to be able to take her out for a short drive and I'm very happy with the results. While I do love the look of lowered E9s with 16 inch staggered Alpinas on them, something inside me wanted to give it the original look with the narrow tires, tall sidewalls, and 14" wheels. I have certainly given up some steering feedback and handling, but the ride is more compliant and the true character of the car is evident. It just feels "right". It's also much nicer to drive at parking lot speeds as I do not have power steering and the 16" rubber really gives your forearms a workout.
I've started to restore a new set of wood which will be done in French Walnut so that will be the next major area of the transformation. Hopefully that will be done in a few months and the interior of the car will be completed for the summer driving season.
I'll post some pictures of the car in its new state along with the wood project on my Flickr in the coming days.
-tj in Los Gatos
I made the short drive south to the Cowpoke Racing garage, with Kurt driving my M635CSI. We tore down 101 in formation, passing each other every few miles to admire the sight of the cars on the road. Pulling in to the garage I wasted no time and got her up on jack stands and removed the 16" Alpinas for the last time. Off came the H&R springs, the camber plates, and the strut brace. It took most of Saturday to do 2 of the wheels and since I had a social obligation Saturday night I had to leave the final 2 wheels for today. Getting the rear springs of of an E9 is a little tricky. I let the diff down as far as it will go, along with letting the shocks and sway bar links drop all the way. There's just enough room to get the shock off and the springs out. I then reinstalled the stock CSL springs. I finished early enough to be able to take her out for a short drive and I'm very happy with the results. While I do love the look of lowered E9s with 16 inch staggered Alpinas on them, something inside me wanted to give it the original look with the narrow tires, tall sidewalls, and 14" wheels. I have certainly given up some steering feedback and handling, but the ride is more compliant and the true character of the car is evident. It just feels "right". It's also much nicer to drive at parking lot speeds as I do not have power steering and the 16" rubber really gives your forearms a workout.
I've started to restore a new set of wood which will be done in French Walnut so that will be the next major area of the transformation. Hopefully that will be done in a few months and the interior of the car will be completed for the summer driving season.
I'll post some pictures of the car in its new state along with the wood project on my Flickr in the coming days.
-tj in Los Gatos