Despite the gloomy weather reports that predicted HEAVY RAIN during our entire event, the rain actually STOPPED completely at about 10:45 and it only occasionally drizzled. I was afraid everyone would be scared away by the weather reports, but the turnout was huge.


Just a fraction of the huge turnout

Ben had a table inside his shop for us and Maria and I set up our display with a StopTech kit on the left and a Brembo kit on the right. People really seemed to like being able to pick up the calipers and rotors, turn them over in their hands, and compare them. It's one thing to see a small picture in a web site and something totally different to see the stuff in person.


My lovely wife and the table full of toys

With all the excitement going on, I was wondering if anyone would bother to come over and talk about brakes. Well, I was surprised by how many people wanted to learn about brake torque, balanced brakes, pad technology, brake line design and testing, etc. My throat is still sore from talking.

We held a bunch of tech sessions throughout the day. Lee Walker, from Monroe, NY was lucky enough to be the first person to respond to the posted announcements, so he was the demo car for the CDV modification, shifter installation, tranny mount swap, and Royal Purple Synchromax tranny fluid change.


Lee smiling in the center, with his wife Gina lusting after Harold Chang's E46 M3 with 4-wheel Brembo kit

Lee's wife, a BMW 3-Series owner herself, had successfully converted him from an Audi person and they just purchased their 540i 6-Speed about three weeks ago. Three big cheers for Gina!

First up was a clutch delay valve removal on their 540i. Since I was doing the work, I didn't take any photos. I was too busy trying to keep the brake fluid from dribbling all the down my arm and into my armpit. I don't know if it was that particular clutch delay valve or just the pressure of the bright lights and all the people watching, but it took a few tries to get the hydraulic fitting started properly without cross threading. After it was connected up, the bleeding went without a hitch and then it was back to the table to talk brakes for another hour.

I did get a chance to wander around the parking lot for a few minutes after the train stopped. There were some interesting rides. Of course, Harold had the prime parking spot for his E46 M3.


Harold's E46 M3 and silver, 4-wheel Brembo brake upgrade

My parking spot was pretty good too!


My tow vehicle and parts hauler - a 1996 Chevy Impala SS with some minor mods

Harold went over to another M3 to open the door and apparently didn't know his own strength. As he pulled up on the door handle, the door came right off in his hand!


Oh my God! I broke the door off!


But wait! It's SUPPOSED to work that way!

After this little bit of excitement, it was time to go back inside and do the next tech session. This time, it was tranny mounts and short shifters.


Ben explaining how the performance tranny mounts are replaced

Next, was a break for lunch. Chris Hsu and my wife took off on a food run and when they came back, I got to see Chris' newest car. His mother was borrowing his 540iA, so he brought his new toy. (And I don't mean "toy" figuratively!)


Steve Dinan seems to be branching out more and more lately

After lunch, it was another tech session. This time Ben demonstrated how not to get soaked with tranny fluid when opening the drain plug. The first time he did this, the fluid rushed out as he dodged away just in time. When he looked back, however, he realized that the flow of fluid had just missed his catch tank!


Ready .... Set .......


Go!! Phew! Made it into the tank!

While Ben and I were conducting tech sessions inside the garage, there was more installation activity going on under the tent just outside. I missed some of the work, but I did catch a few moments of the installation of Rogue's new underdrive pullys.


"I know that pully must be down there somewhere!"

After the tranny fluid was swapped and the M3 moved out of the way, Lee and his wife took off for a drive in their totally transformed 540i. I'm looking forward to hearing their review of the changes. They headed south to pick up a set of snowtires from someone who had just bought them last season and then decided to move to California. Lee got the deal of the century. I'll let him go into the details, if he wants.

The next tech session was on fender rolling. I'm sure you've heard plenty of discussions on this topic, but many of you may never have seen a fender rolling tool.


Fender rolling tool

The first step is to install the tool on the wheel mounting hub. Next, a heat gun is used to warm up the paint so is won't crack when the fender lip is bent over.


Ben heating up the fender lip

Here, Ben is shown holding a digital pyrometer. What you don't want to do is heat the paint enough so that it begins to bubble! The whole point of heating it is to avoid damage. So the pyrometer helps keep you out of trouble.


Measuring the fender lip temperature with a digital pyrometer


Fender rolling audience - part 1


Audience - part 2 including our own Daniel D. Baur! Looks like Ben is milking a cow, from this angle!

As the clock approached 5PM and the fender rolling finished, the crowd began to thin a bit. The remaining folks were getting a little punchy and someone decided to take Ben's newest bicycle for a ride.


Training for the next Long Island "Century Ride" Zoom! Zoom!

As I packed up my boxes and loaded the Impala SS to head home, there were still a surprising number of people hanging out. This event far exceeded my expectations, especially given the dreadful weather predictions. It was wonderful to meet some new folks as well as finally get to meet some folks I've known for a long time on the various boards. And, as always, it was great to see old friends. Thanks to everyone who came and I look forward to the next big event!


Dave Zeckhausen
Ridding the world of CDVs, one E39 at a time!