Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Sunday, June 9, 2013

DIY: JB4 Stage 3 Performance Tuner installation

It took about 30 minutes to install but most of the time was spent removing covers and filters to get to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit). Below is a demo of the steering wheel controls. 


Right away, I can feel a big difference in acceleration and torque. My next purchase would have been an HPF intercooler but the company went out of business last month. While Hubs finds another intercooler brand, I'm saving up for Alufelgen SF-71 19" wheels.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

DIY: Navigation installation

It took about 6 months but I can finally listen to Sirius satellite radio. 
What's next: JB4 performance tuner and black kidney grills are arriving this week.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Next Project: Painted Brake Calipers

Posi-Quiet Ceramic Brake Pads - $129.99

A few months ago, I noticed my wheels were constantly dirty. Hubs told me me it was due to the brake pads and that I should switch them out for better ones. Hubs purchased the above brake pads last month but we were too busy to installed them right away. I'm glad we waited as I want the brake calipers painted like this:

This weekend I bought VHT caliper paint and caliper cleaner. Primer is not needed with this paint brand. Now I just need to find the time to do it all.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

DIY: How to install E82 LCI LED Tail Lights

This weekend Hubs installed the OEM E82 LCI LED tail lights. These tail lights were introduced with the 2011 BMW 1-series.
For comparison, OEM LCI LED on top, stock tail lights on the bottom. 

LCI LED Tail Lights installation on BMW E82 135i:

Installation time: 15 minutes
1. Remove the truck liner panel. 
2. Use a trim removal tool to remove the panel fasteners.
3. Remove the fasteners from the rear truck trim. This is optional for those who don't want to crease the paneling.
4. Carefully loosen the gasket.
5. Bend the truck liner to reveal the back of the tail light.
6. Remove the tail light bolts with a 8mm socket.
7. Remove the light connectors.
8. Remove the stock tail light. 
9. Replace the stock tail light with the LED tail lights and replace the gasket.
10. Screw back the bolts with a 8mm socket.
 11. Fasten the light connectors.
12. Pull back the truck liner panel and reattach the panel fasteners.

 
LCI LED Tail Lights vs. Stock Tail Lights
Before
After

Here's what the lights looks like at night: