Hi All,
So, I haven't been able to drive my car for the past three days because the Frackmobile has gotten some new mods at Nasty Steele Performance, Inc.: M7 big brake upgrade (12.9" slotted/ventilated rotors, Mintex M1144 front brake pads, EBC Redstuff rear brake pads, stainless brake lines, and Racing Blue brake fluid), Alta intercooler air diverter (w/ water mister), replacement BST battery cable, and the M7 oil catch can. There's a bunch more miscellaneous stuff, but these are all the juicy parts.
Due to extensive engine-bay modifications, Nasty Nate (lead mechanic/designer) was having trouble figuring out where to put the oil catch can. For the last couple months, I've been printing NAM postings on oil catch can mounting areas, etc. and there have been a lot of good ideas, but we had to do something different because of the factory alarm system, ProMini upper strut tower brace, etc.
Instead of jamming the catch can in the sealed-off area underneath the passenger window, Nate had a great idea. Why not cut out part of the plastic section (in front of the ABS box) and fabricate a recessed mounting area for the catch can. Proper heat dissipation was the main concern.
Nate cut out part of the plastic section and fabricated a new recessed replacement piece out of 16-guage sheet metal. The hoses you see in the pictures are courtesy of Western Speed & Fuel. They're 3/8" hose rated for 250 PSI/17 bar. Here's the completed project. I think it's a great idea and if you have questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

 

Here are the some other pics of the project. Oh, special thanks to Peter & Randy at M7 Tuning, Eric at Helix, and Nasty Steele Performance. Cheers!

 

Thanks for sharing Fracky. I'll be installing one also in the coming weeks, and with what you provided, I will now consider what you did... Nice job!

Tell, what is meant by replacement of the BST battery cable, and why? For those who might not know, this is that small orangish box connected to the hot lead from the battery. BST = Battery Safety Terminal.

Thanks.

 

Hi Tony!
The BST cable is one of those super-expensive BMW parts. Unfortunately, it was hacked apart by a stereo shop that "attempted" my audio/visual install. Won't mention any stereo shop names. <cough>
By not having the complete BST setup, the vehicle had a constant electrical fault triggering a constant 'service engine soon' light. When I called the dealership in Sacramento to order a replacement, they asked "Visa or Mastercard?" When I asked about the total, it was to the tune of +$280.
To replace the BST cable (from the front mount in the engine bay to the battery well in the back), the exhaust had to be taken out and all heat shielding in the immediate area removed. Moral of the story: buy the manual because BMW used that part for a reason.

 

Tony, if you are going with the AGS, what I did is alot easier

 

Fracky, thanks, now I see. Given the prices that I've seen, that doesn't exactly surprise me. Sounds like a real pia! The BST is very sensitive. If that little yellow clip at the end is rotated, the SRS light comes-on. At least that is what MINI has told me after they diagnose it.

Jason, oh, I'm going AGS alright! And with that open space, I am indeed considering that location as my primary choice. The only reason that I might not put it there is that for smog checks, I'll need to reinstall the stock box, and that will require a new, temporary re-location of the occ. Ideally, I'd like to put it somewhere, and never have to move it...

But then if Peter gets CARB approval, and I think he is, then I guess that wouldn't be an issue...