Thinking of building a 320IS for hillclimbs / sprints

[ChrisBarns]

Hi,I currently hillclimb an MG Midget but I like to drive to the events and the MG is hard work so sometimes I take my Boxster but the boxster is a 3.2 and therefore in the top (over 3 litre class) and not really competetive with the 911s etc.) and anyway, I can't afford to crash it.
So I was thinking of a smallish RWD car with a high specific output that does fit the class system (up to 1.4, 1.4-2.0, 2.0 - 3.0, 3.0 plus).
An M3 would be too expensive and also wouldn't have enough power to take on the bigger engined cars in the class which would include 2 litre turbos).
A 320IS would fir the class below and be nearly on par with the Civics and Clios (all around 200bhp).
I don't want LHD drive though so I would need to get a 320IS engine, gearbox and diff and fit it in a RHD E30 which I assume would be easier than coverting a LHD to RHD. I can change dampers and springs but I'd do that with any car so I could start with the most boggo E30. I shouldn't really change the rack but I probably would. Would a Z3 one fit witht he IS engine in?
Does anyone know how much IS engines / boxes / diffs cost?
Is it a good idea?

[daimlerman]

Anything is possible given enough time/money!

320is is mechanicaly related to M3,smaller capacity to suit taxation in the markets it was sold in,expect the OEM homo's to give you a rough ride for even thinking of modifying one!

Another engine that may be cheaper/easier/better to improve could be an M42 from an iS,up the capacity to close to the 2ltr limit,or add a turbo/supercharger?

[ChrisBarns]

Anything is possible given enough time/money!

320is is mechanicaly related to M3,smaller capacity to suit taxation in the markets it was sold in,expect the OEM homo's to give you a rough ride for even thinking of modifying one!

Another engine that may be cheaper/easier/better to improve could be an M42 from an iS,up the capacity to close to the 2ltr limit,or add a turbo/supercharger?

Thanks for the reply.

Changing the engine, forced induction or substantial internal mods - such as a capacity change would move me up several classess which allow much more modification (to suspension and bodywork etc) and therefore be expensive and make the car more difficult to drive to and from events.

[MrBenn]

I have been toying with the same idea for the last few weeks although I'm not tied to any rules as its just my toy so I was going to use the 2.3 engine.
Yes the Z3 rack will work, or the E46 sport rack which is easier to find.
Engine/box/diff would be 4-5k IF you can find one in 2L.
Fit a carbon airbox and you have one of the best sounding 4 bangers out there.

Great idea IMO

[e21Jason]

I have all the bits to build a 2.0l s14 as that was the orginal plan for my e21

2.0 l bottom end needs a rebuild an a hone as one bore is rusty, ported s14 head, uprated valves, uprated cams etc.

All in bits but for the right money I might sell it

Jason

[ChrisBarns]

OK - I'll abandon that then. £4-5k plus the doner car, building costs etc. I could buy a Civic type R and tune it and probably end up with a faster car for less (and not have the hastle of "proving" that it was a production car, just that it was a production car in LHD etc...

thanks for all the info.

Was a good idea while it lasted!

[pistonbroke]

E30s are heavy at 1,100 + Kgs for their Class in Series Production, where you're looking at 240bhp +/ ton to be competitive in the up to 2.0 litre Class. Type R sounds more of a plan, and even the S2000 (another heavyweight) can be competitive given the right mods, but then it starts with 250bhp....

[ChrisBarns]

E30s are heavy at 1,100 + Kgs for their Class in Series Production, where you're looking at 240bhp +/ ton to be competitive in the up to 2.0 litre Class. Type R sounds more of a plan, and even the S2000 (another heavyweight) can be competitive given the right mods, but then it starts with 250bhp....

Thanks for this.

I haven't looked at this year's blue book and I don't have it here at work but I'm talking about the very lowest road-based production class, i'm not sure if that is "Series Production" or not. The class I currently run in has its own rules just for MGs so I'm no expert but I think for last year the bottom class induction was free but the rest would be standard, engine wise. Interior and body etc all also standard so E30 would be lighter than a clio or type r (both about 1200-1300 kgs). According to the internet a Clipo 200 has a power to weight ratio of 166bhp per tonne. An s2000 would make a lot of sence but I don't like the steering and would find it hard to justify another sportscar alongside the Boxster.

[daimlerman]

........ and would find it hard to justify another sportscar alongside the Boxster.

Buy 'er a new 'shopping trolley',or promise 'er some new shoes/handbags/frocks etc!