The Definitive Fast Road Spec

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Darren325is
E30 Zone Newbie
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Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:00 pm
Location: Ooop north

Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:10 pm

Is there such a thing as a tried and tested fast road replacement / upgrade parts list for a 325is that I can cherry pick from ?

Two reasons really: -

1, am sick of buying and fitting bits from the likes of ECP that are supposed to be OE equivalent to find that they're just crap, don't fit or both

2, curiosity for what to change to as and when things need fettling

Thanks in advance
ross_jsy
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Location: Jersey, C.I.

Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:18 pm

Billies and Eibachs suspension wise and standard OEM bushes all round is a good starting point.

For brakes, you can't go wrong with refurbing the callipers, new fluid, OEM spec discs and some ds2500 pads. Maybe look into 4 pots of your budget allows. Love my WMS callipers.

Definitely look into changing the rack. e46 purple tag racks seem to be the one to go for at the moment. I have a z3 one which I like but people report it can feel twitchy, something I haven't encountered.

A fruity cam, chip and a BTB manifold would round out a nice driving road car IMO.
capnmchl
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Location: Exeter, Devon

Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:53 pm

If you want to go fast on the road, you need forced induction and compliant suspension.

The suspension you can do easily, but the FI not so.

Bilstein B4 shocks and the eibach pro sport springs. Replace every bush and mount with a good quality replacement such as lemforder or from BMW. Change the rear bush for the front wishbones with the eccentric M3 one. Use both ARB's, as big as you can get your hands on. Change the rack for a standard E36 item.
ross_jsy
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Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:56 pm

You don't need forced induction at all. A standard 325i is more than capable of getting you well past license losing speeds on B roads so saying it is a requirement of a "fast car" isn't really true
capnmchl
E30 Zone Camper
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Location: Exeter, Devon

Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:43 pm

How many times is there an empty B road ;)

Limited exposure to danger.
G-Bear
E30 Zone Squatter
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Location: Hertfordshire

Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:55 pm

ross_jsy wrote: For brakes, you can't go wrong with refurbing the callipers

A company called Big Red do a seal kit for callipers. I bought a set in the summer for about £50. A good overhaul to do..

http://biggred.co.uk/index.php

There's info on the wiki pages I think for the refurb.. failing that look up X-works' M3 build thread..
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