Touring drift project

[_Jay_]

Right after posting a topic about buying the car the otehr week, thought I would start a project thread on it.

Basically the car is a 325 Touring that I got off a mate of my dads for £250. Couldnt really argue for that price. It needs some love I admit, but it will get there lol.

Heres a pic of the guy drifting it a few years back


Some of you may know the car? Been sat for a few years as he kind of lost interest in drifting. So here is how its looking now:





As you can see, its looking a bit tired. So my plan is to first of all lose the stickers lol. Its not even home yet and they are bugging me lol. Then straighten out the body work. As im learning to drift the car it doesnt need to be pristine, I know im going to scuff it etc, but still want it looking reasonable. Then to give it a good clean and polish lol.

The car also needs a new clutch, and after asking in another thread, been recomended the Sachs clutch. So that needs to be fitted. As far as im aware the engine is in good condition, but going to give it a going over and a service to make sure all is ok.

The interior has been half stripped already, but going to go that little bit further. So losing the door cards, carpet etc. Its got a set of Recaro sport seats in there at the moment, but will be removing these as I have a set of Recaro buckets to go in.



Pleased with these as got them for about £100 for the pair of them. Also got my self a set of TRS harnesses. These are 6 point FIA approved ones lol. Little bit overkill, but when they came up for £100 for the pair I thought why not. So these will be going in as well.

Next is to asses the brakes and suspenssion on the car. I know it has been lowered already, but judging from the pics of my dads mate drifting it, it has quite a bit of body role. So no doubt just a set of lowering springs, or worse yet, cyut springs. So will no doubt be looking for a set of coil overs. Any suggestions as to what ones to go for?

For a car to learn to drift in though I cant really complain. One day I may take it to the next stage, or replace it for another E30 track toy. The possabilities are endless as they say lol. Got a 3.5 v8 from a 7 series I could put in it one day, but not just yet.

Also what is the law regarding roll cages? Are they fully legal for use on the road? Just wondering as this will be driven too and from the track.

Thats it for now, but will update more when the car is finally home and the work begins!

[ross_jsy]

Good luck with the project.

Word of advice though, I wouldn't be using harness' with those seats, and again without a cage. They aren't designed for harness use despite the "harness holes"

[_Jay_]

Why not these seats with harnesses? A mate of mine had a set of these in a track car with them, and they were fine? As for a cage I do intend to fit one, just wanted to know the legality of them when using them on the road? Just wanted to make sure there was no law against them etc lol

[ross_jsy]

Sorry should have explained. Basically, in a crash, because the harness divert the energy downwards due to where they are mounted it is essentially pushing down on the lower bracket. Crash hard enough and the lower bracket will fail leaving your spine to be crushed by the harness.

Hope that makes sense?

[_Jay_]

Yeah that makes sense. So if I was to mount a sort of rear cage for the time being, and then fit the harnesses to that? So the harnesses will be level with my shoulders. Would that be better?

[ross_jsy]

I can't comment really, always been told never to use harness' with folding seats and is something I would advise sticking too. Could probably sell them and get a pair of out of date bucket seats without much investment.

[_Jay_]

I think as im learning to drift in it, should be ok as not really much for me to crash in to except cones. But then as soon as I start using it more on track with other cars etc, then def have to get some fixed buckets then. Do you think welding the seats in to place so they cant recline would make any difference at all for the time being?

[ross_jsy]

At the end of the day it's your safety you are playing round with, I would just do it properly in the first place

[_Jay_]

May just fit the seats I got with a standard belt for the time being then just for added support over the standard seats while learning, and that way no problems with safety from the harnesses, and then save up and get a set of fixed buckets and use the harnesses with them.

Appreciate the info on that mate.

[ross_jsy]

That's what I would do if I was running with folding seats.

Don't forget, when you install fixed back buckets with harness' you need a cage as well. Pain in the hoop all this safety stuff

[_Jay_]

Def is, but cant put a price on a life as they say lol. May fit the harnesses with the current seats as well as having the standard belt set up. That way can use the standard belt when on the road to and from the pod, and then when at the pod used the harness. Thinking theres nothing to hit so no accident when im there, so no safety issue, but will hold me in place better.

On another note, what do you reckon colour wise? Im thinking keeping it white with green detailing like wheels etc. But not 100% if it will look alright lol.

[ross_jsy]

If I'm honest, I quite like the current sticker theme as it is for a drifter. Looks the part anyway

[rix313]

Why not these seats with harnesses? A mate of mine had a set of these in a track car with them, and they were fine?

Did he crash into anything? It's all fine till some gets hurt as they say. Lovely seats but they aren't designed for track use. There are bundles of listings on ebay for pairs of cheap bucket seats for sub £150. Seeing as you'll be drifting and thus being flung about in the seat (I assume???) a bucket seat and harnesses will give you a much better 'feel' and more controll than hanging out of a road seat with a standard seat belt on


What's your budget on suspension? Single adjustable wise GAZ is the best sub £1k competition kit. Then under that are budget height only adjustable kits for circa £300, depends what you're after really...

Get the V8 in there

[_Jay_]

The stickers, half of them seem to have been done with electrical tape lol. Dont get me wrong, I want it to stand out, like a drifter should, but I think the stickers on there are not the way forward lol. My old mans already told me hes putting his company name down the side, so guess I have a sponsor now :p

[_Jay_]

I dont have a set budget as such as its an evolving project really. So if need to save to get something will get it then move on to saving for the next part lol. Think at first will look in to the Circa ones then, and then when get the feel for the car more and ready to move up more i'll then move on to a set of GAZ coilovers then.

[Screacher]

Also what is the law regarding roll cages? Are they fully legal for use on the road? Just wondering as this will be driven too and from the track.

I drive a fully stripped and caged E30 to and from trackdays in both UK and Europe. Car is fully taxed and tested. I do get an "Advisory" as they can't access the rear to check seat belt mountings, but as there's no rear seat and no rear seatbelts, it seems just fine

I believe there's plenty of the PBMW guys drive to and from race meetings too.

[_Jay_]

Also what is the law regarding roll cages? Are they fully legal for use on the road? Just wondering as this will be driven too and from the track.

I drive a fully stripped and caged E30 to and from trackdays in both UK and Europe. Car is fully taxed and tested. I do get an "Advisory" as they can't access the rear to check seat belt mountings, but as there's no rear seat and no rear seatbelts, it seems just fine

I believe there's plenty of the PBMW guys drive to and from race meetings too.

Just what I wanted to hear! Now time to find a cage lol. Where did you get yours from may I ask?

[rix313]

There's a chap selling a Safety devices cage for 4 door and tourings in the for sale section, tis a bargain too!

[_Jay_]

Just had a thought, a mate of my uncles said he would build me a cage one day lol. He builds them for the drag cars (uncle works on the team Shockwaves). Will see if he remembered telling me that lol. Doubt it

Will have a look at that one, thanks for the heads up

[ross_jsy]

Think at first will look in to the Circa ones then, and then when get the feel for the car more and ready to move up more i'll then move on to a set of GAZ coilovers then.

Circa means around

[Phill172]

Cool project, I love tourings!
Just to add more confusion to the whole harness/seat setup
Im running a Cobra Suzuka seat with a 6 point TRS harness, I also have my standard oem seatbelt in there too as I hate driving on the road in a harness, and if im honest I have only used the harness when im drifting in competition, but its up to you.

Iv got a full cage and have never had a bother with it, no advisory's or anything just the mot bloke moaning that its a pain in the arse to get in and out of.

Atleast my recommendation would be to ditch the recaros if there in good nick some ATR owner would buy them up and I would spend the money and get a decent bucket seat, Avoid the cheap Sparcos/OMP/Cobra seats with the steel frame they are really uncomfy and will wear quite quickly. I managed to pick my seat up for £100, and apart from my arse being a bit to fat for it now its comfy and super light too!

Brakes for a drift car, I run stock pads on the front and some hill climb/sprint pads on the rears as I use a hydro handbrake I need them to bite instantly, but if your not bothering with that stock pads and discs will be all youll ever need!

Check out the bushes on the car, makes a massive difference to the feel, unfortunately E30s dont photo that well when drifting they always look like they are rolling all over the place, Iv even removed the ARBs from mine, it looks shit in photos but drifts 10x better

Take it out drifting and get a feel for it and see what needs changing, O and defiantly check the viscous and add a electric fan on the front of the rad with a switch, if your feeling adventurous put a few holes in the thermostat too, Bmws HATE going round in circles doing donuts, even on the big track and santapod they can cook very easy. Every single e30 have seen overheat has just a viscous fan.

My list would be to check all the cooling side of things as a first.

But good luck with it, if you head up to santapod at all be cool to see it going round!

V8 get it done!!!

[maxfield]

Agree with Phil. Make sure the cooling system is up to scratch. It doesn't take long to cook a BMW when drifting.

Also get a E36/E46 rack with some rack spacers on make a massive difference.

[_Jay_]

Really appreciate all the input guys. Still waiting on the guy to pull his finger out so can sort out going to pick the car up. Getting impatient now lol.

Phil, what make seats do you have then?

I heard before that brakes are not essential on a drifter. A neighbour bought a 300zx that was running a bonkers set up for drifting, 650bhp etc. And it had standard brakes. Make it scary as hell while on the road! So thats why I was thinking of upgrading to a decent set up. Always been under the impression you should be able to stop better before you can go better lol. How does the hydraulic handbrake work then? What do you do when parking it up?

Kind of overlooked the need to keep it cool, whoops. Will def be working on cooling as well then.

Maxfield, what difference will a new rack make?

[ross_jsy]

Hydraulic handbrake works by tapping into the rear brake line, so when pulled it locks the rear brakes with greater force and urgency than the standard set up. However you have to have a mechanical handbrake to be able to pass an MOT, there are several ways round this though.

And because the e36/46 rack sharpens up the steering massively. Depending on the rack it takes the lock to lock down from 4 turns, to around 3

[_Jay_]

Ok regarding the handbrake i will try and live with the current set up then and after a few drift sessions will then start looking in to the hydraulic route.

As for the steering, will see if I can find a new rack then. Sure will help drifting then if I can get lock to lock quicker.

For those that have roll cages, would it be worth getting a removable steering wheel? Should heklp with getting in and out of the car?

[ross_jsy]

The racks are very easy to come by, I have a z3 item with 2.7 turns lock to lock although I believe there are better racks out there. Then you need a fitting kit. DanThe sells them.

I don't personally have a problem getting in and out but I am skinny and my wheel is quite small (too small)

[Phill172]

Only have the drivers seat as im poor at the moment but its this

I did a 5 stud conversion on mine so Im using the 3.2 evo brakes from a e36 m3 with stock pads and it is more then enough for a e30, however with a 2.5 standard e30 brakes will be more then fine, if you want to up to better pads then you want hill climb/sprint ones, track pads take a bit of heat so will be useless drifting!

Putting the e36/z3 rack in will make a massive difference, lock to lock on a e30 is awful, a e36/z3 rack has a much quicker ration and if your getting dirty under the car its an easy swap.

Hydro handbrake I run mine with my standard handbrake to pass mots and to be able to park on a hill! it simply taps into the brake line that runs to the back of the car, my experience of stock e30 handbrakes have been a bit shite!

This is about the only photo i have where you can see both handbrakes


But it depends on your driving style, if your going to be doing fast tracks like the big track at santapod it will help you but there are many different ways to skid, I only use a handbrake to slow down into tight corners or when twinning.

Removable steering wheel will defiantly help getting in and out, its the one thing I need to sort on mine!

[_Jay_]

Im a little chubby so will probably need a removable steering wheel then when got a cage. Although do intend to lsoe some weight, so might be able to get away with it lol. Thought it makes the car a bit safer when parked up as well if there is no wheel.

Liking the pics Phil. Making me want to get mine home quicker so can start on it lol.

As im only just learning to drift, doubt the hydraulic brake will be essential just yet then, but will def be on my to do list for when im getting better.

The climb/sprint pads warm up quicker I take it? Keep the standard disc size but maybe grooved or vented to handle the extra abuse?

Yeah dont mind getting dirty, whole family has been involved in cars as long as I can remember, grandad has a garage, old mans frags cars, so fairly mechanically minded myself. Any issues and i'll pass the job off to one of them lol. So will give the new rack a try. Does it keep the power steering once its swapped?

[Phill172]

Yep power steering keeps, Z3 is the best one to find, but a e36 rack is fine, try to stay away from an M3 rack though as they have some funny thing going on!

Youll find the better you get the more things you might want to add to the car, depends on your driving style too.

Yep they basically work very well from cold as in a sprint/hill climb you dont get a chance to warm them up. I had some track pads and I used to have to drive the track dragging the brakes first off otherwise Id have no brakes!

Youll probably find all the work a breeze then! Danthe on here can probably supply you all the bits needed to change the rack

[_Jay_]

Right so Z3 or E36 rack added to my to do list now lol.

How can I tell the difference between a track pad a sprint pad? Want to make sure I dont go ordering the wrong ones. And no brakes is the last thing you want, especially at your level as you mentioned twinning.

[_Jay_]

Only a little update, but finally the guys got back to me. So im picking the car up on Thursday. Then the fun can begin

[_Jay_]

Little annoyed and dissapointed since my last update. The guy im buying it off has been messing me about, by not returning my calls etc, and has now decided he wants to take out the seats, steering wheel, spare wheels etc, yet still wants the original price we agreed on that included all of those parts.

So the project has stalled before really getting under way

Hopefully can get him to come around to selling it as we agreed, afterall he needs rid of it anyway. But if not, will start looking for another car!

Edit:
Right gone from being annoyed to fuming! The reason hes been messing me about regards to coming to collect the car is because its been on Ebay. Obviously trying to hedge his bets, so if it didnt sell, would then go through with the deal with me.

Now I wouldnt be so annoyed if he had been straight up with me in the first place, or if it wasnt for the amount we have helped him in the past. But you live and you learn.

As I said earlier, the project may have stalled, but it will get there! Soif any one knows of a E30 touring selling, pref a 325 and relativly cheap, please let me know!

[rix313]

There are a couple of pretty well priced track cars on ebay at the moment if you have a lump of cash sitting around. I know of a cheap 318i near Swindon if that's of any use if you get a new engine for it? Not sure what condition it's in structuraly mind