PZero's track car

[chips]

Hi all, I've been floating around here for quite a while now, but never really posted. But after a recent decision to finally start a car project, here I am!

My plan over the winter is to prepare an E30 for a season of track days next year. I will also use it to attempt my national B racing licence. If I'm successful then the following winter I will prep the car to meet the spec required to compete in the SMRC's Saloon Championship (http://www.smrc-uk.com/).

My track spec for next year is as follows;
E30 325i 2 door
Stripped interior
Seats
Harnesses
Cage
Uprated rollbars
Uprated suspension (not coilovers)
Fuel tank moved inside
Powerflex bushes all round
Better brake fluid
Better brake pads
Less restrictive exhaust
etc,
etc,
etc

Once I have my racing licence I will obviously remove the passenger seat and harness, and at some point was wondering about an M30 conversion.

Anyway, you get the idea.

So I'm on the look out for a clean 325i 2 door. Were these cars available without a sunroof? If so they seem to be rare as rocking horse s**t. Also, I know there were differences between the years, but I cant find much information. Is there a specific model year I would be better using for this project?

Wish me luck, and once I have a car I will keep a full build diary on here!

[JimmyC]

Good luck mate!!

I'm well into the final stages of my race car build now very rewarding!! Theres a thread running on here, if your after inspiration

As a base car i'd look for a preface lift car (chrome bumpers) they are massively lighter to start with so your winning the weight battle before you start!

Sunroofless cars are rare as, but you can reskin the roof, thats what I did on mine

The licence is a joke, you'll fly through it. Mine lasted an entire 3 laps of goodwood, and the written is really easy too, just learn the flags the rest is common sense.

good luck again

[Lloydie38]

Sounds a plan

I too have a track day 325i, it's not as focused as you could go if £Â£Ã‚£Ã‚£ was limitless BUT I still have a great time on the track here on the Isle of Man.

Good luck with the project and look forward to the pics & project update

See my site for info and weight savings costs etc: www.whitetrack325i.webeden.co.uk

[StuMc316is]

Why an M30 conversion? I don't know the race classes available to E30's in your country, but an M30 swapped E30 would be highly uncompetitive in most U.S. classes. If you want to build a dedicated racer for a certain class, it would seem to me that a 3.2 S50 would be best. What about a 3.0 US S50 (single-throttle)?

[e21Jason]

Hi

I am builing up my e21 for the SMRC as well and in the motorsport void of scotland, you can run any bmw engine in the SMRC in a bmw chassis, I reckon class c up to 2.0l on road tyres, so i have a 2.0l s14 to rebuild. I would stay away from the m30 on age/wieght and go for either an alloy m52 2.8, s14 or m42.

I would move the tank to the boot if you must but the current postion is ideal. I have had edinburgh retro cars do work for me and would recomend them for any mods. they rekoned it would be £500 to fit a weld in custom cages, or theycan make you a cage.

Jason

PM if you want any more info

[chips]

JimmyC and Lloydie38, already had a good look at the threads and sites on your cars. Very interesting and all very useful information.

The reason I'd thought of an M30 conversion was simply because of the cost. It seems to be a cheap way to get some more power but I was worried about weight issues which is why I asked. Most peoples opinion seems to be that the 4 cylinder cars handle better then the sixes anyway, never mind a big six.

I'd thought of moving the fuel tank inside simply in the interests of safety in the case of a collision or a roll. I'll have to check the regs for the SMRC but I don't think it's necessary.

e21Jason you are correct. There are several classes you can race in based on engine capacity. You can use any engine produced by the same manufacturer as the car itself, and tuning is virtually unrestricted.

[chips]

I was wondering if I was to go for an M52 conversion would there be any problem putting it in a shell other than a 325? Obviously I would need to convert to rear disc brakes but is there any other major differences in the shells? For instance, track width, suspension arm strength, engine mounting points, etc?

My main reason for asking is that there don't seem to be many 325's near me that are in good condition, but there does seem to a better choice of much tidier lower spec cars which are also cheaper.

Sorry for asking but I'm pretty new to E30's!!

[e21Jason]

Hi

With project like this I don't think you can get it right first time but you want to try and do things once, so I would buy the best quality shell irrespective of engine size. For suspension do a 5 lug swap using e36/z3 parts as this gives cheaper and more options for wheels/brakes/ and a z3 steerign rack is easier if you swap the front subframe. Also if you are going to upgrade brakes & suspension etc you only want to do it once, so I would put the car on a diet, followed with handling mods then a engine upgrade.

The m52 will fit any shell but a 318 (m40) may be best as you can use the original gearbox, and most fitment issues with the m52 can be a solved easier on a racecar, a pedal box instead of a booster etc.

Also join the MSA and get the blue book, as the smrc provide the techincal regs for modifications etc, but you still have to meet all of the MAS safety requirements


Also you could buy a preped car

http://www.motorsportads.co.uk/race-car ... 12741.html


Jason

[Lloydie38]

The 325 front end is on the heavy side but as I weigh 92kgs I really can't comment

It does have understeer on the track and the front end does go away from you which I'm sure the 4 pots would suffer less from..

[chips]

How does the M50/M52 compare to the M20 in terms of weight? And I assume the S50/S52 would be about the same?

[chips]

I've found a car!! A 1990 318is in red with 170k on the clock.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=019

Hopefully going to pick it up on Saturday and then I can start work

[Lloydie38]

Loving the red gater and clocks

[chips]

Loving the red gater and clocks

Yeah sweet

Those will be the first victims of weight reduction.

[chips]

Went down to collect the car today. It has its problems but I had a great fun drive home. I haven't driven an E30 for a long time, but it was great fun.

So there are a few problems I wasn't expecting (serves me right for bidding without viewing), but initially everything except the engine and gearbox will be getting removed, rebuilt or replaced so I'm not overly concerned. The passenger front wheel bearing is groaning a bit, a few electrical faults (mostly faulty switches I think), a couple of bulbs have gone, and I think there is an earth fault somewhere in the front lights somewhere.

Theres also a couple of small rust spots which I'll need to sort, and I need to remove the roof lining and check the inside of the roof where it meets the A pillars as I'm a bit suspicious of the noise it makes when I tap it with my finger. I didnt notice until after we left though. Should it sound different to the rest of the roof?

Overall, for what its destined for, I'm pretty happy. It covered over 300 miles without complaint.

I'll get some pictures tomorrow!

[e21Jason]

Hi

The car loks likes it going fine to me judding by your overtaking, I was 2/3 cars behind you of the motorway all the way up the 702, saw you pulled over opposite the esso station, was going to do a 180 at the round about, but i figured if the car was broke you would be put with the bonnet up.

keep the updates coming

Jason

[chips]

Haha. I was trying (without success) to keep up with my mate in His Skoda Octavia VRS. I was pulled over at the esso station because he was waiting for me, then I went past him, so I pulled over to wait for Him. But yes, the car does go fine.

You should have stopped to introduce yourself

[chips]

Well it might go fine, but the more trim I take off the I think its been in a shunt at some point in its life

The HPI check came back completely clean and it drives great, but there is definite 'wrinkles' around the bottom corners of the fuel take lump/back seat where a cage would normally mount. I'm sure that area should be well formed whereas this just looks odd. There is no damage to the front members or the boot floor though as far as I can see. Those were the areas (amongst others) I checked when I went to collect it.

I'm going to have to do more looking but I'm starting to think this car might end up being a breaker

[agreen]

bit off topic but what advantage does moving the fuel tank insude have i am sure thre are loads i just cant figure any of them out

[chips]

bit off topic but what advantage does moving the fuel tank insude have i am sure thre are loads i just cant figure any of them out

I always thought it was for safety. It's less likely to get punctured if its surrounded by a car.

[agreen]

ohh cool

i am in the process of building a track and weekend 318is at the mo money is tight so going slowlly only jst got a camera so am gonna put like a log so far on here on saturday me thinks

so far my h reg 318is with just over 100k on the clock has

1) 15" bbs wheels with wider yokoharmers on the rear

2) fredio or however it is spelt race pads in the front

3) brained stainlss steel hoses

4)racing brake fluid

5)single wiper

6)front strut brace

things which i have brought recentlly which still need to be fitted are

1) front camber plates make 3 degre neg camber on the front

2) rouge engerneering rear top mounts

3) z3 1.9 short sift kit

4) four point harnesses - neeed seats first bucket seats that is obviouslly i have notmall seats

things i want to buy and do soon

1) roll cage

2) cobra monacos x 2 back bucket seats

3) e30 m3 rear wishbone buhes

4)stip the interior out fully

5)heated front screen so i can do away with the heater and much more lol maybe we might be able to help each other out along the way mate good luck and all the best keep me posted and will get some ppiccys soon

Arron

[chips]

I've posted a new thread with some pictures of the damage...

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 468#866468

[chips]

Hi guys, thought I'd give you a quick update...

It turned out that the damage I'd been worrying about is standard on quite a lot of E30's. When I continued stripping the car, however, I found some definite accident damage and some rust.

It is repairable but I was offered a very clean shell by m-dtech. I went up and had a look and it was good, so I'm going to use His shell and my running gear. I'll bin the old shell once I have everything I want off it.

I also found a garage tonight. Its not huge but its big enough for an E30, a workbench and some space to move around it all. It's already got a bench, some striplights and some shelves, so it's all sorted. I just need to move in.

So finally, although not on the car itself, some progress. Hopefully I'll get my gear moved in before the weekend and I can get the car stripped ready for some refurbishment and eventual fitting to m-dtechs shell

[northloop]

It's a shame that so many good looking E30's are actually rust heaps when you start stripping them out. Good luck with the ;project and keep us updated with pictures too

[Weeman]

I was lucky mine has a few tiny spots of rust, but apart from that was clean as a whistle as Northloop will testify, Good luck with the project, I'll be keeping a close eye on it, for some hints and tips hehe

[chips]

It's a shame that so many good looking E30's are actually rust heaps when you start stripping them out. Good luck with the ;project and keep us updated with pictures too

Theres only a couple of small holes, the rest is pretty clean. It could easily be fixed up but it's the rather dubious unrecorded crash damage that I don't like. I've just lost faith in this shell a bit and I'll never feel good about the car if I use it.

I hope that makes sense

Besides, blacks better than fading red

[Weeman]

Its yr life at the end of the day, better off being safe than sorry, and while its a shell, you could dip it to remove all that deadening crapola, and save a weekend of scraping hehe

[Jamese30]

Good luck with the build PZero.

Just replied on your other post about the damage, or non damage - that looks original factory to me, and identical to my car.

I'm well on the way with my 318is (in red too), although the engine will be going to make way for a PBMW series approved 1.8 M40 or 2.0 M20.

Keep us posted on yours!!

[chips]

Started stripping the car down yesterday. We have the seats and cards, etc out, doors are off, bonnet off, headlights and grille out and a few other bits and bobs. Still waiting for my torx bit set to arrive though

I've got a half day on friday so I'll get a good weekends work done. I'm hoping to have the bumpers and wings off, engine out, suspension and running gear out, and anything else I need to keep to go on the replacement shell.

Things are rather nasty at the front. It has definetely been in an accident and a rather shoddy repair job has been done. I'm glad this shell is being scrapped

Not much to take pictures of, but heres one of the car and another of my workshop... Sorry about the quality, I won't use my phone next time

[m-dtech]

looking good mate.

i should have a busy weekend too getting engine into mine i hope !

[chips]

looking good mate.

i should have a busy weekend too getting engine into mine i hope !

Cheers mate. I need to hurry up and get that shell off your drive

Good luck with your engine, I'm a long way off doing that.

[chips]

If anyone wants a cheap BMW sports interior I've just stuck 'em on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0175473821

EDITED cos its not Recaro

[chips]

Its been a busy weekend. I know some of you can have an engine out in an hour, but we really didn't have much of an idea what we were doing so it took us quite a long time

We removed the propshaft forward of the centre bearing, a few ancillary items from the engine bay, the wiring loom and of course the engine and gearbox.

This car is going to be scrapped so we cut out some of the slam panel and pulled out the engine and gearbox as one unit from the top. We also may need the panel to make a small repair to the replacement shell, not sure yet.

Tonight we loosened all the nuts and bolts holding on the front suspension and subframe, disconnected the front brakes and steering column and left it ready to be removed in one piece tomorrow night (hopefully).

Once thats done we can concentrate on the rear. Its got to be off before Friday because the cars being taken away for scrap. I know it's supposed to be a bi*ch so I'm ready to call the scrappy and tell them not to come.

Anyway, here's some pictures...

The engine on the hoist


My mate Russ is very happy to have removed an engine from a car (as am I)


Empty bay

[chips]

Just a quick update, no pictures yet I'm afraid though.

We only had an hour at the garage tonight so we removed the front subframe complete with struts, rack, etc still attached. It all looks reasonably good and ripe for a clean and rebuild.

We finished up by spraying every nut and bolt on the rear suspension and subframe, so hopefully it will come out a bit more easily tomorrow evening. Maybe pigs will fly too, who knows

[chips]

The red car was taken away by the scrappy last night. I was wondering all week how we could get it out of the garage with no wheels on it, but all we did was put a trolley jack under the front, then the crane on the truck lifted the back end and pulled it out.

I haven't done much today. I went over to help m-dtech fit the rear subframe and suspension back onto the black IS I'm taking off Him, then I came back to my garage and started disassembling the rear suspension off the red car.

It all came apart quite easily. I was expecting to have trouble with the alan bolts on the driveshaft couplings but they were all fine. I had to put the wheels back on though because I hadn't loosened the alan bolts before I took the subframe off the car. Also, the rear section of the propshaft was pretty well stuck to the diff, so I left it on until I got the diff off the subframe, then I took a hammer to it

Anyway, heres some pretty boring piccys...

[m-dtech]

looking good!

our projects sound pretty similar.

should be interesting to see which is quicker on the track.