. After selling my super charger kit, the engine going pop and the clocks going back I decided to spend some time re-inventing my track car. As part of the super charger project I had fitted 4 pot brakes and 280mm discs to the front, 4.1 LSD, Cobra seat as well as other parts such as a plumb in fire extinguisher and battery kill switch and other track orientated parts. I was happy with it but there were a few improvements I wanted to make so I started with the small things and worked up. My plan is to get out and get some running done, then build towards getting a race license and entering a few TTRS rounds when time allows
Firstly I moved the external extinguisher and battery pull cables from the plastic scuttle panel cover to a bracket I made from aluminium. The cables now loop around and go through a grommet in the bulkhead and are much easier to pull:
I made a new panel for the internal extinguisher pull cable and battery kill switch. I then made a planking plate for the radio slot and fitted a 12v socket to it so I can plug in a sat-nav, phone charger or tyre inflator. Next to this are my electric fan and a spare switch. There is space next to the 12v socket for a 52mm gauge if and when I decide to fit one:
I then fitted a quick release boss to make getting in and out easier and also means I can take the steering wheel off as a security measure. The quick release brought the steering wheel closer and higher so I lowered the column by around 10mm with some spacers and refitted the plastic cowling. Finally for this I got an aluminium hook which bolts to the cage to hang the steering wheel on.
Next was to fit a racing battery. I previously had a Halfords job mounted in the boot which meant running a long cable to the back and if I wanted to have it in the cabin I would have needed a sealed box for it to sit in. I bought a sealed Odyssey 25 battery and bolted it on the passenger side right at the back so I can still fit a passenger seat if needed. This moves some weight to the passenger side in the middle of the car (wheel base wise) and means the cable can be much shorter.
To save some weight I got a glass fibre boot lid and bonnet through a group buy on here with ABS motorsport. Total weight saving is something like 20kg which is a handy amount to get rid of. I have some Aerocatches which I will get fitted up this week.
Good old Christmas brought some Powerflex goodies in the form of roll bar and roll bar drop link bushes. I also bought some new shackles from BMW for the front and rear roll bars which were something like £10 with delivery, bargain. The drop links were looking pretty tired too so I ordered those and fitted the poly bushes to the front ones. The front ARB needed some attention so I took it off, cleaned it up and painted it in hammerite. I then built up the front ARB with the bushes, brackets and drop links ready to be refitted later on with my new suspension.
The to do list:
Rear ARB bush and drop link over haul
Aerocatches on bonnet and boot
Remove engine, gearbox and front sub frame
Remove dampers and springs
Paint front sub frame, reassemble with wishbones, bushes and ARB
Fit new suspension
Change fuel tank
Brake system overhaul (inspect lines, fit mid braided lines, clean calipers, new fluid)
Quick rack conversion
And plenty of other stuff too
It'll safely be over a 1000kg. Once my new suspenion arrives I will get it on scales to sort the corner weights out and find out how much it weighs.
).
c'est la vie at least it's red now, will look to improve it in the future:
Got one of those e46 racks to fit to my car too when I get round to it!
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