E30 M3 S54 track day car build
Moderator: martauto
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Superleggera
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Exhaust has been been completed - hopefully the home stretch now to get the car completed and MOT'd next week.
Seems to be an interesting build, especially since I have a S54 in my E30 track car as well. A pitty the pictures up to page 4 are no longer visible. Any possibility to restore that?
The S54 engine feels great in an E30, I am still running mine with a 3.73 diff and it already pulls hard (and runs till 280 km/u). Which diff ratio will you be using?
John
The S54 engine feels great in an E30, I am still running mine with a 3.73 diff and it already pulls hard (and runs till 280 km/u). Which diff ratio will you be using?
John
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Superleggera
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Im running a 5 speed box from an e36 M3 and a 3.64 diff - this will max out at 160mph @ 8000rpm on the 18" wheel and tyre combo I have. In hindsight i should have gone with the 3.73 but...m3dtm wrote:Seems to be an interesting build, especially since I have a S54 in my E30 track car as well. A pitty the pictures up to page 4 are no longer visible. Any possibility to restore that?
The S54 engine feels great in an E30, I am still running mine with a 3.73 diff and it already pulls hard (and runs till 280 km/u). Which diff ratio will you be using?
John
Are you running the 3.73 on 5 speed or 6 speed box ?
No, no, I am running the 6-speed box. At the moment it will do 280 km/h which is 174 mph. Am considering to go a lot shorter to 4.10 or maybe even 4.27.
However, I will have to run the car at Spa for that and hope to get at least 230 km/h just before Les Combes/Malmedy in 5th at the long run up the hill after Eau Rouge.
John
However, I will have to run the car at Spa for that and hope to get at least 230 km/h just before Les Combes/Malmedy in 5th at the long run up the hill after Eau Rouge.
John
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Superleggera
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Car had its MOT last friday - all passed fine : )
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Superleggera
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Havent updated this thread for a while as been quite busy finishing the car (well Spencer at BMP Conversions has)- and looks like we are only a few weeks away from finishing up.
There have been a lot of small tweaks that we had to make sure everythign was working together and we had some other teething issues - like vanos solenoid needed refurbing and voltage regulator needed replacing. A coil pack shorted out and further coding of the ECU was required.
No real pictures as I havent upload them but here are a couple.
The first is the new battery - looks amazing and its tiny. Only weights 2.1kg
Boot lid now refitted with the M3 spoiler and DTM carbon gurney flap
DTM suspension is going in this week and then we just need to make some adjustments to the new pedal box and gear shifter set up.
There have been a lot of small tweaks that we had to make sure everythign was working together and we had some other teething issues - like vanos solenoid needed refurbing and voltage regulator needed replacing. A coil pack shorted out and further coding of the ECU was required.
No real pictures as I havent upload them but here are a couple.
The first is the new battery - looks amazing and its tiny. Only weights 2.1kg
Boot lid now refitted with the M3 spoiler and DTM carbon gurney flap
DTM suspension is going in this week and then we just need to make some adjustments to the new pedal box and gear shifter set up.
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Superleggera
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New suspension has gone in.
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steve_k
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saw this on the FB page last night,
fantastic looking work, but still not sure about the steering wheel cover
fantastic looking work, but still not sure about the steering wheel cover
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
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Superleggera
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So had my first trackday at snetterton last week. Car performed flawlessly but will require some suspension fine tuning and more importantly the driver learning a lot more about the characteristics of the car.
[youtube][/youtube]
A couple of the morning sessions were largely dry so I was able to push on a little and I was very suprised with the amount of grip the car had to offer. I would happily keep up with or out corner caterhams and evos - this was suprising given ive had no seat time in the car, let alone in an E30 or rwd for over a decade.
Powerwise the S54 really delivers in a car of this weight - I was always afraid the power would be lacking having come from a 650hp Evo but again was pleasantly surprised and feel no need to chase more power. In fact im amazed by the low end torque. The car is far more capable than I am able to push it at this stage.
The one thing that I am likely to modify/change is the steering setup - the manual rack is heavier than I would like but since I have used a Z4 set up, I am likely to utilise the Z4 electric steering column assist - should be simple enough but this will be a mini project for next winter.
Late morning and afternoon, was wet. Quite wet at times, and it was difficult to get heat in to the r888s which resulted in a lot of sideways action. The car was however quite well mannered and was eash-ish to control - but it certainly required being progressive on the throttle - any aggressive inputs and the back would want to come around.
Looking forward to booking my next track day to get more familar with the car.
Couple of pics from the day:
[youtube][/youtube]
A couple of the morning sessions were largely dry so I was able to push on a little and I was very suprised with the amount of grip the car had to offer. I would happily keep up with or out corner caterhams and evos - this was suprising given ive had no seat time in the car, let alone in an E30 or rwd for over a decade.
Powerwise the S54 really delivers in a car of this weight - I was always afraid the power would be lacking having come from a 650hp Evo but again was pleasantly surprised and feel no need to chase more power. In fact im amazed by the low end torque. The car is far more capable than I am able to push it at this stage.
The one thing that I am likely to modify/change is the steering setup - the manual rack is heavier than I would like but since I have used a Z4 set up, I am likely to utilise the Z4 electric steering column assist - should be simple enough but this will be a mini project for next winter.
Late morning and afternoon, was wet. Quite wet at times, and it was difficult to get heat in to the r888s which resulted in a lot of sideways action. The car was however quite well mannered and was eash-ish to control - but it certainly required being progressive on the throttle - any aggressive inputs and the back would want to come around.
Looking forward to booking my next track day to get more familar with the car.
Couple of pics from the day:
Looking good!
Makes S54 really tempting...
Makes S54 really tempting...
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Superleggera
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So i will happily take the abuse of "I told you so" - as I was told by a few people.... I was washing the car yesterday an maneouvering the car was a headache. Manual rack is going to get junked - found an "okay" price on a used CSL rack so will go with that along with some underdrive pulleys...
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Superleggera
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So did a trackday at Bedford Autodrome over the weekend. Ive been there before but have to say I really enjoyed it a lot. Only downside is the noise restrictions - they have a 101db static test which I failed at 101.8db (but I sweet talked them in to letting me pass) - 87.5 drive by and my car was between 87.4 and 87.8db - so I got a few sound boards during the day. I have a simple solution for this given its not a lot of noise I need to cut back.
Not that I focused on the power, but powerwise I was neck on neck with an e60 M5 v10 and the new M4 - thats down the 1km straight. It seemed a touch quicker than an e92 m3 : )
Next up - take out an extra 50kg from the car......
Not that I focused on the power, but powerwise I was neck on neck with an e60 M5 v10 and the new M4 - thats down the 1km straight. It seemed a touch quicker than an e92 m3 : )
Next up - take out an extra 50kg from the car......
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Superleggera
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Few observations and experiences:
Rear ARB - a few poeple have said to remove the rear ARB. After this weekend I definitely wont be. The car has so much grip and is predictable that I dont want to mess with it.
Rear Camber - I was contemplating doing something to get more rear camber adjustability as I can get less than -3 degree (I was aiming for -2.5). As above I dont want to mess with it right now as it feels great - although I may still do this in future as grip in the wet is lacking
Sqaure Set-Up - been told "run a square set up otherwise car will understeer". Im running a staggered wheel set up and there is no understeer to speak of.
S54 - "its too heavy and will upset the balance of the car". The car seems particularly well balanced so maybe only if the car isnt set up properly...
Rear ARB - a few poeple have said to remove the rear ARB. After this weekend I definitely wont be. The car has so much grip and is predictable that I dont want to mess with it.
Rear Camber - I was contemplating doing something to get more rear camber adjustability as I can get less than -3 degree (I was aiming for -2.5). As above I dont want to mess with it right now as it feels great - although I may still do this in future as grip in the wet is lacking
Sqaure Set-Up - been told "run a square set up otherwise car will understeer". Im running a staggered wheel set up and there is no understeer to speak of.
S54 - "its too heavy and will upset the balance of the car". The car seems particularly well balanced so maybe only if the car isnt set up properly...
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Demlotcrew
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Too many people truly have no idea how to setup an E30, the rear no ARB brigade are the worst
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Superleggera
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Few pics from the day out:
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Superleggera
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Fuel surge issues hopefully a thing of the past now with a swirl pot setup:
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Superleggera
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Funny thing is the fuel cell is baffled so I was a bit surprised myself but this should sort it out once and for all.
Also got some exhaust tip inserts made to lower the noise a touch for when Im at Bedford - all I needed was a 1db reduction in noise:
Also got some exhaust tip inserts made to lower the noise a touch for when Im at Bedford - all I needed was a 1db reduction in noise:
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Mikey_Boy
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Double nice - that fuel tank baffling is something to keep an eye on for my build... 
Loving the side exhaust - having it on the RHS of the car is clever - intake nose on the left of the car and exhaust noise on the right does wonders for the noise balance and drive by levels...
Loving the side exhaust - having it on the RHS of the car is clever - intake nose on the left of the car and exhaust noise on the right does wonders for the noise balance and drive by levels...
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Superleggera
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Unfortunately not - another build of Spencers. He had both of them with him so decided to take some shots.
If it were up for grabs I wouldnt hesitate though - its an awesome car.
Back to Bedford Autodrome for tomorrow if you want to come down.
If it were up for grabs I wouldnt hesitate though - its an awesome car.
Back to Bedford Autodrome for tomorrow if you want to come down.
Bah! Not had a free Saturday unfortunately. It's a fair drive there and back too but thanks for the inviteSuperleggera wrote:Unfortunately not - another build of Spencers. He had both of them with him so decided to take some shots.
If it were up for grabs I wouldnt hesitate though - its an awesome car.
Back to Bedford Autodrome for tomorrow if you want to come down.
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Superleggera
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Small clip from the weekend:
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Superleggera
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ANother small clip from Castle Combe:
Awesome Can I ask how many dB you were on the sound test, did you run with the baffled tips?
Can I ask how many dB you were on the sound test, did you run with the baffled tips?
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Superleggera
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No baffled tips - I have side exits, no cats but a centre silencer and 'back box' - both straight thru - twin 2.5" pipes. 98db static at 4500 rpm. Based on readings from Bedford I am bout 88db drive by.
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Superleggera
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And some pics from the day:
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Superleggera
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Im at Silverstone on the 6th of Sept : )