What engine for track car?

[lukeb]

Just a question to try and get peoples opinion, iv'e got a 1.8 and want to do an engine conversion, dont want to go along the lines of a turbo as i dont think my mechanical skills are up to it, but was wondering what engines people had in there track cars and what there opinions were of the extra weight up front, such as how it affects the handling. my car wont be used as only a track car but hope to get a decent amount of track days done per year. Iv'e also not got a lot of money to spend so i wont be able to get anything like a s14 lump.

any help would be appreciated

[Liam]

Personally, I'd be looking for a M42 16V engine. Easy to fit, decent power-to-weight ratio and you won't ruin the handling by sticking extra cylinders up the front.

But I'm biased becasue 6-pots are the enemy

[lukeb]

i would think it would be good on the track but would prefere more power on the road, i know power isn't all you need to go fast on the track but this isn't all the car will be used for.

[Andreas]

lukeb, I've had both a e30 318 and an Alpina B3 2.7 and while I agree that the small 4 cylinder engine is great for handling, a 6 cylinder can also be built to handle awesomely (does cost a little bit though).

On track days I can keep up with E46 M3's (with experienced driver) using my Alpina B3. If the M3 driver is inexperienced, I can literally play with the guy - I have some onboard footage of this.

So my suggestion, if its not too late already, is to put in a 6 cylinder and enjoy the power and exhaust sound.



Alpina B3 2.7 Racecar under construction.

[lukeb]

im very tempted to go for a 3.5 conversion still not decided on anything or started getting parts. me and my mate have just put a 3.5 in his e28 and another friend of mine has already put a 3.5 in his e30, so have a little bit of experience with them. But as i wanted to do trackdays i didn't know if this conversion would be suited. But for the cost of the conversion and the gains it seems stupid not to.

[Taylor325i]

I think a 3.5 would be a bit front heavy for the track (even if it was installed as far back as possible in the bay). As you don't have a lot to spend that rules out a E36 M3 3.0/3.2. And you don't wanna go FI. I think the obvious choice would be a 2.8 from an E36 328i with a E36 325i inlet manifold and some wilder cams.

Don't forget a good brake/suspension/tyre set-up tho'.

Good luck whatever your choice.



Taylor.

[Taffy]

M20 engine, yep it's got more weight but also got better torque and is more flexible

[Andreas]

lukeb, I asked a tuner who had put in a M5 6 cylinder into a e30 how that car would handle around a race track, his answer "absolute shit, too heavy in front, such a conversion is only for drag racing"

While it is something to take into consideration, one must not be totally discouraged by such statements. Hamann, Hartge and Alpina all offered big six conversions for the e30, and I think that Hamann 3.5 Turbo was also a good handler. I do imagine however that getting the suspension right on such a car could be a costly exercise involving some trial and error.

Why don't you drive your friend's e30 with the big six conversion and get an idea of the handling of such a car and evaluate wether you would be confident to drive fast in such a car on track days.


Alpina B3 2.7 Racecar under construction.

[gareth]

i'd go for a 3.5 conversion (well i did) as with a lot of smaller engines you can be hard pushed to 'play' with the limits of traction at speed, whereas the 3.5 will allow you to control cornering angle with the throttle as much as the steering wheel. it makes all aspects of hurling the car around more fun. you have more ultimate control over what it does etc.

the car will be more nose heavy, but only in theory. i've not heard anyone who's done a conversion so far complain about the affect it has on the handling. i can feel the difference on mine but it's insignificant compared to the fun and low cost.

in essence, you'll have a track weapon not a track toy!

[Lloydie38]

Hi,

My 1988 325i is an absolute hoot on the track and people with far more expensive cars do frown as I fly past them and I'm still a novice - the car's the star

It's still a road car on limited mileage insurance but stripped out for track use but I can throughly recommend going down the 2.5 6pot route.

Kit I bought:
Powerflex Poly bushes all round
Bilstein shocks and springs (lowered by 40mm)
Brakes: Braded hoses; Upgrade fluid; Red Pads on standard discs
Sparco double strut brace; Air induction; straight through exhaust
2 sets of 15" wheels, 4 dry Maxsport; 4 wet Goodyear F1's
Vipper2 Race Chip
LSD
Cost £1700 roughly

Interior:
Two OMP RS seats
Willans 5 Point harnesses
OMP 6 point cage
Cost £1000 roughly

As I say still a road car so not as focused as a 100% track car but great fun.

Good luck with whatever you decide .

Ian

[lukeb]

it would be my road car to, not purely for track. thanks for all the advice from everyone i appreciate it. ill have to have a go in my mate 335 and see what i think. ive still got a month or two before i can start the conversion, so still have time to make up my mind.

thanks again

[gareth]

might be worth going to as many meets as you can in the next month or so and book passenger rides in any conversions. you'll then get to see and feel it for yourself and decide what you like. personal preference counts for a lot.