E30 Racing in Australia ** NOW WITH UPDATES & PICS!!!**

[djs325]

Hey there guys and gals (and Ken Livingstone).

Joined the forum a little while back to try and have a look at what things you guys were doing techincally to your cars.
I compete in an E30 Racing series (now known as the BMW Driver's Cup) in Victoria Australia, basically a 325i version of your 'Production BMW Championship', with more power, LSDs, bigger tyres and bigger budgets (i think, and no tourings ).
Just thought you guys might want to have a look, and if you have a chance to read the regulations give me some pointers on what you guys have done to get extra oomph or better handling out of E30 325i's.
You can find us at www.e30racing.com.au

P.S. On the power front, I am just waiting on my BTB manifolds to arrive from the UK at the moment, the DHL listing says they just arrived in Melbourne. Big thanks to the X-S Performance guys and M5Pilot aka Sal, big ups to you! Then get them bolted on. Only problem is i have a round @ Calder Park (www.calderparkmotorsport.com.au) in 1 week, it will be a bit of a mad dash to get them sorted on done by next Friday (15th September 2006).[/img]

[djs325]

Well, looks like you guys are extremely interested in the motorsport of the colonies - not!

[djs325]

So I guess I'll outline what has taken place to my E30 Race Car:

*Done Before I Bought it in December 2003
Hong Kong delivered 1988 E30 325i, with M-Tech II package.
Stripped chassis and interior, removed M-Tech II package.
UNICHIP piggy-back engine management, solid engine mounts
64mm Big Bore Throttle Body, mild steel extractor system and 2.5" downpipe, resonator and glass pack straight through muffler
3.91 LSD and short-shift block attached.
Sparco Pro 2000 seat and 6 point Willans Harness, battery cut-off switch, fire extinguisher.
Mild steel roll-cage, clutch stop, remove air-con.
Locally made Pedders Sports Rider Suspension and some uprated bushings.
ATE Discs and EBC Pads, Braided Brake Lines
15x7" CSA Alloy Wheels and Yokohama AO32R 205/50 R15 86V tyres

*Bought the car, and have done the following (no particular order):
New filters and pumps
BMC Carbon Dynamic Airbox, and headlight shield (direct air intake)
BTB Stainless 325i Evo Manifold, 2.5" single downpipe and tail pipe, resonator and glass pack straight through muffler (14/09/2006)
***cheers Sal @ X-S Performance for the BTB group buy!!!***
Fully custom Koni/Eibach suspension package, 2-way adjustable front and 1-way rear shocks, cut/welded struts with adjustable ride height, Noltec solid/urethane bushings (offset camber/castor front & rear)
Removed handbrake cables, lever, drum pads and mechanisms (stuck during a race, got rid of them!)
Interlogic Lap timer and sensor unit installed.
Heater core disconnected and removed.
E30 M3 Replica fibreglass front end (repaired after every race )
Removed door and quarter panel sound deadening (1.5kg) and headlining and support rails (1.5kg)

*Parts in progress/Operations in progress
20/09/06 Removed Firewall insulation and old heat shield (3.7kgs)
07/10/06 E30 325is Oil Cooler
07/10/06 New front splitter undertray
07/10/06 Closed firewall hole (heatercore)
07/10/06 Removed firewall insulation & heatshield (3.5kgs)
02/11/06 Added ducting from behind headlights to BMC CDA
02/11/06 Alloy M-Tech Gear Knob
09/11/06 Added driver's arm rest
09/11/06 Added RPM 350mm Steering Wheel
09/11/06 Repaired driver's side window
09/11/06 New, lighter Odyssey battery
09/11/06 New headlights
09/11/06 AO48R control tyres
Sparco Group N Quick Release (bolt on)
Solid mount Sparco seat to floor
Install ignition panel (remove key start)
Install windscreen demister panel
Remove heater box/fan unit and install new ducting
Driver's Floor Panel (chequered alloy panel) (in progress)
Ceramic coat BTB headers and downpipe (very hot under bonnet)
Remove operational electric sunroof and cartridge and weld up roof.
B&M BM45125 Stainless Steel one-piece Race shifter
Install Diff and gearbox breathers
Install Overflow catch tank (oil & radiator)
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1 15x7" Wheels
Any more suggestions (I'll let you know if they breach the regulations, which are similar to Production BMW Championship)???[/b]

[Andreas]

Hi djs 325,

I would appreciate a picture of your 'cut/welded struts with adjustable ride height'. What is the benefit of moving to solid engine mounts and do they not cause a lot of vibration in the car ?

I've taken out my sunroof and I can tell you it is one of the worst jobs - it rates right up there with taking out the whole aircon, good luck. I imagine welding that thin metal is not going to be easy. Personally I'm going to replace the roof with a carbon fiber one, just deciding how much to cut away or might just remove the whole thing.

[djs325]

Can't show you pictures, they're secret!
They are a standard BMW Strut cut in half, with a threaded upper welded on, which forms the basis for adjustable ride height, with adjustable spring plates. Will see if i can get a pic, will probably have to email it.

Solid engine mounts - won't break and send your engine through the radiator support. Vibration? It's a race car! They have a rubber inner where the bolts mount, but are incased in aluminium for strength.

Would love to replace sunroof with Carbon Fibre, but not allowed to unfortunately. You bend the flanges back on the roof and insert panel, and tack weld them together, then fill the top up with mastick or similar.

[Andreas]

When I asked about vibration, I wasn't really concerned about a comfy interior but rather its effects on a roll cage mounted video camera, sorry I should have been clearer.

I visited your website link, looks like you guys have some nice affordable fun there, too bad we don't have an E30 series like that in South Africa. I see your quite young, it must be awesome to be so involved in racing at that age.

Do you guys manage to get down to 1,130 kg min weight with driver, fuel, roll-cage and all those restrictive rules ?

[djs325]

Vibration not really an engine mount issue, more a suspension stiffness issue.
21? Young? I can see more wrinkles appearing daily!
Yes - Easily. Just have a really small driver!
No really, the early model (chrome bumer) 318i non-sunroof shells are about 40kgs lighter than a late model 325i Shell; and there is lots of extraneous crap to pull out. Mine currently clocks in at 1155kgs with fumes on board, with out me in it it weighs 1060kgs - So i'm the biggest component of it being slow! But when the sunroof comes out, so will 15kgs at least... And the BTB exhaust would certainly have to have lost me a Kg or 2 being stainless

[Andreas]

But when the sunroof comes out, so will 15kgs at least...

I don't want to discourage you but I think your expecting a bit much from your sunroof conversion.

Here is the weight of the motor and the whole mechanism (scale shows Kg)


and now with the sunroof panel


from what you told me, you have to put the sunroof panel back since your not allowed to replace it with a carbon fiber version.

maybe you're allowed to cut out the whole "housing"


but since the metal is quite thin and already has a lot of holes in it, I still think your not looking good for "at least 15Kg", maybe 10Kg.

But hey, everything counts, even 10Kg especially when it is that high in the car.

[djs325]

Yeah, would cut out the whole bracket and cartridge system.
Also remove al the unneccsary brackets and shit in the roof.

[djs325]

Updated post to reflect removed 3.7kgs of insulation and heat shielding rubbish from the firewall today. My hands a re cut and bruised, but the front end is lighter! Hooray. Must now not eat too many pies and ruin the hard work

Will be starting on the sunroof and oil cooler tomorrow...

[nickso]

interesting racing site mate.....ive been considering a move to australia for some time now....would love to get into this

i take it you are david stillwell?

[djs325]

Thats the one...

[djs325]

Oil cooler went on today, took the chance to do an oil & filter change - will probably have to do the fuel filter at some point as well, been 2.5 years since last changed.

Also covered the gap in the firewall where the heater lines normally come through - bit of cut aluminum plate and windscreen sealant took care of that. Scrutineers have good eyes these days, and pinged me for it at the last round of E30 Racing.

Was going to attack the sunroof today, but someone has 'borrowed' my BMW Haynes manual, and failed to return it yet. So no weight removal yet.

[djs325]

Anyone removed the sunroof and all brackets and sh*t, and welded the panel back into place?

[JimmyC]

yep

Easy job, bonded with a few spot welds hold the cage in, and the mechanism is self explainatory how that comes out

I'm putting a new sunroof less roof skin on mine this winter, as it looks a bit shabby with the sunroof welded back in even when under the vinyls

[djs325]

Unichip retuned - air fuel was way off; was just about perfect until about 4000rpm, then really leaned out. Have richened it up a bit, gained about 6 hp, but is also a flat power delivery from 5-6k rpm, and torque is only a small decline from 4000rpm onwards downward - gains across the whole rev range over last tune. But it only works out as 133bhp at the rear wheels - means about 180bhp @ flywheel, which is not much, though the engine probably needs a rebuild (rings and bearings) to be properly quick again. Should also probably look at a new clutch soon.

[Boots_Walker]

just spotted this thread, keep the updates coming

couple of quick Q's for you:

are custom pistons allowed? couldnt really tell from the regulations, although it would be hard to improve on the 9.7:1 factory pistons in 0.5mm overbore (with a bit of block/head skimming to bump the CR up to 10:1). some forgies might save a bit of weight but that would be it. if you are running an 8.8:1 CR motor some new pistons would definitely help your quest for power

Are you happy with the BTB headers now? was it running those ferndale exhaust headers previously? (thats what all the e30 racing guys use right?)

[Taffy]

You could always switch to Carbs, triple 45's were made for the E30, that was what we did and the car now produces 193 at the wheels and weighs 950kgs, Kumho lap record holder for 6 tracks now

[WerkdE30]

Hi great thread u have going here i was just wondering what sort of cost outlay is required to get into this race series? Is this a good amature starting point to get into motorsport?

as a poor apprentice im sure its goin to be way out of my price range but hopefully in the future i may be able to get into this.

oh and do u know a rough estimate of cost involved in converting some front struts to coil overs i was lucky enough to pick up some spare front struts and am keen to do the conversion.

thanks

(oh and 193 rwhp and 950kgs gotta be great fun congrats)

[djs325]

just spotted this thread, keep the updates coming

couple of quick Q's for you:

are custom pistons allowed? couldnt really tell from the regulations, although it would be hard to improve on the 9.7:1 factory pistons in 0.5mm overbore (with a bit of block/head skimming to bump the CR up to 10:1). some forgies might save a bit of weight but that would be it. if you are running an 8.8:1 CR motor some new pistons would definitely help your quest for power

Are you happy with the BTB headers now? was it running those ferndale exhaust headers previously? (thats what all the e30 racing guys use right?)

You'd need to understand that the rules essentially only allow us to use Original or OEM standard parts in the engine - no lightweight custom pistons , and my engine is 8.8:1 I believe, will be looking at getting the factory overbore kit (0.5mm bigger) with 9.7:1 OEM pistons for higher comp, though that is quite a ways away at the moment. If I was spending that amount of money, I'd probably get a new head (skimmed) made up as well, and buy a new (OEM) camshaft. My UNICHIP is excellently suited to increasing power with bigger pistons, as it gives better control over air:fuel than a ROM Chip.

With BTB headers and retune, car was half a second faster @ Phillip Island, and feels a lot better too. A little more torque across the range (and less of a drop off at the top end). The car had some DIY job headers on them before, POS if you ask me (my car was the 2nd ever made by Northern BM, 3rd car ever for the series!). People in E30 Racing are using all sorts of jobbies - my 2 uncles have a custom made system with 6 individual pipes, then 2x 3-1 collectors. My next step will be to ceramic coat the BTB headers, as it is massively hot under the bonnet with continual 4000rpm-6000rpm work. Plus it will make them look even better - they were spotless stainless before, but have gone a dull shade of poo now It might be degrading the spark plug wires, so will be replacing them once the ceramic coat is in place, and be heatshielding them as well.
[/b]

[djs325]

You could always switch to Carbs, triple 45's were made for the E30, that was what we did and the car now produces 193 at the wheels and weighs 950kgs, Kumho lap record holder for 6 tracks now

Sorry, E30 325i's were never sold with carbs in Australia, so we have to run Motronic Fuel injection, still using the factory control unit.
Also, our category weight limit is minimum 1130kgs - so no sub 1 tonne killer beasts...

[djs325]

Hi great thread u have going here i was just wondering what sort of cost outlay is required to get into this race series? Is this a good amature starting point to get into motorsport?

as a poor apprentice im sure its goin to be way out of my price range but hopefully in the future i may be able to get into this.

oh and do u know a rough estimate of cost involved in converting some front struts to coil overs i was lucky enough to pick up some spare front struts and am keen to do the conversion.

thanks

(oh and 193 rwhp and 950kgs gotta be great fun congrats)

Costs: LOTS. Factor 25-30k to build a car from the ground up with all safety gear and decent 325i engine and suspension, and replacing all the rubber bits, filters and fittings (wear and tear parts). If you can do most of the work yourself (i.e. no labour) then its a great help. The E30s are a pretty sttraightforward car, you just need to know what your doing with them (first expense, $100 haynes Manual - E30 Racing Bible!)

Struts: Don't know on costs, depends what shocks you option in (single or double adjustable fronts) and what springs. You would need to speak to Rick Kemp from Top Performance: http://www.toperformance.com.au

No. 2 Trade Place
Vermont, 3133
Victoria, Australia

Phone:
(03) 9873 1722
International:
+613 9873 1722

He helped setup all our race cars, and at least my uncles are doing well, I'm languishing down at the back...

[WerkdE30]

hmmm very helpful thanks mate

[Taffy]

You could always switch to Carbs, triple 45's were made for the E30, that was what we did and the car now produces 193 at the wheels and weighs 950kgs, Kumho lap record holder for 6 tracks now

Sorry, E30 325i's were never sold with carbs in Australia, so we have to run Motronic Fuel injection, still using the factory control unit.
Also, our category weight limit is minimum 1130kgs - so no sub 1 tonne killer beasts...

Alpina used to race them in Australia though didn't they? here's a pic of my old one, miss it like hell, the E36 is a hell of alot faster but doesn't have the same character

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/ ... 004-25.jpg

[djs325]

Alpina used to race them in Australia though didn't they? here's a pic of my old one, miss it like hell, the E36 is a hell of alot faster but doesn't have the same character

Again i refer to the fact that the E30 3 Series, as marketed by BMW Australia between 1983-1991 was never sold with carburettors, only fuel injected models were sold - definitely no triple carb 325 road cars were imported. Remember Australia is only a small market for BMWs (about 11,000 in 2005 only).

[djs325]

Sorry its been a while, after the Phillip Island Round 7 I had my car throughly checked by event scrutineers, and they pinged me on 3 little things:
-Car missing Driver's side armrest
-Car missing Driver's side window
-Steering wheel insufficient diameter (OMP Super Quadro, is ok left to right, but flat bottom makes it too small)

*Car specs (1st post) updated

Have got a new arm rest (spray painted black ), repaired the window regulator (Hong Kong manual cheapie) and bought a new RPM suede 350mm steering wheel. Will have to flog the other wheel off on eBay.
Also new battery (last one died), new headlights (old ones smacked to shit), new gear knob (heavier E46 Mtech alloy one) and just some general fiddling with parts and fittings, used a few cable ties to tidy up the under bonnet and in the cabin - fitted those little blanking plates into the arm rests, and into the instrument panel (where audio balance and hazard switch would be), just to improve the look a little bit.
Pulled a lot of vinyls off the car as well, as mcuh of it doesn't need to be run this weekend @ Winton for the final Round (must beat my Dad!!!)

My next few action items are to get the exhaust headers ceramic coated (way too hot under bonnet), and then do an ignition system overhaul; replacing coil, distributor, plug wires and plugs. Planning on using Bosch Super 4's, anyone have any experience with them?

[djs325]

Yeah, Round 8. I hit people (again), broke the front spoiler (again), broke the headlights (again), but now there is even more damage to the bonnet, it kept jumping up after 2 laps (helped with braking, not so much with straightline speed). So the car is being parked until further notice, until I can get down there and strip off the panels that are to be replaced, and beg for new ones to be delivered before Christmas.

[aus325]

Damaged bonnet... that can only be one of 3 things...

1) you're too fast
2) they're too slow
3) djs325 = last of the late brakers!

[djs325]

All 3 mate - you in Tassie huh.
One of our E30 Racers was down at Baskerville for the Improved Production Nationals, did you get a chance to see the E30 rightness?

[badnews]

cool hopefully moving to oz nice to see the old e30 are having fun down under

[djs325]

Shame i will be moving away from the series in 2007 - will be taking the car to Queensland and racing in their state championship - not enough E30s for a series up there yet.

[djs325]

We're now on Youtube!!!

[doog]

Hmmm. Shame there is not a series in NSW. I am currently sprinting an 83 e30 323 with a 2.7 conversion. Goes really well. Have big brakes and sets some good times around Sydney circuits.

The Hi I'm Glenn Ridge"" video on you tube is really good. Out of interest, how does the series compare to the 944 cup times?

Any chance of giving me the specs on the suspension. Will be revamping my front suspension soon. How much camber are you running on the front?

Cheers

[djs325]

Hmmm. Shame there is not a series in NSW. I am currently sprinting an 83 e30 323 with a 2.7 conversion. Goes really well. Have big brakes and sets some good times around Sydney circuits.

The Hi I'm Glenn Ridge"" video on you tube is really good. Out of interest, how does the series compare to the 944 cup times?

Any chance of giving me the specs on the suspension. Will be revamping my front suspension soon. How much camber are you running on the front?

Cheers

944s have more standard engines, control ECUs, control weight, no LSDs but free (i.e. do what ever you want) suspension. better front-rear weight balance (rear gearbox).
E30s are slightly heavier, use smaller tyres (205/50R15 vs Porsche 225/50R15), but have better power, LSD, and same suspension freedoms.
944 lap record @ Phillip Island = 1:52.7, E30=1:54.6 - closer at Winton. The weight is the killer, and also the smaller tyres - you can use decent suspension to counteract the lack of an LSD in a 944.

Camber? Plenty! Suspension is essentially stock components modified - I had a question from a South African about this as well. All Noltec catalogue parts (control arm bushes, strut top mounts, rear schock mounts, trailing arm bushes), take a standard strut and chop it in half, weld on a thread for an adjustable spring plate, then have 2-way adjustable Koni shocks and Eibach springs - normally 1 way rear as well. The single most important thing with an E30 is replacing all the rubber bits!

[djs325]

Well, I'm now up in Queensland, but the car is still in Victoria, almost 2000km away. It needs a front end panel job (guards, bonnets, airdam, grills and lights) and a whole host of new 2007 specification componentry - we have gone to a control ECU ROM Chip, and a control Camshaft (original with a grind). Will also have to put the handbrake back in, and I have a list of things I still want to do to it...