E30 M3 Racecar Build

[houlbt]

Well I think dipping is better at removing all the rust, media blasting can miss rot in corners and crevices... But I didn't really get to involved, the guys doing the car for me did their homework.

The original works cars were dipped though... To lighten them :-)

[houlbt]

e21Mark said:

I'm going to opt for dipping I think although my build won't be up to the standard of yours. I'm going to opt for the same cage design though.

Excellent - let me know how you get on.

[houlbt]

Wheels - these look like a winner.


E30 M3 BMD Motorsport

[houlbt]

E30M3SE said:

Can't disagree with that.

Can get you some if you like

[houlbt]

The car is coming together though and the project is approaching completion. We are test fitting these wheels now and I'm pretty happy with them so we'll get a couple of sets of those.

The car needs fluids/map/running in. Cameras/data-logging needs fitting. Then needs to return to the paint shop for touchup/livery and we're basically done.

Meanwhile the sister car is coming on and should only be a month or so behind this one.

Personally I can identify a few little items I want to change on the car but I'll wait until I next go up and see it in person before I pass judgement. Also we will encounter a few things in shakedown when we iron out any creases you inevitably get with a new build.


BMD Motorsport Exhaust


BMD Motorsport - Front Leg


BMD Motorsport - Exhaust detail


BMD Motorsport - Sump


BMD Motorsport


BMD Motorsport

[houlbt]

e21Mark said:

Are the wheels expensive? I'm getting an M3 in a couple of weeks and need something that fills the arches better than the OE basketweaves.

Wheels aren't cheap :-(

[houlbt]

E30M3SE said:

BBS E28's?

What series are you going to be racing this in, got a link to any dates?

Got a couple of options... I'll let people know when we nail it down.

[houlbt]

Output Flange said:

Tom - what suspension are you running on the E30? Also, what's the plan for the second car - rental/sale/static display?

The second car is also being built to race in the same series - team cars if you like although with different liveries.

[houlbt]

E30M3SE said:

BBS E28's?

These aren't supplied by BBS - but they're very similar looking. These are magnesium centres though.

[houlbt]

E30M3SE said:

Just to clarify,
BBS E28's AFAIK these have magnesium centres.


BBS E88's centre lock version of the E28's also with magnesium centres.

You can get these in Magnesium for sure & the E28 are lovely but not sure you can get them in a 17x9 which is the size I want. We might still put this car on centre locks, it's something I'm mulling over now. On the plus side it completes the look but on the downside they're a bit more hassle and offer no performance benefit in the format that I'll race in.

[houlbt]

http://www.customcages.co.uk/Rollcage/Models.castl...

[houlbt]

A few more pictures - the car is close to mechanical completion now and the new engine will get run-in and mapped later this week.


Pedal box etc is in ok - keen to maintain a look of originality where possible.

BMD Motorsport - Drivers Footwell

ABS and Engine ECU are in....

BMD Motorsport - ABS and Engine ECU

Fuel tank...

BMD Motorsport - Fuel Tank

Sharp end.... again trying to remain period

BMD Motorsport - Dash

BMD Motorsport Cockpit

Door cards will go back as per cars of the period I think -

BMD Motorsport - Rear Door Card

Lightened door - minus door card

BMD Motorsport - Door Inners, Carbon skin

Very pleased with how these came out too....

BMD Motorsport - Fusebox


BMD Motorsport Adjustable ARB

[houlbt]

BartSimpson said:

Are you not tempted to flock the dash, or is it an unnecessary modification?

No - they didn't do it on the original cars so it would look out of place on this car.

[houlbt]

e21Mark said:

I've got a Stack digital dash for mine but when I see this I kinda think I should go back to using gauges.

There is something nice and also very easy to follow about conventional gauges. The very late E30-M3 DTM cars ran lcd displays but I opted not to go for that look.

[houlbt]

darreni said:

Tom, that really is a thing of beauty, superb detail.
Too nice to race?

Arguably - but then what's the point in building it if it doesn't get used in anger

[houlbt]

ManOpener said:

They do the E87 in a variety of 16" and 17" widths, but they're forged alu rather than magnesium

Yes... but the original stlye BBS ones are no longer available. These replicas I have shown below are true to the original and in fact use BBS barrels. The centres are magnesium.


BMD Motorsport - Magnesium 17" wheels

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E30M3SE said:

Have you decided on livery yet?

I have - but I'll keep it under wraps for now

However I'm not doing the BMW motorsport livery that everyone does.

[houlbt]

e21Mark said:

Me neither!

I think I'm going to go with the Listerine BTCC livery.

The blue/black one... Y that's a good one

[houlbt]

drakart said:

Lovely car Tom! You work with/used to work with my brother James - I wish he was into cars as much as you, so that i could have a play in these things!! You'll have to come over to Cadwell once it's finished. The sound of the engine around there would be

Hi.. Y I still work with your brother. The cars are being built just down the road from Cadwell, if you ever want to go take look let me know.

[houlbt]

Output Flange said:

Blimey, isn't that the other end of the country to you?! Guess distance matters less than quality work.

Yes, but it's where the guys I wanted to use are based and moreover property costs much lower - could get a good sized workshop for a fraction of what I'd pay in Kent. Being close to the workshop personally is a secondary concern