E36 328i Touring. When it breaks, upgrade it...
Discussion
Hamster69 said:
An estate, nice. I was very tempted by one of them to match the track toy. But I decided to funnel some more money into my S class for another year. These cams you bought, US M spec or did you go with catcams in the end?
They're not as stiff as either the saloon or coupé, so you probably made the right choice. I'm a sucker for an estate though... think this is one of the nicest Touring designs BMW have done.The cams are a work in progress, but a company called Riot Racing will sort you out regrinds for $450+$90 shipping, providing you can get a set of M52 cams to them. They're a proven 17whp gain, which sounds like a very nice idea in my book. Of course, the temptation is to get some S52 cams and send them off to Riot, because the regrinds of the S52 cams are nuts! All in good time though. I have to sort out tax and insurance first. All other niggles have been attended to for now.
147lusso said:
Saw this at Japfest, lovely example! Given me some good inspiration for my TDS.
I have been inundated with texts, forum messages and Facebook messages from various people who've seen the bloody thing at Japfest- I only went on the stand because two of our Hondas broke down getting there and they needed to fill up numbers! 
Glad you liked it.
got a thread for your TDS? They can be monstrous if done right, I know a guy who did a massive top-mount turbo and huge intercooler... puts out some fairly insane numbers (for a TDS). I think they safely map to 170-180bhp, I'll check with my Luxembourish source...Been busy playing with other people's E36s.
First of all, went up to Kent and installed an M50 manifold & electric Vaders in a friend's convertible 328i... then photos commenced.
The M50 only took a few hours this time around, as we had a fitting kit ready for it. Quite simple once you're used to it. It's also far easier doing a vert/coup as the bonnet is longer on them. The Vaders went in fine too- they're my old Vaders, freshly refurbed and looking absolutely lovely.
Also went to view a very tidy 328i saloon in manual for one of my best mates. Amazing spec- originally a Sytner car, serviced by BMW Chelsea, 81,000 on the clock, 1997 model, heated seats, full black leather, Sports seats, black headlining, split rear seats (insanely rare on the saloon), genuine Alpina wheels, M50 manifold already fitted, E46 330 big brake upgrade already done with EBC Redstuffs and braided lines all round, uprated hifi with 10-12 speakers or whatever it is. A deposit has been laid. Pretty soon we should have the full set- anyone with a coup or compact who wants to join our gang, please make yourself known.
Tonight, finally fitted a little mood lifter for the interior:
Bought an E39 interior light, ripped the LEDs out of it, drilled holes in my E36 light housing, cut everything down to size, pushed it all together, fed the wiring down the A-pillar and to where my old MTech illuminated gearknob was done for the lighting... hey presto. Mood lighting. This was something I fitted to my old Octavia, and I actually really missed it. Nice to have it back.
First of all, went up to Kent and installed an M50 manifold & electric Vaders in a friend's convertible 328i... then photos commenced.
The M50 only took a few hours this time around, as we had a fitting kit ready for it. Quite simple once you're used to it. It's also far easier doing a vert/coup as the bonnet is longer on them. The Vaders went in fine too- they're my old Vaders, freshly refurbed and looking absolutely lovely.
Also went to view a very tidy 328i saloon in manual for one of my best mates. Amazing spec- originally a Sytner car, serviced by BMW Chelsea, 81,000 on the clock, 1997 model, heated seats, full black leather, Sports seats, black headlining, split rear seats (insanely rare on the saloon), genuine Alpina wheels, M50 manifold already fitted, E46 330 big brake upgrade already done with EBC Redstuffs and braided lines all round, uprated hifi with 10-12 speakers or whatever it is. A deposit has been laid. Pretty soon we should have the full set- anyone with a coup or compact who wants to join our gang, please make yourself known.
Tonight, finally fitted a little mood lifter for the interior:
Bought an E39 interior light, ripped the LEDs out of it, drilled holes in my E36 light housing, cut everything down to size, pushed it all together, fed the wiring down the A-pillar and to where my old MTech illuminated gearknob was done for the lighting... hey presto. Mood lighting. This was something I fitted to my old Octavia, and I actually really missed it. Nice to have it back.
vsonix said:
was just about to ask the same thing! Does it provide the same amount of rigidity as the X-brace? I am sick of catching my X-brace on practically everything and don't wanna raise the car any further if I can avoid it.
If anything, the sump guard is lower than the x-brace. I'll get better pics once I've excavated it from under the house and uprated the stiffness at the rear- don't fancy making it into an understeering pig of a car.Also, for those of you who wish to hear the n0izemaker in action...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_FlSqhkjso
Ahead of my was a slightly modified Dodge Challenger. This is apparently louder...
fullbeem said:
Liking the 328i and what you have done to her since you purchased her. Tempted by a BMW touring myself once I decide i've had enough of my octavia estate
I sold an Octavia estate to buy one of these...
Best choice I ever made, car-wise. It is everything the Octavia is not- fun, entertaining, full of character, and horrendous on fuel!
147lusso said:
Bit behind.. sorry!!
Well it was a nice surprise seeing a real car amongst the jap crap
Currently in the process of writing one, i've seen a few build threads of some monsters! Of course i'd rather have a 328 but I need a diesel. I have a few things in mind, a chip from end tuning gives you approx. 170bhp, with an EGR delete and decat 180 is supposedly possible! But for now just tidying it up will do (it's a bit of a shed)
Haha glad to oblige!Well it was a nice surprise seeing a real car amongst the jap crap
Currently in the process of writing one, i've seen a few build threads of some monsters! Of course i'd rather have a 328 but I need a diesel. I have a few things in mind, a chip from end tuning gives you approx. 170bhp, with an EGR delete and decat 180 is supposedly possible! But for now just tidying it up will do (it's a bit of a shed)
I'll be interested to see what you make of the TDS. If they're worth having, I'd be tempted to get one as a mad daily.
In the mean time... what's Claudia been up to? Not much really.
Purchased another set of BBSs- this time, a set of RTs. These are actually pretty rare wheels, so I probably won't ruin them... too much. They are being stripped back and redone, mind you.
They'll be silver probably. Not some ludicrous powdercoat this time- the centre caps are plastic, annoyingly, so I'll be rattle canning these to a nice finish!
Apart from that, I've been enjoying driving the car more than ever before. Nothing's broken at the moment... touch wood... and I'm saving for future plans. Which are:
And:
So basically, heading rapidly towards the 350bhp side of proceedings.
Another Nürburgring trip is booked for September, I'm hoping to have a new ally rad for an M3 fitted before then, along with the separate header tank. I'd also like to do the viscous fan delete before then, along with a sod-off big electric fan activated from inside.
Some gratuitous shots...
(E46 fuel rail cover- fits beautifully!)
(Two best mates also have E36 328s. A coupé and a Compact would give us the complete set.)
Next step: cooling. Well, finishing the cooling system.
I bought this:
And this:
Size difference, and condition difference:
Got so far through, including plumbing the new header tank in and mounting it, then... great. Probably should've checked this first!
Yeah, that definitely won't fit.
These should do it:
They did indeed, but I managed to break the bottom hose during installation. So standard it is for now.
Like a glove...
So the final spec for cooling system:
- EMP Stewart Components water pump
- metal thermostat housing
- M3 header tank
- silicone hosing
- Mishimoto M3 radiator
- fresh coolant (obviously)
Soon to have the viscous fan deleted and a 16" electric fan stuck in its place. Should help the engine spin a little more freely, and it'll suck though a great deal more air. Also stuck on an M3 radiator cover, looks nicer than the standard 328i one.
Also stuck in foglight blanks, they look quite nice to be honest. Might stick with them, as I never use the foglights. Apart from that, just at the stage where I'm putting in fuel and enjoying her. US M3 cams will be arriving at some stage, or Riot Racing cams. I can't decide which!
I bought this:
And this:
Size difference, and condition difference:
Got so far through, including plumbing the new header tank in and mounting it, then... great. Probably should've checked this first!
Yeah, that definitely won't fit.
These should do it:
They did indeed, but I managed to break the bottom hose during installation. So standard it is for now.
Like a glove...
So the final spec for cooling system:
- EMP Stewart Components water pump
- metal thermostat housing
- M3 header tank
- silicone hosing
- Mishimoto M3 radiator
- fresh coolant (obviously)
Soon to have the viscous fan deleted and a 16" electric fan stuck in its place. Should help the engine spin a little more freely, and it'll suck though a great deal more air. Also stuck on an M3 radiator cover, looks nicer than the standard 328i one.
Also stuck in foglight blanks, they look quite nice to be honest. Might stick with them, as I never use the foglights. Apart from that, just at the stage where I'm putting in fuel and enjoying her. US M3 cams will be arriving at some stage, or Riot Racing cams. I can't decide which!
ciaranthemurph said:
I'm liking this. Keep up the good work. Love the shape of the tourer and I do like a 328i. I was booked to be going to Nürburg in September too, but work has scuppered those plans. I like the fuel rail cover from the e46, nice and OEM. I'll hoping to be getting to upgrade my 328i for track days in the new year.
Following with interest!
Cheers dude. She's really taking shape now, very happy with her. Final 'big' plans are sticking lairy cams in, a respray and rot exorcism, and finally a supercharger... just because.Following with interest!
The fuel rail cover is a nice touch, but I've broken it when installing the new rad! t
t! Need to sand it down or replace it... *grump*If you want any advice/how to guides to uprate/replace bits, then drop me an email.
Well, it's been a busy few weeks at the Household of Claudia.
She's had a new steering rack, new PAS pipes, new tie rod ends (both inner and outer), new wheels, new lower steering joint, new Eibach rear springs, big bore throttle body, Samco black rad hoses and an oil change in prep for her next 'Ring trip... which is tomorrow.
She is now absolutely ferocious to drive, goes like stink and handles very well indeed. Maybe a touch understeery, but I have an M3 rear ARB coming to help rectify that... also have that sump guard to install still.
Unfortunately I don't have photos of most of the work, but observe the new wheels complete with 25 minute refurb- polished lips and barbecue paint.
The wheels are Rondell 058s, basically BBS RS740s... but with a ridiculous lip on them. And a horrendously aggressive offset.
it's been an absolute nightmare getting them to fit. I've completely ruined my arches getting them tucked underneath, but there's still fitment issues... *sigh* oh well. I'll make them work. They're being refurbed properly soon, and will have metallic grey faces with a gold flake, polished lips, and a very thin pair of pinstripes between the face and the lip- one purple, one gold.
The steering was actually relatively straightforward in the end- system doesn't take much ATF (gladly, as I hate the smell of the stuff). The steering joint was a bugger to get right, and the steering wheel needed realigning somewhat! But by God has it made a difference... so nice to drive now. I know what I've been missing. It's basically a new setup.
So... we have no coolant leaks any more, thanks to the Samco hoses, she pulls even harder, thanks to the big bore throttle body (another easy install), she's healthy thanks to the oil change, and she's ready for another week of pounding the Nurburgring. Hold me back.
She's had a new steering rack, new PAS pipes, new tie rod ends (both inner and outer), new wheels, new lower steering joint, new Eibach rear springs, big bore throttle body, Samco black rad hoses and an oil change in prep for her next 'Ring trip... which is tomorrow.
She is now absolutely ferocious to drive, goes like stink and handles very well indeed. Maybe a touch understeery, but I have an M3 rear ARB coming to help rectify that... also have that sump guard to install still.
Unfortunately I don't have photos of most of the work, but observe the new wheels complete with 25 minute refurb- polished lips and barbecue paint.
The wheels are Rondell 058s, basically BBS RS740s... but with a ridiculous lip on them. And a horrendously aggressive offset.
it's been an absolute nightmare getting them to fit. I've completely ruined my arches getting them tucked underneath, but there's still fitment issues... *sigh* oh well. I'll make them work. They're being refurbed properly soon, and will have metallic grey faces with a gold flake, polished lips, and a very thin pair of pinstripes between the face and the lip- one purple, one gold.The steering was actually relatively straightforward in the end- system doesn't take much ATF (gladly, as I hate the smell of the stuff). The steering joint was a bugger to get right, and the steering wheel needed realigning somewhat! But by God has it made a difference... so nice to drive now. I know what I've been missing. It's basically a new setup.
So... we have no coolant leaks any more, thanks to the Samco hoses, she pulls even harder, thanks to the big bore throttle body (another easy install), she's healthy thanks to the oil change, and she's ready for another week of pounding the Nurburgring. Hold me back.
Well... she made it back. Barely!
20 miles into the journey, she lunched her brakelight switch. This meant I had no brakelights for 400 miles, across 4 countries. As soon as we got to where we needed to be in Germany, I set about finding a BMW dealer/somewhere like Euro Car Parts. After many anecdotal encounters, I wound up at a German dealership and managed to order the switch I needed- only £35, so really not bad. Fitted, and continued with the fun times.
She lunched a rear tyre thanks to badly finished rear arches on the Saturday, so Sunday morning was spent dragging through piles of old tyres at Rent4Ring, who sorted me out with 2 Kumho Ecsta XS for the back. They smoked up nicely.
On the very last day, I was reversing in a little carpark in Adenau... hit a very high kerb that neither my PDC nor mirrors picked up, with a very loud 'bang'. Further inspection revealed that I sheared all 4 exhaust hangers... so a belt and several cable ties were employed to hold the system up until I got home. I made it. Yet more inspection has shown me that I need new exhaust manifolds, possibly a full new system and one new engine mount. Brilliant.
Despite that dim frame of mind, I've taken it in my stride- I have a pair of exhaust manifolds sitting around doing very little, and a standard exhaust system that I can simply rip the backbox innards if I have buggered my big lairy system.
On top of that, I have new coilovers coming, just received some lovely carbon interior bits, ordering some arches from Hard Motorsport (cheers Hamster!), another set of wheels on top of the new set I've already stuck on (Rondells have sold provisionally), cams have been pre-ordered from Riot Racing... it's going well.
Some pictures, you're probably bored of reading the waffle now.
This was the road to our apartment in Kelberg. Loved it.
One lap done! In fine fettle. The new cooling system has been working a treat.
We may or may not have dropped in at Spa on the way back...
... and we may or may not have seen 6 McLaren P1s testing there that day.
Beautiful track.
Yep, was definitely at the 'Ring.
Some nice metal that went round while we were there- it was TF, after all.
Cuddly Nürburgring hanging up in the back!
My friend with the B8 showed up too, which was cool. 4 up, it just barged around the German countryside without breaking a sweat. Mental car.
My new 720p HD camera. There's a lap or two on it somewhere...
You know it's an odd week when you see more GT3s than Fiestas somewhere.
Fabulous mornings and a Clubsport. Good shout.
Immaculate NSU Ro80 owned by a guy who had the local Subaru/Suzuki garage. He was really friendly, and despite not speaking a word of English and our broken German scraping by, we very quickly became friends. He showed us round his garage, which had some awesome old metal in it (old DKWs, more NSUs, a 450bhp Impreza, a Forester snowplough, a road legal go kart, some beautiful old motorbikes...). We'll be seeing him again next year, I think!
He also had this...
1 of 200 ever made, a Baur 2002. Noice.
At the start of the journey, getting impatient!
McSam- look! Another Montreal Blue saloon 328i! Common as muck...
Pretty blues.
The morning we set off, at 4:40am... ow.
Other random pics taken by others:
Posting my 10m17 lap on a shredded rear tyre- had to back off quite a lot, for obvious reasons. Next year, it'll be quicker.
Wet lap on Monday evening. Nothing got past.
Yet another track closure, so we decided to get a sneaky picture...
I did say those Ecstas smoked up well.
GP track selfie!!
Tandem E36s.
Last known picture of the car with an exhaust still intact.
Note the spare wheel- necessary after shredding...
Wet motorway on the way there.
Now... on with future plans.
These arches.
Yes, these ones. Organised them for $440 shipped from Hard Motorsport- should come to around £330 after import crap. Then spray them, and fit them, and cut off the dead metal that I've ruined.
These will go on soon, along with an M3 Evo rear ARB.
These are sitting in my bedroom. One is in my ladder rack. They're beautifully rare- BBS Pininfarina PA509s.
At the moment, these are her winter wheels- Style 81s from an E39. I've never seen them done on an E36, and I really like them- coupled with the colour coding, she looks for all the world like a shrunken E39 Touring!
Also have a knackered carbon fibre bonnet that I'm having filled/resprayed so it'll be half carbon, half silver, gradiented between the two. That should look nice. A respray is a nice idea, but not viable at this current time.
A supercharger, however... could well be next year's project.
20 miles into the journey, she lunched her brakelight switch. This meant I had no brakelights for 400 miles, across 4 countries.
As soon as we got to where we needed to be in Germany, I set about finding a BMW dealer/somewhere like Euro Car Parts. After many anecdotal encounters, I wound up at a German dealership and managed to order the switch I needed- only £35, so really not bad. Fitted, and continued with the fun times.She lunched a rear tyre thanks to badly finished rear arches on the Saturday, so Sunday morning was spent dragging through piles of old tyres at Rent4Ring, who sorted me out with 2 Kumho Ecsta XS for the back. They smoked up nicely.
On the very last day, I was reversing in a little carpark in Adenau... hit a very high kerb that neither my PDC nor mirrors picked up, with a very loud 'bang'. Further inspection revealed that I sheared all 4 exhaust hangers... so a belt and several cable ties were employed to hold the system up until I got home. I made it. Yet more inspection has shown me that I need new exhaust manifolds, possibly a full new system and one new engine mount. Brilliant.
Despite that dim frame of mind, I've taken it in my stride- I have a pair of exhaust manifolds sitting around doing very little, and a standard exhaust system that I can simply rip the backbox innards if I have buggered my big lairy system.
On top of that, I have new coilovers coming, just received some lovely carbon interior bits, ordering some arches from Hard Motorsport (cheers Hamster!), another set of wheels on top of the new set I've already stuck on (Rondells have sold provisionally), cams have been pre-ordered from Riot Racing... it's going well.
Some pictures, you're probably bored of reading the waffle now.
This was the road to our apartment in Kelberg. Loved it.
One lap done! In fine fettle. The new cooling system has been working a treat.
We may or may not have dropped in at Spa on the way back...
... and we may or may not have seen 6 McLaren P1s testing there that day.
Beautiful track.
Yep, was definitely at the 'Ring.
Some nice metal that went round while we were there- it was TF, after all.
Cuddly Nürburgring hanging up in the back!
My friend with the B8 showed up too, which was cool.
4 up, it just barged around the German countryside without breaking a sweat. Mental car.
My new 720p HD camera. There's a lap or two on it somewhere...
You know it's an odd week when you see more GT3s than Fiestas somewhere.
Fabulous mornings and a Clubsport. Good shout.
Immaculate NSU Ro80 owned by a guy who had the local Subaru/Suzuki garage. He was really friendly, and despite not speaking a word of English and our broken German scraping by, we very quickly became friends. He showed us round his garage, which had some awesome old metal in it (old DKWs, more NSUs, a 450bhp Impreza, a Forester snowplough, a road legal go kart, some beautiful old motorbikes...). We'll be seeing him again next year, I think!
He also had this...
1 of 200 ever made, a Baur 2002. Noice.
At the start of the journey, getting impatient!
McSam- look! Another Montreal Blue saloon 328i! Common as muck...
Pretty blues.
The morning we set off, at 4:40am... ow.
Other random pics taken by others:
Posting my 10m17 lap on a shredded rear tyre- had to back off quite a lot, for obvious reasons. Next year, it'll be quicker.
Wet lap on Monday evening. Nothing got past.
Yet another track closure, so we decided to get a sneaky picture...
I did say those Ecstas smoked up well.
GP track selfie!!
Tandem E36s.
Last known picture of the car with an exhaust still intact.
Note the spare wheel- necessary after shredding...
Wet motorway on the way there.
Now... on with future plans.
These arches.
Yes, these ones. Organised them for $440 shipped from Hard Motorsport- should come to around £330 after import crap. Then spray them, and fit them, and cut off the dead metal that I've ruined.
These will go on soon, along with an M3 Evo rear ARB.
These are sitting in my bedroom. One is in my ladder rack. They're beautifully rare- BBS Pininfarina PA509s.
At the moment, these are her winter wheels- Style 81s from an E39. I've never seen them done on an E36, and I really like them- coupled with the colour coding, she looks for all the world like a shrunken E39 Touring!
Also have a knackered carbon fibre bonnet that I'm having filled/resprayed so it'll be half carbon, half silver, gradiented between the two. That should look nice. A respray is a nice idea, but not viable at this current time.
A supercharger, however... could well be next year's project.
McSam said:
s mine meant to be that colour?!
squints
looks out window
checks build sheet
Bugger. That looks way too vivid to be Montreal?!
It is Montreal, just under petrol station lights and freshly polished. squints
looks out window
checks build sheet
Bugger. That looks way too vivid to be Montreal?!
ManOpener/ciaran- supercharger takes precedence, then ManOpener- you've got the second bet right- I've been planning on an M60/M62 for some time, but it's a real b
d to do. S50B32s have been done, I'd like something a bit different- hence the supercharger, which should net me 350bhp minimum.JakeT said:
Love this thread since I see no clean E36 328i's around now. There seems to be one on AT, and it's £5,000! 
Love the work that has gone into the car, but would the arches be the best way? I would assume then can't be reversed once they're done...
Also thank you for not putting a set of Style 72's on the car. The 81's look great!
Oh, this one's far from clean- but, crucially, not barried or drifted. I started upgrading with the sole intention of creating a sort-of 328iS+. Love the work that has gone into the car, but would the arches be the best way? I would assume then can't be reversed once they're done...Also thank you for not putting a set of Style 72's on the car. The 81's look great!
The £5,000 guy is an absolute dreamer, I've spoken to him and he's apparently turned an offer of £3,500 down for his 140,000 mile 328i SE Touring. *raises eyebrow*
The arches are a one-way trip, unless I fancy welding standard arches back on. Put simply, those gorgeous Pininfarina BBSs I've put up on the previous page are ET12- which is a whopping 30mm increase on the offset from standard. So I definitely need the arches mucking about with to fit them in properly- and I've royally buggered the ones I have now. May as well give the lairy wide arches a shot, I think they look awesome.
72s... now you mention it, I can think of loads of E36s with them on.
81s are, thus far, an apparently unique choice- probably because most people who go E39 fitment go for something dishy. It's quite a bit of work to make an E36 accept E39 fitment wheels... *sigh*JakeT said:
The E36 is really at the bottom of the market now, but it's tough finding a nice model that's been looked after. Soon they'll be in E30 territory though. That deep dish does look great though, and the weld on arches are better than the nasty rolled jobs.
The E46 should be the only car that had Style 72's. My dad's E46 330i touring had them and looked amazing. 18's are too big for an E36, but drifting, yo.
I got relatively lucky with mine- bought from someone who had it looked after at a specialist. So far, the only bodge I've found on the car has been the PAS pipe- apart from that, all good.The E46 should be the only car that had Style 72's. My dad's E46 330i touring had them and looked amazing. 18's are too big for an E36, but drifting, yo.
I'm really looking forward to the arches- they're a bit different, and I think they'll look really good. Plus it eliminates a lot of potential rust issues.
17s are the ideal size for the E36- anything bigger and you ruin the ride and handling. I'm personally a huge fan of the Style 30s that came on the 323i Touring Sports, but I like 17s too much!
Blitz- how much you after? If it was a manual it'd be horrendously desirable.
JakeT said:
My dad had an E36 318i from new and had a set of 30's on it. Lovely car, in Boston Green with Grey cloth.
But great job with everything. Also I see you're in southampton as am I. Where do you take the car for bits to be done that you can't/won't do yourself?
Boston Green is one of the best colours on an E36, by miles!But great job with everything. Also I see you're in southampton as am I. Where do you take the car for bits to be done that you can't/won't do yourself?
I actually do all the work myself... but if I need garage space, I go to my tame mechanic- Abs Auto Repairs on Endle Street (near the Itchen Bridge). Great prices and turnaround.
McSam said:
eh, no, they're a set it came on - nowhere near as clean as the wonderfully prepped ones you sent me!
I actually have twelve Style 30s, four Style 27s which are in good nick but won't fit over upgraded brakes (trying to get rid of these, if anyone fancies some winter wheels), plus the set of Style 45s on the E46
How do you find the ride and lateral grip on (presumably) 225/45R17 versus 225/50R16?
What can I say, I look after my people. I actually have twelve Style 30s, four Style 27s which are in good nick but won't fit over upgraded brakes (trying to get rid of these, if anyone fancies some winter wheels), plus the set of Style 45s on the E46
How do you find the ride and lateral grip on (presumably) 225/45R17 versus 225/50R16?
You're worse than me mate. Although that being said, I've massively cut down on wheels- Rondells are sold, purple BBS are sold, Hartges are sold... I'm left over with some BBS RTs (Style 19) that I've only got for refurb purposes, my Style 81s (the E39 ones on at the moment) and the Pininfarinas.
Rides beautifully. What I've found is that the biggest differences are the tyre you run (no s
t Sherlock), and how square it is. The squarer the tyre, the happier the E36 is. It made those Rondells bloody difficult, as they were 225s on an 8.5J (245 recommended) setup. They weren't as good as tyres that are square on. When she was on the purple BBSs, she felt incredible- 225/45/17 and square on, as they were 7.5J. She feels great at the moment too with 235/45/17 and 8Js (could maybe use a slightly smaller profile, but they do the job well). Don't bother going above 17", the E36 doesn't work well with it- just makes it handle st and makes it uncomfortable.So far, most comical tyre award goes to... Infinity INF05. Or the Accelera Alphas you've got on some of those Style 30s I sent you.
get a slippy diff, then go have some fun on them.Best dry grip... Bridgestone Potenza RE050A.
Best wet grip... Uniroyal Rainsport 2.
Hamster69 said:
You are more than welcome, but I doubt you will be thanking me when you are fitting them. With the exception of the cage, which I am now fitting. The arches are defiantly the hardest part of my track toy so far.
Glad to see you enjoyed the Nurburgring trip. It is awesome fun isn't it.
I'm psyching myself up for it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Adam at Hard Motorsport has been nothing but helpful so far, so I can definitely see these arches in Claudia's future. Plus they look sGlad to see you enjoyed the Nurburgring trip. It is awesome fun isn't it.
t-hot. The 'Ring trip I did really enjoy once more- Claudia is so well suited to that track. Also made it into the 2014 'Ring crash compilation video! Albeit as one of the people who came winging round a corner to find a newly scraped GT86 limping towards Wipperman.
George- yep, I took the piss out of him quite badly on that E36Coupé thread. Absolute dreamer. I note the price has dropped to £3850- still around £2500 too much for an SE Touring in a fairly crappy colour on standard Style 30s (the Azevs, which look horrible in my opinion, are now an 'optional extra'). But there's no telling some people.
Interestingly enough, my breaker 328i Touring I had for a while was a dead ringer for your current Touring.
Right... time for another long update... it's been a busy month and a bit.
Firstly, there was the issue of rust. E36s all do it, just some to worse degrees than others. Mine has been relatively well-behaved... until the rear nearside jacking point exploded, quite spectacularly, when I was under the car with the cat, getting some stuff fixed. Luckily I heard it starting to go, but it was still not really amusing- it also dented the bodywork somewhat. So I booked her in to have her welded up nicely at my tame workshop.
I also have a slight obsession with creating Ultimate Vaders- electric adjustment, electric lumbar support, and heating. I am lucky enough to have electric ones, so that's the hard part sorted. Unfortunately Vaders and Comfort/Sport seats are built totally differently, so it'll be a bit of a headscratcher making it work, but I sure as hell will make it happen. I have the lumbar support kit, fully working, and waiting to go in... just waiting to get hold of a loom and elements for the heated seats.
Cams are finally here! These are the Riot Racing ones. All in they've worked out at around £480 inc. delivery/taxes/replacement cores. I will be getting her up to scratch, then running her on a dyno, then changing cams, then giving her a week to bed in before going back and seeing what the gain is all about.
Also have M3 Evo exhaust manifolds...
And some KW V3s... used, but at the price they were, I couldn't ignore them.
They need a bit of fixing, but the shocks themselves are in great condition. All I need is the adjuster screw for the rear spring height, and a toolkit... then I'm laughing.
New rear bumper:
A nice way to carry around lots of st:
Some more recent shots of the interior with new carbon bits all over the place...
Plans for 2015: 3-litre stroker engine, finish bodywork, enjoy.
Firstly, there was the issue of rust. E36s all do it, just some to worse degrees than others. Mine has been relatively well-behaved... until the rear nearside jacking point exploded, quite spectacularly, when I was under the car with the cat, getting some stuff fixed. Luckily I heard it starting to go, but it was still not really amusing- it also dented the bodywork somewhat. So I booked her in to have her welded up nicely at my tame workshop.
I also have a slight obsession with creating Ultimate Vaders- electric adjustment, electric lumbar support, and heating. I am lucky enough to have electric ones, so that's the hard part sorted. Unfortunately Vaders and Comfort/Sport seats are built totally differently, so it'll be a bit of a headscratcher making it work, but I sure as hell will make it happen. I have the lumbar support kit, fully working, and waiting to go in... just waiting to get hold of a loom and elements for the heated seats.
Cams are finally here! These are the Riot Racing ones. All in they've worked out at around £480 inc. delivery/taxes/replacement cores. I will be getting her up to scratch, then running her on a dyno, then changing cams, then giving her a week to bed in before going back and seeing what the gain is all about.
Also have M3 Evo exhaust manifolds...
And some KW V3s... used, but at the price they were, I couldn't ignore them.
They need a bit of fixing, but the shocks themselves are in great condition. All I need is the adjuster screw for the rear spring height, and a toolkit... then I'm laughing.
New rear bumper:
A nice way to carry around lots of s
t:
Some more recent shots of the interior with new carbon bits all over the place...
Plans for 2015: 3-litre stroker engine, finish bodywork, enjoy.
getawayturtle said:
Rust can fk off and do one, quite frankly. Poor Claudia.
Glad you didn't get squished, babe.
Cheers Liam k off and do one, quite frankly. Poor Claudia.Glad you didn't get squished, babe.
yeah you have a lot of experience with rusty E36s! Luckily Claudia is nowhere near as bad as that underneath!ciaranthemurph said:
Coming along nicely. What spec are you building the engine to? Also, where is you interior clock from? I've not seen on of these in an e36, or I've certainly not noticed an analogue clock like this before.
The engine is going to be my own little special project. The M50, M52 and M54 straight sixes all share the same bore size- 84mm. So it's looking like an M50 block for strength, my M52 head for the power, and the crank/rods/pistons from an M54B30 so I can stroke it straight out to a 3-litre. All in all, it'll be what I like to call an M53B30- a weird hybrid that happens to be rather powerful! It'll be the first engine I've built, but I want it to be a proper boss!The clock is from a very base spec E36, they're quite easy to find in most common-or-garden scrapyards. Not difficult to wire in at all- three wires- and just looks more interesting than the sunglasses holder that is usually there. However, at some stage in 2015, I expect to be replacing it with a triple gauge pod- oil pressure, oil temperature and battery voltage, or similar.
S3_Graham said:
seats look great. I'm after a set for my E36 Cab.
Who did your steering wheel? that looks ace too!
Cheers Who did your steering wheel? that looks ace too!
I just got rather let down on a set of Recaros in black leather/alcantara for an E36- guy had them up for £400, I messaged, provisionally sold my interior within 45 mins to cover the cost, then he messaged the next day and said "Sorry, price is £600... changed my mind...". Absolute dick. So I'll be sticking with Vaders for now. One of my best mates has my old grey set in his cab, they look amazing.Steering wheel I bought from a forum, it was used but not? Either way, it's a lovely purchase. Retrimming usually costs around £120-£150, so if you can find one already done then snap it up.
McSam said:
Were you using that jacking point on the side with the crap little emergency jack, while under the car?!
That aside, she's looking pretty good, and plenty of goodies to go on! I've seen that exhaust manifold photo many a time when convincing myself I need a set, but it'd be interesting to hear your experience fitting them. Heard it's an absolute bd, and I've also heard varying reports of the M3 system being about 20kg heavier all in!
Cams look absolutely lush. Between those and the proper manifolds, I wouldn't be surprised to see you nudging close to 3.0 M3 power..
Er... maybe..! That aside, she's looking pretty good, and plenty of goodies to go on! I've seen that exhaust manifold photo many a time when convincing myself I need a set, but it'd be interesting to hear your experience fitting them. Heard it's an absolute b
d, and I've also heard varying reports of the M3 system being about 20kg heavier all in!Cams look absolutely lush. Between those and the proper manifolds, I wouldn't be surprised to see you nudging close to 3.0 M3 power..
I just had to get something done quickly before the 'Ring trip and didn't have my proper jack to hand, plus we have a gravel driveway so the emergency jack is useful as it doesn't need to move...They are a t
t to fit, best mate just did it to his (ridiculously blue) Montreal Blue 328i 'loon, and it's still giving him issues now. You need to machine a bit off the bell housing, get thicker gaskets otherwise they rest on the block and create the most hideous resonance, and you need to swap the Lambda plugs over... with a soldering iron... which is great, except the colours don't match up on the wires between the two different cars and the Evo ones have two white wires. annoying. Simple solution for M3 system being 20kg heavier? Don't use a standard one. That photo of my boot is a standard system, and it does weigh a lot. Best mate runs a Supersprint full race system with x-pipe mids and a very lairy backbox.I don't know about 3.0 M3 power yet mate, not sure how well the head flows. I think I'll get closer one I've done my weird stroker unit, but anything around 263bhp will make me very happy- that's a 70bhp increase over standard!
Also have some M3 Evo coils to stick in the block- they create a bigger, juicier spark and are actually useful for massaging more power out. Not bothering changing the injectors at this time as the very same ones were fitted to the 3.0 M3, and that has plenty of power!
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