Project Ring-shed E36 325i

[sniff diesel]

minimatt1967 said:

great choice of wheels sniff!I'd paint the centres dark... Possibly go for some wider sims on the rear? Or are they 328i sport rims?

They're 7.5 inches wide all round so I guess they're '28i sport rims. Would like another set so I can run some with ex BTCC Dunlop slicks.

[minimatt1967]

sniff diesel said:

minimatt1967 said:

great choice of wheels sniff!I'd paint the centres dark... Possibly go for some wider sims on the rear? Or are they 328i sport rims?

They're 7.5 inches wide all round so I guess they're '28i sport rims. Would like another set so I can run some with ex BTCC Dunlop slicks.

Sounds like a good plan, you going to get some R888's for these?

[benny.c]

Good progress - reckon that bonnet will need taping down like ours though to stop it flapping around

Those wheels look nice [and heavy]

[sniff diesel]

benny.c said:

Good progress - reckon that bonnet will need taping down like ours though to stop it flapping around

Those wheels look nice [and heavy]

It's frustrating not having the time to do much at the moment but that should change in the new year. I've tried to position the pins close together at the front to stop it flapping, it seems a bit sturdier than your CF job though so I hope it'll hold OK.

The wheels are only costing me what they cost to refurbish so it was rude not to, and I'll need another set or 2 for track use anyway so may well get some light weight jobs too.

Not sure what to do with the brakes yet, would like to upgrade them but I'd still like to keep it within the regs for the Kumho just in case I ever decide to take it racing...

[Combover]

Looks awesome Rich!

Have you tried it on the raod in that condition?

[haggle]

for the brakes give carbotech a shout there an american co but they should have pads for your motor if not send em the backing plate and they will make some i run XP8's fast road for track XP10 and XP12 are good and still road safe there not heard of much in the uk i was one of the first to fit them on a mini but on stock they out brake cars with BBK's

[benny.c]

sniff diesel said:

...and I'll need another set or 2 for track use anyway so may well get some light weight jobs too.

Don't get them from Tweeks. Ours have been on order now for about 8 weeks. They were supposed to have them ready for our [none] trackday last week and missed that deadline. Mike phoned yesterday and they're available for us to pick up - but only 3 of them

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 18th September 09:14

[Andy_sx]

benny.c said:

sniff diesel said:

...and I'll need another set or 2 for track use anyway so may well get some light weight jobs too.

Don't get them from Tweeks. Ours have been on order now for about 8 weeks. They were supposed to have them ready for our [none] trackday last week and missed that deadline. Mike phoned yesterday and they're available for us to pick up - but only 3 of them

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 18th September 09:14

you could try www.rochfordtyres.co.uk

I used them a few years ago for a set of wheels (first set of lenso evo 2's in the country at the time) and they were superb

failing that, and although I feel dirty saying it, try halfords or any of the other chav car shops, the team dynamics wheels are quite popular atm and they may have them in stock, or they will be able to get them quick!

Coming along Nicely Sniff, hopefully I will have a track project at the begining of next year as I'm selling everything now (out of work completley) and if I can get it to the level of yours or Benny's I will be extremley happy

[benny.c]

Andy_sx said:

....and although I feel dirty saying it, try halfords

We got our first set from this guy on ebay and he was cheap with fast delivery http://stores.ebay.co.uk/BILLY-BOY-TYRES

Actually, to be fair to Tweeks, Team Dynamics shut their factory for 2 weeks in August so they're probably backed up. Tweeks probably could have chased a bit more for us though.

[Spleeble]

Hello Rich.

Its looking good, can't wait to take it out for a spin. Still don't know when my little car will be ready, hopefully end of October. Watching the hill climb last week and I think its something I want to have a go at and it seem quite cheap compared to other motorsport.

See you in a few weeks.

[sniff diesel]

Combover said:

Looks awesome Rich!

Have you tried it on the raod in that condition?

Hi Tom, it's a bit of a shed up close but I have plans.

Last time I drove it all the interior missing apart from the dash and front seats and it weighed 1200kgs and it was definitely swifter than standard. Since then I've scraped all the sound proofing off, removed the dash, heater and blower although the dash top will be going back in. Soon I'll be getting rid of the electric windows and mechanisms to be replaced with polycarb, and chopping the rest of the metal out of the door panels and riveting some 0.5mm aluminium panels in place of door cards. A complete bin bag of wiring has come out that must have weighed some 20kgs;

Once it's all done I'm hoping for a weight around 1150kgs empty. It will have to remain road legal as I intend to use it on Touristfahren days at the Ring.

[sniff diesel]

Spleeble said:

Hello Rich.

Its looking good, can't wait to take it out for a spin. Still don't know when my little car will be ready, hopefully end of October. Watching the hill climb last week and I think its something I want to have a go at and it seem quite cheap compared to other motorsport.

See you in a few weeks.

Hey Ade, not sure if I'll have the seats in by then as I'm picking up a Subaru Forester this weekend.

Looking forward to seeing both our cars on track together next year.

[DaveShark]

Have you added anything to the drivers foot-well? Ive stripped out my seats, door cards & carpets, and the pedals are now higher from the floor. Im thinking of just putting an aluminium plate across? Also I would love to get hold of a fibreglass bonnet, any tips? The original I have is dented, so seems silly to replace for another heavy steel job.

[benny.c]

Most people just pop a plate in Dave. Fibreglass and CF body panels are available here www.xlraceparts.com

[sniff diesel]

What thickness aluminium did you use Ben or did you put something under it? I'm thinking of using the expanding foam like Paul Mayall.

[benny.c]

sniff diesel said:

What thickness aluminium did you use Ben or did you put something under it? I'm thinking of using the expanding foam like Paul Mayall.

It was just some stuff that was lying round in the garage. I'd guess 2-3mm, something like that. We didn't foam under ours but it may be an idea, just to stop stuff rolling under the plate if nothing else.

[bad_roo]

Re: Rigidity

I heard that the saloon was the stiffer of the two chassis due to the fact that it has a rigid bulkhead behind the rear seats whereas the coupe has split/fold rears.

Anyone confirm this?

[DaveShark]

I would guess thats true, common sense it would seem. I doubt there is a huge amount of difference between the two really? A good set-up and well built cage would improve it vastly for the better anyway. Personally I like the Coupe, but if I was going to build the ultimate e36 track/race car I would go for the saloon.

[///Mike]

Good little project you have going here. :-)

I have owned many e36's. I had a lovely 325i coupe with similar mileage to yours when i sold it. The M50 engine has to be one of the best BMW ever built. Very smooth, quiet and yet plenty of poke.

I had an e36 M3 convertible last year and my current daily drive is a rare late M3 Evo saloon. I haven't owned an M3 coupe but I have driven many and I think its hard to say whether the which is stiffer between the loon and the coupe. I know my Evo saloon has the optional extra of the same suspension set up as the coupe. The M3 saloon actually came with slightly softer suspension than the coupe as standard.

My current Evo loon has split folding rear seats but I have hear many times that the loons are supposed to be stiffer in terms of rigidity because of a solid rear bulkhead. I find the Saloon to be the best out of all the E36's I have driven in my opinion. It feels a lot more solid. This is partly because it has proper doors as opposed to frameless windows that after 12 years just don't give off the feel that they did when new.

If you haven't already I would recommend an x brace which can be found at your local dealer or on eBay. It came on all the M3 convertibles and the M3 GT but not the M3 GTII Individual as far as I am aware.

I will be keeping an eye on your progress partly because I really want to buy an old e36 and have a go myself. If I can sell my E34 tourer which is currently filling my garage I may invest in a toy. I would love to pull my Evo to bits but its rare and is an Munich Legends car so I think I should probably find a shed to rip to pieces.

[sniff diesel]

Regarding stiffness, by the time the cars are fully caged I'd doubt there's any difference in stiffness. The cage I've got has 2 bars going through the front bulkhead to the tops of each suspension tower and even a X bar between the rear suspension towers. Will post some pictures up once it's all in.