BikealarmBlair's V8 Powered E46 BMW
Discussion
It's almost a pity to hear about the interior, as I know how many hours Blair took eliminating every squeak and rattle!
Gearing; its the worst thing about these conversions. I always pulled away in 2nd with mine (RX-7, build thread is here and LONG: click me) and treated it like a dogleg gearbox. You are forever changing gear, it's daft, especially as with that much torque, you could pull much higher gearing.
The answer is to change the diff. Which means a new propshaft, which means you should change the gearbox as well because the T56 is a pile of crap. You want the TR6060, so much nicer. Talk to Craig, who did the mechanicals on your car and mine. I have a Dodge Viper diff on mine, and went from a 3.91 (RX-7 diff) down to a 3.07. That means I can now do 140 mph in 3rd instead of 5th! I'm geared for 190mph in 5th now, and 278 mph in top, meaning 6th is an amazing motorway overdrive gear for decent MPG; over 25 on a run.
It transforms the car, honestly. Its the thing I've done that made the most difference, and I've done a lot (S/H LS2+T56 to New LS3+TR6060+ViperDiff) You could put another 200 horsepower in that thing and it wouldn't feel any quicker because of the gearing.
You may find 3.07 is too low a ratio for yours, as you don't have the power of mine and I think you are heavier as well. But the Viper diff is a Dana 44 and you can get numerous internals for it with different ratios. The Viper RT came with a 3.44 I think, might be better for you. If I was a 'non-stop trackday' guy then I'd go for the 3.44 myself i think, but I love the long gears on the road, and it will pull them on the track. The 3.44 would just give more urgency in the 60-140 trackday range of speeds perhaps.
When you've done that, you'll be thinking about more power
When I'm next at Craig's I'll let you know, we could meet up.
Gearing; its the worst thing about these conversions. I always pulled away in 2nd with mine (RX-7, build thread is here and LONG: click me) and treated it like a dogleg gearbox. You are forever changing gear, it's daft, especially as with that much torque, you could pull much higher gearing.
The answer is to change the diff. Which means a new propshaft, which means you should change the gearbox as well because the T56 is a pile of crap. You want the TR6060, so much nicer. Talk to Craig, who did the mechanicals on your car and mine. I have a Dodge Viper diff on mine, and went from a 3.91 (RX-7 diff) down to a 3.07. That means I can now do 140 mph in 3rd instead of 5th! I'm geared for 190mph in 5th now, and 278 mph in top, meaning 6th is an amazing motorway overdrive gear for decent MPG; over 25 on a run.
It transforms the car, honestly. Its the thing I've done that made the most difference, and I've done a lot (S/H LS2+T56 to New LS3+TR6060+ViperDiff) You could put another 200 horsepower in that thing and it wouldn't feel any quicker because of the gearing.
You may find 3.07 is too low a ratio for yours, as you don't have the power of mine and I think you are heavier as well. But the Viper diff is a Dana 44 and you can get numerous internals for it with different ratios. The Viper RT came with a 3.44 I think, might be better for you. If I was a 'non-stop trackday' guy then I'd go for the 3.44 myself i think, but I love the long gears on the road, and it will pull them on the track. The 3.44 would just give more urgency in the 60-140 trackday range of speeds perhaps.
When you've done that, you'll be thinking about more power
When I'm next at Craig's I'll let you know, we could meet up.
papercup said:
It's almost a pity to hear about the interior, as I know how many hours Blair took eliminating every squeak and rattle!
I seem to have quite a few squeaks and rattles now. The car is my fun car. I have no intention of using it for the daily grind. I want to do some track days and tinker a bit. So it seems to make sense to put some buckets in and I just dont need the back seats. It might make the car feel quicker by having a different seat.papercup said:
Gearing; its the worst thing about these conversions. I always pulled away in 2nd with mine (RX-7, build thread is here and LONG: click me) and treated it like a dogleg gearbox. You are forever changing gear, it's daft, especially as with that much torque, you could pull much higher gearing.
The answer is to change the diff. Which means a new propshaft, which means you should change the gearbox as well because the T56 is a pile of crap. You want the TR6060, so much nicer. Talk to Craig, who did the mechanicals on your car and mine. I have a Dodge Viper diff on mine, and went from a 3.91 (RX-7 diff) down to a 3.07. That means I can now do 140 mph in 3rd instead of 5th! I'm geared for 190mph in 5th now, and 278 mph in top, meaning 6th is an amazing motorway overdrive gear for decent MPG; over 25 on a run.
It transforms the car, honestly. Its the thing I've done that made the most difference, and I've done a lot (S/H LS2+T56 to New LS3+TR6060+ViperDiff) You could put another 200 horsepower in that thing and it wouldn't feel any quicker because of the gearing.
You may find 3.07 is too low a ratio for yours, as you don't have the power of mine and I think you are heavier as well. But the Viper diff is a Dana 44 and you can get numerous internals for it with different ratios. The Viper RT came with a 3.44 I think, might be better for you. If I was a 'non-stop trackday' guy then I'd go for the 3.44 myself i think, but I love the long gears on the road, and it will pull them on the track. The 3.44 would just give more urgency in the 60-140 trackday range of speeds perhaps.
When you've done that, you'll be thinking about more power
When I'm next at Craig's I'll let you know, we could meet up.
SoldThe answer is to change the diff. Which means a new propshaft, which means you should change the gearbox as well because the T56 is a pile of crap. You want the TR6060, so much nicer. Talk to Craig, who did the mechanicals on your car and mine. I have a Dodge Viper diff on mine, and went from a 3.91 (RX-7 diff) down to a 3.07. That means I can now do 140 mph in 3rd instead of 5th! I'm geared for 190mph in 5th now, and 278 mph in top, meaning 6th is an amazing motorway overdrive gear for decent MPG; over 25 on a run.
It transforms the car, honestly. Its the thing I've done that made the most difference, and I've done a lot (S/H LS2+T56 to New LS3+TR6060+ViperDiff) You could put another 200 horsepower in that thing and it wouldn't feel any quicker because of the gearing.
You may find 3.07 is too low a ratio for yours, as you don't have the power of mine and I think you are heavier as well. But the Viper diff is a Dana 44 and you can get numerous internals for it with different ratios. The Viper RT came with a 3.44 I think, might be better for you. If I was a 'non-stop trackday' guy then I'd go for the 3.44 myself i think, but I love the long gears on the road, and it will pull them on the track. The 3.44 would just give more urgency in the 60-140 trackday range of speeds perhaps.
When you've done that, you'll be thinking about more power
When I'm next at Craig's I'll let you know, we could meet up.
I did tell myself I wouldn't go mad changing stuff. Right now I'm just tinkering. But I definitely need to know what my options are so I can focus my attention on what's possible.
papercup said:
Yes, thats the one I bought. But for £1000 + VAT! I even asked them if it was a mistake, after I'd paid for it! They were selling 10 a week at the time.
I'll be at Craig's tomorrow morning to drop the Rex off. From 10ish.
Andy
Sorry I was busy this weekend. How long is it there for?I'll be at Craig's tomorrow morning to drop the Rex off. From 10ish.
Andy
ATM said:
papercup said:
ATM said:
Sorry I was busy this weekend. How long is it there for?
Think I am back this Saturday to pick it up. Will confirm when I know for sure. I'm busy again but might be free in the morning.
Craig knows to expect you in to chat about gearboxes and such...
Good mate, how's yours?
Been to the 'ring in it this summer for a trackday, and it did Brighton Speed Trials again this year, managing a 2-second dead 64ft time, meaning it pulled 1g of acceleration. Fastest 2WD car over 64ft I believe.
Its been up at Craig's for a while now, waiting for a bit of wiring from the US, and a few other bits and bobs.
Been to the 'ring in it this summer for a trackday, and it did Brighton Speed Trials again this year, managing a 2-second dead 64ft time, meaning it pulled 1g of acceleration. Fastest 2WD car over 64ft I believe.
Its been up at Craig's for a while now, waiting for a bit of wiring from the US, and a few other bits and bobs.
I'm enjoying it. I realised there was no point having 2 cars so I've just got this one now. Ok it eats petrol but who cares. I think it gets through 15-20 quid per hour. See pic below of me and my mate's baby's in their baby seats. So you'll be pleased to know that nothing has changed with it since I bought it except it's a got a few more miles on it. I can't decide if I should get something else for Winter as I think it might be a handful even if I get some winter tyres. As a daily it takes commitment with the low ride height, rock hard suspension and squealing brakes. The low rev vibration gets a bit annoying too. I can't decide if its getting worse or if it's just my paranoia.
papercup said:
Good mate, how's yours?
Been to the 'ring in it this summer for a trackday, and it did Brighton Speed Trials again this year, managing a 2-second dead 64ft time, meaning it pulled 1g of acceleration. Fastest 2WD car over 64ft I believe.
Its been up at Craig's for a while now, waiting for a bit of wiring from the US, and a few other bits and bobs.
Your V-Rex was my mates fabourite car at the trials. Been to the 'ring in it this summer for a trackday, and it did Brighton Speed Trials again this year, managing a 2-second dead 64ft time, meaning it pulled 1g of acceleration. Fastest 2WD car over 64ft I believe.
Its been up at Craig's for a while now, waiting for a bit of wiring from the US, and a few other bits and bobs.
Epic.
TheAngryDog said:
Still a bonkers car 
BMW rear discs with drill holes?
Standard M3 discs. They incorporate the handbrake within. Changing to a 2 piece could mean no handbrake - Assumption as I've never seen one in the flesh.BMW rear discs with drill holes?
AP sell a 4 pot rear caliper kit which retains the original disc. These 2 pots are off a TVR or something - not sure. They clearly don't mate up that well.
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