Discussion
The best thing about Saturday (for me) were the youngsters who came and said hello because they'd never seen an E30 M3 being driven, let alone getting spanked on circuit. I did back off, rather than find myself 5 abreast through Quarry, with a load of JDM stuff but it didn't spoil my fun.
Anyway, I got sent a few pics.
Anyway, I got sent a few pics.
e21Mark said:
Well Castle Combe was fun yesterday. Hopefully will have some pics at some point.
Opted to update the gear shifter with one of these. http://racingbitz.myshopify.com/products/irp-bmw-a...
Well after being told I had to accept a delivery time of up to 12 days, the bloody thing didn't turn up anyway. I was then lectured by the seller when I demanded my money back, accused of trying to scam them and told I needed to ''get a life''. Fortunately PayPal intervened and I finally got my money. A company to be avoided!Opted to update the gear shifter with one of these. http://racingbitz.myshopify.com/products/irp-bmw-a...
Anyway, I might just bite the bullet and go with the CAE version, which is what these copy anyway I guess? I want to get the gearbox dropped and replace the resister spring in an effort to get the shifting a bit smoother. It'll also give me a chance to check the clutch for wear and replace if needed. Mind you, I really want to get the engine out this coming autumn and bring the bay up to scratch, so it's as good as the rest of the car. I also want to do the timing chain and shim the valves. I'm also thinking of freshening up the bottom end, or should I just leave well alone? If anyone can offer advice it would be appreciated.
I would also like to have some flow work done on the head but unsure who to use?
Currently doing lots of extra hours to cover a few upgrades. First is a Z3 steering rack (a brand new item that was a lucky find!) and new PAS pump as I always found the OE rack a little slow. Especially on track. I've also got a Samsona shifter on order through Rally Prep, who are also doing the install. They fitted the same shifter to Chris Harris' and Nick Whale's E30 M3 rally cars. By all accounts they're good quality and give rifle bolt gear changes.
I also want to look at changing the spring rates of the KW V2 suspension. I think the rears could do with softening slightly to aid traction on less than smooth surfaces? I'm entered for both days at Crystal Palace in 3 weeks, so have asked Kirby at C3 who's a regular entrant and does quite a few speed events in his Tic-Tac style liveried M3. He's proved to be pretty quick so obviously has his M3 well set up. His car is a bit closer to full race whereas mine is more Club Sport, with glass, carpet etc. I used mine whenever I can, so don't want to make it any more track focussed than it already is.
Once the summer is over though, I am definitely going to pull the s14, swap cams and go with DTA management. It should then be finished!
I also want to look at changing the spring rates of the KW V2 suspension. I think the rears could do with softening slightly to aid traction on less than smooth surfaces? I'm entered for both days at Crystal Palace in 3 weeks, so have asked Kirby at C3 who's a regular entrant and does quite a few speed events in his Tic-Tac style liveried M3. He's proved to be pretty quick so obviously has his M3 well set up. His car is a bit closer to full race whereas mine is more Club Sport, with glass, carpet etc. I used mine whenever I can, so don't want to make it any more track focussed than it already is.
Once the summer is over though, I am definitely going to pull the s14, swap cams and go with DTA management. It should then be finished!
Edited by e21Mark on Thursday 12th May 07:41
Z3 rack is 2.7 turns between locks, as opposed to the 4 turns of the OE item. I've also opted to replace the gearbox and engine mounts with uprated version, so as to make the shift quality as sharp as possible.
Having looked over the car today, I am going to replace the rear tyres with a slightly narrower and taller 235/40 but unsure if Kuhmo are available?
Having looked over the car today, I am going to replace the rear tyres with a slightly narrower and taller 235/40 but unsure if Kuhmo are available?
e21Mark said:
Z3 rack is 2.7 turns between locks, as opposed to the 4 turns of the OE item. I've also opted to replace the gearbox and engine mounts with uprated version, so as to make the shift quality as sharp as possible.
Having looked over the car today, I am going to replace the rear tyres with a slightly narrower and taller 235/40 but unsure if Kuhmo are available?
It's a worthwhile upgrade Mark - I did it on my 328i and it makes a nice difference. Zipping through a roundabout becomes a flick,of the wrists rather than a heft of the wheelHaving looked over the car today, I am going to replace the rear tyres with a slightly narrower and taller 235/40 but unsure if Kuhmo are available?
The Z3 rack is even quicker than the 325ti one that you had
Well the steering is well and truly sorted now. New rack is in and the pump has had a full rebuild, new fluid etc. The carbon door cards are also fitted and the interior finally looks great. The touches of red, where parts of the door are now exposed, has really given it a lift. I'll take some decent photos once it's back home.
The wheels have also had some love with a combination of Autosol and finger tip.
I just need to sort the timing strut and label the battery earth prior to scrutineering.
The wheels have also had some love with a combination of Autosol and finger tip.
I just need to sort the timing strut and label the battery earth prior to scrutineering.
Well I think the door cards have given the interior a bit of a lift. I'm still waiting on the rears but I think the carbon touches work well together.
The ACS mirrors compliment the exterior carbon on the spoilers.
Overall, I am pretty happy with the way my old e30 is looking now. It's taken a couple of years and a fair bit of overtime but it's finally in the home straight now. Once the Samsona shifter is fitted by Rally Prep, it'll be ready for the sprint at Crystal Palace.
The ACS mirrors compliment the exterior carbon on the spoilers.
Overall, I am pretty happy with the way my old e30 is looking now. It's taken a couple of years and a fair bit of overtime but it's finally in the home straight now. Once the Samsona shifter is fitted by Rally Prep, it'll be ready for the sprint at Crystal Palace.
Just collected my car from ARM and am very happy with the results. The steering is just so much better now and nicely weighted too. I had to have the tracking done as the new rack is in a slightly different position. The uprated AKG mounts from Automac have made everything feel much more connected and the increased vibration is still within tolerable limits. The whole car just feels more communicative and has really come together. The mounts were a must to get the full benefit of the Samsona shifter though anyway, which will be going in early next week. I'm also going to replace the OE fan with a Kenlowe item.
Crystal Palace is only a week away now, so I need to thoroughly spanner check everything and change the fluids this weekend. I also need to screw on a timing strut
Crystal Palace is only a week away now, so I need to thoroughly spanner check everything and change the fluids this weekend. I also need to screw on a timing strut
Car came back from Rally Prep today, after having the Samsona shifter fitted. The shift is totally transformed and has a real 'snick snick' feel as you go through the gears. The change from 1st to 2nd is the biggest difference thanks to the way the shifter is spring loaded. Reverse requires the use of the trigger as it is locked out to avoid accidental selection. Overall it really adds to the way the car feels to drive. I've also swapped out the rear tyres for 235/40r17 Kumho V70A which feel great.
e21Mark said:
Just collected my car from ARM and am very happy with the results. The steering is just so much better now and nicely weighted too. I had to have the tracking done as the new rack is in a slightly different position. The uprated AKG mounts from Automac have made everything feel much more connected and the increased vibration is still within tolerable limits. The whole car just feels more communicative and has really come together. The mounts were a must to get the full benefit of the Samsona shifter though anyway, which will be going in early next week. I'm also going to replace the OE fan with a Kenlowe item.
Crystal Palace is only a week away now, so I need to thoroughly spanner check everything and change the fluids this weekend. I also need to screw on a timing strut
I often wonder why BMW put such arm twirling racks on their sporty cars back then Crystal Palace is only a week away now, so I need to thoroughly spanner check everything and change the fluids this weekend. I also need to screw on a timing strut
I could never really see the downsides of something like the Z3 rack
One of the things that ruined e21 handling was the 4 turns between locks. Especially in what is quite an oversteery chassis. The Z3 rack is one of the best mods I have done, although the shifter is a close second. It really does have the cliched rifle bolt feel to it now, combined with a mechanical snick on each change. It may not be a Drenth sequential box but it's a marked improvement and well worth the £300 price.
Am thinking of doing a couple of night shifts and going to Brands Hatch for a track day next week. It's been a while but Brands is definitely my favourite track and perfect M3 stomping ground.
Am thinking of doing a couple of night shifts and going to Brands Hatch for a track day next week. It's been a while but Brands is definitely my favourite track and perfect M3 stomping ground.
e21Mark said:
One of the things that ruined e21 handling was the 4 turns between locks. Especially in what is quite an oversteery chassis. The Z3 rack is one of the best mods I have done,
Ammerschläger wanted as many as possible of the M3 chassis improvements put on the regular E30 - even the rack that was just a half turn faster. They never did it though. I did the Z3 rack swap onto my E36Had the Griffin quick rack on an old E30 - arguably my E21 needed it more
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