BMW E36 "M3 LTW"

[Track_M3]

Dr.Hellno said:

You build the best beemers, and this is no different. Going from an M2 to a e36 is admirable!

Thank you - first BM was a E36 328i sport, going full circle feels good to be back

Track wheels got tyres mounted today and ceramic coated them this evening, will go on over Easter and a ride height tweak if need be.

[TheDukeGTi]

Agree with the sentiments of many others on here; your old builds were great to follow. Loving this one too!

[Track_M3]

So it probably wasn't a hard guess that my track wheels would be another set of Apex ARC8 - this is my 3rd black set in a row and 5th set overall - well 6th if you include some EC7 I ran slicks on the 46

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

17x9.0 ET30 with 235/45/17 Dunlop Direzza

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Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Next up was the faff of fitting a GT adjustable front lip... always wanted one of these

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

(yes there's a puddle under the front - the purple tag rack I fitted is peeing into the steering boots, have a refurbished unit ready to go in)

Added a tinted sun strip too

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Can you stand on it - well, kind of

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[Court_S]

Those wheels look ace on it.

How does it feel from a performance point of view after the M3? Watching the Car Wow M3 drag race, there were some quite stark differences between the models (in groups of two).

[anonymous-user]

Its amazing how well time has held up the design of the E36, still looks amazing and nice to see one thats not been trashed in being used. IMO its aged better than the E46.

[Am43]

Very nice Sam,



Good idea with the anti rattle clips, I have the AP 9660 on my M4, lots of people run them as you know, people do say they have a little pad rattle, but no one quite mentions how bad it really is, they sound like nuts and bolts in a washing machine ! , I used the AP spring clips but for what they are they aren’t cheap



The tension was so high against the pad they were making them bind on the disc slightly, ended up having to bend them quite a bit to make them work properly. Was all a bit of a faff, but no rattles now. I could not have lived with that rattle it was that bad.


Did you go intrax again after running them on the M2 ?

[buy_cheap_pay_later]

That sits really nicely. Love those wheels. It’s always nice to see another E36 about.

[darreni]

Great read. I love threads like this. Nice welding too.

[Track_M3]

Court_S said:

Those wheels look ace on it.

How does it feel from a performance point of view after the M3? Watching the Car Wow M3 drag race, there were some quite stark differences between the models (in groups of two).

It does feel slow, but I have to remind myself it always will compared to my clubsport M2 and track car e46 M3. Changing my diff ratio and a little tune up with exhaust and intake should help with that though.

I watched that after reading this - think all the cars actually need to be dyno to have a fair battle there as have a feeling that E92 be knackered as shouldn't of been that slow. Also whoever the presenter is has the advantage drag racing cars all day long.

DukeofBork said:

Its amazing how well time has held up the design of the E36, still looks amazing and nice to see one thats not been trashed in being used. IMO its aged better than the E46.

Thank you, definitely being built to be used though this one.

Am43 said:

Good idea with the anti rattle clips, I have the AP 9660 on my M4, lots of people run them as you know, people do say they have a little pad rattle, but no one quite mentions how bad it really is, they sound like nuts and bolts in a washing machine ! , I used the AP spring clips but for what they are they aren’t cheap

The tension was so high against the pad they were making them bind on the disc slightly, ended up having to bend them quite a bit to make them work properly. Was all a bit of a faff, but no rattles now. I could not have lived with that rattle it was that bad.


Did you go intrax again after running them on the M2 ?

Oh the rattle is insane without! Even the discs are noisy. But yes I had those same clips on my M2 and hated them, easiest way to change pads was leave the springs in place and remove the caliper and swap them from the inside... just a pain - had some very DIY springs on the same kit on my M3 before those were available.

Yes was super impressed with the Intrax on my M2 (even though only done 1 Goodwood track day) so were a must for the E36.

buy_cheap_pay_later said:

That sits really nicely. Love those wheels. It’s always nice to see another E36 about.

Thank you

darreni said:

Great read. I love threads like this. Nice welding too.

Thank you - have a mate to thank for all the welding.

[Track_M3]

Had a hungover spanner yesterday

Stuck the recon purple tag steering rack in, old one had filled both steering boots with fluid

Put some little clip in plates in each piston on the rear Porsche calipers - it seems to have quiet them down completely but time will tell once get some heat in them.

After Snetterton said I would knock the front ARB to soft to try help with some understeer - on reflection I've moved the rear ARB to hard so now on hard all round and see how that feels.

Little test drive and all seems well - just another geo and a wash then ready for Bicester Heritage this coming Sunday

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

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Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

[Mr Roper]

Wow!

[Track_M3]

Haven't keep this up to date - people still interested in forum build threads ?

JAVRBBEDEVE3005231539 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

[Jhonno]

Track_M3 said:

Haven't keep this up to date - people still interested in forum build threads ?

JAVRBBEDEVE3005231539 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Most definitely..

[Its Just Adz]

Definitely, keep it coming

[Court_S]

Definitely; the car looks ace and sits so well.

[tvrfan007]

I'm in, always prefer the forum to read rather than a video.

I do enjoy a purpose track car.

Edited by tvrfan007 on Monday 26th June 20:56

[d_a_n1979]

That looks fantastic! Superb car and sits so well on those ARC-8s

[ManicMunky]

Yup what's the alternative? Facebook?

[Track_M3]

Been a while - big update, will try keep it short and sweet

May - Went to Bedford Autodrome South-West circuit
Understeered badly
Brake pedal travel & feel was terrible (kept over revving on heal & toe attempts)
Engine oil got hot
Tyres rubbed the arches
LSD lets go under heavy load
Steering wheel felt too far away

Fixes below

Switched up the geo, ARB setting, damper clicks & tyre pressures to try find a better balance
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M3 EVO brake master cylinder and servo to cure the long pedal brought on by 4 piston calipers all round
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Brand new genuine 325TDS oil cooler (has an extra row over M3)
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Go race 19mm formula wheel spacer & lowered the column more again
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Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

June - Off to Goodwood

But first into Swift performance for valve clearance & fit refurbished cam cover while at it
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Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr


Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Lap of that ....


Brakes felt better - not amazing but best I'll get on factory master cylinder
Balance was a little better - gave me insight on what direction to change that
Oil still got hot - turns out the oil thermostat had given up.. fancy new cooler was just for show

Pulled it out in about 4 bits
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Quest to keep it cool fitted a Hack Engineering bypass - this with the motorsport water stat track temps should keep stable
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90 degree barb on the power steering catch tank made for a neater job
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July - Back to Bedford SW
0X2A4156 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr
0X2A4478 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Lap of the day 2:06 ....



Got to grips with the car a bit more and the circuit - Traffic and weak LSD were the only real let down

Aug - RollHard Bicester Heritage show

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

SW Motorsport T45 half cage bolt in - Ticked all the boxes for me, clears rear door cards & factory seat belts, light, one cross and harness bar
Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Going to remove all the rear seat brackets and carpet the back then strap up a cargo net - never been a mad seat delete fan

Sept - Snetterton evening... still yet to do a full day in this car

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Lap of the day 2:12


Again LSD letting going and a few heal and toe fumbles

Oct - enough moaning about a weak LSD

Donor case to have some spice added

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Heasman built Drexler LSD with 3.64 final drive (going from stock 3.0 M3 3.15)

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Car is currently up in the air getting getting the whole back end done - will update shortly

Edited by Track_M3 on Thursday 9th November 10:42

Edited by Track_M3 on Wednesday 1st May 11:55

[Joehow]

Cracking update pal...think this is my favourite car of yours