Project E36 - Track Day Car
Discussion
Just because we're tight 
I don't know really. Partly budget, but there are tons of M3's tooling about on track days so it's nice to try something different really. Our build has always been about cornering, stopping and being light rather than outright power, so I guess we're continuing down that road for now. With a bit more weight saving we are hoping to be down to 1,100kgs.
I've no doubt that in a year or so, the Alpina engine will be on Ebay and Chris will be fitting a 3L M3 lump for us. We have most of the other bits and bobs fitted now, so an M3 swap would be just the lump itself, a prop shaft and rear end. We've also considered some sort of V8 swap, but it would destroy the handling.
Tinkering and developing it is almost as much fun as driving it, so I've no doubt it will evolve over the next few years. A GTR bodykit is on the cards, but you've got to have a decent engine in before that's fitted, otherwise you end up looking a bit daft.
I don't know really. Partly budget, but there are tons of M3's tooling about on track days so it's nice to try something different really. Our build has always been about cornering, stopping and being light rather than outright power, so I guess we're continuing down that road for now. With a bit more weight saving we are hoping to be down to 1,100kgs.
I've no doubt that in a year or so, the Alpina engine will be on Ebay and Chris will be fitting a 3L M3 lump for us. We have most of the other bits and bobs fitted now, so an M3 swap would be just the lump itself, a prop shaft and rear end. We've also considered some sort of V8 swap, but it would destroy the handling.
Tinkering and developing it is almost as much fun as driving it, so I've no doubt it will evolve over the next few years. A GTR bodykit is on the cards, but you've got to have a decent engine in before that's fitted, otherwise you end up looking a bit daft.
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 7th October 23:51
I'm looking at a 530 V8 for my E36, mounted as close to the bulkhead as possible to centralise mass (having the engine behind the front hubs like a Se7en) and improve handling without a major hoik in power output. Trouble is my car is a left hand drive 320 and I have a 325 engine ready to fit. Being left hand drive the steering colum won't get in the way of a turbo and 300bhp could be available on reletively low boost.
Decision-decision.
Decision-decision.
Liquid Knight said:
I'm looking at a 530 V8 for my E36, mounted as close to the bulkhead as possible to centralise mass (having the engine behind the front hubs like a Se7en) and improve handling without a major hoik in power output. Trouble is my car is a left hand drive 320 and I have a 325 engine ready to fit. Being left hand drive the steering colum won't get in the way of a turbo and 300bhp could be available on reletively low boost.
Decision-decision.
Soopercharger would probably be a better bet. From what I've heard 90's BMW con-rods are made from chocolate and you'd have to limit the torque to stop things bending- which somewhat defeats the object in turbocharging the engine...Decision-decision.
ManOpener said:
Liquid Knight said:
I'm looking at a 530 V8 for my E36, mounted as close to the bulkhead as possible to centralise mass (having the engine behind the front hubs like a Se7en) and improve handling without a major hoik in power output. Trouble is my car is a left hand drive 320 and I have a 325 engine ready to fit. Being left hand drive the steering colum won't get in the way of a turbo and 300bhp could be available on reletively low boost.
Decision-decision.
Soopercharger would probably be a better bet. From what I've heard 90's BMW con-rods are made from chocolate and you'd have to limit the torque to stop things bending- which somewhat defeats the object in turbocharging the engine...Decision-decision.
I'm using the 320 gear box and diff' for the quarter mile and hillclimb circuit.
Liquid Knight said:
ManOpener said:
Liquid Knight said:
I'm looking at a 530 V8 for my E36, mounted as close to the bulkhead as possible to centralise mass (having the engine behind the front hubs like a Se7en) and improve handling without a major hoik in power output. Trouble is my car is a left hand drive 320 and I have a 325 engine ready to fit. Being left hand drive the steering colum won't get in the way of a turbo and 300bhp could be available on reletively low boost.
Decision-decision.
Soopercharger would probably be a better bet. From what I've heard 90's BMW con-rods are made from chocolate and you'd have to limit the torque to stop things bending- which somewhat defeats the object in turbocharging the engine...Decision-decision.
I'm using the 320 gear box and diff' for the quarter mile and hillclimb circuit.
Lots of VW guys use the Merc Lysholm 'chargers in G60s when they give up the ghost. They make good power, reliably, but christ they're loud. I got taken out in one with a BBM Stage III kit and it sounded like someone had strapped a gas turbine to the front.
Only just found this post so for those that haven't sat down and readit from start to finish, it's probably the best "built not bought" threads i have ever read.
I was only saying to my wife tonight that I wanted to buy an E36 328i for £1500 to turn into a track day car. This car cost less than my Chimaera and i have no doubts as to what would be more fun.
I was completely blown away by the level of detail and overall look of the car, exactely what I want to aim for and will be book marking it for future reference.
Best automotive read I've had for a long while.
I was only saying to my wife tonight that I wanted to buy an E36 328i for £1500 to turn into a track day car. This car cost less than my Chimaera and i have no doubts as to what would be more fun.
I was completely blown away by the level of detail and overall look of the car, exactely what I want to aim for and will be book marking it for future reference.
Best automotive read I've had for a long while.
Evo said:
Only just found this post so for those that haven't sat down and readit from start to finish, it's probably the best "built not bought" threads i have ever read.
I was only saying to my wife tonight that I wanted to buy an E36 328i for £1500 to turn into a track day car. This car cost less than my Chimaera and i have no doubts as to what would be more fun.
I was completely blown away by the level of detail and overall look of the car, exactely what I want to aim for and will be book marking it for future reference.
Best automotive read I've had for a long while.
You can get a 325 for £500, we did and it is excellent fun as a track car.. I was only saying to my wife tonight that I wanted to buy an E36 328i for £1500 to turn into a track day car. This car cost less than my Chimaera and i have no doubts as to what would be more fun.
I was completely blown away by the level of detail and overall look of the car, exactely what I want to aim for and will be book marking it for future reference.
Best automotive read I've had for a long while.
Evo said:
Only just found this post so for those that haven't sat down and readit from start to finish, it's probably the best "built not bought" threads i have ever read.
Thanks mate, your comments are very much appreciated.The old girl has been dragged out of storage and we are doing a bit of tidying up at the moment before the new trackday season gets underway. Next time out (hopefully in April) I'll definitely get some updated photos and video, as it really is running nicely at the moment.
Outstanding work. Been following this for a while now and even ditched the E30 and chucked in with a few mates for an E36 325 saloon. She's had a few bits done and some serious weight loss. She's been around Silverstone and Brands and will be at Cottesmore next week. Many thanks for the inspiration, many hours of fun thanks to you.
Hi mate, sorry, only just saw your question. We removed the valve to the rear right of the engine that heater flow and return go to, and connected the flow and return hoses to each other with a Samco hose. It has made the cooling system much easier to bleed (a right PITA on these cars!).
I'm glad you took so long to get back to me actually.
I did my first trackday in it yesterday and i was so glad to still have the fan to cool the car, it managed to keep it bareable inside, i think without it i wouldnt of bee able to last 5 minutes.
I was eyeing up the valve as a good point to reroute it, glad we are on the same wavelength...
I did my first trackday in it yesterday and i was so glad to still have the fan to cool the car, it managed to keep it bareable inside, i think without it i wouldnt of bee able to last 5 minutes.
I was eyeing up the valve as a good point to reroute it, glad we are on the same wavelength...
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