E30 M3 - What's your ideal spec? (p.s. your budget is generous)
Discussion
Further to the initial discussion & comments about the Redux E30 M3 Leichtbau prototypes, I wanted to continue the debate about your ideal spec for an E30 M3. This is working on the theory:
1. Your budget allowance is generous - I'll leave the exact definition of that up to you.
2. It's a road car (not for everyday use & with occasional track days).
3. It remains faithful to the original E30 M3 & can reference older BMW M cars (road or track) but nothing after 1995.
To start the ball rolling:
Chassis - original E30 M3, chemical dip & rust protection, best quality paint.
Engine - 2.5l S14 turbo, fully rebuilt with high quality components, upgraded management system, & switchable mapping.
Gearbox - 6-speed H pattern, LSD diff conversion with modified ramp angles.
Brakes - upgraded to AP racing kit or similar (6 pot front, 330mm? 4 pot rear)
Suspension - fabricated front uprights, fabricated front axle assembly, fabricated rear crossmember & rear trailing arm assembly, front & rear anti roll bars, custom coil over including F&R top mounts, upgraded bush kits.
Wheels & tyres - 17" centre lock (8.5/9" front, 9.5/10" rear?), 2 or 3-piece custom (lightweight), Michelin Pilot Super Sport (ok, you can have modern tyres!).
Wiring loom - custom aircraft spec.
Body - custom carbon fibre: bonnet, front wings, roof panel, door skins, rear panels, bumpers & boot.
Interior - custom dash (with analogue Stack dials), half cage, aluminium pedals, DTM taller gearstick, carbon door cards, best quality switches (less plastic?), comfortable, lightweight, supportive seats - e.g. Recaro Sportster CS - remove rear seats, ICE optional (must have a cassette deck! I prefer to listen to the engine!).
Ok, looking forward to reading your suggestions....
1. Your budget allowance is generous - I'll leave the exact definition of that up to you.
2. It's a road car (not for everyday use & with occasional track days).
3. It remains faithful to the original E30 M3 & can reference older BMW M cars (road or track) but nothing after 1995.
To start the ball rolling:
Chassis - original E30 M3, chemical dip & rust protection, best quality paint.
Engine - 2.5l S14 turbo, fully rebuilt with high quality components, upgraded management system, & switchable mapping.
Gearbox - 6-speed H pattern, LSD diff conversion with modified ramp angles.
Brakes - upgraded to AP racing kit or similar (6 pot front, 330mm? 4 pot rear)
Suspension - fabricated front uprights, fabricated front axle assembly, fabricated rear crossmember & rear trailing arm assembly, front & rear anti roll bars, custom coil over including F&R top mounts, upgraded bush kits.
Wheels & tyres - 17" centre lock (8.5/9" front, 9.5/10" rear?), 2 or 3-piece custom (lightweight), Michelin Pilot Super Sport (ok, you can have modern tyres!).
Wiring loom - custom aircraft spec.
Body - custom carbon fibre: bonnet, front wings, roof panel, door skins, rear panels, bumpers & boot.
Interior - custom dash (with analogue Stack dials), half cage, aluminium pedals, DTM taller gearstick, carbon door cards, best quality switches (less plastic?), comfortable, lightweight, supportive seats - e.g. Recaro Sportster CS - remove rear seats, ICE optional (must have a cassette deck! I prefer to listen to the engine!).
Ok, looking forward to reading your suggestions....
Leins said:
Alpina B6 3.5S for me 
Just to add, please don't turbo an S14. Absolutely has to remain N/A IMO to keep the M3s character intact
The 6-cylinder engine swap is a tried & tested modification - something I considered at great length - but doesn't that change the characteristics of an E30 M3 more than an S14 turbo ever could...? The S54 is arguably one of BMW's best ever, but the S14 is synonymous with the E30 M3. Just to add, please don't turbo an S14. Absolutely has to remain N/A IMO to keep the M3s character intact
Edited by Leins on Monday 4th May 13:23
The E21 Group 5 "Flying Brick" 2.0l, 4-cylinder turbo & the Dinan S14 turbo engines both interest me more than an S50 or S54 - maintaining a 4-cylinder power plant is non-negotiable. Adding a turbo to the S14 is a potential development that BMW might have considered back in 1993 had they continued to build the E30 M3 until 1995....
Heartily agree Mark, the S14 defines the M3. Yours is a great set up & the carbon airbox with induction noise is hard to beat: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/bmw-...
I'm with Neil @ Rally Prep & Kieran @KSP this week discussing turbo options - more research to do but the options are certainly intriguing.
Absolutely, LHD also defines the E30 M3.
I'm with Neil @ Rally Prep & Kieran @KSP this week discussing turbo options - more research to do but the options are certainly intriguing.
Absolutely, LHD also defines the E30 M3.
e21Mark said:
Are they small turbo, low pressure systems? I'm just assuming minimal lag and reliability are priorities?
Currently working on a maximum of 1-1.2bar. Yes, a strong mid range, minimal lag & bullet proof reliability are top priorities. Edited by SimonE30M3 on Thursday 7th May 17:34
Ha, shame on you! Enjoy the blast & looking forward to catching up at some point. I'm currently discussing the next Redux feature with a well known US Motorsport website - should be online by mid June. This one will include some of the technical specs & a couple of sneak peek images. I'll keep you posted.
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