E30 M3 Racecar Build

[houlbt]

Im having two cars built for the cscc future classics sports car series in the UK.... Don't have many pictures yet but I'll add them when I can, plus all being well some pics of the cars in action later this year.

This car here (first of two) started life as a road car and then was built into a race car by a well known UK BMW specialist before. I purchased the car in October-11 and contacted BMD Motorsport in the UK about building me a car that would be eligible for classic touring car racing in Europe.

One thing led to another and in order to produce an authentic looking works spec car the decision to remove the old cage and start a fresh was taken.

Old cage cut out, car dipped...


New cage in, early works car copy...














Car goes into paint now, more pictures soon... Hope she's ready in time for racing.

Edited by houlbt on Sunday 5th February 16:41

[houlbt]

Thanks guys... This car has an early Group-A spec cage in it.

[houlbt]

E30M3SE said:

What colour scheme and decals are you going for?

As yet undecided but I suspect not the 'works' colours as typically associated with Schnitzer etc simply because there too many cars floating around which look like this (even if it does look cool). I'll go for something slightly different.

[houlbt]

FWDRacer said:

Dipping - SPL Limited? Did you get it E-coated? Shell looks in fine fettle. Will watch thread with interest...

Actually no someone else (i know that much at least)... not exactly sure who though as I just got BMDmotorsport in Lincolnshire to manage the whole process for me. I know they did take it to someone external for the dip/coat though.

[houlbt]

Just had been told the dash is now made up.... aim is to keep the interior of the car true to period

[houlbt]

Output Flange said:

Nice.

Is this for instead of the E36?

I still have the E36, she holds a special place in my heart.... not sure I'm out racing in the E36 this year though. We'll see

[houlbt]

The BMD motorsport workshop was looking pretty busy when I went up – here is the general work bay with no less than 4 E30 racers in differing states of build. They had another two in the clean area (forgot to take pictures like a muppet).





The car is coming on really nicely, back from paint now and ready for an initial assembly before the car comes apart again and goes back to the body shop for any remedial paint (if anything needed cutting drilling etc) and touch up of any marks/scuffs and then gets her livery before coming back for final assembly. The welder/body guy at BMD Motorsport has done an exceptional job, attention to detail is very impressive (to my untrained eye) although he has asked me next time not to bring him such ratty shell with so many holes cut/drilled in it (by the previous owner). In a bid to remain honest to the Group-A car of the period I wanted all these holes etc filled if they weren’t supposed to be there – it’s taken literally hundreds of hours to do right.

Some details I like the look of….


Rear underside modifications...


Rear underside modifications...


Pedal Box mounting plate in position....


Passenger side...


Breather hole filled….


Drivers side....


I’ll keep you posted….. More soon......

[houlbt]

Hoonabator said:

How about Tic Tac colours?.... Minty

I thought about that... was very tempted as it looks awesome - good chance I'll do this with the next one but definately not this one. The reason being that it's one of two and they need to look the same... and... my team mate doesn't want green (he thinks it's unlucky)

[houlbt]

Need to get my finger out and get more pictures up... but car going together first time around now, hopefully it will go smoothly and keep us on schedule to be ready for this seasons racing.

The Group-A replica pedal box is in.....

BMD Motorsport Pedal Box

Fuel lines are in.....

BMD Motorsport Fuel Lines

[houlbt]

Popped up to the BMD workshop this weekend to see how things were coming along - and I'm pleased to say it was looking the nuts.

Roof skin detail....


Rear suspension coming together....



As is the front....

[houlbt]

crocodile tears said:

+1 only a rough estimate would be nice
I think the only time I'd ever consider doing something like this is if I could plow significant amounts of my own priceless labour into it
I can't wait to see how it develops

Tricky question (I'll tell you when it's finished) but I think you realistically need to budget £50k (before accounting for what you might do to the engine)

[houlbt]

Sorry I've not replied for ages, I've been snowed with work and also the racing season started for me. It was apparent we weren't going to have the E30's ready in time so we're out racing in the E36's. Whilst work is progressing on the E30's the deadline is now pushed back so we're taking our time in a few places to get things just right plus some workshop time is now tied up with maintaining the E36's in the current season.

Engine is in the car now....

BMD Motorsport E30 M3 Build

As is the suspension..... (they aren't my shoes)

BMD Motorsport E30 M3 Build


E30 M3 Front Damper


E30 M3 Damper Adjustment

Fuel tank is a monster... couple of hoses need trimming to length.

E30 M3 Long range tank

Not a bad place to put it...

BMD Motorsport E30 M3 Build

Dash in...

BMD Motorsport E30 M3 Build by houlbt, on Flickr


This should be fun.....

BMD Motorsport


Test weigh in.... 873kgs with only a few bits missing

BMD Motorsport E30 M3

[houlbt]

Output Flange said:

Very nice Tom.
Any reason you've gone to BMD for the build rather than Bexley?

I actually moved away from Bexley's in early 2010. All my BMW race cars are now run by BMD Motorsport - No doubt that Bexley know BMW's but I got to a point where I just needed somewhere with more racing experience to help me find that last few percent. Also a build like this necessitates a workshop where you can give each car a dedicated bay for the build from start to finish.

[houlbt]

falkster said:

Looks great Tom, cant believe Ive missed the thread. Been a few years since Ive seen you, was on the old BMWCC forum, you had the white E30 with potato trader or something on the gurney flap??

lol.. that's the one - should have kept it if I'd known I'd be back to E30's just a few years later.

[houlbt]

sonofbarefoot said:

Tom

My dad still has your old M3 we had some great times at the Ring and Spa in it plus numerous UK track days

That's awesome - I'll send you an email, please get in touch. T

[houlbt]

A few more pictures...

This is just too exciting -

BMD Blade ARB-2


BMD Blade ARB

Redesigned Pulleys & Belts -

BMD Fanbelt

Meanwhile - this is another car we have, an original which will be restored to her former glory


BMD DTM


BMD DTM

[houlbt]

No new pics just yet... Been out racing the e36 the last couple of weeks. Will update soon

[houlbt]

E21mark - yhm

[houlbt]

Output Flange said:

In Kumho? How's that going these days?

No complaints to be fair, the last 18months have been good to me racing wise. This year I am still doing CSCC and Kumho but picking and choosing rounds as have had a lot on with work this year. I went to Anglesey for the first time last weekend (what a great circuit!!) with the CSCC Deutsche Marque and won there which was also a good result for the team (1st, 2nd and 4th). Two weeks before that I was at Silverstone for the Kumho to win race one and finish second in race two (messed up the start)

[houlbt]

Those sir are in car adjustable mechanisms for front/rear blade anti-roll bars.