A Good Chassis, and a Divisive Engine. The American M3.
Discussion
CHAOS REIGNS!
Thought it was worth writing a thread about this ongoing adventure.
So, here's how it all started. An immaculate E46 M3 in the best colour; imola red. Manual, just as god would want and with nigh on every option ticked:
First thing was first. Some grippy Federal 595 RSRs, Black grilles, Depo indicators, to modernize the look a touch, and Schirmer spec KW V3s. I actually bought the dampers about a year before I bought the car haha!
Then I decided I needed some CSL bits...
I then I finally decided on the wheels I needed to get the look I want and the lightness/strength for track work. 18x10J et25 Enkei NT03s in conjunction with 265/35s all round for ludicrous turn in and grip.
Once these were on it was time for proper geo and full corner waiting with my fat ass in the seat and a full tank...
Not bad.
I really splurged on the OEM boot but the fitment on other parts I've seen is pretty poor and the added lift reduction is probably something I'll need.
So that's basically how it sat around a year ago. I then got the following bits to go on. Geoff Steel carbon wings, Yellow 8 pot monoblock Ksports with Pagid RS29s and PF discs, Stud conversion and pretty bolts and 20mm rear spacers(More camber when new GS arms go on):
The car went in with Craig at Dynotorque for a decent chassis refresh/upgrade! Everything was going great and the car felt sweet as a nut.
Bits included:
Replace all bushes with Powerflex poly gear.
Repair and strengthen diff mounting points on the chassis.
Fit 2 new driveshafts and ABS sensors.
Re-bush gear shifter.
Fit CSL steering rack and tie rods and fit new castor bushes to bottom arms.
Replace front and rear brake hardlines.
Remove and rebuild/revalve dampers.
Vibratecnic engine mounts.
Alloy camber arms.
Then the proper test:
Ultimately the plan was always to strip and cage it, do proper aero and fit a V8. E9x V8 with FI or a LS I didn't know. I love the car but it does need more power ultimately. I want to be able to chase 458s and GT3s without too much bother. It's a lofty goal obviously, but I'd rather aim high and fail than settle for the boring.
So here's how it sat after that bout of work and a little jaunt into Wales...
Some inspiration I got sent somewhere along the way:
Then I went to the Nurburgring.
Here is my lap video.
Obviously I would have liked to go quicker in trip 1 but I am happy being into mid 9s. Starting to put together more and more of the track and hopefully will click next time.
Damp conditions and lack of knowledge were incredibly intimidating. I think I did go faster on a lap afterwards but not filmed so ignore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_AnA-04HDo
Saw some insane other bits and pieces out there. Got merked by a Gumpert out of the karrousel one lap which was awesome.
Also got to do a bunch of laps with this fella in a Schirmer E92. 7s all day long. Overtaking literally everything. Bonkers bonkers cars. Guy daily drives a Speciale and said this is different league.
Then I did a few more track days in the UK and this happened...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U77AR_don4U
A rod got upset and decided it wanted to see the world hahaha.
This was chasing a 458 challenge for about 5 laps. So at least it was an amazing way to go!
I also added seats, harnesses and a nice wheel for the last track day.
But then since it blew up I went fully mental and ordered the following parts...
So, that's all sat at the insanely talented Craig's waiting to go in. And that brings us to today...
She's gone to join all of her new parts and become a ridiculous, phenomenal Frankenstein of a car... Stay tuned! I tried to keep it as brief as possible, but realise this is quite long, haha!
You can also check out some of Craig's work here:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/03/faster-than-a-...
That was his daily. Hahaha.
And the latest project, which is sure to divide opinion. A 997 with a turbo LS3:
https://www.facebook.com/DynoTorque/videos/9615428...
Hahaha I love cars
Thought it was worth writing a thread about this ongoing adventure.
So, here's how it all started. An immaculate E46 M3 in the best colour; imola red. Manual, just as god would want and with nigh on every option ticked:
First thing was first. Some grippy Federal 595 RSRs, Black grilles, Depo indicators, to modernize the look a touch, and Schirmer spec KW V3s. I actually bought the dampers about a year before I bought the car haha!
Then I decided I needed some CSL bits...
I then I finally decided on the wheels I needed to get the look I want and the lightness/strength for track work. 18x10J et25 Enkei NT03s in conjunction with 265/35s all round for ludicrous turn in and grip.
Once these were on it was time for proper geo and full corner waiting with my fat ass in the seat and a full tank...
Not bad.
I really splurged on the OEM boot but the fitment on other parts I've seen is pretty poor and the added lift reduction is probably something I'll need.
So that's basically how it sat around a year ago. I then got the following bits to go on. Geoff Steel carbon wings, Yellow 8 pot monoblock Ksports with Pagid RS29s and PF discs, Stud conversion and pretty bolts and 20mm rear spacers(More camber when new GS arms go on):
The car went in with Craig at Dynotorque for a decent chassis refresh/upgrade! Everything was going great and the car felt sweet as a nut.
Bits included:
Replace all bushes with Powerflex poly gear.
Repair and strengthen diff mounting points on the chassis.
Fit 2 new driveshafts and ABS sensors.
Re-bush gear shifter.
Fit CSL steering rack and tie rods and fit new castor bushes to bottom arms.
Replace front and rear brake hardlines.
Remove and rebuild/revalve dampers.
Vibratecnic engine mounts.
Alloy camber arms.
Then the proper test:
Ultimately the plan was always to strip and cage it, do proper aero and fit a V8. E9x V8 with FI or a LS I didn't know. I love the car but it does need more power ultimately. I want to be able to chase 458s and GT3s without too much bother. It's a lofty goal obviously, but I'd rather aim high and fail than settle for the boring.
So here's how it sat after that bout of work and a little jaunt into Wales...
Some inspiration I got sent somewhere along the way:
Then I went to the Nurburgring.
Here is my lap video.
Obviously I would have liked to go quicker in trip 1 but I am happy being into mid 9s. Starting to put together more and more of the track and hopefully will click next time.
Damp conditions and lack of knowledge were incredibly intimidating. I think I did go faster on a lap afterwards but not filmed so ignore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_AnA-04HDo
Saw some insane other bits and pieces out there. Got merked by a Gumpert out of the karrousel one lap which was awesome.
Also got to do a bunch of laps with this fella in a Schirmer E92. 7s all day long. Overtaking literally everything. Bonkers bonkers cars. Guy daily drives a Speciale and said this is different league.
Then I did a few more track days in the UK and this happened...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U77AR_don4U
A rod got upset and decided it wanted to see the world hahaha.
This was chasing a 458 challenge for about 5 laps. So at least it was an amazing way to go!
I also added seats, harnesses and a nice wheel for the last track day.
But then since it blew up I went fully mental and ordered the following parts...
So, that's all sat at the insanely talented Craig's waiting to go in. And that brings us to today...
She's gone to join all of her new parts and become a ridiculous, phenomenal Frankenstein of a car... Stay tuned! I tried to keep it as brief as possible, but realise this is quite long, haha!
You can also check out some of Craig's work here:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/03/faster-than-a-...
That was his daily. Hahaha.
And the latest project, which is sure to divide opinion. A 997 with a turbo LS3:
https://www.facebook.com/DynoTorque/videos/9615428...
Hahaha I love cars
frankenstein12 said:
Actually what he did was he took a perfectly reliable and serviceable engine (unless there was a serious underlying issue at point of purchase) and drove it with such a lack of mechanical sympathy that it destroyed itself.Not something I would be proud of personally.
Wow what a weird attitude to have! What makes you think I'm proud?! It was one of the most expensive, heart breaking experiences of my life.If you knew anything about the S54 at all, you'd know it was a fundamentally flawed engine. You can read an overview here:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96280...
and here
http://www.langracing.com/finding-a-real-solution-...
BMW even tried to fix it themselves on their facelift roll out (they didn't).
In hindsight I wish I'd rebuilt my bottom end with ARP hardware yes, but your post is still way off the mark and also lol at the idea of not driving something like an M3 hard.
Anyway, to end on a positive note; I forgot to post my favourite pic:
Cheers!
Sf_Manta said:
Or this..
With a flat plane crank would sound absolutely nuts.
I would love love love to do this. But you're talking £3k and minimal performance gains. As someone said earlier, supercharging is probably the way to go. But at the same time, turbos are real neat. With a flat plane crank would sound absolutely nuts.In reality if it can keep it NA and approach 500hp/ton there's absolutely no need for FI surely?! Haha!
SebringMan said:
I had a suspicion I knew which car this was upon seeing this post today. I was wondering why it had been sat where it was for quite some time. A friend of mine used to occasionally see it on his road in another part of town 
.
It makes sense as to why it hasn't moved! It certainly looks pretty well track specced!
Haha I've been spotted! What did he think of it? Guessing he's down the bottom; West Street way? Feel free to pop over and say hello when it's done!.It makes sense as to why it hasn't moved! It certainly looks pretty well track specced!
Also here's a cool video for everyone to watch and get excited about/laugh at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7VBNlIde8k
Morning chaps. Popped over to DT on Friday and had a look at the engine. We took the head off and...
Was quietly hoping the head would be okay so I could have recouped some money. But hey ho. Also I even managed to destroy my manifolds haha.
Does anyone know if the OEM supplied crank is blued from the factory? We noted this when it came out, and if it's not like that as standard, it looks like I've had some extremely serious oiling issues and heat going on. Annoying as the dash temp gauge never exceeded about 115!
On the bright side, Craig showed me round this 350Z he's just finished. Absolutely amazing! Looks like it was meant to be. I'm still incredibly excited despite the gutting feeling of seeing the old S54!
Was quietly hoping the head would be okay so I could have recouped some money. But hey ho. Also I even managed to destroy my manifolds haha.
Does anyone know if the OEM supplied crank is blued from the factory? We noted this when it came out, and if it's not like that as standard, it looks like I've had some extremely serious oiling issues and heat going on. Annoying as the dash temp gauge never exceeded about 115!
On the bright side, Craig showed me round this 350Z he's just finished. Absolutely amazing! Looks like it was meant to be. I'm still incredibly excited despite the gutting feeling of seeing the old S54!
Megaflow said:
Do you have any idea what failed first? Usually holes in the side of blocks means the big end has failed, but that looks more like a rod failure on the shank, or the piston.
I don't know to be honest. A gudgeon pin and half a rod ended up outside the engine. So I'd assume it was that?Anyway I drank a beer and accidentally bought some wheels.
Legit TE37s. As far as street wheels go, I think I'd struggle to top these. Will refurb bronze or mag blue and reapply the stickers idk.
IdiotRace said:
Looking good m8, does the subframe and steering rack move any when the new motor is installed? No changes to suspension/steering geometry?
Thanks gentle Brett. I don't believe so, no. But I will confirm next time I'm over there. No changes to geo, although I am tempted to speak to motorsport24 and get some of their porno GTR subframes and arms before I speak to the lovely lads at Intrax and set up the final damper spec. I really don't know when to stop SebringMan said:
While it is just the block in there it looks like the LS1 takes up less space than the S54!
Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
The bulk of the weight does sit a lot further back. It's a lighter engine too. Gearbox is heavier than S54 box, but it's sat in the middle of the car so not too much hassle.Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
Haha thanks!
I ALWAYS used the recommended castrol edge 10w60 M car stuff! God knows. The blue crank makes me wonder if the previous owner ever had a re-manufactured crank put in.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff