BMW E36 318 to Trackday Toy

[Warren6m]

Hi guys I've been knocking about looking through the readers cars section for a while looking at all the different projects and thought I will start a thread for my new one.

I've just sold a e92 m3 that I've been track dating been to the Nurburgring in etc but it wasn't really as focused as I'd of liked. So I started looking at older M3s. My dad had an e36 back in the day and I liked that so I thought it'd be good to go with one of them. However I was shocked a bit on the price, especially when I would be throwing a lot of it away and replacing.

So my plan is to use a normal e36 3series car (that will be strengthened in various places) to put the later S54b32 engine out of the e46 in.

So after a weeks of searching I found a car that I thought was suitable. It's a 1999 318i 155,000 miles The only bits of rust are on the arches and it all seems sound underneath.

I paid £500











Parts will start coming in next week, I'm getting the bodywork up to scratch to start off with and stripping out interior etc whilst I'm trying to source the engine gearbox and diff etc etc I'll update with progress

[Warren6m]

I've been looking into a few different options for the steering rack it Defineitly needs to be changed. Have you got any recommendations?

[Warren6m]

I've made a bit of a start on stripping the car out, gutted the rear just need to get the sound deadening out and grind off all the brackets that are t needed. Also need to sort the wiring for air bag etc.
Spoke to safety devices there's a 6 week lead time on the cage so got a while to focus on other parts of the body work






Ordered all the replacement panels, just waiting on the front bumper. These are the new bits it needs
Front bumper
Rear bumper
Side skirts
Front wings
Rear wings
Rear boot
Drivers door

My friend owns a body shop J S body and paint so he will be doing the body work. I just need to fit the fibreglass boot lid and wing then the car can go to him.




Also picked up some genuine m3 wheels these needca refurb really but will do for now, I've ordered some team dynamics pro race 1.2 17x8 et40 square setup.
Also took a chance whilst wheels were off to give the under arches a clean surprising how much s### is under them.





Also put some M3 mirrors on

[Warren6m]

The mock up of all the body work/dry build has started!

[Warren6m]

Few more pics, body should be in paint next few days.











Also the bumper strips were looking really faded and worn plus being in the body shop they had got very dusty. Not being a big detailing/car cleaning guru I was told to get some gtecnik C4. I panel wiped the bumper strips down then applied this C4 and buffed it off. They look brand new!

[Warren6m]

Most of it is all in paint now! Just needs to be wet sanded and polished. Pleased with the results already. A new lacquer has been used its called liquid glass! See what you guys think

[Warren6m]

The plan is to transplant the S54 m3 lump into it and change all the running gear.

There was just a slot at my friends bodyshop available so I've had the bodywork done first!

I won't be tracking it with the 1.9 16 valve engine in

[Warren6m]

LanceRS said:

But now it looks too good to track

There's no such thing as too good to track!! 😂

[Warren6m]

MitchT said:

Do you mind if I ask what it cost to get the body done and the respray? I have a 1999 E36 318is coupé which I've owned from new. It only has 67,000 miles on it and is mechanically superb, but the bodywork is fecked! I'd like to have it taken back to a shell and the rust sorted, then a complete respray. I know someone who could do it but he never has time and I want to get it started before it's too late so I'm pondering my options.

The new panels This one had were:
M front bumper
M rear bumper
Side skirts
Both front wings
Both rear wings
Front slam/grille panel
Boot lid

I'd say I spent around £600 on panels. Then I'm
Not sure on price for respray as like I say my friend is doing mine at mates rates. I'd say £3000 for a full respray at a good body shop

[Warren6m]

MitchT said:

Possibly. It's most likely just the rear arches to do. There are a few bubbling areas elsewhere, but more a case of just grinding it down to bare metal. The lower edge of the boot lid is shot to pieces but I'd probably replace that rather than try to get it fixed.

I had 2 new rear arches welded in, the actual panel cost £48 a side. And yeah like you say might just be better off buying another boot for that.

[Warren6m]

Right so got the car back from body shop, I've managed to fit the fibreglass boot and wing with the aero catches bit of a nightmare stilll needs a bit of adjustment. Really happy with the paint even though it was raining.

Taken the front splitter off fot the time being!

The serious stuff can now start Engine, suspension and running gear!

[Warren6m]

Cheers! Should be loving at sourcing a d engine over the next few months!

[Warren6m]

So well on with this build now. Done donnington 4 times this year and cadwell.

In the first instance had issues with the S50b30 engine I fitted. The head gasket was gone. So I’ve rebuilt the top end of the engine. Goes well now.

I also drove it off the drive with the bonnet unlatched hence the silver bonnet.

very happy with how it’s all turned out. Just booked Nurburgring trackday in October.

I will be changing my diff ratio to a 3.64 as I’m running 3.23 standard evo diff at the moment and it’s a bit too tall.