car stripping questions....
Discussion
I've had a google and through previous threads on here so apologies if this a repeated thread.
I'm going to start stripping my E36 tomorrow but have some basic, almost silly questions that I'm hoping to answer first.
1) I'm going to strip the car as much as possible but is it going to severely affect the handling? I'm going to fit coil overs when funds allow but at the moment the car will be on bilsteins from a 328is. I ask because no doubt the car will be sitting quite high, which I suspect will affect the geometry, hence the question.
2) what am I going to do with all the wires? Stuff like the courtesy lights on the A and C pillars? Do you cut them back? Coil and cable tie? What about all the rest of them that I've seen in pictures of freshly stripped cars.
3) mot and illuminated warning lights. I assume that mot testers are somewhat flexible with dash board lights such as the SRS light being on but having an aftermarket steering wheel (I think read it on here it). Will stripping car cause any other Iights that may cause me issues come mot time?
I'm going to start stripping my E36 tomorrow but have some basic, almost silly questions that I'm hoping to answer first.
1) I'm going to strip the car as much as possible but is it going to severely affect the handling? I'm going to fit coil overs when funds allow but at the moment the car will be on bilsteins from a 328is. I ask because no doubt the car will be sitting quite high, which I suspect will affect the geometry, hence the question.
2) what am I going to do with all the wires? Stuff like the courtesy lights on the A and C pillars? Do you cut them back? Coil and cable tie? What about all the rest of them that I've seen in pictures of freshly stripped cars.
3) mot and illuminated warning lights. I assume that mot testers are somewhat flexible with dash board lights such as the SRS light being on but having an aftermarket steering wheel (I think read it on here it). Will stripping car cause any other Iights that may cause me issues come mot time?
Yes, it'll affect the handling. You're going to end up taking most of the weight from the rear of the car, so the back end will sit higher and be lighter, meaning it'll get tail-happy. You'll actually end up with a slower car than if you'd left the weight in, as you don't have height adjustable suspension yet.
The best thing to do with the wires is trace them back and snip them out of the loom - it takes time to do, though.
The best thing to do with the wires is trace them back and snip them out of the loom - it takes time to do, though.
I have a '95 E36 fully stripped, new loom, carpets removed, all OEM seats, door cards, sound material etc, now with a full cage, FIA seats, EVO rear end, 5 point harnesses and the like. Total weight as the car is today with a full tank of fuel is 1257KG so a decent amount down on OEM spec.
Most of the weight is NOT lost from the rear, but it IS from the firewall/A pillar back, that change in weight distribution will affect how the car behaves esp in terms of weight transfer, traction with less weight over the driven wheels. The OEM spec battery in the boot for a 328i weights around 16KG so that is still a chunk of weight back there, to show that you're not pulling most of the weight from the rear.
Before anyone can really tell you too much, more info is needed, what trim level do you have, are you removing Vadar style fully electric seats for example as these weigh a lot more than an entry level trim level seat, engine size 2 door or four door. It's not just a simple you take out weight the car will be rubbish unless you put adjustable springs on it, it will handle differently though. Give a bit more info about your car and people will be able to give you more help.
Cheers
edited to sort my cr@p spelling
Most of the weight is NOT lost from the rear, but it IS from the firewall/A pillar back, that change in weight distribution will affect how the car behaves esp in terms of weight transfer, traction with less weight over the driven wheels. The OEM spec battery in the boot for a 328i weights around 16KG so that is still a chunk of weight back there, to show that you're not pulling most of the weight from the rear.
Before anyone can really tell you too much, more info is needed, what trim level do you have, are you removing Vadar style fully electric seats for example as these weigh a lot more than an entry level trim level seat, engine size 2 door or four door. It's not just a simple you take out weight the car will be rubbish unless you put adjustable springs on it, it will handle differently though. Give a bit more info about your car and people will be able to give you more help.
Cheers
edited to sort my cr@p spelling
Edited by d_drinks on Tuesday 31st July 13:14
d_drinks said:
I have a '95 E36 fully stripped, new loom, carpets removed, all OEM seats, door cards, sound material etc, now with a full cage, FIA seats, EVO rear end, 5 point harnesses and the like. Total weight as the car is today with a full tank of fuel is 1257KG so a decent amount down on OEM spec.
that's a good weight, is that with or without driver?I'm down around 1325kg will full tank but without driver currently. Still bonnet and boot to replace with fiberglass though.
d_drinks said:
I have a '95 E36 fully stripped, new loom, carpets removed, all OEM seats, door cards, sound material etc, now with a full cage, FIA seats, EVO rear end, 5 point harnesses and the like. Total weight as the car is today with a full tank of fuel is 1257KG so a decent amount down on OEM spec.
Most of the weight is NOT lost from the rear, but it IS from the firewall/A pillar back, that change in weight distribution will affect how the car behaves esp in terms of weight transfer, traction with less weight over the driven wheels. The OEM spec battery in the boot for a 328i weights around 16KG so that is still a chunk of weight back there, to show that you're not pulling most of the weight from the rear.
Before anyone can really tell you too much, more info is needed, what trim level do you have, are you removing Vadar style fully electric seats for example as these weigh a lot more than an entry level trim level seat, engine size 2 door or four door. It's not just a simple you take out weight the car will be rubbish unless you put adjustable springs on it, it will handle differently though. Give a bit more info about your car and people will be able to give you more help.
Cheers
edited to sort my cr@p spelling
Thanks. It's a 3-door boggo 328i. Standard manual leather seats. I think the only options the original purchaser only specced leather and AC. I can add lowered springs as a go between as I have access to a ramp. Most of the weight is NOT lost from the rear, but it IS from the firewall/A pillar back, that change in weight distribution will affect how the car behaves esp in terms of weight transfer, traction with less weight over the driven wheels. The OEM spec battery in the boot for a 328i weights around 16KG so that is still a chunk of weight back there, to show that you're not pulling most of the weight from the rear.
Before anyone can really tell you too much, more info is needed, what trim level do you have, are you removing Vadar style fully electric seats for example as these weigh a lot more than an entry level trim level seat, engine size 2 door or four door. It's not just a simple you take out weight the car will be rubbish unless you put adjustable springs on it, it will handle differently though. Give a bit more info about your car and people will be able to give you more help.
Cheers
edited to sort my cr@p spelling
Edited by d_drinks on Tuesday 31st July 13:14
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