E36 M3 3.0 engine work for light track use

[Onetrackmind]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice regarding engine modifications prior to using my car for some track days.

Im planning on fitting some HSD's and a BBK to my E36 M3 3.0. I will then do a few track days and a bit of spirited driving on the road. The car will not be an out and out track car as i will use it for the odd commute to work. I dont intend on fitting track tyres or stripping car of much weight.

There's quite a bit of information about preventative engine work for track spec E36 3.0's on the net. However, given how far I intend to develop the car, do you guys reckon I need to fit the group N oil restrictor valve, Evo twin oil pickup,ARP bolts and shells or is this overkill and only really required for out and out track rats?

I'm getting some mixed feedback on other forums and through my own research. Some say, for instance, the twin oil pickup and evo sump are only needed if using really sticky tyres, others say any track work requires them.

Cheers,

Matt

[muckymotor]

I used my m3 with a standard engine and didn't have any problems. It was on road tyres but was slightly lowered.

Excuse for a pic.

[isleofthorns]

I replaced the shells before using as a track only car - that was five years ago. Standard engine otherwise. Has been great and totally bomb-proof......

[Onetrackmind]

Thanks guys.

We're yours Evo 3.2's or the 3.0?

[muckymotor]

Mine was the 3.0

[Onetrackmind]

muckymotor said:

Mine was the 3.0

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of tyres and suspension were you running?

[muckymotor]

It's a few years since I owned the car and I'm embarrassed to say that I can't remember. The tyres would have been premium road tyres rather than track specials though.

[Gouki]

Though our track car is a 3.2, we have had no engine work and still on standard discs (new fluid and better pads). No problem 10 track days later, likely famous last words I know. We are generally careful not to rev it out to 7.5k every gear change since it hardly makes much of a difference and adds to longevity.

[Onetrackmind]

muckymotor said:

It's a few years since I owned the car and I'm embarrassed to say that I can't remember. The tyres would have been premium road tyres rather than track specials though.

Thanks for that. I'd be running similar, decent road tyres rather than semi slicks. I'm not chasing lap times so I'd rather feel the car sliding about underneath me. With just road tyres I'm not sure oil surge is as much of an issue! Problem is when you add up ARP's, group N restrictor, oil pickups, evo sump, shells and labour for fitting it all, yore into the cost of a fitted used engine, should the worst happen! Saying that the car needs the valve clearances checked so the cost of the group N restrictor wouldn't be much. Also, when the ARP's and shells are being done, the steering rack has to come off so a quicker rack could go back on during reassembly. I think it's the labour cost of changing the shells that's the real killer, but apparently these may not need doing upon inspection when the ARP bolts are being fitted.

Thanks for the other advice. I will not be wringing its neck to the rev limiter as its not like my old S2000's power delivery.

[andye30m3]

I've been told by a guy who looks after a few 3.0 race cars just to use the standard BMW bolts and bearings,

He's never had an issue on track with them and I also believe he runs a standard 3.0 oil pumps.

I'm in the process of building a 3.0 race car and expect I'll just use the standard BMW parts.

[Onetrackmind]

andye30m3 said:

I've been told by a guy who looks after a few 3.0 race cars just to use the standard BMW bolts and bearings,

He's never had an issue on track with them and I also believe he runs a standard 3.0 oil pumps.

I'm in the process of building a 3.0 race car and expect I'll just use the standard BMW parts.

So are you saying replace the existing engines bolts and shells with BMW ones or just leave the existing bolts and shells as they are and take to the track?

[andye30m3]

Onetrackmind said:

andye30m3 said:

I've been told by a guy who looks after a few 3.0 race cars just to use the standard BMW bolts and bearings,

He's never had an issue on track with them and I also believe he runs a standard 3.0 oil pumps.

I'm in the process of building a 3.0 race car and expect I'll just use the standard BMW parts.

So are you saying replace the existing engines bolts and shells with BMW ones or just leave the existing bolts and shells as they are and take to the track?

Mines done over 100k miles so I think I'll put a new set in to be on the safe side.