Trying to go quickly, my E46 M3
Discussion
Hello everyone. Long time lurker, first time proper poster.
So, here's how it started:
First things first. Federal 595 RSRs, Black grilles, Depo indicators and Schirmer spec KW V3s.
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 lighness/strength for track work. 18x10J et25 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.
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 sits now. I've got the following bits still 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):
Some people asked why I skimped on the brakes. Here's my reasoning. I was originally going to get a set of APs for triple the price, but recently autobild did a test on all the common brakes available for the m and the ksports outbraked everything else. I also spoke to a few friends in the business who reckon ksport essentially cloned a set of APs and added another pair of pistons. Really as long as the pistons are good and the calipers themselves rigid, I can't see how they'd go far wrong. Combined with the pagids and performance friction disks they should be pretty amazing. And if not, they've cost me not far off the cost of a set of replacement oem parts so I'll get the APs. There is method in the madness and a bit of gambling. Fingers crossed.
I'm toying with the idea of vinyling up the arches in the style of Jeff Koons art car. As quite frankly I'd rather spend the £650+ of a proper paint job on track time.
The car's going into Geoff Steel in a couple of months for full polybush/subframe reinforcement/CSL steering rack/Shifter rebush etc. The coilovers are also going back to KW for a rebuild and revalve. Hopefully it'll be driving better than it did when it was new.
Then the proper test:
Before September I'm hoping to grab a pair of Recaro SPGs.
Ultimately the plan is to strip and cage it, do proper aero and fit a V8. E9x V8 with FI or a LS I don'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 sits currently.
Would be ace to hear everyone's thoughts and get some more inspiration and stuff. You can also all call me nasty names and mock my poor life choices. Cheers!
So, here's how it started:
First things first. Federal 595 RSRs, Black grilles, Depo indicators and Schirmer spec KW V3s.
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 lighness/strength for track work. 18x10J et25 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.
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 sits now. I've got the following bits still 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):
Some people asked why I skimped on the brakes. Here's my reasoning. I was originally going to get a set of APs for triple the price, but recently autobild did a test on all the common brakes available for the m and the ksports outbraked everything else. I also spoke to a few friends in the business who reckon ksport essentially cloned a set of APs and added another pair of pistons. Really as long as the pistons are good and the calipers themselves rigid, I can't see how they'd go far wrong. Combined with the pagids and performance friction disks they should be pretty amazing. And if not, they've cost me not far off the cost of a set of replacement oem parts so I'll get the APs. There is method in the madness and a bit of gambling. Fingers crossed.
I'm toying with the idea of vinyling up the arches in the style of Jeff Koons art car. As quite frankly I'd rather spend the £650+ of a proper paint job on track time.
The car's going into Geoff Steel in a couple of months for full polybush/subframe reinforcement/CSL steering rack/Shifter rebush etc. The coilovers are also going back to KW for a rebuild and revalve. Hopefully it'll be driving better than it did when it was new.
Then the proper test:
Before September I'm hoping to grab a pair of Recaro SPGs.
Ultimately the plan is to strip and cage it, do proper aero and fit a V8. E9x V8 with FI or a LS I don'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 sits currently.
Would be ace to hear everyone's thoughts and get some more inspiration and stuff. You can also all call me nasty names and mock my poor life choices. Cheers!
stevesingo said:
I know that place; Roa Island. You local around those parts?
Nope, I was just visiting. I live in Warwick 
TheWiseman said:
Looks ace mate, the wheels give it a real track car look and will help with cooling the brakes.
As for future power, what about turbo'ing the current straight six lump?
I've considered FI for the S54, I just don't think it'll be very reliable from what I've seen. And coming from drift cars, high boost turbo motors ALWAYS go pop at the worst time and cost all of the money in the world to rebuild.As for future power, what about turbo'ing the current straight six lump?
supertouring said:
What size Federals did you run on the 19s?
I have only seen them in 18s
I bought the tyres before I bought the wheels. I knew I was going to be doing a square 18 setup I have only seen them in 18s
davepoth said:
Hope you don't mind the asking, but what's up with the front camber? It seems a bit extreme compared to a lot of the production based M3 racers I can find pictures of.
If it's "it looks good", that's all cool, I was just wondering.
This is Spires' Nurburgring geo setup. I'm pretty sure the likes of Schirmer and Geoff Steel run even a touch more on their track cars. It's only somewhere around -3.5* IIRC! I think the aggressive offset and lack of wider wings just makes it look more cartoony than it actually is If it's "it looks good", that's all cool, I was just wondering.
The rears will be brought more in line with it once I get those adjustable lower arms on too, it's currently maxed out with what I have now and Matt at Spires is keen to dial in a touch more. My friend Al ran essentially the same geo and his car was an absolute monster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd7-cV5Sq5Q).
AshBurrows said:
supertouring said:
What size Federals did you run on the 19s?
I have only seen them in 18s
I bought the tyres before I bought the wheels. I knew I was going to be doing a square 18 setup I have only seen them in 18s
Looks nice
Have a look at the supercharged S54 VT2 500 run by Beedub on here and on the Z4 forum. His Z4 seems to be very reliable and damm fast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGDfVcxyrQ
Have a look at the supercharged S54 VT2 500 run by Beedub on here and on the Z4 forum. His Z4 seems to be very reliable and damm fast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGDfVcxyrQ
abarber said:
Looks nice
Have a look at the supercharged S54 VT2 500 run by Beedub on here and on the Z4 forum. His Z4 seems to be very reliable and damm fast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGDfVcxyrQ
I have looked into these, but for the money, I can basically buy a crate LS3 that will do a million miles. Seems like packaging for adequate cooling is also a big issue when you start doing big power. I just don't know! Reliability is a big concern for me as it's no fun to constantly wonder if/when your motor is going to do an explode!Have a look at the supercharged S54 VT2 500 run by Beedub on here and on the Z4 forum. His Z4 seems to be very reliable and damm fast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGDfVcxyrQ
Thanks very much for all the comments
It's nice to see what people think, even if they aren't really feelin' my ideas!Today a bunch of sensible bits arrived to make her run beaut until the ring hopefully!
Trying out the NGK iridium jobbies after hearing good things about them.
Then I did a wheel slip and this happened.
It's rear left abs sensor which I've already replaced once so I'm going to replace both driveshafts and both sensors since the stupid metal ring it reads has probably expanded and ground on the sensor.
Once this jar is full to the brim I'm going to see Geoff Steel with my list, which so far consists of;
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.
Alloy camber arms.
May do valve clearances as it looks like it's been a little while from my history!
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