E36 cheap track day toy
Discussion
I had a random misfire in my m54b30 when on track after about 10mins, the problem ended up being a crank/cam sensor as I changed out the 3 sensors with 2nd hand ones and it solved the problem, I was changing injectors, plugs, coil packs and finally changed those 3 sensors and have not had the problem again.
I have replaced the cam and the crank sensor not very long ago.
I have bought some new coil packs and a new short shift. Now I just need to find time to fit them.
Rather busy at the moment with the Boxster. First race is at Easter, but the car needs to be ready for testing long before that.
I have bought some new coil packs and a new short shift. Now I just need to find time to fit them.
Rather busy at the moment with the Boxster. First race is at Easter, but the car needs to be ready for testing long before that.
Thanks All Torque. So far so good.
I should say two weeks ago we returned to Bedford Autodrome. The race season starts for 2019 at Donington next weekend. For the last few months I have buried myself in the evenings and weekends rebuilding the Boxster. So unfortunately there hasn’t been a huge amount of work done on the BMW.
But there has been a little.
Squeezed in on a Saturday morning, while still working on the Boxster at the same time. I finally stumped up for some upgraded coils.
I should say two weeks ago we returned to Bedford Autodrome. The race season starts for 2019 at Donington next weekend. For the last few months I have buried myself in the evenings and weekends rebuilding the Boxster. So unfortunately there hasn’t been a huge amount of work done on the BMW.
But there has been a little.
Squeezed in on a Saturday morning, while still working on the Boxster at the same time. I finally stumped up for some upgraded coils.
Edited by Hamster69 on Friday 28th June 21:34
The weekend came for the first Boxster shake down of the season. We returned to Bedford. I must admit the focus of the day was the Boxster and we took a complete pit crew with us.
I did bring my old 3 along though, to give it a try and use it to follow the Boxster round.
So the C hooks seem to be working well. It is hard to tell which bit of the new discs is really beneficial. Don’t forget the discs are bigger and vented. So we should be seeing cooler braking anyway.
It is also not terribly easy to tell under braking what the rear is doing, as the front is now juddering madly.
I did bring my old 3 along though, to give it a try and use it to follow the Boxster round.
So the C hooks seem to be working well. It is hard to tell which bit of the new discs is really beneficial. Don’t forget the discs are bigger and vented. So we should be seeing cooler braking anyway.
It is also not terribly easy to tell under braking what the rear is doing, as the front is now juddering madly.
Unfortunately they didn’t cure the missfire.
The car has been back under its sheet for a few months, but I am planning my next move.
We discovered in the boxster the “Race” oil that Mobil make is rubbish! I breaks down and goes like water. So I will be taking it out of the BMW too. Millers from now on. I have also decided to attack the problem full on. My new injectors have finally turned up, which I ordered when building the engine.
But I’m going whole hog now, I have bought an M3 coolant reservoir and oil filter housing.
These will be needed when I fit a bigger radiator and an oil cooler.
The car has been back under its sheet for a few months, but I am planning my next move.
We discovered in the boxster the “Race” oil that Mobil make is rubbish! I breaks down and goes like water. So I will be taking it out of the BMW too. Millers from now on. I have also decided to attack the problem full on. My new injectors have finally turned up, which I ordered when building the engine.
But I’m going whole hog now, I have bought an M3 coolant reservoir and oil filter housing.
These will be needed when I fit a bigger radiator and an oil cooler.
As I said, I have decided to have a bit of a redesign. The engine as a whole I’m happy with, but there are a few parts that let it down. The injectors are old and tired, the cooling is not up to scratch, the oil temp sensor is unreliable, the fan temp switch in the top hose is leaking while looking naff and the cam cover is not in great condition.
Although these are all individual issues, I’m going to tackle them all at once in a mini rebuild.
A lovely sunny day came along so I got stripping. I’m not going to rush this and try doing it all one Saturday at work.
While out and up I took the opportunity to hammerite the front wheel arches. It has been a few years since the had any care. The dreaded rust monster is lurking.
Although these are all individual issues, I’m going to tackle them all at once in a mini rebuild.
A lovely sunny day came along so I got stripping. I’m not going to rush this and try doing it all one Saturday at work.
While out and up I took the opportunity to hammerite the front wheel arches. It has been a few years since the had any care. The dreaded rust monster is lurking.
That should hopefully hold it back for a few more years.
With the wheels back on I pushed her back into the garage and laid her up for the winter.
This is going to be, one part at a time job of a winter project, but I think I have made a good start.
I dragged to new oil filter housing out.
Very similar to the M52 one but the S50 filter housing has an oil cooler take off.
This one being particularly filthy, but nothing we can’t handle.
After a bit of scrubbing I started to swap over fittings.
The oil pressure switch mounted on the end of the adapter for the pressure gauge, has always been a bit close to the breather system for me. I’m hoping I can mount it in a different hole this time.
While bringing the oil temp sensor up from the sump to the filter housing. It always seemed to be affected by air flow where it was before.
With the wheels back on I pushed her back into the garage and laid her up for the winter.
This is going to be, one part at a time job of a winter project, but I think I have made a good start.
I dragged to new oil filter housing out.
Very similar to the M52 one but the S50 filter housing has an oil cooler take off.
This one being particularly filthy, but nothing we can’t handle.
After a bit of scrubbing I started to swap over fittings.
The oil pressure switch mounted on the end of the adapter for the pressure gauge, has always been a bit close to the breather system for me. I’m hoping I can mount it in a different hole this time.
While bringing the oil temp sensor up from the sump to the filter housing. It always seemed to be affected by air flow where it was before.
Thanks for the advice Touring.
I’m not sure, I have seen many cars fitted with pusher fans, but you could be right.
I have talked to several people who have built these strokers and they all agree the standard rad is not up to the job and gone the M3 route.
I may well try it just with the one puller fan at least to start with, while I work out my oil cooler positioning.
Cracked on a bit this afternoon, new cooler thermostat in (88 degrees).
The filter housing fits quite nicely, although I’m going to have to do some more fettling to get the power steering pump back on properly.
I knew I had to fit a 15mm spacer, but it turns out the bolt hole is capped unlike the old housing.
A bit more wiring to mess around with to as I move the sensors to better positions.
I’m not sure, I have seen many cars fitted with pusher fans, but you could be right.
I have talked to several people who have built these strokers and they all agree the standard rad is not up to the job and gone the M3 route.
I may well try it just with the one puller fan at least to start with, while I work out my oil cooler positioning.
Cracked on a bit this afternoon, new cooler thermostat in (88 degrees).
The filter housing fits quite nicely, although I’m going to have to do some more fettling to get the power steering pump back on properly.
I knew I had to fit a 15mm spacer, but it turns out the bolt hole is capped unlike the old housing.
A bit more wiring to mess around with to as I move the sensors to better positions.
Been waiting a while now for some parts to turn up, but finally I think I have everything I need. Radiator, hoses, reservoir hose, injectors, cam cover, oil cooler and hoses.
I’m having a little trouble relocating the oil temp sensor. I have taken it away from the sump as it always seemed to be affected by air flow over it. I want to mount it up behind the oil filter as that is where the M3 had one. I’m just struggling to find a fitting that will take a 1/8 npt and also be a M10x1.5 banjo fitting for the Vanos. I was just going to drill and tap a normal banjo bolt. But the temp sensor is long, so would block the oil flow to the Vanos.
I’m having a little trouble relocating the oil temp sensor. I have taken it away from the sump as it always seemed to be affected by air flow over it. I want to mount it up behind the oil filter as that is where the M3 had one. I’m just struggling to find a fitting that will take a 1/8 npt and also be a M10x1.5 banjo fitting for the Vanos. I was just going to drill and tap a normal banjo bolt. But the temp sensor is long, so would block the oil flow to the Vanos.
Don't quote me on this but I looked into that several years ago when I had my e36 & wanted to go oil cooler.
If I remember correctly with the e36 M3 filter housing the oil cooler holes can be used for the cooler obviously & also there are 2 sensors behind the filter.
I think I had heard that you can get rid of one to use for the Vanos, as you say this would double up for your sensor.
I gave up on the idea in the end due to the exorbitant cost of M3 filter housings.
Although I did buy a cheap standard housing as a trial to see if I could find somewhere to achieve the same, but couldn't come up with anywhere.
Or is that what you are already trying?
If I remember correctly with the e36 M3 filter housing the oil cooler holes can be used for the cooler obviously & also there are 2 sensors behind the filter.
I think I had heard that you can get rid of one to use for the Vanos, as you say this would double up for your sensor.
I gave up on the idea in the end due to the exorbitant cost of M3 filter housings.
Although I did buy a cheap standard housing as a trial to see if I could find somewhere to achieve the same, but couldn't come up with anywhere.
Or is that what you are already trying?
Edited by E-bmw on Friday 29th November 09:28
Some work actually completed yesterday. M3 coolant reservoir plumbed in.
I have been messing around trying to get the oil pressure sensor, pressure switch, temperature sensor and Vanos line connected to the two ports on the oil filter housing.
This was my solution in the end.
I could find nothing on the market to combine a 1/8 NPT take off and a banjo bolt. Particularly as the temp sensor is quite long so if you just used a normal banjo bolt the core would be blocked.
So I drilled out and tapped a longer AP fitting.
So I can now refit the inlet manifold, which means I can finally install my big injectors!
Hoping to get the Rad in just after Christmas. But that is it for now. Have a good Christmas everyone.
I have been messing around trying to get the oil pressure sensor, pressure switch, temperature sensor and Vanos line connected to the two ports on the oil filter housing.
This was my solution in the end.
I could find nothing on the market to combine a 1/8 NPT take off and a banjo bolt. Particularly as the temp sensor is quite long so if you just used a normal banjo bolt the core would be blocked.
So I drilled out and tapped a longer AP fitting.
So I can now refit the inlet manifold, which means I can finally install my big injectors!
Hoping to get the Rad in just after Christmas. But that is it for now. Have a good Christmas everyone.
More work today. Modified the S50 oil filter housing so the M52 power steering pump will fit.
The M52 housing holds the pump further forwards and has one hole that goes right through, to a captive nut on the pump frame. The S50 has two capped holes. So drilled through then spaced the front of the pump out to bring it back in-line with the belt.
After a lot of messing around googling part numbers I managed to get the right cam cover gasket, for the new metal cam cover from a 728.
No more brittle plastic for me.
I quite liked the studs that were fitted and thought the coils would look good mounted on them. But when I went to fit them several didn’t line up. So I extracted them all and fitted the coils with new bolts.
All silly little jobs, but I got the scuttle a back together and ripped out the old fan wiring. I won’t bother running two fans this time. I will just have the temp switch and manual switch wired in parallel.
As usual when bolting on bits from different cars loads of niggles keep arising. Like the alternator duct is in the way of the oil cooler pipes. The oil cooler has come with no mounts, the radiator mounts are wrong, etc etc. But on the whole it is getting there. First test booked for the start of March.
I am not racing this year so will be doing a few more track days this year. Bedford and a Cadwell already booked. Looking at Snetterton and maybe Castle Combe too.
The M52 housing holds the pump further forwards and has one hole that goes right through, to a captive nut on the pump frame. The S50 has two capped holes. So drilled through then spaced the front of the pump out to bring it back in-line with the belt.
After a lot of messing around googling part numbers I managed to get the right cam cover gasket, for the new metal cam cover from a 728.
No more brittle plastic for me.
I quite liked the studs that were fitted and thought the coils would look good mounted on them. But when I went to fit them several didn’t line up. So I extracted them all and fitted the coils with new bolts.
All silly little jobs, but I got the scuttle a back together and ripped out the old fan wiring. I won’t bother running two fans this time. I will just have the temp switch and manual switch wired in parallel.
As usual when bolting on bits from different cars loads of niggles keep arising. Like the alternator duct is in the way of the oil cooler pipes. The oil cooler has come with no mounts, the radiator mounts are wrong, etc etc. But on the whole it is getting there. First test booked for the start of March.
I am not racing this year so will be doing a few more track days this year. Bedford and a Cadwell already booked. Looking at Snetterton and maybe Castle Combe too.
Several small items arrived this week. Another Saturday afternoon tinkering and it now fits.
That’s with the correct mounts fitted. Happily all the hoses also line up.
As you can see the oil cooler isn’t mounted up yet, but that is one of the last things I need to sort.
The Vanos line is finished and fitted.
Considering I did a bit of guessing what would fit, sat in front of eBay one night. I’m really pleased with how it fits.
Last but not least the oil cooler lines are now in the right place. Unfortunately the M3 pipes and 328i alternator don’t seem compatible. I have had to cut the ducting on the alternator to fit the pipes. I will drill and mount the ducting, hopefully this will still provide some cooling, although I haven’t seen a duct like this on any other alternators.
I have continued with the rust proofing. You may have noticed in some of the pictures, I have painted the N/S of the engine bay. Yes with a brush, but I’m not trying to win any presentation awards. My car is now 24 years old and I’m more worried about corrosion than I used to be.
Once up and running again the next project may have to be some welding.
That’s with the correct mounts fitted. Happily all the hoses also line up.
As you can see the oil cooler isn’t mounted up yet, but that is one of the last things I need to sort.
The Vanos line is finished and fitted.
Considering I did a bit of guessing what would fit, sat in front of eBay one night. I’m really pleased with how it fits.
Last but not least the oil cooler lines are now in the right place. Unfortunately the M3 pipes and 328i alternator don’t seem compatible. I have had to cut the ducting on the alternator to fit the pipes. I will drill and mount the ducting, hopefully this will still provide some cooling, although I haven’t seen a duct like this on any other alternators.
I have continued with the rust proofing. You may have noticed in some of the pictures, I have painted the N/S of the engine bay. Yes with a brush, but I’m not trying to win any presentation awards. My car is now 24 years old and I’m more worried about corrosion than I used to be.
Once up and running again the next project may have to be some welding.
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