Track prepping an e46

[Phooey]

Ok, need some advice from those that have first-hand experience of building an e46 as a track toy.

1/ Take a £7-8k bog standard manual M3 coupe.

2/ Add £2-3k for goodies (more if needed -within reason)



What would you guys do/change/add?

[_bryan_]

Not done one myself, but I think the general rule is:

Strip as much weight out as possible.
Bigger brakes, APs seem quite popular.
Adjustable coilovers with adjustable top mounts.
Lighter wheels with track rubber.
Cage.

I'd imagine it costing a little bit more than 2-3k though.

Some inspiration for you:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Bryan.

[Phooey]

_bryan_ said:

I'd imagine it costing a little bit more than 2-3k though.

I did wonder that - to do it properly anyway - although would try and source as much used kit as poss from ebay etc. Can't see a reason why budget can't be increased, but only if £-per-performance-gain is justifiable. If you know what i mean

Cheers Bryan




Keep the advice coming - all ears atm as this is all new to me

[HustleRussell]

In all seriousness, if it's 'all new to you', you should probably start with a different car.

[Phooey]

HustleRussell said:

In all seriousness, if it's 'all new to you', you should probably start with a different car.

Whats wrong with e46 m3? Serious question and interested to hear your thoughts. Cheers

[shim]

HustleRussell said:

In all seriousness, if it's 'all new to you', you should probably start with a different car.

nah, m3 is a great choice


as above but add harness and seats when you do the cage.

forget about upgrading under the bonnet

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..agreed, I've done this twice over now, forget the engine to start with, do the brakes 1st, then suspension and front topmounts, cage + seats + harnesses... you could do a reasonable car for £25K total.. a nicer detailed 1 would be £35K or a race car with a modified engine / diff cooler etc about £50K inc the donor car and a few spare sets of wheels.

If you want to start off really steady, buy an £8K donor car, and just do the front brakes to start, with some braided hoses a set of A/P's on RS29's, and a set of rear RS29 pads, occasionally you will find a set in the classifieds here or on Ebay, so that gets you going for about £3K, you will need to run these pads tho' as you will be 1550kg, and I've learnt the hard way on DS2500's..!

PM me if you want any more advice, as I've done 2 cars over 3 years now, and made a few mistakes on the way..!

Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Sunday 8th July 16:55

[Phooey]

Cheers RatBoy, that's the kind of reply i was hoping for.

Just had a look at your M3. OMFG, that looks a proper piece of kit dude! I didn't realise how sorted your track tool was.

Thanks for the offer of advice, i may drop you a mail if we need help. We just need to find a car now, if you see anything suitable for the right money feel free to let me know

[custardkid]

E36 m3 will get you a lighter build for less money.
If its for track days rather than racing you can have just as much fun with a car that cost 3-4k as one that costs £20k, and you'll be less upset when you bin it!

Look here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Phooey]

custardkid said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Mega, thanks ck

[custardkid]

Sniff diesel and lizard are also experts when it comes to this.

My 3.0 M3 has cost me peanuts, and is one of the quicker cars at every trackday I've been to so far
(then again I'm sure if I went to a £££ silverstone days with GT3s everywhere then they would show me up... But that's a different matter)

Custard

[RatBoy M3CSL]

.. It's true you can ge the E36 a bit lighter, down to 1100kg, whereas the 46 is a struggle to get to under 1200kg, and that's with plastic doors..

It really depends what you want, the E46 engine has a better vanos on it, which was a weak point on the E36 3.2's, I prefer the 46 shape, but I would, as I've got 1..

[AndrewO]

I'll be putting mine up the end of the month !

£25-30k build 1yr ago for £15k, It originally came from http://www.bmstyling.com

At Silverstone on the 30th July if you want a ride. Just look out for the orange/blk carbon E46 M3.