E36 M3 track day car

[bubster]

Hi, I've just bought an M3 non evo coupe as a track day car, I was just wondering if anyone else has one and what mods they have done to improve the handling & braking?

Thanks for any help

Jay

First track day booked for tomorrow 28th at bedford....can't wait...

[phatgixer]

Great base.

Enjoy. You can make a very capable track weapon for little money if you try. Do the brakes and suspension first, then shorten the gearing with a diff. The engine can be tuned to 340 bhp reliably and then get some aero. Wil still win sub 3 litre class racing.

[smckeown]

worth having a look at the Evo magazine featured "sub 8 min 'ring car". They took almost the same car and did lots of mods to it to get it faster round the track.

Sean

[Kubica]

smckeown said:

worth having a look at the Evo magazine featured "sub 8 min 'ring car". They took almost the same car and did lots of mods to it to get it faster round the track.

Sean

Can anyone tell me which issue? Will have to get my hands on it.

[foz01]

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Mikeshrops/...

I am after similar advice a friend sent me this link..

what do you need to do to get 340 bhp phatgixer, presumably cams and a remap, anything else?

[tvr350tim]

track-club are about to prep an E36 M3 Evo for addition to their track day hire fleet, I'm sure Stephen ([e-mail]) will help you out.

[nicedude1976]

why modify the m3 engine - unless u want to get a supercharges there is very little to gain, they are already highly tuned. get an m3 evolution and ejoy.

[foz01]

I think the 3.0 engine is more robust, and the evo's never make anything like the quoted power anyway so the difference is a lot less than you might think!

[chewy 17]

www.myallracing.co.uk
Have a look here, my friend has done the same, real helpful guy is Paul.

[phatgixer]

foz01 said:

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Mikeshrops/...

I am after similar advice a friend sent me this link..

what do you need to do to get 340 bhp phatgixer, presumably cams and a remap, anything else?

Shrick cams, evo throttle bodies and a racing exhaust system combined woith some time on a dyno (mine has to go to Liverpool) will get you circa 340bhp. As standard, you should get 286 (300 if a GT), but in reality most make nearer 265-270...

It is a worthwhile pursuit, after you have taken the weight out and improved the suspension and stoppers...

[phatgixer]

phatgixer said:

foz01 said:

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Mikeshrops/...

I am after similar advice a friend sent me this link..

what do you need to do to get 340 bhp phatgixer, presumably cams and a remap, anything else?

Shrick cams, evo throttle bodies and a racing exhaust system combined woith some time on a dyno (mine has to go to Liverpool) will get you circa 340bhp. As standard, you should get 286 (300 if a GT), but in reality most make nearer 265-270...

It is a worthwhile pursuit, after you have taken the weight out and improved the suspension and stoppers...

Oooh, mine has an Evo head (with the 3 litre single vanos unit fitted) and evo Pistons... The evo valves are more waisted to allow a better gas flow.

[foz01]

cheers, yeah brakes weight loss and suspension are the priority, along with a cage! does the evo head bolt straight on?

[phatgixer]

foz01 said:

cheers, yeah brakes weight loss and suspension are the priority, along with a cage! does the evo head bolt straight on?

Not sure. I think the Pistons are different as the valves are bigger?

Speak to Nigel Hudson at Red Mist sportscars, the (very helpful) chap who built my car, on 01258 455519. He'll give you all the details of the tuning and will tell where to take it.

[foz01]

Can an E46 M3 engine be dropped or is it serious work?

[sdd]

E46 engine is just a development of the same unit isn't it? SG54 or something like that. It'll fit but it'll be expensive, you'll be cheaper modifying the existing one I would have thought.

[foz01]

Was just a query really, that BMWtrackdays site seems down at the moment, an E36 Stripped out with an E46 engine would be good

Just if the gearbox, engine mounts looms match up without horrendous amounts of work!

[bennyboysvuk]

The electrics are the difficult part of transplanting the E46 lump into the E36...or so I've read.

Otherwise, strip as much weight as you can from the E36 for trackdays. The car was more of a GT than a tracker so weight can be seriously reduced by doing this. I think the race versions are down to 1200kgs or so. So with 1200kg and 300bhp to punt about it makes them rather good. The seats weigh an awful lot so switching to light little buckets can save you around 15kg per front seat. The rear seats and sound deadening for the entire boot area saves around 15kg and if you're prepared to lose the jack and spare wheel, that's another 22kg or so saved.

With regard to brakes, if you're just after decent pads rather than a full conversion I can recommend the Mintex 1155s for the front and 1144s for the rear. This gave me solid stopping power all day at Castle Combe on my M3.

[FezzaO]

E46 engines are a direct bolt-on - at least in theory. I have seen an E36 with E46 engine inserted. Speaking to the garage who done it, the engine management was the hardest thing - as long as you do not expect much in terms of peripherals such as AC which can prove even harder.

340 bhp is considered the maximum realistically reachieved from the 3.2 evo engine and should require improved intake, free flow outlet, hi-lift cams and better engine management. More bhp is nice but would be the last thing on my list

I am in the process of converting an E36 to a track day. Here is what I have done so far:

Before everything, car control and track driving tuition Best, easiest and quickest way to improve fun and reduce lap time.
Then...
Suspension inspected and revised. Worn component replaced by improved version e.g. suspension arms, control arms etc
Polly bushes
Stiffer antiroll bars
X-Brace
Front and rear strut braces
Sachs Group N coil over dampers.
Brembo brakes
Recaro seats (saves about 80kg) + 4 point harness driver side.
Next in line is roll cage and some weight reduction.

The above does not come cheap obviously and you can go less extreme in order to conform to budget.


By the way, I am looking for a shorter diff, something between 3.7 - 3.9 and of course it has to be LSD. Any idea where i can get one that fits?

[foz01]

What are the best E36 M3 forums out there, for advice and sales of go faster bits and complete cars?

I am pretty sure a winter project is in the offing

As for the E46 engine transplant its a intiguing proposition and chances are could work out similar to tuning the existing lump (particularly if your going standalone ECU's etc..

[chewy 17]

www.e36coupe.com/forum
is a good place to start.
Look out for Paul Myall, helpful guy.