E36 Compact Track Car (M52B28 content)
Discussion
Good evening all.
With the Pistonheads forum keeping me sane in such crazy times, I thought it was about time I made a thread for my stubby e36!
I have owned far too many BMW's in my 13 years of driving, mainly e36 but I've had e34 (540 manual with low ratio LSD and straight pipes) e38, e46 as well as my current e90 330d daily! This is actually my second compact e36 as well.
Like most people I was never really a fan of the compact, but as e36 prices rose and decent ones were hard to find, compacts were a nice cheap alternative so I bought a cheap 318ti for the ex to run around in. That was sold to a local guy that races in the Compact Cup but it made me realise they weren't as bad as the reputation suggested! Also while having some work done to the e46 330i Sport I was driving at the time by a mate of mine - he was showing me his M52 converted compact, I asked "are they really worth it?" because to me its just a short e36, whats the appeal - he told me to drive it and I was hooked. Plans were a foot for a M52 converted e36 compact for track use!
When this plan was first conceived I found at least 3 sub £500 318ti Sports! I knew M52's were cheap and easy to find so it consumed me for a while. I was finally in a position to buy the first piece of the puzzle but could I find even a s
t compact for less than a grand? Could I hell! I didn't want to buy one already built because you don't whats been done right and whats been bodged and I wanted to do it all myself (read: get my mates and friendly mechanics to do what I asked in exchange for beer tokens) but I wasn't willing to spend the money people wanted for a rubbish base.
One already converted car caught my eye though - Techno Violet (big tick!) decent mileage, conversion carried out by a professional BMW specialist, decent coilovers, wheels, seat, wheel everything. A few messages back and forth very quickly confirmed the seller was not an idiot and actually a nice chap. After really falling for the car I told the seller I wanted to view in a few days time, he told me someone was coming to view the next day and he would let me know if it was still available. No, no way. After telling myself I was going to arrive with cash on the hip and teeth drier him to death until the price was heavily reduced, I asked for his number, chatted a little more and told him I would send him a deposit now and I would pay the full asking price in cash on Sunday. He said, dont worry about the deposit just arrive on sunday with the cash! Happy days!
Me and my very good friend James drove up (in my aforementioned) e90 330d (best car I've ever owned!) We poked and proded the car but the deal was already done, it was a 20 year old car at the end of the day and I'm not a bellend. I handed him the cash and I drove off one very happy boy.
Enough babble....
There is both the cars parked in a (very expensive) car park while getting the all essential paid for lunch for the co driver. and yes the ugly tri striped grill on the e90 is loooong gone!)
Finally back to my work unit, we wasted no time stripping the interior. We didn't go crazy as I didn't want it to be instantly undriveable on the road but removed a fair bit of weight.
A brief spec for you...
1999 BMW 318ti Sport with M52B28 conversion. Air con delete, cold air kit fitted behind the bumper, Mishimoto M3 rad, custom exhaust. BBS RX223. HSD Monopro coilovers. Genuine Bride Pros on genuine bride rail, Nardi Deep Corn wheel.
On the drive back it was obvious the tracking would need doing. As you can see from the pics it was running a lot of negative camber up front so I got it booked into a highly recommended place for alignment. In the meantime me and my very good friend Adam (read: my friend done all the work while I was chief spanner passer!) fitted new front brakes - they didnt really need doing but given I had planned to hit up a Castle Combe action day very soon as a "test" day it made sense to have new brakes up front - I opted for standard but relatively premium discs and pads as I do plan on fitting e46 330 brakes so didn't see the point in spending a fortune on brakes that would soon be changed.
Next job was to remove the hydraulic handbrake - the car was originally built to be a drift car but never saw a drift day or even a slippery roundabout in anger. The brakes were badly bled meaning I had a really long pedal and had to pull on the hydro to pressurize the system again - not fun when braking for roundabounts and needing to downshift!
and one of all 3 cars I had at the time... an e36, e46 and a e90! and I know they are in the wrong order haha
I had to make an emergency delivery to one of my customers, any excuse to take the track car... (also shows what the interior looks like)
So now it was time to get the alignment done! I dropped it off at the place with the parameters I'd found for a track setup online scribbled on a piece of paper on the passenger seat. Excited to get it back handling like it was on rails!
Nope. Apparently not. I got the dreaded phone call - "I'm sorry I havent been able to do it, theres a number of issues with the car, I think it's best you come down and look for yourself." fk fk fk I thought, fearing the worst. I got down there and there were hairlines cracks to the strut tops, cracks on the rear subframe mounts, dead bushes as well a few other places that needed welding like the sills etc. Obviously it was a waste of time having the alignment done and it wasn't fit for the track just yet. Nadgers. I was really hoping to be able to make some subtle changes and throw it around for a few sessions revealing some issues before I went on a proper track day, but wasn't to be.
I tapped up my friendly mechanic who also happens to be a st hot welder, a plan was hatched and I went shopping. Seeing as I had dead bushes and the rear subframe was being dropped, it made sense to fully polybush the car as well as new front lower arms. I bought some strut strengthening plates and the same seller made rear strut braces so I bought one of them as well. The car was handed over to my friendly mech and I recieved plenty of picture updates. The car was done in decent time and returned to me (even had a wash after it got covered in st on his trailer!) - also please excuse his rather farmery way of strapping the car down!!
and then it was straight off to get aligned!!
A couple of days later it was track day time!! A day organised by a Jaguar owners club (I know!) but a friend of mine does work for the group and had done track days with them before - personally I felt the track day was too expensive and there was no photographer as the photographers were there from a Jaguar magazine and had NO interest in my short e36 and my mates Golf GTi! But still...
So, this was my first track day - I've lapped the 'ring a couple times in a very under prepared Toyota Celica and been a passenger around Combe but that was it. Day started off badly as I overheated in traffic on the M4 thanks to a dead viscous fan but I caught it in time and no damage was done. The track was damp but drying and I was very aware that traction wasn't my friend at the best of times, I had no ABS or traction control. As soon as I got over the fact I wasn't going to crash in a locked up spinning fireball I relaxed into it quite nicely. I was learning the track and my car at the same time but with every lap my confidence grew and I was pushing harder and harder - absolutly there is room for improvment but thats part of the fun! I really need to work on my heal and toeing. But I had great fun and the car performed fantastically! A lot of nice comments from people, mainly about how good it sounds and how well it goes for a 1.8
Oh and I fitted a private plate (I know I know!) C7 NPD (with B7 NPD on my road car - I know I'm a cock )
At the start of the day...
Queuing up (Notice the sky!)
At the end of the day (Notice the blue sky! We had the only sunny day in October that day!)
Me chatting to my mate Jon in the Golf while in the queue. Smile says it all.
Winter soon set in after that and track days were not really on the cards. I drove the car as often as I could but not too much to ever dull the sparkle. I attended a local car n coffee style meet a few times as well as the odd blast. Plans were underway to do a few modifications and get back on track but apparently theres a global pandemic or something so its been put on hold. I'm itching to get back on track - I have my eye on a day at Combe on the 4th of May but I doubt that will happen
so heres just some random pictures of the car...
These pictures really really realy show off Techno Violet...
and of course, my PH sticker, in keeping with the purple/orange theme...
If you are still reading, thank you so much for indulging me - its much appreciated.
Watch this space for more mods and track cars when all this craziness is done with!
Thanks again!!
With the Pistonheads forum keeping me sane in such crazy times, I thought it was about time I made a thread for my stubby e36!
I have owned far too many BMW's in my 13 years of driving, mainly e36 but I've had e34 (540 manual with low ratio LSD and straight pipes) e38, e46 as well as my current e90 330d daily! This is actually my second compact e36 as well.
Like most people I was never really a fan of the compact, but as e36 prices rose and decent ones were hard to find, compacts were a nice cheap alternative so I bought a cheap 318ti for the ex to run around in. That was sold to a local guy that races in the Compact Cup but it made me realise they weren't as bad as the reputation suggested! Also while having some work done to the e46 330i Sport I was driving at the time by a mate of mine - he was showing me his M52 converted compact, I asked "are they really worth it?" because to me its just a short e36, whats the appeal - he told me to drive it and I was hooked. Plans were a foot for a M52 converted e36 compact for track use!
When this plan was first conceived I found at least 3 sub £500 318ti Sports! I knew M52's were cheap and easy to find so it consumed me for a while. I was finally in a position to buy the first piece of the puzzle but could I find even a s
t compact for less than a grand? Could I hell! I didn't want to buy one already built because you don't whats been done right and whats been bodged and I wanted to do it all myself (read: get my mates and friendly mechanics to do what I asked in exchange for beer tokens) but I wasn't willing to spend the money people wanted for a rubbish base.One already converted car caught my eye though - Techno Violet (big tick!) decent mileage, conversion carried out by a professional BMW specialist, decent coilovers, wheels, seat, wheel everything. A few messages back and forth very quickly confirmed the seller was not an idiot and actually a nice chap. After really falling for the car I told the seller I wanted to view in a few days time, he told me someone was coming to view the next day and he would let me know if it was still available. No, no way. After telling myself I was going to arrive with cash on the hip and teeth drier him to death until the price was heavily reduced, I asked for his number, chatted a little more and told him I would send him a deposit now and I would pay the full asking price in cash on Sunday. He said, dont worry about the deposit just arrive on sunday with the cash! Happy days!
Me and my very good friend James drove up (in my aforementioned) e90 330d (best car I've ever owned!) We poked and proded the car but the deal was already done, it was a 20 year old car at the end of the day and I'm not a bellend. I handed him the cash and I drove off one very happy boy.
Enough babble....
There is both the cars parked in a (very expensive) car park while getting the all essential paid for lunch for the co driver. and yes the ugly tri striped grill on the e90 is loooong gone!)
Finally back to my work unit, we wasted no time stripping the interior. We didn't go crazy as I didn't want it to be instantly undriveable on the road but removed a fair bit of weight.
A brief spec for you...
1999 BMW 318ti Sport with M52B28 conversion. Air con delete, cold air kit fitted behind the bumper, Mishimoto M3 rad, custom exhaust. BBS RX223. HSD Monopro coilovers. Genuine Bride Pros on genuine bride rail, Nardi Deep Corn wheel.
On the drive back it was obvious the tracking would need doing. As you can see from the pics it was running a lot of negative camber up front so I got it booked into a highly recommended place for alignment. In the meantime me and my very good friend Adam (read: my friend done all the work while I was chief spanner passer!) fitted new front brakes - they didnt really need doing but given I had planned to hit up a Castle Combe action day very soon as a "test" day it made sense to have new brakes up front - I opted for standard but relatively premium discs and pads as I do plan on fitting e46 330 brakes so didn't see the point in spending a fortune on brakes that would soon be changed.
Next job was to remove the hydraulic handbrake - the car was originally built to be a drift car but never saw a drift day or even a slippery roundabout in anger. The brakes were badly bled meaning I had a really long pedal and had to pull on the hydro to pressurize the system again - not fun when braking for roundabounts and needing to downshift!
and one of all 3 cars I had at the time... an e36, e46 and a e90! and I know they are in the wrong order haha
I had to make an emergency delivery to one of my customers, any excuse to take the track car... (also shows what the interior looks like)
So now it was time to get the alignment done! I dropped it off at the place with the parameters I'd found for a track setup online scribbled on a piece of paper on the passenger seat. Excited to get it back handling like it was on rails!
Nope. Apparently not. I got the dreaded phone call - "I'm sorry I havent been able to do it, theres a number of issues with the car, I think it's best you come down and look for yourself." f
k fk fk I thought, fearing the worst. I got down there and there were hairlines cracks to the strut tops, cracks on the rear subframe mounts, dead bushes as well a few other places that needed welding like the sills etc. Obviously it was a waste of time having the alignment done and it wasn't fit for the track just yet. Nadgers. I was really hoping to be able to make some subtle changes and throw it around for a few sessions revealing some issues before I went on a proper track day, but wasn't to be.I tapped up my friendly mechanic who also happens to be a s
t hot welder, a plan was hatched and I went shopping. Seeing as I had dead bushes and the rear subframe was being dropped, it made sense to fully polybush the car as well as new front lower arms. I bought some strut strengthening plates and the same seller made rear strut braces so I bought one of them as well. The car was handed over to my friendly mech and I recieved plenty of picture updates. The car was done in decent time and returned to me (even had a wash after it got covered in st on his trailer!) - also please excuse his rather farmery way of strapping the car down!!and then it was straight off to get aligned!!
A couple of days later it was track day time!! A day organised by a Jaguar owners club (I know!) but a friend of mine does work for the group and had done track days with them before - personally I felt the track day was too expensive and there was no photographer as the photographers were there from a Jaguar magazine and had NO interest in my short e36 and my mates Golf GTi! But still...
So, this was my first track day - I've lapped the 'ring a couple times in a very under prepared Toyota Celica and been a passenger around Combe but that was it. Day started off badly as I overheated in traffic on the M4 thanks to a dead viscous fan but I caught it in time and no damage was done. The track was damp but drying and I was very aware that traction wasn't my friend at the best of times, I had no ABS or traction control. As soon as I got over the fact I wasn't going to crash in a locked up spinning fireball I relaxed into it quite nicely. I was learning the track and my car at the same time but with every lap my confidence grew and I was pushing harder and harder - absolutly there is room for improvment but thats part of the fun! I really need to work on my heal and toeing. But I had great fun and the car performed fantastically! A lot of nice comments from people, mainly about how good it sounds and how well it goes for a 1.8
Oh and I fitted a private plate (I know I know!) C7 NPD (with B7 NPD on my road car - I know I'm a cock )At the start of the day...
Queuing up (Notice the sky!)
At the end of the day (Notice the blue sky! We had the only sunny day in October that day!)
Me chatting to my mate Jon in the Golf while in the queue. Smile says it all.
Winter soon set in after that and track days were not really on the cards. I drove the car as often as I could but not too much to ever dull the sparkle. I attended a local car n coffee style meet a few times as well as the odd blast. Plans were underway to do a few modifications and get back on track but apparently theres a global pandemic or something so its been put on hold. I'm itching to get back on track - I have my eye on a day at Combe on the 4th of May but I doubt that will happen
so heres just some random pictures of the car...These pictures really really realy show off Techno Violet...
and of course, my PH sticker, in keeping with the purple/orange theme...
If you are still reading, thank you so much for indulging me - its much appreciated.
Watch this space for more mods and track cars when all this craziness is done with!
Thanks again!!
Edited by NiallSlimDrew on Friday 3rd April 14:23
Excellent.
A friend of mine has had a few E36 Compacts I've done some prep work on for him. My missus had an E46 318Ti as her first car, but it was an autoshattic...
I never liked them much, nor E36s until i did the work on my friends various Compacts and his 328 and M3 Coupe track cars. My partner has now got a 318 Ti M-Sport E36, which cost us a little over a grand. Not too bad overall, but has had a few issues, as to be expected with a 20 year old car. I now really like them, and E30s have gone a bit bonkers price wise, so they are still a fairly pure drivers car, and not too much electrical on them.
I look forward to seeing how this progresses. Let me know how you get on with the orange bushes. Another friend had some and they pretty much turned back to liquid pretty quick and failed after one track day.
A friend of mine has had a few E36 Compacts I've done some prep work on for him. My missus had an E46 318Ti as her first car, but it was an autoshattic...
I never liked them much, nor E36s until i did the work on my friends various Compacts and his 328 and M3 Coupe track cars. My partner has now got a 318 Ti M-Sport E36, which cost us a little over a grand. Not too bad overall, but has had a few issues, as to be expected with a 20 year old car. I now really like them, and E30s have gone a bit bonkers price wise, so they are still a fairly pure drivers car, and not too much electrical on them.
I look forward to seeing how this progresses. Let me know how you get on with the orange bushes. Another friend had some and they pretty much turned back to liquid pretty quick and failed after one track day.
tvrfan007 said:
Good read. Not much of a bmw man myself but always loved that colour of E36. Looks good for it’s age!
Thanks man. Yeah it's a beautiful colour. Yeah it's very tidy, shame the underside wasn't as together as the top but at least the underside just needs to be solid and not pretty! Theres a few age related marks but considering, its very tidy!Sammo123 said:
Nice looking car 
I was never a fan of the compacts but they’ve grown on me over the years. It’s actually the only shape E36 I haven’t (yet) owned. Of course I’m now scouring eBay and Facebook for E36 Compacts so thanks for that
Like I said, its the cheapest way to get yourself into a tidy E36 Sport. Prices vary so much but quite often a properly priced one comes up! Enjoy your search I was never a fan of the compacts but they’ve grown on me over the years. It’s actually the only shape E36 I haven’t (yet) owned. Of course I’m now scouring eBay and Facebook for E36 Compacts so thanks for that 
Jonny-Jimbo said:
Excellent.
A friend of mine has had a few E36 Compacts I've done some prep work on for him. My missus had an E46 318Ti as her first car, but it was an autoshattic...
I never liked them much, nor E36s until i did the work on my friends various Compacts and his 328 and M3 Coupe track cars. My partner has now got a 318 Ti M-Sport E36, which cost us a little over a grand. Not too bad overall, but has had a few issues, as to be expected with a 20 year old car. I now really like them, and E30s have gone a bit bonkers price wise, so they are still a fairly pure drivers car, and not too much electrical on them.
I look forward to seeing how this progresses. Let me know how you get on with the orange bushes. Another friend had some and they pretty much turned back to liquid pretty quick and failed after one track day.
My first car was an e36 and my love really grew from there. To me they are gorgeous, the lines are sublime, they drive very nicely and handle very well too. I've had a few mates who weren't all that fussed by them quickly change their opinion after being taken out in mine.A friend of mine has had a few E36 Compacts I've done some prep work on for him. My missus had an E46 318Ti as her first car, but it was an autoshattic...
I never liked them much, nor E36s until i did the work on my friends various Compacts and his 328 and M3 Coupe track cars. My partner has now got a 318 Ti M-Sport E36, which cost us a little over a grand. Not too bad overall, but has had a few issues, as to be expected with a 20 year old car. I now really like them, and E30s have gone a bit bonkers price wise, so they are still a fairly pure drivers car, and not too much electrical on them.
I look forward to seeing how this progresses. Let me know how you get on with the orange bushes. Another friend had some and they pretty much turned back to liquid pretty quick and failed after one track day.
When I got my ex her 318ti it was purely because I wanted her to have a car I knew my way around and simple too - like you said hardly any electrics on them and a simple suck squeeze bang blow motor, no gimmics!
Edit: Forgot to say about the bushes. I'll be honest, they were just a cheap set off eBay - I needed a full set quick with my track day around the corner and there was a month between buying it, having all the work done and my track day - I honestly didn't expect them to last very long but they lasted the track day and all the hard drives I've done in it which isn't bad for 6 months! I've kept a close eye on them and even though they are holding up, a "proper" set is defo on the cards!
Edited by NiallSlimDrew on Thursday 2nd April 22:00
Edited by NiallSlimDrew on Friday 3rd April 14:03
I thought I would add a couple videos...
First of all I thought I would put up a little video to show the sound of the car, I made this not long after I got it...
https://youtu.be/_yhyZ3I-mzM
and another one of me coming out of Folly and up the Avon Rise (also to prove I did actually go on track!!)
https://youtu.be/ykVt5chp-QQ
First of all I thought I would put up a little video to show the sound of the car, I made this not long after I got it...
https://youtu.be/_yhyZ3I-mzM
and another one of me coming out of Folly and up the Avon Rise (also to prove I did actually go on track!!)
https://youtu.be/ykVt5chp-QQ
Brilliant thread OP. 
And your Compact looks fantastic in that colour!
I'm currently on BMW numbers 7 and 8, so can relate to what you like about them. My daily is also an E90, but it's a 330i as I don't do enough miles to need a diesel. But like your 330d it is a great do-everything car.
And your Compact looks fantastic in that colour!
I'm currently on BMW numbers 7 and 8, so can relate to what you like about them. My daily is also an E90, but it's a 330i as I don't do enough miles to need a diesel. But like your 330d it is a great do-everything car.
Mr Tidy said:
Brilliant thread OP.
And your Compact looks fantastic in that colour!
I'm currently on BMW numbers 7 and 8, so can relate to what you like about them. My daily is also an E90, but it's a 330i as I don't do enough miles to need a diesel. But like your 330d it is a great do-everything car.
Thanks buddy! Yeah it makes the car and makes it look a bit more special than just a silver or black one. I'm buying second hand panels to chop up for when she next goes on her diet as it just feels wrong ruining the colour coded panels.And your Compact looks fantastic in that colour!
I'm currently on BMW numbers 7 and 8, so can relate to what you like about them. My daily is also an E90, but it's a 330i as I don't do enough miles to need a diesel. But like your 330d it is a great do-everything car.
This one is my 15th
I'm just so connected to them now, I've made great friends through owners clubs etc and I know my way around them and what to look for! Nice choice with the 330i - my e46 was a 330i but I was always running late for work so rushing down the motorway was just killing me fuel wise!Andrew-b90y3 said:
Great thread and great car OP!
Car sounds fantastic too, out of interest what induction/exhaust set up are you running on the car?
Thanks bud.Car sounds fantastic too, out of interest what induction/exhaust set up are you running on the car?
It's a custom job by BDS Performance who are the guys that done the engine conversion for the guy I bought the car from. They are a BMW Motorsport Specialist with some very impressive capabilities.
This picture shows the induction kit best...
I don't know the specs of the exhaust I'm afraid but my mate runs a custom exhaust place so I plan on getting him under it to tell me whats what...
This was a screenshot of BDS's insta that the previous owner sent me..
NiallSlimDrew said:
Thanks bud.
It's a custom job by BDS Performance who are the guys that done the engine conversion for the guy I bought the car from. They are a BMW Motorsport Specialist with some very impressive capabilities.
This picture shows the induction kit best...
I don't know the specs of the exhaust I'm afraid but my mate runs a custom exhaust place so I plan on getting him under it to tell me whats what...
This was a screenshot of BDS's insta that the previous owner sent me..
I thought I recognised it. I was at BDS chatting to Bruno while your car was in having the header tank etc fitted last year! It's a custom job by BDS Performance who are the guys that done the engine conversion for the guy I bought the car from. They are a BMW Motorsport Specialist with some very impressive capabilities.
This picture shows the induction kit best...
I don't know the specs of the exhaust I'm afraid but my mate runs a custom exhaust place so I plan on getting him under it to tell me whats what...
This was a screenshot of BDS's insta that the previous owner sent me..
This is nice man. Compacts have massively grown on me in the last year, and yours is pretty much perfect!
I've got a Hellrot 318 Touring at home with a 2.8 conversion, that's now just sat around doing much. This reinforces the fact I need to crack on with it!
The E34 540i you had - did it happen to have Azev wheels on it by any chance? Quite high miles? I test drove a car that sounds similar 2-3 years ago but bought a S13 instead (bad choice..)
I've got a Hellrot 318 Touring at home with a 2.8 conversion, that's now just sat around doing much. This reinforces the fact I need to crack on with it!
The E34 540i you had - did it happen to have Azev wheels on it by any chance? Quite high miles? I test drove a car that sounds similar 2-3 years ago but bought a S13 instead (bad choice..)
So I started this thread for my Compact during the lockdown as I didn't have much else on. Seeing we have just entered the second lockdown I thought I'd better update it!!
So the first lockdown was a bit meh! I worked through it providing security for the Nightingale hospital in Bristol. Financially it was a royal pain for personal reasons I won't bore you with but it all came good in the end and worked in my favour after all the stress.
Theres been a fair few upgrades, some maintenance and even a track day!
So it all started when a friend of mine told me he was breaking a e36 touring he was building. I couldn't really think of anything I needed but I remembered it having a Maxton splitter I liked the look of - I want to come away from the "just a lowered road car" look - the car is fast road/track spec with the scales tipping more to track so wanted to work on the look at some stage and this felt like a good place to start. A price was agreed and I met him at his workshop to collect the splitter and then it all went a bit silly from there. A little mockup with the fibreglass bumper I bought not long after I bought the car...
He opened up the bonnet and asked if I wanted to buy the M50 manifold. Its a must do modification to the M52 engine and definitely high on my list. With the part being right there in front of me, complete with fitting kit and from a mate, I agreed to buy it.
I also noticed he had the same Mishimoto radiator but he also had the all important shroud and fan. Long time listeners may remember I overheated on the M4 on the way to my first track day due to only having the original (and broken) viscous fan fitted with no shroud. The Mishimoto shroud also came with a place for the coolant tank to bolt to - mine was cable tied to the inner wing so tidied things up a little too!
So a simple £80 splitter soon turned into a fair few hundred pounds worth of must have bits! So after all that I then agreed to buy his twist side skirts too! In for a penny, in for a pound! I then went shopping for the odd bits needed to fit my latest upgrades.
While we were chatting, we were talking about how usually he hoards parts because he will find a use for it at some stage and doesnt want to have to buy it again. He then mentioned the roll cage he bought for his compact but decided against it as he wanted to go for a more road friendly set up. But he wouldn't sell because one day he was gonna build a full on track car. See where this is heading? That night I got a text from him offering me his cage at a price I just couldn't turn down! Plus I knew I would always be put off buying a cage for various of silly reasons, I had to just bite the bullet!
While I was taking it for the odd drive to keep things well oiled. I noticed a lot of shaking from the wheel under breaking aswell as a bit of vaugeness from the steering and a bit of play. A popular upgrade is the purple tag racks, they arent crazy expensive either so it made sense. I opted for a fully refurbished one so I didn't end up in the same place but with a quicker lock to lock ratio! I also decided to buy a solid steering bush, mainly because it made sense while he was in that area!
Next purchase (it's not all parts hoarding, honest!) was a front bash bar. I was a little unsure about this as I felt it was a little "drifty" for me and I left that scene a while ago. But my new splitter made a perfect excuse to fit the fibreglass bumper. Obviously the fibreglass bumper doesnt use the OEM mountings so it seemed the most logical solution to fitting it! If it has any real world advantages over the OEM bash bar I dont know but it will make it easier to strap things like brake cooling ducts etc etc.
Now it was finally time to get all these goodies fitted! As much as I would love to show you pictures of me on my driveway that I dont have getting my hands dirty, I can't. I would love to know I've fitted it myself etc but I genuinely get zero pleasure from working on cars!! I'm happy to get my hands dirty but only if someone competent is actually doing the work!
First of all it went to my good friend Ali, who worked very hard getting the car ready for my first track day. He fitted the steering rack, solid bush and new rear discs, pads, fresh fluid and handbrake shoes after I was getting an annoying rattle from them and a famously rubbish BMW handbrake! It drove a lot better with all the new parts fitted. I couldn't tell a huge amount of difference between the ratios of the new rack vs old but I'm sure if I was to go back I would definitely notice the difference.
Dropping her off to Ali...
I only have a picture of the solid bush...
Next it went to Adam, the guy I bought the manifold and fan shroud from. As the manifold was a bit more "involved" and Adam had fitted it numerous times it made sense for him to do it, plus fitting was agreed as part of the price. I am very glad the M50 manifold has been fitted, like I said its a must do mod and they are getting rarer and more expensive as time goes on. Like half the stuff I bought of late, it would've taken a while to bite the bullet, mainly because what I had was working more than fine so to throw hundreds of pounds at it didn't seem logical but I'm glad I was forced into the position. Much like the steering rack, the difference wasn't exactly day and night sadly. The exhaust (and I hate to use this phrase) pops and bangs a lot more than it did which tells me more air, which means more fuel which means faster. And who doesn't love PROPER pops and bangs haha. Also this now means I can avoid the often asked question "when are you getting a m50 manifold then?"
Strip down...
During...
A comparison, M50 (new) left and original right...
aaand fitted...
The shroud was also fitted and its nice to know I have a proper fan setup and I now don't have to worry about overheating. I do absolutly love this car and although I maintain a "it's just a cheap track hack" I really don't want to skimp or go at it half assed so the peace of mind is definitely worth it. Plus as a nice bonus, the compact is fitted from the factory with an electric fan meaning it kicks in when it should rather than a switch on the dash. Point to the compact!
Just a random shot I took as we were cleaning up as I thought it looked good!
Now to the most exciting part (for me) fitting the cage! To me this really made the car look and feel a lot more "serious" - like it bumped it up a level from street car with a few upgrades to a more dedicated track toy! It is a bolt in half cage - oddly enough I was worried this would be a little half assed "only" being a half cage and a bolt in one at that (weld in cages just feel more "proper") but for the price I paid I'm not going to complain, plus it being a half cage means I haven't totally ruined driving it on the road. Of course there is the huge advantage of safety, knowing I have sort of protection is always a good idea!
I was told by the guy I bought it from (Adam) that I would need to speak to a good welder, and Ali that has worked on the car numerous times is a st hot welder so he was called up. I explained that feet would need to be made up for it, but that somehow got lost in translation. His thoughts were what was the point in buying a bolt in cage if you still had to get the welder out so surely it should just, as described, bolt in. As I'm known for not getting my hands dirty my opinion on these matters often gets tossed aside which is annoying but in my defence I'm more a theory man! We also decided to remove the headlining as it was sagging and rubbing on my head. With the cage half in place and the headlining out, it was clear I was right! The cage was way too far away from the roof, it was now obvious feet were in fact needed! But it was too far into the day to redo it all. It was decided to bolt the cage in as it was and I would return to have it fitted properly. Some new front discs and pads were then fitted ready for my first post covid track day at Castle Combe less than a week later!!
All pictures are during the install of the cage...
Ali fitting the front brakes while James refits the seats..
James then drove the car back so I could see the car rolling with the new cage fitted!
My first track was about a month after I got the car so it was a bit of a mad rush to get it ready. As much as I loved that track day, I was very excited for this one. A whole load of new upgrades and new parts plus I was much more familar with the car and also the track. First time round I was learning the car and the track but this time I had a good idea of where my braking points were etc.
After far too long away from the track thanks to covid, I was super super excited to get back out there. Nerves were obviously there too which is natural but I was more dreading something silly on the car breaking and stopping play with a whole day (and a lot of money) down the drain, hence why I try to go into these tracks days as well prepared as I can.
All smiles waiting in the queue to hit the track
The day is hot, very hot. I go out for a sighting lap. I start my sighting lap fairly slowly, making sure the car is fine and just finding my feet. I start to pick the pace up as I go. I also try a bit of blipping on the down change, something I wasn't brave enough to do first time round but it came quite naturally which was nice. I start my first proper lap, I have a lot of confidence in the car and myself, I feel very at home and I'm loving it.
I go through "hammer down" in 4th gear, close to the rev limiter mean I'm doing about 120mph as I brake for Tower Corner. I hit the brakes and literally nothing happens, I still go for the down change to 3rd I was going to do anyway, thinking I need to scrub some speed off and fairly quickly! Due to the fact I hadn't really slowed the car down much, this down change instantly locks the rears! The car stays straight for a second before going to the right and luckily following the curve of the track. The whole time I could see the barrier getting closer - theres very little run off there. I remember thinking I didn't want to stall if I hadn't already so dipped the clutch, this caused the car to skid more sharply to a stop. By sheer luck I'd managed to keep it out the wall, thank god! I decided to take it into the pits so I could just give the car (and my pants) a once over.
Video in link below!
https://youtu.be/eo3MsJZorqg
I didn't know what caused it. I had all new brakes and brake fluid and had a decent pedal right after. I went out again, taking it a bit more easy this time. I was able to keep my brakes for the 3-4 laps I done but there was a lot of lifting and coasting with lightish braking - although my day could continue, thats not why I was there! I pulled back into the pits and someone suggested that maybe my brakes were just getting too hot, which made sense and I don't know why it didn't occur to me. I took the fog lights out in an effort to get more air in and around the brakes and hit the track. Building up the amount I was relying on the pedal as I went I was soon able to apply full braking force without any worries! Happy days! The rest of the day went without a hitch and I loved every single second of it. It was nice to start the day confident in the car and my ability and just be able to concentrate on the lap and getting it just right. I made a few changes here and there and felt I was able to lap the track quickly and confidently. The car is just so insanely capable for what it is and I absolutly adore it for being such a blast and just taking everything I threw at it lap after lap. Come the end of the day, she took me home in one piece in relative comfort! Although being in a stripped out car with no air con and only one window that goes down, on what was possibly the hottest day of the year wasn't much fun in the traffic on the way home! Myself and my mate James resorted to just opening our doors to get some air in, we got some funny looks crawling along the motorway holding the doors open! Luckily my shiney new roll cage hopefully pointed these bemused road users to the reason why
It was now time to fit the bash bar, fibreglass bumper and splitter to the car. I would've liked to have this fitted for the track day but with all the other work going on it just wasn't possible - not the end of the world! Myself and James (mainly James) set about fitting it. The bash bar is well made and I like the way it looks on the car. Quick release buttons were fitted to the bumper, making life nice and easy should I need to get the bumper off in future. The splitter was fitted to the bumper and I was very happy with how it looked! The bumper was just sprayed satin black as getting a match was gonna be near impossible and the car being fairly dark anyway it wasn't obvious. My daily driver was broken at the time I was using the Compact to get about, it works perfectly fine as a daily, I just need my trusty headphones! The lack of rear seats can cause mild issues but also gets me out of giving lifts
I was driving to my second job a few nights later, I was running a little late as usual. Overtook a van on the motorway, doing definitely 70mph when bang! The van flashes like crazy, I whip my headphones off and hear scrapping. I pull onto the hard shoulder to find the splitter broken, barely hanging on and the bumper half off. Ideal. I'm already late for work so pop the bumper off and attempt to put the bumper in the back of the car. Now this was the only time I was not loving the fact my car was a compact and fitted with a roll cage! I manage to twist the bumper in and off I go. Driving into a busy town at 9pm on a Saturday night with no front bumper and a loud exhaust wasn't my idea of fun. Managed to make it in with no issues, plonked the bumper half on so it wasn't obvious and went to work! 4 days it was fitted for. It cost me £80 so thats £20 a day
What it now looks like, splitterless and with a little damage to the bumper and the plate fitted...
I decided reasonably last minute to attend the Forge Action Day at Castle Combe. Spent the day before prepping the car, I bought myself some track time and admission and set off the next day. Long story short, I failed the sound check, even with a Merlin exhaust bung fitted, my nicest smile and flattery couldn't make the marshalls shrug off the 4db I was over. I won't go into detail why I've passed on two track days but didn't at an action day. I went to the office, explained the situation and sold them back my track time which was good of them. I was shattered from work the night before and I had work again that night so decided to call it a day after only being there an hour. I was there mainly for a bit of extra track time and the car show was a bonus, but in my tired state the car show wasn't enough to keep me. But this did confirm something to me, the car is too loud which makes me sad as I love the sound it makes!! But I really don't want to spend more money on a "proper" track day with a day off work etc to be have it over before it has even begun! Luckily my mate James and my track day buddy Jon work at a high end exhaust place so getting something sorted would be easy enough.
I decided that I loved the sound and volume too much to permantly lose it. The plan was to change the backbox with a proper silencer on a clamp meaning I could fit it in a matter of minutes ahead of a track day and could have proper noise when normally driving. I also decided to go for a downturn tip on the track exhaust, I know its a bit naff but it was nice for them to be different. James set about fitting the new silencer, which was packed with sound deadening and rather than the hollow echo when you tapped the old backbox, this one just went thud and also weighed a ton - thats enough milking it... Silencer fiited, car started and...oh. It pretty much sounded the same. It was ever so slightly quieter but really not quiet enough! At the action day when I fitted the Merlin bung, it was a helluva lot quieter and it was still over so this really wasn't gonna cut it! Annoying really and quite baffling (see what I did there) because the new backbox with all the packaging should've made it much quieter but it didn't, the car has definitely lost some power so the exhaust is doing something, just not with the noise! Plans a now a foot to fit a middle silencer, that should do the trick. Shame that is more of a permant fix but needs must if I actually want to use it on track!
So here comes the final update - one thing the car really needed was a LSD. Although it didn't struggle massively around Combe, only really breaking traction coming out of the chicanes due to the camber of the track. But I want to go to other tracks and also both days I've done have been 99% dry - with very little weight over the rear axle and not exactly the biggest tyres fitted I'm sure a LSD will help. Plus no track car is complete without a LSD, right?
As most of the upgrades I've made to the car this year, it was hard to jusitify them on a cost basis. The car worked fantastically as it is and I genuinely wanted to enjoy the car as it was for a while before making upgrades and the main focus was going to be seat time! Obviously covid stopped the seat time but the flip side was it put me in a position I could make these upgrades sooner than I thought, mainly due a lot of right place right time stuff but still.
I was getting a lot of badgering from the guys about getting an LSD but I was probably looking at close to a thousand pound to buy and fit a LSD. There was a few options available to me but all were expensive. I basically conceeded that a LSD was a while away, especially with the money I maybe shouldnt have spent on the car lately! Maybe next year, or maybe even the year after! It'll give me something to look forward to!... Until I saw a compact LSD being advertised on a Compact page on facebook. I start getting excited and before I know it, I've messaged him, a bit of chatting and its bought and paid for. Balls, this wasn't the plan! Ah well, I had a LSD now so its all good! The ratio is a little too short for my liking at 4.10. My current ratio of 3.38 really suits the car, its not too crazy on the motorway but allows for great accelaration on track, working well at Combe which is my local track after all.
The diff is currently with Adam. Its going to have to ratios swapped, fresh seals and oil before fitting. He also strikes again with the parts :eyeroll: I've bought a xbrace from a convertible which will stiffen the car even further. After these have been fitted, thats it for upgrades for a long time, definitely, probably.
The cage was also fitted "properly" with actual feet being made up - Ali still wasn't convinced and although the feet are quite big they do the job and in true Ali style are absolutly solid. I have total faith in the cage and Ali's handy work! These pictures are all in the during stage. The feet were painted with the cage being bolted to them and the carpet cut around.
...and yes, the rear strut brace will be powdercoated red!
Unfortunetly the exhaust isn't finished meaning I couldn't get back on track before the weather turned nasty and we went into lockdown but next year I'm really hoping to do a lot more than just the 1 track day a year I've managed so far. The car is currently enjoying the odd drive here and there but its just sitting pretty at the moment until the diff and xbrace are fitted.
There are still many plans for the car aside from track days but there will happen when they happen. The fact of the matter is, the car is in a very good place now with what is fitted and I'm just going to enjoy it. it still continues to put a big smile on my face every time I'm even near it and driving it even now still feels like an occasion.
Thank you so much for getting this far! Sorry for dribbling on!
So the first lockdown was a bit meh! I worked through it providing security for the Nightingale hospital in Bristol. Financially it was a royal pain for personal reasons I won't bore you with but it all came good in the end and worked in my favour after all the stress.
Theres been a fair few upgrades, some maintenance and even a track day!
So it all started when a friend of mine told me he was breaking a e36 touring he was building. I couldn't really think of anything I needed but I remembered it having a Maxton splitter I liked the look of - I want to come away from the "just a lowered road car" look - the car is fast road/track spec with the scales tipping more to track so wanted to work on the look at some stage and this felt like a good place to start. A price was agreed and I met him at his workshop to collect the splitter and then it all went a bit silly from there. A little mockup with the fibreglass bumper I bought not long after I bought the car...
He opened up the bonnet and asked if I wanted to buy the M50 manifold. Its a must do modification to the M52 engine and definitely high on my list. With the part being right there in front of me, complete with fitting kit and from a mate, I agreed to buy it.
I also noticed he had the same Mishimoto radiator but he also had the all important shroud and fan. Long time listeners may remember I overheated on the M4 on the way to my first track day due to only having the original (and broken) viscous fan fitted with no shroud. The Mishimoto shroud also came with a place for the coolant tank to bolt to - mine was cable tied to the inner wing so tidied things up a little too!
So a simple £80 splitter soon turned into a fair few hundred pounds worth of must have bits! So after all that I then agreed to buy his twist side skirts too! In for a penny, in for a pound! I then went shopping for the odd bits needed to fit my latest upgrades.
While we were chatting, we were talking about how usually he hoards parts because he will find a use for it at some stage and doesnt want to have to buy it again. He then mentioned the roll cage he bought for his compact but decided against it as he wanted to go for a more road friendly set up. But he wouldn't sell because one day he was gonna build a full on track car. See where this is heading? That night I got a text from him offering me his cage at a price I just couldn't turn down! Plus I knew I would always be put off buying a cage for various of silly reasons, I had to just bite the bullet!
While I was taking it for the odd drive to keep things well oiled. I noticed a lot of shaking from the wheel under breaking aswell as a bit of vaugeness from the steering and a bit of play. A popular upgrade is the purple tag racks, they arent crazy expensive either so it made sense. I opted for a fully refurbished one so I didn't end up in the same place but with a quicker lock to lock ratio! I also decided to buy a solid steering bush, mainly because it made sense while he was in that area!
Next purchase (it's not all parts hoarding, honest!) was a front bash bar. I was a little unsure about this as I felt it was a little "drifty" for me and I left that scene a while ago. But my new splitter made a perfect excuse to fit the fibreglass bumper. Obviously the fibreglass bumper doesnt use the OEM mountings so it seemed the most logical solution to fitting it! If it has any real world advantages over the OEM bash bar I dont know but it will make it easier to strap things like brake cooling ducts etc etc.
Now it was finally time to get all these goodies fitted! As much as I would love to show you pictures of me on my driveway that I dont have getting my hands dirty, I can't. I would love to know I've fitted it myself etc but I genuinely get zero pleasure from working on cars!! I'm happy to get my hands dirty but only if someone competent is actually doing the work!
First of all it went to my good friend Ali, who worked very hard getting the car ready for my first track day. He fitted the steering rack, solid bush and new rear discs, pads, fresh fluid and handbrake shoes after I was getting an annoying rattle from them and a famously rubbish BMW handbrake! It drove a lot better with all the new parts fitted. I couldn't tell a huge amount of difference between the ratios of the new rack vs old but I'm sure if I was to go back I would definitely notice the difference.
Dropping her off to Ali...
I only have a picture of the solid bush...
Next it went to Adam, the guy I bought the manifold and fan shroud from. As the manifold was a bit more "involved" and Adam had fitted it numerous times it made sense for him to do it, plus fitting was agreed as part of the price. I am very glad the M50 manifold has been fitted, like I said its a must do mod and they are getting rarer and more expensive as time goes on. Like half the stuff I bought of late, it would've taken a while to bite the bullet, mainly because what I had was working more than fine so to throw hundreds of pounds at it didn't seem logical but I'm glad I was forced into the position. Much like the steering rack, the difference wasn't exactly day and night sadly. The exhaust (and I hate to use this phrase) pops and bangs a lot more than it did which tells me more air, which means more fuel which means faster. And who doesn't love PROPER pops and bangs haha. Also this now means I can avoid the often asked question "when are you getting a m50 manifold then?"
Strip down...
During...
A comparison, M50 (new) left and original right...
aaand fitted...
The shroud was also fitted and its nice to know I have a proper fan setup and I now don't have to worry about overheating. I do absolutly love this car and although I maintain a "it's just a cheap track hack" I really don't want to skimp or go at it half assed so the peace of mind is definitely worth it. Plus as a nice bonus, the compact is fitted from the factory with an electric fan meaning it kicks in when it should rather than a switch on the dash. Point to the compact!
Just a random shot I took as we were cleaning up as I thought it looked good!
Now to the most exciting part (for me) fitting the cage! To me this really made the car look and feel a lot more "serious" - like it bumped it up a level from street car with a few upgrades to a more dedicated track toy! It is a bolt in half cage - oddly enough I was worried this would be a little half assed "only" being a half cage and a bolt in one at that (weld in cages just feel more "proper") but for the price I paid I'm not going to complain, plus it being a half cage means I haven't totally ruined driving it on the road. Of course there is the huge advantage of safety, knowing I have sort of protection is always a good idea!
I was told by the guy I bought it from (Adam) that I would need to speak to a good welder, and Ali that has worked on the car numerous times is a s
t hot welder so he was called up. I explained that feet would need to be made up for it, but that somehow got lost in translation. His thoughts were what was the point in buying a bolt in cage if you still had to get the welder out so surely it should just, as described, bolt in. As I'm known for not getting my hands dirty my opinion on these matters often gets tossed aside which is annoying but in my defence I'm more a theory man! We also decided to remove the headlining as it was sagging and rubbing on my head. With the cage half in place and the headlining out, it was clear I was right! The cage was way too far away from the roof, it was now obvious feet were in fact needed! But it was too far into the day to redo it all. It was decided to bolt the cage in as it was and I would return to have it fitted properly. Some new front discs and pads were then fitted ready for my first post covid track day at Castle Combe less than a week later!!All pictures are during the install of the cage...
Ali fitting the front brakes while James refits the seats..
James then drove the car back so I could see the car rolling with the new cage fitted!
My first track was about a month after I got the car so it was a bit of a mad rush to get it ready. As much as I loved that track day, I was very excited for this one. A whole load of new upgrades and new parts plus I was much more familar with the car and also the track. First time round I was learning the car and the track but this time I had a good idea of where my braking points were etc.
After far too long away from the track thanks to covid, I was super super excited to get back out there. Nerves were obviously there too which is natural but I was more dreading something silly on the car breaking and stopping play with a whole day (and a lot of money) down the drain, hence why I try to go into these tracks days as well prepared as I can.
All smiles waiting in the queue to hit the track
The day is hot, very hot. I go out for a sighting lap. I start my sighting lap fairly slowly, making sure the car is fine and just finding my feet. I start to pick the pace up as I go. I also try a bit of blipping on the down change, something I wasn't brave enough to do first time round but it came quite naturally which was nice. I start my first proper lap, I have a lot of confidence in the car and myself, I feel very at home and I'm loving it.
I go through "hammer down" in 4th gear, close to the rev limiter mean I'm doing about 120mph as I brake for Tower Corner. I hit the brakes and literally nothing happens, I still go for the down change to 3rd I was going to do anyway, thinking I need to scrub some speed off and fairly quickly! Due to the fact I hadn't really slowed the car down much, this down change instantly locks the rears! The car stays straight for a second before going to the right and luckily following the curve of the track. The whole time I could see the barrier getting closer - theres very little run off there. I remember thinking I didn't want to stall if I hadn't already so dipped the clutch, this caused the car to skid more sharply to a stop. By sheer luck I'd managed to keep it out the wall, thank god! I decided to take it into the pits so I could just give the car (and my pants) a once over.
Video in link below!
https://youtu.be/eo3MsJZorqg
I didn't know what caused it. I had all new brakes and brake fluid and had a decent pedal right after. I went out again, taking it a bit more easy this time. I was able to keep my brakes for the 3-4 laps I done but there was a lot of lifting and coasting with lightish braking - although my day could continue, thats not why I was there! I pulled back into the pits and someone suggested that maybe my brakes were just getting too hot, which made sense and I don't know why it didn't occur to me. I took the fog lights out in an effort to get more air in and around the brakes and hit the track. Building up the amount I was relying on the pedal as I went I was soon able to apply full braking force without any worries! Happy days! The rest of the day went without a hitch and I loved every single second of it. It was nice to start the day confident in the car and my ability and just be able to concentrate on the lap and getting it just right. I made a few changes here and there and felt I was able to lap the track quickly and confidently. The car is just so insanely capable for what it is and I absolutly adore it for being such a blast and just taking everything I threw at it lap after lap. Come the end of the day, she took me home in one piece in relative comfort! Although being in a stripped out car with no air con and only one window that goes down, on what was possibly the hottest day of the year wasn't much fun in the traffic on the way home! Myself and my mate James resorted to just opening our doors to get some air in, we got some funny looks crawling along the motorway holding the doors open! Luckily my shiney new roll cage hopefully pointed these bemused road users to the reason why
It was now time to fit the bash bar, fibreglass bumper and splitter to the car. I would've liked to have this fitted for the track day but with all the other work going on it just wasn't possible - not the end of the world! Myself and James (mainly James) set about fitting it. The bash bar is well made and I like the way it looks on the car. Quick release buttons were fitted to the bumper, making life nice and easy should I need to get the bumper off in future. The splitter was fitted to the bumper and I was very happy with how it looked! The bumper was just sprayed satin black as getting a match was gonna be near impossible and the car being fairly dark anyway it wasn't obvious. My daily driver was broken at the time I was using the Compact to get about, it works perfectly fine as a daily, I just need my trusty headphones! The lack of rear seats can cause mild issues but also gets me out of giving lifts
I was driving to my second job a few nights later, I was running a little late as usual. Overtook a van on the motorway, doing definitely 70mph when bang! The van flashes like crazy, I whip my headphones off and hear scrapping. I pull onto the hard shoulder to find the splitter broken, barely hanging on and the bumper half off. Ideal. I'm already late for work so pop the bumper off and attempt to put the bumper in the back of the car. Now this was the only time I was not loving the fact my car was a compact and fitted with a roll cage! I manage to twist the bumper in and off I go. Driving into a busy town at 9pm on a Saturday night with no front bumper and a loud exhaust wasn't my idea of fun. Managed to make it in with no issues, plonked the bumper half on so it wasn't obvious and went to work! 4 days it was fitted for. It cost me £80 so thats £20 a day
What it now looks like, splitterless and with a little damage to the bumper and the plate fitted...
I decided reasonably last minute to attend the Forge Action Day at Castle Combe. Spent the day before prepping the car, I bought myself some track time and admission and set off the next day. Long story short, I failed the sound check, even with a Merlin exhaust bung fitted, my nicest smile and flattery couldn't make the marshalls shrug off the 4db I was over. I won't go into detail why I've passed on two track days but didn't at an action day. I went to the office, explained the situation and sold them back my track time which was good of them. I was shattered from work the night before and I had work again that night so decided to call it a day after only being there an hour. I was there mainly for a bit of extra track time and the car show was a bonus, but in my tired state the car show wasn't enough to keep me. But this did confirm something to me, the car is too loud which makes me sad as I love the sound it makes!! But I really don't want to spend more money on a "proper" track day with a day off work etc to be have it over before it has even begun! Luckily my mate James and my track day buddy Jon work at a high end exhaust place so getting something sorted would be easy enough.
I decided that I loved the sound and volume too much to permantly lose it. The plan was to change the backbox with a proper silencer on a clamp meaning I could fit it in a matter of minutes ahead of a track day and could have proper noise when normally driving. I also decided to go for a downturn tip on the track exhaust, I know its a bit naff but it was nice for them to be different. James set about fitting the new silencer, which was packed with sound deadening and rather than the hollow echo when you tapped the old backbox, this one just went thud and also weighed a ton - thats enough milking it... Silencer fiited, car started and...oh. It pretty much sounded the same. It was ever so slightly quieter but really not quiet enough! At the action day when I fitted the Merlin bung, it was a helluva lot quieter and it was still over so this really wasn't gonna cut it! Annoying really and quite baffling (see what I did there) because the new backbox with all the packaging should've made it much quieter but it didn't, the car has definitely lost some power so the exhaust is doing something, just not with the noise! Plans a now a foot to fit a middle silencer, that should do the trick. Shame that is more of a permant fix but needs must if I actually want to use it on track!
So here comes the final update - one thing the car really needed was a LSD. Although it didn't struggle massively around Combe, only really breaking traction coming out of the chicanes due to the camber of the track. But I want to go to other tracks and also both days I've done have been 99% dry - with very little weight over the rear axle and not exactly the biggest tyres fitted I'm sure a LSD will help. Plus no track car is complete without a LSD, right?
As most of the upgrades I've made to the car this year, it was hard to jusitify them on a cost basis. The car worked fantastically as it is and I genuinely wanted to enjoy the car as it was for a while before making upgrades and the main focus was going to be seat time! Obviously covid stopped the seat time but the flip side was it put me in a position I could make these upgrades sooner than I thought, mainly due a lot of right place right time stuff but still.
I was getting a lot of badgering from the guys about getting an LSD but I was probably looking at close to a thousand pound to buy and fit a LSD. There was a few options available to me but all were expensive. I basically conceeded that a LSD was a while away, especially with the money I maybe shouldnt have spent on the car lately! Maybe next year, or maybe even the year after! It'll give me something to look forward to!... Until I saw a compact LSD being advertised on a Compact page on facebook. I start getting excited and before I know it, I've messaged him, a bit of chatting and its bought and paid for. Balls, this wasn't the plan! Ah well, I had a LSD now so its all good! The ratio is a little too short for my liking at 4.10. My current ratio of 3.38 really suits the car, its not too crazy on the motorway but allows for great accelaration on track, working well at Combe which is my local track after all.
The diff is currently with Adam. Its going to have to ratios swapped, fresh seals and oil before fitting. He also strikes again with the parts :eyeroll: I've bought a xbrace from a convertible which will stiffen the car even further. After these have been fitted, thats it for upgrades for a long time, definitely, probably.
The cage was also fitted "properly" with actual feet being made up - Ali still wasn't convinced and although the feet are quite big they do the job and in true Ali style are absolutly solid. I have total faith in the cage and Ali's handy work! These pictures are all in the during stage. The feet were painted with the cage being bolted to them and the carpet cut around.
...and yes, the rear strut brace will be powdercoated red!
Unfortunetly the exhaust isn't finished meaning I couldn't get back on track before the weather turned nasty and we went into lockdown but next year I'm really hoping to do a lot more than just the 1 track day a year I've managed so far. The car is currently enjoying the odd drive here and there but its just sitting pretty at the moment until the diff and xbrace are fitted.
There are still many plans for the car aside from track days but there will happen when they happen. The fact of the matter is, the car is in a very good place now with what is fitted and I'm just going to enjoy it. it still continues to put a big smile on my face every time I'm even near it and driving it even now still feels like an occasion.
Thank you so much for getting this far! Sorry for dribbling on!
147lusso said:
This is nice man. Compacts have massively grown on me in the last year, and yours is pretty much perfect!
I've got a Hellrot 318 Touring at home with a 2.8 conversion, that's now just sat around doing much. This reinforces the fact I need to crack on with it!
The E34 540i you had - did it happen to have Azev wheels on it by any chance? Quite high miles? I test drove a car that sounds similar 2-3 years ago but bought a S13 instead (bad choice..)
Sorry man I must've missed this!I've got a Hellrot 318 Touring at home with a 2.8 conversion, that's now just sat around doing much. This reinforces the fact I need to crack on with it!
The E34 540i you had - did it happen to have Azev wheels on it by any chance? Quite high miles? I test drove a car that sounds similar 2-3 years ago but bought a S13 instead (bad choice..)
Crack on with the touring, I would love a e36 touring and have come close to swapping my e90 for one!
Nah it doesn't sound like the same one, I bought mine in 2011 and owned it until 2016 and the guy I sold it to still has it and is the middle of rebuilding it!
that was an enjoyable read. You'll have a lot of fun with that.
one thing (that you have probably already seen) that i should mention is that rear cage mount. Presumably he has now boxed the sides in, because if he hasn't then that mount will fold up like a wet tissue if you ever do end up on your roof.
Also, i'd consider making a shroud for the air going into the rad, there is ample opportunity for air to bleed round the sides of yours reducing it's efficiency. not what you want on track.
Other than that, looking good...
one thing (that you have probably already seen) that i should mention is that rear cage mount. Presumably he has now boxed the sides in, because if he hasn't then that mount will fold up like a wet tissue if you ever do end up on your roof.
Also, i'd consider making a shroud for the air going into the rad, there is ample opportunity for air to bleed round the sides of yours reducing it's efficiency. not what you want on track.
Other than that, looking good...
Thank you for your kind words. I love the thought of being able to share this car with fellow car nerds rather than the blank look of "I wish I never asked" after they say "Oh, so this is your track car?"
I think a factory 6 cylinder compact would make these more popular rather than the e36 ugly sister reputation it had. The M44 is a good engine, just not enough cylinders
I have to admit, it is an absolute scream, I adore this car.
Yeah they were all WIP pictures, I didn't have any pictures of the mounting points so I went and took this one ...
Yeah I plan on a shroud for the rad, that was another advantage of the bash bar!
Mr Tidy said:
Great thread, and Techno Violet is such a stunning colour.
It's such a shame we never got an E36 Compact with a straight 6 in the UK, when Europe got a 323i.
I had an E46 325ti Compact for over 3 years as a road car and loved it!
Hopefully you will get much more track time in 2012.
Thank you! Yeah its a beautiful colour and I consider myself lucky its not "just" another black or red one.It's such a shame we never got an E36 Compact with a straight 6 in the UK, when Europe got a 323i.
I had an E46 325ti Compact for over 3 years as a road car and loved it!
Hopefully you will get much more track time in 2012.
I think a factory 6 cylinder compact would make these more popular rather than the e36 ugly sister reputation it had. The M44 is a good engine, just not enough cylinders
5harp3y said:
m50 is a must on these engines, so much better!
must be a riot to drive
I totally agree!must be a riot to drive
I have to admit, it is an absolute scream, I adore this car.
Greg_D said:
that was an enjoyable read. You'll have a lot of fun with that.
one thing (that you have probably already seen) that i should mention is that rear cage mount. Presumably he has now boxed the sides in, because if he hasn't then that mount will fold up like a wet tissue if you ever do end up on your roof.
Also, i'd consider making a shroud for the air going into the rad, there is ample opportunity for air to bleed round the sides of yours reducing it's efficiency. not what you want on track.
Other than that, looking good...
Thank you, I'm glad you thought so! one thing (that you have probably already seen) that i should mention is that rear cage mount. Presumably he has now boxed the sides in, because if he hasn't then that mount will fold up like a wet tissue if you ever do end up on your roof.
Also, i'd consider making a shroud for the air going into the rad, there is ample opportunity for air to bleed round the sides of yours reducing it's efficiency. not what you want on track.
Other than that, looking good...
Yeah they were all WIP pictures, I didn't have any pictures of the mounting points so I went and took this one
...Yeah I plan on a shroud for the rad, that was another advantage of the bash bar!
Have to say, quite the pocket rocket of a car, must be quite lively with the lack of weight over the rear wheels.
Any plans for the engine besides M50 manifold conversion? Carpetsoiler on here does some decent work on E36s / M5X series engines. I'm about to send my E46 Touring back up to him for an engine rebuild once some parts arrive.
Look forwards to seeing more updates here
Any plans for the engine besides M50 manifold conversion? Carpetsoiler on here does some decent work on E36s / M5X series engines. I'm about to send my E46 Touring back up to him for an engine rebuild once some parts arrive.
Look forwards to seeing more updates here
Nice car! I've got a 318Ti but have gone a different route with the 4 cylinder engine https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Been using mine on trackdays for years now and love it.
Was the cage meant for the 318Ti or another E36? They seem like big boxes that you've had to weld on for the rear mounts, but looks like a proper job.
If you do change the poly bushes at the back then have a look at Condor Speed Shop 12mm riser bushes which get rid of some of the rear camber that's introduced through lowering if you're still getting under steer. I got powerflex trailing arm bushes but the stainless inserts kept rusting up, OEM seem ok as they are small diameter so not much deflection in them.
Been using mine on trackdays for years now and love it.
Was the cage meant for the 318Ti or another E36? They seem like big boxes that you've had to weld on for the rear mounts, but looks like a proper job.
If you do change the poly bushes at the back then have a look at Condor Speed Shop 12mm riser bushes which get rid of some of the rear camber that's introduced through lowering if you're still getting under steer. I got powerflex trailing arm bushes but the stainless inserts kept rusting up, OEM seem ok as they are small diameter so not much deflection in them.
Sf_Manta said:
Have to say, quite the pocket rocket of a car, must be quite lively with the lack of weight over the rear wheels.
Any plans for the engine besides M50 manifold conversion? Carpetsoiler on here does some decent work on E36s / M5X series engines. I'm about to send my E46 Touring back up to him for an engine rebuild once some parts arrive.
Look forwards to seeing more updates here
Thank you! It's not been too bad too be honest but it does have its moments, I'm hoping the LSD will sort any traction issues out.Any plans for the engine besides M50 manifold conversion? Carpetsoiler on here does some decent work on E36s / M5X series engines. I'm about to send my E46 Touring back up to him for an engine rebuild once some parts arrive.
Look forwards to seeing more updates here
I want the M3 exhaust manifolds and US spec cams. A friend of mine can do the manifolds for the same price as second hand M3 ones and they will bolt straight on no issues and BDS Performance also make the cams. I'd also like to do the M54 3.0 stroker but it's far down on the list.
Dylan318Ti said:
Nice car! I've got a 318Ti but have gone a different route with the 4 cylinder engine https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Been using mine on trackdays for years now and love it.
Was the cage meant for the 318Ti or another E36? They seem like big boxes that you've had to weld on for the rear mounts, but looks like a proper job.
If you do change the poly bushes at the back then have a look at Condor Speed Shop 12mm riser bushes which get rid of some of the rear camber that's introduced through lowering if you're still getting under steer. I got powerflex trailing arm bushes but the stainless inserts kept rusting up, OEM seem ok as they are small diameter so not much deflection in them.
Thank you! I definitely remember your car from the old e36coupe/bmwowner forum!Been using mine on trackdays for years now and love it.
Was the cage meant for the 318Ti or another E36? They seem like big boxes that you've had to weld on for the rear mounts, but looks like a proper job.
If you do change the poly bushes at the back then have a look at Condor Speed Shop 12mm riser bushes which get rid of some of the rear camber that's introduced through lowering if you're still getting under steer. I got powerflex trailing arm bushes but the stainless inserts kept rusting up, OEM seem ok as they are small diameter so not much deflection in them.
The guy I bought the cage from bought it for his Ti so unless he bought it for the wrong car or they sent the wrong one I assume its for the right car! But I did also feel like the boxes were a bit big but they work!
I'll definitely bare that in mind, thank you. I'm surprised how well these have held up to be honest given what I paid for them!
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