Track preparation of a 325 E30

[loudpedal]

A mate and I are about to take on a project of turning an E30 325 into a track day fun car.

Although we both know which end of a screwdriver is which, we are not exactly F1 mechanics.

Basically we would like some advice on where to start;

we were thinking:

get the haynes manual
Do stuff like change filters, oil, sparks, make sure the engine is running nicely, maybe get help with this if it goes a bit pear-shaped
stick a sport air filter on it
maybe stiffer suspension
strip as much weight out as poss
4 point harnesses
get some better brakes
maybe go for a spare set of wheels and get some slicks
we were gonna trailer the car, so no need for road legality...

basically, we would like advice on where we might be able to get some cheap/second hand parts (including a cheap trailer); whether or not our ideas are just plain daft and finally, if anyone has any other ideas that might make our project cheaper, faster (the car, not the process) or more fun.

Thanks for any replies guys; I am getting rather excited by the idea of this project already!!

[jeremyc]

Don't forget to fit a roll cage, especially if you're going to use harnesses.

Order of importance after that:
- brakes
- suspension
- lose weight

Edited to add: I wouldn't bother with slicks because you will seriously stress the suspension and engine lubrication with the cornering forces they can generate.

>> Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 23 July 11:02

[loudpedal]

Call me a dimmy, but why is the rollcage so important IF you use harnesses?

[loudpedal]

Oh yeah, and where does one go about buying a rollcage?

[jeremyc]

loudpedal said:

Call me a dimmy, but why is the rollcage so important IF you use harnesses?

Because if you are strapped in your seat unable to move and you are unlucky enough to roll the car, the roof could collapse onto you. :sad:

[jeremyc]

loudpedal said:

Oh yeah, and where does one go about buying a rollcage?

Check out OMP, Demon Tweeks, Rollcentre maybe.

[loudpedal]

jeremyc said:

loudpedal said: Call me a dimmy, but why is the rollcage so important IF you use harnesses? Because if you are strapped in your seat unable to move and you are unlucky enough to roll the car, the roof could collapse onto you. :sad:

d'oh! yep, didnt really engage brain on that one. Cheers for responses jeremymc...

[jeremyc]

On a happier note, a roll cage will also stiffen the whole chassis significantly.

When looking at the brakes consider replacing the fluid with one of a higher spec., and perhaps some more track-oriented pads.

[loudpedal]

thanks again, this is very useful stuff...

what do you chaps think of the choice of car...?

there seems to be a few available under 2 grand...

[Paul V]

Was considering doing that to the old BMW we have sitting here doing nothing, its only a 320i but should still be good fun though.

[sohlman]

Do not underestimate the benefit of loosing weight on the car. A lighter car will corner faster, break better, wear the tyres less and use less fuel. I think the recomendations of roll cage first though is top on my list, although i think all area's should be done at once. One other consideration when taking weight out of the car it might affect the handling balance. It is in these circamstances that weight may need to be added in certain areas to enable the car to corner better.

[loudpedal]

Regarding losing weight from a car... how easy is it to do things like stripping out the aircon?

is it possible, and easy, to remove power assistance motors from a pas car, leaving it non-pas? Might be a daft idea, but thought I'd ask...

[sohlman]

Everything bolts or screws down and how easy to remove something depends on whether you are going to sell it on to cover the cost of the car or rip it out and throw it away. I helped a friend prepair a banger and we stripped it by ripping everything out. Took about 2 hours, but would take about 4-6 hours taking all items out carefully. Carpets, headlining, seats etc should all go. Electric motors replaced with manual operation, sunroof removed and replaced with steel plate etc. With regards to power steering pump, i would assume that it assists the rack, but has no direct function that would affect steering other than it being heavier after it had been removed. Hope this helps,

J

[Cotty]

Sounds like fun to me

[m3bob]

buy a good rollcage ive got group A cage in mine, it looks the dogs as well as making the car very stiff, try and get some e30 m3 suspension front and rear beam and a limited slip diff, you can get fibreglass,carbon or kevlar bonnet etc,loose loads of weight, remove all the sound deadening, its takes ages and youll need and electric paint stripping gun to get it off, make sure you have a fire extinguisher, Hartlake mite be able to help you with parts, you could go for a 525e botton end with a 325 head, thatll give you a 2.7 motor,good luck and have fun

[loudpedal]

been to see one car this week... a 325 with 180,000 on the clock... felt well down on power and was a bit shabby.

Off to see another tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!
any tips on what to look for?

cheers M3 bob, all of what you say sounds good, but some of it sounds pricey!! Gonna look at breakers yards etc for cheap bits... really starting to enjoy this...

[sohlman]

I know you have your heart set on a 325i, but have just found a racing 924 porsche with trailer and spares. All the work is done for you and it can be used strait away. They are also very well balanced cars although a bit poor on the looks department.

Just a though. Go to ebay and type in race prepared within titles and descrptions

J

[cotty]

how about doing a touring
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=18&h=&t=51313

[silverback mike]

I have a 325i touring with 180k. Goeslike hot snot, no smoke, regularly serviced etc, I reckon there is a good 100k left in it. I wouldnt be too worried with miles, go by feel.
:notmeaningtoteachyoutosuckeggs:

You have got me thinking now though, I might strip mine out.

[gazzab]

Do the 525e and 325i mating !! I have driven one of those by a specialist in Surrey. Loads of Torque. Would really fly with better brakes, weight loss, suspension etc...
Would really make some other track day cars look less than good.
But it costs about 2 or 3K to do the engine mod unless you use second hand parts