318ti race/track car
Discussion
Every now and then I make an ill thought out car purchase. And by every now and then I mean every few weeks/months or so.
After enjoying the 650s around the track, I couldn't help but think I'd love a cheap, basic, abusable lotus. Something I wouldn't mind grazing a little, and that was cheap enough to just take a beating and not worry too much about it.
Annoyingly, this is Australia and there isn't really such a thing as a cheap lotus/vxr220. I've always loved E36s though and somehow have ended up with a ti. I always liked the stubbier look of the Tis personally and despite its lack of brawn, TIs do have one thing going for them - weight.
Supposedly only 1175kg at the kerb.. Strip out all seats, sunroof mech, airbags, speakers, doorcards, trip, sound deadening, rear silencer, boot, parcel shelf, etc. Going by a few other builds online, it seems like I should be just dipping below 1100kg, save for a rear wing added on.
Plan is simply to skirt off any last bits of weight if possible, upgrade brakes, replace the "max speeding rods" coilovers and then eventually either a 328 engine, or preferably something more towards an m3 motor.
Not sure where it will end up but it should make for a fun little go kart! looking forwards to tearing into it shortly, some starting photos for now..
Front left took a kerb at speed, needs a new control arm
Interior stripped, half cage. Door cards back on since the windows still work. The pop out rrars take me back to childhood
Into the depths where there won't be a heap more weight to loose. Wheel well, door cards, glass, bonnet and hatch assemblies will be about it if I go that far.
Paint has seen better days as you'd expect, may prep and wrap it but that will be the extent of the effort!
Inevitably more power will be a must over the 318s mighty 140bhp. The puny driveshafts, little diff and the rest of the drive train will go for an m50 most likely. I'd like to get carried away and go for an s54 or somethingturbocharged but if I start spending that sort of money I'd be better off with a better base in the first place.
Next up the Max speeding rods coilovers will go for something more solid as I sort the control arm out.
Then some brakes as I'd imagine even at stopping a tonne, the standard units won't be up to much. So begins the research for a setup that fits.
Looking for as much drop in as possible to save time. Hmm.
After enjoying the 650s around the track, I couldn't help but think I'd love a cheap, basic, abusable lotus. Something I wouldn't mind grazing a little, and that was cheap enough to just take a beating and not worry too much about it.
Annoyingly, this is Australia and there isn't really such a thing as a cheap lotus/vxr220. I've always loved E36s though and somehow have ended up with a ti. I always liked the stubbier look of the Tis personally and despite its lack of brawn, TIs do have one thing going for them - weight.
Supposedly only 1175kg at the kerb.. Strip out all seats, sunroof mech, airbags, speakers, doorcards, trip, sound deadening, rear silencer, boot, parcel shelf, etc. Going by a few other builds online, it seems like I should be just dipping below 1100kg, save for a rear wing added on.
Plan is simply to skirt off any last bits of weight if possible, upgrade brakes, replace the "max speeding rods" coilovers and then eventually either a 328 engine, or preferably something more towards an m3 motor.
Not sure where it will end up but it should make for a fun little go kart! looking forwards to tearing into it shortly, some starting photos for now..
Front left took a kerb at speed, needs a new control arm
Interior stripped, half cage. Door cards back on since the windows still work. The pop out rrars take me back to childhood
Into the depths where there won't be a heap more weight to loose. Wheel well, door cards, glass, bonnet and hatch assemblies will be about it if I go that far.
Paint has seen better days as you'd expect, may prep and wrap it but that will be the extent of the effort!
Inevitably more power will be a must over the 318s mighty 140bhp. The puny driveshafts, little diff and the rest of the drive train will go for an m50 most likely. I'd like to get carried away and go for an s54 or somethingturbocharged but if I start spending that sort of money I'd be better off with a better base in the first place.
Next up the Max speeding rods coilovers will go for something more solid as I sort the control arm out.
Then some brakes as I'd imagine even at stopping a tonne, the standard units won't be up to much. So begins the research for a setup that fits.
Looking for as much drop in as possible to save time. Hmm.
Edited by thejaywills on Monday 2nd December 02:21
Mr Tidy said:
It looks great. There was a Compact Cup race series for them in the UK a while ago.
Should be a load of fun, especially with a straight 6 transplant. I loved my E46 325ti!
Definitely looking like the way to go 😁 I think the 325 had a different rear end so I'll see if I can find a wreckShould be a load of fun, especially with a straight 6 transplant. I loved my E46 325ti!
Bright Halo said:
That is a great base for a fast/fun track car.
I’m currently in Oz myself visiting my son so reading this sitting in a bar in St Kilda about to enjoy my first beer of the day as soon as it goes noon (8 minutes)
Nice, good time to visit just in time for the start of summer I’m currently in Oz myself visiting my son so reading this sitting in a bar in St Kilda about to enjoy my first beer of the day as soon as it goes noon (8 minutes)
Surprised you waited until noon though!Looks like a fun little car OP. I'm a E46 325ti owner and fan of the stubby 3ers.
E46 calipers bolt straight on. Look for the 300mm disc setup from a 330i / 330ci / 330d, you need calipers, carriers and discs. Probably replace the hoses with E46 ones but not 100% on that. I believe they need 17" wheels but don't quote me!
Biggest lump of weight you could maybe go after is the heater unit / blower / coldzone, but I dunno if your climate and usage is suitable for that. Demisting is an obvious one even if cabin temperature isn't.
I always wondered whether supercharging the M42 / M44 would add the same sort of weight as a M50 engine swap would. Think you only get to about 200bhp which means you'd really need to like the engine to bother doing it as an engine swap is cheaper and easier.
E46 calipers bolt straight on. Look for the 300mm disc setup from a 330i / 330ci / 330d, you need calipers, carriers and discs. Probably replace the hoses with E46 ones but not 100% on that. I believe they need 17" wheels but don't quote me!
Biggest lump of weight you could maybe go after is the heater unit / blower / coldzone, but I dunno if your climate and usage is suitable for that. Demisting is an obvious one even if cabin temperature isn't.
I always wondered whether supercharging the M42 / M44 would add the same sort of weight as a M50 engine swap would. Think you only get to about 200bhp which means you'd really need to like the engine to bother doing it as an engine swap is cheaper and easier.
So she's off to a slow start
firstly removing all of the sponsors and drivers names of the ex owners.More air is always good
I'm a details guy so I'm torn. I actually love the budger racecar look but some tidying up needed! I like that it retains some lights though. Would imagine I can find something aftermarket - otherwise I'll buy a new lens and fab something up a little more complete.Spoiler - I feel like we can do better. Part of me wants to repurpose a carbon fiber aventador spoiler that I have lying about
I'd imagine it's a challenge to find one that fits the stubby boot though
Boot cleared up, install of the cage looks nice and clean. Had read the spare wheel well would free up a few kgs, it doesn't appear to have one ??
I wonder if the rear towers would benefit from a brace too
Debating if I'll keep the blower or not, good knows she can't spare the power. Windows and roof scoop should bat off the 40 degree days though. I hope. If and when I swap the motor it will definitely go though. So will refashion the centre and footwell with some carbon and steel. Like that some switches have been kept although I wonder hoe much the window mechs weigh
Manual large thermo, radio might as well come out. Toying with a digital display to read the temps etc, but recall berms having their proprietary port rather than odb. Will need to have a dig but would be nice to keep an eye on temps when leaning on the little 4 pot.
The seating position is actually a bit too low, its no wonder the last owner clipped that kerb. Very hard to gauge the four corners, it makes the roof feel high. Lower centre of gravity is great and all but it needs to be elevated a little imo, roof and window line are both a bit too high for where it sits at the moment
Edited by thejaywills on Tuesday 3rd December 22:21
FNG said:
Looks like a fun little car OP. I'm a E46 325ti owner and fan of the stubby 3ers.
E46 calipers bolt straight on. Look for the 300mm disc setup from a 330i / 330ci / 330d, you need calipers, carriers and discs. Probably replace the hoses with E46 ones but not 100% on that. I believe they need 17" wheels but don't quote me!
Biggest lump of weight you could maybe go after is the heater unit / blower / coldzone, but I dunno if your climate and usage is suitable for that. Demisting is an obvious one even if cabin temperature isn't.
I always wondered whether supercharging the M42 / M44 would add the same sort of weight as a M50 engine swap would. Think you only get to about 200bhp which means you'd really need to like the engine to bother doing it as an engine swap is cheaper and easier.
Good to know, I'd imagine the 325 goes a lot more nicely but the buzz box even feels nice and spiritedly for what it is. E46 calipers bolt straight on. Look for the 300mm disc setup from a 330i / 330ci / 330d, you need calipers, carriers and discs. Probably replace the hoses with E46 ones but not 100% on that. I believe they need 17" wheels but don't quote me!
Biggest lump of weight you could maybe go after is the heater unit / blower / coldzone, but I dunno if your climate and usage is suitable for that. Demisting is an obvious one even if cabin temperature isn't.
I always wondered whether supercharging the M42 / M44 would add the same sort of weight as a M50 engine swap would. Think you only get to about 200bhp which means you'd really need to like the engine to bother doing it as an engine swap is cheaper and easier.
On the edge for the heater and blower, a bit of air-conditioning is great but then I'll probably run with it anyway and it's not a road car. Demisting again probably not a huge problem that a bit of no fog can't solve. Annnd I guess when I swap the motor it's one less thing to put back in.
Thanks for that after some reading off the back of that it does look like 17s are needed but the vented 330 discs should provide some more durability and extra power with some decent pads.
Not sure how I'll squeeze 17s under the body with those coilovers but the good thing is I can hack away the body without worrying about the plod
Apparently an m50 or even an s50 will drop straight in to the existing tranny which saves messing around
Not sure I know enough about the getrag to know if it would cope with it though.
Have read that the platform is similar to the z3/4 so an m subframe and diff may be needed to handle the power. Hmm
Edited by thejaywills on Tuesday 3rd December 22:49
Edited by thejaywills on Wednesday 4th December 04:09
I made a mistake in my post - tried to edit it yesterday but PistonHeads can't seem to deal with me posting from an iPhone, obviously too niche a product to ensure platform stability for - the disc size on the 330i brakes is 325mm not 300mm.
I believe the gearbox will cope, but the diff very well may not. I think the 6cyl variants all had at least the medium case diff, which (also I think) has different driveshafts. The small case diff unfortunately is the one that comes in the sorts of final drive ratios that you will want for the track - you're never gonna hit 155mph in this are you - but less likely to cope with the torque (it's torque that kills drivelines not power).
Given the aggro of changing the diff and shafts it's probably best to try it and see (if you do end up with a M50 in there) but if the diff breaks, don't replace - upgrade
That rear spoiler is a bit of an embarrassment isn't it. I'm sure something less awful can be thought of!
I believe the gearbox will cope, but the diff very well may not. I think the 6cyl variants all had at least the medium case diff, which (also I think) has different driveshafts. The small case diff unfortunately is the one that comes in the sorts of final drive ratios that you will want for the track - you're never gonna hit 155mph in this are you - but less likely to cope with the torque (it's torque that kills drivelines not power).
Given the aggro of changing the diff and shafts it's probably best to try it and see (if you do end up with a M50 in there) but if the diff breaks, don't replace - upgrade
That rear spoiler is a bit of an embarrassment isn't it. I'm sure something less awful can be thought of!
Control arm bought
Polycarbonate windows for rear and side windows bought. Don't ask me why, probably taking the weight saving to extremes but randomly stumbled across it and it leaped into my cart..
Next, I need to find a boot and spoiler solution
Until parts start arriving, all I can do is continue tidying her up and deciding what colours I'll go with
Polycarbonate windows for rear and side windows bought. Don't ask me why, probably taking the weight saving to extremes but randomly stumbled across it and it leaped into my cart..
Next, I need to find a boot and spoiler solution
Until parts start arriving, all I can do is continue tidying her up and deciding what colours I'll go with
I'm not familiar with the setup for E36 BMWs but should the cage not extend to cover the whole of the front seating area? Usually they include door bars and reinforcement along the A-Pillar (see below).
https://www.jp-cages.co.uk/product/bmw-e36-compact...
It's entirely up to you (and I guess this has passed inspection from a scrutineer) but it could be worthwhile ensuring that the cage meets current regs.
https://www.jp-cages.co.uk/product/bmw-e36-compact...
It's entirely up to you (and I guess this has passed inspection from a scrutineer) but it could be worthwhile ensuring that the cage meets current regs.
LennyM1984 said:
I'm not familiar with the setup for E36 BMWs but should the cage not extend to cover the whole of the front seating area? Usually they include door bars and reinforcement along the A-Pillar (see below).
https://www.jp-cages.co.uk/product/bmw-e36-compact...
It's entirely up to you (and I guess this has passed inspection from a scrutineer) but it could be worthwhile ensuring that the cage meets current regs.
It's a half cage which is fine for the events in keen on https://www.jp-cages.co.uk/product/bmw-e36-compact...
It's entirely up to you (and I guess this has passed inspection from a scrutineer) but it could be worthwhile ensuring that the cage meets current regs.
then can go for a more extensive full cage if I ever need to These vents make absolutely no sense
A whole loss of mud from its last off roots sport cut
Which explains this control arm
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