Bought E36 M3, what first

[d5hef]

Sorry if this topic has been covered a thousand times, and doubly sorry for starting up another "E36 track car" thread but..

I've recently bought an E36 M3 3.0 that has been semi prep'd for track work. I say semi prep'd as the previous owner has had a good stab but missed some essentials. So the car needs a bit more work to get it 100% and I wondered if there are any must do basics on an E36 M3 that should be completed before using it in anger.

The car already has, coilovers, Powerflex bushes all round, uprated brakes & ARB's, K&N, Buckets so is neearly there.

The previous owner said they had just serviced it, but I'm going to put it through a full service myself; oil, filters, plugs, diff oil, brake fluid, coolant. Just wondered if there was anything else? I had heard it was worth replacing the water pump?

Thanks in advance.

[krallicious]

Does it have a cage?

[d5hef]

No cage at the moment. I want to be sure the care is 100% mechanically before any additional large spend.

[krallicious]

Well it sounds like you are on track so to speak. I can only suggest the cage and then I think you will be completely set.

[d5hef]

The track specific items the car needs is not really what I am getting at. A cage may be added in due course.

My point is that I dont want to start using the car on track only for the engine to fail because I should have replaced such-and-such a part whilst it was being serviced. I am asking what recommendations anyone has for replacement parts over and above what is listed above before I take it to a track. Hence my question regarding the water pump.

Cheers

[teabagger]

what kind of brakes and tyres are you running?

have you added camber on the front?
has the car had a 4 wheel alignment?

[GTWayne]

d5hef said:

My point is that I don't want to start using the car on track only for the engine to fail because I should have replaced such-and-such a part whilst it was being serviced. I am asking what recommendations anyone has for replacement parts over and above what is listed above before I take it to a track. Hence my question regarding the water pump

I have never heard that it is advisable to change the water pump on this particular model; it is more than likely that the individual that told you this has experienced problems in this area and therefore believes it to be an inherent weakness
An oil restrictor fitted in the side of the head underneath the inlet manifold seems to be a favourite with the aim being to stop oil from accumulating at the top end of the motor and finding its way into the inlet manifold. I have one of these to fit as I found that I was blowing a bit of smoke but only sporadically.
Maybe worth considering an oil cooler, I have seen 220 degrees and although synthetic oil is fine up to 250 degrees+, I have heard of failure occurring at high temps.
Some say you should fit the sump, pickup and oil pump from the Evo but many also say it is not really necessary.
Rod bolts are another recommendation but again, many will tell you that it is not a necessity.

Although not an engine related part an Xbrace is a worthwhile adition and I did notice the difference once I had fitted one on my car.

[naetype]

The original water pump had a plastic impellor which DID fail and it was highly recommended to replace the original with the newer type which had metal 'blades'. Unfortunately the only way you'll find this out is to take it out. It's not a big job or expensive job but well worth doing and can be done by a competent DIY mechanic.

Here's a 1/2 decent guide: http://logun.org/e36h2opump.htm

Edited by naetype on Wednesday 10th June 22:04

[GTWayne]

I still maintain that this is NOT a must do modification but you obviously think so so go ahead and change it
It is almost just as important that you have peace of mind as well as a motor that is modified in any necessary area so anything that you feel uneasy about is quite often worth altering, good luck.