Well after a brief mourning period of selling the last race car, I have picked up a shell for the next version. This one will also run in BM, but I'm going to use a V-8 drivetrain instead of the FI I-6/I-4 possiblilties. After a few years of playing around with high strung smaller engines, there really is no substitute for cubic inches. This build will take most of the year, so I'll try to update photos periodically.
First is the stripping process to prepare for the acid bath. Next will be getting the M5 donor in to start the mock up process.
P.S. Steve I included a picture of a fun green machine...

I see no pics!

Sounds like a awesome project

Awesome Greg!!! Glad to hear you're coming back! Looking forward to racing and hanging with you soon.

Missed the connection to the pics. I'm not very computer savvy...

What's the green machine for?

Great to see you're getting started! :)
Nice ironworker and welder too.

For development purposes, we're now considering a limited return to CM (a few select races here and there) with the second chassis rather than running my V8 right away as originally planned. So, I guess you may have this latest project completed before I get to the track with my V8 powered e30....but I'm sure we'll have some fun once I finally get things in order! ;)

That's the V8! :)

Great project!

Nice, but I thought this was going to be an E46?

Are you going to build everything in house and just farm out the engine stuff (turner?)?

What's the green machine for?

Punching holes among other things. You can see the punch and the die in the picture (looks like a drill bit from far away).

Carlos.

Mike, you have seen some heavy metal fabrication equipment in your day...
Ironworker's are a great quick fab tool. One machine will punch, nibble, shear and give free manicures if you don't watch what your doing.
Sorry, no E46. I am more familiar with the E-36 and it was available CHEAP. I'll do the metal fab work in-house, suspension will go to Turner and engine control to Marc Feinstien @ GPS.
I didn't get anything done this weekend except talk to a salvage yard about their 2001 M5. I'll need the drivetrain soon to start mock-up work. I am thinking of doing most of the test fitting before going after acid dipping and cage building. I had an idea I thought would look cool. Take off the engine cover and bring the individual throttle bodies out of the hood ala 60's/70's Can-Am. Might not be the best practical application, but it would look bitchin'...

why not go right to a V10 out or an M5 or M6? :) Doesn't that still fit in B-mod?

Interesting...so why did you sell the other e36? Why not just drop this V8 into it? Going to do the chassis better/different this time?

You should just do an entire E46 front suspension, because, assuming you go Ohlins again, the E46 strut is much easier to do.

I can still see all the over spray in your shop from our last paint job!:D

It's a good thing I got the shop cleaned since the last time you were there Phil. I'll be giving you a call soon so we can gang up on your bald friend Scott...
Steve, The old car sold for $85K. The new one should cost less and be a better chassis. With the firewall removal and cutting the subframes up into the body work, the new one is just a better starting point. Sometimes I just prefer to start over from scratch and apply the lessons I had beat into my head on the last project.

It's a good thing I got the shop cleaned since the last time you were there Phil. I'll be giving you a call soon so we can gang up on your bald friend Scott...
Steve, The old car sold for $85K. The new one should cost less and be a better chassis. With the firewall removal and cutting the subframes up into the body work, the new one is just a better starting point. Sometimes I just prefer to start over from scratch and apply the lessons I had beat into my head on the last project.

Gotcha, it does make sense to start fresh. But for $85k...you could have bought a WTCC car and thrown a v8 in :) Dont have to worry about anything, assemble it, and just get in and race...I thought very seriously about doing this, although 85k is more than my budget...i'd rather just get a nice cup car for that money.

It's a good thing I got the shop cleaned since the last time you were there Phil. I'll be giving you a call soon so we can gang up on your bald friend Scott....

Easy on Crashagrande!!

Awesome project Greg! Looking forward to seeing you in the future:buttrock

+1 on the 8 itb's ,canam style, your right that would be "bitchin"

Looks like a nice project.