David and I have baught a new car last august. We were thinking of building a something new, since we are addicted in HPDE and want to go forward with racing.

So we baught a 1999 323i automatic without sunroof. This was a 100% running car that we started striping down.

We don't know in which other series we might race, but we decided to built the best chassis possible for now and we can change the engine later for more power. For this year it will be a cable activated intake with a M54 B30 long block and headers, that's it...

We have a lot of euipment like TIG Welder, Bender, and a lot of Mechanic/Body tools.
But the only problem is that we don't have space...:(

So it sometimes take a little longer to do something than in a real shop where acces is easier, but that's how it is.

We started the construction of the cage in early november in the driveway, but since we had a lot of snow here in Montreal in December, we are doing everything inside.

Here is some shots of where we are now. We are only working on week-ends so it's kind of long to do something.


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46021.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46020.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46019.jpg



http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46018.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46017.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46016.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46015.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46013.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46012.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46011.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46010.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46009.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46008.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46002.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWE46001.jpg




We are getting ready for paint this week-end. We will start with interior in epoxy white.

The exterior will be done later on with the engine in the car.

Will keep updated

Any plans to integrate the rear subframes mounts?

I would suggest picking up a set of flaring dies, it'll make those holes much more functional in all of the gussets.

Having driven an e36 car that did not have the subframe points integrated into the cage, I would VERY HIGHLY recommend doing so! ;)

Are you going to seam weld at all?

Wow, you replied with no reference to your antiquated cube super cheap free e30's...amazing! ;)

But yes, for this mod-type cage I would definitely suggest/recommend tying in the subframe.

Also, are you going to seam weld at all?


Seam welding would also be a good idea.

It almost looks like he sanded/grinded in preparation for it.

For this year we are gone a use the e46 subframe with turner rear subframe reinforcement. Since we only gone a have a stock 215hp engine, I think it's sohould be ok. But adding the rear subframe to the cage can be done later next year if needed. For now we would like to get the car ready for the end of april so we are on a tight schedule.

We painted the interior with epoxy last week-end.

Epoxy is very strong and will last long without scratching.

For this week-end we will install the e46 M3 rear subframe with all solid bushings.


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWPaint002.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWPaint003.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj86/bmw_e24/BMWPaint004.jpg

Cool.

Again, I would suggest picking up a flare/die set, those round holes in all those gusset/supports are weakend by just cutting holes, they need to be flared.

that true when it's sheet metal , but for these one we use 1/8 inch mild steel plate.

thx
Dave



Cool.

Again, I would suggest picking up a flare/die set, those round holes in all those gusset/supports are weakend by just cutting holes, they need to be flared.

that true when it's sheet metal , but for these one we use 1/8 inch mild steel plate.

thx
Dave

1/8 can be flared, and Holy crap, why such thick material!

It would probably be strong with .65 sheet thats flared. Those holes just reduce its torsional ridigity, although being so short, it don't really matter.

Thats a lot of 1/8" "plate" though.

The final product

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/davide30/22mai026.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/davide30/22mai027.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/davide30/22mai023.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/davide30/22mai028.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/davide30/22mai038.jpg

Looks great. You gotta let us in on the rest of the equipment tho.

looks nice. is the exterior epoxy too? I'm going to check in to this epoxy paint.

are the rear doors functional? i'm thinking of welding my sedan rear doors in place.

Non-sunroof e46 323i shell with lightened doors and trunk. Floorpans were cleaned from any calking and tar.
Harness was reduced by half.

Stock 3 litre M54 (for now) on solid mounts
All engine management is inside the car. Harness was rerouted.
Custom 3" exhaust with Magnaflow muffers

JRZ double ajustable shocks on e46 M3 suspension
All suspension points are either aluminum or bearings
Ground Control camber plates

Brake system by Massive:
2002 brake booster w/323i MC
No ABS
Front 332mm x 32mm rotors with 6 pot calipers
Rear 332mm x 32mm rotors with 4 pot calipers
Adjustable bias valve

We tested the car this past Saturday and it behaved very nicely. Car pivots in tight corners. Very neutral handling. The only current problem is the engine cutting out at 5.5k RPM...

Rear doors can open and close, but glass is fixed. Epoxy paint for the inside, but regular two-pack system for exterior.

Great looking car guys !!!

I know there's a lot of work in there!

Alain L.

At Calabogie this past weekend.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/Lee_Vuong/The%20Parts%20Factory/Image9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/Lee_Vuong/The%20Parts%20Factory/Image7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/Lee_Vuong/The%20Parts%20Factory/Image8.jpg

Thanks, we came back from Calabogie yesterday and the car pivots very nicely. Very close to the e30 M3 I used to have. Still we need to fix the 5200rpm limiter, with about 180 hp we are limited to use the car potential... But the chassis is just great.

5k rpm cut-off is probably caused by the lack of speedometer signal, which should come from the rear left ABS sensor.

5k rpm cut-off is probably caused by the lack of speedometer signal, which should come from the rear left ABS sensor.

Ouch, I was wondering what was going to happen when I removed all the ABS stuff from my body harness. I'm assuming you had the traction control turned off completely?

In the E36's, the speed signal comes from a sensor in the diff. Is it different on the E46's?

Yes it's from a wheel sensor.

We kept the ABS electronic module which is the bottom part of the ABS pump. It is required for speed sensing. On e30s and e36s, the speed sensor is indeed on the diff. On e46s it is the rear left ABS sensor.