Possible to keep heater/fan with full cage in E36?

[foscoe944]

Is is possible to keep the heater/fan unit under the dash with a full cage in an E36 M3? Or does this have to be removed to make room for the bar?

I recently bought an E36 M3 which will now be my track car. Although it has a bolt in roll bar at the moment, my plan is to put in a full cage and hopefully do a little racing in IP. At the moment I will only use if for HDPE and even if I do a few races in the next few years, I will still be mostly doing HPDE's. So it would be nice to keep the heater/fan in for comfort. A/C has already been removed.

[jayhudson]

Yes. That's how I had my cage done. May depend on sanctioning body you'll be building for. At the time I had my cage done I was still driving on the street some. So I didn't have a dash bar installed. I kept full functionality of HVAC. Figured I could always add the bar later if I wanted. AFAIK, a dash bar is not required in BMWCCA CR at this time.

Jay

[tammer]

I have heater/fan functional with a dash bar. The vent positions are compromised, but it's locked in defrost which is the only mode you really need.

-tammer

[foscoe944]

I would really prefer to have the dash bar and foot protection. Does having a dash bar mean the heater has to go?

[tammer]

I would really prefer to have the dash bar and foot protection. Does having a dash bar mean the heater has to go?

Re-read my post. Here's a pic: http://picasaweb.google.com/tammerfa...06420049133474 This is with a functional, stock heater box.

-tammer

[jayhudson]

I would really prefer to have the dash bar and foot protection. Does having a dash bar mean the heater has to go?

Not necessarily but the positioning of the dash bar would not be the best. Foot protection isn't an issue. No interference with that.

Jay

[foscoe944]

Re-read my post. Here's a pic: http://picasaweb.google.com/tammerfa...06420049133474 This is with a functional, stock heater box.

-tammer

Thanks, the pic is very helpful.

What do most IP cars do, keep the defroster only setup or just get rid of the heater for the best bar position?

[like2short]

YES, my ex E36 M3 with a factory Motorsport cage tied into the front strut towers had the heater in it...

[foscoe944]

YES, my ex E36 M3 with a factory Motorsport cage tied into the front strut towers had the heater in it...

I don't think tying to the front strut towers is legal in IP.

[dollar]

I have heater/fan functional with a dash bar. The vent positions are compromised, but it's locked in defrost which is the only mode you really need.

-tammer

this is exactly how my car is setup also.