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Thread: E36 track car buildup

  1. #1
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    E36 track car buildup

    Just bought a 93 325i with 170K miles from a fellow bimmerforums member, it's being stripped out to be a track car. The car was really dirty inside, but it doesn't matter as it is all being trashed. The compression was a fairly even 210-225 across all 6 cylinders, and apart from a bad CV joint and leaky power steering apparatus, it's in decent shape. I'm doing the usual preventive maintenance, and will add a rollbar, harnesses, and Ground Control suspension in the next couple weeks. Comments welcome. Here's the starting point:










  2. #2
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    Initial photos of the interior stripped out and the seats installed. Still waiting for the Autopower rollbar and harnesses. A lot of the wiring needs to be cleaned up, too. Oh, and there was a full $5.85 in SPARE change throughout the car. Oh, and two New Hampshire toll tokens. yee haw









    Last edited by jmitro; 05-04-2006 at 10:19 PM.

  3. #3
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    '01 325i / 330ZHP clone
    Cool!!!!

    Can't wait to watch the progress.

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    '01 325i Sport Blk/ Blk, Premium, Xenons, 5spd, Bilstein Sports, H&R sports, ZHP 18s, M3 ft bumper, lip spoiler, Alcantara steering wheel, lighted shift knob, 169,700 milesk and counting.
    '07 328i Sport/ Premium/ Xenons/ Cold Weather- stock (wifes car, I just get to make the payments)
    '93 325is Red/Blk, 300k miles, cage, chip, suspension, brakes, no interior, ton of fun (son's car), could be for sale, he wants something w/ an interior now.
    '89 325i 2dr Blk/ Tan, 4.10LSD, 200k (plus) original auto, cold a/c, 325is spoiler, H&Rs, not modded but nearly new w/ maintenance items. (daughters car)

  4. #4
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    looking good so far. good luck
    -Jason

    --I shoot a Nikon D300. I track a 1997 BMW E36. I wrench with Matco.
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  5. #5
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    keep us updated

  6. #6
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    > subscribed <

  7. #7
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    Jetta
    Are you going to leave the carpet cut up like that or remove the whole thing?
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    Custom watch straps for sale

    FOR SALE: watch straps!!

    E36 DIY: My articles are now located in the E36 DIY page

  8. #8
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    the carpet is entirely removed except the driver side footwell. i left that partly to have a flat, smooth surface for resting my feet, and partly because it was a PITA to remove. i may remove it later and replace it with some sort of hard, flat footrest. i'll have to get some ideas from some racecars i see.

  9. #9
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    92 325i--> Pure Dance
    How are those seats, im looking for something that offers better grip for my ass around turns, but comfortable enough for long rides?

    GriFF


    SG_M3 on drifting
    Quote Originally Posted by SG_M3 View Post
    don't get me wrong, as a sport its one of the lamest. Its the figure skating of motorsports.
    FOR SALE!!!!!

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1012468


  10. #10
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    the seats are not real comfortable for long drives, although i have a fairly tolerant rear end, so it doesn't bother me too much. they are rigid and don't allow any backwards movement to stretch. look into some reclining sport seats that sparco or recaro makes, and corbeau makes some as well that are more affordable.

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  12. #12
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    Are you reinforcing the subframe?
    M2CS 6-spd

  13. #13
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    Are you going to remove all 4 door panels?

  14. #14
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    No, i will not remove the door panels, just because it looks ugly IMHO with bare doors and the window mechanisms. but some could argue that bare floors look ugly too. i do need to reinforce the subframe, and now would be an excellent time. i'm on a timetable, though, so it may not get done until later.

    Here's new photos of the suspension removed and the front Ground Control pieces installed. New control arms, bushings, reversed 96-99 strut hats, and the Koni SA front struts with 450lb springs. Also, I'm using the M3 rotors and calipers F/R with new stainless steel lines on the way. These old bushings look ugly








  15. #15
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    great start!

  16. #16
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    subscribed too

  17. #17
    Join Date
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    '01 325i / 330ZHP clone
    looking good!
    B
    '01 325i Sport Blk/ Blk, Premium, Xenons, 5spd, Bilstein Sports, H&R sports, ZHP 18s, M3 ft bumper, lip spoiler, Alcantara steering wheel, lighted shift knob, 169,700 milesk and counting.
    '07 328i Sport/ Premium/ Xenons/ Cold Weather- stock (wifes car, I just get to make the payments)
    '93 325is Red/Blk, 300k miles, cage, chip, suspension, brakes, no interior, ton of fun (son's car), could be for sale, he wants something w/ an interior now.
    '89 325i 2dr Blk/ Tan, 4.10LSD, 200k (plus) original auto, cold a/c, 325is spoiler, H&Rs, not modded but nearly new w/ maintenance items. (daughters car)

  18. #18
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    new photos. I got the driveshaft out and discovered that all three bolts connecting to the flex guibo were either stripped, missing, or sheared off!!! No problem, I have an M3 driveshaft with new center support bearing that's going in, as well as my M3 LSD. Also got SS brake lines, and my new Koni shock adjuster! The Koni adjuster knob is too shallow to fit into that deep hole in the reversed strut hats, so I made my own out of a water meter key.









    Hey, how did this baby photo get in here?


  19. #19
    Join Date
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    '01 325i / 330ZHP clone
    excellent progress!
    B
    '01 325i Sport Blk/ Blk, Premium, Xenons, 5spd, Bilstein Sports, H&R sports, ZHP 18s, M3 ft bumper, lip spoiler, Alcantara steering wheel, lighted shift knob, 169,700 milesk and counting.
    '07 328i Sport/ Premium/ Xenons/ Cold Weather- stock (wifes car, I just get to make the payments)
    '93 325is Red/Blk, 300k miles, cage, chip, suspension, brakes, no interior, ton of fun (son's car), could be for sale, he wants something w/ an interior now.
    '89 325i 2dr Blk/ Tan, 4.10LSD, 200k (plus) original auto, cold a/c, 325is spoiler, H&Rs, not modded but nearly new w/ maintenance items. (daughters car)

  20. #20
    Join Date
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    Location
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    '01 325i / 330ZHP clone
    excellent progress!
    B
    '01 325i Sport Blk/ Blk, Premium, Xenons, 5spd, Bilstein Sports, H&R sports, ZHP 18s, M3 ft bumper, lip spoiler, Alcantara steering wheel, lighted shift knob, 169,700 milesk and counting.
    '07 328i Sport/ Premium/ Xenons/ Cold Weather- stock (wifes car, I just get to make the payments)
    '93 325is Red/Blk, 300k miles, cage, chip, suspension, brakes, no interior, ton of fun (son's car), could be for sale, he wants something w/ an interior now.
    '89 325i 2dr Blk/ Tan, 4.10LSD, 200k (plus) original auto, cold a/c, 325is spoiler, H&Rs, not modded but nearly new w/ maintenance items. (daughters car)

  21. #21
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    how do you drive the car with the seat with such a lean? can you reach the stearing wheel with the harnes on?

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by AEBI73
    how do you drive the car with the seat with such a lean? can you reach the stearing wheel with the harnes on?
    despite looking like a bad rake, the seat angle is actually exactly where it should be for me. much more forward and i feel like i will fall into the steering wheel. my knees and elbows are bent at just the right angle so the seating position is perfect for me. i don't have the harnesses in yet, but i can assure you i will be in perfect position with them on.

  23. #23
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    Good Stuff! I did the same thing with a '95 2 door Calypso w/similar miles.... I went with a full cage and Turner JP stock suspension setup so I can race it later this year when I get my License.... Took it to the track for one weekend and it was big fun...even after tracking a 944 Turbo for a year or two...... I had all the same issues...

    Good Luck,

    -CKKrause
    2000 Oxford Green M5

  24. #24
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    what's the JP suspension consist of, and what's your weight limit for your class? is that stock or prepared? do you have a weld-in cage?

  25. #25
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    maybe, just for looks and sound while still being lightweight... use the spray-on rhino-liner for the flooring on the entire interior? it's cheap, easy, durable, and will help the appearance

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