E30 M3
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From: Survivalist enclave
Originally Posted by Nottm_S2' timestamp='1345907358' post='21963883
Do you think it'll be more fun than a caterham?
Put the v8 in it from an m5/e9x
Will you enter a race series in it?
Put the v8 in it from an m5/e9x
Will you enter a race series in it?
They're obviously not quite as nimble but you can drive them on the throttle in much the same way. Apparently you need at least 250bhp to make them proper fun but I'll be aiming for 280-300 bhp, so no problem there.
No engine swaps as it'll limit the series I can enter it in and sort of misses the point of the car.
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From: Market Harborough, Leics.
Originally Posted by lower' timestamp='1345924857' post='21964317
Aren't the engine, gearbox and diff the important bits?
The dogleg ZF gearbox was used in quite a few homologation specials from that period (Chevette HS, Lotus Sunbeam etc.) so are easy to get hold of. There's a company in eastern europe somewhere manufacturing the 6 speed H pattern box as used in the later touring cars but they are about £5k so I might have to pass on that for now
The diff, I believe, is nothing special either and can be found on other beemers.
Don't you find even a race prepped saloon a bit compromised after the caterham?
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
It should be eligible for quite a few series when it's done, but the ones I've got in mind are CTCRC Pre '93 Touring Cars, CSCC Deutche Marques and Project 8 Racing Saloons. The latter would mean there's a few things I can't do to the car so we'll see.
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
Originally Posted by ge2' timestamp='1345990040' post='21965476
[quote name='Nottm_S2' timestamp='1345907358' post='21963883']
Do you think it'll be more fun than a caterham?
Put the v8 in it from an m5/e9x
Will you enter a race series in it?
Do you think it'll be more fun than a caterham?
Put the v8 in it from an m5/e9x
Will you enter a race series in it?
They're obviously not quite as nimble but you can drive them on the throttle in much the same way. Apparently you need at least 250bhp to make them proper fun but I'll be aiming for 280-300 bhp, so no problem there.
No engine swaps as it'll limit the series I can enter it in and sort of misses the point of the car.
overdue a curry
[/quote]
I keep meaning to get in touch Pete, I've only got a few weeks left so I'll give you a shout very soon
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From: Frustration
Originally Posted by ge2' timestamp='1345990645' post='21965483
[quote name='lower' timestamp='1345924857' post='21964317']
Aren't the engine, gearbox and diff the important bits?
Aren't the engine, gearbox and diff the important bits?
The dogleg ZF gearbox was used in quite a few homologation specials from that period (Chevette HS, Lotus Sunbeam etc.) so are easy to get hold of. There's a company in eastern europe somewhere manufacturing the 6 speed H pattern box as used in the later touring cars but they are about £5k so I might have to pass on that for now
The diff, I believe, is nothing special either and can be found on other beemers.
Don't you find even a race prepped saloon a bit compromised after the caterham?
[/quote]
A saloon car will not perform like a Seven, but I can see why Graham wants the M3 - his passion for it is more than enough and I get that
Chilled 4 > 6 for weight distribution.
I must say, if you are after a 300bhp four pot that'll surely cost you a pretty penny!
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
Originally Posted by ge2' timestamp='1345990645' post='21965483
[quote name='lower' timestamp='1345924857' post='21964317']
Aren't the engine, gearbox and diff the important bits?
Aren't the engine, gearbox and diff the important bits?
The dogleg ZF gearbox was used in quite a few homologation specials from that period (Chevette HS, Lotus Sunbeam etc.) so are easy to get hold of. There's a company in eastern europe somewhere manufacturing the 6 speed H pattern box as used in the later touring cars but they are about £5k so I might have to pass on that for now
The diff, I believe, is nothing special either and can be found on other beemers.
Don't you find even a race prepped saloon a bit compromised after the caterham?
[/quote]
Well they're not actually very different at all when you get down to the bare bones. A lot of the tweaks are bolt ons. One option, apparently, is to get hold of a very late LHD shell and make some minor alterations.
The costs come with all the extras which is why I snapped this one up. It hasn't got anything like the value of a complete car which makes it a bargain when you add the parts up.
I could in theory source an engine, box and interior and sell it it one for a healthy profit.
Also, even though it's going to be converted to a race car, there's still a lot of kudos in it being an genuine M3 (with lots of history). That would help if I ever decided to move it on.
It's not ever going to replace the Caterham, just something I've always wanted. It's just fun in a different way. Ideally I'd have both
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
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Saw your 325 on PH classifieds a couple of weeks ago - thought you must have started work on the M3 project, good luck with it (and come and do a round with the Northern Monkeys when you get it built, we're mostly friendly, even to southerners 
) and keep us updated.
I must say, if you are after a 300bhp four pot that'll surely cost you a pretty penny!
Yep, it'll be the biggest single expense but it's a well trodden path so it should be relatively easy to get it right first time.
Won't it keep costing you a pretty penny too - tuned race engines need regular refreshes/rebuilds IME (assume the BMW 4 pot is no different when you're squeezing that much out of it). Partly the reason we went with an ST170'd Ginetta rather than muck about with the Renault engine too much - prices get very silly very quickly when you go over 230-240bhp in a 4 pot.....
) and keep us updated.
Originally Posted by Ultra_Nexus' timestamp='1346063176' post='21967002
I must say, if you are after a 300bhp four pot that'll surely cost you a pretty penny!