E36 track car?
 

Starting a new project and was wondering what this forum thought about using an E36 as a dedicated track car.

Good choice. The shop I worked at had several guys w/ E36 BMW track cars,a nd they were all fast, and only required maintenance was on the brakes. Get the upgraded bronze bushings put in your calipers to avoid melting rubber ones all the time.

My friend John has a supercharged E36(I think) M3. 360hp at the wheels. It sees regular track time and I don't think he has had many problems. I could put you in touch with him if you like.

One of my buddies had an E36 328i on d2 coils, and that was one of the most amazing handling cars I have ever driven.. It was almost eerie how I felt like I was doing 40 through the curves, then look down and see I'm doing better than 70mph... It was sooooo smooth, but at the same time stiff and responsive. The power delivery was pretty amazing as well, smooth and forceful at once.... I can't really describe how it felt to drive that thing, all I know is I plan on soon having one just like it! I would almost argue I could run a better lap time in that thing than my miata...

Thanks, but I've already been out talking with some local folks running them. I have a pretty good idea what all will be involved since I've had a couple of them in the past. This will just be a simple 92-95 car that's going to be completely gutted, full suspension, full cage, etc...

Mainly just looking for the perspective from some of the regular track guys on this forum. Nice to get an outside opinion before I turn my current Miata into my daily driver and start the new build.

2 guys locally have blown motors from money shifts 3-2....shifter bushings?

I think its a great plan, Jason. BMWs seem to make very reliable and awesome track cars.

A buddy went from a turbo Miata to an e36 four door for track events. He loves all the extra space, but hates it being more expensive and slower. Yep- the e36 eats tires and brakes - which usually rank as the highest expenses on track weekend. I'd build another Miata and buy trailer hitch and cheap trailer.

If its going to be as badass as your miata I'm subscribing to this thread:D

hmm. no good. please subtract 6 from the model number.

E30 with a swap would be far superior. I have a friend who tracks one of these with a cage and its brutally fast.

I know a couple guys with E30's with S50 swaps and they love them. From the little that I have driven theirs, they feel very light and responsive. An E30 M3 is my next car.

So are E30's easier on brakes and tires? I've got a friend who is an E30 fanatic (his e30 M3 is the one I backed into) who will be racing in the pro3 (spec e30) series next season when he finishes his race car. He really isn't keen on e36s.

E30 - 2800
e36 - 3250

E30 ftw

If you are looking to be fast and not just for looks because an e36 looks somewhat better, go for an e30. It would be better as a gutted racecar and they're much cheaper. I cant stress how much money you could save by building an e30 over a 36. If you're just building it mildly and not going all the way then the e36 will be just fine.

Its lighter so its almost automatically easier on brakes. That is assuming they are on the exact same brake setup.

I heart e36's and e30's




Good info....I thought at least when I was looking to buy a e36

I don't agree with p51 much...but +1

Although I did run into a guy in a newer V8 M3 at the parts store the other day. He had a nice exhaust on it and let me look over the car. It was nice. He promptly handed me my own ass once we hit the road.

:fawk: come on where is the love :dunno:

dead and rotting in a FS thread somewhere...
:fawk:

I will say this my friend picked up an e30 and has been replacing all bushings and suspension items because they are all fawked up and suck!!!! be aware just like the vids cspence posted....

That's a normal thing on those cars. If you get a high mileage one (they all are now for the most part) replace ALL bushings.

Missing the 4-5 shift is pretty common too...and can be expen$$$ive! Replacing an S50/S52 motor will cost considerably more than replacing the engine in a Miata. That was part of the reason I ditched my E36 as a track car and bought a dedicated track Miata instead.

The E36 is a great car, but if I was going to buy another one it would be for the street, not the track. If you are concerned about money at all, the Miata is a much better value as a track car.

E30s too. dirt cheap

Idk...the miata pretty much has the best dolla to fun ratio....

I'm going to take a look at the E30 and probably go drive a couple. I doubt it will do it for me, but you never know. I've owned a couple E36 cars in the past and wish I still had them. This will be a very low budget car, guaranteed to be ugly and definitely start it's life pretty slow.

This is just a fun way to for me to get out on the track in a dedicated track car and keep my Miata as a daily driver.

2 hot rods! Business must be good.

Are you planning to continue your development of the Miata?

Yes and no. The money it will take me to further develop the Miata is more than what the E36 track car will cost me to get setup. As for the Miata, I'm going to finish up the intake manifold, buy a hardtop, different exhaust and then tune it without the meth. If I can still get 400+ out of it on this shitty west coast gas I will consider it finished and it will be perfect for daily driver duty.

If I don't start on a new project soon, I fear my wifes daily driver will become the next project. It's already telling me it needs bigger turbos.

Miata is a better track car. Lighter car with A-arms in front wins.

Any car with McStrut fronts will need lots of roll stiffness and/or front negative camber to be decent with sticky rubber. Then it means you have to fiddle with camber when going to and returning from the track (else you eat the front insides driving on the street), and/or you need a very stiff suspension.

Not to mention that consumables are more expensive on a heavier car, and BMW in general.
E36's also tend to break shit that doesn't break on Japanese cars, such as bushings, shock tower mounts (you'll need to reinforce everything), cam angle sensor wire insulation, and so on.

If you're hell bent on a BMW, I would urge you to go with an E30 as others suggested.