[chillindrdude]

I will be adding to this thread as the build progresses. This is mainly a winter project for me. Some things (due to complexity, time) I had a shop do, some thing I will do myself. Also build speed is dependent on my cash on hand.

I acquired a 1998 E36 M3 back in november from a seller in Cincinnati. This car was purchased from Enthusiast Auto a few years prior. 119k on the odo, the seller put about 50K miles on the car in the 3yrs he had her. No track use as far as I was told and could tell.

PPI checked out ok. motor and clutch was strong. So I booked an one way ticket to Cincy, fingers crossed I would be driving back home (DC metro) in a M3.

Seller was legit, transaction was pretty smooth, just had to stand in line at the Ohio DMV for title transfer and temp tags.



Dropped off the car at Bavarian Auto in Cincy for a few items: I had the transmission output seals replaced and the exhaust hanger repaired for a trouble free drive home.

While I was waiting, I chomped on this.


Made it back home, without issue. Car drove well! pulled hard and no smoking, no rattling, no drama.

------------------

Dropped the car at Manassas Autowerks. A single owner/tech shop. The owner/tech Clark is well known ex-BMW race team mechanic. He was knowledgeable and patient, as he took the time to go over my requests.

I had him do the following:
-OPN safety wire
-VAC motorsports oil pan baffles welded in, new gasket
-new M-Performance engine mounts
-install the Bimmerworld PS kit.






I need to work on the Bimmerworld hose routing, it does kiss the front sway bar occasionally, some very slight rub marks. Just keeping an eye on it for now, and will come up with a final solution before track season starts.

------------------------

Next up is safety

I had Piper Motorsports weld in a custom (but it's something they've fabricated many times for E36s) roll bar/half cage. A 4 pointer, rear 2 struts are welded to the rear bulkhead. The horizontal harness bar is higher on mine, because of my height, to get proper shoulder harness angle.



Sparco Evo 2 drivers seat, Evo 2 US passenger seat (to be installed). The 'EVO 2 US' isn't as tall as the Evo 2, but is wider, so I can accommodate a wider range of instructor body sizes.

[chillindrdude]

driver and passenger seats are installed.
sparco evo 2s, motion motorsports/bimmerworld mounts, schroth profi 2 6pt harnesses, piper motorsports roll bar.


gratuitous M3 shot. RESPECT YOU ELDERS!

[gthal]

This is awesome!! Love seeing this build. I absolutely loved my E36 M3 track build and miss it all of the time. I'm jealous!!

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by gthal

This is awesome!! Love seeing this build. I absolutely loved my E36 M3 track build and miss it all of the time. I'm jealous!!

i, too, am jealous of your garage/quiver.

[chillindrdude]

installed a refurbished 3-spoke sport wheel. alcantara is silky smooth.


ground control street/school hybrid coilover kit (comes with their camber plates)


also installed today:
-powerflex swaybar bushings (front and rear)
-UUC transmission mount and enforcer cups
-new slotted rotors
-PF08 pads
-SS brake lines
-motul 600 fluid

[Eazy-e]

Very nice.

[RABAUKE]

I can't get past that Skyline Chilli, that would have just about killed me....

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by RABAUKE

I can't get past that Skyline Chilli, that would have just about killed me....

How was the long drive home after the chilli? Did it affect your range between pit stops?

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

How was the long drive home after the chilli? Did it affect your range between pit stops?

NO SHIT EH! I'd need some ointment the next day!

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

How was the long drive home after the chilli? Did it affect your range between pit stops?

it was delicious. my gut is like a vulture's

[E30toF30]

This is sweeeeeeet.

Can't wait to see all the updates!

[chillindrdude]

Got the car back from Clarke@ Manassas Autowerkes

Did the following:
-front left tierod replacement and alignment
-Bimmerworld dual fuel pickups to address starvation
-all aluminum radiator and expansion chamber, new coolant hoses
-clutch fan delete, E-fan install, Stewart water pump






Street driving great!
Last items for me to install are Apex or Kosei wheels with RE71r rubber and studs.

VIR hyperfest here I come!

[buddalun]

Did you notice a bump in power after removing the clutch fan and replacing it with the e-fan setup? TIA

[chillindrdude]

Butt dyno says small increment. But actual dyno probably says no.

[fiona01]

Very nice.

[Mywifes335]

Something I did with an E30 that I sold to get an engagement ring.

Did you get all the strut/shock tower reinforcements? Rear diff reinforcement?

It looks like the rear mounts have something...

[chillindrdude]

No rear diff reinforcement, but I'm not running any crazy power mods or aftermarket clutch. I did replace the transmission mounts.

Shock towers has been reinforced.

Should be a well sorted, fun, little car. It wasnt exactly cheap, but hopefully, mostly just consumables from here on out.

[The Wind Breezes]

What diff will you run?

[chillindrdude]

Whatever the stock ratio LSD is in a 98 M3

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

Whatever the stock ratio LSD is in a 98 M3

Stock LSD is great. When you do the service, might look into changing it to SA finned diff cover. Stock fins might not be enough if you track it.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

No rear diff reinforcement, but I'm not running any crazy power mods or aftermarket clutch. I did replace the transmission mounts.

Shock towers has been reinforced.

Should be a well sorted, fun, little car. It wasnt exactly cheap, but hopefully, mostly just consumables from here on out.

Although different, I had an E36/7 and tore the rear carrier off after a few track days. Was running full bolt on but even then hp was around 200whp - 230 at the crank.

[Mywifes335]

Does yours have the stock Motorsport X-brace? Some M3s came without it.