E36 M3 track car vs my C63 coupe

[gthal]

Well... I'm back in the BMW camp but not with an E92

The more time I spend at the track, the more I have been thinking I should have a more dedicated track car. One that is set up for the track without the compromises of a DD. Also, taking my very expensive DD (whether it was the C63 or the E92 M3) made me more and more nervous the better I got on the track. I didn't like beating up the cars (even though they can handle it) and worried about a mishap (and, in Canada, insurance coverage is less than certain and there is no after market options like in the US).

So, enter my new E36 M3!! Heavily modded for the track . Deposit has been placed and the car should be here in a few weeks. The C63 (which has been great the two times it has been to the track) is now a non-track car.

[klammer]

That looks awesome! Well maintained and ready to tear shit up, congrats

[arter]

Wow, a great body too...... don't let her cheat on you with another man


I also worry that I will trash my car one of these days

[adc]

Prepare to be blown away. As well as blow away C63's and E9x M3's on track...

[gthal]

Originally Posted by adc

Prepare to be blown away. As well as blow away C63's and E9x M3's on track...

A similarly modded E36 M3 has consistently been one of the top two fastest cars at the track I attend. It is a shorter, very technical track and power is not very relevant. With the stripped E36 weighing next to nothing, power/weight is actually quite good.

[adc]

Originally Posted by gthal

A similarly modded E36 M3 has consistently been one of the top two fastest cars at the track I attend. It is a shorter, very technical track and power is not very relevant. With the stripped E36 weighing next to nothing, power/weight is actually quite good.

Certainly. And if you want the wow factor to increase, just get VAC or some other top shop to build you an engine...

[gblansten]

In for track vids. That will be fun.

[Brainofjjj]

Funny. I was looking at this same car. Congrats and enjoy.

[gthal]

Here is the list of modifications...

Custom Quick Drain Catch Can (Fall Line install)
Front Control Arm bushings (UUC)
E36 Quaife Differential, Rogue Diff Cover and Diff Mounts(Fall Line install)
Differential Cooler (Fall Line install)
Kromer Kraft headers and custom exhaust
TC Kline Sway Bar Kit
New OEM steering rack
Turner Motorsports Performance Chip
OBD-1, 3.0-liter intake manifold
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Safecraft Fire System
Quick Battery Disconnect
Custom Cage and Stripped/Painted interior (Fall Line install)
Window Net
VAC Billet Floor Mount Adaptors
Schroth Profi III 6 Point harnesses (out of date, good for HPDE)
Momo Steering Wheel
Custom Seat Back Panels (Fall Line install)
Custom Passenger Door Panel (Fall line install)
Custom Lexan Driver Window for transport and storage (Fall Line)
Carbon Fiber Dash Insert
Turner Motorsports Fuel Starvation Kit
8 Fikse Mach V Rims, 8.5 x 17, +37mm offset
4 SSR Comp Rims, 8.5 x 17, +44mm offset (spacers included)
UUC Wilwood Big Brake Kit (front) Superlite, 325mm Rotor
Reinforced Lower rear control arm connections
Zionsville Hi Po aluminum radiator
Turner Motorsports Front Hub Extender
BMW lightweight flywheel with M5 clutch (UUC)
BMW high performance water pump
Stainless Steel Clutch and Brake lines
2 Recaro Pole Position seats
Turner Motorsports adjustable Rear Control Arms
BMW/Bilstein Group N suspension (coil overs, shots, and perches)
M3 Cross Brace
Adjustable Camber Plates
M3 Lightweight rear wing
Baffled Oil Pan (Turner Motorports inserts)
Oil Pump Nut staked
Front Brake Ducts
Undercar Tow Hooks (4)

[Porschefile]

Looks great, better built than my old E36 was probably. I really miss that car, I sold it because I didn't have time to use it anymore unfortunately. It really is amazing how quick the cars are for the price. I hope to get another E36 M3 or E46 M3 to build into a racecar when I have time to use it. Beautiful car though, you'll have a blast! I ran the Gruppe N suspension as well, it was pretty damn good IMO. My old car:

[1MOREMOD]

congrats gthal thats awesome. i may do this some time in the future as well.

[1MOREMOD]

you lucky bastard. how much does it weigh and what is the hp output?

[gthal]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

you lucky bastard. how much does it weigh and what is the hp output?

I won't know until it arrives but, based on other E36s I have seen modded for the track, likely somewhere around 2,850 lbs +/-. Don't know the HP either with the mods... would have to dyno it. I believe stock was around 240hp so with the changes, my guess would be around 260 but that is just a complete guess. Not bad hp to weight ratio... it would be fairly close to a stock E92 M3 in the hp/weight department

[Onurleft]

Congrats,

Some people don't realize the E36 M3 is STILL Nationally and Internationally competitive in all types of professional racing. Not to mention the car lapped the Ring in 1997, on tires from 1997 w/ Autocar in 8:20.

The sky is the limit with these cars, we have a guy down here running in the 1:20's at Road Atlanta in his S54 powered E36 M3, similar to a GT3 cup car but with less power to boot

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by gthal

I won't know until it arrives but, based on other E36s I have seen modded for the track, likely somewhere around 2,850 lbs +/-. Don't know the HP either with the mods... would have to dyno it. I believe stock was around 240hp so with the changes, my guess would be around 260 but that is just a complete guess. Not bad hp to weight ratio... it would be fairly close to a stock E92 M3 in the hp/weight department

at 2850 you would need to be about 325hp to be at the same power to weight ratio. im guessing you are pretty close though. i have seen e46s at 2500lbs and i would be surprised if yours wasnt closer to that number. not quite, but at almost a 1000 lbs lighter you far far offset the hp loss with handling ability. im jealous of you sir. nice car.

[DiscoZ]

Awesome ride. I've secretly been thinking of a E36 based track car as well. Do you mind sharing (over PM) the name of the importer you used? I would like to talk to it as well.

Thanks.

[DiscoZ]

I've seen the later S52B32 motors making over 250whp with some basic mods, so it should be fast enough.

[pbonsalb]

Put a set of Shrick cams in there so you can make higher rpm power. The only way to make big power from a relatively small displacement engine is with RPM (i.e., S54, S65) and the stock S52 cams drop off. Shricks have no downside -- smooth idle, no low end loss. They are worth 9 rwhp on a modded S52. Track oriented cams like Sunbelt and Evosport are worth 18-20 rwhp but trade bottom end power for top end.

With the Shricks and a full race exhaust (which you apparently have) and the M50 intake manifold, you should be making around 260 rwhp. With the Sunbelts or Evosports, about 270 rwhp. Your horsepower to weight ratio may not quite equal an E9X M3, but your torque to weight ratio might exceed it. The S52 has a very balanced torque to horsepower ratio at 240/236 stock at the crank.

I think you will have a lot of fun with the toy. The E36M3 is still a great car even at 13-17 years of age. I have one with over 500 rwhp and over 500 lbs rwtq.

[Soorena]

Very nice!

If i were you, i wouldn't touch the engine. Just save up for a S50B32 + 6sp swap.

[CPB]

Damn! That is very cool. Congrats!

[Cyrax91]

Ya awesome ride man! I did the same thing, but I have a moddified Evo IX MR as my track car and love it. So much fun to have a dedicated track car. Congrats dude and again sick ride!

[Team Plutonium]

Mother. F@cker. That is awesome!