Any 318 cars competitive in S30

#1

Like the title says, wondering if building my 318is is worth it. It is a 91 with the m42, although still wont make much power. Wondering if anyone knows of a car or person who is competitive with a 318.

Thanks

#2

In the early years of SpecE30 the eta and the late model 318 were both legal, and there were 2 different classes. The 318 was actually in the same class as the 325i cars. At the end of the day the 318s and eta cars were not competitive and both were dropped. Currently only M20b25 cars are legal…

#3

Won’t be any more or less competitive once you remove and sell that M42 and install an M20B25. Have a read of the SpecE30 rules. They don’t take long.

#4

Isn’t all of the suspension different on the 318?

#5

The early 318s had smaller strut tubes, but the late model 318s everything is the same. Late model slick tops make great spec E30 donors.

#6

I haven’t checked lately(2011), but the m42 318is has always been more valuable than a 325is. You should have no problem trading it for a 325i/is.

#7

Yea, I’m sure I could trade it, but I do have a 318 slick top. May do the swap if I decide to build it into a spec.

#8

318s have small case diff, but I think the subframe is the same. Anyone know if the axle halfshafts are same?

#9

Change motor/trans and replace small case diff…poof…you have a 325. Oh yea, cluster, too.

#10

They have the same part # on realoem

#11

Halfshafts will interchange from small diff to large.

#12

I believe Rob Gagliardos car was a 318, and he was more than competitive in the MA region, won some races. But it was not a 4 cylinder car.

#13

“At the end of the day the 318s and eta cars were not competitive and both were dropped.”

Not the case in endurance racing. When we don’t wreck, we out run most, if not all, e30s with an m42.