Getting Track Ready

#1

I am getting my '87 325is ready for SpecE30 competition as best I can. I just bought the car a few months ago and this is the first time I’ve done any serious work on a car. So far lots of fun and hopefully even more to come. I’m using my other ride to work my way up through HPDE to get my license. SO I’m looking for advice on what to "fix next." I’d like to get the car ready enough to use it for HPDE’s. Run a few with the car and then start adding the safety equipment. It doesn’t surprise me that the safety equipment is the big expensive step.

So here is what I’ve fixed so far (stuff that was just plain broke when I got the car):

New Center Driveshaft support
New Shift Linkage + e46 shifter
New Guibo
new fuel tank (from junk yard, old one leaked)
new fuel filter
power steering pump disconnected (M14 bolt + plug / hose clamp) (it was leaking like crazy)
new transmission mounts (Upgraded Urethane Tranny Mount Set from Flyingbrick)
new motor mounts (Upgraded Urethane Motor Mounts from Flyingbrick )
IE front sway bar (old one had one of the mount points sheered off)

This pass of fixes will hopefully be done this Sunday and the car will get to see more than my garage. Before going to the track I’d like to do the following:

  1. Install new brakes front and rear (OEM rotors, Hawk pads, stainless lines, new brake fluid)
  2. Install SpecE30 suspension bits (Spec Bilsteins + springs front and rear, Rear IE Sway bar, Aluminum Rear Shock Mounts, Adjustable Race Camber Plates for the fronts, front strut brace)
  3. Get a set of Toyo RA-1’s + new wheels (TDs? Konigs?)

So what did I miss? Is there anything that I might as well fix while I’m doing all this work? Is there anything that will help the car out a ton for the HPDE events, so I should do it for performance / safety reasons? My front control arms appear to be reasonably new, so I don’t think I should pull those and the associated bushings. Should I put in solid diff and rear subframe bushings? Is a rear shock tower brace a good idea or even legal? What about the rear trailing arm and bushings? What about my wheel bearings?

The list just appears to keep going when I think on it, so what are the must dos to start enjoying the car out on the track?

Thanks for the help in advance,
Adam

#2

sounds like you’re well on your way…

Check the tie-rods as well. Harder control arm bushings will tighten things up. Look at reinforcements for the front subframe (around motor mounts).

Rebuilding your calipers might be in order if they look gunky.

Does cooling system seem healthy?

Diff mount and subframe bushings will tighten up handling, but not critical for now.

The rear shock tower brace isn’t that critical because the main loads back there are transmitted where the springs touch the chassis (ie. not at the top of the shock towers)

and, since you’ve recently done your driveshaft center bearing, can you comment in the thread at http://spece30.com/component/option,com_mamboboard/Itemid,68/func,view/id,15845/catid,10/
B)
cheers,
bruce

#3

Sounds advice Bruce, I agree.

The things that came to my mind were to make sure it doesn’t shake at high speed (CA bushings, alignment, chk ball joints, tie rod boots, steering rack).

And make sure it stops. Only thing I’d add to your list would be to see if you can duct the brakes - makes a difference on stopping power and pad wear, especially when it’s hot outside.

Rear bushings and strut tower are not vital yet - make it safe, make it reliable, then make it fast.

Welcome, and good luck!

#4

I think you have the important stuff covered as long as it runs well. I did the same starting in November 2006 with my 87is. I just gutted the interior, cage, seat, Billys, H&Rs, RA1s on the stock basketweaves. It has done great!, until last track day where I shared off both motor mounts!

Just got some new ones las week, ST swaybars should be coming in soon.

You’re not in the RM region are you? I need someone to run with!!!

#5

I concur, you’re well on your way and are following a logical path. I’d finish the suspension with the springs, rear sway bar, REINFORCEMENTS for the rear bar mounts, camber plates and I’d probably replace the eyeball bushings in the front with urethane offset ones. I have not done the rear bushings yet as that’s kind of a nasty job and I’ll do it all at once over the winter.

I have not run brake ducts yet, and have not had a problem with the brakes at VIR or Summit.

I would save my money and buy wheels near the end, just run BMW wheels with whatever size tire you want to use (14 or 15 inch; I still run 14’s). There is some worry that the RA-1’s may be discontinued and replaced with something else within the next year or so, so don’t buy four sets of them now. B)

Do all the maintenance (belts, hoses, timing belt) and fix the oil leaks. Remove the clutch fan, as it will give you a lot more fighting room in the engine bay for a lot of other minor work.

#6

I’m running in the NE. I’m in NJ, so pocono has been my usual haunt.

Thanks for the input,
Adam