New guy in town, getting started on a Project SE30

#1

Hi, I have been lurking here for a few weeks, I am starting to work with my son, who is the driver, to put together a SE30, using a 1990 325i two door, that was an automatic. It came with no interior, no tranny, and a not so running engine.

We plan to a ground up build. Already thinking cage and EGR for that.

Couple of questions, and if I am in the wrong forum, let me know and I will move to a different section.

Scored a LSD and am wondering, are the half shafts and the driveline the same from a automatic/non-LSD rear end to a 5 speed with an LSD? I ask, because I could start the bench rebuilds of those three pieces, the half shafts and driveline, now while we get a few other things together.

On other topics - I see the project as follows:

Cage install
Suspension rebuild with the spec stuff, wheels and RA1s.
Paint and such along the way
Drive train
Interior prep with seat, controls, belts, and all the proper safety kit
And then inspection and log book

I know that lacks a lot of details, but any other major consideration I am missing?

Will start a photo log, and have a link to a web area for that soon.

Thanks

BTW - Norcal - just a couple of blocks from BTM in Campbell, and my son has race on tracks like T-Hill, Sears, Laguna, Miller, for years in karts, and Superkarts.

#2

All the rear end stuff is compatible.

If you’re going to pull the rear end stuff out, this is the time to do the subframe bushings and rtabs, sway bar mount and strut top reinforcements.

#3

Well I see its been almost 5 years - but this is the year. Instead of taking the 1990, we scored a 1989 rolling chassis (barely) that was last raced in 2010 with the cage already in it. The bad part is that when it was stripped and painted, it looks like some of the good stuff was removed and sold off perhaps, and replaced with leftovers. The rear subframe had old rotten rubber in it for one. And various wiring things are chopped off, or missing altogether.

Have rebuilt the rear subframe with all Condor and Ireland Eng stuff - new rear shocks - sway bars were missing so got new ones of those adding all the reinforcements. That is all back in. Rebuilt axle shafts installed. new rear wheel bearings as well.

The gas tank is out right now, it has been cleaned and coated and will go back in once I get new rubber bits.

Brakes have all been removed, cleaned, rebuilt and remounted, ready for the master cylinder next and then bleeding it all out.

Have 2 engines, 2 diffs, 1 tranny. Getting ready to mate the engine and tranny to go in, after I work on the pedals. That is another great situation, most of the pedal pieces are missing so have been gathering that stuff.

Many a weekend at various Pick-n-Pulls. Have most of the stuff now, just need to get the spec wheels and tires, and a seat and belt system as the major pieces left to buy.

Once I figure out how to post pictures I will.

Planning to get this done as quick as we can and then start the process to get it on the track with y’all in NorCal.