Newbie here with some noob questions.

#1

Hey guys,

I found a 325is for $400 sans engine and it has an auto tranny. I’m told the ecu in an auto car is preferable for a racer. Anyway, it’s a straight rust free car.

How much am I looking at to get the car running (engine, 5spd) and then how much for the spec parts? Don’t figure labor or the cost of a cage and seat since I will be doing a lot of stuff myself. I won’t be doing the cage myself but I have a hookup for that.

Does somebody have a nice writeup with a laundry list of what they spent for spec parts and overall freshening of the car? Thanks.

#2

Here’s my list. The gray items are what I’ve purchased to date. My 1988 325is came with a motor and trans. so I didn’t need to purchase those, but this should give you an idea. You also don’t have to do all of this at once either. I just figured that while I had things apart I might as well bolt the extra bits on.

Bob

edit: Sorry, for some reason it wouldn’t let me post an excel file. I’ll try again.
edit #2: still won’t work for some reason. I’ll email it to you.

#3

bmwclubracer wrote:

It’s not finished yet, but the start of an on-going - as -it -happens track hobby blog & expenditures list.

http://www.not-mpower.blogspot.com/

#4

Sorry, I’m going off-topic a little…

Fritz, great write-up. It’s always fun to hear other people going through a build. I wanted to comment on the Valvoline synthetic brake fluid you mentioned was crap. I absolutely LOVE that stuff! I’ve used super blue in the past and have been running the Valvoline for about a year now and feel it’s every bit as good. I’ve run it in my e36 M3 and now in my e30. I’ve been in situations where other people were cooking brakes and I’ve never had an issue. The boiling point is very close to the boiling point of the ATE stuff.

Your pedal going to the floor shouldn’t have been the brake fluid… sounds like you have a leak in the system somewhere or possibly the pads couldn’t deal.

OK, sorry… back on topic. My car was a 5 speed so I have no idea how much it costs to change over! :blink: I’ve heard it’s not too tough. Figure at least $1K for an engine and install.

Matt

#5

Sorry off topic,
— Fritz, Great write up, I wish I had written or taken notes on everything from the beginning.

— Blog posts on what I have, coming soon!

One suggestion is not having to buy 2 cars to get started like I did.

If you look back in this forum there are some spreadsheets outlining the costs of a build. Sorry I can’t find them at the moment.

Carr Industries ( a Site sponsor) offers a Spec e30 package for ~$2500 I think, does not include motor, tranny or tires.

#6

bmwclubracer wrote:

[quote]Hey guys,

I found a 325is for $400 sans engine and it has an auto tranny. I’m told the ecu in an auto car is preferable for a racer. Anyway, it’s a straight rust free car.

How much am I looking at to get the car running (engine, 5spd) and then how much for the spec parts? Don’t figure labor or the cost of a cage and seat since I will be doing a lot of stuff myself. I won’t be doing the cage myself but I have a hookup for that.

Does somebody have a nice writeup with a laundry list of what they spent for spec parts and overall freshening of the car? Thanks.[/quote]

bmwclubracer,
where are you located? I have a buddy that works at a junk yard with quite a few e30’s. Engines normally go for $300.00, and trannies for $175.00. I’m in northern VA, and could pick-up & transport to VIR for you if you like ( 'cause I’m a nice guy like that):woohoo:

#7

You want to drag an engine to VIR for me?

#8

Can do. Where is it?

#9

NOT_MPOWER wrote:

[quote]Can do. Where is it?[/quote]Front Royal. Send me a email and we can work something out. My truck only has Farm tags so VIR is too far for me to go in it…
registration AT nasaracing DOT net

#10

e-mail sent

#11

This is an old post but the costs are still pretty close.

http://spece30.com/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,86/func,view/id,1540/catid,5/

Ed

#12

I’m trying to work it out where I get the car with a motor and 5spd already installed so I can get it around. What should I end up paying for the car with a rough interior but sound drivetrain? $2000?

This car has a sunroof…are there any non-sunroof cars out there? I plan to keep the car street legal for a year or so. How much power will I be down on spec cars keeping the stock exhaust? Is the new spec exhaust really loud?

Is the Carr Industries SpecE30 package ($2500 for everything) the best deal out there?

Thanks!

#13

$2k sounds high. $1k would be more the norm I think. Only us racers don’t care about the interior. Everyone else cares, so purchase price should reflect that.

Sunroof. Non-sunroof models theoretically exist. Haven’t seen one myself.

New spec exhaust is supposed to be good for a couple hp over stock. Loud depends on the listener. You won’t be the loudest car on the track. You might be the loudest car on your block.

Best deal out there is to buy someone else’s car that is already prepared. Have never heard anyone complain about the Carr package, but I know no more than that.

#14

Thanks. It seems like the 1988 with the M42 engine is the car to get. Any other cars I should consider?

Seems like the original car I’ve been looking at isn’t a good candidate but I’ll keep looking.

#15

an M42 engine is a 1.8 that came in the >91 318iS - not available in the 88’s.
M20B25 is the engine you want (vs. the M20B27 which was the eta engine).
cheers,
bruce

bmwclubracer wrote:

[quote]Thanks. It seems like the 1988 with the M42 engine is the car to get. Any other cars I should consider?

Seems like the original car I’ve been looking at isn’t a good candidate but I’ll keep looking.[/quote]

#16

leggwork wrote:

[quote]an M42 engine is a 1.8 that came in the >91 318iS - not available in the 88’s.
M20B25 is the engine you want (vs. the M20B27 which was the eta engine).
cheers,
bruce

bmwclubracer wrote:

[quote]Thanks. It seems like the 1988 with the M42 engine is the car to get. Any other cars I should consider?

Seems like the original car I’ve been looking at isn’t a good candidate but I’ll keep looking.[/quote][/quote]

Yeah, meant to say the B25…I’ve been looking at too much info and my brain is fried.

All 325is have the limited slip?

#17

bmwclubracer wrote:

[quote]
All 325is have the limited slip?[/quote]

Yes. It was an option on the 325i so you have to check those.