Author Topic: I wanna do a little racing... (Read 7558 times)

318iEnthusiast · « **on:** April 12, 2006, 11:21:13 PM »

hey guys, i'm new to bmw's i've owned mine for about 4mths, but I wanna do some upgrades and do a little racing... I already have upgraded exauhst, headers, and i'm slowly losing weight... i want to put in racing seats and rip out the rear seat... even though it's 4wd... and possibly put a rollcage in? any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

nickmpower · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:40:53 PM »

ummmm 4wd?

1991318is · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2006, 12:47:19 AM »

Quote from: 318iEnthusiast

hey guys, i'm new to bmw's i've owned mine for about 4mths, but I wanna do some upgrades and do a little racing... I already have upgraded exauhst, headers, and i'm slowly losing weight... i want to put in racing seats and rip out the rear seat... even though it's 4wd... and possibly put a rollcage in? any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

None of the 318i's were awd and no e30's were 4wd. If it's a 318i then it is just rear wheel drive which is really good for racing. I personally would focus on the suspension and getting that all up to par before worrying about all the other stuff. As for a roll cage, I would check into an autopower which are cheaper or just have a custom one made and welded up. Kirkey also makes cages from what I remember and their more pricey and better made than autopower.

318iEnthusiast · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2006, 08:42:49 AM »

but would it actually help any in a 4dr car? jw... i'm going to upgrade to h&r and bilstien once i have the $$$ my friend said he'd sell me his whole set up for $250.... so why not right?

asubimmer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2006, 10:05:16 AM »

well what type of racing are we talking here? auto-x, track...? that will depend

2002maniac · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2006, 11:58:26 AM »

Make sure your car is safe and reliable. Then take it to a few auto-x's I wouldnt start making serious modifications until youve had some experience.

e9nine · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2006, 12:54:05 PM »

Quote from: 2002maniac

Make sure your car is safe and reliable. Then take it to a few auto-x's I wouldnt start making serious modifications until youve had some experience.

QFT. It's all about having a reliable car, being in the right frame of mind to learn and have fun then upgrading the car. Beating people with a stock car is fun

318iEnthusiast · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2006, 10:55:40 PM »

oh the car is in excellent shape, runs great... i little hard to start....mostly due to older spark plugs, and the need for a newer batt and ignition wires... you know?

i did notice that it runs a little hot... how hot should it be running? i'm at about halfway to 3/4 on the temp gauge

1991318is · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2006, 11:06:27 PM »

Quote from: 318iEnthusiast

oh the car is in excellent shape, runs great... i little hard to start....mostly due to older spark plugs, and the need for a newer batt and ignition wires... you know?

i did notice that it runs a little hot... how hot should it be running? i'm at about halfway to 3/4 on the temp gauge

Mine runs at 1/4 when the fan clutch isn't burnt out like it is right now. I'd get that all worked out before racing, last thing I'd wnat to be worrying is the motor overheating. Try taking newspaper folded up(no the entire thing but a chunk) and hold onto it while sticking the other end in the fan while the car is running. It shoouldn't stop the fan, but if it does its the fan clutch that has gone out.

D. Clay · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2006, 01:37:43 AM »

My neighbor does A/C work and he has a nice little contact thermometer for checking the temp of A/C lines. Comes in handy when the guage or sender is bad. Just touch it to the water outlet or thermostat housing.

1991318is · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:16:33 AM »

Quote from: D. Clay

My neighbor does A/C work and he has a nice little contact thermometer for checking the temp of A/C lines. Comes in handy when the guage or sender is bad. Just touch it to the water outlet or thermostat housing.

That would be awesome to have.

318iEnthusiast · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2006, 05:27:41 PM »

Quote from: 1991318is

Mine runs at 1/4 when the fan clutch isn't burnt out like it is right now. I'd get that all worked out before racing, last thing I'd wnat to be worrying is the motor overheating. Try taking newspaper folded up(no the entire thing but a chunk) and hold onto it while sticking the other end in the fan while the car is running. It shoouldn't stop the fan, but if it does its the fan clutch that has gone out.

which is the clutch fan? where's it at? sry.... is it the one right behind the grilles?

1991318is · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2006, 12:33:45 AM »

Quote from: 318iEnthusiast

which is the clutch fan? where's it at? sry.... is it the one right behind the grilles?

Nope, open your hood ndit shuld be right there in the middle w/ a shroud(covering around the sides). It sits right on the engine side of the radiator. I'll try ad take a picture of it tomorrow.

318iEnthusiast · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2006, 09:09:37 AM »

o ok, then what's the one in front of that? behind the grille?

2002maniac · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2006, 10:16:55 AM »

Auxilliary fan. it comes on when the A/C is running

*edit* I removed my A/C so it isnt actually running, only the fan comes on.