Track Debut - Turbo M42 E30

[rob_e30]

It already has a 3.73

[Abrax]

rob - You mean getrag 240 with 3.73 right?

I had simillar setup with 3.64... It was doing 121 at fourth gear... So Your little monster should reach about 270 km/h (168) with 3.73 as You have strong enough engine...

But 5750 on the straight means that You could have been faster... Much faster...  So I'm very pleased that this setup can overtake theese cars that easily :-)

Keep going!!!

[E30PQ]

I am the driver and co-owner of the car in the video.

We used the transmission that originally came in the 325i.  I believe it is a Getrag 260.

That's why we kept the same diff ratio (3:73).

It took a little work to make it all fit.

[Abrax]

Nice to meet You :-)

Yes, I know all theese installation issues connected with adapting different tranny to M42... Tuff stuff

When I was doing the job, we decided to shorten the driveshaft and move the engine 2cm to the back, to move weight more into the center of the car :-)

Finally I decided to keep 3.73 with getrag 225, but it would be definately too short shifted in Your car :-)

I don't know what are Your goals, but generally it is good to have the car shifted that way, that it reaches red line on the fastest straight of the particular track on the last gear... 5775 is definately too long shifted if You are on this track. I think, that You could change the diff and cut 3 more seconds on this track just by doing it... If the 3.73 is stock I would try 4.1 diff. with Your setup. It should give You much better acceleration and about 6700 on the straight with much better torque all the time. Also consider changing tranny in the future. I mean that for the track it is ideal to have the tranny with very long 1st, and the rest of the gears much closer to each other than it is in the getrag 260. I would use E36 6-speed sport tranny from M3...  

BTW - I think that You've done GREAT job :-) But tranny/diff setup is not the strongest side of the car.

[rob_e30]

We know there are a number of areas for improvement in the car and drivers.  One thing to keep in mind is that we were lifting much sooner on the front straight then we would like to make sure the stock front rotors and calipers would be able to slow enough for turn 1.  Not too many stock E30 brakes need to slow the car quickly from 130 for a corner.  We're also not trying to over rev the engine to keep the torque in the powerband.  We could rev it higher, but the torque and HP fall off after 6K with the current tune.  More work to do there as well.

This was a first, shake down cruise for the turbo, and like most race cars we've made a series of compromises.  The car will continue to evolve (hence all our 15" wheels for sale) and we hope, improve.

[FL318is]

Can I borrow your car?

[rob_e30]

Can I borrow your car?

No, but I'd be happy to build you one of your own!

[Abrax]

As I said - outstanding work :-) Stock rotors - right -> too small for the car like this

I am following Your car just from the beginning... Especially that I will build very simillar setup :-)

[Frankie]

We wan't more in-car footage!

[rob_e30]

Because you asked nicely...

This is the next lap (#3) of the second session.  This is the fastest lap of the day but notice how early and often he lifts... we need more brakes and bigger tires, both problems which are being addressed.

This footage includes the data we get from the in-car GPS system.  The tach signal comes from the ECU but track position, and speed from the GPS while the G load is built into the Racepak G2X.  Sorry this is so hard to read on You Tube... he hits 132 on the front straight going into that first corner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdXD64OORPA

[Frankie]

Nice, thank you! And as you said, the braking technoque needs improvement since its too weak and early. It only heatens up the brakes.

That dashboard thingy was cool. So if I understod correctly, thr Racepack enables you to use that information in that video? I fI wan't samekind of video setup what do I need? Damn, that dashboard was nice.

[rob_e30]

We were less concerned with lap times and braking zones than with making sure everything ran right.  We had a new engine, turbo, all associated plumbing, COP conversion, custom ECU, custom wireharness, power cutoff, electrical controls, shifter linkage, Racepak G2X GPS data logger, instrumentation, and digital dash.

There was a lot going on.  

If you want the same setup, get a Racepak G2X along with the Trackvision software and mount a video camera in your car.  You download the video to your PC, create a log file with data from the G2X, and combine them (sync them up) with the Trackvision software.

Here's a pic of the dash...

It has progressive shift lights and dual selectable displays (RPM and Last Lap or MPH for instance)

[DaveM-sport]

Cool, nice build. Great to see it blow the 350 into the weeds in only a shakedown trail:cool:
I'm planning on doing a Turbo M42 E30 track car too at some stage. Starting the build now but only as NA 1st and then turbo it in a year or two. Still in college at only 19 so time and budget can be restricting:rolleyes:

I was told just get an SR20det from a Nissan 200SX which would be easier I suppose but wheres the fun in that:D

[gearheadE30]

haha looks like it would do you good to switch to a quicker steering rack. Otherwise, that's a pretty awesome build!

[rob_e30]

haha looks like it would do you good to switch to a quicker steering rack. Otherwise, that's a pretty awesome build!

hmm... it already has an E36 M3 (3 turns lock-to-lock) rack.  How much quicker do you suggest?