E36 m3 autocross project

Recently bought it in fairly good condition, gonna prep it solely for autocross while still being street legal (not bothered to tow the damn thing eveywhere). The plan was to stay in stock for a while but since in my infinite knowledge I permanently took out interior bits it looks like I'll be in Prepared. Since autocross doesn't have many participants here that shouldn't be a big problem. Gonna stay in that class for as long as possible until either my skills are perfected or the engine gives up, at which case I'll go all in with an engine swap (ls3 or 2j?) taking the car to Modified. I'm new to autocross and engine building so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I reside in the Sultenate of Oman.

How familiar are you with BMWs and the e36?

Aredee wrote: I'm new to autocross as well as car building

Your building should be limited to making sure all the stock bits are in good working order and maybe a good set of shocks/struts. Leave the rest alone. When you are new to autocross the biggest modification you will need to focus on is the driver. You will have a lot to learn and a stock E36 chassis is a good enough platform stock to begin your education, don't mess with it.

Agreed with the above comments. A general run thru of the mechanicals and maybe some fresh tires that are a bit more sporting. Figure out what class you will be competing in so you can make sure your improvements are legal. Biggest thing to focus on is seat time! Have fun and don't be afraid to ask the hot drivers to take a ride along with you to give advice!

In reply to JThw8:doing just that albeit currently awaiting shock tower Reinforcements as well as some suspension bushings and motor, tranny and diff mounts since all these are pretty shot to begin with.

In reply to Uncoiled: Not alot but havr obtained the Bentley manual in addition to the "full-fat" service manual, I'm not completely useless around cars but figure I'll learn along the way

In reply to 84FSP: Will definitely keep that in mind!

[URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/aardhi21/media/zHxeccI_zpsufrroomb.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/aardhi21/media/IMAG1236_zpsree7hov8.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/aardhi21/media/IMAG1240_zps6yswv3my.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/aardhi21/media/IMG-20141222-WA0054_zpsopsbqutw.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/aardhi21/media/IMG-20150101-WA0031_zpsmcs4debs.jpeg.html][/URL] No real modifications done besides a modest stripping of the interior, I only have basic hand tools at the moment so things like the sound deadening were a royal PITA. Upon inspection the engine, brakes, suspension seemed not too bad, with the body being in (seemingly) excellent condition.

If it hasn't been done, a huge week point in the e36 is the cooling system. All the plastic bits get brittle and break along with the water pump. If you are going to be driving the car hard updating all of those items is pretty important. There are tons of write ups for that stuff if you search around.

Start here (this guy makes FAST e36s):

BimmerHaus e36m3 auto x prep

Nothing like starting with learning what actually works from people who have done it!

In reply to rcutclif: Talk about convenient! Thanks alot!

In reply to Uncoiled: I have heard of that, so far with some fairly hard driving the temps seem to be fine but definitely will be looking to replace these with aluminum variants, as I recall the thermostat housing is the first to go? Not a bad fix considering the arab heat (50 degrees Celsius aww yiss)

Can't drive in stock autocross if you remove interior bits. You're pretty limited in that regard in SM as well. Removing sound deadening or carpet will put you into prepared classed or mod classes.

In reply to Harvey: Reading the rules now, as I mentioned classes over here don't matter much since there just isn't much competition. Thanks for the heads up!

Participated in my first autocross event, came last but had a blast. Next event is in a month's time and practice is few and far between so still gauging the car's behaviour.

I took out a lot of my Camaro's interior because it's my autocross and race car before I read the rules, and that knocked me out of it's best class too. So you're not the only one to do that.

The best way to get more practice is to race in your next closest region's autocross events, if they are close enough.

I have an E36 so you should check out my build thread later on when you are ready to do at certain mods. http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/e36-328-in-over-my-head/84578/page1/

In reply to Mr_Clutch42:thanks for that,and yeah currently just participating in as many events and practice sessions as i can. Will check out your thread.

Actually, many of the aluminum thermostat housings are found to leak, so OEM is the safest way to go. Also, stay away from the aftermarket thermostats, too.

In reply to Mr_Clutch42:really? I have a few friends who swear by Mishimoto's stuff, perhaps they just got lucky.

After quite a few autocross events and drift practices, I've realised that drifting is leaps and bounds more fun to me, as well as being more accessible. So I'm going that route which no doubt will annoy anyone who opens this thread hoping to learn about autox. Haven't done much to the car other than solid mounts all round since the old rubber ones were disintegrating, as well as ordered a set of coilovers from flatout suspension. I'd appreciate any advice on setting the car up once they arrive. I've had quite a few drift sessions and so far feel that there's too much body roll for my liking, hence the coilovers.

Aredee wrote: After quite a few autocross events and drift practices, I've realised that drifting is leaps and bounds more fun to me, as well as being more accessible. So I'm going that route which no doubt will annoy anyone who opens this thread hoping to learn about autox. Haven't done much to the car other than solid mounts all round since the old rubber ones were disintegrating, as well as ordered a set of coilovers from flatout suspension. I'd appreciate any advice on setting the car up once they arrive. I've had quite a few drift sessions and so far feel that there's too much body roll for my liking, hence the coilovers.

Who cares if folks coming into this thread are disappointed? You bought a kick ass car and you are now participating in a cool form of motorsports that you discovered and really enjoy. What's not to love about that?!?

Please keep it up and keep us informed as you build the car in that direction. Drifting may not be the first choice of many here, but it doesn't mean a drift build can't be appreciated. Have fun!

In reply to dyintorace:

Thanks alot you're absolutely right. Will keep updating this as often as I can.

Where was your car originally sold? I was expecting to see the euro motor under the hood.

In reply to 2002maniac:

In Oman, the middle eastern market got the american engine as far as I'm aware, euro motors here are few and far between.

Well, in one day I money shifted it, somehow managed to lose a headlamp, the gear got stuck in 2nd because why not, and after locking it next to a friend's place lost the only key I had. It's as if it's hinting that it doesn't want to be abused on the track anymore. Well I don't take hints.