Shawn's track car project (e36 M52 325i)

[BigD]

Originally Posted by sb_600

thanks for the info! I know the guy was saying that he's going to clamp the mains down for the boring - i'm just not sure if he did it for the check.

I'll look into it!

Yeah mains is part of it, and while I'm no expert on this, from the things I've heard from good builders, it sounds like it's the top half that is most likely to get out of whack, where the torque plate is critical.

Either way, good luck with your build man. My engine is currently in surgery too, I've had one built before as well, I know how you're feeling right now. The worst part is how easy it is to succumb to the "while I'm at it" money trainwreck.

[sb_600]

Originally Posted by BigD

Yeah mains is part of it, and while I'm no expert on this, from the things I've heard from good builders, it sounds like it's the top half that is most likely to get out of whack, where the torque plate is critical.

Either way, good luck with your build man. My engine is currently in surgery too, I've had one built before as well, I know how you're feeling right now. The worst part is how easy it is to succumb to the "while I'm at it" money trainwreck.

Thanks! Like i said - I appreciate the insight. I'm new to all this so any help i can get is great. I know what you mean by the "while I'm at it" - I'm going WAY over budget, but i'd rather do it right once than have to start over in a year.

[sb_600]

It's been a while, and progress has been slow this month, but there are a few new developments:

-All the sound deadening has been removed, but I still have to clean everything up with brake cleaner. It also uncovered a nice rust hole on the passenger side floor that I will have to patch up.

-I've been playing more and more in the wiring of the car and have been getting more and more scared. I am trying to run everything back into the fusebox in order to eliminate useless wiring but it's proving to be pretty complicated. I've managed to take out probably another couple pounds though, and I hope for more soon. The problem is that I can't try starting the engine because the engine harness is out and part of the engine is disassembled. So hopefully i don't have any surprises in the spring!

-Engine parts should be trickling in next week. Once the pistons come in, they will be brought to the machine shop to have the block bored correctly. I'm also going to bring the head in to have it shaved (to eliminate any warp).

-I picked up a new steering wheel too - a 330mm Sparco Rim. I hear that's pretty small for a BMW, but I'll try it and if I don't like I can always sell.

-Car will be sent in for its rear roll bar and bracing, and seat brackets hopefully next week sometime.

I'll keep you all posted as the engine build progresses!

[bmwconnect]

cant wait to check this thing out!!
keep up the good work

[everlast]

Sounds good.. man this thing is going to smoke 'em at auto-X next year.

Who do you use for a machine shop, Shawn?

[sb_600]

Originally Posted by everlast

Sounds good.. man this thing is going to smoke 'em at auto-X next year.

Who do you use for a machine shop, Shawn?

I didn't know who to go to locally, but I have a co-worker who has had work done at Actek Auto and was happy with the results so that's who I'm going with too.

The prices seem pretty reasonable - I think it was $33/cylinder for the bore and $80 to clean the block. Not sure yet how much shaving the head will be but I don't imagine it being too bad either.

[ScotcH]

I have your shiny new pistons sitting at my place ... they're purdy The rest of the parts should be in later this week.

[sb_600]

Thanks Arek!!!!


I stopped by on my way home today. Who said christmas was only one day a year?

[sb_600]

This weekend was another productive one too. I decided to takle the wiring harness. I took out probably about 20 lbs of wiring. I'm not quite done yet, but hoping to have it finished by mid week so I can drop it off to get the cage done next weekend!

Somehow, all if this makes sense to the german folk...

[craz azn]

Nice pistons! Specs?

[sb_600]

Thanks!

Bore: 86.5mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
weight: 330g
Overall displacement will be 2.96L

[MBrown]

Yesss Shawn this is awesome! And to think I'll only have 0.04L of displacement on you once you're all done, should be one hell of a racecar my friend!

[ScotcH]

Originally Posted by MBrown

Yesss Shawn this is awesome! And to think I'll only have 0.04L of displacement on you once you're all done, should be one hell of a racecar my friend!

You'll get spanked

(especially if the tuning is done right!)

[sb_600]

Well i finally got the rotating assembly in. All the bearing tolerances were checked, as well as the axial play in the crankshaft and everything is right within spec. After all the pistons were put in, everything still spins easily and freely. I'm getting really excited now - things are finally starting to take shape!

[bmwconnect]

A masterpiece !