E36 dd with track duties

[Vrbovsky]

Hey e36 guys, I've decided to join you... for a while anyways.

I picked up a 1999 328is from another member for 700$ and have decided to beat on it instead of my minty e30...

I've started the restoration process and will post pics soon.

Plans

Phase 1

Rear subframe recondition
powerflex rtabs and subframe bushings
Eibach sway kit
Eibach adjustable rear arms
Front camber kit
new rack
tierods and control arms
powerflex bushings
coilovers of some description

Phase 2

new 17" and new tires
e46 330i big brake upgrade

Phase 3

M3 body kit and repaint

Phase 4

s52 transplant
uuc flywheel
m5 clutch
new motormounts
poly trannymounts

Phase 5

M3 or sport seat interior


in total I aim to spend between 8,000$ and 12000$, yes I know I could get an M3 for that but then I'd probably do the same upgrades and spent 18,000$ to 22,000$

[Vrbovsky]

I'd like your suggestions regarding a coilover kit for street and track use

looking at the bilstein pss... any thoughts?

[T.Dot_E30]

Sounds good, you got a really good deal on it if it was in good shape. But over time, with all those upgrades, i still think it would have been better to start with an m3. I suppose you can spend $8-12k if you do all the work yourself......but in the end, if you ever decide to sell it you won't get back nearly as much money as if it was an m3.

Don't forget you will need the sub-frame re-enforcement plates which already come on an m3, or you'll cause damage to yours.

I wouldn't bother with the s52 swap unless there is something wrong with your engine. M3 Cams, m50 mani, intake, tune and your at M3 power.

If your on a budget, i think there are some used Bilstein coil-overs in the for sale section. If you want to spend a little more, check out BC Racing ones, Jay at Stance Factory can hook you up. You can order any spring rate you want and the shocks will be valved correctly, and they also come with camber plates and rsm, which i wish my FK kit came with.

[Vrbovsky]

Thanks for the reply.

The car is decent but I'll still do some body work on it. Nothing to bad yet.

The m52 has a billion km on it so rather than building it I figured go s52

As per the coilovers I went pss9 for summer use and I'll keep the stock suspension for winter.

Pics up later today.

[sb_600]

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

I wouldn't bother with the s52 swap unless there is something wrong with your engine. M3 Cams, m50 mani, intake, tune and your at M3 power.

This. Obviously if you engine isn't healthy, then that could be a factor as well, but if you don't care about the M badge, you can get as much if not more than M3 power with those mods. And all you need to do internally is cams.

Congrats on the buy. yes, maybe an M3 MAY have been better, but you'll have a lot of fun with your build. Enjoy!

[Vrbovsky]

I'm pretty confident in my decision. I don't care about an m3 badge and it would have blown my budget. This way I can mod the hell out of the car for the price of a stock m3, have fun a long the way and abuse the piss out of it without the worry of resale value or destroying a more expensive car.

The m52 has about 400km on it so I'm not going to bother modding it.

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by Vrbovsky

I'm pretty confident in my decision. I don't care about an m3 badge

It's not only about the badge, you said yourself you want to put M3 bumpers, M3 interior and some of the mods you are doing the M3 already has (ie bigger brakes)

But for the price you paid, you can't really argue.

[Vrbovsky]

Its not only about the car for me, I did the same with my e30. I did all the work, and built exactly what I wanted, I enjoy the journy as much as the car

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by Vrbovsky

Its not only about the car for me, I did the same with my e30. I did all the work, and built exactly what I wanted, I enjoy the journy as much as the car

Fair enough, as long as you have the time, the knowledge and the means.

[SiR]

Originally Posted by sb_600

you can get as much if not more than M3 power with those mods. And all you need to do internally is cams.

heh

[davericher20]

schrick cams would do it

[sb_600]

another suggestion to save some coin:

don't do a big brake upgrade. Just get a good set of pads, and you'll have all the braking you need

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Vrbovsky

The m52 has about 400km on it so I'm not going to bother modding it.

You'd be very surprised by these motors. I'm creeping up on 350,000km on my M52, all I've had to change is a power steering pump, aside from regular maintenance items. Doesn't burn a drop of oil in between changes and pulls like an S52!

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

It's not only about the badge, you said yourself you want to put M3 bumpers, M3 interior and some of the mods you are doing the M3 already has (ie bigger brakes)

But for the price you paid, you can't really argue.

This is true. I changed every part on my 328 to M3 minus the motor. Just made up for that with mods. In the end, yes I should of just picked up an M3. But in the end, if I didn't modify the car the way I did, I'd know nothing about it

Originally Posted by sb_600

another suggestion to save some coin:

don't do a big brake upgrade. Just get a good set of pads, and you'll have all the braking you need

Couldn't agree more. 3-series brakes are more than enough with a good pad. Also stay away from silly drilled rotors. M3 brakes are significantly better but not entirely needed.

[Axxe]

I did the same thing, only backwards (motor first + 5spd swap). Won't be doing a big project again for a while, too draining and chasing all the small issues is a pain in the ass.

[Vrbovsky]

Just an UP-Date...

so I'm about 5000$ (+600$ for the car) into this project and nearly done....

I've replaced or changed/upgraded the following,

Poly Rear Subframe bushings
Poly trailing arm bushings
reinforcement plates
new rear bearings

new stainless steel brake lines
Welfare big brake kit (e46 330i brakes front and rear)
M3 body kit (thanks Tom used to be Euroguy)

Rebuilt z3 rack
new inner and outer ties
new power steering hoses and pump

new Eibach performance sway bar kit
new HR cup kit suspension
new eibach front camber kit
new eibach rear camber kit (arms)

new cat back performance exhaust
interior is gutted, was when i bought it... might just leave it that way for now

the car is rolling and all I need before paint is a rust free trunk lid. I'm also getting the windshield replaced during paint.