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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Ed Doe
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by Ed Doe » Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:00 pm

Just so you know I think this project is utterly heroic and I shall be watching with interest 8)
Carbon Black '07 M Coupe: Intrax 1k2 Coilovers, AP-Racing, Raybestos ST45s, Tillets, Schroth, Vibratechnic, Apex EC7, Strongstrut, Eventuri, H&S, RTD, 4.1FD :evil:
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD :(

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Mr Tidy
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by Mr Tidy » Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:28 pm

Ed Doe wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:00 pm Just so you know I think this project is utterly heroic and I shall be watching with interest
Yes, I can't help thinking this is the sort of path you may have followed - but now you've moved onto another level!

I hope you are enjoying your M, but then again why wouldn't you? :lol:

Iain.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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TomK
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by TomK » Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:37 pm

Good luck with the project Liam, it will be really interesting to see how it develops. I think the E86 will make a great base for a race car :)
Funnily enough I'm racing an RX8 this year, only in track day trophy I think and unfortunately only 2 or 3 times, but I'm looking forward to it. The car belongs to David Smitheram who you might know/have raced with in PBMWC a couple of years ago.
p.s. I have a request when you do start stripping I would be super interested in the boot trim/carpet etc, as currently I have the M which has a battery sitting in one corner (which I am relocating). Would be much appreciated, cheers. :thumbsup:
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MC[IB], CSL airbox, Schrick 288/280 cams, 4.44FD, UUC SSK, SS race cat back, AP CP9660[F]/5144[R] brakes, Apex ARC-8 with AR-1 or PS5, KW ClubSport 2-way, Turner spherical arms, PMC uniball rtab, VB engine mounts, Rogue pulleys & RSMs, Tillett B6, half cage

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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by Capa » Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:43 pm

Hey I've got one of those!

Will be watching this with interest. Another person who is super interested in an HPAS swap on an 52 right here.
E86 | Stratus Grey

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MrPT
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by MrPT » Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:46 pm

TomK wrote: Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:37 pm Funnily enough I'm racing an RX8 this year, only in track day trophy I think and unfortunately only 2 or 3 times, but I'm looking forward to it.
Have you seen this?

Found it fascinating and very accessible. Any idea how credible the advice is?

A friend ran an RX8 as a track day car for a year. Bought for £750, had some fun, sorted a few things and sold for £1100. Very tempting!
Last edited by MrPT on Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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TomK
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by TomK » Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:59 pm

I don't know a huge amount about them either, but what I do know is the rebuild is not that expensive these days.
Great cars imo, handle really well and when the rotary is running well they're unbelievably smooth as you rev them. I drove one when they were new round thruxton, fond memories :) I think Dave paid similar money to your friend, unfortunately quite a lot was needed to be spent on rust :( oh and it needs a rebuild :D
MC[IB], CSL airbox, Schrick 288/280 cams, 4.44FD, UUC SSK, SS race cat back, AP CP9660[F]/5144[R] brakes, Apex ARC-8 with AR-1 or PS5, KW ClubSport 2-way, Turner spherical arms, PMC uniball rtab, VB engine mounts, Rogue pulleys & RSMs, Tillett B6, half cage

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Liam22
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by Liam22 » Thu Jan 24, 2019 3:59 pm

Yes, I know David, and spent some time chatting with him about RX8 dos and don'ts when he was planning the RX8 series. Best handling car I've ever driven - perfect balance - and proper layout, with full wishbones all round, LSD as standard, etc, etc.

Mine's still for sale!
http://ebay.us/AeJjiJ
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I can't comment on the rebuild video. My original engine lasted for 30 races (plus its 50k prior road miles). I swapped it for a freshly rebuilt one. They are inherently simple things, with very few moving parts. And you wouldn't believe how small the actual "block" is.

Rest assured the interior will be carefully removed and listed for sale. Drop me a pm for anything specific and I'll make a note.

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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by NickDE » Sat Jan 26, 2019 1:28 am

mr wilks wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 10:41 pm
NickDE wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 8:52 pm If you want BMW 17" wheels, go for Style 32. They are lighter than other BMW wheels, and cheap to get from ebay as were an option on E36 and E46 3-series, which have the same sizes and offsets as the E86.
Only the 18s are lightweight.
No idea why that is but the 17s weigh like any other oe bmw wheel set
Very weird. Still sexier than any other BMW wheel. Except maybe the original bottletops.
Darkness gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Tronic

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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by Seal3.0 » Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:29 pm

Liam22 & TomK - Hi Guys! I currently race in the MSVR Trackday Championship with my brother. Sadly, not running my Z4 (although that could happen in a year or two), we’re running an E46 330 in class B. Our team is called RedSeal Racing! #NoBull.

If either of you enter either the TDT or Supercup then let me know and we’ll meet up at the track. It’s a great series and well organised but if need any assistance the we’re happy to help.

Good luck with the build, I’ll also be watching with interest! :thumbsup:
03 53, 3.0i. BBK including lines.
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kis
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I bought a 3.0si Coupe to convert to a race car - so many questions...

Post by kis » Sat Jan 26, 2019 11:16 pm

:popcorn:
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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