Great Track Car

[bigzoom]

Some one requested I post some pics of my 1996 E34 which I frequently track. It is a wonderful track car, a daily driver if I wanted to, and it surprises many M3 and other drivers at the track. After all, it is only a family sedan, Sunday driver, with only a few mods to make it stick to the track better. To begin - a few are:

Power is supplied by an E36 M3 280 HP Korman BMW prepared engine, with a few goodies inside to help it run better, custom suspension package with Bilstein sport shocks, springs, front and rear sway bars and bushings, and corner weights, camber, toe adjustments. 50% limited slip with 3.64 gears. To ensure it will stop, M5 brakes front and rear, and it rolls along on BFG G Force R1 245/40/17 tires.

Hope you will enjoy the few pics.
bz


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[T444E]

1996? :shifty

[Sam Son]

^im wonderin the same thing

[kipwinger]

Where's the side skirts at? Unpainted lowers?



Didn't Germany have a 1996?

[Sam Son]

not to mention its a narrow grille...
:shifty:devillook

[Jcbe34]

Yeah thats an early car man.. Looks like a nice one though. You say bilsteins but it looks like it's got coilovers on it? Those wheels are rare too, BBS Bugatti's.

[4500 RPM]

Did you mean '92?

[madis28]

mirrors tell it's pre 92 summer

[E34nication]

Sounds like a nice motor in that thing... what are the specs. Is that power @ the wheels or fw?

[Binjammin]

I think the plates say it all "M POSTOR"

[4500 RPM]

I think the plates say it all "M POSTOR"

I'm ordering a similar plate. :)

[MacR]

haha I didn't see the plate. That's awesome!

[mikemxbike4]

Some one requested I post some pics of my 1996 E34 which I frequently track. It is a wonderful track car, a daily driver if I wanted to, and it surprises many M3 and other drivers at the track. After all, it is only a family sedan, Sunday driver, with only a few mods to make it stick to the track better. To begin - a few are:

Power is supplied by an E36 M3 280 HP Korman BMW prepared engine, with a few goodies inside to help it run better, custom suspension package with Bilstein sport shocks, springs, front and rear sway bars and bushings, and corner weights, camber, toe adjustments. 50% limited slip with 3.64 gears. To ensure it will stop, M5 brakes front and rear, and it rolls along on BFG G Force R1 245/40/17 tires.

Hope you will enjoy the few pics.
bz


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:confused im not sure if id call it a "track" car.Nice ride though nevertheless

[MacR]

:confused im not sure if id call it a "track" car.Nice ride though nevertheless

Why? Because the interior is in tact and it's not only an inch off the ground? Plenty of people have dedicated track cars more stock than that.

Now if he referred to it as his "race" car....

[mikemxbike4]

Why? Because the interior is in tact and it's not only an inch off the ground? Plenty of people have dedicated track cars more stock than that.

Now if he referred to it as his "race" car....

Youre right you could take any tuned car to the track.It might not be a dedicated track car but its definitily good for occasional track days.I was thinking more towards "track only car"

[4500 RPM]

Youre right you could take any tuned car to the track.It might not be a dedicated track car but its definitily good for occasional track days.I was thinking more towards "track only car"

That looks pretty damn close to a dedicated track car. Minus a cage and a few details.

[bigzoom]

Sorry all, typo on the year - correction 1992.
The HP dyno, E36, M3 Stage 2.
And yep, suspension Front 2.5 dia progressive tender spring coil over assembly with threaded aluminum sleeves for adj ride height. Camber plate assembly is adjustable as is the front sway bar link.
I have two sets of rims - one Ronal 3 pc lt wt SX 8X17 - the other Ronal 1 pc lt wt LV 8 X 17. One set for street, the other for track. The R comps require spacers front and rear. Note pic of left front.
The car rides a little tight and rough for a daily driver, but if you don't mind feeling all the bumps, it makes for a good street car.
If I wanted to race it, Would need a cage which would mean changing the seats. Do not want to do that. Instead -

I think that I will just stay with bugging the M3s and Mustangs during the HPDE events I go to. Thats almost as much fun as driving the car.:)
bz


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[Sam Son]

wait 280hp at the wheels?
from an S52? S50?
specs on that engine NAOW!

[bigzoom]

from an S52? S50?
specs on that engine NAOW!

It is a S50, with a little work done to it:rolleyes Hush hush.
bz

[mikemxbike4]

It is a S50, with a little work done to it:rolleyes Hush hush.
bz

Do you get lots of understeer at the track or no?

[Ace_of_Spades]

nice ride

[bigzoom]

Do you get lots of understeer at the track or no?

The car is exceptionally stable. It was set up for me and VIR was used as the track of preference, so I have very little trouble with it. I really have to push it very hard, fast in and brake late to get it loose. A very hot track during a late summer afternoon, or wet conditions, like any car, it can get nervous and will push. You have to remember, it is a heavy car, 3620 with me in it and half a tank of gas. But, as long as the car is driven reasonably, albeit spirited, it sticks and goes where I point it.
bz

[E34nication]

wait 280hp at the wheels?
from an S52? S50?
specs on that engine NAOW!

I don't know if he's talking about to the wheels or not but with sunbelt cams and the other bits those s52's are getting in that neighborhood.


The car is exceptionally stable. It was set up for me and VIR was used as the track of preference, so I have very little trouble with it. I really have to push it very hard, fast in and brake late to get it loose. A very hot track during a late summer afternoon, or wet conditions, like any car, it can get nervous and will push. You have to remember, it is a heavy car, 3620 with me in it and half a tank of gas. But, as long as the car is driven reasonably, albeit spirited, it sticks and goes where I point it.
bz

If you ever venture over to Barber or Road Atlanta I'd love to meet up. I'm hoping to get out to at least Barber a couple of times this year.

[mikemxbike4]

The car is exceptionally stable. It was set up for me and VIR was used as the track of preference, so I have very little trouble with it. I really have to push it very hard, fast in and brake late to get it loose. A very hot track during a late summer afternoon, or wet conditions, like any car, it can get nervous and will push. You have to remember, it is a heavy car, 3620 with me in it and half a tank of gas. But, as long as the car is driven reasonably, albeit spirited, it sticks and goes where I point it.
bz

Im amazed at how well mine handles too.Ive just heard so many different opinions on understeer/oversteer e34 characteristics.

[525fourthew1n]

Damn! That's pretty cool. When are you going to be at VIR again? I'd love to see it.

I used to be up there more but my friend's shop's track car wrecked last weekend at VIR so I haven't been there in a while....

Either way, looks pretty sick.

[bigzoom]

Thanks all for the nice comments. I run almost monthly at VIR, BMW and other HPDE events, plus a few other tracks: Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta, The Glen, Summit Point, CMP, and maybe in 2009, my son and I may make Barber (long way to go for us). If any of you see me at the track, (I am usually the only 525i running) please stop by and say hello. I would enjoy meeting any on you.
bz


Damn! That's pretty cool. When are you going to be at VIR again? I'd love to see it.

I used to be up there more but my friend's shop's track car wrecked last weekend at VIR so I haven't been there in a while....

Either way, looks pretty sick.

Thanks. I will be at VIR with Asphalt Ventures, open lapping day December 1. Next CMP December 7, and that will do it for this year.
Too bad about your friends car.
bz

[Sam Son]

I don't know if he's talking about to the wheels or not but with sunbelt cams and the other bits those s52's are getting in that neighborhood.

mmm true... most ive seen is CMT's car put out 270ish to the wheels....so i guess its not so unbelievable...still that S52 had alot of work done to it

[bmwm3n528]

Ah, "Great White"...Ray's old car.

I'd be interested to see some dyno sheets. Almost bought this car a few years ago when he had it advertised.

[bigzoom]

Ah, "Great White"...Ray's old car.

I'd be interested to see some dyno sheets. Almost bought this car a few years ago when he had it advertised.

Yep, it is the "Great White" and upgraded a bit since you probably saw it. I will try and post the dyno sheet, but not sure I can scan it into my computer then spit it out where you can read it. If not, I can attempt to duplicate it using my CAD system.
bz

[bmw slangen]

Interesting! Little bit curious so here comes a couple of questions...

What brake discs/pads are you using?
Do you know the current camber/toe angle at the front?
Any changes of angles at the rear? Or "only" springs/dampers/antirollbar changes?
Do you have any numbers (stiffness) on the Bilstein antirollbars compared to the original ones? Like front is 15% stiffer or similar...

[Analog]

Hey, I have the same schroth harnesses as you.

How did you attach them to the seat?

Thanks!

[5mall5nail5]

Details on the front suspension - where and how much?

Could you post smaller pictures those are HUGE on my screen

:rofl I am kidding, post bigger pictures, jesus.

[bigzoom]

Interesting! Little bit curious so here comes a couple of questions...

What brake discs/pads are you using?
Do you know the current camber/toe angle at the front?
Any changes of angles at the rear? Or "only" springs/dampers/antirollbar changes?
Do you have any numbers (stiffness) on the Bilstein antirollbars compared to the original ones? Like front is 15% stiffer or similar...

Brakes I know a lot about, very concerned about the ability of the car to stop. Brakes all around are stock M5 front and rear calipers and rotors. Hawk Gold HT10 race pads, front and rear, slotted rear discs. ATE Super Blue fluid - stainless steel clad brake lines. Fluid is changed ever fourth event. Pads will last almost a season, as will front rotors.

Sorry about the remainder of your questions, I simply do not know

Analog - How did you attach them to the seat? -

It took a little doing. The shoulder restraint straps are attached to new mounts welded behind the rear seat. The lap belt shares the connection points with the lap/shoulder stock belt and is attached to the existing seat brackets. The right side of the lap belt has to be snapped into the stock belt connection in order for the computer to know you have a belt on. I could not find a way to overide that. I use the stock belts when ever I drive the car on the street.
bz

[loustylez]

yah, for what it's worth, i couldn't get the rear end to come out at all in my stock M50 with coilovers. it stuck like glue and if anything understeered. this was at hallett just outside of tulsa, a fairly short track. much more suited for an e36 m3.

[Binjammin]

The right side of the lap belt has to be snapped into the stock belt connection in order for the computer to know you have a belt on. I could not find a way to overide that. I use the stock belts when ever I drive the car on the street.
bz

There's only two or three wires going into the seatbelt receiver. You only need to jumper one of them to the other in order for the car to think there's a belt connected.