87 E30 m20 dRIFT pROJECT

[drewus]

I am trying to find out what type of suspension I need for my M20 to be able to drfit. Right now I have stock suspension. I am going to put on a 3.73 LSD, Stage 3 clutch, turbo kit, Megasquirt, etc.. But I don't know what type of suspension to get. I am new in the forums and your advice and support will be well appreciated.
Thanks
:help

[Hova]

give ground control a call, see what they recomend.


if you strip the E30 out, and make it a shell, you can take quite a bit of weight out, so spring rates dont need to be out of control. Im in the same boat as you, and im going to run a 5-lug conversion from an E36 m3, with shortened E36 m3 strut housings, Koni SA`s (e36 m3), 450 lb front, and 600lb rear.

this is going to be with an M52 turbo, with a 3.73 LSD.



wish i could offer more help, but im actually still confused on the subject of E30 suspension to be honest lol.


As far as your engine build, i do hope your running a 325i, or IS head on the 2.7L. Will let you rev MUCH higher, MUCH more flow, and will result in way more power.

GL with ur build :)

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

I've outgrown 450/650 in my track car. It's pretty soft at this point. if getting sideways is your goal then start with something like a 750 rear. not sure if stiffer front is a drifting setup. but 550 would be a decent match for the 750 rear. i really don't understand how you optimize a drift car for grip or lack there off.

[Piner]

^ thats pretty close to the set up I have 550 fronts 780 rears

[drewus]

Hova,

I just have the 87 325e 2 dr 5 spd. I just got it and I am planning to fix it up to drift but, I am new into drifting so I am trying to get all the info I can to make the M20 powerful enough to drift. I know I have to start with a better suspension, maybe a chip i.e Mark D, JC, or Dinan, get rid of some weight, 3.73 LSD or at least Tack weld a 3.73 open diff.

I think that is what I need for starter just to get it sideways, then getr the turbo and exhaust in the Spring of 2010..

What are your thoughts? Am I on the right track?
What should I do to make is powerful enough to drift?
You mentioned changing the head... What should I start with first???

Thanks in advance...

[protomor]

What are your thoughts? Am I on the right track?
What should I do to make is powerful enough to drift?
You mentioned changing the head... What should I start with first???

Thanks in advance...


First off, I concur with 550 front and at least 780 out back. I was actually thinking of going 900 in the rear. I have 450ish in the front and 550 out back and I roll like a mofo.

Youre on a decent track but IMO you don't NEED all those mods.

A stock M20 will drift EASILY! You don't need a turbo right now. Get a suspension and an lsd (why go welded when stock is 2 way?) and have fun.

[drewus]

Where can I find a suspension for a decent price?

So, here is my plan...

Tune up car,
Replace suspension,
Cold air intake,
performance chip 93 octane (But I don't know which chip to choose for the M20)
3.73 LSD or tack weld my 2.93 for now.

What do you guys trhink?
Please add any suggestions. I wouldl like to practice drifting during the winter but, I would liek to do this stuff before it gets too cold here in Upstate NY
Thanks in advavce..

[protomor]

2.93? what do you have; an eta? LSD all the way man. Welding the diff is pointless.

Tune up sounds good. Cold air intake is unnecessary but sure. Any chip for your car will do. they are basically all the same. Don't even think you need it tho.

Suspension... I'd go with ground control or the cosmo coilover setup. That way you can swap stuff out at will. But if you want a plug and play kit, I've heard nothing but good things about the J-stock suspension ($2,000).

[drewus]

Ouch!! $2000.00???
I was looking more toward $300.00!! LOL
According to what I researched. I have a 1987 BMW 325e 2.7L 6CYL 5spd. I would put pics up but I can't yet because I am a new member...

Any good suspension kits on Ebay that are worth buying?
And I think the chip will help because it will increase the rev limiter so I can redline higher, I beleive 5400.
CAI If you think I don't need it then I won't get it.
I can't find a 3.73 LSD for around 150-200 bucks. The lowest I caN FIND IS $400.00!!!

I am trying to startup very minimally.

$150 - 3.73 LSD or open diff tacked.
$200-300 Lowered stiffened suspension
$ 50 biucks performance chip
$100.00 tune up

Just to get started to practice drifting during the winter. Then at Spring time start buying gigger and better.

[protomor]

Don't skimp on suspension... The GC coilover kit is $400 and it doesn't come with shocks. Upgraded shocks (konis) will cost you at least $600. So thats minimum $1k on suspension assuming you leave out sways and bushings.

The chip will help your redline but its not necessary imo. I also think the average chip is something like $150.

$100 for a tune up... I usually spend about $300 on a tune up at minimum. You want a timing belt kit and a water pump at minimum. Plus spark plug wires are liek $160 these days...

[drewus]

ok.

Thanks for the input. Is there a link I can go to to look at the suspension?

I willl look into the chip.

Thanks again..

[e36cruiser]

all you need to do to get into drifting is the suspension work, dont skimp on it... you will regret buying lowering springs when you find out that they are not what you want and then have to shell out more money for coilovers.

[protomor]

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/index.php for ground control

http://cosmoracing.com/ for cosmos. note the cosmos are 2.625" ID (harder to find springs) and GC is 2.5" ID.

[drewus]

Thanks protomor. I am havign a hard time accessing the site. I will check it out later...

Thanks agin..

[Boro BMW]

im going to run a 5-lug conversion from an E36
Interesting. I'd rather keep the 4-lug, a lot more wheels options in 4x100 than 5x120.

[drewus]

Ok. Now you lost me. 2.5, 4X100???

Please elaborate..

[Boro BMW]

If it's 4 lug, it's 4x100.

*edit* scroll down to BMW.
http://www.carlsalter.com/wheel_fitments.html

[drewus]

Yes I know what you mean about the 4 lug but, what do you mean more options?
Also, what size rims would be best for style and drift? 17X8 or 18X8?
Thanks.

[Boro BMW]

4x100 is Honda bolt pattern and we all know how many Honduhs are out there. 5x120 on the other hand is specific to BMW and typically people with BMWs don't buy cheap wheels so there aren't very many out there. You're gonna crash a lot with a drift car, do you want to ruin $5,000 wheels or $500 wheels?

[Hova]

Interesting. I'd rather keep the 4-lug, a lot more wheels options in 4x100 than 5x120.


yeah but a BBK for our E30`s arent exactly cheap.... E36 m3 brakes are, and do an AMAZING job at stopping the E36 m3, now imagine loosing 500-600lbs lol.

[Boro BMW]

And I'd go with 17's, tires are a lot cheaper.

[drewus]

Thanks for the info guys..

[protomor]

I got xxr 006s for $500 shipped to my door. 17x8 front and 17x9 rear with +25 front and +20 rear. I run 25mm spacers but they fit pretty good. Cheap too.

[drewus]

Not a bad price at all.. So you recommend 9s in the rear and 8s in the front?

Send me the link to I can check it out or the type so I can search.

Thanks..

[Boro BMW]

http://cgi.ebay.com/17-XXR-006-Staggered-240sx-S14-RX7-RX8-350z-Wheels-Rims_W0QQitemZ170380232318QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27ab74067e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[bennyfizzle]

doesn't work Borororo

[drewus]

Yeah.. Can't see the site.

[protomor]

Not a bad price at all.. So you recommend 9s in the rear and 8s in the front?

Send me the link to I can check it out or the type so I can search.

Thanks..

I recommend them down the road. 8 inches should do you all around. I have a bit more power than the average E30 though. You want to expiration with tires. More sidewall means more flop. After a certain point, your tires becomes softer than your suspension.

[Boro BMW]

Just because you have 9's doesn't mean you need to put wider tires on there. I'm running 215's all around with 8/9's. It's better to have a little bit of a stretch in the back on a drift car anyways, sidewall flex sucks.

[protomor]

215s on a 9 inch rim tho? that would be major stretching. Maybe on 8s.

[Boro BMW]

It's not bad at all, no goofy trick to get the beads to seat, they mount just like anything else. Mainly I do it because they rub and I don't feel like rolling my fenders.