Fresh Start, Mild M52 + Nitrous build.

[tairyhesticles]

I started a thread about a year and a half ago for my E36. Reading through it now, I look at how much of a hack I'd been and am pretty embarrassed of my old work.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1922081-Just-Another-D-D-D-Drift-Build!

Basically just welded differential, poly bushings throughout, BC racing Coilovers, fake eBay seats and E46 arms.

I sold the car last fall to a friend of mine, having my eye on another car.

http://i.imgur.com/rq88Lyz.jpg

I basically bought this R32 as a rolling shell thinking it would be a fun project, and put in work all winter (RB20w/ RB25 turbo, coilovers, FMIC, diff, adjustable arms, GTR bumper, etc)

http://i.imgur.com/pML5TVS.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/H0zezFV.jpg


However I realized that it the car wasn't nearly as fun as my old E36 was. Luckily, my friend put the E36 back up for sale, and I bought it back for a wicked price.

http://i.imgur.com/V146Edk.jpg


Also, bought a new summer car so I didn't have the urge to drive the BMW daily.

http://i.imgur.com/GuCilLU.jpg

99 Toyota Altezza, one of the first of its kind in Canada ;)


First event back was great, getting used to the PBM hydro was easy and made for some long drags on the wet track.

http://i.imgur.com/09t6fLF.jpg


Would have been the perfect track day had I not forgot my hood pins on my last run and shattered my windshield. :(

http://i.imgur.com/cjTxGfC.jpg

New windshield already in the garage though, new hood en route.


Few M3 bits in the rear

http://i.imgur.com/bqJPSxI.jpg


New front lip and no more gay eyelids

http://i.imgur.com/lYh1mfU.jpg


No pictures of the interior yet, but bought and installed a ligitimate fixed back Bride, as well as a suede OMP wheel and Sparco quick release hub.

http://i.imgur.com/g4U12WY.jpg


Plans have changed since last year in terms of power-adders. A somewhat local e30 drifter (rolloverboy here, I believe) had tremendous luck running nitrous on his m50 last year, and convinced me to do the same. Picked up a Zex wet-nitrous kit, previously installed on a SEMA car only for show.

http://i.imgur.com/aJYwdG8.jpg


Thats it for now, 50 shot of nitrous should be installed soon, as well as a couple angle-adders. Stay tuned!

[DHutch]

How are you going to add the nitrous? Switch at the end of pedal stroke? In for results.

[tairyhesticles]

Yeah, both a window switch and a wot switch wired to the tps.

[DjTyfighter]

you chose an e36 over an r32?!?! your nuts lol

[tairyhesticles]

R32's really aren't that great. Mild power (205hp out of the gtst), heavy complicated double-wishbone suspension, and expensive to upgrade. Plus, that one needed 2 inspections before being able to plate. E36 is more unique around these parts, much happier this way.

[RightM3ow]

In to see how the nitrous turns out. I might be doing the same here soon.

[Mikestokman]

you chose an e36 over an r32?!?! your nuts lol
I've also driven both and I would chose my m3 over my friends skyline any day of the week. It just feels so awkward to slide around in and I'm not a big fan of rhd vehicles. Plus I'm 6'5" and skylines are made for little Jdm people. My knee was hitting the door card and steering wheel when I drove it haha

[tairyhesticles]

In to see how the nitrous turns out. I might be doing the same here soon. It should be in within a few weeks, but I work away from home Monday to Friday so I hardly have any time to work on the car.

[tairyhesticles]

I've also driven both and I would chose my m3 over my friends skyline any day of the week. It just feels so awkward to slide around in and I'm not a big fan of rhd vehicles. Plus I'm 6'5" and skylines are made for little Jdm people. My knee was hitting the door card and steering wheel when I drove it haha

Yeah something about the steering just didn't feel right compared to the E36.

[DjTyfighter]

i guess you guys being in Canada an R32 is no biggie lol
just like the way the r32 looks more
Stupid US and stupid California

[tairyhesticles]

Couple updates. Got myself a mint 3.91 open differential out of a JDM E36 with 40,000km, and welded it up this morning.

http://i.imgur.com/EHrcRAD.jpg

Have my Mishimoto catch can all setup

http://i.imgur.com/ZsVteyF.jpg


And mocked up my intake + heat shield. I heard some bad things about HKS mushroom filters after I had purchased it, but I'll risk it anyway. Anything is better than the dirt/coolant soaked filter I had there before.

http://i.imgur.com/0GZlthV.jpg


I'll be getting the 3.91 diff in this weekend, then taking it out for a quick shakedown before fitting nitrous.

http://i.imgur.com/x1x1ch5.jpg

[audioscience10]

Maybe it's just me but I used quite a bit more weld than that when I did my diff. Yours seems a bit iffy to me, especially for a higher power build. Just think of all the abuse that thing takes while drifting.

[tairyhesticles]

I used even less on my 2.93 diff, and it's gone through 2 seasons of rough driving. The voltage was cranked, and I caught 4 teeth per weld, which I think should be more than enough. I didn't want to overdo it and put too much weight into the rotating assembly.

[tairyhesticles]

Has anybody ever had issues with excessive steering resistance? Steering is almost as hard as a failed pump, but it's all the time. The pump/filter/resivoir and fluid were all changed, as well as rack being greased. Could it be a ride height issue?

[bmw328m52]

Always interesting to see how people build drift cars as opposed to racecars. But the best part is going back to the e36 after acquiring a skyline :)

[DavidD123]

Has anybody ever had issues with excessive steering resistance? Steering is almost as hard as a failed pump, but it's all the time. The pump/filter/resivoir and fluid were all changed, as well as rack being greased. Could it be a ride height issue?

Check the steering coupler and guibo. I had several tight spots in the steering along with resistance throughout. After replacing the guibo and coupler I have much better steering feel along with it being much easier to steer.

[tairyhesticles]

Check the steering coupler and guibo. I had several tight spots in the steering along with resistance throughout. After replacing the guibo and coupler I have much better steering feel along with it being much easier to steer.

I did this, definitely solved my issue.


More bad news, car is only running on 4 of 6 cylinders. After diagnosing, I've found that valves on 1 and 2 are stuck open. I'll be throwing in my spare m52 before doing nitrous, and rebuild this head in the mean time as a spare.

[tairyhesticles]

So plans changed
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537521&stc=1http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537522&stc=1http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537523&stc=1
I bit the bullet and went with an AA S/C kit. It was probably just as expensive or more than turbo, but with reliability being key this year I didn't want to have to fuss with tuning gremlins.

Threw some flares on, but god do these things suck. For future reference, Exploding tires + Fiberglass + rivets = walking half the length of the track to go pick up your flares that blew off in turn 2.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537524&stc=1

Once the car was back together and running it was just a matter of making it look pretty.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537525&stc=1

[tairyhesticles]

Aaaand wrapped. A lot of people don't care for the colour. But hey, the car's a turd anyway so might as well dress the part.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537532&stc=1
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537533&stc=1

Not long after I took the car down to Hard Luck Fabrications for a cage. His work is immaculate, 100% Tig'd.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537534&stc=1


Got dressed up in some NerpTech skirts and spoiler as well as some 17x9 / 17x10.5 Work Ewings.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537535&stc=1
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537536&stc=1

[tairyhesticles]

I think the car turned out pretty rad. And it drifts!
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537537&stc=1
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537538&stc=1

I forgot to mention it has a Nerptech angle kit (control arms, angle plates, tie rods), which yeilds close to 60* if my ghetto garage measuring is accurate.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537539&stc=1
Seriously feels so good. Tubular adjustable length control arms, adjustable tie rod height for bump-steer correction, heim joints throughout, and all the hardware was included. I've never seen or used an SLR kit so it's hard to compare, but I'm pleased with the quality.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=537540&stc=1

Thats all for now, but I'll hopefully have an update soon on some new body bits to take care of the exploding flares ;)

[JesterMX6]

that color actually really works on that car. looks good.

[tairyhesticles]

Thanks, it's definitely different. I'll probably change it up for next year, I've got pearl white on the brain.

[JesterMX6]

if i didn't have the rust spots on my car i'd probably get it wrapped. seems to be growing in popularity due to the fact that you can change your mind for minimal cost.