E36 M3 LS swap track car

[acspecialists]

Well it's back on the road. Took the subframe out and bent it back with a sledge hammer. My brother came out to help thank God because I had lost all motivation. Now on to an alignment and getting some real tires on.

[acspecialists]

I have a question, Ground control finally got back to me and now I know at least what I have. The front springs are 388lbs and the rear are 550lbs. According to the guide the rear are correct and the fronts are light. The LS-tremec combo is likely to be close to the S52 with accessories. I'm inclined to at least get to the 525lb in the guide to get started? The whole ac system is gone including the condenser. The hood being CF is a weight drop as well. When I get the camber plates and get the camber where I want it I will get a weight balanced alignment which may reveal a problem with the spring weight.

[ScotcH]

Wow ... those are ridiculously soft ... If this is a track only car, I'd be looking at 700+ for fronts, and 800+ for rears (assuming non coilover rear)

[olemiss540]

Not sure I would run rates that stiff on a Koni based single adjustable. I would throw some 450 or 500# front springs on for now until the car is shaken down and you are ready for a serious jump in shock. Something like an MCS with 600/700# split or 700/800# if you like a stiffer chassis feel. I don't mind a softer spring on the e36 chassis, seems to drive more "playful" compared to an e46 or e90 that really needs a stiff setup IMHO.

[acspecialists]

Thanks for the confirmation. The springs are pretty cheap so I can go up easy. I have been looking at the suspension guide from the beginning but I'm sure as time goes on there are other/better options. I would not call the car soft on the street but I'm sure it could be stiffer.

[olemiss540]

There really is no problem with just running your 150# split for now while shaking the car down. I find keeping the list as short as possible helps to get projects on the road and then tinker with each system one at a time as you are trying to improve the car.

[SLA]

I'd get the dampers rebuilt/revalved while they are off the car. OTS Koni setups don't like a lot of spring in my experiences.

[acspecialists]

The track will reveal all if I can ever get on it? Been white and cold here for the last few days.

[acspecialists]

Got some Kosei K1's with Hoosier H2o tires.
KIMG0392.jpg
Way more grip than the garbage that the PO put on it and about 10 pounds lighter per wheel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0WMqdUihp0

[lcrain]

Those H2Os will disintegrate quickly if you run them in the dry. They are intended for wet racing usage.

[acspecialists]

Good to know. I get back off the ship in March so it should still be wet for most track days. I used to get worried about tires but they go so quick I just run them until they are gone and buy more.

[acspecialists]

I'm back! Got off the ship about ten days ago. My Suburban took a crap so that has been in the shop for about a week. Already had two track days canceled, one at PIR and one at the Ridge. I got camber plates for the E36 and my son painted the front of the car while I was gone. We have an autocross event tomorrow so I have been prepping for that.

So installing the camber plates I have a few questions. I did not get to hung up but just want to make sure I'm not doing anything really stupid. I believe I removed M3 post 95 strut tops? When I was installing the camber plates there was a washer underneath that is tapered to match the strut shaft. It does not sit inside the bump stop plate but that is the way I found it. I can get plenty of camber but it looks like you have to adjust the camber first and then the caster. The M3 plates had a lot of caster and I'm wondering if I should max the caster out?

On the rear I have adjustable tie bars and have at least evened out the camber. I see no other adjustments and was wondering if I need to add eccentric bolts to adjust the toe once I get the camber where I want it. Prepping Matthew's 318Ti today so hopefully he will have a good time tomorrow. Wish me luck! It's not a track but will be the first event for the LS M3
KIMG0021.jpgKIMG0025.jpgKIMG0024.jpg

[Yahweh]

Those plates look odd, add a lot of stacked height, and looks like no upper perch adapter.

The factory bump stop piece probably wont support the spring weight.

Check out vorshlag or ground control plates for reference.

[GG Allin]

My old car. When I built it, 2011 - 2018 I never intended it to be a track car, just a fun street car.

What happened to the beautiful M Contours that were on it?

- - - Updated - - -

[GG Allin]

The engine is an LS3 with LS7 heads, full custom. I'm going through the records and there are cam sheets, fuel rails, fuel pumps and all sorts of other stuff. It will take me awhile to sort it all out.

It's actually a 6.0 short block with LS6 heads that were worked a little.