Shawn's track car project (e36 M52 325i)

[sb_600]

Got more work done today/thurdsay:

I finished gutting the other two doors & then i stripped the interior & all the wiring. Finally, i cut out my spare tire well

[everlast]

Looks like fun!! What was the purpose of removing the spare tire well? It would have been a good place for a round fuel cell, or an aux pump with a surge tank?

[sb_600]

I was hoping to save some weight, and it will give me better access to my diff. Plus, it will give me the option/space of building a nice diffuser.

Turns out it was only about 10lbs but oh well. With the plastic gas tank on e36s, I'm not worried about running a fuel cell - plus the tank is sitting at the perfect spot right now anyways.

[everlast]

Hey, 10lbs is 10lbs. You'll just leave it open then? I wonder if it will flex any more than before.

E36's have plastic tanks? Lucky bugger. I hate rusty gas tanks.

[sb_600]

no i'm going to cover it with thin sheetmetal. I doubt it will flex more- the suspension points are tied into the cage so it should be fine.

[sb_600]

Got some more work done today - took out the rear glass (to get ready for lexan), and then cut the rear deck & seat back out.

Saved another ~30lbs

[cormier]

:o plastic tank? Wow that's awesome
Good work lookin more and more like a race car

[sb_600]

Thanks I can't wait to get the cage built and start the paint

[ScotcH]

Originally Posted by sb_600

no i'm going to cover it with thin sheetmetal. I doubt it will flex more- the suspension points are tied into the cage so it should be fine.

So you're adding tubes going down to the sub frame? I also noticed that your rear shock towers don't seem beefed up much ... is there any additional plate there?

[sb_600]

Originally Posted by ScotcH

So you're adding tubes going down to the sub frame? I also noticed that your rear shock towers don't seem beefed up much ... is there any additional plate there?

Yup that's the plan!

The shock towers have the z3 reinforcement plates, but that's it so far.

[bmwconnect]

man this thing is going to haul ass

[sb_600]

^ That's the plan

I got more work done last night/tonight.

Starting the panel replacement - I bought a bunch of stuff this week:

-2 front fenders
-front clip
-rear clip
-4 fender flares

Last night i cut out the old rusty rear clip, and tonight I welded the new one in. I'm pretty happy with the fit - just have to add some seam sealer/adhesive to seal the gaps.

Also - i've got some work to do on my passenger side rocker. Not looking forward to that.

[cormier]

Ouch ya that rocker doesn't look like fun! Nice work on the clip

[sb_600]

thanks

[tehskeo]

That rear clip you replaced. Where did you buy it from? Is it separate from the chassis? I have some rust forming on mine and I am wondering if it is easier to just buy a new one and paint it.

Did you weld it in?