Craig's 328i Sport - e36 Track Car Build Thread

[Craig]

Finally after all the wet weather we’ve had a nice dry patch which allowed me to spend most of last Monday having the long awaited photo shoot with Total BMW, was an interesting day with some cool photo’s been taken. As soon as the feature has been released the photographer will be sending me all the shots which I’ll be sure to post in this thread, there’s some great action shots too.



I’ve been using the car over the last few days to check she’s still running fine and so far so good, there is one or two niggles that have to be rectified; first off was the battery has gone weak due to lack of use so this has been replaced, the next is a small electrical issue the car will never turn off ‘Ignition 1’ so the clock, trip meter and stereo always want to stay on... I’m thinking this may just be the ignition barrel switch has gone faulty.

With D-Day looming, 15th July, I’ve decided to leave the current suspension on the car and even run the current Falken FK-452 road tyres. This was how the car was last used in October at Spa-Francorchamps and although I would prefer a more track focus suspension set up and to run a set of Kumho V70s’s, I really think I just need to start using the car again and fettle it again after a few outings.

I can already see a full brake up-grade / overhaul including a set of 4 pot callipers, bigger front discs and new brake lines all round, maybe even an ABS removal too.

[mattCSLnut]

Hey Craig.
Loving that "LEGO" look for the RED beast
BTW, I recognise that Fugly scribler on the left Mr A. Everett I believe

Originally Posted by Craig

Finally after all the wet weather we’ve had a nice dry patch which allowed me to spend most of last Monday having the long awaited photo shoot with Total BMW, was an interesting day with some cool photo’s been taken. As soon as the feature has been released the photographer will be sending me all the shots which I’ll be sure to post in this thread, there’s some great action shots too.

[sailorbaz]

Top work Craig, I'll be sure to be picking up a copy of this when it comes out with your car in it. Be sure to give us a shout when 'it goes to print' as they say. Sorry, I'll get me coat.

[Craig]

Haha, yeh its that new prototype blocescent paint, I'd say it works quite well if I'm honest bit rought to polish on the old hands mind!

It is indeed Andy, how do you know him? I have no other experience other than him approaching me about a possible mag feature many months ago.

[DuncanR]

Originally Posted by Craig

It is indeed Andy, how do you know him?

Dont tell him Pike ! .. take note young Jedi the testicles of the CSLRegister reach far beyond your Universe !!

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by Craig

It is indeed Andy, how do you know him? I have no other experience other than him approaching me about a possible mag feature many months ago.

I've worked with Andy for quite a few years on Total BMW when it was owned by A&S Publishing (it's early years) and then when it was bought out by Future Publishing.
Small world ehy

[Craig]

Yeh, it is indeed... the photographer did a great job, its all down to Andy now lets just hope his pen to paper skills are good. Nothing worse than spending all this time and getting a poor, miss-quoted write up!

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by Craig

Yeh, it is indeed... the photographer did a great job, its all down to Andy now lets just hope his pen to paper skills are good. Nothing worse than spending all this time and getting a poor, miss-quoted write up!

Andy is a decent scribbler mate lets hope the snapper's artistry is up to scratch and the pic Editor @ the Mag does his work justice when it all goes to print

[Craig]

That was the photographers worry, he said there was some amasing fast road shots and he hopes the editor decides to use them but said sometimes the BMW scene mags can be more about show than go.

Anyhow, now the pretty pictures were over with, it was time to get down and dirty with the car again starting with, as previously mentioned; Viscous Fan Removal.

I figured with my car having A/C I could get away by replacing the current 92 degree thermostat for an 80 degree thermostat from the M30 engine at the same time I’d fit the lower 80/88 fan switch, this would allow the A/C radiator fan to be used as an engine cooling fan when stuck in traffic. The parts and tools required for this job are as follows;

- 80c Thermostat (from M30 engine)
- 80/88c Fan Switch (from M44 engine)
- Thermostat Gasket
- Thermostat Housing Gasket
- Fan Switch Crush Washer
- Coolant Drain Plug Crush Washer
- 32mm Spanner
- Larger Screw Driver
- 10mm Socket
- 13mm Socket
- 50/50 Mix of Coolant & Distilled Water

First up was to remove the viscous fan, this was done by locking the water pump with a large screw driver (or the BMW approved tool if you’re feeling flush) and then using the 32mm spanner on the viscous coupling, remembering that it’s a left handed thread. With this loose the fan could be dropped out the way and the plastic fan cowling could be removed too.

Next up was the drain the coolant, this is done by loosening the plug on the bottom of the radiator and removing the drain plug from the drivers’ side of the engine, just under the headers near the oxygen sensor. Once the coolant was fully drained both plugs were re-fitted. Next the thermostat housing was removed; this was simple it’s only held on by three 10mm bolts and two 13mm bolts that hold the engine removal bracket.

With the housing removed the new thermostat could be fitted, and everything put back together using the correct gaskets, also remember to make note of the ‘up-arrow’ on the thermostat make sure its mounted the correct way round! It’s worth noting that if your water pump has never been replaced, it would be worth replacing this at the same time for the superseded item that has a metal impellor as the plastic ones are prone to failing.

Now onto the fan switch; like everything else this only takes a matter of minutes to change, simply un-screw the old and replace with the new. The only modification you will need to make here is to the plug that connects to the switch, you need to cut off a small tab using a sharp Stanley knife blade, this will be made clear when you look at the two switches together and try to connect the new one to an un-modified plug.

With all the above done you’re now ready to fill it up with coolant, bleed it through and enjoy your latest modification. Once bled, I tested my car and it got up to temp, then when stood the fan kicked in, it cools off a touch then it cut back out whilst the temp gauge stayed slap bang in the middle where I wanted it to be, so I see this as a very successful way of doing the viscous fan delete modification.

[Craig]

Here’s a quick report from the cars first major outing of the year, a track day at the Nurburgring.

Set off on Friday 15th on route to Hull to catch the overnight ferry to Rotterdam, arrived in Germany on the afternoon of the 16th after a flawless drive of over 340 miles. The drive over was the car’s first long run for over 8 months so it was a great relief that nothing went wrong. Here are a few pictures of my car outside the hotel, for anyone who is planning a trip to the ‘Ring I highly recommend staying at Hotel Burgstube with Martin & Heidi the service you receive is first rate, it’s always a pleasure to stay there!





Sunday was a day of Touristenfarten, we spent the day spectating and taking photos as I was saving the car for Monday’s track day. Later than night we decided to head out to Mullenbach for dinner at one of my favourite places; LaLanterna where the car was also left in good company.





Monday morning came fast; it was day one of a double header track day at the Nurburgring. The weather had been a bit hit and miss all weekend, but fortunately for me it was pretty sunny with only the odd showery spell.

The car again performed without so much as a niggle, and completed 264.6 miles on track, so around 18 laps. Here are a few pictures taken by a friend who just happened to have his camera handy whilst having lunch, thanks Johnny.









Rest of the holiday was spent relaxing, final picture of the car loaded up and ready for the journey home.



It still amazes me how well this car does perform, the overall value for money factor is exceptional... remember I used to heavily track a brand new Lotus Exige S and an M3 CSL.

I’ve now hit a point with the car where I feel as if I’m at its limits of the parts it’s currently running. I’m going to take it on a few more track days where I don’t know the track, that way I won’t keep getting frustrated knowing how I want the car to feel, turn and brake... after that I’m thinking the car is going to get progressed slightly further, to an even more track focused chassis set-up.

Ideas which I have floating around my head are;

- KW V3 Clubsports
- Porsche 4-Pot Callipers / AP Racing Brakes
- Semi-Slick / Slicks on Spare BBS Rims

But we’ll see what comes in time, happy just to be using the car for the moment... and yes, it’s my daily driver too.