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Hi Josh, Really appreciate the advice. This will be my first BMW racecar, so I need to establish contacts within the BMW racing community. Do you recommend Jerry Clayton over Team McMillan for racing parts? What is Keith's surname at Jerry Claytons? Thanks, John

Andy Culpin from RaceFX is still working on the E46 GTR project - in fact he his currently building 3 of them. I was planning to buy one for Targa / circuit racing ... that was until I saw some images of the E86 Z4 GTR. Being a sports car fan (I currently race a 2-seater, V8 Lexus-powered sportscar in Targa & circuit) there was no debate - it had to be a Z4 GTR. The Z4 is lighter, lower, and has far less front & rear overhang (important for the undulating roads in Targa), plus it's different. Nothing wrong with the M3, 1 Series, or E30 option, it's just that I like 'different' racecars. So that's why a purchased a damaged 2005 Z4 for the project. The plan is to have it ready for Targa 2008 ... it's Auckland to Wellington next year.

Hi Guys, This probably sounds a bit bizarre, but I'm looking at converting a standard 2005 Z4 roadster into a Z4 GTR (ie: an E86 M Coupe racecar). Has anyone heard of an aftermarket kit / body panel? I've located a company in the US that produce a complete set of carbon-fibre coupe panels for a Z4, but it's bloody expensive, and doesn't look that great. The only alternative is to buy genuine BMW panels (roof and rear hatch) ex-Germany, and then fabricate the rest. Possible to do, but time-consuming. We'll also have to fabricate those amazing flared GTR guards, plus front, rear & side panels ... big job, but should look really agressive when finished. Can't decide whether to fit the 4.4 litre V8 or 3.2 M3 engine (I think the M5 engine will cost too much). Both engines would fit. The 4.4 would be cheaper, and provide greater torque for Targa racing, but the 3.2 revs more freely, and may suit circuit racing better. Decisions, decisions! Anyone out there got any logical reasons for one engine over the other? Cheers, John PS: If anyone knows of an accident damaged late model M3 for sale, please let me know. I'd like to salvage all the running gear for this project (if I do decide on the 3.2 engine). Prefer 1999 or newer. Although I'd prefer to buy a complete car (I'd like to use engine, gearbox, diff and brakes), I'd consider buying parts separately.

Hi Guys, I'm looking for an accident damaged M3 to salvage all the running gear for a racecar project. Prefer 1999 or newer. Although I'd prefer a complete car (I'd like to use engine, gearbox, diff and brakes), I'd consider buying parts separately. Anyone know of anything? Cheers, John

G'day, sorry not a BMW question, but does anyone out there have a Toyota W57 or W58 gearbox for sale ... or know of anyone selling one (prefer W58). Thanks, John

The last thread on this subject was getting a bit long, so here goes with a new one. Andy Culpin from RaceFX is making progress with the first of the two E46 GTR V8 racecars he's building. Here's a couple of links to images of the underfloor boxing for the two side-exiting exhausts. Remember, this first car is a LHD, track-only racecar, so no need for a passenger seat!! http://xs112.xs.to/xs112/07091/Exhaust1.jpg http://xs112.xs.to/xs112/07091/Exhaust2.jpg

OS : Windows XP Professional, Version 5.1.2600, Service Pack 2. BROWSER : Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11 CONNECTION : Jetstream

I've been trying (see my other thread re: UPLOADING IMAGES)!

Thanks. Will definitely let you know when there is more to see.

That's exactly the problem I have ... the message simply says "LOADING" forever! And I too optimise my images for the site!! Or sometimes the "LOADING" message finishes, but there is nothing in the "Manage Current Attachments" drop down. HELP! John.

Sorry ... "I'm bad!" ... I misunderstood your comment! John

How the hell do you attach images to your posting? I've tried many times and it just doesn't work for me! I think I'm doing all the obvious things ... click on 'Insert Image' ... Browse and select 120 - 130kb jpeg ... click the UPLOAD button ... but nothing ever happens! I thought I was reasonably smart when it came to uploading images to sites etc, but now I'm starting to question my own intelligence!! HELP.

Alex I hope that you are pleasantly surprised when it's finished! I think the E46 GTR V8 is a great looking car, and these two will look just the same as the GTRs that raced in 2001/2002 ... wait until you see the fibreglass guards etc fitted ... very horny! Cheers, John

Definitely suitable for rough gravel / rally events. Because the pencil lens is so small & light, it does not vibrate / bounce around like a full-sized handycam. John

No sure ... didn't see the show! But they seem to have a good little business. Check out their website.

You're right Andrew. The system shown on my website cost me $600 + the Sony Handycam + camera case. Cheers, John

No, unfortunately I'll be overseas so no Tasman GP Revival meeting. Will do the Auck Car Club meeting at Puke on 25 Feb. Yes, you were right! The two GTR V8s are being built by Andy Culpin at Race RX. Cheers, John

Yip, these are the cars that Andy Culpin is building at Race FX. The 5 litre 'track only' cars will be his own (or he'll sell it if the price is right). I'm buying the 4.4 litre road / race car for Targa and circuit use (as long as I can sell my existing racecar!). Andy will also build more of these cars (to any spec) if a customer fronts up with the dollars. Cheers, John

G'day All, I race an Almac Sabre S2 in Targa and circuit events, and have always wanted to install an incar camera to capture all the action. However I didn't want to simply mount a conventional handycam in the car because they tend to get in the way. What I wanted was the small remote cameras that I had seen used overseas ... but they are bloody expensive (approx US$1000 for the remote lens and wiring). After looking at all of these expensive overseas options available via the internet, we came across the locally manufactured NZ Helmet Camz system. As the name suggests, this product was originally designed to mount directly to the helmets of mountain bikers, motorcross riders, and snowboarders, but they also offer a 'Motor Sport Package'. This includes their own very compact 1/3" bullet camera lens with separate microphone; protective machined nylon housing; wired remote control with power on/off and recording start/stop. The small remote camera lens can be mounted anywhere in the racecar, and plugs into the A/V slot of your camcorder (which can be housed well out of the way). The wired remote plugs into the camcorder's LANC slot. The entire system, including our Sony Handycam (DCR-HC96E), is powered via a 12 volt feed from the racecar, so there is no need to continually change camera batteries. A switch on the dash turns the whole system on & off, and the wired remote control mounted by the gearstick starts & stops recording ... simple! We've now used it at a couple of race meetings, and the results are brilliant. Check out my website to see pics of the installation of the camera. Check out my website to view some of the incar videos that we have recorded. Hope this is of interest to those of you who spend time on the track. Cheers, John

Hi All, A couple of months ago I posted some info on two E46 M3 GTR V8 racecars being built in Auckland. One has the 5 litre M engine, and is being built as a pure track racecar. Engine is in temporarily; wheel arches have been tubed; exhausts will exit the side; air-jacks will be fitted, etc, etc. The other won't be quite as radical, and will have a 4.4 litre engine. This one will be used for a Targa / race car. Both will have the full E46 GTR body kits, and both will probably be painted in matching classic white / blue / red colour scheme. Attached are a few images of the first car. Early days, but you will get an idea of where we are going with the two projects. Will keep everyone informed on progress. Cheers, John.

These are still on TradeMe ... auction ends Thur 11th ... current bid $250

Well done Guys! Sharp look and still user-friendly. All the hard work was worth it.

Hi Guys, I'm selling the following on TradeMe if anyone is interested... 2 x WHEELS: 18 x 8.5 alloys; 120 x 5 PCD; 38 offset; very good condition. 2 x TYRES: Pirelli P7000; 225/40 ZR18; approx 80% tread remaining. These wheels & tryres are off an E46 328Ci. Can be viewed in Central Auckland prior to purchase. Only 2 for sale because some ###### stole the other two! Check out... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=81635232

I think you're right ... this should be a relatively easy swap (compared to others we have done in the past). Not sure how important the 'On-Board Diagnostic' systems will be to us in a racecar (although we haven't really checked out all the functions yet), as we'll be stripping out most of the electrics and probably use a MoTeC ECU. Cheers, John

Hi Josh, Still in the planning stages, but as soon as we start I'll let you know. At that stage you are more than welcome to come and check it out. John Thanks for the link ... some interesting info on this guy's site. Cheers, John __________________________________________________________Yip, you're onto it Conrod. This is one of two E46 V8s that Andy is building. I'm keen on the version he's building for Targa, but definitely not painted green. Either has to be the classic red/white/blue BMW racing livery, or painted in my sponsors colours. Cheers, John