CamB

Are BNT going to stock race compound pads?

I bought Bilsteins for the M3 from you - have been great so far I just put H&R springs with them and they're even better (shocks are better matched to the somewhat stiffer H&Rs in my opinion).

Since you asked me I'd better respond... I don't know. Try figure out who's good at braking in the E30s and what they use. Like Jon says, I am sure there are plenty of opinions and options. I used Mintex in the front of the 2002 and they lasted well, as did the OEM rotors. Fluid HAS TO be full on race fluid (don't try and compromise with something that might be good enough) and the lines might as well be braided as the cost isn't that much different to rubber really. Braking is expensive business, unfortunately. You should be happy - at least all the stuff on an E30 is cheap in the scheme of things (try pricing up an M3 floating disc).

How big is the exhaust housing on each (its the two digit number by the inlet of the exhaust housing)? Good turbo choices btw.

Based on dudes overseas (so depends whether you trust the internets or not): - 18psi is fine as long as the turbo is big enough and has a large enough exhaust side to avoid too much backpressure - if you do this, with a properly tuned M20B27 you'd have at least 300hp at the wheels with 18psi. They heat the head up before welding. Either way - if Steve (crunchy) says don't weld the head, don't. He's the man who knows. Its probably worth noting that having a boost level goal isn't really the right way to approach it - a little turbo at 10psi makes power differently (and probably less of it) than a big one - you should pick a power level and then worry about what size turbo (and what other add-ons) would be required (and how suitable it is for your intended driving).

According to this, it looks like yes: http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/18101402412/ No promises though!

If you're gonna race it you NEED: - race pads - race fluid and you should consider - new / braided lines (at very least make sure the old ones aren't cracked or bulging out) - new discs

That's the IHI super-trick turbo I've seen you post about before isn't it? It's huuuuggggeeee.

And undo both shock bolts, or you'll be fighting the sway bar (assuming you've got one).

One of the reasons I wondered about standing the engine up was to make more room for the downpipe around the steering. Might be worth thinking about on an E28 David...

I'm super-keen for pics. I've been wondering about the pros and cons of standing the engine up a little to get more room. Thoughts: - gives more room (keen to see your pics) - roll gearbox over (not an issue with 260 but an issue for me) - oil sump / pickup might not like being on an angle Its the last one that worries me.

Nice tires - must have been an enthusiast.

Based on a dude in the USA called Otis (I bought a manifold from him) who goes by the forum name "good & tight", the recipe is: - an M30, any working condition (he boasts that it was a junkyard engine) - a large turbo (he used a Holset HX40) and suitable wastegate - an ECU (he used megasquirt) - free-flowing manifold + exhaust - etc I seem to remember he got to 300rwhp like that, possibly just with ARP studs and an MLS head gasket (possibly with neither...) He has more now: http://www.r3vlimited.org/board/showthread.php?t=153556 He's not focused on pretty. More on something that works. I kinda admire that. I'm sure crunchy can give a far more considered (and correct) opinion. What worries me, and why I have gone down the path (slowly) involving a rebuilt engine (M10 in my case) with forged pistons etc is that I am worried that in a racing environment the stresses are much higher. For this reason I'm setting my hp goals lower than I might and basing it on a lower level of boost.

I don't mind it - as such things go I think its remarkably cohesive - far too much work for pretty marginal benefit though. It is a little bit like a mullet - smart up front but a feral party out back...

Ooops, this might help: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-332777789.htm

And you'd be right - now asking $18,900

To adjust those ground control rear spring perches pictured you can just jack the car up (by the diff - needs to be both sides - but support it safely of course once jacked up!), and then you can undo the allen headed grub screw (its imperial - not metric) and the spring wont be under any/much tension and you can just turn the adjuster and get the height right. On JiB's old car, you didn't even need to undo the shocks (unless you wanted to get the spring out). Might not be the same on all, of course. The perches just sit there - not welded on.

The uprating required to the chassis is pretty serious with this option. You can, of course, get adjustable rear spring platforms in the stock position like in the ground-control kit.

I want to try get this look:

Massive thread dig - just looking through the WOF VIRM and the applicable Land Transport Rule (as you do), and discovered that headlights can potentially be yellow (I think): Anyone brave enough to try? Note - I suspect you need to be careful around whether any mods are legal or not... (different to whether being yellow is legal or not).

LOL, I now feel less embarrassed to say that two weeks ago I bought some truck wash for exactly this purpose (wheel and other cleaning where I used to use the citrus-based stuff). Evidence so far is that it works well (and it says its safe on all painted surfaces).

I drove behind one this morning. Pretty awesome looking but my overall impression was that it was very L-O-N-G. Burgundy? Such a cool car, in a 70s 4 seater kind of way.

Geez the dude is dodgy. Son had (has?) a purple E36 M3, satin black wheels. It went for a $1 auction here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=297024877 You can see in the feedback it was won by the strat (jessmcd), and feedback posted: "Excellent trader and a very nice car too." And then above that the Trademe cancellation. Geeeeeezzzzz.....

Thread dig - I see the car is on Trademe again. The upcoming 20 year rule explains the dodgy registration (as an ATV) noted above. http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=330850360 You'd be totally mad to buy the car for anything other than racing purposes, IMHO.

Yep, agree, but metal polish is never going to be the right product if this is the case.