Track Car, what is required

[Jakester]

Hello all,

I seem to have a spare car at the moment, and, I would like to know your thoughts on what would be needed to transform it into an occaisional track car. It will never be used as a road car again, and, would be trailored to and from any track so, ripping bits out etc are not an issue, but, where to start really.

It is a 1995 BMW 318Is coupe :



Many thanks,

Jake

[markM3]

Strip it incl sound proofing, coil overs, sticky tyres and off you go!

[tarmac terror]

Depends on how safe you want it to be.
I'm prepping my 32GTR and am going for full weld-in cage/plumbed-in extinguisher system/battery isolator/bucket seat/6pt harness.
Obviously it might be worth looking at a 'better' set of springs/dampers and tweaking the brakes if you find them to be ineffective (which you probably will after a few laps). There's LOADS of stuff out there for E36 chassis/brakes/motorsport bits.

However, get as much weight off the car as poss though as the 318iS engine isnt renowned for its tuneability or the amount of goodies available for it. I know..I've owned one, it was red and looked identical to yours .

TT

[MacGTR]

I say uprated brake pads, disks, braided lines, fluid. Then uprated coilovers, bucket seat and a 6 point harness. A fire exinguisher is not really needed unless you go racing. Obviously remove the ABS and power steering. Defo get a set of r888's and I would say that's about it.

[tarmac terror]

Originally Posted by MacGTR

A fire exinguisher is not really needed unless you go racing.

Dont underestimate the need for an extinguisher. I have seen more than a few car fires at trackdays and I for one am taking NO chances.

The mantra I always follow is "its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"....

If you need to keep your car to a budget thats fine but I would compromise elsewhere rather than compromise on the safety gear.

TT

[MacGTR]

Yes, I agree with you there, I have one myself that is plumbed into the cabin and engine bay and it only cost about £150, well worth it if the worst does happen.

[dave1983]

Originally Posted by MacGTR

I say uprated brake pads, disks, braided lines, fluid. Then uprated coilovers, bucket seat and a 6 point harness. A fire exinguisher is not really needed unless you go racing. Obviously remove the ABS and power steering. Defo get a set of r888's and I would say that's about it.

I would not remove the power steering unless you want to be coming off the track every 10 mins because your arms are dead lol.

As for the track car it depends how mad you want to go and what your budget is. First thing i would look at is safety, so would get a decent bucket seat and a 6 point harness,
then would start by removing all un needed equipment from the car i.e stereo, speakers, door cards and trim, carpets, back seats ect.
Outside wise i would look at upgrading braking system, which doesnt mean going for big APs as such, would start with decent set of pads and discs followed with stainless lines and a decent brake fluid.
Fluids, i would give it a bloody good service before your first track session, using decent performance fluids, that way you know whats been done and its easy to keep on top of it then.
Handling wise coilovers, strutbraces, anti role bars, with that car this is where i would spend most of my time and money improving because this is where you will get the most improvement from with out spending stupid money.

Think with most of that you have your self a nice little track slag.
I know everyone will have their own opinions and this is just mine lol,