Rallycross/SurfRat: An E30 Photo Journal of Sorts, Hawaii

[futureficus]

1988 325i

Don't really post too much, but thought it might be great document the E30 while I have it. Please note, I don't take this car too serious.

Picked up the car in 2009 as a daily driver with intentions to rallycross it here in Hawaii.



Used to track/autocross/canyon an STI while I lived in LA. Unfortunately, there isn't a track here in Oahu anymore. Didn't plan to put too much money into the E30. We have autocross here, but just not into it anymore. So the next best thing I can get here? Rallycross!!!

But first, the mod list:

Engine:
- Swiss cheesed airbox
- AC Delete

Suspension
- Front IS stock springs w/ KYB GR2/ExcelG
- Rear I stock springs w/ KYB GR2 (Camaro)

Drivetrain
- 4.10 LSD
- PS Delete

Brakes
- ABS nonfunctional when purchased

Interior
- Stripped trunk tar
- Hawaiian style seat covers for beat up stock seats

Exterior
- Rally Armor UR flaps
- DIY lip
- "Discount Ramps" DIY roof rack

When I first got the car, the front struts were totally blown. Had a buddy that was parting out an IS and I needed a temporary fix, so I grabbed whatever used struts that were in the car along with the stock IS springs. Wasn't really sure what the plans were for suspension yet, this would do. He also had a 4.10 LSD that he let go for cheap. At this time I also ended stripping the tar from the trunk and refreshed the black trim paint. The paint wasn't in great condition, especially the hood, so I painted it black. I guess for contrast?



To get inspired for rallycross, I ended up painting my bottlecaps white and added on some red rally armor flaps. I love my bottlecaps.




Being in Hawaii, I need to be able to rack up boards. Followed a few guys DIY on roof racks on this forum and ended up with this. Also added a bicycle fork mount for my hardcourt bike polo ride, it sucks trying to ride such low gearing on the road to get to the court.



It's important to not forget that there's a bicycle up there sometimes and to mind the clearance bars. Surprisingly nothing was harmed.



Made me a flexible front lip, riveted on. Car isn't my daily driver anymore. Primarily used for rallycross, but I do take it out when I feel like driving it.



April 21, 2012, staged at Kalaeloa Raceway Park. A friend of mine co-drove the car with me. The E30 handled pretty well. The course was more on the technical side. My tires were the limiting factor. The front tires especially since they're near bald.



It was a great first time and allowed me to assess what changes would be needed.



The next event was May 19, 2012. Started prepping with fresh strut inserts KYB GR2.



It made a huge difference with the feel of the car. It handled a lot better. The track was fast and suited the car well.


Vimeo Link


Some footage compiled from my co-driver and I. The water truck guy got carried away wetting the track way too much way too often. Bald front tires, slip slidey fun!



June 17, 2012/Father's Day rallycross. I've been following the Camaro shock thread and decided that I'd like to try this setup on the car. Ordered a set of KYB GR2 Camaro shocks for the rear. They feel great! One thing led to the next and ended up ordered some a set of Firestone Winterforce tires and picked up a second set of bottlecaps for $50. Painted them a fun florescent yellow. I also decided to smoke the projectors one weekend while I was giving the E30 some TLC.



A BRZ showed up, but saw no action. I think the driver has autocrossing plans for it though. I want one. A few buddies showed up, I've got them sold on getting a fun car for rallycross. They also run "hulacross" (wheel wheel dirt racing) on the main part of the track. I don't think my E30 will be doing this anytime soon.


Vimeo Link

Fun run from that event. The snow tires made a huge difference. I'm also liking the Camaro KYB's in the rear as well. I don't really try to set the fastest times, just out there to have some fun.

Next event July 21, 2012...

-Michael

[lambo]

Wow! This thing is cool! I love the mud flaps and the white/yellow b caps. Do you have anymore pics of your lip? It looks well put together.

[DaButt]

Love this thing.

[futureficus]

Thanks guys!

Here's just another angle (sorry about the excessive filter usage in my photos)



When I riveted it on, I might have mounted it too taught. Whatever haha.

Here's what I posted in another thread about the stuff I used:

The lip is pretty stiff where it wont flop in the wind and at the same time I think it has the right amount of flex. I riveted it on to my valance. The edging I used is Master Mark Plastics "Trim coiled edge". Got it locally at a hardware store for $5. Add in $5 for rivets and $11 for a rivet gun, not a bad deal in my opinion.

[irish44j]

awesome, happy to see another rallycross build thread. I think we have 4 of them now :)

especially awesome since it's an early metal-bumper, sedan, with sunroof :D

[325ix]

I really, really liked the white bcaps with the red mud flaps. It looks so cool. Looks like you have a fantastic start for rallyx.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Love it. Great job having fun with your car

[Cronopoulos]

Baller little setup!

[futureficus]

Thanks again guys. irish44j and masterofpuppets, I've been following your threads and have learned a lot. Thanks for keeping the posts updated (I know masterofpuppets car is moving on).

Had another event last Saturday. Took first in PR with 7 drivers and 3 different cars. My buddy came out for the first time and co-drove with me. I've got him hooked now. Being that it was the weekend before my birthday, my fiance was sweet enough to show up, hang out and do a couple ride alongs in the heat and dirt. That made my day.



Didn't have any major issues with the car. Oh but my hood release handle snapped. Using vise grips for the mean time haha. I think my cat is going since I'm starting to get a subtle sulfur smell after a couple hard runs.



Took some video, but haven't had time to edit yet.

[sweet6e30]

Wow looks like a blast!

[kamotors]

nice

[irish44j]

Thanks again guys. irish44j and masterofpuppets, I've been following your threads and have learned a lot. Thanks for keeping the posts updated (I know masterofpuppets car is moving on).

now your turn to give me some new ideas, because I'm running out of things to do that I can actually afford to do, lol.

Had another event last Saturday. Took first in PR with 7 drivers and 3 different cars. My buddy came out for the first time and co-drove with me. I've got him hooked now.

totally hear you there. I've now managed to get a total of 5 or 6 friends into rallycross this year (and they bought an old e30s and an old e28).

. I think my cat is going since I'm starting to get a subtle sulfur smell after a couple hard runs.

IDK if you saw the part in my thread, but my cat substrate broke up mid-run at the 3rd event of the season and promptly clogged my exhaust. Had to finish the day in a lower-classed e30 (Spencer's) and then struggled to get the car home not knowing the problem at the time. Do yourself a favor and either gut it or get a good high-flow.

[futureficus]

IDK if you saw the part in my thread, but my cat substrate broke up mid-run at the 3rd event of the season and promptly clogged my exhaust. Had to finish the day in a lower-classed e30 (Spencer's) and then struggled to get the car home not knowing the problem at the time. Do yourself a favor and either gut it or get a good high-flow.

Just reread a lot of your thread. Thanks for the heads up. Took the car in to an exhaust shop to have the cat removed and went to straight pipes with the stock exhaust.

[irish44j]

just randomly ran across one of your vids while looking for something totally unrelated to rallycross. That course looks like fun :) I dig the gold helmet and the rearview mirror smelly tree, haha.....

[futureficus]

Hahaha thanks irish44j. The course is really dependent on the space available at Kalaeloa Raceway Park. They're currently rebuilding a dirt oval track and we never really know how much space we'll get before the day of the event. But at the same time, it's great because each month it's very different. From what I hear, last year they had a lot of space to set up a course and had much longer run times.

I'm getting pretty bad at updating and I haven't really put any money/mods into the rallycrosser as of late. Getting married this November, that's the finances are focused. The last thing I did was remove the cat. I'm liking the sound of the catless stock exhaust.

Had another event last Sunday. Took video, but at the moment I'm backlogged on video editing. I still have last month's event to edit. I might just combine the two events and make some sorta highlight recap with some fun music.

There's been a couple guys taking photos at the events, but never saw anything get posted until a couple days ago. Stoked to finally see the car in action with better quality photos from a real camera. Photos from June and July:


That darn wiper stalk haha




My friend codriving with my fiance in the navigator position (probably laughing more than navigating)