To track car, or not to track car....

[slammin.e28]

So, as many as a few of you know, I just "bought" a 1988 535is.

It's gonna be a DD for the GF/fiancee.

I've also got my 1985 535i w/B35, headers, M5 FW/clutch, 5sp swap, and 3.25 LSD (or 3.73 LSD when I get around to it).

I'm debating making the 1985 into a track car. It's got AQ plates now. Does 70 in 2nd gear, and it all around a loud, obnoxious hooncar.

Back story, it was given to me by my sister with 148k on it. Her (now ex) husband bought it for her to drive, so it was an automatic trans. The e28 wouldn't pass inspection with it's rotted TRX tires, and at $400 each, the car sat for 7 years. I was 16 and needed a car. I asked, and received this (free) car, had the fuel system redone, got some normal sized wheels/tires, and it was my loyal DD up until 2008, when I graduated and got my e46 330i. From them on it was an off/on toy. Swapped the engine/trans, drove it. Put headers on, drove it. It's got 164k on it now.

I'm at a cross roads now. With another one coming into the driveway, in much nicer condition, but not as fast, but totally factory, I donno what to do.

Thoughts?

[andrewm]

Dont you ruin that car, I love that e28. Otherwise, I approve of this.

[Q5Quint]

Decide on what 'track' car means first. Are you going to do a local autox? A serious AutoX? A lemons race? Rally?

The rules will dictate what you can and cant do, what safety stuff you will need to add etc etc...

Even your headers and clutch swap might bump you up into a different class where 911s would own the shit out of you, depending on the series.

Figure out a budget first- say 2-3k, then check what races are held locally, then see what classes you can fit into.... then make a to-do list.

For my 'track' car I think I will end up with a glorified DD that is fun as hell to drive, and competes in a few local events. Not a true 'track car' at all but fun to hoon and cheap none-the-less.

Here are some of my local folks stats from last year so I know what I am up against:
http://www.auto-x.com/results/2011/dixie4_fin.htm

a freaking purple mazda protege had one of the fastest times overall that day lol

scca for class rules : http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...ry_reduced.pdf
Edit: page 79 says you cant modify exhaust so you are already bumped out of the stock category into street touring-
I think you were in f stock with 5 series (a e30 is in D stock)
so in street touring looks like locally (to my area) you would be up against plenty of e30s, a mini cooper, a freaking 2002, honda civic and mazda 3. Interestingly enough the times for the normal toruing class are really close to the touring s (sport) class which is all miatas and mr2s but they let them race in their own sport class with z3s lol

[slammin.e28]

Dont you ruin that car, I love that e28. Otherwise, I approve of this.

Really? Lol, this makes me want to rethink the whole car, lol!

Decide on what 'track' car means first. Are you going to do a local autox? A serious AutoX? A lemons race? Rally?

The rules will dictate what you can and cant do, what safety stuff you will need to add etc etc...

Even your headers and clutch swap might bump you up into a different class where 911s would own the shit out of you, depending on the series.

Figure out a budget first- say 2-3k, then check what races are held locally, then see what classes you can fit into.... then make a to-do list.

For my 'track' car I think I will end up with a glorified DD that is fun as hell to drive, and competes in a few local events. Not a true 'track car' at all but fun to hoon and cheap none-the-less.

Here are some of my local folks stats from last year so I know what I am up against:
http://www.auto-x.com/results/2011/dixie4_fin.htm

A freaking purple mazda protege had one of the fastest times overall that day lol

scca for class rules : http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...ry_reduced.pdf

Hmm...good point.

Talking with the guys here at the shop, the car doesn't seem as clapped out as I take it to be.

It'd be for fun auto-x with the Porsche club. SCCA around here isn't really fun. Once a month, ragging the car out in the parking lot of the local government center is enough for me.

I've got some suspension work to do tonight then I'll run it tomorrow and see how it goes. Rear shocks are blown-the-fuck-out and I've got the death wobble from hell. Satan literally lives in my steering box.

[Lof8]

Once a month autocrosses don't require any serious modifications (or any modifications at all). If that's the plan, it's already a track car. Autocrossing it won't hurt it at all.

tightening up the suspension and steering will make it more fun. gl

[slammin.e28]

Meh, I just donno if I wanna introduce it as my track car, or the pile of shit I drive from time to time and occasionally race that's why the body/paint sucks ass.

I've been sorting through the front suspension. Rear really needs attention now.

[ethirtydavid]

you're bold to use the same car for your girlfriend and your fiancee, what if the other finds out? gl man

[slammin.e28]

you're bold to use the same car for your girlfriend and your fiancee, what if the other finds out? gl man

I like to live life on the edge.

[dothadance]

Satan literally lives in my steering box.

serious lulz

[imwhyteyo]

i wish 911's would blow the shit out of me. id pat them on the head whilst doing so.

[eskimo810]

If it depends on what category of racing you'll be participating in, well that's that. Otherwise, use the 85. You can always replace important parts that break, but it's hard to get a car back to looking good.

[leothedrummer]

Hey buddy,

What I suggest you do, is get yourself a set of sticky tyres, change your brake fluid and pads and then go out and do a track day with just that. Don't even worry about times, just get out there and have some fun. The E28 is actually a pretty good car to start out with, possibly even better than an E30. The longer wheelbase makes them very predictable and forgiving, they handle superbly for such a large car, as I'm sure you're aware.

I've been run my completely factory M535i at sprint days and just recently, a regularity event. It's the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel of a car. I've reached the point now where I won't be tracking the E28 anymore, but that's because I'm now driving it like a track car and it's way too nice to be doing that....but that's what my new E21 will be for!

[iamsam]

I'm glad at least one person mentioned rally before I did.

[JA1991]

haha so much win. ^

[e34m50]

Just bought an 88 535is as well. Its gonna be a DD/track car. Just did a eibach/bilsteins on it this Saturday. I'll change out the pads this week and already got new tires on it so I think she'll be ready for both duties!