E30 Go Kart project.....How would you begin???

[P Arkus]

First off if this is in the wrong section, I apologize. With many old cars like the E30, there are numerous tips and tricks to upgrade specific parts with either newer parts, or parts from a different vehicle. I have an E30 325IS Mtech II with a stock M20B25 engine in it. Now i've heard numerous people say that when you want to have the most fun in racing (or driving in general), learn to drive a slow car fast, then upgrade to a faster car. But when it comes to driving a slow car fast, you still need good handling.

My questions is what would you do to make your E30 handle more like a go kart? I'm talking excellent steering response, car always feeling like its planted to the ground, and essentially feeling like you are on rails. Now I know the basics (upgrade suspension to coilovers, swaybars are a never ending discussion, etc), but what are some of the tricks most people dont know about? The only one i've heard of is upgrading the steering rack to one from a Z3. Apparently this increases the steering response quite a bit. For braking, you can either do a BBK, or do Corrado G60 rotors with 4 piston RX7 calipers. Any other good tips or tricks for making your E30 handle more like a go kart (preferrably on a budget, anything is possible with endless amounts of money)?

How would you tackle this project?

[evandael]

step one: buy 318is
step one.5: replace all the bushings/mounts/ball joints
step two: z3 rack
step three: ???
step four: profit

[325ix]

Take out heavy useless items.

[MoreMayhem]

Take out heavy useless items.

"Sorry honey, I can't give you a ride to work today. I'm trying to increase my steering response! "

[ELVA164]

^Yikes, haha. Another thing you could do to reduce weight is to remove sound deadening/tar/stuff like that, although I don't know how hardcore you're looking to go.

[Holland]

Solid, not poly, bushings all around. Stiff coilovers and proper swaybars. Solid engine and trans mounts. Full functional roll cage, with a healthy diet. Quick steering rack and plenty of FRONT camber with a lick of rear camber. Zero out the front toe with a lick of toe in in the rear again.

[deutschman]

You can buy my manual window regulators and get rid of 4lb of electric motors plus some weight ones you remove the wiring for the motors ;)

[P Arkus]

I'm not looking to go too hardcore as the car will most likely not see much track time (a couple AutoX events per year probably), but i'm a spirited driver and enjoy hitting twisties and fun roads quite a bit. I'm open to hearing any and all ideas. Holland is a perfect example seeing as I would never really think of front camber!

[Holland]

You can buy my manual window regulators and get rid of 4lb of electric motors plus some weight ones you remove the wiring for the motors ;)

You know what's funny about that? I did that conversion on mine, more for the simplicity, but the door weight was noticeable. I found myself closing the door a little too hard the first few times .

[TimbyMaTombo]

It won't directly help steering response or anything, but you can delete power steering. I did it a week ago since my PS leaked everywhere in the first place and I love the feel of it! Steering really isn't any harder unless you turn the wheel without the wheels moving but you're not supposed to do that anyway... Once you're going, I find it quite easy.

[nokincy]

Buy a Miata.

[Jon325i]

Buy a Miata.

Bam. Done. More go-kart than any E30.

[e30Rooster]

I'm not looking to go too hardcore as the car will most likely not see much track time (a couple AutoX events per year probably), but i'm a spirited driver and enjoy hitting twisties and fun roads quite a bit. I'm open to hearing any and all ideas. Holland is a perfect example seeing as I would never really think of front camber!

get low, Solid bushings, 4.10 diff, and 245/40/r17's all around or bigger if you want to put on fender flairs. Number 1 thing to make your lap times faster then stock is rubber. fuck stretched tires.

[MoreMayhem]

Buy a Miata.

Or an early Porsche 914. Amazingly like a go-kart, and about as big!

[der affe]

^^^yeaaaaa not so much.

Have you ever owned a 914?

I own a 914-6 with a 190hp euro S motor. My e30 out handles it (even with konis and swaybars/fresh suspension) out stops it (it has early S front brakes with Porterfield pads & stock rear discs) and out accelerates it.

It is a fun car, but other than the awesome sound of the mechanical fuel injection's ITBs/open K&N airfilters and the BORSTCH exhaust, the e30 has it beat.