Street Legalizing IMSA E30 Race Car - Need Help Identifying/Choosing Parts

[KI4UJO]

Another steering suggestion: e46 ZHP rack. Slightly slower than a Z3 rack, but its progressive rather than linear. You'll need the one with the gold tag.

example: http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2002-2005...892-712ZHP.htm

[Hooffenstein HD]

This car should never be used on the street. It has a full cage. You don't drive caged cars without a helmet. You don't use a helmet on the street.

[E92E30Nut]

yea they are pretty hard to find, and genuine Hartge parts get a good chunk of change. It will sell quickly if you decide to sell it and price it right

I appreciate the offer.
It came on the car and looks to have been there from the beginning so probably wouldn't sell it. Just curious what are they going for though? I think I will remove it and clean it up for sure though.

[E92E30Nut]

Another steering suggestion: e46 ZHP rack. Slightly slower than a Z3 rack, but its progressive rather than linear. You'll need the one with the gold tag.

example: http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2002-2005...892-712ZHP.htm

Awesome!
Thanks for the recommendation. I am looking into this as we speak. On a 1-10 scale how difficult is it to swap steering racks in an E30 for an average DIYer.

[E92E30Nut]

Also can anyone point me in the direction of the gentlemen that used to make the custom aluminum door cards? I have lost the information and cannot seem to find him anywhere...

[E92E30Nut]

This car should never be used on the street. It has a full cage. You don't drive caged cars without a helmet. You don't use a helmet on the street.

Sir, I kindly implore you to PLEASE WATCH THESE short films if you haven't already and then tell me why I wouldn't enjoy my car in this way occasionally...

This is one of my favorites! This brave soul drives a Porsche 962 on the street and quite frequently it seems. I admire the hell out of someone that enjoys what they have no matter how wrong outside the box it must seem from the outside. What an amazing experience that must be and I would probably do the same if I had that car.

Porsche 962 driven on streets of Japan : http://youtu.be/51VJgvZ7Hxg

Mazda 767 & Jaguar XJ220LM Speedhunting : http://youtu.be/XrhlBWEZ8As

Another example would be Bruce Canepa driving his $6,000,000 Porsche 917 down the highway here. I may even call this is borderline nuts but what car enthusiast wouldn't want this dream.

Porsche 917 - California highway : http://youtu.be/0GGzWxYFggE

Although I do understand the conventional wisdom behind your message, I agree with the gentlemen at the beginning of this short film, the most important thing is to have fun in our everyday lives with our cars. For some that may be on a track, others on the street, dirt or snow. The guy with the Mazda 767 says the track is where he likes to drive but understands why his friend drives on the street...all that matters is that you enjoy the experience.

For me driving this race prepped E30 with some exciting history and having been previously driven by some of my American racing heros, should near the top of the list of great things that I have always wanted to do. I look up to TC Kline and Randy Pobst for the careers that they have had and mainly with the way in which they have conducted themselves. Driving a car that they have driven is very exciting to me but my top priority is to always respect history and take care of what I am fortunate enough to have at this time.

These cars were built for the joy of driving. It shouldn't matter how you enjoy your car as long as you take care of it in the process. A spirited drive down my favorite backroads with the smell of race fuel and rubber...doesn't get much better for me, maybe being on the Nordschleife, but I have to start somewhere :)

I guess my point is that just because something isn't directly in line with conventional practice, I always try and see their viewpoint as to why they would do such a "rediculous" thing. It sounds absolutely rediculous to drive a Lemans winning trillion $$$ racing car down the damn road but when I think about the pure exileration and enjoyment that this must give the driver, how could we not smile and says bravo you crazy bastard.

In my eyes the gentlemen in these videos are having some of the best motoring experiences when they fire up their racing cars and hit the road. Hopefully I will be doing the same when the weather cools in Arkansas.

[KI4UJO]

Awesome!
Thanks for the recommendation. I am looking into this as we speak. On a 1-10 scale how difficult is it to swap steering racks in an E30 for an average DIYer.

Well, you could say that I cheated.... I swapped mine when I was in the process of a 24v swap. However, here are some links that could help you.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247

http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-e30-steering.aspx

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ifications.htm

Where I got my conversion parts:

Its the first option - http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...0%2FM50%20Swap

Specifically, if you use the e46 rack, you will need e36 outer tie rods. My rack was low-mileage and still had good e46 inner tie rods, so I used those. One other ting to note, though: If you're not comfortable with bending the lower tabs (everything that I have read claims that they are not structural, however, its up to you), it will require you to either lift or remove the motor (I'm honestly not sure for your application, as I have never owned an M20 car).

Lastly, I fully support you in your goal to occasionally drive this car on the street. Why not? You've already got the car, so what is there to lose? Do it!

[E92E30Nut]

Well, you could say that I cheated.... I swapped mine when I was in the process of a 24v swap. However, here are some links that could help you.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247

http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-e30-steering.aspx

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ifications.htm

Where I got my conversion parts:

Its the first option - http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...0%2FM50%20Swap

Specifically, if you use the e46 rack, you will need e36 outer tie rods. My rack was low-mileage and still had good e46 inner tie rods, so I used those. One other ting to note, though: If you're not comfortable with bending the lower tabs (everything that I have read claims that they are not structural, however, its up to you), it will require you to either lift or remove the motor (I'm honestly not sure for your application, as I have never owned an M20 car).

Lastly, I fully support you in your goal to occasionally drive this car on the street. Why not? You've already got the car, so what is there to lose? Do it!

Awesome!
Thanks again for all of this information on the racks and thanks for the support for sure. The car needs to be driven and why not drive it until it gets back to the track. I will continue to research the steering rack swap and thanks again for the help.

[KI4UJO]

No problem. For track use, you might like the z3 rack. Personally, I felt that it was slightly too quick, at least from driving a z3 (it worked in it, but I did not think it would transfer to an e30 as smoothly). Also, for your purposes, the e36 rack is likely too slow.

[E92E30Nut]

No problem. For track use, you might like the z3 rack. Personally, I felt that it was slightly too quick, at least from driving a z3 (it worked in it, but I did not think it would transfer to an e30 as smoothly). Also, for your purposes, the e36 rack is likely too slow.

Technically and mechanically speaking, what are the pros and cons E36, E46, Z3 racks...fitment wise, ease of installation, extra parts necessary???

[2mAn]

Z3, E36 & E46 rack swaps need (IIRC) E36 tie rod ends and the swap typically needs spacers on the rack. They are almost all identical except for speed and feel, but the steps to swap are the same. I would search a little on the subject its been covered fairly often.

Are you planning on running power steering with the "new" rack?

[jalopi]

A possible major problem that I can see and have been made aware of is that due to the car being raced without any major front strut support up front, caused some hairline cracking on both A pillars near the roof and on the bottom near the windshield. I am looking into reinforcing the engine bay with tubing and tying that into the roll cage. This would be quite a major deal as the motor would have to be pulled and firewall modified.

If anyone has any ideas for reinforcing the chassis to keep this from happening in the future any help is appreciated

gussets come to mind

[TobyB]

It's funny- some shells die of flexion in the front clip, and others have raced for 10+
years with no ill effects. And it doesn't seem to really follow how aggressive the driver is.

Wonder if that's why the earlier shells are lighter?

And that nice gusset pic illustrates nicely why you want a helmet in a caged car...

t

[E92E30Nut]

gussets come to mind

This is exactly what this needs...are these only fabricated or can you buy them for the E30 specifically? That should do the trick! Thank you for that

[E92E30Nut]

Z3, E36 & E46 rack swaps need (IIRC) E36 tie rod ends and the swap typically needs spacers on the rack. They are almost all identical except for speed and feel, but the steps to swap are the same. I would search a little on the subject its been covered fairly often.

Are you planning on running power steering with the "new" rack?

Thanks,
I would like to delete power steering but still not sure what that process intels. This car surprisingly retains the PS but would be nice without IMO.
I have been doing more research on this topic but can't seem to find anyone speaking about the steering feel/effort with no PS...