BrandC: Seduced by FR

[BrandC]

A little background:

I had an MK3 GTI VR6 before I acquired my 318is. I've always liked E30's, but my primary choice of car was actually an AE86 Corolla GT-S. After staffing for Drift Day Norcal, I was sold by the solidarity of the drifting community and especially lightweight FR cars. But as many of you know, clean and stock drift car candidates are no longer readily available for decent prices. A friend of mine kept mentioning how E30's are one of the more underappreciated grassroots favorites, so I did A LOT of homework. I was very impressed by the aftermarket parts/support, styling of the chassis, and more importantly the E30 community. I really enjoyed exploring this forum and R3VLimited before I bought my car. But let's not forget, they are a fucking blast to drive too! And of course, I went hunting and found the perfect candidate when I least expected it...

Specs:
-Diamantschwarzes (with peeling clearcoat) 1991 318is
-135k miles
-5th owner (w00t!)

Mods (so far):
-DIY $2 Clutch stop
-Z4 3.0L Short Shifter
-E28 535i engine mounts
-M44 updated timing chain tensioner
-DIY Black kidney grills

Mods going on soon:
-Momo Monte Carlo 350mm wheel w/ quick release
-15x7 Kosei K1's
-Alpen Weiss (or original DS) single stage respray w/ clearcoat (lol)
-Axxis/PBR Ultimate ceramic pads, OEM rotors, and SS lines

Plans:
-Ground Control coilover setup (600#F/650#R as per e9nine)
-OEM IS front spoiler lip or regular I apron lip
-15x8 Rota Slipstreams in Steel Grey
-Recaro SPG CLONE seat w/ VAC side-mount adapters
-2.25" Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler

Things to fix:
-6 button OBC (thanks Febi/Sam!)
-Passenger seat forward recline mechanism
-Various maintenance items

Enjoy the pics! They are only temporary until the respray...muhahahaha

[Jand3rson]

Your avatar kicks ass.

[Julien]

cool car... why a respray in white though? I had a 318is before and loved the diamonshwartz. Admitedly i had swapped the interior for beige sport leather though.



Julien

[E30 Wagen]

respray it DS...

[Erick]

White FTW! :)

Nice start! Now go hit the track! Does the car come with the optional LSD?

- Erick

[Simon S]

Your avatar kicks ass.

agreed.


.

[golde30]

nice start.

BUT, you may want to re-consider your spring rates there....most drift setup cars have rates 2x stiffer in the rear...which makes sense, b/c u want the rear end to kick out easily...

[duuuurtymyk]

congrats on the pick up man...i tooo am a very very big fan of the ae86...ive had 2, and my pops went through 3...hahaa, its in the blood...but damn...i fell in love with my e30 hard....and to think that i picked it over my rx7 Tii(full coil over suspension, rebuilt265hp motor&turbo, rims...etc)....e30s got me the bitchs, and the good girls....i kidd you not...it works...i think it has something to do with the roundel....hahhahhaha


ps. check out my vid on the bottom to see me slide my e30...DDays rrock

[BrandC]

Your avatar kicks ass.

That means a lot coming from the site owner, thanks!

Don Hertzfeldt FTMFW!

MY SPOON IS TOO BIG

most drift setup cars have rates 2x stiffer in the rear

Actually, that's not true. All the drifters I've met/ridden with use higher spring rates in front. A tried/true drift setup for most AE86's is F:8kg/mm & R:6kg/mm, which translates to 450#/350#. It's even a popular spring rate combo with S13 240sx's as well.

There's no real rule of thumb for which spring rates to choose. I also want to continue grip driving as well, and I feel 600/650# will keep the car neutral enough so I can toss the weight wherever I please.

[redcarbon]

Are you taking in to account motion ratios? You know you can't equate spring rates from one car to another; different suspension geometries can have very different wheel rates from the same spring rates.

It may be close, but you can't equate them.

Well good to see you found a 318is, I remember you were interested in mine.

[Jand3rson]

That means a lot coming from the site owner, thanks!

Don Hertzfeldt FTMFW!

MY SPOON IS TOO BIG

Damn straight...

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MY ANUS IS BLEEDING!!!!

[BrandC]

You know you can't equate spring rates from one car to another; different suspension geometries can have very different wheel rates from the same spring rates.

I'm just copying e9nine's setup, who has an E30 318is. He said the car felt really neutral and it was still streetable.