Long term non BMW project teaser

[Emre]

I heared that these Cosworth heads were much more "agressive" design, like it flows quite more than the counterpart, the S14 engine.

The head is definitely superior to the S14. Better flow and much stronger ("cup under" solid lifters, etc.). These engines were designed to spin to 8k rpm and make 270 hp in street trim. Race versions were designed to make 300+ hp at 10k rpm. The factory seriously detuned the street version by dropping the compression, putting in mild cams, revising the intake, retarding the timing, and dropping the rev limit to 6800 rpm. Apparently, it doesn't take much to get the 2.3L back into 245-250 hp at 7-8k rpm territory.

[Emre]

Fitting the interior

Putting the new interior in.

Dash...



Seats/nets installed...

[Emre]

Shifter rebuild

Had the bushings and links replaced...it was getting sloppy!





Next step will be to lengthen the shifter rods to shorten the throw. But that project will have to wait until after the Mosport weekend.

Now, there's only the diff left to finish off. Should be able to pick up the car this weekend as planned. w00t!

[vlad]

Here's the steering wheel that's going in once the work is done...

love it :up:

[kingston]

What has happened to this project? M3's need an arch-enemy, so this car must be completed!

[Emre]

Quick update

I've had a very difficult time finding a wheel and tire package that does what I need it to do for this project. The W201 chassis has tiny wheel wells to start with, and things have gotten even tighter after swapping in the coilovers. Since we're building the car for vintage racing, we can't just cut out the fenders to make room. On top of that, I'm running the Evo II Brembos, which adds yet another dimensional constraint to the picture.

After trying out a whole bunch of different wheel/tire combos and spending literally thousands on wheels that didn't quite work, we've finally found a combo that looks promising:



These are 2-piece BBS RX II 503 alloys in 17x8" ET35. They're a bit heavier than I would have liked, but at least they fit properly. The tires are 225/45-R17 Continental Challenge semi-slicks, which are rebadged Hoosier endurance racing tires (basically R5's with a harder rubber compound). They should hold up well for HPDE and amateur racing.

[markseven]

Nice work - those rims with the raised yellow letter tires are cool!

[nespo_e30is]

Nice work - those rims with the raised yellow letter tires are cool!

I 2nd that!!! #SAPPHIRE

[rstimpreza]

Nice build.... im waiting for my 16v to arrive.

[kingston]

Soooooo psyched to see updates on this! Much basaddery!

[achtunge30]

Parked next to it at the gathering last night outside - absolutely epic!

[leegf]

emre,

thanks for the hot laps at lightning. i'd be happy to do a proper shoot of your car anytime :up:

drew

[Emre]

Hi, Drew.

thanks for the hot laps at lightning.

My pleasure. It's too bad that the car wasn't running right. You didn't really get the full experience.

I'd be happy to do a proper shoot of your car anytime :up:

That would be awesome. I'd definitely take you up on that.

[Emre]

Time for an update...

Just did some head work. Replaced the timing chain and guides. Had the valve timing adjusted, which meant all new shims. Some of the shims had to be machined down to the perfect size:





Had the valve cover powder-coated. They managed to match the factory paint color:



Also, I bought another set of Evo I alloys (16x8" ET34). I gave up trying to make 17" wheels work for now. The combination of Evo II brakes (300mm rotors; 4-piston Brembo calipers) and stock fenders is simply causing too much headache. That really limits my tire choices: not much available in 225/45-R16 these days. I picked up a set of Yoko A048 tires. I know these are hardly the best R-comps around, but they're the best I can do for now. I'll revisit 17x9" wheels after the season is over.

Finally, I've started working on fabbing some plates to mount my SPA GT mirrors. I'll admit this is race-car bling, but I like the look!

[stikrz]

I am in LOVE!