E30 Rally Build Thread

[ecc3189]

yes, AWD gets you better acceleration than RWD, but for some people, the added complexity and difficulty in finding parts that an iX brings to the table just isn't worth it, when RWD and a good diff can be just as fun.

My thoughts exactly. Not to mention I think Group B cars were some of the best rally cars ever and most of those were rear wheel drive. It might be harder to control but the challenge is part of the fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRvUUQnfYNI

[iamsam]

Forgive me because I'm no rally expert, but wouldn't a 2 door 325ix be better for a rally e30? Because of the AWD??

yes, AWD gets you better acceleration than RWD, but for some people, the added complexity and difficulty in finding parts that an iX brings to the table just isn't worth it, when RWD and a good diff can be just as fun.

[Earendil]

Forgive me because I'm no rally expert, but wouldn't a 2 door 325ix be better for a rally e30? Because of the AWD??

Might put the car in a completely different league/set of rules. The ix was/is awesome, but I don't think it's anywhere near the best offload rally car.

[EDirtyZ]

Forgive me because I'm no rally expert, but wouldn't a 2 door 325ix be better for a rally e30? Because of the AWD??

[ecc3189]

Maybe it's a good time to put this here. http://vimeo.com/39566018

That's the last time we went to CORE to biff around. OP wasn't there however. My car is the white E30.

Looks really fun! I wish we had more free space to play out here in NC. The two places I have been rallyx around here are in a rutted cow pasture and in a county fair parking lot. It's still playing in dirt though so I can't complain too much.

[ecc3189]

^^ awesome picture.

ecc3189, the OP of this thread seems to have (cut his balls off and) slowed down in his rally build ever since he moved to the UP in Michigan.

But as for your rally setup, after attaining said $500 E30, simply gut out any unneccesary stuff (interior, speakers, AC, PS, etc), and install Bilstien HDs, and you will be at a pretty dang good ride height, and the shocks will really help with not bottoming out. Of course, you will need a skidplate as well.

Thanks for all of the advice but I'm not planning for this car to be rally worthy for a while (till I have a tow vehicle). It has billy HDs and OE sports but I will probably put taller springs on when I start racing it. It will gain some ride height when I strip it too but once again it's a daily now so I will have to stick to doing DE's in my dad's e36. I'm about to start instructing with NASA SE but I really think I'll move into dirt racing once I figure out the closest place to race. My ultimate goal is to make it up to a snow rally sometime, those look sick!! Or ice racing, that too :)

[iamsam]

Maybe it's a good time to put this here. http://vimeo.com/39566018

That's the last time we went to CORE to biff around. OP wasn't there however. My car is the white E30.

[irish44j]

me too. I don't get my rallykar as muddy as he does :)

[lambo]

I miss this thread :(

[iamsam]

^^ awesome picture.

ecc3189, the OP of this thread seems to have (cut his balls off and) slowed down in his rally build ever since he moved to the UP in Michigan.

But as for your rally setup, after attaining said $500 E30, simply gut out any unneccesary stuff (interior, speakers, AC, PS, etc), and install Bilstien HDs, and you will be at a pretty dang good ride height, and the shocks will really help with not bottoming out. Of course, you will need a skidplate as well.

[irish44j]

If you plan to do rally (and/or rallycross) I would suggest not lowering it "at all." Even the stock-height guys out there in e30s bottom out sometimes in rallycross (I have a couple good dents in my skid), and if you plan to do actual stage rally you'll need to be at least as high (or higher) due to "getting air."

For the fogs, just put them above the bumper.

You should roll up to Summit Point in September for the 2-day test and tune/event. There will be at least 3 e30s running and I'm sure everyone would be willing to give rides and/or let you take some runs (if you register).

Just find the cheapest functional e30 you can find ($500 seems to be usual), fix a few things, and run it. No need to have a "rally setup." The PR and SR champs in WDCR are driving a bone-stock ETA with 4 different drivers, several rust holes, crappy stock seats, and all kinds of fun ghetto-ness :)

I've done a bit more to mine, but it's still not far from stock other than a gutted interior.

[ecc3189]

no, not in the e30 yet. I have been bumming rides off of people at the events. My car is still my daily and makes long trips so I'm being really gentle with it until I can afford a backup car. Any mods I buy for her though are leading me towards rally (so not lowering it too much, etc) Edit: The fog lights also got removed because I learned they caused a ground clearance issue offroad :D

[irish44j]

you do rallycross in that car? ^^

[ecc3189]

skidplate and bump!

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I want updates!!! I have a long term plan to turn my e30 into a rally car so this thread has lots of great info for me!! The car looks great btw and I just wish we had more rally races down here in NC. I do some local rallycross but it's not quite the same as a real stage rally.

If you are looking for a good skidplate design that is pretty near bullit-proof I would take a look at peerless's plate found here:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95327&highlight=skid+plate

Lot's of really good testimonies and I will be building my own plate inspired by his design (just because I'm a poor college student and I have the raw materials for free). Otherwise I would buy it from him!

Also I too have a garden edging front lip and I love it even though it scrapes on everything. Not really useful for a rally car but it helped me with front end float on the highway a bit.

[futureficus]

^^ I do like those mudflaps. Where did you get those?

Thanks, they're RallyArmor

they look like RallyArmor.

Yup the UR versions.

Also digging the riveted garden lip ^^

Thanks!