S54 powered E30 track car

[grt]

Where have I been?

Well I am back gracing the famous pages of R3vlimited. Same old E30 that I drive around the track just with a new heart.

Since I have been here the E30 has under 2 major changes, a S54 power plant and a proper brake setup.

At the moment the S54 is pretty standard still running a standard ECU with EWS delete etc. The engine has just had a refresh of external parts (new water pump, alternator, etc) and a pulley kit. As for the driveline I used the standard E36 M3 ZF 5 speed with a new 6 puck clutch.

On a MOTEC dyno it made 305rwhp. Considering the S14 made 210rwhp it made for an interesting change so a need to increase stopping power was needed.

I used the AP 4 piston callipers with 300mm discs. I completed deleted the standard pedal box/booster setup and used a Tilton overhung pedal box and custom lines. I have kept the standard rears at the moment but I would like to upgrade to a vented disc in the future.

I got a new winged seat as well which is a bit safer as I found out from a little on track action. The car required a whole new RH side, trailer arm, wheel and shock absorber. It was a good friend who locked the rears on his car and spun round. The back left corner of his car made pretty big contact with mine. Not ideal but an unfortunate part of racing.

There are a heap more little bits and pieces that have change which I shall upload when I remember. For now I have a few pics of the car and a nice little in-car video.

[Reap3r]

I think there's a guy on here selling one of these right now, his name is "something" tdi IIRC.

On another note, them some sexy brakes man!

I had 2 of those bellhousings at one point Glenn :P. Have one sitting on the shed floor right now but its my brothers unfortunately. Don't know if he'd want to sell it off

[DER E30]

Should be a beast with s54!

[stanhayward]

Look for a 528e bellhousing I think 1981-2. That year had a separate bellhousing that bolts to a Getrag 265. It was a US only m,odel so you may have to buy one and get it shipped

I think there's a guy on here selling one of these right now, his name is "something" tdi IIRC.

On another note, them some sexy brakes man!

[dsm2002]

Look for a 528e bellhousing I think 1981-2. That year had a separate bellhousing that bolts to a Getrag 265. It was a US only m,odel so you may have to buy one and get it shipped

[grt]

2015 brings some huge changes.

The S14 has been sold off and I have bought a S54. I would have loved to keep to S14 but it would simply not much the power/price difference to a S54. It is all about speed and reliability now. I have bought it from Germany and is due to arrive late in January.

To match the power increase I aquired some bigger brakes. This is a massive kit from Lee with 300x32mm Wilwood rotor rings and AP CP8350 calipers. These will be used in conjunction with a Tilton pedal box and custom bracket.

I also would like to able to use my Getrag 262 gearbox with the S54 instead of the usual Zf. I have heard that a Getrag 260 bolts around and the 262 internals fit into a 260 housing although I need to do more research.

It will be a pretty standard install. I will be running Motec engine management and maybe a carbon airbox if I can get ahold of one for a good price.

A few other bits and pieces will find their way onto the car this year as well, these include _

Winged seat
Helmet radio
New style 15 inch wheels

New vs old


Installed

[grt]

Few photos (all credits to photographers)







Off the race track!


Videos

Wet practice


Best race at Lakeside


Best race at Queensland Raceway

[grt]

Hello to all!

Been awhile since I have been on these forums and much has changed with my E30.

I will start from where I left off, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

May 2014, Round 2 of Queensland Touring Car Champs at Queensland Raceway - Rebuild the engine from the failure at the end of 2013. Made 220rwhp on the dyno. First weekend back racing and put in a solid qualifying and race 1 (4th place) performace only to have a crank position sensor fail in the 2nd race and I was out for the weekend.

Did a practice at Lakeside Raceway and lowered my Pb to a 58.8, car was really hooked up.

June 2014 Round 3 of Queensland Touring Car Champs at Queensland Raceway - Put in an average qualifying (9th), race 1 saw another DNF. This time my driving was to blame. Had a highspeed off and damaged the front underside of the car. Mostly cosmetic damage.

Week before had a practice day at QR, was wet most of the day which ment it was good for car control! (video)

July 2014 Round 4 of Queensland Touring Car Champs at Lakeside Raceway - Had a mostly good weekend with some solid racing (video). Race 4 came to an end when my clutch straps failed. Some new straps on the pressure plate and I was back in business.

September 2014 Round 5 of Queensland Touring Car Champs at Lakeside Raceway - Qualified on the front row for the first race and brought it home in 3rd. Race 2 saw me snap the gear lever off from the floor and have yet another DNF!

October 2014 Round 6 of Queensland Touring Car Champs at Queensland Raceway - Finale round of the year and I was determind to actually finish all 4 races! Drove to Pb in qualifing and started from 7th. Made my way up to 4rd in race 1, 6th in race 2, 6th in race 3 and 7th in race 4. This gave me an overall finish of 4th! Best of the year.

Edit - Also acquired E30guydownunder's E36 328i and a E87 130i as my daily drivers

[JCarp90]

Oh hello. Happy to see this thing again. :D

[grt]

I am going to leave this here

[dsm2002]

Hi Glen, will you be running this at Lakeside at this month?

[D-rock]

Awesome build and video!!

-Derek

[JCarp90]

I often find myself re-watching your old videos just to listen to it. :)

[grt]

Hi Glenn, just finished reading your thread and have loved every minute of it. I remember seeing you race at Gatton and thinking that there must be one hell of an M42 in there - of course I was later informed on what actually resides under the bonnet. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Yeah I even had the bonnet up and some guy came and asked if that was a M42 with a S14 valve cover! I am aiming for Gatton again this year. I hold the class record so I need to defend it!

[Klasse]

Hi Glenn, just finished reading your thread and have loved every minute of it. I remember seeing you race at Gatton and thinking that there must be one hell of an M42 in there - of course I was later informed on what actually resides under the bonnet. Can't wait to see what happens next!