Long Time Dream Fulfillment: E30 Street and Track Car Combo

[CubbyChowder]

Reichart12 - Haven't noticed any decline in brake performance. If anything there was an improvement since I upgraded to an E90 brake booster during the M50 swap. The brakes bite hard and haven't faded on me once, I have yet to feel like I need more stopping power. I would highly recommend the PFC-08 pads up front, I have been very happy with them and even after 8 hard track days on them, they barely appear to have worn down at all. It's actually kind of crazy.

In other news, I thought it'd be fun to put together a bit of a progression video comparing a few of my "fastest laps of the day" throughout this journey. From my first track day ever coming in at 2:19 to my most recent in the 2:07's and a couple in between. Wanted to see them side by side and see where I'm finding pace. Looks to me that the sweeper "Riverside" is where I made the most headway this last time out. Anyways, this is mostly just for me but I figured I'd share it in case it might interest anyone else.

Youtube link here: https://youtu.be/LguTP9UOXsw

[Reichart12]

A reliable track daily e30. You have what most people on here want.

Do you notice any difference with the brakes holding up on track with the new engine?

[CubbyChowder]

My updates are probably getting pretty boring and redundant at this point.

Got my 8th track day in the E30 under my belt today. Beautiful day for driving out at Buttonwillow. Temps were low 70's all day, cool crowd of people/cars, good organization = fun times. Managed to squeeze out a new PB of 2:07.41 during my second session. Third session basically ended before it began because a guy totaled his S2000 early on (poor dude, he was ok at least). Another guy I know also totaled his S2000 in the exact same spot last month, pretty wild. I took that turn with caution for the rest of the day.

Overall, another success for the E30. This whole "daily driver that can also do track days" thing actually works. I gave it a loving pat on the dashboard as I wrapped up the last session. Owning this car has been nothing short of delightful. It still looks like a total shitbox though.

[OSAH racing]

I am no expert with the e30.I am just getting started with mine. I have done track day suspension with my Porsche 914-6 and that thing flatten out corners at speed. I am always going to try and reproduce that sensation. From the info i have collected so far no rear bar is what most do. A good track day alignment with at least 3 degrees of negative camber up front is necessary and every time I talk to a professional driver or track car builder they say your suspension should move a little. Us amateur drivers are set up to stiff in spring rates and delrin bushings. Top notch shocks are the key if you ask me. I got no clue on spring rates because there are so many brands for the e30 and rates come down to who and how they are made. Your driving style will eventually determine your suspension set up. we all drive a little different.

My car hasn't been out with me driving on the track. I am going to be driving on the street also so i have a street compromised set up. I will start to refine what I have soon. Currently, AST 2 way adjustable shocks on coil over sleeves up front and and ajustable spring collar in the rear. 5" from the pinch weld to the ground. Springs are Eibach 450 front 550 rear. UUC adjustable front sway bar, M3 CAB, delrin bushings ( they are the first item to be removed for a good poly bushing ) rear subframe riser, adjustable rear sub frame, no rear bar, I have alignment specs somewhere and can get those later if you like.

I love new 200 TW tires but they really compensate for driving error because of the higher level of grip. I am aiming for aPCA AX at fontana raceway in October and November. Track days after that.

Vince

[CubbyChowder]

Congats on getting back out there. Too hot for me. With one track day with the m50 you may need more seat time to answer this question. Does your e30 corner differently with the M50 verus the M20? MY M50/S52 head had crankshaft and rod bearing wear so I opted to have an M42 installed for the sake of optimum handling. Ya, I know its 90 HP less for now and I haven't driven it yet to give a report but I felt the nose of the e30 was lazy with the m50/S52 engines. Most people including myself like the power of those engines. I really enjoy your updates and hope to see you out there in the winter. once I shake down My M42 and get an accucmp installed I will be looking for a streets of willow track day.

Thanks man! I absolutely need more track time to truly feel the difference with the M50. I can't say I felt much of a difference in cornering with the M50 over the M20, but then again the car didn't really feel optimal due to the excessive heat anyways. I think I am starting to grasp that the car is understeering though, I've always had to try to keep the car from floating out during fast corners and sweepers. I am going to try running a bit of toe-out in the front next time and also want to look into stiffening up my spring rates, as I'm currently running 440f/650r. I think going up to the 535f/700r that the SpecE30 guys run could be a nice improvement.

I've never touched the damping adjustment on the Koni's either, so I'd like to try out some different settings there too. If anyone has any pointers on what to aim for or look out for when adjusting those I'd appreciate some insight. Also, do you guys think I'm better off disconnecting my 19mm rear sway bar or not?

[OSAH racing]

Congats on getting back out there. Too hot for me. With one track day with the m50 you may need more seat time to answer this question. Does your e30 corner differently with the M50 verus the M20? MY M50/S52 head had crankshaft and rod bearing wear so I opted to have an M42 installed for the sake of optimum handling. Ya, I know its 90 HP less for now and I haven't driven it yet to give a report but I felt the nose of the e30 was lazy with the m50/S52 engines. Most people including myself like the power of those engines. I really enjoy your updates and hope to see you out there in the winter. once I shake down My M42 and get an accucmp installed I will be looking for a streets of willow track day.

[CubbyChowder]

Had my first track day since the M50 swap yesterday out at Buttonwillow. Felt good to be back out there, it's been over 9 months since I drove on track. Was a blistering hot day with 100+ degree temps which was a slight bummer but was still fun nonetheless. Just a very slight noticeable gain in power over the M20 on track. What was more noticeable was the fact that I haven't driven like that in a while, took me a bit to get back in the swing of things and feel comfortable pushing the car. Hope to get back out there again soon with cooler temps.

The car handled it like a champ, engine ran strong all day and sustained the abuse, even after a pretty hectic 85mph spinout off track after Bus Stop. I did still manage to shave half a second off my previous best time with a 2:08.85 so that felt like a small victory. Here's a video of that lap: https://youtu.be/aJoqso8W-2A

[CubbyChowder]

I recently got the itch to convert back to tan interior as that's how my E30 originally came. It always bothered me that I had black seats and door cards but tan carpet, kick panels and parcel shelf. Plus, black on tan is just a sweet combo to me. I threw some trade feelers out there on some FB groups and they came through! Found a guy a few hours south of me who was willing to trade his decent condition tan leather interior for my black. We met in the middle today and I'm stoked, they should clean up pretty nicely.

Out with the old:



In with the new:



The front seats were pretty filthy so I tried cleaning a small section of the driver's seat. Wow. Guy must've been a mechanic or something:



Before and after:





Excited to deep clean the rest of it and condition everything, I think it'll turn out pretty nice! Front seats will likely get recovered one day.

[Panici]

Nice find with the S50! They are impossible to find in my neck of the woods.

Take your time building it up right. When the engine in your car pops, swap it in!

[moatilliatta]

You can do it with valve seals with the head still on the car.

[CubbyChowder]

moatilliatta - dang, I was unaware of the valve spring retainer issue... That's an expense and a job I was not anticipating on taking on right now. Gonna have to think on that one a bit. Thank you for bringing that to my attention though.

[moatilliatta]

moatilliatta - Just planning on cleaning it up, replacing seals/gaskets and dropping it in. I'm going to try to get this through CA BAR so want to keep it as stock as possible for now. Any recommendations on worthwhile modifications? I'd be open to changing some stuff up once it's passed BAR.

Id replace the valve springs and retainers, Maybe supertech / Epic if you plan on going with upgraded cams later.

95 motors are common to drop a valve due to broken valve spring retainers.

It seems like most motors going in for me get WPC rod bearing and vanos rebuild ontop of being resealed. Just one less thing to think about and one more thing is a known good.

Did you do a baffle in the E34 oil pan?

Oil wire tie Oil pump nut, Maybe upgraded shaft, esp if your heal toe downshift are still a bit rough.

[CubbyChowder]

moatilliatta - Just planning on cleaning it up, replacing seals/gaskets and dropping it in. I'm going to try to get this through CA BAR so want to keep it as stock as possible for now. Any recommendations on worthwhile modifications? I'd be open to changing some stuff up once it's passed BAR.

[moatilliatta]

Nice score, any plans for it?

Id look at getting an engine stand with 2 front wheels.

[CubbyChowder]

More dreams came true today. Didn't think it would happen nearly this fast, but today I scored a low mile S50! Pulled from a 1995 M3 with only 109k on the clock (was able to confirm through VIN numbers and recent smog certificates/maintenance records). I'm pumped. I just couldn't pass it up. Honestly in the decade that I've been an E30 enthusiast, I've regarded an S5x swapped E30 as the pinnacle. Obviously there are better and wilder swaps out there, but it's been a dream of mine for years and I am really happy. It's gonna be a little bit before it makes it's way into the car but when that time comes, it'll be an easy swap.

Came with the full harness and DME so that was nice. I think I got a really fair deal too, considering where prices are at for everything these days.

All I want to do is dive right into this swap and get it all dialed but I have to hold off for a little, nice test of patience.