E28 Race Car Project Begins

[Nsquared97]

Very cool, keep up the good work!

[Kershaw]

you need another 3 years to finish this.

[MikeLenoch5]

You seem twice as intelligent and mature as your age would suggest! Good on ya!

[MikeLenoch5]

I'd be happy knowing HALF as much as you seem to, Spence. My God, I'm reading your MyE28.com thread!

[downforce22]

been following the e28 thread for almost a year now, just not registered over there. Looks like you're finally back to getting some work done on it!

[sbeckman7]

Hi everyone,

So... I've been dealing with a fantastic flu since Monday so I added more detail to the CAD model. Newly added are 17" Style 5 rims, rear subframe, halfshafts, diff, front and rear suspension, driveshaft and flex disc, brake rotors, revised gearbox with mounts, and a steering wheel to top it off. Here are some shots. This would also be a good time to explain that I've modified the frame, again. I dropped the seat to the floor, sat down, and realized that it felt like a good driving position, so I lowered it and the roll bars 5" and the sides of the frame by 3". Less weight, lower CG, and it looks more badass I also adjusted the track as the wheels were a little too far in.

[Pl3wA]

ugh... (jizz)

[tinkwithanr]

Nice Work! Are you planning for any more support on the front suspension points? The plates by themselves look a little skimpy, especially only being supported on 3 points.

[sbeckman7]

Nice Work! Are you planning for any more support on the front suspension points? The plates by themselves look a little skimpy, especially only being supported on 3 points.

They will be gusseted and additional material will be added on the tops of the tubes to seal them and better secure them to the plates.

[sbeckman7]

Time for an update:

I have been very fortunate to receive a Job in this economy; I now work at Peet's Coffee and Tea. Unfortunately, I may have to quit soon... Because I just got hired as a Technician In Training at Aston Martin!!! I was beside myself with joy when I got the call; it felt like one of those surreal moments that's a half dream. I start this Friday.

Back to the BR1. I've been in contact with a machine shop called Ellsworth Brothers that does all the heads from DINAN as its right across the street from the HQ. Not only were they the most thorough, offering a 3 angle valve job, but they were also the cheapest at $225 per head! I'll have them done once I'm a little further along with the frame and have more money in my bank account :alright:

I was about to weld the transmission tunnel in place when I decided to do a test fit of the Sparco's and found it was not a good fit with the tunnel designed the way it currently is. The seat touches on both sides of the frame so I'll be modifying the center tunnel to more of a "Y" shape instead of a "V". Here are the pictures to show the clearances, or lack thereof. You can also see the structure I tacked over the bell housing. I am concerned about those clearances as well: There is currently 3/4" of room between the top of the bell housing and the structure directly above it. I am planning on shaving down a few of the gussets on the bell housing to allow for more clearance. I don't think the amount of material I will remove will affect the strength of the piece, but I'll wait to mess with it until I have the transmission bolted up and ready to go.

[MattAvino]

amazing.
Did I say amazing?

[goarmy]

Basically you are building your own custom roadster which is comon but RARE. And using a bmw power. I aways wanted to build my own roadster. I hope you finish it all the way to the end

[sbeckman7]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm glad it's well liked!

Basically you are building your own custom roadster which is comon but RARE. And using a bmw power. I aways wanted to build my own roadster. I hope you finish it all the way to the end

Not sure what you mean by the first sentence but thanks haha. I do plan on finishing this project as I am extremely determined to bring it to college.

[sbeckman7]

New transmission tunnel. My clutch/flywheel setup should be shipped by the beginning of next week!

[PeteD]

WOW. Great ambition. I hope you can finish it before you start your tech school. Pulling up to day 1 at Aston Martin tech in your custom built roadster would really set the standard for the class.