Thanks go to JParkr for making this a sticky!
First and foremost, SEAT TIME is the best bang for your buck. It won't really matter if you bolt everything listed below onto a car that you have no experience in, let alone no experience on track at all. Becoming a good driver requires seat time and an open mind with a willingness to learn. So LEARN at every opportunity that presents itself! Also, lose some weight. Hit the treadmill, get on your bike, go run, eat less and healthier... Take care of yourself and you'll not only feel better in many aspects of your life, but you won't get winded after a half-hour session on track.
Figured I'd start at the bottom of the car and work my way up, since that seems to be where most of the wear items are....
- Control Arm Bushings (CABs) x2 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...shing-p90.aspx
* Powerflex Control Arm Bushings - $65 for centered, $75 for offset
Available from Bimmerworld pre-installed in new CA's or just bushings
- Rear Trailing Arm Bushings (RTABs) x4 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...hing-p733.aspx
* Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bushings - $140 for the 80A purple durability which is 25% stiffer than stock, or $160 for the 95A black bushings which are more oriented toward more track specific car, available from Bimmerworld
- Subframe Bushings x2 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/categor...ushing&x=0&y=0
* Powerflex Rear Subframe Mount Kit, Purple 80A stiffness for $105, Black 95A for $120, and aluminum mounting kit for $300. All available from Bimmerworld
- Differential Bushing x1 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...ount-p710.aspx
* Powerflex Differential Bushing kit, Yellow 70A for $60 and the Black 95A for $60, available from Bimmerworld
- Transmission Mounts x2
* I would suggest supporting a local member here, Silence, who creates and sells a quality transmission and motor mount. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=165543 . $30 shipped for a set of transmission mounts, or $70 shipped for the kit.
- Motor Mounts x2
* See above! Silence's motor and trans mounts. $45 for the motor mounts, shipped, or $70 for motor and trans shipped.
- Swaybar Kit = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...ges-p1408.aspx
* Bimmerworld created an E30 sway bar kit that seems like a quality kit. You can buy just a front or rear bar, or you can buy the whole kit which includes front and rear bars, spherical end links, mounts w/ powerflex bushings and weld-in reinforcements. Everything you need to solidify the swaybar situation on your car. $450 for the kit, less if you opt for less options.
- Tie Rods w/ new ball joints x2
* Lets stick with OEM tie rods. It was suggested that you wrap the ball joints in a heat reflective material to protect from brake heat.
- Hubs x4
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Wheel Bearings x4
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Guibo
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Center Support Bearing (CSB)
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Upper Strut Mounts
* Any suggestions?
- Control Arms w/ new ball joints x2
* OEM replacements available from Bimmerworld w/ various options. You can have Powerflex bushings pre-installed in new housings, Treehouse Racing "eyeball" mounts installed, etc... Check Bimmerworld for pricing / combos
- Wheel studs x16 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...age-p1350.aspx
* Bimmerworld Wheel Stud Package includes 75mm bulletnose studs and accompanying lug nuts. Available with chrome or anodized black lugs, 4 and 5 lug configurations. Pricing from $85 - $115 depending on # of studs needed and type of lugs.
- Brake Rotors x4
* OEM replacement / blanks seem to be most popular
- Track Pads x4 corners
* Hawk's HT-10s are popular as are the new PFC 06 compounds.
- Stainless Brake Lines x6 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...its-p1529.aspx
* Bimmerworld V2 Stainless Brake Line Kit available for $120. 6 lines, 2 front, 2 rear outer and 2 rear inner lines.
- Brake Fluid
* ATE Super Blue / Gold are popular, as are the Motul offerings.
- Motor Oil
* Preference of owner
- Motor Oil Filter
* OEM is fine
- Transmission Fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Differential Fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Fuel Filter
* OEM replacement
- Fuel Pump
* OEM replacement is probably fine for most applications, though there is a Walbro 255lph option. If I remember correctly they run ~$100 for the pump and install kit.
- Exhaust
* Could leave it stock, add a muffler (magnaflow, flowmaster, etc.) or do a full exhaust, custom or pre-made depending on $$ and what motor you're running. Purchase new gaskets and exhaust mounts
- Brake ducting and remove dust shields = http://store.bimmerworld.com/brake-c...parts-p45.aspx
* Bimmerworld has put together a variety of options including ducts, flanges, and hosing (apparently it's some special hose). You can purchase the full kit or you can piece it together from Bimmerworld and buy your own hose. Or piece together and custom build your own, but it seems like removal of the heat / dust shields are highly recommended as well as running some form of cooling / ducting for the brake system.
- Reinforcements = http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...e-for-e30.aspx
* Turner Motorsports offers the best option here. Their reinforcement package includes front subframe, rear swaybar / swaybar tabs, and rear lower sway bar tabs. Requires welding but eliminates the typical weak points in the e30 chassis.
- Coolant
* It has been suggested running water + water wetter.
- Power Steering fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Short shift kit and replace all the bushings = http://www.blunttech.com/?page_id=310
* Blunt on r3v offers a shift kit package for $180 which comes with all you need to replace the bushings / mounting in the shifter assembly as well as a shorter lever and a ZHP knob
- Remove A/C if it's not working
- Roll Bar or full cage depending on your preference and what you can afford
- Fixed back bucket
* Many options from Sparco, Recaro, Corbeau. Fixed back seats are suggested
- Harness
* Many options again.
- Remove rubber pedal covers and cover pedals with grip tape as suggested by a r3v member
- Steering wheel and a quick release hub
* Many options here as well. I haven't researched any of the options at this time.
- Strip out sunroof and tac weld skin in place, silicone it shut
- E36 Steering Rack
* Heavily debated topic with tons of misinformation, but I think wh33lhop put together a very informative thread.
* Wh33lhop's Thread : http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261
- S5X
* There's plenty of options for adding more power. You can stay with the M20 M42, or swap in an M30, M5X, S5X, throw a turbo at any of the above, or supercharge em. The most popular is a 24v swap and there's PLENTY of information and threads floating around to get everything you need.
- Coilovers
* AST or Ground-Control seem to be the most popular / readily available options. You don't need coilovers, but if you can, why not?
- Wheels and Tires
* There are several options available here as well. Personally I run 15x8 TR C1 wheels w/ 225/45-15 Hankook RS-3s and love them. Kosei is popular as are the D-Force wheels. It's not unwise to opt for metal valve stems that will withstand more abuse than regular rubber valve stems.
- Chip / Tuning
* For a stock motor as well as some swaps, Mark D offers chips and he is a very popular option. With various swaps, I know you can get chips from TRM or go the DIY route with Megasquirt or various other options
------------------------------------
** Don't forget general maint. on whatever you're running, such as timing belts / chains, power steering and water pumps, acce. belts, etc. etc. etc. Make sure everything is connected / secured properly and there's no half-assed install that will possibly cause problems at the track.
------------------------------------
First and foremost, SEAT TIME is the best bang for your buck. It won't really matter if you bolt everything listed below onto a car that you have no experience in, let alone no experience on track at all. Becoming a good driver requires seat time and an open mind with a willingness to learn. So LEARN at every opportunity that presents itself! Also, lose some weight. Hit the treadmill, get on your bike, go run, eat less and healthier... Take care of yourself and you'll not only feel better in many aspects of your life, but you won't get winded after a half-hour session on track.
Figured I'd start at the bottom of the car and work my way up, since that seems to be where most of the wear items are....
- Control Arm Bushings (CABs) x2 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...shing-p90.aspx
* Powerflex Control Arm Bushings - $65 for centered, $75 for offset
Available from Bimmerworld pre-installed in new CA's or just bushings
- Rear Trailing Arm Bushings (RTABs) x4 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...hing-p733.aspx
* Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bushings - $140 for the 80A purple durability which is 25% stiffer than stock, or $160 for the 95A black bushings which are more oriented toward more track specific car, available from Bimmerworld
- Subframe Bushings x2 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/categor...ushing&x=0&y=0
* Powerflex Rear Subframe Mount Kit, Purple 80A stiffness for $105, Black 95A for $120, and aluminum mounting kit for $300. All available from Bimmerworld
- Differential Bushing x1 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerfl...ount-p710.aspx
* Powerflex Differential Bushing kit, Yellow 70A for $60 and the Black 95A for $60, available from Bimmerworld
- Transmission Mounts x2
* I would suggest supporting a local member here, Silence, who creates and sells a quality transmission and motor mount. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=165543 . $30 shipped for a set of transmission mounts, or $70 shipped for the kit.
- Motor Mounts x2
* See above! Silence's motor and trans mounts. $45 for the motor mounts, shipped, or $70 for motor and trans shipped.
- Swaybar Kit = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...ges-p1408.aspx
* Bimmerworld created an E30 sway bar kit that seems like a quality kit. You can buy just a front or rear bar, or you can buy the whole kit which includes front and rear bars, spherical end links, mounts w/ powerflex bushings and weld-in reinforcements. Everything you need to solidify the swaybar situation on your car. $450 for the kit, less if you opt for less options.
- Tie Rods w/ new ball joints x2
* Lets stick with OEM tie rods. It was suggested that you wrap the ball joints in a heat reflective material to protect from brake heat.
- Hubs x4
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Wheel Bearings x4
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Guibo
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Center Support Bearing (CSB)
* Would suggest OEM replacements
- Upper Strut Mounts
* Any suggestions?
- Control Arms w/ new ball joints x2
* OEM replacements available from Bimmerworld w/ various options. You can have Powerflex bushings pre-installed in new housings, Treehouse Racing "eyeball" mounts installed, etc... Check Bimmerworld for pricing / combos
- Wheel studs x16 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...age-p1350.aspx
* Bimmerworld Wheel Stud Package includes 75mm bulletnose studs and accompanying lug nuts. Available with chrome or anodized black lugs, 4 and 5 lug configurations. Pricing from $85 - $115 depending on # of studs needed and type of lugs.
- Brake Rotors x4
* OEM replacement / blanks seem to be most popular
- Track Pads x4 corners
* Hawk's HT-10s are popular as are the new PFC 06 compounds.
- Stainless Brake Lines x6 = http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...its-p1529.aspx
* Bimmerworld V2 Stainless Brake Line Kit available for $120. 6 lines, 2 front, 2 rear outer and 2 rear inner lines.
- Brake Fluid
* ATE Super Blue / Gold are popular, as are the Motul offerings.
- Motor Oil
* Preference of owner
- Motor Oil Filter
* OEM is fine
- Transmission Fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Differential Fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Fuel Filter
* OEM replacement
- Fuel Pump
* OEM replacement is probably fine for most applications, though there is a Walbro 255lph option. If I remember correctly they run ~$100 for the pump and install kit.
- Exhaust
* Could leave it stock, add a muffler (magnaflow, flowmaster, etc.) or do a full exhaust, custom or pre-made depending on $$ and what motor you're running. Purchase new gaskets and exhaust mounts
- Brake ducting and remove dust shields = http://store.bimmerworld.com/brake-c...parts-p45.aspx
* Bimmerworld has put together a variety of options including ducts, flanges, and hosing (apparently it's some special hose). You can purchase the full kit or you can piece it together from Bimmerworld and buy your own hose. Or piece together and custom build your own, but it seems like removal of the heat / dust shields are highly recommended as well as running some form of cooling / ducting for the brake system.
- Reinforcements = http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...e-for-e30.aspx
* Turner Motorsports offers the best option here. Their reinforcement package includes front subframe, rear swaybar / swaybar tabs, and rear lower sway bar tabs. Requires welding but eliminates the typical weak points in the e30 chassis.
- Coolant
* It has been suggested running water + water wetter.
- Power Steering fluid
* Not sure what's available
- Short shift kit and replace all the bushings = http://www.blunttech.com/?page_id=310
* Blunt on r3v offers a shift kit package for $180 which comes with all you need to replace the bushings / mounting in the shifter assembly as well as a shorter lever and a ZHP knob
- Remove A/C if it's not working
- Roll Bar or full cage depending on your preference and what you can afford
- Fixed back bucket
* Many options from Sparco, Recaro, Corbeau. Fixed back seats are suggested
- Harness
* Many options again.
- Remove rubber pedal covers and cover pedals with grip tape as suggested by a r3v member
- Steering wheel and a quick release hub
* Many options here as well. I haven't researched any of the options at this time.
- Strip out sunroof and tac weld skin in place, silicone it shut
- E36 Steering Rack
* Heavily debated topic with tons of misinformation, but I think wh33lhop put together a very informative thread.
* Wh33lhop's Thread : http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261
- S5X
* There's plenty of options for adding more power. You can stay with the M20 M42, or swap in an M30, M5X, S5X, throw a turbo at any of the above, or supercharge em. The most popular is a 24v swap and there's PLENTY of information and threads floating around to get everything you need.
- Coilovers
* AST or Ground-Control seem to be the most popular / readily available options. You don't need coilovers, but if you can, why not?
- Wheels and Tires
* There are several options available here as well. Personally I run 15x8 TR C1 wheels w/ 225/45-15 Hankook RS-3s and love them. Kosei is popular as are the D-Force wheels. It's not unwise to opt for metal valve stems that will withstand more abuse than regular rubber valve stems.
- Chip / Tuning
* For a stock motor as well as some swaps, Mark D offers chips and he is a very popular option. With various swaps, I know you can get chips from TRM or go the DIY route with Megasquirt or various other options
------------------------------------
** Don't forget general maint. on whatever you're running, such as timing belts / chains, power steering and water pumps, acce. belts, etc. etc. etc. Make sure everything is connected / secured properly and there's no half-assed install that will possibly cause problems at the track.
------------------------------------
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