Autocrossing an '84 325e

[Varinn]

That's right, an eta. Am I crazy? I want to learn how to properly drive my car before dreaming of stepping up to something more powerful.

Currently I'm rocking very few mods,
H&R/billy sports
15x7 Racing Dynamics with 205/50/15 Falken Azeni rt-215
Thats it. Would I benefit greatly from a chip?

The car is for the most part mechanically sound, previous owner was a friend of mine that runs his own BMW service shop. New top end installed 25k (km) ago, new oem pads/rotors, tierods, control arms, trailing arm bushings, engine/tranny/diff mounts, shift bushings, redline fluids in gearboxes, front hubs, ATE superblue brake fluid

What else do I need to look at? I want to be free of worries with the car so I can spend my time focusing on not driving stupid

[Danny]

Go out and drive then if you want to get better. Seat time > mods.

[Varinn]

Go out and drive then if you want to get better. Seat time > mods.

I'm less concerned with mods, and more concerned about common failure points I might have missed checking. I'd hate to say, lose my blinker fluid in a hard corner because I forgot to check something ;)

[Holland]

Timing belt! :D

[paresmi]

After all your standard maintenance is done I would say yes to a chip.
I know I'm new to the game but I know my eta's performance greatly improved from the Conforti chip. Cheapest horsepower per dollar you could do.

[devon.818]

After all your standard maintenance is done I would say yes to a chip.
I know I'm new to the game but I know my eta's performance greatly improved from the Conforti chip. Cheapest horsepower per dollar you could do.

BEST HP/dollar you can do.

your eta will autoX great. its a torque monster with a chip. if you really get into, think about swapping the diff for a 3.73lsd.

[Jean]

Don't worry about it being 325e, as others have said seat time is everything. Just make sure your car is in sound mechanical condition (tires, brakes, brake lines, clutch, driveshaft, shifter, bushings, hoses, belts, fluids, radiator). RT615s are fine, when I still had an m10 in my car a few years back with enough seat time I ended up placing faster than a local guy with s52 swap... Go have fun!

[Holland]

M10 ftw!

[TimR]

Seat time # 1, If you have class limits on mods Diff the best for the $$$ on an E, ask around you might find the 325 - 346 LSD the best choice for second gear 50 mph tops. The 205-50-15 isn't a tall tire, chip 25 HP done for 20+ years, good brake shoes, Buy used parts in the spring, thats where everyone is upgrading and prices are right,

[Gary Horneck]

"I want to learn how to properly drive my car before dreaming of stepping up to something more powerful." My thoughts exactly!
I just spent the last two months bringing back to life a '87 325e, just for Autocross. The car had been neglected and sat under a tree for several years. The night before the last event, my new TRE fuel pump died and killed that fun day. Today was the first day out with it. Running 195/60/14 Direza's with Dinan bars, Bilsteins, offset CAB's and PowerFlex TAB's. A knockoff eBay chip was all that was in the budget, but it pulls hard. The axle tag is unreadable, but I think it's a 2.94 open. I was able run the course in 2nd only, with good dig coming out of slow speed stuff. I guess it does ok. I took 2nd place in Novice. Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYuuj64RWTw

[jstam]

subframe bushings? You mentioned a lot of replaced bushings, but not those. It's just on my mind b/c I am getting ready to do mine. Also, is the driveshaft guibo OK - i.e. no vibrations or cracks?

Sounds like your eta is well-taken care of. But be sure to check that fuel lines are not cracked/old. It's a cheap/easy replacement. Also, are both your fuel pumps healthy?

Eta with a chip and a LSD (>=3.23) will be a great car. The chip is definitely the best bang for the buck. My car is set up very similarly to yours and i'm sure yours will be very competitive as long as there aren't long straights where high HP cars can blow by you (probably not an issues in auto-x). But the car as you have it set up will be great and have generally neutral handling characteristics. Have fun!

[Varinn]

Sweet, appreciate the input! I've checked over my maintenance records and done a few more things. Effectively, every bushing/steering and suspension component has been replaced between january 2010 and now. I've got a sticky right front caliper though, so tomorrow I'm going to be doing a swap and a full bleed with fresh superblue. Also,an oil change and coolant flush so I can replace a slightly ugly upper rad hose. Fan/clutch are working well and I've cleaned the rad fins to make sure cooling won't be hindered. Battery hold-down is solid and no fuel leaks found, pumps seem to be working well. I may install a fresh fuel filter tomorrow as it only takes a minute

[TimR]

A 325 I TB is nice on an ETA, way faster pick up, 5mm larger, got it on mine.

[jstam]

A 325 I TB is nice on an ETA, way faster pick up, 5mm larger, got it on mine.

So just an "i" throttle body, nothing else? No changes in ECU, etc. and all runs right?

To the OP - your car will be solid. I've subjected mine to more abuse in a few track days in 100+ weather than an auto-x and it's held up great. Problems I've had (upper rad hose came unmoored from block, fan shaved it down to scary-thin) are things you'll have taken care of.

[325ix]

Definitely change your motor mounts. Otherwise a nice 3.91 diff, a chip and seat time.