what to look for car that'll be tracked?

[colombacho]

i am looking for an E30 to tack it, this is my first time doing somthing like this. so dunno what i should pay attention when looking at a car for sale.
any pointers would would help.
Thanks.
Brian

[Jean]

strong running engine, no overheating problems, good tranny w/o a slipping clutch, good suspension, good brakes and tires ?

[PiercedE30]

#1 - lack of RUST!!!!
After that, should be pretty easy to go from there.

[colombacho]

no rust. ok
on the engine, i was thinking about swaping for a stronger one. dunno what the options are yet, so il be lurking for a little. but i have also read the speed is relative since you can increase your lap time with better springs... on that note what should be the basic power to track an e30.

dont wanna break records, just have fun.

[PiercedE30]

If your up for it, just do a full rebuild. or even just do a refresher.

[AlarmedBread]

Rust free is the way to be.

Cooling system is pretty cheap and easy to refresh/upgrade if needed.

Replace all rubber bushings/hoses.


Google video 'spec e30' to see how much fun you can have with the stock engine. Who needs a refresher? Blow-by is beautiful!

[joshh]

Easiest thing is to buy one already track ready. Usually they are very well taken care of. And many times include nice extras.

[colombacho]

Easiest thing is to buy one already track ready. Usually they are very well taken care of. And many times include nice extras.

you know any of them?

[AlarmedBread]

It's not an e30, but I'd rock it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230125253066&rd=1,1

[e34john]

I want that 2002! If it was a roundie I would seriously start selling off all my toys.

[joshh]

you know any of them?

I don't know anyone selling one right now. Most racing magazines have a small classified section for selling race cars. Also try SCCA forums.

[Andreas]

no rust. ok
on the engine, i was thinking about swaping for a stronger one. dunno what the options are yet, so il be lurking for a little. but i have also read the speed is relative since you can increase your lap time with better springs... on that note what should be the basic power to track an e30.

dont wanna break records, just have fun.

For me a lot of fun comes from being faster than other cars that should be equal (based on factory specs) or better than whatever I am driving. It's just a nice validation for your modifying efforts and shows that you've done something worthwhile.

Changing suspension and brakes will move you up the "natural" order nicely. Stick with that for now. If you decide that you want more, then start playing with the engine as a last resort. Don't forget that the driver is responsible for some of the biggest gains achievable, so work hard on that as well. Many "street racing pros" think that they are hardcore, yet when they come onto a race track, they are actually quite slow - of course this will be blamed on the car and not the driver.

[1991 318is]

I agree with buying a car that is already tracked. You never get out of them what you put into them. Let the previous owner be that guy. There is one drawback to look out for. When buying a track car you are usually getting the worst of the parts that the owner has. It's their way of maximizing what they get out of the car. Don't expect their best stuff.
If you are going to build a car, in addition to rust, look out for prior collision damage.

[JGood]

If you can't find a car already built, go for a stock one with worn suspension, and use it as leverage to drop the price. You'll be replacing it all anyway. Stay away from heavy rust, but a little here and there is fixable - and since it's a track car it doesn't matter if it's perfect so you can do it on the cheap.

As an example, I just picked up an 87 325is for $500 (the red one in my sig). 250k miles, strong engine, worn everything else. I replaced the clutch, did a shifter rebuild with an e36 M3 shifter, put H&R race springs and Bilstein sport shocks on it, all new suspension parts (control arms, bushings, tie rods, etc..), stainless lines, OEM Bremo rotors, and Hawk HPS pads. I've raced it 3 times, got 2nd, 1st, and 1st in my class (DSP). That's about $2500 for a killer car.

[bmwpower]

What wrong with a little rust in non structural areas?