diy E90 330i Racecar Build thread

[Navigator_E90]

When there is Money there is no Time ....... and when there is Time, there is no Money.... LOL

Since my school days I've always dreamed of being involved in motorsport, especially rally has being my passion for many year and had the opportunity to navigate for a couple of years, but after this covid thing, decided to its time to live my dream, before its to late!

After a huge amount of homework between the e46 and e90 330i, Ive got myself a e90 330i and started the build last year.
Im almost at the point of my first test run around a track, but still need a few odds and ends to be done as I try to do everything myself on a budget set by my wife!

Few Pics of my BM and the stripping process,

 

[cos_mo]

Looks great!
Can't wait to see more and the progress being made

 

[///M Individual]

Wow this is amazing and something that I have always wanted to do as well and hopefully get to do at some point in my life.

I think the E90 330i will be a great base! Good luck and subscribed to the build....

 

[Navigator_E90]

Many Thanks, will do a few posts of work I have done this far,
Ive replaced the front anti-roll bar with a M3 E90 anti-roll bar, its "slightly" thicker,
Had it powder-coated blue, just for the look,
Then While most of the front was stripped, fitted a baffle plate in the sump, hear some of the guys with the 330i e46 had oil starvation issues on long corners,

 

[Gordvisr]

interesting build, these motors are quite underrated. what you did with the seats you removed ?

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Similar question as above, what are you planning on doing with all the goodies you have stripped from the car?

 

[Navigator_E90]

Ive sold most/all of the stuff already to cover my costs.... or rather to recover a bit..... Think only items I have left is the sub-speakers which was under the seats, Airbag ECU with side and dash airbags, was hoping can do a mod to get rid of the airbag light on the cluster but dint think its possible as all airbags are removed.

Took the BM for its first spin around the block with the roll-cage and seats fitted... Goes unreal, but need a shorter diff ratio!
Next step is to remove all side and rear glass with window mechanisms and get the exhaust done

 

[Navigator_E90]

Some pics of the interior, seat and dash.
Need to add a few gauges, as most E90's does not have any heat or pressure gauges

 

[Navigator_E90]

Things still to do (for now)

Replace glass windows with Polycarbonate and remove all window mechanisms
Exhausts - already got branches, but need to replace rear silencer with 76mm free flow box
Front slotted disc brakes
Bonnet latches
Heat & oil pressure gauge
Rear 3.91 Diff with LS

 

[PaKiMoNSTeR]

When there is Money there is no Time ....... and when there is Time, there is no Money.... LOL

So true...

I like to see these builds. Diff will work magic as well as shaving as much weight as you can. These cars are bulletproof if built correctly and with the right goodies.

What is the aim, sprints or endurance races?

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Ive sold most/all of the stuff already to cover my costs.... or rather to recover a bit..... Think only items I have left is the sub-speakers which was under the seats, Airbag ECU with side and dash airbags, was hoping can do a mod to get rid of the airbag light on the cluster but dint think its possible as all airbags are removed.

Took the BM for its first spin around the block with the roll-cage and seats fitted... Goes unreal, but need a shorter diff ratio!
Next step is to remove all side and rear glass with window mechanisms and get the exhaust done

Congratulations, it's always an amazing feeling when something you have been working towards for ages starts coming together. May you have many miles of happy driving.

 

[Navigator_E90]

I like to see these builds. Diff will work magic as well as shaving as much weight as you can. These cars are bulletproof if built correctly and with the right goodies.

What is the aim, sprints or endurance races?

Thanks, Will reduce more and more weight as I continue... for now the 1st major goal is to get the 330 on the track. Have a few ideas where I would like to compete in, BMW Challenge club, few gymkhana's and maybe if allowed the lemons race later this year

 

[Navigator_E90]

Congratulations, it's always an amazing feeling when something you have been working towards for ages starts coming together. May you have many miles of happy driving.

Many thanks, Really appreciate, this has being a dream come true!

 

[Bernard///M3]

Nice Build.
Congrats!!

Just finished my build a E46 M3 shell with a E46 330i motor.

If you want to come race with the BMW Race Series, you can contact me

 

[Navigator_E90]

Started today with 1 x door... removing the glass window, mechanism and all internal supports,
Weigh all parts removed including the glass and deducted the polycarb, reduced 5kg on 1 door, thus 4 doors expected 20kg weight loss by removing the glass on only the doors.
Will weigh the rear window as well... O yes, the rear silencer is over 20kg!

 

[Bernard///M3]

Started today with 1 x door... removing the glass window, mechanism and all internal supports,
Weigh all parts removed including the glass and deducted the polycarb, reduced 5kg on 1 door, thus 4 doors expected 20kg weight loss by removing the glass on only the doors.
Will weigh the rear window as well... O yes, the rear silencer is over 20kg!

 

[Bernard///M3]

Did u weigh the entire door?
Would love to know the weight of an actual door that hasn’t been stripped

My composite doors weight 5kg each excluding the mirror. And remember it’s a coupe door so a frame was added

 

[Navigator_E90]

Did u weigh the entire door?
Would love to know the weight of an actual door that hasn’t been stripped

My composite doors weight 5kg each excluding the mirror. And remember it’s a coupe door so a frame was added

No I didnt, just weight the part removed and added, but know the doors are not light
But my conclusion is that removing glass is not that heavy, for example r/front glass is 2.85kg and the poly carb is 1.4kg and window winder is around 2.5kg, thus weight saved with the front door is so little Im putting the glass and window mech back, just going to laminate the window that is does not shatter,
If I get to the point where I need that that extra weight, will then look into composite doors, boot, bonnet and roof... but for now need to get the project on the road

 

[Navigator_E90]

ok, time for a update, sorry for the delay.... has being busy

Changed the rear diff from 3.15 to 3.91 ratio!
WOW what is difference, gears are super short and huge amount of power to the wheels is all the gears!
This 3.91 ratio will only advice for a track car as its not comfortable cruising, but man the power is insane.... feels like a go-cart!
Even with the limited slip rear diff, wheel spin in 1st gear is to easy!
Will make a video over the weekend to show the acceleration.

 

[cos_mo]

ok, time for a update, sorry for the delay.... has being busy

Changed the rear diff from 3.15 to 3.91 ratio!
WOW what is difference, gears are super short and huge amount of power to the wheels is all the gears!
This 3.91 ratio will only advice for a track car as its not comfortable cruising, but man the power is insane.... feels like a go-cart!
Even with the limited slip rear diff, wheel spin in 1st gear is to easy!
Will make a video over the weekend to show the acceleration.

weekend feels too far now, I want that video