1997 740iL Race Car-pros only please

[~Kamronman~]

This is the beginning to a long project I'm considering and I hope to make a few friends along the way!


740iL(long version) Drift-car

What I need from people who visit this thread: Opinions on suspension, 6-speed manual swap, 210 size diff LSD, drive shaft experiences, weight reduction, standalone computers, e85 single turbo opinions/experiences, steering rack strength, ANGLE kits or modified control arms, solid heim joints instead of bushings.

I've gone through 3 240sx's and an eclipse. Now I'm in love with the elegance of this giant car, I'd like to be the first competitive 740iL drift car.


If you've begun modifying your IL model, please chime in some thoughts or pics with opinions.


These are three of the 240sx's i've owned and built, I believe my knowledge/experience can lead to a semi-competitive or just fun project out of the 740iL, I'll add pics of my BMW soon.

---

This is the most info I found on BMW rear differentials. My question is, could any LSD that fits a 210, swap into my pumpkin.


http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=1374

 

[~Kamronman~]

Dantagonist
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Quote Originally Posted by MercTurbo View Post
How much was the conversion?? Did the sunset guys supply the parts..engine etc??

Sounds lovely, some good skidding too
Thanks dude. I cant wait to get more seat time

I provided an entire bmw e39 540 manual (running car)

My Nissan was without the engine or gearbox in. However it had a rad, prop and diff. The engine loom was also in there. (They need the sr engine loom)

The agreement was £2k in labor as long as my exhaust was in good enough nick to fabricate something of. Which it was

So I got the bmw for £1300 ish
Then £2000 in labour/bits.

They custom made the engine mounts
Gearbox mounts
prop
Did all the wiring
Fabbed up an exhaust from what i had.
Cut the slam panel to get the rad in and made all little mounts.
plus all the little bits inbetween like getting the clutch cylinder to work with the bmw clutch
All the rad hoses and power steering lines.
All inclusive of the price!

To be honest. It's fantastic what they have done for the money. Their fabrication work is sturdy and clean. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Last edited by Dantagonist; 27-01-2014 at 07:54.

 

[Nikhil]

Hmmmm very interesting build/project. Good luck.

 

[JayDrft]

This would be interesting....I am and have been building my car for some time, I have an e30 which i have modified to fit a small block chevy - and plan to run this as a non-competetive dedicated drift car - I am in my 5th year, mainly due to cash and time constraints...but it has progressed.

I can add some advice on weight saving, and I will add, I am not familiar with the 7 series cars. Regarding weight savings, its a given that you would have to strip the car out completely. Now I assume the 740's from that generation didnt have run flat technology - so they would have a spare wheels well. That can be cut out and replaced with an aluminium plate. Remove the dashboard..go for a stand alone tachometer(digital if possible).

I am interested to see how your build progresses. Subbed!

 

[Dhp507]

1 uzFe single turbo will hold 600hp on stock internals ...........sufficient power to drift.................

210 is the big case same as a 3.2L M3 e36 & 46 OR you can hunt down a LSD option from factory for your 7 series- hens teeth

 

[Fordkoppie]

I would love to see a 7 series limo go sideways.

The e38 comes with a recirculating ball steering system. Not optimal for drifting

The e38 was never meant to be a featherweight. Not optimal for drifting

No e38 ever came with an LSD. Not optimal for drifting. I do believe that you will be able to swap in the LS internal unit from an M5, M6, M3 ect.

Overall, I think it will never be competitive, simply because of its sheer size and weight.

But if you continue, I think it will be epic and a lot of fun.

**************Make sure you start first, because no one will dare pass you once such a long car blocks the road in front of them************ :rollsmile:

 

[Sankekur]

If you do a steering rack swap, manual conversion and fit an LS diff I would be mighty impressed.

WRT the manual conversion you should ideally look for the gearbox out of the e39 540i manual or an e39 M5.....or you could also go for the gearbox from the e34 540i manual but it will require some modification to work with the M62. I assume you are in the states, so you should have no trouble finding any of these boxes as there are plentiful of them to go round.
Propshaft you will likely have to have one custom made.


I however highly doubt whether you will ever get a 7 to the level of a competitive drift car....unless you don't mind loosing all the time, or there is a drift class for crown vic's, Buicks and the like

 

[anton-sa]

mind you, if you strip the luxo-barge (aka 7 series) of all its luxuries, it might not be that heavy.... think ditching heavy elec seats
very heavy sound insulation etc etc...

I wanna take a VERY WILD and VERY RANDOM guess that you can probably shed as much as 100-200kg... this would be extreme, door panels would need to go aswell... lose the lower dash and center console... heck the heater box can also go...

removal of tar/based insulation from chassis with heatgun....

 

[Fordkoppie]

200kg stripped out is less than 10% of an e38 LWB.

You are still left with 1800kg or more which is more than twice what a competitive drift car weighs.

But I still think it would be fun.

 

[h@ns]

Agree, will be awsome to see an iL going sidewayssssssssss:coolShake:

 

[netercol]

i also own a s13 200sx (or 240sx as they are known in the states)

if you expect the 740i to drift anywhere close to the 240sx by comparison you are going to be severely disappointed .. 2 cars built for two totally different purposes and driving philosophies..

 

[~Kamronman~]

Thank you guys for the responses. Yes I'm aware of the size/weight. The reason I'm not intimidated is this:

My ka24de powered convertible weighed in at 3200lbs and made 140hp or torque (never dyno'd just guessing crank rating) and it was beautifully controlled in the rain drifting. When I drifted in the dry I noticed how I would use the weight of the car to do all the work instead of the power. (this is where I began to realize my driving potential).

I got some answers about weight reduction: I would actually prefer to cut into the doors reinforcement metal, the trunk metal like JayDrft suggested, and the front electric seats along with a/c system and and wiring systems for airbags. I would want the chassis held together by a proper roll cage. Also the bumper beams replaced with steel tubing to hold up the bumper skin.


I got the answers about the diff: I will look into the M3 diff swap into my pumpkin, thanks Dhp507!

Manual transmissions are on ebaymotors for $600, but are without pedal boxes and shifters...

Thank you for all the optimism. If the car weighs 4400lbs fully equipped (guessing this is the weight based on another persons post in bimmerforums, I will be weighing soon), I'm going to need some serious weigh shedding suggestions. I found a photo of a bmw that looks like a great place to start with a drift project.

 

[symmat001]

A picture is worth a thousand words