I need a project - E36

[Derrick125]

I say E36 because they seem to be cheaper that both the e30 and e46.

I can't afford an expensive car anymore (besides my F30 328) - so would like to start building something fast from scratch.

For the record I have very little mechanical knowledge - so will be farming out work to others to complete.

So - what car would be a good basis on which to start?

The idea is to build a car faster than any I have previously owned (e92 M3). Obviously for less than it costs to buy an M3.

I don't mean to scrimp on brakes/suspension etc - so something with solid underpinnings would be a good start.

What would you suggest for around 30k?

Thanks.

p.s If I do find something I mean to start a separate build thread

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

I would find a neat E36 325i or 328i :coolShake:

I have always wanted one too!! Wonderful shape especially in MTech trim :cartel:

 

[Gizmo]

My vote goes for 328i as it has a stronger gearbox/drivetrain than the 325i so it can handle way more power down the line.

 

[moranor@axis]

cant wait to see this happen :rollsmile:

 

[Derrick125]

Thanks, guys.
I'm looking - not much going on today.

Will keep looking, guess I will have to be patient; not my strong suit.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/hatfield/bmw-328m-for-sale/1001248495660910032087509
:tiptoe:

 

[Flash]

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/hatfield/bmw-328m-for-sale/1001248495660910032087509
:tiptoe:

The guy selling is named "Innocent"...:fencelook:

 

[Derrick125]

Phone is off. typical!

will keep trying

 

[Gizmo]

^ Im guessing the M stands for manual?

 

[Nikhil]

M50B25 non vanos and boost it :cartel:

 

[danieljames]

Just my 2c

From experience take your time and find a nice one. Rather spend a bit more on purchase price and know your not gonna sit with terminal issues

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

There's a few for sale, some pretty clean ones too. But all between 45-55k

 

[DieselFan]

My votes for a rolling chasis of a e46 and then drop a 2jz into it.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

My votes for a rolling chasis of a e30 and then drop a 2jz into it.

:=):

 

[Derrick125]

car has been sold.

Will google you'lls cryptic alpha-numeric references :smashScreen:

 

[KrS24]

E36 should put the power down better than an E30

 

[Maljan]

If you want to do a seriously fast E36 on a budget, this is what you do:

Yup, you put in a Corvette engine and gearbox and adapt other things to fit around it. It is not quite a BMW anymore, but it will be faster than an M3. The standard Chevy may not quite produce the horsepower for that, but there is a huge industry that caters for more bow tie power.

You can keep it in the BMW family and build something wild, but it will be (much) more expensive than the mongrel pictured above. It can be done, though. Here is a 3.5-litre S38B36 sourced from an E34 M5 and installed in an E30. It was rebuilt and prepped for big boost. The shopping list included CP forged pistons with heavy duty pins, a polished crank, forged H-beam rods, strengthened valvetrain with uprated springs and retainers, twin Bosch 044 fuel pumps, Precision 1 260cc injectors, a Nuke Performance Blackline fuel rail and last but not least a Borg-Warner S475 race turbocharger. It produces 900 horsepower!

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/11/smashing-tribute-the-900hp-bmw-m3-clone/

There is a whole cottage industry around putting Chevy V8s into all sorts of cars in the USA. Check out these to whet your appetite.

http://www.vorshlag.com/index.php?cPath=1_4_63
http://jagsthatrun.com/BMW_Order.html