3500-powered BMW e30?

[ForcedFirebird]

Well I was thinking out loud today after thinking over and over of the Grassroots Motorsports $2010 Challenge where our team took 3rd place overall. I will make another thread after getting the rest of the pics and videos uploaded, but anyways...

We used the m20 (2.5l i6) that came in the car and put a turbo on it. Race weight was 2160lbs with a full tank of gas and it got me thinking about how we could get more power for less weight. I know my team member's won't go for it, but doesn't mean it can't be done

So, that being said, I started crunching some numbers...

BMW M42 (1.8l DOHC i4) is 359lbs (110bhp)
BMW M20 (2.5l SOHC i6) is 429lbs (168bhp)
BMW G260 5 speed is 68lbs

GM 3500v6 is 340lbs (205bhp)
700r4 auto is 134lbs
WC T5 m is 83lbs
GM T56 m is 161lbs

So...

m42+G260=427lbs
m20+G260=497lbs
3500+700r4=474lbs
3500+t5=423lbs
3500+t65=501lbs

This means we could see under a ton with a BMW and a 3500 for total race weight!!!

Here's the deal, though.

To compete in the GRM we have to come in a budget under $2011 for next year and $2012 for the following.

We need to be at or around 400hp and reliable enough to auto cross and drag race with junkyard parts.

Just toying with the idea, thoughts?

[robertisaar]

how much work do you have to put into a T5 to get it to hold that kind of power?

i love the idea of a 3500/T56 though...

[pocket-rocket]

I had no idea a T56 was heavier than a 700R-4. You are going to boost that LX9, right?

[ForcedFirebird]

To keep costs down, I am thinking two small turbos with an adapter made for the stock manifolds. The local wrecker charges $57 for a turbo and $27 for an intercooler.

I have a 3500 block left over from selling a top end (have to put in budget as "fair market value" if free), also have a full 3400 with a blown head gasket that would only count as the core charge since I never returned it. Probably be easier to use the 3400 since we wouldn't have to use an external DIS trigger.

I'm just thinking out loud anyways, after there being 2 e30's this year that were heavy competition - the other one has an lm7 in it (iron block ls1 from a truck), everyone was saying "hey I have an e30 at home, I should bring it next year" rofl

Either way, even if it's not for the GRM Challenge, it would make an awesome race car.

[pocket-rocket]

The local wrecker charges $57 for a turbo and $27 for an intercooler.

You so suck... Now you know what you must bring me to use another pair of pants...

[ForcedFirebird]

You so suck... Now you know what you must bring me to use another pair of pants...

Man, come vacation down here for a bit, you'll never want to go home!

[pocket-rocket]

Man, come vacation down here for a bit, you'll never want to go home!

I don't want to come home, and I haven't been to Florida in years...

[pocket-rocket]

The local wrecker charges $57 for a turbo and $27 for an intercooler.

I wish I had some spare cash to send you so you could grab a Holset HX-35 off of a late model Dodge diesel truck... It's sized just right for my truck, and those guys sell those things on ebay for ~300 each. If I were you I would try grabbing a couple and tossing them up on ebay to make some quick $$$.

[SappySE107]

If we go to the yards, ill see about grabbing a few.

[Mars]

60$ adapter plate
300$ built junkyard TH350 trans

Would be bulletproof.

700R4 first gear is kinda useless

[ForcedFirebird]

60$ adapter plate
300$ built junkyard TH350 trans

Would be bulletproof.

700R4 first gear is kinda useless

Too much $$. Can only spend $2011 this year. We have a range of jy LSD's. some off the topo of the head (more ratios, but also more rare). 2.73, 2.93, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 and 4.30, staring in 2nd has worked for many of the challengers on drag racing with the cheapest parts. one car this year was a swapped Miata with no clutch. They would push it to the starting line, start it and it would instantly take off.

[pocket-rocket]

one car this year was a swapped Miata with no clutch. They would push it to the starting line, start it and it would instantly take off.

That's awesome! XD

[mickaz]

sound like a receipe for desaster...

[ForcedFirebird]

sound like a receipe for desaster...

You didn't see the car run! You guys have no idea what this is all about. If any of you have a chance, come check the event out. There's a caveman class, under $1000 class etc etc...

[bob442]

T-10 70lbs