Track toy

Part of me keeps thinking an old bimmer stripped out would be a right laugh.

But ive got my heart set on a 7 style kit or some small lightweight nippy thing.
 
the 2.5 is 195bhp ish as standard anyway (24v m50). the 2.8 is a few bhp more, the alloy block 2.8 from the e36 era

If it had an M50 engine then I don't understand why you needed to add that it was using an M50 manifold.

The M50/52 is a good swap and gives the car the punch that it needs as the M20 is a bit of a boat anchor.
 
m50 manifold and throttle body going on the 2.8 lump (not sure on the code for the 2.8)

even with the m50 and a really bodged manifold it was a bit of a rocket. its layed up at the moment, MS and loom being built
 
I'll post properly later but I doubt you could have shortlisted too worse cars. Ive done a few trackdays now and these cars are only ever quick on the straights.

If I was you I'd do one of two things.

If it's for cheap laughs and you just want to throw something around, get a Clio valver or something similar for a grand and use that.

If it's more long term, look at something like an e36 318 which when you get more experience you could enter in a race series. Benefits are it's rwd so you can mess around in corners nicely and learn how to drive properly. It's also bloody cheap to run.

My s2k costs a lot to use on the track and these cars you have decided on would easily be as much. You want a car that's cheap t repair and mantain and has a good owners forum community to pick up cheap second hand upgrades and spares. There is nothing cheap about an impreza or gt4 on the track.
 
It would be, it would also be cheap to buy and run. :)

I just think there always a risk with cars you have made faster and better to keep throwing money at it to make it more faster and more better, meaning you end up spending loads on what was meant to be a cheap laugh. Its why im more keen on buying something more expensive that requires little modding, and has can have somebody else service it. More expensive, yes, but Im lazy
 
:D! What have you gone for?

325 touring. Nothing fancy, just undoing as much of the old-ness from the car as possible.
Replaced all of the rubber bushes with bmw parts.
Serviced the boat anchor properly and changed all of the consumables.
"chipped" the ECU, lol.
New shocks and spings. Nothing fancy just budget items with a 35-40mm drop.
New discs/pads all round.
Braided brake lines.
New M3 lollipop bushes.
 
I just think there always a risk with cars you have made faster and better to keep throwing money at it to make it more faster and more better, meaning you end up spending loads on what was meant to be a cheap laugh. Its why im more keen on buying something more expensive that requires little modding, and has can have somebody else service it. More expensive, yes, but Im lazy

Every car has an inbuilt amount of compromise. Removing it costs money on top of the purchase price so you might find you're better off spending less on the purchase price and more on the modding.
 
Or, if it's going on track, less on purchase more on running. Driving a 15 year old car everywhere at 11/10ths will result in all sorts of issues you need to fix.
 
Every car has an inbuilt amount of compromise. Removing it costs money on top of the purchase price so you might find you're better off spending less on the purchase price and more on the modding.

But if you dont have the ocnfidence in your own skills to do the modding, then may aswell spend that on the purchase price.

But this is just me. I do wish I had the skills or the patience to learn the skills to do something myself.
 
But if you dont have the ocnfidence in your own skills to do the modding, then may aswell spend that on the purchase price.

But this is just me. I do wish I had the skills or the patience to learn the skills to do something myself.

Take things easy mate.
Most modding is basic and bolt on. That's enough for you to have a whale of a time on track. It's only when you want to compete that you need to really get technical. Just choose a car and join the owners club forum. Whatever you're gonna do, someone will have already done.
 
325 touring. Nothing fancy, just undoing as much of the old-ness from the car as possible.
Replaced all of the rubber bushes with bmw parts.
Serviced the boat anchor properly and changed all of the consumables.
"chipped" the ECU, lol.
New shocks and spings. Nothing fancy just budget items with a 35-40mm drop.
New discs/pads all round.
Braided brake lines.
New M3 lollipop bushes.

Very nice - you've done better than me! I've "chipped" my ECU too :p. Done a bit of polybushing, stripping and gone for bigger wheels (for better tyre choices).

Next on the list is coilovers and braided lines, then hoping to get back on the track before the winter.
 
Take things easy mate.
Most modding is basic and bolt on. That's enough for you to have a whale of a time on track. It's only when you want to compete that you need to really get technical. Just choose a car and join the owners club forum. Whatever you're gonna do, someone will have already done.

Yeah, im still saving and depending on where I am with that kind of dictates what I will likely buy come crunch time.

My shortlist currently is (in price order):

Old BMW or the like stripped and stiffened - £1.5+
Pinto Engined 7 style kit - £4k+
Bike engined kit - £6k+
Lotus Elise S1 - £7k+
 
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