That's a DOHC s14 engine, not a SOHC M40, which is far from ultimate. The M3 and evo notwithstanding, most E30 fans will tell you to get the 6 cyl, it may well be mostly snobbery, but they are the engines to go for.
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That's a DOHC s14 engine, not a SOHC M40, which is far from ultimate. The M3 and evo notwithstanding, most E30 fans will tell you to get the 6 cyl, it may well be mostly snobbery, but they are the engines to go for.
Don't get a 4 pot, get a real E30 with a 6 cylinder engine
no good for anything other than drifting, so not really a track car as such.
Just needs an open diff, proper wheels/tyres and a roll cage (if that), the engine would be great for a track car due to the mods that have been done to it.
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why would you want an open diff for track work?
The 318iS is a DOHC M42... you're thinking of the 318i - no-one has suggested that.
The e30 325 Sport has mega scene tax these days - better off with an e36 of some sort if you're going for a 6 pot.
And what exactly do you think an LSD does
Plenty of race cars run fully locked diffs, read into spool diffs
Wonder how many people on here making comments like that actually have drifted properly or driven a car with a welded diff and an LSD to know the differences
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Or an M50 put into an E30 :/
Engines aside, what is the better car
An E36 is going to be easier to find a rust-free shell.
The steering rack in the E30 is quite slow, people often swap them out for the rack from a Z3.
I don't know about E36s, but E30s only the 325 sport and up come with a LSD as standard, they could have come out of the factory with one on as an optional extra though.
The E30 is ~200kg lighter out of the factory.
Personally I would get an E30 320 couple and put an lsd in it. But I do have a thing for E30s.
e30 318iS came with an LSD as standard.
Early e36 328i's came with LSDs as standard (later replaced by ASC, LSD an option after).
I had a feeling you didn't really know what you were talking about. Also most e30 fans will tell you the 6 cyl cars are too heavy for the track where a 318is would be a lot more agile and fun.
There's no competition between a 318 and a 320 on the track, you'd know if you've seen the production BMW championship at Castle Combe where E30 320 and 318s race. I frequent an E30 board (E30 zone) and the overwhelming consensus is that the 6 cylinders are the engines to go for.
you sure? it says differently here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/bmw-e30#Drivetrain
I have driven both, and you dont want a spool diff or welded diff on a track car unless you WANT to induce wheelspin for sliding.
A locked diff will induce scrub on the inside tyre and break its traction, an LSD won't so will retain traction like an open diff untill the rear end breaks away. Once it breaks away you will have more control generally over the outside wheel power, unlike an open diff which will just lose all power and make drifting difficult.
A locked diff always scrubs the inside wheel, and unless you can lift it, like you do driving a Kart, it will scrub off speed, and reduce mechanical grip at the rear of the car.
A locked diff can also be good on drag cars to balance traction at the back or 4wds to get all wheels moving. On a road style circuit, unless you are drifting, its a liability.
EDIT: They also destroy tyres at a horrendous rate, not an issue drifting!
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Not the 320i though!
As a zoner myself I'm pretty sure the last time I checked that the censuses was to go for either a 318iS or a 325i. The 320i is in no mans land with the fuel economy of a 325i and barely more power than a 318i, not to mention the extra 40kg of weight over the front axle.
My personal choice for a budget track e30 would be an 318iS powered Touring (more weight yes, but it's better balanced). Thinking about it makes me drool!
Dr Who - have a read here, you may find it interesting, this is not meant as an attack, trying to help with a bit of info here
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drifting-chat/34726-fao-welded-diff-fans-nice-fact-ette-you.html
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drifting-chat/34726-fao-welded-diff-fans-nice-fact-ette-you.html
Soldato
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1) The six cylinder lumps in the E30 range are boat anchors.
2) LSD or no LSD, you can pick one up for £250-£350 second hand and retro fit, avoiding the in-demand models.
3) The E30 needs a Z3 rack, or at least one from an E36
2) LSD or no LSD, you can pick one up for £250-£350 second hand and retro fit, avoiding the in-demand models.
3) The E30 needs a Z3 rack, or at least one from an E36