M3Logik's E46 M3 Track Car Project

[M3logik]

You will want to use stainless steel fasteners and rivnuts. Steel will eventually rust even if its black oxide coated.

Thanks for the heads up! Swapped the rear window rivnuts to stainless steel and will need to pick up some stainless steel bolts as well. Will replace the current rivnuts with stainless steel ones at some point.

Also, will get them powdercoated black, along with the washers to complete the look.

[M3logik]

Over the last week or two I've been doing a bunch of different things with the project car:

Adjusted the hoodpins, installed the kidney grills (still need to do some adjusting), and installed the CSL scoop that I picked up from a forum member a few weeks back.



Installed side mirrors (new glass too), which were a PITA! Ended up doing an OK job, not too bad. Used 1' M6 bolts instead of the stock bolts.



Created a paper template


Drilled the holes, also took out the Dremel to bore the holes out to fit appropriately.


Completed the install



Going to replace with black washers at some point...



Also installed the polycarbonate rear window

[jet_dogg]

karb got some sick ass windows for those doors

[M3logik]

karb got some sick ass windows for those doors

Brah! I saw those and I am tempted. Who knows I might get them down the line. They are a bit pricey!

[jet_dogg]

ya they are but we m3 ballers son!

[bigjae46]

rivets | McMaster-Carr

Check this out for stainless rivet nuts.

[M3logik]

Latest updates:

Originally wanted to go with the same matte grey wrap that I used on my last track car build but ended up going with Avery Dennison's Gloss Pearl White instead.

https://www.fellers.com/fellers-shop...-wrapping-film

This color definitely brings about a bit more character than the matte grey. Will upload pics in a bit!

Ended up ordering 25 yards of wrap material, which was more than enough. I did have to rewrap the fender and I did cut my pieces a bit large in order to have some more wiggle room. You can definitely get away with less than 25 yards, if you are a bit more efficient. This is my second "wrap" project. Went much faster and smoother than the first time, that's for sure!

Also sent off a new set of injectors to RC Engineering to get flow tested. Results were good and will be installing the new set along with a new fuel filter sometime this week.

What is left:

Fuel filter
New Injectors
Dyno tune
Corner balance
Lightweight battery (Mini cooper?)
Paint the window surrounds
Install random interior and exterior trim pieces
Battery isolator
Carbon instrument panel

Kind of split on the battery as the car is already light in the back and I do want a good amount longevity with battery life.

Looking like the first trackday will be in January.


Started with the bumper






Tackled the trunk in a couple of different pieces



Progress pic of the front... not too bad



Buttoning up the front



Moving to the side, once again, tackling in pieces, rather than doing the whole panel at once






Moving to the rear quarter



Putting it all together...



Still have trim pieces and other stuff to put on...not looking too shabby, I must say!

Was having some trouble wrapping the mirrors. Had an idea that I'd just take them to a wrap shop and get the mirrors done. Had quotes ranging from $250 - $350, with me providing the material. Gonna ditch that idea and just do the best that I can. Gonna be scouring Youtube tonight to find some different techniques. Hoping to wrap it in one or two pieces for the mirror cap then one piece for the base plate. It's harder than it looks!!!! But at the price point the wrap shops are charging, I'm just gonna keep trying until I run out of material!

[skristedja]

You can't tease us like that with no pics! White is a great choice. The e46 looks absolutely amazing in white and it should help keep it cooler as well. Stoked for you and the build!

[M3logik]

You can't tease us like that with no pics! White is a great choice. The e46 looks absolutely amazing in white and it should help keep it cooler as well. Stoked for you and the build!

Thanks bro! It is coming along nicely. We are at the final stage, for sure!

Pics added!

[M3logik]

Weekend Update:

Got the injectors back from RC engineering and installed them along with the fuel filter over the weekend. Job wasn't too difficult. Took about 3 hours.

Going to get dyno'd, corner balanced at Lang Racing at the next opportunity. Also looking at potential trackdays in January.

New injectors looking good



Removing the air rail and fuel rail



Old injectors out



Old filter



Started up without any issues. No leaks or codes.

[M3logik]

So, the M3 is pretty much ready to go. Only cosmetic / trim items left. Will be looking at track days in Feb. Looking at Willow Springs or Laguna Seca.

Latest updates performed at Lang Racing:

Reflashed to a HTE tune
Cornerbalanced to 52.17% F / 47.83% (1/3 tank)
Coded out seatbelt, airbags, and seat occupancy sensor
Flushed coolant with water wetter
Replaced tensioners
Fresh Alignment

I'll likely swap out the front strut bar and get a lighter unit. Will also place an order for those new Karbonius fenders as well.

Also, fitting this nice piece this morning

[Sergmann]

I may have missed it but do you have a final weight on the car? amazing build BTW!

[M3logik]

I may have missed it but do you have a final weight on the car? amazing build BTW!

It's around 2,960 lbs with 1/3 of a tank. I'm taking it to the scales next week to weigh it again after I figure out these SMG issues that I'm encountering.

Thanks bro, has been a fun ride thus far!

[M3logik]

A few weeks ago I was left stranded because the gears would not engage. SMG fun! Had to limp off the freeway and continuously cycle the car in order to get the gears to engage. Glad I was near an offramp. Waited about an hour and got towed home.

Had a ton of codes related to SMG and the hydraulic unit. Took it to Lang Racing. They ran a bunch of diagnostics and did some troubleshooting. Upon inspection of the clutch unit, the mechanic found that it was fried and needed replacing. I guess the guy that had the car before me was fond of donuts.



I've got the car back now and the following parts were replaced:

Used low mileage SMG Pump
New OEM Clutch Kit
New OEM Flywheel
2x Front Speed Sensors

Going to do a long shakedown this weekend and prep for the next trackday. I've got a bunch of small things to install as well.

[M3logik]

So, had an issue where the car would not start. Kept turning over but would not fire up. I planned on replacing with a new fuel pump anyways because I have had a fuel pump die on me and leave me stranded before, so I started with that. Also replaced the fuel pump relay and the main fuse. No dice.




Then I replaced the other fuse, which would normally be easily accessible in the engine bay, but mine is now hidden under the dash because the whole electrical box was relocated due to the strut tower cage tie in. Took me an hour of fiddling around to get to it. Hey, that's the life!

After I changed out that 20A fuse (which did not appear to be blown), the beast fired right up. I really should have started with that last fuse eh?

So now I'm in a position to put some miles on the new clutch, flywheel, and used/low mileage SMG pump. Let's see how it goes!