M3Logik's E46 M3 Track Car Project

[M3logik]

AC System has been removed:

Saved a good amount of weight from removing the AC lines, AC pump, and probably reclaimed 2 HP from the drive belt being removed. Every little bit helps. Hopefully I don't burn up in the pits during the summer trackday events. It's a chance I'm willing to take haha.

Cooling system revamp which including:

OEM Water pump w/Gasket
OEM Thermostat w/ Gasket (stock)
OEM Radiator
Continental Water pump belt (Performed 50 miles ago at Lang Racing)
OEM Aux Fan Switch
OEM Expansion Tank
OEM Expansion Tank Line
OEM O-Rings

I didn't go with an aftermarket radiator because I've been good with the stock OEM radiator and water wetter with my previous builds.







Mechanical Fan Swap:

Removed the stock clutch fan and shroud. Installed the Mishimoto mechanical puller fan.



Getting the front bumper off was a real pain in the ass. Could not get the bumper to budge after removing inner fender screws and the underbody screws! After about 20 minutes of pulling from various angles, I decided to start pulling off headlights, turn signals, etc. Finally found the problem. The dealership added some screws below the turn signals which affixed the front bumper to the fenders. A heads up would have been nice.



Other than that, the cooling system overhaul was a pretty straightforward endeavor. I'm certain this preventative maintenance saved me from having a 3 hour tow truck drive home from the track.

Tires and wheels update:

Went with Apex ARC-8R 18x9.5 35ET wrapped in Bridgestone RE 71 R rubber. This combo has served me well in the past, so why change a good thing? I'll probably graduate to pull off slicks sometime next year, but the current setup will keep me glued to the track for my first couple of trackdays in the second half of this year. Shout out to Big O Tires for not scratching my rims!





Cage Update:

I have my cage build slot reserved for early April. Ordering the carbon roof today, as the cage installer will glue it on. I'll need to deliver the vehicle stripped, and without glass and a roof (trying to keep costs down). Will replace the stock windshield but will go with a polycarbonate rear window.

Rough plans for cage include shock tower tie in, full cage, x bars at doors, foot/ankle protection, subframe tie in, harness eyelets, cabin bar (removing hvac), & a few other goodies.

Harness Update:

Going with 6pt Sparco Aluminum Hans compatible 3/2 (black) Will order them next week so I can have the gage builder install them with the cage.

[liam821]

I love track car builds! Awesome! I dig the toolboxes, looks really nice.

[M3logik]

Mini update:

DMG Strut Bar has been installed. It is indeed a solid piece. Glad I went with the black powdercoat. I really liked the raw clearcoat version that they offer but I think the black is better for my project. It is going to be a really nice tie in with the airbox.

Great packaging and includes new nuts and hardware. I'd definitely buy again.

[M3logik]

Really looking forward to this transformation. Will be a lot of work but really rewarding for you. I almost wish I could start over on my car to get the satisfaction all over again and I havent even finished my first time through.

Thanks man, it is definitely a journey. Let's enjoy the ride.

looks great so far. What's your target weight? It looks like you are going with lexan rear windows. are you going to retain the door glass?

Thanks man! 2950 without driver, full cage and safety equipment. I could stand to lose 20lbs, every pound helps! haha My last project e46 M3 track car was 3050 without driver.

Lexan glass all around except for the front windshield. Will eventually do lexan windows with a motorsport slide window for the driver and passenger doors.

[Sergmann]

looks great so far. What's your target weight? It looks like you are going with lexan rear windows. are you going to retain the door glass?

[Inizes]

Really looking forward to this transformation. Will be a lot of work but really rewarding for you. I almost wish I could start over on my car to get the satisfaction all over again and I havent even finished my first time through.

[M3logik]

Going to revamp the entire cooling system and remove unnecessary items this weekend. Ended up going to the shop to evacuate the AC unit at a local shop. $75 bucks and all the Freon is now out!



Also, I ended up cleaning up the leftover adhesive using "Goof Off" ($10). Made clean up a really easy process. Make sure and use a mask and complete the project in a highly ventilated area as the fumes can get out of control quickly. Took a whole can to do about half of the car. Need to run back to the hardware store to pick up another can.

Results:

[M3logik]

Weight reduction is high on my list of things to do for this project. I won't be going insane with a fully built motor setup, so every pound counts. After gutting the interior, I started working on removing the sound deadening. Been at it off and on for the last few days. Although it is quite tedious, it isn't too hard to complete.

I used this Wagner heat gun. Cost me $25 at the local hardware store. Used it at the 1100 degrees Fahrenheit setting and it only took a few seconds to heat up to a appropriate level to pry off the sound deadening with a wide metal spatula.

*Heat a large area, if it bubbles up, you've heated it too much. Keep folding until you get a big enough chunk to cut off. If you are careful, you can get most of it off without scraping the paint too much.

Finished the entire interior aside form the rear parcel area over the subframe. Still working out how to remove the sound deadening from that spot.

About 30lbs?

[M3logik]

Looks great, how is the quality of those cabinets?

Rating is 9/10.

Probably not up to the level of Sonic Cabinets or another high level cabinet maker. But for less than half the price, I'd say that this is a must buy system. Great quality, good adjustability, instructions and install are straight forward. Would definitely buy again.

[Onefastsicilian]

Looks great, how is the quality of those cabinets?

[M3logik]

Initial walkaround and findings:

The car is in pretty good shape, aside from the right rear, which had been repaired halfway by the previous owner or one of the dealerships that was in the transaction chain of this vehicle. After getting it off the truck and driving it home, I noticed that the right rear taillight was off somewhat. Took it to a local shop and they say the rear 1/4 panel will need to be replaced in order to get it back to 100%. Damn, this is going to cost $$$. Given the cost that I paid for the car, even after the cost of repairs, I'll still be ahead when compared to comparable M3's. Not too terribly broken up about it, but still pissed that I have this unexpected cost.

I did consult with an attorney. The up front cost to pursue litigation was not worth the $$, given the 50/50 shot that I'd win. Lesson learned. Don't buy a car sight unseen. Take a flight if you really want to purchase an out of town or out of state car. Don't trust BMW dealerships with your PPI. Only use independent BMW tuning shops for PPI. Carfax isn't worth the paper it is printed on. Some lessons are expensive.






First challenge: Pass Smog.

Could not complete the entire drive cycle as the ECU would throw the following codes every 20 miles. CA smog is not a fun thing to have to deal with on BMWs.






Replaced the MAF Sensor before sending to the shop (Lang Racing). They did the drive cycle and it looks like the new MAF I put on did the trick. Got the smog done and registered at the DMV the following day.

[M3logik]

Very nice setup!

Thanks bro. Many more updates to come!

[Tbonem3]

Very nice setup!

[M3logik]

Garage update:

Picked up a NewAge Pro Series cabinet kit the other day. Took a few hours to set up but I am pleased with the result.

Soft close doors and drawers, sturdy cabinetry, and a nice clean look.

The guys that took it off the truck had a difficult time getting it up the small incline. My only gripe with the experience was that they wouldn't even help me break it down and get it inside the garage.



Directions were pretty straight forward. All cabinets are bolted into the studs. CA is earthquake territory!



End result:



Might do a backsplash of some sort but for the moment, I'm happy with how it all turned out.

[M3logik]

The street in the first picture looks so familiar. Where are you located in OC?

Looks like we are neighbors! I just hit you with a PM.