GT3 gone; 997S in driveway.
11-20-2005, 02:25 PM
#16
Race Car
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would have bought a turbo for street use, but I like the lighter, more sporting feel of the 997 and superior chassis/body control. Having had a C4S and driven turbos, I have grown not to like the AWD system (less entertaining, less fun). But, I'm sure there a lots of folks who'd take a turbo over the 997S.
One thing for certain, once you separate street and track cars, it simplifies things quite a bit. Hats off to you guys who can swing a GT3 for track use only; if I were comfortable laying out the cash for both a GT3 and a 997, I would have done it. That said, I'm pretty excited about my new project car, as the E36 M3 was my first true love. Now I get to do a proper minimalist, track focused, ltw/RS type of car.
One thing for certain, once you separate street and track cars, it simplifies things quite a bit. Hats off to you guys who can swing a GT3 for track use only; if I were comfortable laying out the cash for both a GT3 and a 997, I would have done it. That said, I'm pretty excited about my new project car, as the E36 M3 was my first true love. Now I get to do a proper minimalist, track focused, ltw/RS type of car.
11-20-2005, 04:09 PM
#17
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
A very close friend is building an E36M3 with an euro 3.2L 321Hp and the SMG I tranny. Full cage, stripped interior, etc. Not the fastest probably, but a lot of fun for the money.
I had a 95 M3 until the end of 2001. I still miss that car. I've driven the E30 (both 4cyl and converted S50 6cyl), E36 and E46. I like them all, each one with their own personality. If I have to choose one for a race car, definitely I choose the balance on the E36 chassis and the cheap aftermarket parts.
I'm not sure how reliable is the S54 running frequently to 8,000rpm, based on the problems reported and the infamous recall. A V8 from the E39M5 is not a bad choice, and it's supposed to have a similar weight to the S54.
I had a 95 M3 until the end of 2001. I still miss that car. I've driven the E30 (both 4cyl and converted S50 6cyl), E36 and E46. I like them all, each one with their own personality. If I have to choose one for a race car, definitely I choose the balance on the E36 chassis and the cheap aftermarket parts.
I'm not sure how reliable is the S54 running frequently to 8,000rpm, based on the problems reported and the infamous recall. A V8 from the E39M5 is not a bad choice, and it's supposed to have a similar weight to the S54.
11-20-2005, 04:15 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
11-20-2005, 05:46 PM
#19
Race Car
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice ride fongster. I like your weld-in half cage setup. I will be doing the same sort of thing and similar suspension. I'll be taking things a few step further though:
-modify the fenders so I can fit some 285 Hoosiers all around
-sunbelt built euro motor
-ltw hood and trunk
and some other stuff
Though, right now, not sure exactly where I'll have to cut things off due to budget constraints, at least initially. We'll see, may not be able to do the body work right off the bat.
NJ, at least for now, I'm planning on the euro motor from the E36 M3, the predecessor to the S54. There are several builders who can go through the S54 to make it reliable and faster (basically a blueprint job), but used motors run 8k, plus about 8k for the motor work, plus a whole lot of peripheral stuff will need to be adressed to make the S54 fit and address cooling concerns. Also, at least 3k in engine management unless you can find the front clip from an S54 MCoupe. The euro motor won't make quite the power of an S54 but it'll be 10k cheaper and have little/no teething problems and drivability issues.
-modify the fenders so I can fit some 285 Hoosiers all around
-sunbelt built euro motor
-ltw hood and trunk
and some other stuff
Though, right now, not sure exactly where I'll have to cut things off due to budget constraints, at least initially. We'll see, may not be able to do the body work right off the bat.
NJ, at least for now, I'm planning on the euro motor from the E36 M3, the predecessor to the S54. There are several builders who can go through the S54 to make it reliable and faster (basically a blueprint job), but used motors run 8k, plus about 8k for the motor work, plus a whole lot of peripheral stuff will need to be adressed to make the S54 fit and address cooling concerns. Also, at least 3k in engine management unless you can find the front clip from an S54 MCoupe. The euro motor won't make quite the power of an S54 but it'll be 10k cheaper and have little/no teething problems and drivability issues.
11-20-2005, 05:47 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Fongster
WOW! The suspension mods are good stuffs!
11-20-2005, 08:52 PM
#21
GT3 player par excellence
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
it was fongster who really screwed me up and made me build up a M3 that's 90% like his car. i don't have the engine work and it's not a LWT.
great, now frayed is tempting with with euro motor.......
great, now frayed is tempting with with euro motor.......
11-20-2005, 08:59 PM
#22
Race Car
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Euro motor is pretty close to a direct swap. Seth Thomas (posts on this board), had a ltw with euro motor IIRC. He's one of the Speedvision WC racers with Bimmerworld. He's not nearly as arrogant as one might think (though he is an FMJ), and would likely answer any questions you have. 
Besides, it is your duty to outgun Fongster. Doooo iiiiittttt.
Edit: Mooty, have you heard about the factory-ish widebody conversion? A little magic and you have enough real estate to run some 285 rubber and still look factory.
Besides, it is your duty to outgun Fongster. Doooo iiiiittttt.
Edit: Mooty, have you heard about the factory-ish widebody conversion? A little magic and you have enough real estate to run some 285 rubber and still look factory.
11-20-2005, 11:39 PM
#26
Race Car
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by AeroGT3RedWing
If you get the S54 from an M coupe, it will be just as easy as a Euro swap, as all the wiring is compatible.
11-21-2005, 10:37 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by frayed
Euro motor is pretty close to a direct swap. Seth Thomas (posts on this board), had a ltw with euro motor IIRC. He's one of the Speedvision WC racers with Bimmerworld. He's not nearly as arrogant as one might think (though he is an FMJ), and would likely answer any questions you have.
Besides, it is your duty to outgun Fongster. Doooo iiiiittttt.
Edit: Mooty, have you heard about the factory-ish widebody conversion? A little magic and you have enough real estate to run some 285 rubber and still look factory.
Besides, it is your duty to outgun Fongster. Doooo iiiiittttt.
Edit: Mooty, have you heard about the factory-ish widebody conversion? A little magic and you have enough real estate to run some 285 rubber and still look factory.
As for the E36 M3, that is the one car I keep going back to. I have owned 5 of them since 1998 and in that time 3 Porsches including my current GT3. I love the GT3 but for a stable track car that is cheap to run the E36 M3 is a great car. I can't get enough of them. But then I have to keep a BMW around or BimmerWorld might find another driver.
11-21-2005, 01:58 PM
#28
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by Seth Thomas
As for the E36 M3, that is the one car I keep going back to. I have owned 5 of them since 1998 and in that time 3 Porsches including my current GT3. I love the GT3 but for a stable track car that is cheap to run the E36 M3 is a great car. I can't get enough of them. But then I have to keep a BMW around or BimmerWorld might find another driver.
11-21-2005, 03:38 PM
#29
Intermediate
Originally Posted by frayed
Though, right now, not sure exactly where I'll have to cut things off due to budget constraints, at least initially.
-Jim
11-21-2005, 06:21 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Between rock and hard place
Posts: 3,819
Received 1,223 Likes
on
664 Posts
Count on spending anywhere from lets say $20-$35k on the car and if you want different engines you could be at $8-$16k for the engine.
I know it is a big ballpark.
I know it is a big ballpark.