Best base car to build e36 m3 rally car

[Fordy103]

Would i be better buying an e36 m3 EVO as a base car, or a normal m3?

Going to fit Sequential gearbox, so not bothered about standard one.

What i would like to know, apart from the engine and box, is the difference between a normal m3 and an Evo!

Regards

James

[roadrally_nova]

evo shell has strenthening plates at the rear But has a large diff witch is a pain in the arse to get cwp for. so would mean changeing to a non evo rear end.

[roadrally_nova]

what made you decide to build a bmw mate

[Fordy103]

surely the biggest diff is the most reliable though?

will be running a sequential box with drop gears if i end up building it, so Final drive/cwp shouldnt matter too much aslong as i can get something slightly shorter than standard.


So i should buy an evo and then just get a normal m3 engine ? or can i buy a normal m3, and buy weld on strengthing plates to make the shell same as an evo?

[bruvs1]

i would build with big case (210 mm) if your fitting a tractive or? you won't have a problem when power is "upped" should go longer between rebuilds too. might be worth looking around for a kumho challenge or ex race car for sale as most the jobs might be done already and may be cheaper than a scratch build.

[Fordy103]

Gonna do a scratch build as got some ideas regarding suspension set ups in order to gain some more suspension travel. Watch this space.

Just need to get my head round the engines. Am i allowed to run a 3.2 evo for stage rallying or not?

Also, if i wanted a proper sorted 3.0 engine (if i cant run 3.2) whos the man to speak to?
Im assuming dry sump etc is available aswell?

Either going for tractive box, or quaife are rumored to be bring out an evolution of the 60g =

[roadrally_nova]

you cannot run the evo engine its cc is over 3000

[bruvs1]

comical really !! 3 litre is the said limit but nothing to stop you sleeving down a 3.2 to 3 litre! long as the car has a 3 litre logbook, can't see a problem, plenty out there already running 3.2 head on a 3 litre !! dry sumping not needed on double pumper sumps with baffles, engine wise speak to johnny coburn (jc racing) http://www.jcracing.info/?page=contact or butler motorsport, there known for geting the power out of those engines.

[granthughes]

Why start with an M3?
Can't you get a base coupe for much much cheaper, then pick up a wrecked M3 to swap parts into or even just an engine/harness.
Though I guess if you're planning a sequential box you probably don't care about the price premium for the M3.

The strengthening plates can be welded into any of the E36 models.
What are you planning to do? Gravel or tarmac rallying? If gravel the Compact rear suspension will hold up to the beating that a proper gravel rally will deliver better than the Coupe or Sedan. You do have to deal with upgrading from the small diff though. But it's not rocket science.

I'm guessing since you've got some ideas for gaining suspension travel you are planning on a gravel rally car. I'd suggest finding Dave Kern's build on here or at 318ti.org and review what he did. Probably some of the more radical changes to achieve lots of steering angle, lots of travel, and proper camber in front.

[granthughes]

Here's what happened to one M3 at the Olympus rally a few weekends ago.
http://i.imgur.com/FVj5K.jpg