Car Classifications and other Questions

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Mark Aubele
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Mark Aubele »

So there will be two LS swapped E36s in SMX this year? Cool.
'97 BMW M3 #53 SMX
VR6Man
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by VR6Man »

Mark Aubele wrote:So there will be two LS swapped E36s in SMX this year? Cool.
I'm going kind of a weird direction and running a carb'ed SBC from a '77 Vette in the E36. I know its not quite as light as the LSx motor, but it was a cheaper option and I think it can still be fun.
#33 SBC Swapped '98 BMW 323is
Mark Aubele
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Mark Aubele »

Very cool. Will you have it ready for the first event? Any more details on the build?

Mine is my wife's former BSP auto M3. Stole it from her and prepping it for SMX. LS1 T56, cam tune simple combo.
'97 BMW M3 #53 SMX
VR6Man
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by VR6Man »

Mark Aubele wrote:Very cool. Will you have it ready for the first event? Any more details on the build?

Mine is my wife's former BSP auto M3. Stole it from her and prepping it for SMX. LS1 T56, cam tune simple combo.
Cool. That's what I wanted to do but didn't have the budget for it. The nice thing about the SBC is that I can build it up as I get the extra cash.

If you have pictures of your build or a build thread somewhere I'd love to see the progress. It might help me with my prep.

Anyone have suggestions as to where I can get a cage built in the Western PA area? I currently know of a guy in Ohio (The Roll Cage Guy). Anyone else people would suggest?
#33 SBC Swapped '98 BMW 323is
Mark Aubele
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Mark Aubele »

I have a pretty shitty build thread on another site, not much detail but it's something

http://www.steelcitymusclecars.com/foru ... 1-T56-swap

Most of the info I got was from Bimmerforums and LS1tech. Swap was pretty easy. Used CXRacing kit, decent for the money but the exhaust doesn't fit at all and one header is actually hitting the engine. Fairly easy to address. I don't know of anyone who makes SBC headers for the chassis, and with steering shaft location fitment can be tough. If you want to ask more specific questions let me know.
'97 BMW M3 #53 SMX
VR6Man
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by VR6Man »

Mark Aubele wrote:I have a pretty shitty build thread on another site, not much detail but it's something

http://www.steelcitymusclecars.com/foru ... 1-T56-swap

Most of the info I got was from Bimmerforums and LS1tech. Swap was pretty easy. Used CXRacing kit, decent for the money but the exhaust doesn't fit at all and one header is actually hitting the engine. Fairly easy to address. I don't know of anyone who makes SBC headers for the chassis, and with steering shaft location fitment can be tough. If you want to ask more specific questions let me know.
Awesome man. Clean base car. You are moving much faster than me, which is starting to scare me. I really would like to go to the first event of the year, but I'll have to see how fast I can work. Who is building your cage? You live fairly close to me, as I am just north of Cranberry Township.

Details for my build are still up in the air. I'm deciding what I want to do as I go along and as budget dictates.

I still dont know if I will run the fully stock SBC with Quadrajet carb, or if I will start replacing stuff on the motor. I'd really like to at least raise the compression a bit as the stock power is quite low (180hp?) due to this being a smog motor from the late '70s. I may just get a different intake and carb for now since the current intake is full of smog ports and my current carb is in rough shape. I'd also like to get rid the iron heads for lighter aluminum ones, but now we are starting down the rabbit hole and it always ends with a ton of money being spent and a really powerful motor. I'm trying to be modest with both of those until I get some seat time, and buy all the other things I need to start racing.

I am trying to find a transmission right now, which will probably be a T5 from a Camaro or Firebird. I'm assuming 5 gears is better than 4 for hillclimbs, but I could be wrong. Anyone have input? If 4 is better I might be able to find a 4 speed easier than a T5.

I need to start stripping the interior like you did and get rid of all the sound deadening crap/HVAC/airbags/etc. I have the week between Christmas and New Years off from work so I'm hoping to do this during my Christmas vacation.

I will probably have to run block hugger headers and even then I may have to modify them a bit to get them to work with the steering shaft. Or I'll just make my own headers, I just dont want to spend a bunch of time TIG'ing headers together when I could be getting work done to the rest of the car, so we will see.

I still need to buy a seat, harness, helmet, suit, shoes, gloves, cage, transmission, brakes, etc., etc., so on and so forth. Lots of stuff to buy and do. I'm glad I have a loving wife.
#33 SBC Swapped '98 BMW 323is
Mark Aubele
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Mark Aubele »

Rollcage guy is building mine, car goes there in a couple weeks, he has a waiting list so if you plan on taking your there I would try to schedule it soon. You will have issues with hood clearance running a carb if that means anything. At least SBC stuff is cheap, shouldn't have much of a hard time finding heads and intake fairly cheap used.
'97 BMW M3 #53 SMX
VR6Man
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by VR6Man »

Thanks for the info. I will need to get going on my chassis then.

Yeah I am anticipating possible hood clearance issues. I've seen guys who make them fit, and guys who dont. If I run a flat bottom pan I might be able to get the motor low enough. I'm probably going to run a Victor Jr. intake and they are a shorter single plane intake so I am hoping I can get everything under. If not, from the way I read the rules for SMX I can modify the hood like adding a small scoop or bump or something (I don't want to do this, for the record. It would only happen out of necessity).
#33 SBC Swapped '98 BMW 323is
Mark Aubele
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Mark Aubele »

VR6Man wrote:Thanks for the info. I will need to get going on my chassis then.

Yeah I am anticipating possible hood clearance issues. I've seen guys who make them fit, and guys who dont. If I run a flat bottom pan I might be able to get the motor low enough. I'm probably going to run a Victor Jr. intake and they are a shorter single plane intake so I am hoping I can get everything under. If not, from the way I read the rules for SMX I can modify the hood like adding a small scoop or bump or something (I don't want to do this, for the record. It would only happen out of necessity).
You can do anything you want with the hood. My oil pan is maybe 1/8" off the k member and even with the stock LS6 manifold it is really close. If you want to stop out and check out the build send me a pm. Working on it until 6 or so today, pretty much all day tomorrow. Probably will have it another 2 weeks or so then I won't have it back until probably early Feb. I'm 10 minutes off the Irwin exit of the turnpike.
'97 BMW M3 #53 SMX
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Josh R.
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Josh R. »

Misfit Autowerks in Washington built my roll bar. They're a pretty new shop, but they've had a couple hillclimb cars in there now. They're building a cage now for their shop's AE86 Corolla with an Infiniti V8 swap...

I got a deal on Sparco racing gear (suit, gloves, socks, shoes) through Moore Performance when they had a sale. I'm really happy with everything, though I don't use the shoes (too big, my fault). I honestly prefer skateboard-type shoes to driving shoes i.e. Adidas, Vans anyway. I actually think Aubele and I have the same shoes...Adidas Busenitz. They have a padded heelcap and it's awesome. I have a G-Force helmet though, and I love it.

If you contact either of those shops, please let them know I sent you!
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geowit
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by geowit »

As for safety equipment, the prices vary significantly depending on vendor, brand name and use. If it meets current SFI or FIA specifications, it should be built to a certain level of quality. Since you're in western PA, there are a number of hill climbers in your area. Check out North Hills Sports Car Club.
Thanks,
Geo.
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VR6Man
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by VR6Man »

Josh R. wrote:Misfit Autowerks in Washington built my roll bar. They're a pretty new shop, but they've had a couple hillclimb cars in there now. They're building a cage now for their shop's AE86 Corolla with an Infiniti V8 swap...

I got a deal on Sparco racing gear (suit, gloves, socks, shoes) through Moore Performance when they had a sale. I'm really happy with everything, though I don't use the shoes (too big, my fault). I honestly prefer skateboard-type shoes to driving shoes i.e. Adidas, Vans anyway. I actually think Aubele and I have the same shoes...Adidas Busenitz. They have a padded heelcap and it's awesome. I have a G-Force helmet though, and I love it.

If you contact either of those shops, please let them know I sent you!
Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into those places and mention you if end up getting anything.

So the shoes dont have to be full on racing shoes?
geowit wrote:As for safety equipment, the prices vary significantly depending on vendor, brand name and use. If it meets current SFI or FIA specifications, it should be built to a certain level of quality. Since you're in western PA, there are a number of hill climbers in your area. Check out North Hills Sports Car Club.
I will check them out, thanks!
#33 SBC Swapped '98 BMW 323is
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Josh R.
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Re: Car Classifications and other Questions

Post by Josh R. »

VR6Man wrote: So the shoes dont have to be full on racing shoes?
Nope, all leather and NOMEX socks.
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