Autocrossing? Racing?

Hey, Just a quick question for the weekend racers out there.

Say you had an E36 325i (automatic) and wanted to do a little autocrossing, and your car was stock, what are the first (must do) upgrades that you would do to make the car competitive? Where would you go from there?

Thanks.

I have heard off other BMW forums that chip, intake, and exaust are the first things to do. Than I beleave Dinan makes a chip for the automatic trasmission that shifts faster. You might want to check it out. Have fun.

That's an EASY one! Get the rule book from the sanctionong body (SCCA?) and study it!

The first thing you have to decide is which class you want to run in. You MUST familiarize yourself with the rules in order to do that.

There is a "bone stock" class that prohibits almost all modifications (you even have to run the stock seatbelts) but still allows brake pad and tire changes, and aligment and setup changes to maximize the handling of your car. Most racers buy a second set of wheels on which they mount a set of DOT-legal race tires (which would wear out on the street in 2000 miles.) This class can still be a little expensive because of the frequent brake and tire expenditures, but is the cheapest class to run.

The next class up is "street prepared" where springs, sway bars, shocks, wheels, etc. are fair game, but you pretty much need to change ALL of those things to be competetive. You MUST read the rule book in order to know what is legal and what isn't.

Good luck and have fun.

Gary

Because your car is an automatic, its not the best autocrosser, but it will be fun to do never the less. Definately get a chip because they can't tell that you have this modification. Get a big bore throttle body, something the cant tell again. Get a cone air filter, or maybe a cold air intake they probably wont put you in street perpared for having just a cone air filter. Get stiffer springs, a set of track tires. Track tires arent necessary because they have a street tire class, but the track tires make it alot easier. I would recomend getting some second hand, as you may have to fork out alot of money for them.

The biggest thing is your ability to modify your car as much as possible but being able to stay in the stock class, that is until you get into stuff where there's no way to hide it, such as a roll cage, lower springs, exhaust, racing springs. As the saying goes.."You must have cheated, because i cheated, and you still beat me!"

or if your just looking for a good time, you can modify and go into street prepared. What ever floats your boat.

I agree with gbeale find out what the requirements are. But it is not usless, just because you have an automatic, to race. Dinan has a chip for the automatic that let's it shift faster, that does not void your warranty. I would also go with thte engine management software for the engine from Dinan, after you get the exausts and CAI.

You have it the right idea gbeale.

Get a cone air filter, or maybe a cold air intake they probably wont put you in street perpared for having just a cone air filter. The biggest thing is your ability to modify your car as much as possible but being able to stay in the stock class, that is until you get into stuff where there's no way to hide it, such as a roll cage, lower springs, exhaust, racing springs. you can modify and go into street prepared. What ever floats your boat.

Changing the air filter to anything beyond stock will put you in Street prepared i.e. cone filter,short ram, CAI...you can replace the panel filter with a k&n...lol....You can't really modify the car in any real performance manner and expect to stay in the stock class except "maybe" the chip until you get above regeional level in which case they'll check... And according to the SCCA you can add a roll cage without leaving the stock class as long as it is used only as a protection device...So if you plan on doing anything to you car, expect to go into street prepared ..

Get a cone air filter, or maybe a cold air intake they probably wont put you in street perpared for having just a cone air filter. The biggest thing is your ability to modify your car as much as possible but being able to stay in the stock class, that is until you get into stuff where there's no way to hide it, such as a roll cage, lower springs, exhaust, racing springs. you can modify and go into street prepared. What ever floats your boat.

Changing the air filter to anything beyond stock will put you in Street prepared i.e. cone filter,short ram, CAI...you can replace the panel filter with a k&n...lol....You can't really modify the car in any real performance manner and expect to stay in the stock class except "maybe" the chip until you get above regeional level in which case they'll check... And according to the SCCA you can add a roll cage without leaving the stock class as long as it is used only as a protection device...So if you plan on doing anything to you car, expect to go into street prepared ..

Don't do any performance mods at all. Its a waste of money. Speaking from experience, the only limiting factor is gonna be YOU. Spend your money on autocrossing fees (~$30), and go a lot.
If you really feel the need to do something to the car, the best thing you can get is tires. Lots of guys run Falken Azenis cause they're grippy, progressive and most importantly, dirt cheap. Find yourself a set of steel rims (junk yard, friend or ebay) and mount autox tires to them. Maybe $300 at the end of the day. Most guys bring their dedicated autox wheels and change them in the event parking lot. But really, dont do any mods as it tend to put you in classes with drivers who will be much more experience. Best of luck.