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Thread: ITA 325e

  1. 08-18-2002, 10:22 PM #1
    bodyshop
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    Default ITA 325e

    Newbee to racing BMW's, so please bear with me.

    After trying to meomorize the GCR, it appears that the 325e could be a great ITA car. It has larger brakes, and the same weight as the ITS 325i. I know that the "e" engine was a powerhouse torque-wise from the factory and would think this would help accelerate out of turns, rotate car with throttle, etc.

    Are these engines reliable for racing purposes?
    What rpm range could you get out of one properly prepared (shift points, etc.)?
    Is there enough gearing for long tracks, or do they "run out of gear"?

    I appreciate any help I can get before I start spending money..

    Thanks
    Fred
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  2. 08-18-2002, 11:26 PM #2
    James Clay
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    Decent ITA car, could be good possibly if fully prepared. The ITA CRX cars in our region have up to $30k+ in them, so make sure you know what you are getting into to be competitive (varies by track and region). Maybe 5k for the RPM on a built/balanced engine. Plenty of gear choices, you will never run out.

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  3. 08-24-2002, 11:51 PM #3
    Mark
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    I just finished an ITA 325es. I have not raced it yet, but I have done a few driving schools with it. I am extremely pleased with the car except on some of the longer straights. No matter what gear I am running in the rear end I cannot top 115 mph. I was down at Roebling Road (shorter track) and I had faster times than the other two 325is. Great choice for BMWCCA rules. Let me know if you need any help.
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  4. 08-24-2002, 11:55 PM #4
    Mark
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    I just finished an ITA 325es. I have not raced it yet, but I have done a few driving schools with it. I am extremely pleased with the car except on some of the longer straights. No matter what gear I am running in the rear end I cannot top 115 mph. I was down at Roebling Road (shorter track) and I had faster times than the other two 325is. Great choice for BMWCCA rules. Let me know if you need any help.
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  5. 09-02-2002, 08:27 AM #5
    streetbmw
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    Not really an IT question, but maybe someone here can help.

    I have a 325e that I have made several suspension mods to. I am looking for a little more horsepower and rpm out of it. I have already replaced the chip but would like MORE. Will the 325i cam interchange, or do I need to change the head or worse, the whole engine. Would changing the cam/head make much difference?

    Jason
    ITB 320i (work in progress)
    87 325e
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  6. 09-02-2002, 11:27 PM #6
    Bruce
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    to make the 325e engine really run you need to put a 325i head on it with a cam and a chip. If you look at a 325i head and intake you will see a big difference.

    Have fun.
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  7. 09-09-2002, 07:59 PM #7
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    chuck baader
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    jason, before spending the money to change what you have, check the local junk yards for a used "I" motor. should be in the 600-900 dollar range, and is a natural bolt-in. the only other issues will be the ecu, and you will probably want a 4.10 gear. good luck

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  8. 09-09-2002, 10:04 PM #8
    streetbmw
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    Thanks,
    I appreciate the info. That does sound smarter/cheaper than converting the existing engine..

    Jason
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  9. 09-11-2002, 10:26 AM #9
    Keegan
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    I tried to figure out (via the GCR) if it would be legal to put the (i) dual valve springs into an (e) head and maybe the (i) cam, but can't decifer if it would be legal. Am I missing something or is this a grey area?
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  10. 09-11-2002, 10:46 AM #10
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    mlytle
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    my read on the gcr is that you can't swap those things. you can't swap anything with another car unless that car is listed on the same line as yours in the itcs. 325e's and 325i's are in different classes so you can't swap any parts at all.
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  11. 09-11-2002, 02:57 PM #11
    Knestis
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    Nope - not gray, can't do it. Even within years/models on a given spec line, it is necessary for any up- or back-dates to be entire assemblies (e.g., the engine).

    Kirk
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  12. 09-11-2002, 08:03 PM #12
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    chuck baader
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    i think valve springs are open, so you could run the I double springs. not the I cam, though. with the restrictive intake of the E motor, the I cam wouldn't help anyway, and it is very easy to check! my research shows the motors don't make any power north of 5900 to 6000rpm. the stock redline is 5500, i think, so the breathing is just not there. valves are smaller on the E head, also. just have to live with massive torque off the corners

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  13. 09-11-2002, 09:30 PM #13
    BMW RACER
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    Chuck. Valve springs are open??? Maybe on Rotaries. Unless I'm missing something valve springs, like most stuff in the engine must be stock. People are probably lining up to protest you. Cheers. John Norris
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  14. 09-11-2002, 09:40 PM #14
    Knestis
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    Originally posted by chuck baader:
    i think valve springs are open...
    Everyone has to be a comedian but THAT is freakin' hilarious!

    K
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  15. 09-12-2002, 08:29 AM #15
    Greg Gauper
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    What is legal (and was the prefered Showroom Stock method of 'Blueprinting') is to grab a box of valve springs and sort thru them to find the best ones. But they must be stock!
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  16. 09-12-2002, 09:46 AM #16
    racer14itc
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    Originally posted by Knestis:
    Everyone has to be a comedian but THAT is freakin' hilarious!

    K
    And you should have seen the hate mail I got when I stated that at least 50% of the cars on any IT grid are illegal...hmmmmmmm?



    It's comments like these that just made me finally exit IT for someplace where if my competitors were doing it, I could too (legally)!

    MC
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  17. 09-12-2002, 09:56 AM #17
    Knestis
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    You think only 50%? I like that about you - you maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity...

    Greg's point about blueprinting is right on. That's why, back in the days of SSGT, a pro-built SS Pontiac V8 shortblock cost as much as the GT1 version.

    Kirk
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  18. 09-12-2002, 11:55 AM #18
    racer14itc
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    Originally posted by Knestis:
    You think only 50%? I like that about you - you maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity...


    Kirk

    I positively chuckled when I checked out the IT classifieds and saw an ITB 1.8 Scirocco cheerily advertised with a "G-cam"...



    MC
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  19. 09-12-2002, 04:55 PM #19
    zracer22 Guest

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    You guys will enjoy this ad for a 325i 5-speed for sale on ebay. Note his mention of it being a good tranny for IT.
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=1858138845
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  20. 09-12-2002, 07:55 PM #20
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    my baad...that is what i get for listening and not reading. valve springs are not mentioned, hence they fall under "all things not listed.....etc. must remain stock." btw, what is the difference between the stock crane valve spring and the stock bmw, volvo, honda,mazda, etc. valve spring? gosh, so many choices....

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