Anybody building a E46??

[Fastfred92]

Anybody trying a E46 323??? Is the engine the same as the M50 2.5? I am sure the chassis is even better than a E36 so maybe it can overcome the extra weight in "unrestricted" form???

[Bryan Watts]

The motor is similiar...it's actually the M52TU (technical update). Uses a different intake manifold, a semi-drive-by-wire throttle, a double VANOS system and OBDII electronics (probably making Motec a necessity), as well as other internal changes to the pistons, etc.

I've heard of at least 4 cars under construction.

[This message has been edited by Bryan Watts (edited February 04, 2005).]

[robits325is]

We are building two E-46 323i for ITS next season. We are still early in the build - hoping to be ready for April. Give us a call if you want to share some information.

Rob Driscoll
Auto Technic, LLC.
860.350.8407
www.autotechnic.net

[mlytle]

the e46's just got tagged with restrictor plates too...april fastrack.

[Banzai240]

Originally posted by mlytle:
the e46's just got tagged with restrictor plates too...april fastrack.

That was a mistake in the CRB notes due to a miscommunication between the ITAC and the CRB... You should see a correction in an upcoming Fastrack...

The car was classified using the ITACs current classification process, so we feel it's correctly classified without the restrictor...


------------------
Darin E. Jordan
SCCA #273080, OR/NW Regions
Renton, WA
ITS '97 240SX


[This message has been edited by Banzai240 (edited March 02, 2005).]

[Banzai240]

As Promised:

May 2005 SportCar - Fastrack page F-81

PROPOSED RULE CHANGES. The following
subjects will be referred to the
Board of Directors for approval.
Address all comments, both for and
against, to the Club Racing Board.
...

Improved Touring
The CRB would like to advise the IT
community that the restrictor specified
for the 2000 BMW 323 was in error. The
advisory committee feels that the 323 is
heavier than the 325 and feels that the
323 is competitive without the restrictor.

...

------------------
Darin E. Jordan
SCCA #273080, OR/NW Regions
Renton, WA
ITS '97 240SX

[Bryan Watts]

What about the 1999 323 that everyone is building?

[Banzai240]

Originally posted by Bryan Watts:
What about the 1999 323 that everyone is building?

The error happened when the 2000 was added to the spec line of the 1999... Take care of one, it takes care of both...



------------------
Darin E. Jordan
SCCA #273080, OR/NW Regions
Renton, WA
ITS '97 240SX

[Fastfred92]

Darin is a good guy!

Still wondering what people will do to overcome the drive by wire setup??? I know SPEED WC guys convert to old M50 throttle body... Any word?

------------------
Fred Alphin
#92 Hankook Tire SSB VW GTI VR6
BMW 325i ITS ( 2006 ? )

[gwalsh]

Any updates on ITS E46 builds. Anybody put wheels on the track yet?

------------------
Gerry Walsh
Otto's Motorsport
2004 N.E. Division Enduro Champions

[robits325is]

To sum it up: time consuming and difficult

We originally thought we would be done by April but it appears this will be a research and development year.

Rob Driscoll

[Bruce Shafer]

Originally posted by robits325is:
To sum it up: time consuming and difficult

We originally thought we would be done by April but it appears this will be a research and development year.

Rob Driscoll

Good luck with that project!

[Fastfred92]

For the little guy it is going to be too costly..... The research I have done indicates the only way to make the OBD II engine (M52TU) put out HP is with MoTeC... The chassis is better and will cost no more than the e36 to prep but the 7-10 k extra worth of MoTeC and tuning alone puts it out of my budget. I hope James Clay, Chet, Ed or one of the other big team guys put one on the track, they just look cool as hell and with double vanos and better chassis they WILL dominate once developed.... until SCCA catches on

------------------
Fred Alphin
#92 Hankook Tire SSB VW GTI VR6
BMW 325i ITS ( 2006 ? )

[RonInSD]

Originally posted by Fastfred92:
For the little guy it is going to be too costly..... The research I have done indicates the only way to make the OBD II engine (M52TU) put out HP is with MoTeC... The chassis is better and will cost no more than the e36 to prep but the 7-10 k extra worth of MoTeC and tuning alone puts it out of my budget. I hope James Clay, Chet, Ed or one of the other big team guys put one on the track, they just look cool as hell and with double vanos and better chassis they WILL dominate once developed.... until SCCA catches on

You may want to look at the Autronic SM4. It has support for Double VANOS and I think it has support for drive by wire. I know Bob Stretch was using the Autronic's system last year in his World Challenge E46. Not sure about this year do to SCCA Pro mandating Motec.

http://www.autronic.com

[robits325is]

The 1999 323i does not have a drive by wire throttle.

[Fastfred92]

Autronic is a MoTeC knockoff ( former MoTeC people I think ) good stuff I am sure, but not much less $$ vs. MoTeC.... Still adds big $$$ to an already $$$ IT car.... Can you say north of $50k for a IT car !

[This message has been edited by Fastfred92 (edited July 29, 2005).]