Building The E30...Lots of STUFF!

[Z3_GoCar]

I rarely disagree with Kirk, but I do disagree with this. I think the E30 was overlooked in ITS for a long time because of the E36.

I've seen two well prepped E30s -- Matt Reppert's and Hal Corbin's -- and they are FAST. Reppert beat the Van Steenburg ITS Miata at Birmingham which is no small feat, and Hal had us all covered (except for that same ITS Miata) at the SIC in his E30.

They seem to be a very balanced car. Good power, great torque for the class, good handling, good brakes.

But for the irrational Triumph love, I would consider it.

Jeff,

I fully understand the irrotational Triumph love, but I've got to moderate some of your enthusiam:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1349730

In a nutshell, spec e-30 guy's are cracking rotors rather than wearing them out. I know that the brakes on an e-30 are huge compaired to a Tr8. But are still small compared to how hard they're used. Still, great motor, good transmission ratios, longer wheel base so they're a stable platform that turns well with a suspension scheme that dates to the early '60s. Certainly there are worse choices out there

[lateapex911]

JAmes, that issue may be more common than you think. I haven't worn out a rotor in years. I went thru 3 sets this season, due to cracking. (Which sucks, because it's integral with the bearings, so it's new bearings and races every time) The newer pads are, I think, handling heat better than ever, and the result is the next weakest link is going.

[chuck baader]

I have run the same set of rotors for two seasons but had to change at the ARRC. I agree with Jake that pads are probably the reason as I also run 3" brake ducts to the center of the rotors for cooling. This was the 4-5th race on these pads and I had a 3/16" crack on one side of the LF rotor. Also the first time I had tried this brand pad and the first rotor I have cracked. CB

[JeffYoung]

After seeing Reppert's car run, and racing against Hal for a few years, I can tell you straight up that an E30 325is maxed out is one of the 7-8 cars to have in ITS -- which is what is great about ITS. The following cars can have won races in the last few years:

Prelude
325is (E30)
RX7
Miata
190E
240sx
240Z
260Z
280z
280ZX
300ZX
GSR
TR8 (well, close)
944S

There have also been the odd Achieva and Milano that have done well here and there.

Jeff,

I fully understand the irrotational Triumph love, but I've got to moderate some of your enthusiam:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1349730

In a nutshell, spec e-30 guy's are cracking rotors rather than wearing them out. I know that the brakes on an e-30 are huge compaired to a Tr8. But are still small compared to how hard they're used. Still, great motor, good transmission ratios, longer wheel base so they're a stable platform that turns well with a suspension scheme that dates to the early '60s. Certainly there are worse choices out there

[Xian]

Having several competitive cars is what keeps a class healthy... you see the same thing in ITA. Off the top of my head you could have any of these below on the podium:

Integra (2 generations over 10 years)
CRX
240SX
Neon (SOHC or DOHC)
Miata (2 engine choices over 7 years)
325E
Sentra
NX2000
Civic (3 generations over 12 years)
Saturn
MR-2

Christian

[ericblois]

welcome to ITA with a 6 in a e30. i have one and helped build my friends we are the only ones in the pacific northwest that run them. just ran a Thunderhill enduro with mine and boy light e30s are fun. i would rather run ITA then ITS there is only 200 lbs difference with the same brakes. http://vimeo.com/user867681/videos
the only thing that you may miss from an ITS e30 to an ITA e30 is about 1500-2000 rpms

[Flyinglizard]

Simon,
Good move racing your E 30. great driving and lots of fun. You already know where to look for service points and should be happy with the handling. I have one that I want to do ITB( or FSP) for. I just have way too many race cars now. MM

[Simon T.]

Thanks!

Small update I'm getting a brand new motor tomorrow with no hours on it, never even been turned over!