HELP! building an e46 318ti

[msperling]

Hi all,

First let me say, I am a novice when it comes to cars. I am thinking about enlisting the help of a few friends who know their way around cars better than I (one builds engines for Saleen) and undertaking a project which would involve buying a 318ti (1995 with 200K miles is cheapest) and putting a supercharged e36 m3 engine in or possibly an e46 m3 engine.

I might sell my 2001 M Roadster to try this project, since it would be fun and quite possibly more track ready than stock M Roadster.

I estimate i would need to buy the engine, the car, possibly (tell me if definitly) the transmission, suspension, wheels, brakes, AND WHAT ELSE? Body kit and racing seats paint stuff etc will be purchased but not too relevant to my perfomance concerns here.

What have I forgotten? and any rough estimates of cost? I am talking with people at Race Marque Systems next week and any comments from knowledgable people will be GREATLY appreciated.

P.S. I am not gonna sell the car or anything until i have a good game plan, im not totally crazy.

Appreciate the help,

Matt Sperling

[GDB]

If you go the E46 route you will probably need a custom driveshaft. I'm not sure, but I doubt the stock shaft will fit with the 6 speed tranny. You will also need a new differential. I would suggest going with an MX3 rear subframe as that would be the most capable of the rear ends, plus you get the heavier duty suspension and brakes along with it. You will probably have to also do some fender work to get tires that will handle that kind of power to fit. That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll post more as things come to mind.