318ti Racecar help needed

[and27k]

Hey guys, So a few months ago I picked up a 1998 ti incredibly cheap and decided to turn it into a race car. Rules to the division are it has to remain stock and be a 4cyl so I thought this would work out great. I know a bit about race car setups, but was new to bmws. As I got into the car further I noticed it had a problem with the auto trans, so it put the project on hold. Recently I found another ti in the area and got it, which was a 95 318 manual. The owner didnt have the key but since I figured all I would need is the trans, I didnt care too much. So now I have the car back at my shop and started looking closer noticing it has a lsd and a better suspension package as well in the 95. I figured since i didnt have a key I could just jump the wires and hotwire the car since it will be used for racing purposes, but once reading through the forums I realize this isnt possible and the nightmare called EWS. So now I have two cars, two motors, 1 trans, and 1 computer. My question is what would be a smarter choice to build? the 98 is obd2 m44, and the 95 is obd1 m42. As far as computers go, my gut is telling me to try and get the obd1 system working for a race purpose as less complexity usually equals less problems, but I dont know bmws that well yet; But at the same time the obd2 has a bigger motor still. Swap all the parts to the 98, or try and get a chip or something to bypass EWS in 95? I checked through search a bit but I cant find anything particular to my situation. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[TeamDFL]

Originally Posted by and27k

Hey guys, So a few months ago I picked up a 1998 ti incredibly cheap and decided to turn it into a race car. Rules to the division are it has to remain stock and be a 4cyl so I thought this would work out great. I know a bit about race car setups, but was new to bmws.

What sort of racing and which organization? Autocross with SCCA or BMWCCA? Road racing with SCCA, BMWCCA, or NASA? Circle track? Performance rally? Bracket racing at Englishtown? Illegal street racing on RT21? Stoplight to stoplight racing with every Mustang in Monmouth County?

[bmwconnect]

Originally Posted by and27k

Hey guys, So a few months ago I picked up a 1998 ti incredibly cheap and decided to turn it into a race car. Rules to the division are it has to remain stock and be a 4cyl so I thought this would work out great. I know a bit about race car setups, but was new to bmws. As I got into the car further I noticed it had a problem with the auto trans, so it put the project on hold. Recently I found another ti in the area and got it, which was a 95 318 manual. The owner didnt have the key but since I figured all I would need is the trans, I didnt care too much. So now I have the car back at my shop and started looking closer noticing it has a lsd and a better suspension package as well in the 95. I figured since i didnt have a key I could just jump the wires and hotwire the car since it will be used for racing purposes, but once reading through the forums I realize this isnt possible and the nightmare called EWS. So now I have two cars, two motors, 1 trans, and 1 computer. My question is what would be a smarter choice to build? the 98 is obd2 m44, and the 95 is obd1 m42. As far as computers go, my gut is telling me to try and get the obd1 system working for a race purpose as less complexity usually equals less problems, but I dont know bmws that well yet; But at the same time the obd2 has a bigger motor still. Swap all the parts to the 98, or try and get a chip or something to bypass EWS in 95? I checked through search a bit but I cant find anything particular to my situation. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

FTW I make a EWS delete chip for the 1995 318ti - midnight-tuning@rogers.com

[and27k]

The car will be setup for circle track, but hopefully will be able to run other types of race events as well. Sorry for not makin it's purpose clear. As for the chip, that sounds like a good fix for me. Ive read some of your other threads, With your experience in chipping these things is it easier to work with the older computer and could I get more out of a chip in the 95 than compared to just using the working 98 computer instead and just chipping that?

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by and27k

The car will be setup for circle track, but hopefully will be able to run other types of race events as well.

If you are going to have high Gs in turns be forewarned that you can't go below 1/2 tank unless you come up with dual pump.

[and27k]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

If you are going to have high Gs in turns be forewarned that you can't go below 1/2 tank unless you come up with dual pump.

Ok thanks for the warning. Im running Wall stadium with 33 degree banking so itll see it'll see plenty of g's through the turn. Im just curious what the exact problem is...is there baffling or something that prevents fuel from getting to the pump?

[1996 328ti]

I get starvation on sweeping left handers.
I don't know what the issue is.
All +96 E36s have this problem, not only the ti.

The fix is a dual fuel pump.

[TeamDFL]

OBD1 should be a bit easier to work with and would be my choice for any frankenstein work under the hood. BMW automatics are not known for their reliability under extreme conditions.

Originally Posted by and27k

Ok thanks for the warning. Im running Wall stadium with 33 degree banking so itll see it'll see plenty of g's through the turn. Im just curious what the exact problem is...is there baffling or something that prevents fuel from getting to the pump?

Awesome! A friend of a friend runs an E21 in the the Goblin 250 in IL and has tons of fun.

Most BMWs have fuel starvation issues at some point. The best solution is a surge tank and extra pump if the rules allow it. A bigger concern is constantly turning left because the oil runs up the side of the slanted engine. Sump baffling and/or an oil scraper will probably greatly extend engine life.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by TeamDFL

A bigger concern is constantly turning left because the oil runs up the side of the slanted engine. Sump baffling and/or an oil scraper will probably greatly extend engine life.

Speaking of oil.
The oil suction tube tend to break.

[bmwconnect]

Originally Posted by and27k

The car will be setup for circle track, but hopefully will be able to run other types of race events as well. Sorry for not makin it's purpose clear. As for the chip, that sounds like a good fix for me. Ive read some of your other threads, With your experience in chipping these things is it easier to work with the older computer and could I get more out of a chip in the 95 than compared to just using the working 98 computer instead and just chipping that?

It is easier to work with the OBD1 DME chip just because I can send you the replacement chip rather then you having to send me the the whole OBD2 DME. Either way both good systems but OBD2 has more emission related measures.