Building a 135i Racecar

[Ralf_135i]

Hi there! Currently in the works of building our BMW 135i into a complete track car, and hopefully be in the GT3 or even GT2 class here in Ontario by end of next year! So with that being said I need a little help with making the right and the most reliable choices for horsepower for the N54... Our goal is to have 500whp on the ground, and by getting the car as close as we can to 2,000lbs will make an excellent power to weight ratio! I've been looking at a lot of cooling parts from many different manufacturers, including;

Intercoolers from Active Autowerkes, Wagner-Tuning, Horsepower freaks, and Cobb. I do like the Wagner set up, with 90% larger internal flow than OEM! But the Autowerkes intercooler appeals to me with a ram air set up for the intercooler.. Just wondering what peoples experiences are would be greatly appreicated!

For the oil coolers there's a twin set up that provides 700% more cooling than OEM from Evolution race works and most likely use them as well. If anyone has any other suggestions, would appreciate any help there!

For the engine we're looking at a stand alone system from DTA fast. Will have to discuss more with Praven at Christianson Automotive in London Ontario to see if this is best for our engine... He would also tune our engine to help achieve our horsepower goals. Again, if anyone has any experiences with a stand alone system would appreciate the input!

Thanks for the time folks! Look forward to hearing from your experiences

[Groundpilot]

Good luck with your project. Would be intrested to see the final stage of it. But i just cant see how are you going to remove 1,400 pounds from this pig.

[Ralf_135i]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Good luck with your project. Would be intrested to see the final stage of it. But i just cant see how are you going to remove 1,400 pounds from this pig.

Thanks! Well going to strip the car right down to the chassis and perform an acid dip to remove an extra 150-200 pounds in adhesives and other useless weight. As well as 70% of the car will be carbon fibre.. All but the doors, quarters and chassis will be still original metal.

[foghat]

My car has 0 traction in first and second and breaks free almost at will in 3rd.

Very curious to see how you get this car to hook up with 100 more whp and 1200+ pounds less weight.

[Kgolf31]

Please tell me you're cutting the fenders and adding flares. You're going to need some serious tire in the rear (and front) to utilize a power heavy and light weight car.

The main thing that concerns me is that in your OP all you talk about is power. No mention of suspension, brakes, safety...etc.

[Sixle]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Please tell me you're cutting the fenders and adding flares. You're going to need some serious tire in the rear (and front) to utilize a power heavy and light weight car.

The main thing that concerns me is that in your OP all you talk about is power. No mention of suspension, brakes, safety...etc.

+1

bigger issues than weight and power with this vehicle

[Ginger_Extract]

500whp ain't happening on the stock twins. Upgrade to a big single. Curious to see your solution for traction and grip. Keep us posted.

[Ralf_135i]

Hey yea I guess I should've mentioned that we will be running the Flossmann wide body kit out of Germany in order to fit either 315's all around for a square set up or 315 front and 335 rear... So cutting of the rear fenders will happen. The car has KW clubsport suspension, H&R sway bars and just a roll bar at the moment since I was still driving it on the street. The brakes are OEM and work just fine on the track, I'm not a heavy brake driver.

[Ralf_135i]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

500whp ain't happening on the stock twins. Upgrade to a big single. Curious to see your solution for traction and grip. Keep us posted.

I was talking with Bobby the other day whom owns the 135i with the custom wide body since I need some parts he manufactures himself. He has 650whp and running stock turbos. He said the key factor is cooling, that's why I'm in search in finding the best intercooler out there to keep this turbos cool without a meth injection system... If it really comes down to it we might just have create our own intercooler, just would be easier and simpler to utilize something that's already out on the market..

[Freon]

If you are capable of making a 2000lbs race car out of a 135i you're way beyond the help of this forum, and you are probably not bolting on off the shelf intercoolers and oil coolers onto such a car.

[Ralf_135i]

Originally Posted by Freon

If you are capable of making a 2000lbs race car out of a 135i you're way beyond the help of this forum, and you are probably not bolting on off the shelf intercoolers and oil coolers onto such a car.

Well I was just seeing who might have a high or even higher horsepower car than our projected goals in power and what they do to keep they're car running reliably and what their experiences are... I'd like to try out an off the shelf intercooler and oil cooler to see if they can really hold up to what the manufacturers say they will. That's why I'm coming to you guys for help and advice!

[ragingpanda]

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

I was talking with Bobby the other day whom owns the 135i with the custom wide body since I need some parts he manufactures himself. He has 650whp and running stock turbos. He said the key factor is cooling, that's why I'm in search in finding the best intercooler out there to keep this turbos cool without a meth injection system... If it really comes down to it we might just have create our own intercooler, just would be easier and simpler to utilize something that's already out on the market..

LOL so what is he using, nitrous?

[vma1788]

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

Our goal is to have 500whp on the ground

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

The brakes are OEM and work just fine on the track, I'm not a heavy brake driver.

OK.

[foghat]

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

LOL so what is he using, nitrous?

+1.

How is he getting 650whp out of stockers? I think the highest numbers I have seen here have been in the 430-440whp range.

[inFamousKicks]

In.

Interested to see how this plays out.

[Ralf_135i]

Originally Posted by vma1788

OK.

If we have to upgrade brakes it would be the upgraded version you can get from
BMW so we can still run OEM pads.. I find BMW brake pads are best IMO

[Freon]

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

BMW so we can still run OEM pads.. I find BMW brake pads are best IMO

OEM pads for your 2000lbs 135i race car, huh? *facepalm*

I'm building a rocketship out of my 135i! Help me pick a diff!

[Ralf_135i]

Originally Posted by Freon

OEM pads for your 2000lbs 135i race car, huh? *facepalm*

I'm building a rocketship out of my 135i! Help me pick a diff!

Like I've mentioned too... If they're not enough we will upgrade to the BMW performance big brake kit.. I'm just in the works of trying out a 3.46 BMW diff.. Stock is 3.08. Turner Motorsport has some great selection! I'm just using the 3.46 I found on eBay with 39k on it to see what a difference it makes for the car

[chris82]

GT2 or GT3 class in what races? Do you mean like the class the Porsche GT3 RSR and E92 M3 GT cars run in? I'm confused.

[A_Squared]

Only one thing makes sense.......

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

If we have to upgrade brakes it would be the upgraded version you can get from
BMW so we can still run OEM pads.. I find BMW brake pads are best IMO

I dont understand. You are going to build a monster race car and use OEM brake pads?
No offence, but i smell a troll here.

[135iNewb]

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

Hey yea I guess I should've mentioned that we will be running the Flossmann wide body kit out of Germany in order to fit either 315's all around for a square set up or 315 front and 335 rear... So cutting of the rear fenders will happen. The car has KW clubsport suspension, H&R sway bars and just a roll bar at the moment since I was still driving it on the street. The brakes are OEM and work just fine on the track, I'm not a heavy brake driver.

Yea, I'm not a heavy accelorator type of guy, but I still win races all the time.