M3 project from Finland

[Susiraja]

Hi all. Decided to create this topic from our project since I haven´t noticed that there are many foreign projects in this forum. There must be around 100 BMW rally cars in Finland alone. Especially the E36 is very popular nowadays, because of low maintenance costs. People race these in Finland´s most popular rally series called the F-Cup. When the homologation period ends the car is allowed the participate in the series. Turbo cars are banned and only 2wd allowed. BMWs, Opels, Fords and Toyotas are very popular.

So we are building an M3 for gravel and winter rallies. We used to race with a 325 E36, but now upgrading to an M3. Main advantage is the added power&torque which helps to get the most out of the Reiger suspension bought for the M3. The same hopefully also applies to the M3 as with the 325 -> reliability + low running costs = enjoyable hobby.

The project can be found from our web pages http://www.heikkinenracing.suntuubi.com
If the browser doesn´t show the pages OK please try another one
There are also most of our race reports to be read, but I haven´t managed to translate all them yet.

[mef]

I just looked at your M3 build story on your website, it looks like a great project and a very nice car!

Keep us updated with your progress, mine has only just started!

Cheers,

Martin

[garth]

Nice project mate!

[Susiraja]

The project is progressing again and I updated some text and photos on our web pages. The engine, gearbox, axles etc are on their places. We now lifted the radiator into the engine bay also, but have to take a look at the oil cooler since the original position is a bit vulnerable. Electrical wiring is ongoing and at the moment that´s the main thing stopping us from starting the engine for the first time.

In any case not so much to do anymore, but time consuming anyway. Looking promising on having the car ready in November-December. First rally next year in our calendar is 15th of January and before that we have to drive a couple of snow tests to find out any issues with the car and hopefully get a good setup.

The car is originally from UK so I´m sure it´s going to be very pleased to see -20 to -30 celsius in January and February on Finnish rally stages

[rearwheelsteercompact]

An interesting and enjoyable read. Good photo's too.

Are driver and co driver brothers?

[Susiraja]

Are driver and co driver brothers?

Yes, but not identical

[rearwheelsteercompact]

Are driver and co driver brothers?

Yes, but not identical

............but similar Gathered you weren't twins by your year of birth on the web site.

It's good to see family involvement. My 2 sons co-drive (or co-drove) for me.

[Susiraja]

Are driver and co driver brothers?

Yes, but not identical

............but similar Gathered you weren't twins by your year of birth on the web site.

It's good to see family involvement. My 2 sons co-drive (or co-drove) for me.

The similarity part we confess atleast what comes to rallying/motorsports interests. We have been driving together for 3 years now. Mikko drives and Matti co-drives. Family involment helps in a sence that many things you don´t even have to say out loud during the day, because you know each other so well. And of course it has been a lot of fun to race as a hobby and speculate the stages after seeing the onboard footage

[M3 Compact]

Coming along nicely.

Good luck with it.

[notax]

Great website Car looks great and I particularly like the Porsche calipers - I've gone for Aston Martin ones on my new E36 Look forward to following your progress and it reminds me that we must get some more photos of our almost finished car posted

[squareright]

Fantastic build and diary entries. Keep on building looking forward to seeing the next stage.
Scott

[Susiraja]

One small modification to the brake caliber mountings. They were returned to their original place now. The mountings had to be quite carefully measured so that they fit inside 15" rims. With the M3 we are using 15" summer rims and 16" winter rims.

The exhaust is now also finished. After some cutting and welding we managed to place it so that it would be in the safest place possible regarding hits from the roads when cutting over ditches etc. We are using only one muffler in a hope that noise goes easily under 102 decibels and at the same time keeps the weight of the car as low as possible.

[Susiraja]

The BMW is alive

We were testing the electrical wiring today and started the engine. Seems to work. Alternator belt kept terrible whining noise so have to check what is causing that. Next step is to get rid of all the extra electrical wires and keep the rest as simple as possible. After that put in the pedals, hydraulic hoses, different gauges, glasses etc. Still some hours of work ahead of us. I updated some text and pictures on our website.

[rearwheelsteercompact]

It's coming on nicely

You have joined your exhaust to the manifold as I intend to

[Susiraja]

We have been fighting with the electrical wiring the whole time during the build.
On the third and final phase we lost all patience with the original BMW wiring and after that the wiring was made simple and functional.

All the fuses are in front of co-driver. Different switches including main power, engine start, lights, radiator fan etc have been moved on top of drive shaft tunnel. The original BMW dials were removed and warning light left for oil pressure in the dash. There is a small Vapor meter (google Vapor kit for ATV, motorcycle) showing engine revs, distance, speed and engine temperature. Only thing needed is to pack the wiring nicely inside the dash/next to the firewall and connect brake lights. We also ordered Contour HD 1080 pixel onboard camera and that needs a cigarette lighter socket for power. Incar footage shouldn´t be lacking in quality after that purchase.

The alternator belt doesn´t make any extra noises anymore so that´s not a problem. Some lubrication for the alternator and the engine was running without extra noises. Only the beautiful sounds through one muffler

Now the work continues with the brake lights, pedal assembly etc.