*Update on E46 M3 Racecar Project*

[Steve J.]

Hello all, again

Its been a while, hope everyone is good in the new year!

WWW.JAFFSTER.COM

Thats a simple blog style website I made for my E46 M3 project.

I'm building it to BMWCCA/SCCA SM/ITE specs, basically unlimited classes. Its more of a fun project and semi promotional than anything, but I'll be racing it for sure in those classes/series, unless I get my DSR sooner than I hope and can race that full time.

Its a 2002 M3 chassis, thats going to be powered by a BMW M50 2.8L I6 turbo.

I'm doing all of the engineering/design work on the car and 99% of the fabrication in house (by yours truly). Car is going to be a tube framed rear end, and the front is just going to use a modified subframe with modifed control arms, with the geometry corrected for my suspension components and rideheight.

280 yok slicks on all four corners, rotora brakes w/PF-dd rotors, tilton pedal assembly, woodward steering, side exhaust (with separate dump tube), 6spd drivetrain, custtom lsd rear end, carbon doors/trunk/hood/roof, yadda yadda yadda, check the website for all the specs.

Target weight is 2550#, Wet, w/driver

I'm also designing a bunch of aero components for it, as well as a cockpit adj front swaybar, and custom Ohlins dampers.

I designed a bunch of stuff while engineering at RRT last year, but now I'm onto bigger things and this is my side project.

Car is currently hibernating as its new home is being built, but here is a picture after I reassembled some of the car and

Enjoy!

Steven
www.jaffster.com ETA Winter 2007

[JClark]

Hey Steve- Been watching the progress on BFc, bitchin so far. Have another toy to drive while this one is being completed?

[mikecentola]

nice steve! I've been checking every little bit on your blog

[Steve J.]

Sup Jclark, thanks.

Yep, there should be a lot of addition within a couple months, I'm getting some design work finalized in Solidworks to send to the Cnc shop and then I have to start the chassis prep work for seamwelding and tubeframage.

Daily driver is a basic 02 Wrx Wagon, nothing special, only about 280hp, gutted up/dp, borla hush catback, and Cobb accessport. Its quick, but I'm going to build an 05 STI at the end of 07 hopefully. Wagon is just an awesome daily beater, quick, and easy to maintain, basicaly just oil changes every 3-4k.

[bluedominion]

OOOO, purdy. Can't wait till I've got my car paid off and prepped for the track. I'll have to be happy with autoX and rallyX for now.

[JClark]

Originally Posted by bluedominion

OOOO, purdy. Can't wait till I've got my car paid off and prepped for the track. I'll have to be happy with autoX and rallyX for now.

Paint my helmet, foo!

[Steve J.]

Wanted to clarify, in the above picture the car is about 25% finished. Those are all stock body panels, and there is no drivetrain in it, its just a rolling chassis, as I get ready to cage/tube frame it.

[Steve J.]

Just a quick update:

The car has been in hibernation for a bit, probably won't come out until spring/summer when the new garage is finished. In the meantime I'm getting the suspension designs finalized, and CNC machining all the components.

I've got about $10k of parts piling up here, and a lot more on the way, so hopefully I can get into assembly mode after I finish the chassis work and won't be held up waiting for any parts.

[Steve J.]

OK, its been 14 months lol I figure I'd come on here and give you guys an update.

The garage took longer than expected (and went twice over budget lol) but it is 95% done, we're semi moved in, still kind of a mess. Lounge is half furnished, and showroom is full of cars. Shop is not setup, but i have it working for the moment. Waiting to get my car off the rotisserie, and then the mohawk lift will come in. We're also waiting to do the porcelain floors for a bit.

With that said...I have been working on the car for a bit now, and i'm about 90% done with the cage. I have a couple more tubes to get into the engine bar to front shock towers, and the apillar supports, as well as some gusseting. Other than that, I'm starting to clean it up, seal up holes, etc.

Engine should be here soon, and hopefully I can start assembling soon, get it to the dyno, and off to the races (well, after a lot of testing that is). I have every component I need other than turbo parts (on order) and electronics (not purchased yet). I'm trying to get a Bosch Motorsport ABS system, but i'm waiting for Bosch USA to certify the new system.

And some recent pics:

My server is being moved at the moment...but check www.jaffster.com for updates!

[Steve J.]

Sorry for the lack of updates, but here is the car as it ists. "Rolling chassis" complete. Wiring is started, bunch of engine parts are coming in, should have the engine in shortly, just waiting for some trans parts. I also got a Mohawk lift installed last week
I'm working on some new big business ventures, which is taking time away, but its better in the long run. Also working on some of my pops race cars, but the E46 is getting there!

[mikecentola]

it's coming good!

[GeneralPatton]

Coming along well. Looking forward to more updates

[bennyfizzle]

Soooo how much did the shell weigh? I dont want to dig through that contest thread on bf.c.