BMW e34 Lightening and Aero Modification?

[320touring]

As previously mentioned, I've aquired an e34 535i manual..

This car has 211bhp and weighs 1600kg (3500lbs).

It has a Cd of 0.30, frontal area of 2.07m3 and a Cx of 0.62



It was bought on a whim as a tracktoy for my brother and I.

Currently, we're looking to prep it for trackwork on a budget.

The cheapest way I can see to improve track performance is to lighten it, and improve the aerodynamics see, I'm learning

Essentially I'm after YOUR ideas about how I can reduce the weight of the car, and improve its aerodynamics..

Pics of the similar cars

Side

http://www.strathspey.co.uk/unixnerd/her_e34.jpg

Rear

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...Image030-1.jpg

Front

http://is03.thegumtree.com/image/extrabig/41606135.jpg



I'd appreciate any and all ideas- especially ones that are cheap or free to do.

Already looking at stripping the car of its interior.

Plan is to get it to a weight that improves the on track performance, but ALSO improves the fuel economy to and from the tracks..

Driving it has to be more economical than towing it

thanks!

Neil

[kir_kenix]

Well ripping out ALL of the interior (seats, pannels, sound deadning, carpet, etc) as you meantioned is huge. The trunk is another easy spot to save some weight...theres pbly 30+ lbs of carpet and panneling in the trunk alone. Won't need a spare in the car either.

Ripping out the AC and all associated components is probably worth 60-70 lbs as well. You will need to install a new drivers seat, as well as a roll cage (assuming this is required on the track), but you would still have a net gain with just these items listed.
powersteering is a waste on the track (find a manual rack) probably worth another 30 lbs.
Factory wheels are sometimes much heavier and less aero then aftermarket.
If you start getting really serious, you can rip out all the door components (hinges, handles, etc) and weld them shut. The glass is heavy too! replace it with plexi (except the windshield).

It can go on and on and on from here. I would suggest stripping the interior, trunk, and losing the AC to begin with. Take her to the track and see how you like it. If you really want to get serious, its going to start getting expensive quick.
Have fun and stay safe!

[320touring]

Thanks..

Funnily enough, this car is rare as it HAS AC! this means the money i'll get for the setup will be a helpful amount.

Good call re the boot (trunk)- its got a wing on there too that probably does nothing apart from kill the aero at the rear..

Any good, lightweight materials for making belly pans?

[kir_kenix]

Actually I would keep the wing. Might not be aero but the "drag" it does create will keep the tail down while you are on the track.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by kir_kenix

Actually I would keep the wing. Might not be aero but the "drag" it does create will keep the tail down while you are on the track.

Thats no fun!

[tjts1]

Step1: Sell E34, buy E30.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Step1: Sell E34, buy E30.

i already have 2 e30's and an e36. My 320 touring is my daily and the girl drives the e36 318iS.. So the more economical cars are used daily.

I'm after useful advice for e34's from this topic

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 320touring

Any good, lightweight materials for making belly pans?

Is coroplast too heavy ?

[320touring]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Is coroplast too heavy ?

Heh, thats the "election sign " stuff? not a lot about here (despite an upcoming election)

What would be a suitable alternative?

And just for FrankLee, a pic or 2 to prove its no April Fools joke..




Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[villain.ind]

i have a 94 530i and as soon as i get my 95 525 trans replaced i am doing a similar thing to my 530 as u. i will be stripping the interior, a/c, everything it doesnt need to run. please let me know ur result numbers so when u get this done so i can decide to implement ur methods or not. im a big fan of e34's and like i said i have 2 of them.

however, last summer i cracked a piston ring in the left bank so mpg has dropped to roughly 16/20 city/hwy respectively. this coming summer i plan to swap in a 4 cyl diesel and bio-fuel it. havent decided what engine as it is a pretty fresh idea. im thinking a vw or even a volvo rwd might be best.

seriously though, im interested in your project and as an engineer i may have some tools that could help you in squeezing out that last tenth of a second (or mpg) ur searching for.