91CCFirebird's Chumpcar Build

[91CCFirebird]

A good friend of mine and I decided this summer that we wanted to do some more racing than the SCCA Solo stuff we were doing. Another group from our local SCCA group brought their chumpcar to autocross and shake out some bugs. The more we talked the more interested we became. After some research on what cars do well in the series we decided on a BMW E30. We went to look at one in Missouri and passed on it before going to Butler, KY and bringing home this $500 BMW.

[91CCFirebird]

The car overheats and is in need of a head gasket and/or head repair. Time has been an issue but we have almost got enough off that we should be able to take the head off the next time we get to work on it.


Power steering, and the AC system have been removed and shall not return.

[Scott Liggett]

My friends shop helps out with work on a BMW 5 series car for the Chump Car series. Looks like a ton of fun for low bucks.

[91CCFirebird]

My friends shop helps out with work on a BMW 5 series car for the Chump Car series. Looks like a ton of fun for low bucks.

That is the plan. The definition of low buck is up for discussion. This one is a 3 series.

[91CCFirebird]

Interior clean up!

[TheSilverBuick]

Keep us updated, looks like a good foundation for fun!

[fast Ed]

Chumpcar is a fun series, I did a race up here a few years ago.

Great choice for a vehicle, they are reliable, solid, can be made to handle and stop quite easily, lots of used aftermarket goodies out there.

Good luck and enjoy!


cheers
Ed

[racingsnake440]

Should be fun! I share a Camaro for 24 hrs of Lemons and that's been a blast!

[kyhunter89]

What exactly is Chumpcar?

[Russell]

$500 open track car http://chumpcar.com/

[SuperBuickGuy]

mother-in-law is visiting the last weekend in October. Chumpcar is in Portland. And a friend has been trying to give me a 924 for a few years..... oh good Lord is this tempting.

[Scott Liggett]

The Bimmers have great suspensions and handle well, but many die on track due to lack of reliability. The one I helped a tiny bit on blew two head gaskets then popped the motor altogether.

[91CCFirebird]

The Bimmers have great suspensions and handle well, but many die on track due to lack of reliability. The one I helped a tiny bit on blew two head gaskets then popped the motor altogether.

Lets hope this is the only head gasket I have to replace

[91CCFirebird]

Got the head off and cleaned it up a little. No visible cracks. Off to be magnafluxed to make sure.

Top of the motor. You can see the head gasket was leaking in the 3rd cylinder. Will put a straight edge on this to make sure it is flat.

Powerwashed the engine bay and oiled the cylinders.

[Deaf Bob]

Is that a "slant" 6? If not... My eyes are playing tricks...