Project Daft 335 | WTCC Widebody Time Attack Build Thread

sirdaft1 · 10-06-2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRocker3

I've been wondering what the next step would be... good stuff those look awesome. Just curious, what's your rough timeline to finish this build?

Eric at E-Fab Motorsports said he plans on spending all of next week putting her back together with the goal of having her running and ready to drive by end of next week **fingers crossed**

One thing I've learned through all of this (may not come as a surprise to many!) is that in order to build a race car properly... means that you must take the car down to bare bones. Pull all wiring. Eliminate as much as you can, and then build it back up from there. That means alot of not-so-sexy behind the scene steps are required before it can start coming together and begin looking like a race car (gut car, grind down every unnecessary stud/unused mounting bracket, remove e-brake system, pull trans to reinforce trans tunnel for CAE shifter, strip down and modify OE wiring harness, fabricate/weld in pieces to close off firewall, build full custom cage, add reinforcement plates for harnesses, tape off/paint/tape off/paint the interior, create custom dash switch panel, modify oil coolers to top feed, redesign mounting points for oil coolers, replace all bushing, swap to beefier m3 control arms, etc.). It's A LOT.

Now that all of this is complete... she can finally start getting put back together. So we should see some pretty noticeable changes very shortly. Unfortunately the timing of the project puts us at the very end of the race/track season. Our goal is to be able to get it out a few times to do some testing. Then put her back on the rack this winter, address any obvious shortcomings and hopefully have a solid full year of driving next season.

sirdaft1 · 10-06-2017, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

They look too good to stuff under a car to get dirty!! Great stuff Sir daft- Getting there!

Thanks!!

sirdaft1 · 10-06-2017, 03:00 PM

For those who have reached out asking about the custom oil cooler setup. E-Fab modified the Evolution Raceworks Competition Dual OC's in a few ways... flipped the OC's to be top feed (unfortunately not a plug and play modification) and changed the way they were mounted (not very secure on pass side previously).

When the OC's were flipped to top feed, the fittings touched the underside of the stock pre-LCI bi-xenon headlights (the small plastic pop out for the AE's). I since swapped to a non OE headlight that does not have that popout, so the OC fittings no longer come in contact with the headlight housing.

sirdaft1 · 10-08-2017, 11:16 PM

You know your fabricator who is full of racecar ideas is up to no good when they text you pics with the words "I'm fixing your bumper"!

Once done, it's safe to say that there won't be much of a rear bumper left. And this should clean up the dirty air coming out of the rear wheels when at speed.

Rain · 10-09-2017, 02:45 AM

Nice, keep the good progress on. Any ideas of ETA for the complete car (project as most of us know may never be finish since there is always something to change but lets say the first expected track time

)?

Aus335iguy · 10-09-2017, 03:12 AM

Like i said - this car would get me to work and back just fine - A great daily driver..

sirdaft1 · 10-09-2017, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

Like i said - this car would get me to work and back just fine - A great daily driver..

sirdaft1 · 10-09-2017, 08:03 AM

And a few more photos from late last night...

Bumper is cut

Sheet metal before trimming

This is similar to what the rear bumper should look like when it's done...

Zoki · 10-09-2017, 08:24 AM

Looks so epic!! Can't wait to see it finished!

sirdaft1 · 10-09-2017, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain

Nice, keep the good progress on. Any ideas of ETA for the complete car (project as most of us know may never be finish since there is always something to change but lets say the first expected track time

)?

Yesterday?

Realistically, we should have her running properly on track next season. Anything we do with the remaining short window we have this year will be testing - nothing close to exploring her capabilities.

That said, we'll hopefully have her road going here in a few weeks. I'll make sure to get some video!

Rain · 10-09-2017, 09:44 AM

Wish you all the best! Looking forward to the video as well

With this bumper cut I wouldn't want to drive behind you on track - you will be machine-gun for pebbles/stones

sirdaft1 · 10-09-2017, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain

Wish you all the best! Looking forward to the video as well

With this bumper cut I wouldn't want to drive behind you on track - you will be machine-gun for pebbles/stones

Thanks! And no joke! Perhaps we should install some truck mud flaps!

mkPOTO · 10-09-2017, 01:04 PM

Looks great, been talking to Eric about this build. Car is coming out awesome!

sirdaft1 · 10-10-2017, 08:41 AM

Needs a bumper sticker: "CAUTION WILL THROW ROCKS!"

sirdaft1 · 10-10-2017, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

Looks great, been talking to Eric about this build. Car is coming out awesome!

Thanks Mark! Couldn't agree more, he's absolutely crushing it with this build. Have you had a chance to drop by the shop see it? Think I'm planning on dropping by tomorrow night.

Indyeah · 10-10-2017, 10:52 AM

I got a fever. And the only prescription, is more progress pics.

sirdaft1 · 10-10-2017, 09:01 PM

In a build like this, door latches are unnecessary for the rear doors. So Eric replaced them with custom mounting brackets. Two on each rear door.

With door open

Door closed

Exterior door shot

ccbl · 10-11-2017, 01:28 AM

Some good work put into this. Looks so fun to plan out

Aus335iguy · 10-11-2017, 01:45 AM

Cut the door frames out as well. Its going to rattle and squeak like crazy. I like this build more every day.....

sirdaft1 · 10-11-2017, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

Cut the door frames out as well. Its going to rattle and squeak like crazy. I like this build more every day.....

We're doing everything we can to convert it into the PERFECT daily driver

sirdaft1 · 10-12-2017, 11:01 PM

Swung by the shop tonight to drop off the painted front bumper. I must have sat there with my mouth wide open staring for at least a 1/2 hour. This build is even more insane looking in person.

I'm hesitant to make any commitments as there are always unforeseen issues that arise, but Eric at eFab Motorsports is confident that we may have her up and running by this weekend. If so, we may try and pay a visit to the end of season M-Vade Chicago Meetup on Sunday. #fingerscrossed

And as you can see, the 328i conversion is almost complete!!

Aus335iguy · 10-13-2017, 02:33 AM

SO PHAT!

10-06-2017, 03:00 PM	#157
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	For those who have reached out asking about the custom oil cooler setup. E-Fab modified the Evolution Raceworks Competition Dual OC's in a few ways... flipped the OC's to be top feed (unfortunately not a plug and play modification) and changed the way they were mounted (not very secure on pass side previously). When the OC's were flipped to top feed, the fittings touched the underside of the stock pre-LCI bi-xenon headlights (the small plastic pop out for the AE's). I since swapped to a non OE headlight that does not have that popout, so the OC fittings no longer come in contact with the headlight housing. Last edited by sirdaft1; 10-06-2017 at 03:35 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2017, 11:16 PM	#158
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	You know your fabricator who is full of racecar ideas is up to no good when they text you pics with the words "I'm fixing your bumper"! Once done, it's safe to say that there won't be much of a rear bumper left. And this should clean up the dirty air coming out of the rear wheels when at speed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2017, 02:45 AM	#159
Rain Private First Class 39 Rep 118 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 LCI 30e Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	Nice, keep the good progress on. Any ideas of ETA for the complete car (project as most of us know may never be finish since there is always something to change but lets say the first expected track time )?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2017, 03:12 AM	#160
Aus335iguy Colonel 650 Rep 2,139 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 335i MSport DCT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sydney Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	Like i said - this car would get me to work and back just fine - A great daily driver.. __________________ When you doppelkaplung you doppel your fun.
	Appreciate 2 sirdaft12202.50 denobd17.00 Quote

10-09-2017, 08:03 AM	#162
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	And a few more photos from late last night... Bumper is cut Sheet metal before trimming This is similar to what the rear bumper should look like when it's done...
	Appreciate 2 Rain39.00 Drifter2090909.50 Quote

10-09-2017, 08:24 AM	#163
Zoki Private First Class 35 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Looks so epic!! Can't wait to see it finished! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2017, 09:44 AM	#165
Rain Private First Class 39 Rep 118 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 LCI 30e Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	Wish you all the best! Looking forward to the video as well With this bumper cut I wouldn't want to drive behind you on track - you will be machine-gun for pebbles/stones
	Appreciate 1 sirdaft12202.50 Quote

10-09-2017, 01:04 PM	#167
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 636 Rep 16,662 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [5.58]	Looks great, been talking to Eric about this build. Car is coming out awesome!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2017, 08:41 AM	#168
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	Needs a bumper sticker: "CAUTION WILL THROW ROCKS!"
	Appreciate 1 Drifter2090909.50 Quote

10-10-2017, 10:52 AM	#170
Indyeah First Lieutenant 141 Rep 374 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT SGM Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	I got a fever. And the only prescription, is more progress pics.
	Appreciate 2 sirdaft12202.50 Drifter2090909.50 Quote

10-10-2017, 09:01 PM	#171
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	In a build like this, door latches are unnecessary for the rear doors. So Eric replaced them with custom mounting brackets. Two on each rear door. With door open Door closed Exterior door shot
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2017, 01:28 AM	#172
ccbl Lieutenant 558 Rep 406 Posts Drives: AW E93 335i/Jerez E90 M3 6SP Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Some good work put into this. Looks so fun to plan out
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2017, 01:45 AM	#173
Aus335iguy Colonel 650 Rep 2,139 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 335i MSport DCT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sydney Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	Cut the door frames out as well. Its going to rattle and squeak like crazy. I like this build more every day..... __________________ When you doppelkaplung you doppel your fun.
	Appreciate 1 sirdaft12202.50 Quote

10-12-2017, 11:01 PM	#175
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	Swung by the shop tonight to drop off the painted front bumper. I must have sat there with my mouth wide open staring for at least a 1/2 hour. This build is even more insane looking in person. I'm hesitant to make any commitments as there are always unforeseen issues that arise, but Eric at eFab Motorsports is confident that we may have her up and running by this weekend. If so, we may try and pay a visit to the end of season M-Vade Chicago Meetup on Sunday. #fingerscrossed And as you can see, the 328i conversion is almost complete!! Last edited by sirdaft1; 10-12-2017 at 11:44 PM..
	Appreciate 1 JRocker3346.00 Quote

10-13-2017, 02:33 AM	#176
Aus335iguy Colonel 650 Rep 2,139 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 335i MSport DCT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sydney Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	SO PHAT! __________________ When you doppelkaplung you doppel your fun.
	Appreciate 0 Quote