Facepunch Racing

[Strontboer]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to check out this topic. I've been a member of FP since about '08 on this account, and somewhere along the line I got into racing. For some reason I started sharing this adventure in the automotive related sections and topics and this resulted in me hilariously only sharing my racing endeavors on a video game forum.

About me
So I've been racing a couple of years now, I've got my European racing licence and can participate in European FIA events. I have no background in anything automotive. In fact when I got hooked on racing I probably knew less about cars then anyone here. I mean, I barely bothered to check the air in my tires. I knew absolutely nothing about cars. Either way I've learned quite a bit over the years and since January 2017 I've started building a new racecar which should be finished April 2018.(Next month). Below I'll post my build progress as I've posted in the automotive addicts thread over the years.

Januari 2017, finding a car
So I was on the lookout for a suitable car. I knew exactly what model car I wanted. A BMW 3 series, more specifically a BMW E36 Coupe. The engine type didn't matter, neither did anything else on the car. The only important thing was the shape of the chassis, this had to be rust free. Eventually I found this 190$ E36 just an hour away from me and I picked it up. It ran and was in good shape, no rust or damage to the chassis as far as I could see.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/df6032dd-e70f-4afb-a8a8-1d8783f5be44/image.png

Then came the first part of the project, stripping the car. The goal was to strip the car down to the absolute bare shell. To reduce weight, fully inspect it. And give it a fresh lick of paint.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1c7bd465-caea-4a91-9b99-0af3029a6788/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/3c45c235-92b1-4afc-965a-d70d96c03004/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c73f3e04-a754-4a0d-9aa2-064b429e5ac3/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/34830e8d-9a67-4688-9fe4-2de742afb6d0/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1371a0de-6567-4321-a41a-fe1cd86ab530/image.png

Cleaning the interior
Removing seam sealant, sound deadening and unneeded brackets and parts.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/a810ea36-f63a-48f2-88ff-e7b8e3edbf01/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/8ca58b67-2fc9-4fc1-839b-f0a71805ec6b/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/89b0581f-bc25-4b34-b9a0-b39e7e92dde7/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/74795a95-49d4-4371-8ba8-88527192c335/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/714063e5-3bb1-415f-bcb7-112c7340c745/image.png

LOTS AND LOTS OF SOUND DEADENING

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/fd61ca18-774b-49f8-a868-93aca03def1b/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/cff5e43f-1310-4699-9baa-ac5b9b2e3eda/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/9374b976-805e-4ce6-b4e8-c01497a2fbfe/image.png

Rollcage!
At this point I didn't want to disassemble any further. I wanted to keep the chassis rolling for easier transport. So I brought the car to the cage welder. A few weeks later and I picked the car back up. And this was the result

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/d07b1b5c-d6fb-4e93-a180-9288b5d53d97/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/52144a78-a703-41ef-bc2e-b7d2387ff381/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1939aa93-f756-486b-b899-8ece8b3dab6b/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/38be1745-4932-4b9f-9aa8-b6ebe174b494/image.png

Further disassembly!
Next up was to further disassemble the car and prep the bottom. As I didn't have a lift and a tiny budget I got a rotisserie. This allows me to suspend and rotate the entire car. Using 2 of these on the front and back of the car. This contraption required me to make custom brackets for the car and so I had to take on welding! I bought a small welder and learned to weld some stuff.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c3eb0a65-8b86-4bb1-b537-c3d6f101af5c/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/be8a5e1f-e9df-499b-84fe-97fe88c6abdf/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/28a04410-c852-4926-a8b9-244f830708c5/image.png

We have liftoff!
This allowed me to drop the remaining parts of the suspension SO MUCH EASIER!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/94ae6983-eeaa-4e6a-9a1b-d9889adac354/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/92886de3-29c4-4195-afb7-84e46e99a6f9/image.png

WELCOME TO HELL
The next part may be considered the worst part by a long stretch. I wanted to remove the entire bottom side coating and protective layer. I wanted to do this for a couple of reasons.

Reduce weight
Paint the underside
Easier to work with as I had to weld reinforcements
A way to check the health of the chassis

So this ment A. bringing the car to a acid bath (expensive). Or take an angle grinder with wire spool to it.....Easier said then done. This little job cost me 2 angle grinders, about 10 wire spools and a total of 10-15 hours.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/9b66e4ce-cc45-452f-951d-b172257b3d27/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/74aeef97-4aaf-4561-868f-1ec4f13e14d1/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/49814fd4-fce4-487a-a29b-2e5530c7be8d/image.png

RUST!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/7299c479-0b62-4ea0-af9b-f08b7c48d2c0/image.png

More destruction. Roof replacement
For some reason I don't have any pictures of the finished bottom being clean. The next part was to remove the metal roof to make place for a carbon roof. (Also for weight reduction)

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/81e57a22-a472-4c06-aec2-52f10b353ff4/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/f35a0e18-a58d-4b6a-b984-798bab348e59/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/a3b09c49-72da-4a25-a974-95ccbb4c738e/image.png

Side damage repair
The right rear side was damaged at some point to I had to get this fixed. I had no idea what the fuck I was doing. I also didn't have the proper tools. Yeah, enjoy.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/eaef3713-a8ce-4a27-aa50-9fa99ee894d5/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/b8b2dcd6-e7a1-491d-8753-199d07d39ce4/image.png

Reinforcing the bottom side
Here I welded reinforcement plates to the bottom of the car to keep it from ripping under stress. These cars were never ment to be raced with!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/68eab0c1-aa18-4fd4-ba4a-580b9d352860/image.png

Fitting polyester dashboard

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/e9b319b7-7ffc-4a9f-910f-3202d3f74e93/image.png

Last picture before primer!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/58ff8150-a114-46e8-831c-868c6c2fa5e8/image.png

And then primer!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/240ef6ce-98d8-4e96-aefd-23559961b395/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/75b1f3e2-8ca4-4343-b3a5-eff26688fa08/image.png

Next up, PAINT BOOTH!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/b9679156-da54-40f5-a6a0-a96a2e32e7dd/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1d897769-9791-4d4e-9f18-920cef563fb3/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/258d48b1-b953-4746-bac9-f80e66e20794/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/096b7d3c-a25d-4334-8d9d-b49157f15e18/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/2da4e406-8148-4b8c-b78c-9b1f42482654/image.png

The rebuild!
So at this point I could finally start adding pieces again! Everything that went back on the car. First was the carbon roof.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/95145fea-51d5-4e2f-8bb7-e3649ed068b8/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/135f2917-6aea-40de-a922-970e15ad9da3/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/52c0a0a7-aba4-462b-a2c9-0517aa995134/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/51e3404f-42f8-4ce6-95f9-be2c06887c65/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/8cea8000-257e-4c18-9d30-616110dee0f0/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/b437684c-1e68-4b1b-a7a8-945d7b897baf/image.png

WELL THATS GOING PRETTY FAST RIGHT?
Yeah so I kind of rushed the car. Not exactly rushing...but I didn't build it the way I wanted it too. There's not much documentation from this. In short the car looked meh. I didn't have a painter at the time so I put on the body panels without paint....and it just looked like crap. So since september I've gone slightly back to REDO it the way I intended too. You have to understand, racing for me is like an addiction. At this point I just NEEDED to get back behind the wheel. This is what it looked like then. (First picture is 3 days before the second picture!)

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/294b4f0d-746a-4d61-ad97-c85796f22631/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/bdeff1ba-f08c-45b3-b54f-975caebea807/image.png

Even though I said I rushed it, tons and tons of time went into the car. I think the time difference between the last 3 pictures is about 100-300 hours of work. Anyway I then went back and stripped the car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ze59OPYNbw

INTERIOR
I finished the interior.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/7acafe21-0c6a-4b92-b786-8284e1202090/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/be5caa93-b0f1-4083-8a71-cecc71e6e091/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/100c9f09-dd24-4046-8dc3-66f39cdb202d/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/42485d2b-e506-4e37-92a1-f3ccee283351/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/22e511b6-1fd1-473d-8602-9567c22f2a90/image.png

Next up, engine bay v2!
So out with the engine and time to redo the engine bay! I cut out and rewelded the wheel arched for more wheel clearance.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/77126c14-5ee6-4fe7-a31e-b3d31eccba6f/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/9ab1817f-5bb0-4a4e-9317-d328e1d3843a/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/ebb0e3c4-1e60-4cd4-a044-b78bb809f4c9/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c072211f-677c-417e-8ac2-ccdc47c16813/image.png

THE REBUILD v2!
Next up rebuilding everything the right way. I made custom fuel lines, brake lines, braking system, wiring, custom suspension parts. Everything was custom made or modified to some extend. Below I'll be putting the engine back in. Also wiring up the custom ABS system I made and putting on the suspension parts.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c0d0a1fc-be5b-4f71-ac4d-709c67211d99/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/f3b1f4cb-3c20-47ea-b4f4-1610c9b2e437/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/b7ac4fb2-7ce8-4b33-932d-e2d7fd877315/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/7ba8082c-d7e3-441c-b6cc-45625f2f87ac/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/39bcbad8-b9f6-4003-bbca-7da3479e9679/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/12ac6c9e-d806-47ba-a4c0-09dfcb08bfd6/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1095cca8-236b-4f11-8a72-65a0737b8400/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/42d1d421-34b4-48b0-8b59-0539fea80cb9/image.png

Wiring hell!
Below wiring is ONLY the ABS wiring harness. I also made all the other wiring systems from scratch to save weight.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/3e46da05-0fe2-42b6-9375-2c6c00464eb1/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c85fac34-7029-42ee-9365-cb23c00857c6/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/a3f45e5e-20d5-4f3a-b07c-6f64304e30d0/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/878eff7c-97cc-4969-a6e7-871195b6e087/image.png

Custom plastic windows
As usual, for weight reduction plastic windows had to be made.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1e55d8db-0d4c-4032-a656-b8a4b8d0bc62/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/7362673f-b434-466a-b377-53553a73f794/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/0b262007-c05c-40b8-8f52-58ef1731687d/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/1846fde7-b365-4bd9-9786-b9b4b4d9d179/image.png

Custom differential.
Picked this up for cheap, and fixed it up with the correct gearing.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/f1ebce36-0aad-4a08-8ff7-31fa88ef714e/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/5552703d-6805-47b6-8562-9add35b61639/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/f7d9979a-ef50-459e-a1cc-459642265fc2/image.png

Oh yeah that exhaust.....
So I learned to weld...which ment I could make exhausts! That's technically correct. I knew how to make an exhaust. Just not how to make a good sounding exhaust. So I made below exhaust and then promptly gave it away because it sounded trash.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/03e2a3bf-269f-4051-ba90-91e877f81ae3/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/c9ae2058-8802-478b-8bc9-c93a71eee3e9/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/b6c5a5d3-a22c-41ab-8d17-25f391ff951d/image.png

So where does that leave us
Currently I just finished building all the body panels. Because it's a racecar everything has to be light weight and thus EVERYTHING is made from polyester. Doors, dashboard, bumpers, hood, trunk. Everything. This is how the car looks today.....

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/a6933fa1-7161-46e3-be0d-196827d1f78b/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/97e90491-477a-4062-a794-22f8e29e3d11/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/363893e8-2522-47d6-8a27-937b722fbaef/image.png

If you've made it this far, thank you!
So in the next month or so the car will be completely finished. In the above I didn't post all of it. There's 100s more pictures of tiny things I had to make, adjust and whatnot. But it's far too much to all post here. Below you can watch me test the car for the first time in september last year. This was before I decided to redo a large part.

https://youtu.be/in8YpvQLVnU

Stay tuned for more updates. Perhaps a FP logo on the new livery?

[Soleedus]

holy shit
nice

i wish i had to confidence to tear a car down into a literal race car

[WastedJamacan]

From the sounds of it stront didn't have confidence, just determination.

[Grenadiac]

Why wouldn't you call this Racepunch?

[TheMrFailz]

Take the diamond. It's the least I can do for this absolute masterpiece of a story.

Also the auto section on fp needs to write a book titled: They Call You a Car God: What to do when you discover your calling. All about us petrol/diesel heads discovering the crazy shit surrounding the world of cars.

[Zombii]

Is only @Strontboer allowed to post content here?

I'm racing karts this season and plan on making a lot of video content/onboards stuff. I don't have an insane build log like he does but the actual racing is crazy.

[turke]

might as well flesh the subforum out and create your own project thread

[Strontboer]

Thanks all!

Today I managed to finish up the engine bay!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/ae8368d7-ceb6-4bc1-9121-ea105ed77716/image.png

[Slendermang]

How much weight reduction do you reckon you got out of stripping everything out like that?

[Strontboer]

The weight was about 1380KG (3000lbs) when I started. It's now about 980KG (2160lbs).

I went to extreme measures to get this far
-Aluminium engine block
-Polyester doors, hood, bumpers, trunk, fenders,
-polyester dashboard
-Custom wiring harnasses
-lightweight suspension parts (aluminium)
-titanium bolts in lots of areas
-cutting out a lot of stuff from the shell
-cleaning the old paint, sealant/protective stuff from the shell
-re-installing minimal parts required. Tried to keep it as simple as possible

and much much more that I probably forgot.

[Strontboer]

Thanks for all the coins! With your generous donations I managed to secure a nice set of full slicks and rain slicks!

https://i.imgur.com/IHzglzZ.png

I am now poor! (AGAIN!)

[Kyle877]

@Strontboer You're like some sort of mystical German race genie. "Oh yeah, I pulled this Bimmer out of a sewer drain, rebuilt it in a refrigerator box and now I'm a sponsored racer lol"

[clutch2]

Nice recap of how far you've come. I had forgotten what it started out as.

[Strontboer]

Yeah that struck me too. While I was making the thread I was like, fuck me how much time did I spend on this

[𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓈𝒽 ✔️]

@Strontboer i saw your idea about doing a FINA livery for your car, ever thought of the Siemens VDO livery of the E46 GTR?

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/107131/f42534b4-9e2d-462c-8e19-2dafc13077ce/maxresdefault_2.jpg

[Strontboer]

That is actually a really sweet design, haven't thought of that before.

The biggest issue for me is, I have an awful imagination. I would need someone to actually photoshop the livery onto my car before I can decide on a final livery.

I'll be taking front/side/rear shots of the car once the painted panels are on. After that I'll go find someone who can mock up some examples in photoshop.

[NO ONE]

I kinda can't believe to went through the effort of retyping all the history. You probably could get in to automotive journalism.

I didn't realize you had a FIA license; I thought you had only been doing regional club racing. Good for you on that part. Also I have Photoshop and some skills to go with it, I could give the mockups a shot if you really wanted me to. Just be specific with what you're looking for.

[Strontboer]

Well to be fair I didn't really bother typing out much of the process, just some things from the top of my mind. What I described probably only accounts for 20% of what I did. There's just so much work in the little things.

And yeah I'll take you up on that offer! I should have the body panels back in like 2 weeks. I know exactly what I want. I just can't choose between different versions!

[Strontboer]

I spend the entire weekend redoing the rear right brake line to get an equal length to the left side line. Also replacing the rear right trailing arm because as seen above I fucked the threads up. (While its out I SHOULD really replace the bearing but hey, it's fine and stuff costs money youknow)

https://i.imgur.com/i3iXoRH.png

So did all that, managed to get the car on its feet again, bled the brakes and clutch and went out for some mahem! Felt great to actually drive it again for a bit.

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/95d276d1-4fd9-4999-96aa-9ff4809aba0a/image.png

oh yeah and I mounted the fuel cap!

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/223218/93602b33-08d8-4e54-97a2-2a85f0f4ecee/20180408_170036.jpg

Notice its really high on its wheels but that's because I'm waiting for the correct springs to come in.

I can't fucking wait for the body panels to get back!

[wloden]

What springs are you getting?

[Strontboer]

Sorry for the late response, I'm getting 130/180 in the back.

[Strontboer]

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

https://i.imgur.com/NngHRKX.png

[Strontboer]

Sneak peak

https://i.imgur.com/rGi0k8c.png

[𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓈𝒽 ✔️]

weight saving bro

[Strontboer]

Yeah not gonna cut out the lights just yet, I actually had polyester delete panels made...but without the headlights it looks really lame.

And I also need lights for certain events.

[Strontboer]

So the car is mostly back together!

https://i.imgur.com/yZFnlxK.png

Still gotta do lots of stuff., but hey it looks like a car again.

Fitting of the front fenders is awful, but then again, everything made from polyester is usually an awful fit. In this case eveything is polyester

-Bumper
-Hood
-Fenders
-Doors
-rear bumper
-trunk

I'll write a more detailed update in a week or 2 when I've fixed the bump strips, engine, windows etc.

[Hezzy]

This is amazing, loved watching the video. Definitely put a FP logo on that bad boy!!

[Strontboer]

Thanks all! Funds are a little tight so it's not moving as fast as I want to. My towing car also died and isn't worth repairing economically wise.

So me being short of money I might have bought an aluminium ls 5.3.....because it was really cheap. (Even for US standards, and there aren't any LS engines in europe)

[Cyberuben]

I'm Dutch too and I've been doubting getting my racing license at Zandvoort. The thing is, when I have my license, I don't know where to start from there. I don't have any technical skills nor the money to buy and convert an entire car. Are there any racing competitions I could join in without really having my own car? What would that cost me, and what would it possibly gain me, if I won?

I'm assuming most is getting sponsors...?

[Strontboer]

Cool to see another Dutch person interested in Racing!

I'm sorry to have to burst your bubble so soon but might as well get it out of the way. There's no money to be made from racing, period. Getting sponsors is nearly impossible without some serious proven results. It's really best to just assume it's not possible.

The absolute cheapest way to race without getting your hands dirty is to race in the E30 cup, (DNRT E30). I've heard good things about CC-Racing. In short you pay a flat fee per race I believe, all you have to do is show up in a suit with a helmet. They will own, transport, fix, maintain the cars. So called arrive and drive. Downside? It's expensive, think 1000-2000 euro per race depending on how often you race (more often = discount). But if you want to race a full season, there's like 10 races a year so that quickly adds up. I think 15k is a realistic number for a season of arrive and drive racing. Everything mentioned here is also possible in the 206 cup or the MX5 cup. But in my opinion these are wack.

My advice, now hear me out : buy a cheap E36 323, 325 or 328.(street car) Remove interior (you don't have to be a mechanic or genius to do this)Get a non-weld cage for 700 euro, a proper seat and harness, a set of brake calipers from a 330i e46 (about 500 euro with new discs, racing pads etc) . Finally throw in a BC racing kit and bam, you have a sub 3000 euro car that will do 2:06-2:10 on CPZ. If you're not confident in doing these things, I can possible provide mechanical assistance for free, or you can hire me to install whatever.

Then you work a bit on keeping in running, change the oil. (You put a bucket beneath the car), screw open that bolt and the oil will come out. Measure how much, pour new oil in. Maybe change the spark plugs? 1 youtube video and you're an expert!

My point is, I had 2 left hands and didn't know how to fill my tires with air when I decided I wanted to go racing. I'm REALLY glad I just did it because it's so much easier then you think. It's a matter of screwing on/off bolts in the right order! (And then some). You'll gain valuable experience and a better mechanical understanding of just about everything.

However, you have to be interested. If you don't care for the mechanical side (and many people don't, there's no shame in it) then I would advise against it.

Still, i think just tearing down a car and building a racecar is one of the best things I've ever done, and I'm probably most proud of.

If you ever need help, have questions or just want to come take a look at my car, your can pm, whatsapp or ask me here!