Street Mod Rules

[EWAustin]

I was reading the Street Mod rules tonight from the 2005 Solo Rules handbook and noticed that in section 16.1.O it says:

Modifications to the firewall in order to allow for increased engine setback, and any modification that changes the location of a suspension pickup point, are explicitly forbidden.
Now my question is, does this allow for firewall modification if the purpose is not to set the engine further back in the chassis? For example if the purpose is only to make the engine fit in that chassis using OEM engine mounts?
-Eric

[SmokingTires]

Thinking of doing a MK1.5 swap and moving to SM2? :D

[EWAustin]

Nah, the MR2 is just going to be my entertaining and fuel efficient daily driver. (yes, even in the snow)

[MNbiker]

No, you can't modify the firewall.

[EWAustin]

OK, so if the firewall was modified, what class would I have to run in?
There wouldn't be any cutting or welding involved, just pushing the part where the block would hit back about 1.5"

[MNbiker]

OK, so if the firewall was modified, what class would I have to run in?
There wouldn't be any cutting or welding involved, just pushing the part where the block would hit back about 1.5"

Prepared or Modified - probably Modified, based on the engine swap.

-Steve

[EWAustin]

Wow, Modified would definately be up there for this idea.
My plan was to swap the 3.5L inline 6 from a 89-90 BMW 535i into an 89-90 BMW 325i. The only modifications needed to make this work are the firewall has to be pushed back a little bit, the driveshaft has to be shortened, and a couple pins have to be rearranged in the harness plug.
From what I've been reading this combination alone will embarrass a stock Trans-Ams in a stoplight grand prix.
And, with a forged crank, forged connecting rods, and 8.5:1 compression from the factory, 350-375 RELIABLE whp is just a few psi of boost away.

[SmokingTires]

Wow, Modified would definately be up there for this idea.
My plan was to swap the 3.5L inline 6 from a 89-90 BMW 535i into an 89-90 BMW 325i. The only modifications needed to make this work are the firewall has to be pushed back a little bit, the driveshaft has to be shortened, and a couple pins have to be rearranged in the harness plug.
From what I've been reading this combination alone will embarrass a stock Trans-Ams in a stoplight grand prix.
And, with a forged crank, forged connecting rods, and 8.5:1 compression from the factory, 350-375 RELIABLE whp is just a few psi of boost away.

Along with $5k repair bills! :lol:

[EWAustin]

Along with $5k repair bills! :lol:

At the stealership? Ummm no.
I prefer to do my own work and all of it. (with the exception of the stuff that requires specialized tools, like having the valves reseated in the head of a 4AGE where the springs are too narrow and my spring compressor didn't fit). But yeah, I haven't found anything I can't do yet. Just things that I lack the tools for.

-Eric

[SmokingTires]

At the stealership? Ummm no.
I prefer to do my own work and all of it. (with the exception of the stuff that requires specialized tools, like having the valves reseated in the head of a 4AGE where the springs are too narrow and my spring compressor didn't fit). But yeah, I haven't found anything I can't do yet. Just things that I lack the tools for.

-Eric


If you can do more than my shop, go for it. BMW doesn't release their vehicle specs at all. The only people that can work on them are people who have gone to their school. So I guess it is up to trusting the people on the forums.

None the less, I'd love a drive in it :D

[EWAustin]

www.bentleypublishers.com

Bentley Manuals are amazing, the same info as a factory shop manual, but broken down into layman's terms, for those of us who don't have Automotive Engineering degrees. Basically from what I understand they're actually reverse engineered from factory shop manuals.