Potential Project Ideas Options

[senick]

I recently bought an e46 328i, which is now my daily, and decided to store my 95 ST. I did maintenance and suspension work to the 328, and was struck by how much more expensive (needlessly I believe) BMW parts are than Toyota. And I have to say, for as much love as the e46 chassis gets, I honestly feel like the AT200 is the better car to drive.

Anyway, since storing the Celi, I've been constantly thinking about a project for it (and missing its excellent fuel economy), and I was looking for some input. I should say, though, that I wouldn't likely get started on any such project for at least a year from now, likely longer.

So the philosophy of the build would be to maintain the reliability and fuel economy of the 7a, while increasing long distance driving comfort and maximizing engine power delivery through driveline and suspension improvements. Basically, in the same vein that the BRZ/FRS was designed to make the most out of a relatively low powered engine through intelligent overall car design. The emphasis is on a comfortable, fuel efficient and reliable car for driving long distances, while always having the potential to be a 'driver's' car.

I have a few ideas currently, such as:

-Lightweight driveline components, wherever possible. Are these available for the 7a? I see flywheels for the GT, but so far nothing for ST.
-Underdrive pulleys
-Lightweight wheels/ sticky tires.
-Weight reduction where possible, but not in compromising comfort or increasing road noise. Feasible?
-Lightweight exhaust
-4 wheel disc brake conversion
-Suspension upgrades. Would certainly welcome suggestions on this.
-Cooling system upgrades (better efficiency)

And more, but I'll leave it at that for now. Other than additional comments, I'd also like to know if anyone has suggestions on where to look for parts? I've done a fair bit of searching and referenced a few sticky's, but it's still hard to find parts for an ST. For 7a specific parts, I suppose I can look at Corolla sources, but for suspension and other parts I'm at a loss.

Finally, I've been wondering if it would be possible to swap a 7a into a GT body? I assume yes. I feel like the GT is more amenable to performance suspension and braking mods.

Any input is very welcome, thank you for reading!

This post has been edited by senick: Feb 23, 2017 - 9:25 AM

[Box]

The 6th gen seats are so good though, so very good. They really don't weigh too much, can't foresee them weighing too much more than any other factory seat that's all manual operation anyway. I had a ST myself, the only thing that was really done to it was Tein S. Tech springs and KYB struts and then did a short throw before it was sold but it was a nice car. If I bought another ST this is what I'd do:
GT brake conversion with Centric StopTech Sport slotted rotors(only because blanks aren't offered) and StopTech Sport pads, flush and fill system with Castrol DOT 4
Lightweight alloy 16x8 rims wrapped in performance summer tires
Short shifter
KYB struts with Tein S. Tech springs, or possibly some kind of coil-over set
Lightweight flywheel if reputable option available
As high a quality header as possible then matching diameter exhaust from there back with a high flow cat(I can't stand raw exhaust) and Jones MaxFlow straight through muffler
True cold air intake using AEM filter or like, so filter into the fender or bumper and not just there in the engine bay
Sway bars, Suspension Techniques? or other
Poly bushings throughout suspension as well as poly motor and trans mounts

I think that more or less covers it. Could do stuff like a carbon hood or lift but you get into the land of really diminishing returns.