I'm thinking of buying a mid 80s chasis BMW track car that's more or less stripped to the bone.

Anybody know what I would need to be able to register the car for road use (emissions shouldn't be an issue with tuning), but I'm talking about turn signals, horn, windshield wipers... etc. Is there a complete list somewhere?
Thanks for any help.
Ahmet

10/9/2007 2:25:02 PM

find a friend at an inspection station.

its safety inspection.

give him extra $$.

call it a day

10/9/2007 2:26:55 PM

I don't know of a list anywhere but, what you named off already sounds like you have the right idea.

10/9/2007 2:27:28 PM

1. both headlights working, hi and low beam aimed properly

2. all brake lights need to work. one is the legal minimum, but if it came equipped with more (pretty much all vehicles) they all have to work.

3. horn must work

4. at least one reverse light

5. emergency brake operative

6. exhaust exit within a certain distance of the body perimeter. 2ft. i think, but i can't remember exactly...

7. one winshield wiper in decent shape

8. no winshield cracks that impair visibility

9. driver side rearview mirror

10. turn signals

11. tires with acceptable tread depth

12. all emissions equipment visually in place/working

i may have missed something, but that's a pretty complete/basic list off the top of my head for a safety. it's been a while. there is no emissions testing for anything older than 96 other than the visual.

10/9/2007 3:07:57 PM

13. Tag light

10/9/2007 3:11:51 PM

just so you know, "acceptable tread depth" is 2/32"

10/9/2007 3:16:55 PM

I don't imagine that horn/turn signals/windshield wiper switches need to be the stock ones, or at the stock locations, because that would be a major pain on this car... The list sounds pretty complete, the car has an engine swap though, so the "visual" part of the emission stuff may be troublesome (there's also a turbo on it, and aftermarket engine management). But then again I've never seen somebody actually fail the "visual" part.
Thanks for the help peoples.
Ahmet

10/9/2007 3:35:47 PM

as long as it works, it really doesnt matter where its located.

we had to rig a horn for our jeep a while back. worked good for about 5 minutes for the inspections

10/9/2007 3:49:17 PM

^yep, doesn't matter.

the two biggest things i would worry about as far the emissions is have at least the shell of a cat and an air pump. possibly an egr. that's about all most inspection lackeys know how to look for, and they definitely don't check to see if they're actually working. i'd start out with just a cat or the shell of one and see how it goes.

9 times out of 10 they're not going to know or bother to check if it's the stock engine. not that it legally matters as long as the engine is the same year or newer as the chassis...

10/9/2007 3:56:27 PM

Ive never had them check for a cat on either of my vehicles 89/92. Catch em when they are busy and they will just push it through.

10/9/2007 4:08:15 PM

Quote :

"7. one winshield wiper in decent shape "

all wipers must be working that came on the car from the factory

Quote :

"8. no winshield cracks that impair visibility"

can be shaterd. but as long as it doesnt cut wiper blade

Quote :

"there is no emissions testing for anything older than 96 other than the visual"

is an egr and pcv emissions

Quote :

"engine swap "

as long as eveerything on that motor from the factory are in place and work like the two pieces i mentioned.

bbr im not trying to prove you wrong. so please dont take it that way. i failed a car one time thathad been in a wreck. the fixed lights and shit, but guys head hit the window. i failed it cause i had to be ace ventura to drive it in to the shop. 10 min later dmz called and told me why not to fail it. i was like....... wtf okay. and the officer told me that if it doesnt tear the blades it passes. most of this is mechanic descetion though. so you might fail for a revers light or you might not. they didnt go over it in class. but good luck

10/9/2007 4:50:54 PM

Quote :

"is an egr and pcv emissions"

what the fuck did i say? VISUAL EMISSIONS INSPECTION. read. no one checks to make sure that either is actually functioning. furthermore, i bet 75% or more of inspectors don't have a damn clue where to even find the egr or pcv much less test them for proper operation.

Quote :

"all wipers must be working that came on the car from the factory "

wrong. nothing in the code says anything about how many wipers a car has to have, just that it has to work, be able to clear rain/snow, and cracks in the winshield can't impede operation.. it also specifically says rear wipers don't have to be operable.

Quote :

"so you might fail for a revers light or you might not"

reverse lights aren't specifically a requirement in the code, only the color and when they can come on. however, i was told by more than one dmv inspector that if the car came with them, at least one had to work. i was curious for my duster.

Quote :

"most of this is mechanic inspector descetion though."

that's the only half way right thing you've said. a LARGE majority of a safety inspection is up to the discrestion of the inspector, which is what we've been trying to play to in our advice.

i'm sure i could google up the code book and cut/paste everything here, but that's going to to give him a whole lot of pain in the ass and unneccessary stuff to do. he's just trying to get by and get a sticker, and what's been posted is what'll get you one 99% of the time.

10/9/2007 6:00:54 PM

Correct BBR.

10/9/2007 7:21:44 PM

yeah don't fuck with bbr and rigging a car to just barely meet inspection.

10/9/2007 7:52:21 PM

Quote :

"shaterd"

10/9/2007 7:53:35 PM

^^ If there's one thing he knows well, it's squeaking by inspections with some crazy rigged vehicles...successfully!

10/9/2007 8:05:57 PM

link me this car mr. ahmet plz sir thank you

10/9/2007 9:52:01 PM

Cally wally, seems like a pipe dream, but here's the picture of the car:

Ahmet

10/9/2007 11:55:17 PM

so what's it weigh being that stripped? sounds like a pretty wild/fun ride with the turbo motor and that much weight reduction.

10/10/2007 12:06:13 AM

buy neon's bmwrx...

10/10/2007 12:15:21 AM

I have no idea on the weight, but if I had to guess, I'd say high 2400s to low 2500s or so.

The car needs a descent deal of work, and it would be illegal in virtually any racing class (but could get into a catch all group w/NASA, while being outclassed by cars with similar power/weight I suppose). I want to get into wheel to wheel racing, or at least get a proper track car, but the fact that I have to drive it TO the track is holding me back. Not sure if I'm ready to pull the trigger on something like this, after all, I could get a descent e30 and swap an engine myself. Then there's the ready made 996 chasis 911 idea (just add suspension, presto).
Ahmet

10/10/2007 12:31:03 AM

looks pretty evil but

Quote :

"seems like a pipe dream"

[Edited on October 10, 2007 at 12:33 AM. Reason : [unless you live in VA] haha]

10/10/2007 12:33:05 AM

^^you seem to go through enough vehicles and not mind own multiple ones at a time, why not get a cheap truck/suv and a tow dolly? or lightweight open trailer.

not having to deal with driving recreational vehicles to places is the way to go. no worries if you break, the drive there/back is nicer, and you've got room for tools/junk/etc.

10/10/2007 12:42:25 AM

on a sort of cool note, the guys at rrt have an e46 down to about 2300lbs. Pretty hardcore
http://www.rrtsuspension.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=60&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

10/10/2007 1:19:57 AM

that thing is sexy as hell, i'm assuming it has an e-36 motor ?

10/10/2007 6:53:31 AM

there's a real nice and clean spece30 prepped E30 on craigslist for $6k.

if you want to race an e30, thats the way to go. like you said, the car above wouldnt have a home. itd also likely blow up and overheat and be more trouble than its worth

10/10/2007 9:15:25 AM

lol@tryingtorace4doorcars

10/10/2007 10:10:55 AM

http://www.piaacyprus.com/yahoo_site_admin1/assets/images/Picture_021.112152533_std.jpg
huh?

10/10/2007 11:49:49 AM

http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver%5Fservices/drivershandbook/chapter7/vehicleInspection.html

10/10/2007 1:35:40 PM

Quote :

"lol@tryingtorace4doorcars"

You're right, touring car racing isn't popular at all. They're all slow shitboxes that nobody cares about

10/10/2007 5:28:01 PM

lol @ nascar

lol@ not knowing that a central pillar (like the one between doors) can allow for a lighter more rigid chassis

lol@ you being a fucking idiot

10/10/2007 7:31:24 PM

Quote :

"You're right, touring car racing isn't popular at all. They're all slow shitboxes that nobody cares about "

i love watching this shit on speed. when kangaroos dont hit them


[Edited on October 11, 2007 at 12:30 AM. Reason : lol]

10/11/2007 12:29:26 AM

spec e30 spec e30 spec e30

10/11/2007 8:27:08 AM

he won't do it

10/11/2007 1:59:31 PM

996 HURRRR HURRRR

10/11/2007 2:00:07 PM

FI blows

10/11/2007 2:43:36 PM

It does blow, in some cases, literally (like w/a blower, get it?)...
Ahmet

10/11/2007 4:02:55 PM

i started gutting my track car today

10/11/2007 7:41:42 PM

Callahan...YOU FUCKING SUCK.

10/11/2007 8:19:15 PM

ahmet, you've been 'buying' a race car since i've known you...don't fool yourself you'll be driving e36 M3's forever.

10/11/2007 8:19:19 PM

Not exactly true, I've owned a gutted/caged track car before (and tracked it). You knew me then, we just didn't hang out. The ratio of modified street cars that happen to be tracked to actual "track car" is not looking good at the moment. Modifying an e36 M3 seems nice too though, certainly cheaper than a 911...
Ahmet

10/11/2007 10:46:37 PM

Quote :

"Callahan...YOU FUCKING SUCK."

Dan- I thought you "quit" tww?

Welcome back

10/11/2007 11:25:34 PM

i like the turbo mad max e30 thing

10/12/2007 12:23:38 AM

Quote :

"It does blow, in some cases, literally (like w/a blower, get it?)..."

i'm glad you see what i did there

10/12/2007 1:42:07 AM

dear lord wtf is up with the gusset on the A pillar of that silver car. talk about overkill

10/12/2007 1:53:39 AM

Looks like it sold already Should've acted sooner.
Ahmet

10/12/2007 4:11:40 PM

^^those reinforcements on A-pillar are standard if you are building a race prepped car. it is not overkill, it is almost under SOP to have that.

10/12/2007 4:43:09 PM

Quote :

"Looks like it sold already Should've acted sooner. Ahmet"

whatever dude, there is always something better out there.

10/12/2007 5:25:54 PM

^and he'll bitch about how much he wants it until its gone again.

10/12/2007 5:56:18 PM

I don't see this $6k spec car Dan, link?
Ahmet

10/13/2007 11:42:02 AM