Drift EP7: Bodykit Extra and chassis assembly on the BMW 335i E92!

Before moving on to assembly, we received and presented a set of parts essential to the car's transformation:

• Fibre bodykit: designed to widen the car and give it an aggressive look, while offering essential flexibility to prevent breakage in the event of contact.
• WiseFab wide-angle kit: increases the turning radius and glide angle.
• BC Racing threaded shock absorbers: four adjustable shock absorbers to fine-tune chassis behaviour and ensure a high-level suspension worthy of Drift Master machines.
• Winters differential axle: taken from the world of drag racing, this axle offers optimum rear axle settings and rock-solid strength, capable of handling up to 2,000 horsepower!
• IRP (Individual Racing Parts) handbrake lever: a top-of-the-range lever that combines performance and design.
• Samsonas shifter: for ultra-fast gear changes, avoiding errors and optimising reaction time.
• STRÖM DS05 wheels: four lightweight wheels designed for performance and style.

These elements will transform our 335i E92 into a real war machine, capable of competing with the best machines in the championship!

Before installing the equipment, we weighed the bare, bodied and painted body using competition scales loaned by Jordan from Tracklab to see where we stood in terms of weight.

The verdict: just 317kg! An excellent starting point for ensuring a precise, high-performance car with low tyre wear.

The aim here is to install the performance parts that will ensure the ground connection and the precision of the undercarriages.

Fitting the threaded bushes and adjusting the ride height

The BC Racing shock absorbers are fitted to the four corners of the vehicle. These threaded bushes are adjustable in height, of course, but also in compression and rebound, allowing the chassis to be fine-tuned to suit the track and the level of grip required for traction.

Installing the WiseFab steering system

The WiseFab wide-angle kit is a compulsory item in drifting. The installation includes special suspension arms, custom hub holders and adjustable cups to modify the camber at the head of the shock absorber to ensure better tyre contact with the track.

Fitting the rear axle with the Winters differential axle

The Winters differential axle, which originated in drag racing, is designed to withstand extreme power, up to 2,000 bhp. It plays a vital role in distributing power to the rear wheels in an optimum way, guaranteeing effective traction on corner exits. Its advanced adjustment system allows the rear suspension to be adapted to the needs of the competition.

Adjustment of suspension arms and suspension links

Suspension arms and adjustable links must be fitted to adjust the chassis geometry point by point. These arms make it possible to precisely adjust the car's caster, camber and track width, three parameters that have a direct influence on the car's stability and responsiveness in drifting conditions.

Once the chassis base has been installed, it's time for the aesthetic transformation with the installation of the fibre bodykit. This kit not only improves aerodynamics, it also gives the car an ultra-aggressive look and, above all, a welcome flexibility to avoid damage in the event of contact on the track.

Wider wings for unique styling

We've fitted the front and rear wings, which widen the car by +9 cm at the rear and +7 cm at the front. These wider elements not only accommodate wider rims, but also provide the necessary space required due to the increased steering angle of the WiseFab kit.

A lower body and bumper designed for competition

The oversized rocker panels are perfectly integrated into the vehicle's lines, giving an aggressive 'grounded' effect. The front and rear bumpers, designed for competition, optimise airflow management. Very important when you're driving at high revs, on the wrong side of the road and at low speed...

A bonnet with air intakes inspired by the M4 CS

To complete the package, we fitted a fibre bonnet with air intakes inspired by the M4 CS. These openings improve engine cooling while lightening the front of the vehicle.

Installation designed for efficiency

Each element of the kit has been installed with care to ensure rapid assembly and disassembly, essential in competition in the event of last-minute repairs or adjustments. The aim is to have a car that's ready to drive, that performs well and that can be easily modified to suit the needs of the different rounds of the championship, and that's ready for the hazards of drifting... The contact!

With this XXL kit, our E92 now has a body-built silhouette. All that's left now is to fine-tune the details and choose the final decoration to complete this radical transformation!

The interior of the car has undergone a major transformation to improve ergonomics and driver efficiency during competition. Every element has been designed to facilitate access to the controls and ensure maximum responsiveness on the track.

An ultra-light carbon interior

We have installed a carbon dashboard that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. This material lightens the interior while adding a racing touch. Removing superfluous elements also frees up more space and optimises the car's overall weight.

Repositioned gear lever and handbrake

The Samsonas gear lever has been integrated for ultra-fast gear changes. Its sequential operation (pull to upshift, push to downshift) reduces the risk of error and improves driving fluidity.

alongside this, the IRP handbrake has been mounted on a special bracket, ergonomically positioned so that the rider can operate it without too much range of movement. This sturdy lever ensures optimum control when gliding.

A steering wheel with Quick Release for greater flexibility

The steering wheel has been fitted with a Quick Release system, making it easier for the driver to get in and out of the cockpit. This detail is crucial for a drift car, where every second counts, whether for setting up or in an emergency.

The reinforced rear axle ensures the car's traction and stability during drifting and cornering. Once the Winters differential axle has been fitted, we'll need to concentrate on adjusting the Wisefab adjustable arms when setting the geometry of the axles.

Fixing the hub and rear axle

One of the design challenges for the rear axle was to ensure that the hubs were correctly aligned with the differential axle to ensure that the drive shafts worked optimally without putting stress on them. The more closely the hub is aligned with the axle, the more the drive shafts operate in line with the axle, reducing mechanical stress and minimising the risk of breakage under hard acceleration.

After installing the bodykit and running gear, we weighed the car again to see how the weight had changed. The result: 675 kg. With the fuel, braking and cooling systems, we should reach around 850 kg before adding the engine and gearbox.

With this set-up, our E92 is starting to look like a real monster built for competition. Its ultra-wide look and chassis preparation already make it impressive.

Next stage: fuel cooling and braking systems

Now that the chassis is in place, there's still some work to be done before the first track tests. The next major phase includes :

• Installation of the cooling circuit (water and oil).
• Fitting the braking circuit using a specific Ceika kit.
• Making the fuel system.

We still have a few adjustments to make, but the car is rapidly taking shape. Objective: to be ready for the opening of the drift championship! See you in the next episode for the continuation of this intense mechanical adventure!