ChampCar Tech Desk

Official channel for ChampCar technical questions, interpretations, and VPI requests.

Before you submit a ticket

The Tech Desk is for rules clarifications and technical questions. It is not a post race tech line, a place to protest results, or a place to fish for how other teams built their cars.

Most questions can be answered by reviewing the current BCCR Rulebook. Please read the applicable section before submitting a ticket.

If your question is already covered clearly in the BCCR, your ticket may simply be answered with a reference to the rulebook section.

VPI request checklist

For all Vehicle Performance Index (VPI) requests you must include:

Year, make, model, and trim level
Engine size and engine horsepower
Drive type: FWD, RWD, AWD, or 4x4
Transmission type: automatic or manual
Car weight and all factory options that affect performance
A link to the vehicle on automobile-catalog.com or another site with full specifications if it is not listed there

Requests that do not include all required info and research will be denied without review.

2020-02-06 - BMW Steering column

"Steering columns can be changed for zero points"

This info applies to any E36, E46, or really any car that uses a rubber steering guibo.

The lower section of the E36 steering column uses a universal joint with a rubber guibo (see the joint on the right side of the attached "OEM Shaft" image, see also E36 Parts Diagram).

In the E34 5-series steering column, the upper joint had the rubber and the lower joint was a solid universal joint (see E34 shaft).

The solid lower universal joint from the E34 is a bolt-on replacement for the rubber guibo lower joint of the E36. This is a common upgrade that provides a completely rigid steering column and eliminates the failure-prone guibo.

There are also aftermarket suppliers of entire lower steering column sections with both joints solid. That type part is not approved as a free add but is under review.

https://vorshlag-store.com/products/vorshlag-e36-competition-steering-shaft-assembly

Verified 7-9-24 by Tech

Attachments:
OEM-Shaft.JPG
E36-Parts-Diagram.JPG
E34-Shaft.JPG