BMW 1600, 1800, 2002

Race Setup and History

#74- Road 7 Track's "Top 100 cars of the Century" (74 tii) (01/2000 issue)

• 51/49 wet balance.
• Can be upgraded for strong brakes, even without power assist.
• Classic design.

• Engines have been known to be weak though this might not be much of a problem with the current vintage racers.

• Pre '74 cars are the most desirable as they are lighter.
• Original Trans-AM cars had a "variable" suspension.  Both front and rear camber was adjustable using slotted strut towers and shims in the rear.
• Original racers used relatively soft springs and tunes the chassis via the camber adjustments.
• Front spring rate of 400 lb., rear spring rate of 350 lbs is common.
• Front coilovers, shorted struts and VW Rabbit Bilstein shock.
• Full race cam with 292-300 duration.  Note for this type of cam you will need at least 11:1 compression.
• Weber sidedrafts, either 40 or 45 mm.
• A common brake upgrade is to use BMW 5 or 6 series parts.  1977 320i vented rotors on a Tii strut.  The rear is usually the drums from a 320i.
• Fiberglass hood.
• Wheels, use common vintage maximum of 15 x 7 (7.5 if your rules allow it) with 30mm offset. 

Video - Visual History of BMW
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The BMW 2002 : A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic Sporting Saloon
James Taylor, Mike MacArtney (Contributor); Hardcover

BMW Automotive Repair Manual : BMW 1500/1502/1600/1602/2000 Touring/2002 : 1959 Thru 1977
J. H. Haynes, Peter Strasman; Paperback

BMW 1500-2002, 1962-1977 : A Documentation (Schiffer Automotive Series)
Walter Zeichner; Hardcover

BMW Automotive Repair Manual : BMW 1500/1502/1600/1602/2000 Touring/2002: 1959 thru 1977
J. H. Haynes, Peter Strasman / Paperback / Published 1983

BMW Service-Repair Handbook, 1600 and 2002 series, 1966-1976
Jim Combs

Chilton's Repair and Tune-Up Guide BMW 1970-82 : 1600, 2000, 2002, 2002Tii, 2500, 2800, 2800Cs, Bavaria, 3000Cs, 3.0Cs, 3.0S, 3.0Si, 320I, 528E, 528I
Richard J. Rivele(Editor), et al

The BMW 1600-02 was first shown to the world in 1966 and it was an instant hit.  The original car featured a strong, sophisticated chassis mated with an 85hp, 1.6 liter engine.  With it's excellent handling and stylish looks it quickly became BMW's best selling car ever and created a new type of car, the  "compact sports sedan".

There were 2 variants of the 1600-2; 1600ti and 1600 Cabriolet.  The ti had two twin barrel Solex carbs and bosted 105hp.  It also had wider rims, front anti-roll bar and larger brakes.

In mid-1971 there was a major revision to the car and it's designation was changed to 1602.  The car ended production in 1975.

The 1600 engine had a few drawbacks; lack of low end power, expensive to tune and worst of all, it did not meet the new U.S. Federal emission standards. BMW's response was to put their U.S. market 2000 motor into the 1600 and thus the 2002 was born and released in early 1968.  Not long after it's release the 1600ti was discontinued and the Cabriolet ended production in 1971.

The 1802 was introduced in 1971.  It featured an 1.8 liter engine that produced 90hp but had much improved torque over the 1.6 liter engine.  This line was discontinued in 1975. 

Production Numbers

1600, all variants, almost 300,000 from 1966-75
          Cabriolet 1,682
1800, 87,000
2002, ??