E36 cheap track day toy
Discussion
Hamster69 said:
The pads are performance friction carbon metallics. They really are good.
The back box was simply an eBay purchase, it's not really branded.
Brands was really good fun though expensive. My car didn't really struggle but the engine isn't exactly standard.
Thanks - Having a look the pads all seem to be located in the USA, are there UK outlets?The back box was simply an eBay purchase, it's not really branded.
Brands was really good fun though expensive. My car didn't really struggle but the engine isn't exactly standard.
What have you done to the engine, I keep reading theres not much gain to be had without going turbo/ S charger.
Finally getting ready for some track action. I thought I would try and dial out some of the understeer I had last year.
I have been reading a bit on toe in and out with relavance to understeer. Some people (on different cars) think a little toe out helps.
A very small amount just to see if it changes anything.
I gave the rear end a tweek too.
It is nice to have the thrust angle spot on before heading out on track.
It has been a long time since my last track outing. Seven months in fact, although I had a session karting last weekend to get my eye in.
I have been reading a bit on toe in and out with relavance to understeer. Some people (on different cars) think a little toe out helps.
A very small amount just to see if it changes anything.
I gave the rear end a tweek too.
It is nice to have the thrust angle spot on before heading out on track.
It has been a long time since my last track outing. Seven months in fact, although I had a session karting last weekend to get my eye in.
I have some Porsche Macan brake cooling ducts fitted. Pictures etc back in the thread.
Yes I do need to get some more camber on the front. I dialled a degree or so out before Spa as it is a very long way to drive with lots of camber on. But now I'm back to local tracks I will increase it again. Really didn't have time the other night.
There will hopefully be a whole load of work going on before the next track session.
Yes I do need to get some more camber on the front. I dialled a degree or so out before Spa as it is a very long way to drive with lots of camber on. But now I'm back to local tracks I will increase it again. Really didn't have time the other night.
There will hopefully be a whole load of work going on before the next track session.
Very hard to tell. I usually only do a few laps then let her cool of a bit. If it was a racing car they would probably cook.
I guess if you got a laser thermometer you could try with and without. They do unfortunately not secure perfectly, due to it not being a Macan trackrod. Sometimes I have found them pointing at the floor.
I guess if you got a laser thermometer you could try with and without. They do unfortunately not secure perfectly, due to it not being a Macan trackrod. Sometimes I have found them pointing at the floor.
I originally put some standard brembo's in my car. They got quite bad fade towards the end of a track day. Especially at the ring. Only lasted a couple of track days too. Great for everyday cars. Not so much track cars.
I have just always used a good brand Dot 4. It's good enough for Porsche and AMG so I'm sure my car will survive.
I have just always used a good brand Dot 4. It's good enough for Porsche and AMG so I'm sure my car will survive.
Another great day on Monday, this time at Rockingham. Full day open pit. We were slightly hampered by what appeared to be a Caterham owners day. I have never seen so many in one place, at least three quarters of the cars there were Caterhams. Unfortunately nearly all of them had novice stickers on and a few really just couldn't drive. To the point where we had to go for a second drivers briefing after lunch as there has been ten red flags in the morning.
That being said, the coupe performed brilliantly again. With the exception of a couple of points on the track where I just wished I had a few more horses, she was great! This is a problem that I am working on though, more to follow.
The brakes began to fade in the morning, so at lunchtime the wheels came off. The pads sanded back and the fluid changed. I normally do this before every track day. But I really haven't had time recently. What with working all the hours I can and getting the estate ready for this years Euro trip.
Speaking of which. Finally my springs turned up, after just the two months since I ordered them.
I'm so pleased, the old springs and shocks really were knackered. Going over speed bumps was awful, usual hitting the underside.
Stripped down I found what a state it was all in. The top mounts where quite rotten and steering bearings notchy. Luckily I kept the old ones from the coupe.
I was quite worried that the top Spring cups really weren't reusable.
It really did look like you could put your finger through them. But actually once sandblasted they came up alright. Followed by some antirust primer and old Mercedes silver, they looked OK.
All built up and back on, the ride is transformed!
Now I just need to do the trailing arm bushes and front lower arm bushes. I'm going poly again but this time a road compound rather than track. That will have to be another day though as today I have my work cut out getting the suspension all done and my new M50 manifold fitted!
Yes I went crazy last week and decided it was time to spend some money. I'm determined when this engine goes in the coupe it's going to be an M3 killer. Ha!
About an hours work to get the old one off. But then I pottered around a bit sorting things out. Like the power steering reservoir being held in with just one bolt and jubilee clips rubbing on things. This is hopefully the last time I will say it. But the guy I bought this car from was an idiot!
With the manifolds next to one another you can see why this is a good mod.
Lots more air there! But as you know by now, I don't like doing things by halves.
I actually bought this manifold modified and complete with big bore throttle body from Alpina527. Who had already made me the bbtb for the M44 last year. I have to say the kit is up to his usual standards. He modifies the manifold so the idle control valve and oil seperator fit perfectly and provides adaptor for the fuel rail mounting.
He does specifically ask that you don't show the modifications on the Internet (trade secrets and all that,) which I think is fair enough. Suffice to say it's on!
Instantly sorted out my lumpy idle as this manifold isn't cracked. Amusingly it has made the exhaust quieter on start up too. Which will please the neighbors.
The adaptions are still learning, but every time I get in she feels better and better.
Alright over speed bumps now too!
That being said, the coupe performed brilliantly again. With the exception of a couple of points on the track where I just wished I had a few more horses, she was great! This is a problem that I am working on though, more to follow.
The brakes began to fade in the morning, so at lunchtime the wheels came off. The pads sanded back and the fluid changed. I normally do this before every track day. But I really haven't had time recently. What with working all the hours I can and getting the estate ready for this years Euro trip.
Speaking of which. Finally my springs turned up, after just the two months since I ordered them.
I'm so pleased, the old springs and shocks really were knackered. Going over speed bumps was awful, usual hitting the underside.
Stripped down I found what a state it was all in. The top mounts where quite rotten and steering bearings notchy. Luckily I kept the old ones from the coupe.
I was quite worried that the top Spring cups really weren't reusable.
It really did look like you could put your finger through them. But actually once sandblasted they came up alright. Followed by some antirust primer and old Mercedes silver, they looked OK.
All built up and back on, the ride is transformed!
Now I just need to do the trailing arm bushes and front lower arm bushes. I'm going poly again but this time a road compound rather than track. That will have to be another day though as today I have my work cut out getting the suspension all done and my new M50 manifold fitted!
Yes I went crazy last week and decided it was time to spend some money. I'm determined when this engine goes in the coupe it's going to be an M3 killer. Ha!
About an hours work to get the old one off. But then I pottered around a bit sorting things out. Like the power steering reservoir being held in with just one bolt and jubilee clips rubbing on things. This is hopefully the last time I will say it. But the guy I bought this car from was an idiot!
With the manifolds next to one another you can see why this is a good mod.
Lots more air there! But as you know by now, I don't like doing things by halves.
I actually bought this manifold modified and complete with big bore throttle body from Alpina527. Who had already made me the bbtb for the M44 last year. I have to say the kit is up to his usual standards. He modifies the manifold so the idle control valve and oil seperator fit perfectly and provides adaptor for the fuel rail mounting.
He does specifically ask that you don't show the modifications on the Internet (trade secrets and all that,) which I think is fair enough. Suffice to say it's on!
Instantly sorted out my lumpy idle as this manifold isn't cracked. Amusingly it has made the exhaust quieter on start up too. Which will please the neighbors.
The adaptions are still learning, but every time I get in she feels better and better.
Alright over speed bumps now too!
Some small tidying up jobs today. My drivers window was notchy on the way down. Stripped the door and found the slider very gummed up.
The 18 year old grease now more like putty and stopping the movement. I still had a new clip from when I did the other side.
The boot was also a sod to shut and the tailgate trim not fitted properly. Trim removed, catch adjusted, trim refitted properly.
I do try not to bore you with the mundane work. But it is satisfying that the window is now smooth and the boot just clicks shut.
Time to save some weight. I really don't understand why as he cut the AC pipes and didn't fit a condenser when the bumper was off. The previous owner left the AC compressor bolted and belted to the engine.
Some weight saved there!
While removing the compressor I had the front ARB off. Then refitted it with new fixings and drop links.
I know this is all pretty basic stuff. Today had been set aside for fitting the new suspension bushes. But they didn't turn up after I was promised they would be here today. I finally received an email at three o'clock saying they wouldn't be arriving. So I decided to do one last job then go home.
I have had this broken stud in the down pipe since I bought the car.
A little heat on the issue and a lot of hammering. Finally we got there.
I also had time for a quick oil change. I saw these K&N oil filters online. I never knew they made them but thought it must be worth a try.
That is all the little nigily jobs I have been meaning to get around to done. The DME will be going in the post to EndTuning tomorrow, to see how much we can get out of this new manifold and bbtb.
I should defiantly have the bushes by the time it gets back. Then we should be ready for the stag road trip.
The 18 year old grease now more like putty and stopping the movement. I still had a new clip from when I did the other side.
The boot was also a sod to shut and the tailgate trim not fitted properly. Trim removed, catch adjusted, trim refitted properly.
I do try not to bore you with the mundane work. But it is satisfying that the window is now smooth and the boot just clicks shut.
Time to save some weight. I really don't understand why as he cut the AC pipes and didn't fit a condenser when the bumper was off. The previous owner left the AC compressor bolted and belted to the engine.
Some weight saved there!
While removing the compressor I had the front ARB off. Then refitted it with new fixings and drop links.
I know this is all pretty basic stuff. Today had been set aside for fitting the new suspension bushes. But they didn't turn up after I was promised they would be here today. I finally received an email at three o'clock saying they wouldn't be arriving. So I decided to do one last job then go home.
I have had this broken stud in the down pipe since I bought the car.
A little heat on the issue and a lot of hammering. Finally we got there.
I also had time for a quick oil change. I saw these K&N oil filters online. I never knew they made them but thought it must be worth a try.
That is all the little nigily jobs I have been meaning to get around to done. The DME will be going in the post to EndTuning tomorrow, to see how much we can get out of this new manifold and bbtb.
I should defiantly have the bushes by the time it gets back. Then we should be ready for the stag road trip.
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