E36 Track Car - Square or staggered wheels?
Discussion
TroubledSoul said:
Interested to find out the ins and outs of this. Is anybody able to advise?
What are the pros and cons of each?
What is the correct size/offset for 17's that won't require any arch work?
I think the basic reason for narrower wheels/tyres up front is to make the car a little more biased towards understeer as a safety feature. Wider wheels and tyres up front will naturally help with front end grip, which should reverse out that bias. But it may also affect your steering characteristics. What are the pros and cons of each?
What is the correct size/offset for 17's that won't require any arch work?
It very much depends on the car's set-up and your personal preference. It takes a lot of experimentation and you'll invariably find you'll drive around most idiosynchrasies of the car, anyway.
The E36 is a relatively well balanced car with the M3 having changes in the front geometry to promote understeer - assisted by a wider rear fitment.
I ran a square set-up on my 328 track car (235/40R18 with M3 LSD) but did find it was keen to step out at the rear more than when on staggered rims. That said, a softer rear ARB setting would have mitigated that.
The E36 is a relatively well balanced car with the M3 having changes in the front geometry to promote understeer - assisted by a wider rear fitment.
I ran a square set-up on my 328 track car (235/40R18 with M3 LSD) but did find it was keen to step out at the rear more than when on staggered rims. That said, a softer rear ARB setting would have mitigated that.
TroubledSoul said:
Righto. I'm interested in picking up some of the ex BTCC slicks from eBay, and that would be easier without a staggered setup, but I do wonder whether the M3 has a staggered setup for a reason, i.e. it's better somehow.
If you manage to step it out on slicks, staggered or not, you are likely to be looking at the scenery, I run square ex BTCC slicks (235/620/17) all round on my E34 track car and have yet to break grip significantly, and my car still weighs the same as it left the factory complete with a lardy cake for a driver, it surprises much quicker machinery around the twisty bits with is grip (slicks), poise (coil-overs)and braking ability (Massive Brembos & slicks)! TroubledSoul said:
Righto. I'm interested in picking up some of the ex BTCC slicks from eBay, and that would be easier without a staggered setup, but I do wonder whether the M3 has a staggered setup for a reason, i.e. it's better somehow.
Staggered wheels are usually to help high speed stability, by calming the steering down.Calming the steering down is not needed as much for an alert driver on a race track, so I would go with all four the same width.
Get decent slicks and they are pretty forgiving over the limit, just make sure your engine lube system can deal with the lat acc. Oh and be careful with hitting biggish kerbs with the inside tyres when your cornering hard, cars roll over way quicker than you expect.
Well I haven't bought anymore wheels yet because of other things the car needs, but I've been thinking about this again.
One thing I still don't know, do I need 7.5, 8 or 8.5J all round and also should the wheels have a different offset front to rear to stop the rears being sat too far in? Or would I use spacers? I've never used them before as I've never been keen.
One thing I still don't know, do I need 7.5, 8 or 8.5J all round and also should the wheels have a different offset front to rear to stop the rears being sat too far in? Or would I use spacers? I've never used them before as I've never been keen.
A couple of things:
- try and find some light wheels. Lots of BMW ones are very heavy. If you can get some E34 M Systems they'd be ideal.
- don't know what the spec if your car is, but slicks will put more strain on everything. If you're running standard bushes etc then keep an eye on them. Some tracks used to not let you use slicks without a cage. Don't know if that's still the case (because I have a cage).
- try and find some light wheels. Lots of BMW ones are very heavy. If you can get some E34 M Systems they'd be ideal.
- don't know what the spec if your car is, but slicks will put more strain on everything. If you're running standard bushes etc then keep an eye on them. Some tracks used to not let you use slicks without a cage. Don't know if that's still the case (because I have a cage).
Output Flange said:
A couple of things:
- try and find some light wheels. Lots of BMW ones are very heavy. If you can get some E34 M Systems they'd be ideal.
- don't know what the spec if your car is, but slicks will put more strain on everything. If you're running standard bushes etc then keep an eye on them. Some tracks used to not let you use slicks without a cage. Don't know if that's still the case (because I have a cage).
Planning to put Powerflex black RTABs and lollipops on before it turns a wheel next. Needs new shocks though! No cage as yet, but will be going in that direction eventually. No slicks yet either. The build is at an early stage!- try and find some light wheels. Lots of BMW ones are very heavy. If you can get some E34 M Systems they'd be ideal.
- don't know what the spec if your car is, but slicks will put more strain on everything. If you're running standard bushes etc then keep an eye on them. Some tracks used to not let you use slicks without a cage. Don't know if that's still the case (because I have a cage).
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