[ronin951]

Time for a pic thread. Feel free to add.

Sebring with street tires..

(The last few had some brightness issues i couldn't fix)

[M-terkait]

Awesome pics!!

Edit:: i think you need a strut bar lol.

[USC2000]

Really cool pics.
How is it on the track? I'd really like to do an autocross event to see how it handles.

[ronin951]

Judging by my tires I need some camber plates in a bad way. To your point I think some stiffer springs would help. I was hoping Dinan's would do the trick, but so far reviews are mixed.

[M-terkait]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Judging by my tires I need some camber plates in a bad way. To your point I think some stiffer springs would help. I was hoping Dinan's would do the trick, but so far reviews are mixed.

do you mean that your Mperf Suspension wasn't good enough ?

[ronin951]

Originally Posted by USC2000

Really cool pics.
How is it on the track? I'd really like to do an autocross event to see how it handles.

It does well. Especially in the high speed sweepers. Very balanced and predictable. I would say it doesn't exactly excel in close quarters. It's a sedan after all. I haven't autocrossed it, but I imagine a road course would be much more enjoyable. It depends on the auto-x circuit too.

I think the bottom line is I've never felt completely out of control...even when things start to come loose. There's plenty of power and it generally holds its own against similar HP cars (both sedan and otherwise).

[ronin951]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

do you mean that your Mperf Suspension wasn't good enough ?

No, it's good enough. It's not spectacular as the images show. It is, however, a HUGE improvement over stock. Night and day. I don't regret the purchase one bit.

My biggest gripe is getting power down on corner exit. I think that's half my driving and half setup. Probably more towards the former

Edit: There's another member on here from FL with the Dinan springs. I'm looking forward to a comparison.

[M-terkait]

Originally Posted by ronin951

No, it's good enough. It's not spectacular as the images show. It is, however, a HUGE improvement over stock. Night and day. I don't regret the purchase one bit.

My biggest gripe is getting power down on corner exit. I think that's half my driving and half setup. Probably more towards the former

Oh ok because i have Msport suspension not stock one
So if I'm going to upgrade it i think am going to test it first before going for Mperf or KW suspension
Plus: i have installed a strut bar which really increased my confidence when cornering alot alot more!!

[DVC]

Thanks for posting, @ronin951 - I was just thinking that this forum needs a new thread!

I'm looking forward to the 2014 track season, and am gearing up with Dinan springs, and some brake tweaks (new fluid, pads, and SS lines). Maybe an LSD too, depending on what the M Performance offering looks like.

Here are some pics from my October track day at NJMP Lightning...






And one of the car after fitting the Apex ARC-8s

[ronin951]

Originally Posted by DVC

Thanks for posting, @ronin951 - I was just thinking that this forum needs a new thread!

I'm looking forward to the 2014 track season, and am gearing up with Dinan springs, and some brake tweaks (new fluid, pads, and SS lines). Maybe an LSD too, depending on what the M Performance offering looks like.

Here are some pics from my October track day at NJMP Lightning...






And one of the car after fitting the Apex ARC-8s

Man i love the arc-8's. best wheel for the money IMO. Probly gonna buy a set for my e36.

There's a pretty good group buy going on at some other forums. I think they're up to $200 off now. Not sure what sizes are left.

What pressure have you been running?

[silica666]

[DVC]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Man i love the arc-8's. best wheel for the money IMO. Probly gonna buy a set for my e36.

There's a pretty good group buy going on at some other forums. I think they're up to $200 off now. Not sure what sizes are left.

What pressure have you been running?

Agreed - these are great wheels for the money. My 18x9s are only 18.65# each... not bad for a sub-$300 wheel. On the street I have been running 35psi in my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s - haven't run them on the track yet. What psi do you run on the track?

[ronin951]

Originally Posted by DVC

Agreed - these are great wheels for the money. My 18x9s are only 18.65# each... not bad for a sub-$300 wheel. On the street I have been running 35psi in my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s - haven't run them on the track yet. What psi do you run on the track?

35 cold or 40-to-41 hot. My inner/outer's are balding fast, so I try to stay on the high side. There's no replacement for camber or stiff sidewalls though. Plus I think I have a little too much toe in up front. That doesn't help matters.

I REALLY want that tire temp coding done. That would be sweet. I never find the time to hop right out of the car and get tire temps/pressure even though I have a tire pyrometer. Usually my instructors and I talk for 5 minutes after getting off track. By that time it's too late.

Side note on tire pressure. I've compared my $2 dial gauge from advance auto to the readings of the high dollar versions. $2 is consistently dead on. Last time out the guys next to me had two 'track spec' dials. Their readings varied by 2 psi. Mine split the difference.

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Judging by my tires I need some camber plates in a bad way. To your point I think some stiffer springs would help. I was hoping Dinan's would do the trick, but so far reviews are mixed.

I don't think the Dinan springs would be any stiffer than the M performance springs, they are a claimed 30% stiffer than the stock sport suspension. M performance is also significantly stiffer than stock. As far as suspension goes, you may have the best of the best Camber adjustment would probably be a logical next step though

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by DVC

Thanks for posting, @ronin951 - I was just thinking that this forum needs a new thread!

I'm looking forward to the 2014 track season, and am gearing up with Dinan springs, and some brake tweaks (new fluid, pads, and SS lines). Maybe an LSD too, depending on what the M Performance offering looks like.

DVC, any update on your experience with the Dinan springs?

[DVC]

Originally Posted by momo3605

DVC, any update on your experience with the Dinan springs?

Nope, they are sitting in the box in my workshop. It's been snowing every few days here for a while with no let up in sight, so for the moment my 335 is high and dry (and freshly detailed) hiding in my garage.

As soon as the weather holds for a few days, I'll get them installed; the wait is killing me!

[RSXDC5]

Hey everyone, I hate to break it to you all, but using the m performance suspension or dinan springs will just simply not suffice at a racetrack. You'll have no camber adjustment and cord your expensive tires on the outside during corners. Negative camber adjustment will also increase your tire's contact patch, increasing your cornering speeds. Then comes our oh so wonderful open differential, your corner exit speeds will be pretty slow with this. A diff is badly needed, I believe the upcoming bmw m performance diff from Drexel should fit the bill here...you'll just have to wait a few more months for it.

[DVC]

Originally Posted by RSXDC5

Hey everyone, I hate to break it to you all, but using the m performance suspension or dinan springs will just simply not suffice at a racetrack.

I don't think you're "breaking it" to any of us...

[RSXDC5]

Originally Posted by DVC

I don't think you're "breaking it" to any of us...

Didn't mean to step on any toes!!! It's just hard to realize whether people are putting simple springs on their car and expecting to have a track monster, or even putting on the m performance suspension and expecting to have a track worthy suspension.

[RSXDC5]

I would like to think the best double duty track setup (at the moment) would be something like this:

-TC Kline single or double adjustable dampers with camber adjustment
-A proper track spec alignment
-A squared tire setup with tires much better than everyone's standard PSS setup, think Nitto NT-01's or something
-M Sport brakes with race pads and better fluid, maybe some steel braided brake lines as well
-A Drexel Differential
-A tune or whatever power adders you may be interested in

[DVC]

Originally Posted by RSXDC5

I would like to think the best double duty track setup (at the moment) would be something like this:

-TC Kline single or double adjustable dampers with camber adjustment
-A proper track spec alignment
-A squared tire setup with tires much better than everyone's standard PSS setup, think Nitto NT-01's or something
-M Sport brakes with race pads and better fluid, maybe some steel braided brake lines as well
-A Drexel Differential
-A tune or whatever power adders you may be interested in

For the most part I agree with your list (and might add some cooling tweaks too, as some seem to have problems with that... )
Regarding the suspension though - while I'd love a set of JRZ RS1s at some point - I think it's possible to have a nice track machine without coil overs. If camber is lacking, a set of adjustable camber plates will address that with various suspension possibilities. In my case, I don't have camber plates at the moment, but I (and I think a few others here) have fitted the OEM swivel/camber bearings up front, which dial in a bit more negative camber... it remains to be seen whether or not it's enough for my liking.

[RSXDC5]

Originally Posted by DVC

For the most part I agree with your list (and might add some cooling tweaks too, as some seem to have problems with that... )
Regarding the suspension though - while I'd love a set of JRZ RS1s at some point - I think it's possible to have a nice track machine without coil overs. If camber is lacking, a set of adjustable camber plates will address that with various suspension possibilities. In my case, I don't have camber plates at the moment, but I (and I think a few others here) have fitted the OEM swivel/camber bearings up front, which dial in a bit more negative camber... it remains to be seen whether or not it's enough for my liking.

Totally valid response.

I would love a set of RS1's, although, the are not out yet (as far as I know). You are completely correct in the sense that you can use traditional springs/dampers for track duty (with camber plates), BUT, they usually will never be able to deliver what you would like them to deliver. As for the camber bearing you mentioned, it is really just a replacement hub, only good for a half degree of additional negative camber...not even close in terms of providing the negative camber you will need though. You will need around -2.5 or more up front.