Prepping for the Track

[72dan]

I used to do a lot of racing, took a long time off.
I had only taken my M3 to Streets of Willow once a few years ago.

Just did Big Willow and streets Dec 2017





Want to track regularly.
I am doing some suspension upgrades.

What is available as far as roll bars. I want to make it as light as possible, chrome moly or carbon fiber?
Is there a nice back half cage I can start with then anybody know a local fabricator who can run a front hoop, some door bars.

Right now the car is mostly stock with:
Stoptech Trophy 380/355 mm setup Pagid RD29 pads
RD Sport adjustable sway bars
Forgeline 19 x 9 and 19 x 10 wheels
Yokohama Advan AD08R size 265/30/19 front and 275/35/19 rear

Also looking for coilovers. Anybody have a good source for AST, Moton, Ohlins, JRZ, Penske?

Seats, what seats work well in the M3, still some comfort but 5 or 6 point harnesses
I do want to run window nets as well.

Then need some better coolers for power steering and DCT, have the GTS software on the car now, a front spoiler/whiskers that make real downforce, rear wing, etc.

[warp10]

I don't think carbon fiber is a god thing for a roll bar. Chrome Moly is kind of the standard.

Also not sure fabricators will add onto someone else's work. Sounds like you want a full cage?

Are you looking to still drive the car on the streets?

This section of the forum has a ton of info if you search. Multiple street/track builds all the way to full on race builds.

[roastbeef]

pickup a set of track wheels. almost everyone uses 18" apex arc-8's. you will be able to find on this forum if they will fit over your brakes ok.

i don't have personal experience in coilovers. i'm still on oem zcp suspension, but i will be going with moton's when the time comes.

in socal, you have a pretty large selection of speed shops. poke around in the track forum and you'll see names mentioned. i personally prefer Malek@MRF.
hujan is selling a complete d088 cooler setup right now, and it is at the mrf shop.

[72dan]

Originally Posted by warp10

I don't think carbon fiber is a god thing for a roll bar. Chrome Moly is kind of the standard.

Also not sure fabricators will add onto someone else's work. Sounds like you want a full cage?

Are you looking to still drive the car on the streets?

This section of the forum has a ton of info if you search. Multiple street/track builds all the way to full on race builds.

I will drive it on the streets but it isn’t a daily driver. I have broken a lot of bones off road accidents and bicycle.

I have had several other cars with a roll bar usually I get it custom so I have an adjustable tube that bolts to the back of the seat.

I worked for a pro racer that had pain 10 years after a wreck in a 240z because the cage went one way the sheet metal another.
The Willow Springs video I posted guys have been killed coming out of turn 9 wide and rolling no window net and part of their body is outside the vehicle when it rolls.

I want to build a nice track toy that isn’t a trailer queen but a nice street weekend driver as well that is safe at the track. Likely carbon FIA approved seats, pull out rear seats for the roll bar. Nobody has ever sat there anyway.

Want at least some side protection and a front hoop, it also adds rigidity.
I am braking into turn 1at 135 mph and I am still on stock edc, fully set up likely 150 mph.
Some of these track days at Fontana I am afraid to go because the course goes out onto the speedway and 150 mph in the corner with a concrete wall. A flat tire and I am hitting that wall really hard and I’m in a world of pain.

[M3 Number 86]

there are a ton of socal bmw track guys. come to the track section in this forum.

or, if you have facebook, search for Bimmer Challenge and join that page.

[M3 Number 86]

why is your left hand always on your lap? lol

[dj_dub]

Originally Posted by 72dan

I used to do a lot of racing, took a long time off.

For someone who's done a lot of racing, your hand positions/the way you shift your hands on the steering wheel is terrible man. That's one of the first things you learn in HPDE is to not do that.

[72dan]

Originally Posted by dj_dub

For someone who's done a lot of racing, your hand positions/the way you shift your hands on the steering wheel is terrible man. That's one of the first things you learn in HPDE is to not do that.

I don't have a race seat or harnesses, often I have one hand on the drivers door to hold me in the seat, especially at Streets of Willow, tight, technical, bumpy often more than a quarter turn of the wheel quickly.

[72dan]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

why is your left hand always on your lap? lol

It isn't on my lap, it is holding onto the drivers door to keep me in the seat.
I need a race seat and 6 point harnesses.

The first video wasn't showing, look at big Willow
"https://vimeo.com/247574703"
Dan

[72dan]

Originally Posted by warp10

I don't think carbon fiber is a god thing for a roll bar. Chrome Moly is kind of the standard.

Also not sure fabricators will add onto someone else's work. Sounds like you want a full cage?

Are you looking to still drive the car on the streets?

This section of the forum has a ton of info if you search. Multiple street/track builds all the way to full on race builds.

Occasional street car. Agreed on the chrome moly.

I would like to have a front hoop and some side protection. I don't want to remove the dash or totally guy the car.

I want it more like a Porsche GT-3. The car needs real coilovers, camber plates, some aerodynamics, etc.

[warp10]

Look at the Club sport cage.

http://www.motorsport24.de/m3-e92-rennsport-zubehor_/

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by 72dan

It isn't on my lap, it is holding onto the drivers door to keep me in the seat.
I need a race seat and 6 point harnesses.

The first video wasn't showing, look at big Willow
"https://vimeo.com/247574703"
Dan

It's all good no worries. I was only asking lol.

But yeah come to track session and you should sign up for Bimmer Challenge. It's a fun and friendly time attack with some awesome prizes. Lot of us on here participate from socal and NorCal. There are some serious drivers in it as well.

There are many half cage options. One of the members on here has some available as well.

I just reversed all my safety stuff in my car Exvept left the seats in. Lol

[italyix]

Originally Posted by warp10

Look at the Club sport cage.

http://www.motorsport24.de/m3-e92-rennsport-zubehor_/

Last time I inquired about this (summer 2017), they don't make them anymore for US market or I would have bought one already

[warp10]

Originally Posted by italyix

Last time I inquired about this (summer 2017), they don't make them anymore for US market or I would have bought one already

It would also probably cost as much of the cage to ship

[dparm]

Taking a hand off the wheel to hold yourself in place? That's crazy -- definitely get a harness and/or seat with better bolstering (ideally, both, so you can run 6/8-point belts).

I've never seen a CF roll bar or cage, for the record.

[72dan]

I am putting together parts to go through the suspension.

I got some ECS rear trailing arms but they do not include the bushings that go inside.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...001258ecs01~a/

I see OEM Lemforder all over the internet.
Then there are some polyurethane available. Polyurethane is fine for parts that don't rotate but if I put it in these it will squeak like crazy.

THen I saw this that said it was a ball joint
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-lemforde...326792553~lem/

So I am not clear if the stock parts are a ball and socket with a rubber boot to cover them or if they are just plain rubber bushings.

If this is already a ball joint why would I want to put polyurethane in here?