MRF Solid Subframe Bushings on ESS 650 DCT

[Longboarder]

Dropped off my car at MRF and had a bunch of stuff done to the car - rod bearings (calico coated with ARP 2000 bolts), Powerhaus Performance 5 gallon water/ice tank for reduced IATs, MRF solid subframe bushings, lightened Z4M battery, and every fluid in the car changed, and every component checked. Car checked out ok except both motor mounts were busted so they were replaced.

I opted not to do the diff bushings as well because I wanted the car to continue to drive "stock". As in I didn't want to hear any additional NVH. There is definitely no additional NVH from the solid subframe bushings.

I wanted to provide my initial impression of the solid subframe bushings. The reason I purchased them is because the M3 is being used a secondary race car for occasional track and airstrip events. I've done a few of these before with the M3 and at these power levels I get occasional wheel spin on the hit and above 8,000 rpm in 2nd and 3rd gears. Also first gear is typically worth only up to 5,000 rpm before it starts spinning violently at WOT. MRF indicated that the solid subframe bushings should reduce chassis flex / hop and dramatically improve straight line and lateral (at the track) traction.

Well, MRF was right. This thing flat out hooks the f*ck up. First gear I almost get full traction at WOT and there is no spin in any other gear.

I should say that I am running stock ZCP wheels with MPSS 275 35 19's in the rear. Tire pressure set at 32psi. Euro MDM ON. With DSC OFF you have to be careful in first gear as it may blow off...but with MDM it does great. I'll probably do the airstrip events DSC OFF since we do a 2nd gear 40mph roll on.

I'll a data nut so I'll do some vBox 0-60's to show you guys how quick this thing is from a dead stop. Feels like mid-3's but hopefully I can get lower than that.

Cheers.

[Lucrecio84]

Had those done a couple months ago but also went with subframe bushings as well. Def a good decision. Let us know how that ice tank works for you.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Lucrecio84

Had those done a couple months ago but also went with subframe bushings as well. Def a good decision. Let us know how that ice tank works for you.

Do you mean diff bushings?

Water tank in normal use doesn't do much to reduce IATs but I am going all the way out to Arizona for an airstrip event next weekend and it's going to be hot AF (100 degrees F). I'll be able to hot lap it and not need to do cool downs as long as I drop in some ice between runs.

[Lucrecio84]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Do you mean diff bushings?

Water tank in normal use doesn't do much to reduce IATs but I am going all the way out to Arizona for an airstrip event next weekend and it's going to be hot AF (100 degrees F). I'll be able to hot lap it and not need to do cool downs as long as I drop in some ice between runs.

shit my bad yea diff bushings. You going to No Fly Zone? Good luck man. Wanted to go to that but just too far for me

[Longboarder]

Do you have a DCT or 6MT? I went for a ride in a solid diff bushings DCT car and the whine was too much for me. I heard it was silent on the 6MT's. I may do this mod in the future but use the 1M "brace" to keep whine to a minimum.

Yeah doing NFZ Arizona. Was too many miles for the 911 but this is exactly why I wanted a secondary car for events like this. M3 should do pretty well with the ice tank. I'll do vids and post up next week.

[BrewRifle]

That's great news. I've thought about doing the solid subframe bushings as well, how much do they usually run to get installed? Did you go with stock motor mounts and how many miles are on your car again?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

That's great news. I've thought about doing the solid subframe bushings as well, how much do they usually run to get installed? Did you go with stock motor mounts and how many miles are on your car again?

I think the subframe bushings are $279 plus tax and the install ran $1,100 but I think that was discounted since the car was already on the rack taken apart for other stuff since the car was at MFR getting a bunch of stuff done.

Have to take the entire subframe out of the car for the install - it's a lot of work.

Car has 32,000 miles on it and yes I went with the stock motor mounts.

[8600RPM]

How's that z4 battery working? Is it a direct swap?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by 8600RPM

How's that z4 battery working? Is it a direct swap?

Hopefully it works better than the stock one which was about to die after 3 years. The difference in weight between the two batteries is substantial - forgot the exact difference however it offset the additional weight of the 5 gallon water/ice tank that was installed in the trunk. The battery is probably half the size so there is a lot of extra room in the battery compartment.

[Exclusivs]

Nice Long!

Glad to hear things all went well. Sounds like its ready to rock NFZ!

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Exclusivs

Nice Long!

Glad to hear things all went well. Sounds like its ready to rock NFZ!

You guys coming out ?

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

You guys coming out ?

Definitely will be! Spectating of course Evolution Motorsports will bringing out some heavy machinery. When are you guys making the trip down?

[CIFUM3]

Can you post pictures of the Ice tank and how it all looks in the trunk?

[Longboarder]

Sweet. They bringing Anthony's car? I want to run him again in my 911 but from a dig.

This time I'll have the M3 so ill run their bolt on cars and probably still get walked :/

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by CIFUM3

Can you post pictures of the Ice tank and how it all looks in the trunk?

I was going to do a DIY on the install but it's far from a DIY. Should only be done by a shop with prior experience with boosted ice tank cars.

I will run some other supercharged M3's next weekend and the vids and mph traps will tell the story.

Here's the finished product. Tons of trunk space remains and the tank has easy access to drop in a bag of ice before a run. Also has a drain that is easy to access but also impossible to accidentally open.

[Limey]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Dropped off my car at MRF and had a bunch of stuff done to the car - rod bearings (calico coated with ARP 2000 bolts), Powerhaus Performance 5 gallon water/ice tank for reduced IATs, MRF solid subframe bushings, lightened Z4M battery, and every fluid in the car changed, and every component checked. Car checked out ok except both motor mounts were busted so they were replaced.

I opted not to do the diff bushings as well because I wanted the car to continue to drive "stock". As in I didn't want to hear any additional NVH. There is definitely no additional NVH from the solid subframe bushings.

I wanted to provide my initial impression of the solid subframe bushings. The reason I purchased them is because the M3 is being used a secondary race car for occasional track and airstrip events. I've done a few of these before with the M3 and at these power levels I get occasional wheel spin on the hit and above 8,000 rpm in 2nd and 3rd gears. Also first gear is typically worth only up to 5,000 rpm before it starts spinning violently at WOT. MRF indicated that the solid subframe bushings should reduce chassis flex / hop and dramatically improve straight line and lateral (at the track) traction.

Well, MRF was right. This thing flat out hooks the f*ck up. First gear I almost get full traction at WOT and there is no spin in any other gear.

I should say that I am running stock ZCP wheels with MPSS 275 35 19's in the rear. Tire pressure set at 32psi. Euro MDM ON. With DSC OFF you have to be careful in first gear as it may blow off...but with MDM it does great. I'll probably do the airstrip events DSC OFF since we do a 2nd gear 40mph roll on.

I'll a data nut so I'll do some vBox 0-60's to show you guys how quick this thing is from a dead stop. Feels like mid-3's but hopefully I can get lower than that.

Cheers.

Excellent glad the bushings are working for you. On my list.

[CIFUM3]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I was going to do a DIY on the install but it's far from a DIY. Should only be done by a shop with prior experience with boosted ice tank cars.

I will run some other supercharged M3's next weekend and the vids and mph traps will tell the story.

Here's the finished product. Tons of trunk space remains and the tank has easy access to drop in a bag of ice before a run. Also has a drain that is easy to access but also impossible to accidentally open.

Awesome! Malek at it again looks so clean! I may pay him a visit soon

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Sweet. They bringing Anthony's car? I want to run him again in my 911 but from a dig.

This time I'll have the M3 so ill run their bolt on cars and probably still get walked :/

I'm 99% sure he will be there. Possibly a new car they've been building? Who knows they always got secret projects going on over there

Excited to see what your M does with all the upgrades. Fast already!

[Vybz]

Your review is very encouraging. I was looking to get this done mid summer but my plans fell through I'm not too offended by NVH, so I plan on doing the diff bushings as well. Definitely seems like it's a must for those who are having trouble putting their power down.

[kerrit]

Great thread. Can't wait to get solid subframe bushings in. My rear end sways so much when doing pulls if the road isn't perfectly smooth and first gear is worthless above 5k rpms, it basically just starts spinning and wheel hopping.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by kerrit

Great thread. Can't wait to get solid subframe bushings in. My rear end sways so much when doing pulls if the road isn't perfectly smooth and first gear is worthless above 5k rpms, it basically just starts spinning and wheel hopping.

I was getting bad wheel hop (from a dig) when my tires were low on tread. New set of MPSS fixed the crazy wheel hop but still had a lot of spin in first gear over 5K and at the top of 2nd and 3rd which the bushings have addressed. So for you it could also be tires.