Track forum general chit chat.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by admranger

You don't need #17 in your link above unless you take the pump out (unnecessary).

I didn't replace the oil level sensor since I only have 35k miles on the car.

Thanks for posting the PNs. Appreciate it.

I did replace the gasket and the two o-rings for the pickup tubes.

Thanks as well, appreciate it! I should clarify that I am only replacing the oil level sensor o-ring since I am replacing my oil pan.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Good point, I keep going back and forth on this. Worried it may be another point to potentially develop a leak and I'm now in tune with how to use the awful electronic gauge so leaning away from it right now. Of course, when my e-gauge brakes you'll hear me complaining that I didn't do it!

i think it would be fun to show it off.

*pops hood* "check this out"
[crowd gasps]
"yea, i can check my oil level right now if i wanted to."
[whispers/chatter "so cool"]

[roastbeef]

i'm a bit envious of you people that are confident enough to do your own rod bearings. seems like it would be "fun."

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

admranger I'm planning to swap my oil pan, bearings, and engine mounts soon, any tips?

I also bought new oil pan screws, an oil pan gasket, o-ring for the sensor, anything else I should grab?

Oh and did you apply any sealant to the gasket? (Some folks do.)

@nholmes

[roastbeef]

i have this weird obsession with wanting to polish the intake ports of this v8. then i want to polish the throttle bodies, and figure out a way to polish the plastic velocity stacks in the intake plenum. i can't imagine the gains being worth the time and effort, but i can't stop thinking about it.

[nholmes]

It's not too hard of a job so long as you take your time and have all the necessary tools.

I wish there was a "real" DIY on it.

Here's my thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1237264

[roastbeef]

yea, i just don't have the room for it. i have a two car garage, and my truck takes up 3/4 of it. plus, i don't have the right tools or appropriate knowledge.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i'm a bit envious of you people that are confident enough to do your own rod bearings. seems like it would be "fun."

We'll see about that "fun" part ... just ordered BE Bearings and BE-ARP Rod Bolts! (And a number of supporting tools/parts.)

Thanks admranger and nholmes for the pointers, looking forward to tackling this job after further study of your comments and the various DIY threads.

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

We'll see about that "fun" part ... just ordered BE Bearings and BE-ARP Rod Bolts! (And a number of supporting tools/parts.)

Thanks admranger and nholmes for the pointers, looking forward to tackling this job after further study of your comments and the various DIY threads.

Are they in stock?

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Are they in stock?

From what I'm told they should be in soon, not sure what the current backlog of orders looks like though.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

From what I'm told they should be in soon, not sure what the current backlog of orders looks like though.

The sooner you order the sooner you'll have them.

I have two sets at home but they're spoken for.

[roastbeef]

anyone have an older (like 2010) helmet they want to sell? looking for a spare so the girlfriend or friends can come out for a few laps.

[///Mobbin]

Thinking about going off the deep end and getting a real suspension setup, but I do want to maximize street comfort also. Between MCS and JRZ, curious if remote reservoirs would offer better ability to tune for comfort on the street or simply be more comfortable on the street than non-remotes?

[lcrain]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Thinking about going off the deep end and getting a real suspension setup, but I do want to maximize street comfort also. Between MCS and JRZ, curious if remote reservoirs would offer better ability to tune for comfort on the street or simply be more comfortable on the street than non-remotes?

What is it about your current suspension setup that you feel is lacking? The big benefit of the remote, high-end dampers is that they can handle higher spring rates which generally translates to poor ride quality. I feel certain that a remote damper setup can be made to be comfortable on the street with softer springs. But in doing that, you will be missing out on their on-track potential. So, IMO, a waste of money for a car that will see considerable street time.

If street comfort and track capabilities are your goal, I think you would be better suited with the ohlins r&t or something like that. A step up from stock, while maintaining street comfort. Palatable cost also. Again, you should question what your cars (or your) perceived deficiencies are and how to best address them. 99% of the time, more track time/coaching is a better use of money than a trick suspension.

Racecar is the right answer. A spec miata can be had for the same money as a remote damper suspension that is well setup.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by lcrain

What is it about your current suspension setup that you feel is lacking? The big benefit of the remote, high-end dampers is that they can handle higher spring rates which generally translates to poor ride quality. I feel certain that a remote damper setup can be made to be comfortable on the street with softer springs. But in doing that, you will be missing out on their on-track potential. So, IMO, a waste of money for a car that will see considerable street time.

If street comfort and track capabilities are your goal, I think you would be better suited with the ohlins r&t or something like that. A step up from stock, while maintaining street comfort. Palatable cost also. Again, you should question what your cars (or your) perceived deficiencies are and how to best address them. 99% of the time, more track time/coaching is a better use of money than a trick suspension.

Racecar is the right answer. A spec miata can be had for the same money as a remote damper suspension that is well setup.

Trust me, would love to buy a racecar but it just isn't happening *yet*! That said one of my goals is just to experience what a good high end damper has to offer, I don't necessarily want to go crazy on spring rate though as moderate street comfort is also a necessity. Then hoping to find a damper that can be dialed in for the street as well as the track. Was set on B16 Damptronics before but not sure they will give me all I'm after on the track, street would be superb I'm sure though (based on the reviews I've read).

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Trust me, would love to buy a racecar but it just isn't happening *yet*! That said one of my goals is just to experience what a good high end damper has to offer, I don't necessarily want to go crazy on spring rate though as moderate street comfort is also a necessity. Then hoping to find a damper that can be dialed in for the street as well as the track. Was set on B16 Damptronics before but not sure they will give me all I'm after on the track, street would be superb I'm sure though (based on the reviews I've read).

MCS non remote would be fine for you. JRZ is ok but you can adjust both compression and rebound on MCS from top. Adjustment for JRZ is made from top and from bottom which is a pain.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

MCS non remote would be fine for you. JRZ is ok but you can adjust both compression and rebound on MCS from top. Adjustment for JRZ is made from top and from bottom which is a pain.

Appreciate the input, thanks! MCS 2WNR is starting to look like the winner here.

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

...one of my goals is just to experience what a good high end damper has to offer, I don't necessarily want to go crazy on spring rate though as moderate street comfort is also a necessity. Then hoping to find a damper that can be dialed in for the street as well as the track. Was set on B16 Damptronics before but not sure they will give me all I'm after on the track, street would be superb I'm sure though (based on the reviews I've read).

I've owned JRZ RS Pro since 2012 (remote canister). Very easy to adjust both rebound and compression. Rebound is on the top of the damper and compression is on the canister. I started with 450/650 lbs springs. This was really mellow on the streets. Super comfy. And it was fine on track. I ended up moving up to 600/800. This was still TOTALLY fine on the streets and even better on track.

The JRZ made the car more comfortable on the street than stock----dare I say the word "plush"? Their ability to deal with crappy road surfaces was quite impressive.

Now, my car is totally dedicated to track. I'm considering bumping up spring rates again now that I don't need to worry about street comfort.

As a preventive maintenance, I had the JRZ dampers rebuilt at 30000 miles. The shop that rebuilt them remarked that they could easily have gone another year. They were still pristine inside. And that's after around 70 track days and 30000 miles.

Anyway, with JRZ and MCS on the list, I think you can't go wrong.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by dogbone

I've owned JRZ RS Pro since 2012 (remote canister). Very easy to adjust both rebound and compression. Rebound is on the top of the damper and compression is on the canister. I started with 450/650 lbs springs. This was really mellow on the streets. Super comfy. And it was fine on track. I ended up moving up to 600/800. This was still TOTALLY fine on the streets and even better on track.

The JRZ made the car more comfortable on the street than stock----dare I say the word "plush"? Their ability to deal with crappy road surfaces was quite impressive.

Now, my car is totally dedicated to track. I'm considering bumping up spring rates again now that I don't need to worry about street comfort.

As a preventive maintenance, I had the JRZ dampers rebuilt at 30000 miles. The shop that rebuilt them remarked that they could easily have gone another year. They were still pristine inside. And that's after around 70 track days and 30000 miles.

Anyway, with JRZ and MCS on the list, I think you can't go wrong.

dogbone thanks for chiming in, I was afraid of going for one of these dampers on the street but many folks have now mentioned that with the right spring rates they are plenty comfortable. I feel much better about it now.

One bonus with the MCS dampers is that you can upgrade to the remote reservoir later and pay the difference for the upgrade (so I've heard). Might start with the 2-way no reservoir and then add the reservoir later if keep my car long enough.

Edit: Apparently the 1WNR's can be upgraded to 2WR/3WR's but the 2WNR's cannot.

[admranger]

Bimmerworld usually has a pretty nice black friday sale on MCS stuff iirc.

[elim11]

Had an appointment with west end today to dial in my alignment. Here is how she stands [IMG][/IMG]

Should be ready for ACS this weekend. Went aggressive with alignment since it's no longer daily driver
Thanks to #86 for suggestions. About maxed out on front camber per darin

[roastbeef]

i forget... do you have front camber plates or do you coilovers have them?