Bernooo's E92 M3 Clubsport Build

[slcook54]

I left the rear door cards for the speakers back there, but I hear you. It's a fine line.

Even where I'm at now I want to put the E92 against my F80 CS. They actually feel pretty close.

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by berns

New threads are cool and all but at this point, it just doesn't matter much. You either commit to a certain level of rawness and effort in reducing weight, or you pussy foot around and end up doing that anyway. Even I've done that, although I started off pretty strong.

For a while I was adamant about leaving my rear door cards and rear shelf and full carpet, even considered doing a proper rear seat delete. It all adds up... IF all you're going to do is drive this thing to the track, or the canyons, or tow it to the track, then there's no reason not to remove as much as possible.

My current limit is leaving the front carpet in and keeping the headliner, dash and center console with gts arm rest. Weight is the ultimate enemy of this car. It's the only reason people never thought it was "fast". But man... at 31xx and 8700rpm with a 4.10 and a few killer NA mods / tune, this thing rips.

Thank you for that. You are absolutely right.

[berns]

Chipping away... Ran a 1:51.09 at Buttonwillow on Thursday.

Had a solid 1:50 lap, but after so many attempts with traffic, by the time I saw the GT4 I was so frustrated that I just sent it too hard. Killed my Sweeper line, drifted the exit, lost a lot of speed exiting the esses with the pass, and then completely destroyed Sunset which is my classic move.

The positives: Making small changes has been a cool learning experience. I trimmed out the rear wing from the shakedown a month ago, got an alignment and corner balance (3165 w/ half a tank), and made some rebound adjustments. During the day I played a bit more with wing angle and made some other damper adjustments. Got the car to start behaving better but now it's time to make adjustments front and rear to get some more damper control. I was definitely over driving on this lap but the car can definitely be doing better. Less wing angle still, at least for Buttonwillow, should help scrub less speed in Riverside.

I'll get back to Buttonwillow in December with fresh rubber and some more subtle adjustments to get that 50. I'd be ecstatic with a 49 there but chopping a second off is starting to feel like climbing Everest.

Also tested the forward X-pipe and the Turner airbox. Thanks to Steve, Tom, TJ, Nick and the whole European Auto Soruce crew for the dyno time and install help, and to Randy @ Epic Motorsports for the tuning. We've got a VERY healthy S65 and I love this motor.

RED - Forward-X - big mid range improvement, but small top-end sacrifice.
BLUE - MS Standard-X - small mid range dip which can mostly be tuned out, better top-end flow
GREEN - MS Standard-X + Turner airbox - more mid range sacrifice but better flow up top

little Reel and good dyno noises here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CktLM..._web_copy_link



I think with further custom tuning, we could improve the mid-range dip but I really don't care too much about it for this cars purpose. I just want all of the top-end, so next up will be 292s and valve springs and I'd imagine we will end up around the 415-420whp range on 91 octane. One more note -- redline is set to 8600 but for some reason the car only hits 8350/8400 on the dyno. Peak power is at redline... and I'm definitely hitting the 8600 on track. Not sure what that's about!

Here's the lap!

[Rochen_00]

Now, what exhaust configuration do you have? MS Standard-X + akra exhaust? Decat?

Those are amazing numbers Ben!

[Redd]

Awesome numbers, you have a very healthy S65! This also tells me that the stock intake and exhaust are quite well optimized from factory. Gains, if any, are small.

[leftfootbr8king]

Originally Posted by Redd

Awesome numbers, you have a very healthy S65! This also tells me that the stock intake and exhaust are quite well optimized from factory. Gains, if any, are small.

His exhaust and intake mods account for 50 whp. That's a 15% increase over an already high performance NA engine.

I'm not sure I consider those gains "small" relatively speaking.

[fsmtnbiker]

Can you post the SAE chart so we have actually useful numbers to compare?

[omgzirra_exe]

looking at the chart, it seems to be that forward X has the typical low rpm bog trait even with the tune correcting it.

unless your starting RPM is just different on that particular run which would be weird to do.

the more flat tq and hp from 4500rpm to 5200 rpm is pretty nice for a street/race application!

[Redd]

Originally Posted by leftfootbr8king

His exhaust and intake mods account for 50 whp. That's a 15% increase over an already high performance NA engine.

I'm not sure I consider those gains "small" relatively speaking.

I was talking just about the 3 items in the dyno chart. It's 8hp split between them.

[berns]

Originally Posted by Rochen_00

Now, what exhaust configuration do you have? MS Standard-X + akra exhaust? Decat?

Those are amazing numbers Ben!

We decided to continue tuning with the MS X pipe and Turner airbox.
Full mod list:

MS catless x pipe
MS pullies
MS stage 2 intake
Turner airbox
Akra rear section
Epic tune
New OEM injectors 7000 miles ago
ACL bearings 7000 miles ago
Engine has 105k on it

Originally Posted by Redd

Awesome numbers, you have a very healthy S65! This also tells me that the stock intake and exhaust are quite well optimized from factory. Gains, if any, are small.

Agree 100%. The ultimate setup is actually the most budget setup... Epic tune + stock airbox + the entire Macht Schnell package (pullies, intake, x pipe), and you really can't ask for a better setup.

Originally Posted by fsmtnbiker

Can you post the SAE chart so we have actually useful numbers to compare?

Steve hates outputting graphs but final SAE numbers are 391whp/279 lb-ft

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

looking at the chart, it seems to be that forward X has the typical low rpm bog trait even with the tune correcting it.

unless your starting RPM is just different on that particular run which would be weird to do.

the more flat tq and hp from 4500rpm to 5200 rpm is pretty nice for a street/race application!

I will say -- this isn't the MOST fair representation of the forward X design. We had limited time with Randy due to scheduling conflicts, so instead of starting the tuning on his already optimized forward-x file, which has no low-rpm bog, we instead chose to install it and look for changes with the current flash. What it showed was the instant mid-range pickup, but a small drop in top-end flow. At this point, with peak power numbers in mind, we decided to go back to the MS x pipe to see how far we could get.

Had we kept the forward X on, we'd have fixed the low-rpm, found more in the mid range and picked up a bit up top, but tuning can't change flow.

I agree -- the forward X is awesome for street/auto-x/track. That midrange bump is the reason people rave about it after installing. We feel tq in the seat. I'm sure my lap times would be identical with both setups, and truthfully I'd take the weight savings too.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by berns

I agree -- the forward X is awesome for street/auto-x/track. That midrange bump is the reason people rave about it after installing. We feel tq in the seat. I'm sure my lap times would be identical with both setups, and truthfully I'd take the weight savings too.

oh of course, with out knowing the full tuning details, but its cool to see that it's just a consistent thing across the board with the forward x, helps moving forward a lot easier for tuning.

wonder how randy is going to tune for cams when you get them, i remember he was against it a couple years back.

[Adrian g.]

Originally Posted by berns

And, overdue update time!

My Pinnacle GTS-style T45 cage finally showed up after major fuckups from DHL. They literally lost this thing... I have to give some major credit to Jamie at Pinnacle though -- not only is this cage gorgeous, and as light as advertised (40.8 lbs w/ powdercoat), but his packaging is second to none. It took me a good 40 minutes to unwrap it, but not a single bit of damage anywhere to be found.



I recommend tackling the install with a buddy, just to avoid damaging the cage and your car. Here's how I went about it.

Remove both seats, shifter forward, steering wheel as high and forward as possible. I put a moving blanket over the console and dash area. Passenger's window down, slide it in through the pass side, rotate and shimmy it into place. Impressive how quickly you can have it in position!

The rear brackets use existing holes and hardware. The bottom holes use existing holes but I had to go grab some hardware. I went to O'Reilly and grabbed some nice 10.9 flanged M8x20mm bolts, nuts and washers.

Start with the rearward hardware and finish with the forward bench hardware.

I had some trouble lining up the bottom holes on mine, but Jamie assured me this isn't the norm. Truth be told, slight movement in welding, cooling, shipping, is to be expected with any bolt-in cage. I elongated the holes slightly and actually used a ratchet strap to pull the cage a bit rearward with tension to aid in lining the holes up without struggling with my own (lack of) muscle. Worked great!

With the rear all bolted in loosely, I moved onto the front. You'll need something strong to get through the bench metal and you'll drill two holes on each lower end of the bench to get a nut and wrench in below the bolts. I used a drill with a big uni-bit. Took some time and made a mess but got the job done!

Thanks for posting this; just ordered one from Jamie, in space grey. Should be here in 5-6 weeks..

Your car looks fantastic, btw.

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by berns

Chipping away... Ran a 1:51.09 at Buttonwillow on Thursday.

Had a solid 1:50 lap, but after so many attempts with traffic, by the time I saw the GT4 I was so frustrated that I just sent it too hard. Killed my Sweeper line, drifted the exit, lost a lot of speed exiting the esses with the pass, and then completely destroyed Sunset which is my classic move.

The positives: Making small changes has been a cool learning experience. I trimmed out the rear wing from the shakedown a month ago, got an alignment and corner balance (3165 w/ half a tank), and made some rebound adjustments. During the day I played a bit more with wing angle and made some other damper adjustments. Got the car to start behaving better but now it's time to make adjustments front and rear to get some more damper control. I was definitely over driving on this lap but the car can definitely be doing better. Less wing angle still, at least for Buttonwillow, should help scrub less speed in Riverside.

I'll get back to Buttonwillow in December with fresh rubber and some more subtle adjustments to get that 50. I'd be ecstatic with a 49 there but chopping a second off is starting to feel like climbing Everest.

Also tested the forward X-pipe and the Turner airbox. Thanks to Steve, Tom, TJ, Nick and the whole European Auto Soruce crew for the dyno time and install help, and to Randy @ Epic Motorsports for the tuning. We've got a VERY healthy S65 and I love this motor.

RED - Forward-X - big mid range improvement, but small top-end sacrifice.
BLUE - MS Standard-X - small mid range dip which can mostly be tuned out, better top-end flow
GREEN - MS Standard-X + Turner airbox - more mid range sacrifice but better flow up top

little Reel and good dyno noises here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CktLM..._web_copy_link



I think with further custom tuning, we could improve the mid-range dip but I really don't care too much about it for this cars purpose. I just want all of the top-end, so next up will be 292s and valve springs and I'd imagine we will end up around the 415-420whp range on 91 octane. One more note -- redline is set to 8600 but for some reason the car only hits 8350/8400 on the dyno. Peak power is at redline... and I'm definitely hitting the 8600 on track. Not sure what that's about!

Here's the lap!

Quick question. Can you please share your tire pressures and suggestion for 3250lbs on 285 square CRS.

thanks in advance

[berns]

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Quick question. Can you please share your tire pressures and suggestion for 3250lbs on 285 square CRS.

thanks in advance

I've never run CRS but generally I start with the same approach. Best to ask those who run those tires though for better starting pressures.

Usually go out at 25-26psi cold and aim for 32-33 hot.

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by berns

I've never run CRS but generally I start with the same approach. Best to ask those who run those tires though for better starting pressures.

Usually go out at 25-26psi cold and aim for 32-33 hot.

Took inspiration from you and your build and I dropped 100lbs and finally after 10years of ownership did some engine mods. I beat my previous best at BWR

Thanks again for all that you shared on your build thread.

[berns]

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Took inspiration from you and your build and I dropped 100lbs and finally after 10years of ownership did some engine mods. I beat my previous best at BWR

Thanks again for all that you shared on your build thread.

That's awesome to hear, Thiago!
In the midst of launching a brand doing exactly this...

If anyone wants to make some changes or replicate my setup-ish, just let me know. KMP, Epic Tunes, SPL, MCS, Drexler!

[berns]

Man, what have I done... I stopped updating the thread, and lately when I think about it, it's just so much to cover and go into that I skip it. But in an effort to keep the build journal alive and stay in touch with the E9x gang, it's update time.

Looks like we left off with a 1:51.09 lap at Buttonwillow. Since then, I've been tinkering with the setup nonstop, for better or worse. As you know, my goal has been to Sub 50 ANYTHING, EVER, and while I never thought it would be in the E92, I've gotten very, very close. Actually, within nine one hundredths of a second close...

I've been trying to work out some high speed understeer, because the BimmerWorld Ultralight wing is just insanely effective. I have zero'd it out as much as I possibly can, and still, it's just working so damn well. Amazingly, it's creating no drag whatsoever -- top speeds are alive and well everywhere, but as I try to push for these last bits of time, I'm needing more high speed front grip and wanting the car to rotate a bit more. It's been difficult to force myself to drive around the push, but I'll keep trying.

Here's a 1:50.09 lap. Yes, if that e36 wasn't there, this would have been a 1:49.8... Huge bummer, but what can we do. Following this lap, I ran a 1:50.26, which, if I didn't screw up at Sunset, would have been a 49.6... The same day, I ran a 50.3, .5, .8 and .9. Safe to say, the car was working really, really well, but being me, and feeling frustrated with the understeer, I went ahead and made more changes and have moved myself further away from the goal.

Enough complaining, though, the car is amazing and these are growing pains. I will get there, but to keep my mental health a priority, I'm going to take a break from solo buttonwillow laps and get back to having fun with the car, competing in Bimmer Challenge, GTA, Gridlife...

Fun updates. Well, my F31 was short lived -- an Instagram follower of mine really, really wanted it, and has been struggling with some major health issues. He's wheelchair bound now, with kids, missed being in the BMW scene and really wanted the wagon to fit hand controls to. I sold it to him instantly, and found a Mineral White, Carbon Roof, DCT F80 in Arizona. It has 102k on it and I've always wanted one, so it's the new daily.

Picking up in Phoenix.


And.... Home!


While I was out in AZ, I met up with fsmtnbiker to grab some MCS dampers for a buddy, and take Chris' Flossman fenders off his hands, as they aligned with my efforts to improve front aero on the e92. Not a fun install, but they do look pretty insane. Have they helped noticeably in any way? No, not that I can see... but, with plans to build a proper splitter with tunnels in the future, I think they'll work out well.

Couldn't have done it without my little helper.






I've also been dying to try to fit more wheel and tire under the car. Reached out to Apex to order a set of the VS-5RS in brushed clear, because I think it is one of the absolute coolest, most aggressive looking wheels on the market right now, and, it came in the spec I was looking for. 18x11 +25 square.







I'd been running Bridgestone RE71-RS with lots of success, but have always wanted to try A052s, so I grabbed a set of 295/30's to try with the Apex's. We all know they're fast, but they feel VERY different to the Bridgestones and are going to take some adjusting for me to be quick on them. Compared to my 1:50.09 lap, I ran a 1:51.9 on them, albeit in warmer temps and with way too much anger (hence the Buttonwillow break).

Before the track, I received a nice little gift in the mail from my SUB2 SpeedHouse fab partner, Nolan of Titan Fab. I wanted to build a non-resonated, standard-location titanium X pipe since I prefer the sound and top-end flow of this orientation. Thanks to my buddies at European Auto Source, as always, for fitting me in last minute to do the swap and a few last minute fixes before the track.

Fitment and quality is killer, and these can be purchased on the site along with a lot of my favorite other go-to parts. Would really love the opportunity to help, supply, support any of you, so just let me know what I can do!
www.sub2speedhouse.com







So... what's next? I'm going to keep playing with setup, spring rates, aero, tires and brake pads, and just going to enjoy the car. I have some cool projects in the works with some awesome brands, in an effort to keep fresh parts coming to the market for this platform we all love so much, so I'll keep you guys updated there too.

Questions? Thoughts? Concerns?
-Alex

[slcook54]

Exact same sentiment regarding the ultralight wing. I’m observing no top speed loss at thunderhill, but struggling with mid corner understeer. We had to raise the front a bit to fit the 295’s with the Ohlins. Going to see if we can lower it a bit and potentially soften the spring rate to help. Have you had success dialing out the understeer? I don’t plan to move off the bimmerworld aero.

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by berns

Man, what have I done... I stopped updating the thread, and lately when I think about it, it's just so much to cover and go into that I skip it. But in an effort to keep the build journal alive and stay in touch with the E9x gang, it's update time.

He's Alive! Dude, the car looks like a monster, those are definitely my favorite track wheels right now (in clear).

Did you install the adjustable front sway bar? I also have pretty bad high speed push, I need to fiddle with my sway and fix the SPL shims/caster/toe.

You should run BW on 3/31 or 4/1 to hit that sub-50. I think a few E9X'ers from here are going.

[DRLane]

Berns, my only concerns are the cadence of updates.

Car is sick, and more importantly those times are fucking rad! Breaking :50 under NA power will be lit.

[redpriest]

What springs are you running now?

[berns]

Originally Posted by redpriest

What springs are you running now?

600/1000 divorced