Derek's E90 slicktop OEM+ Project

[derbo]

Prep for HPDE

My loving wife knew I was looking to improve my data acquisition at HPDE events. She did the research and ended up buying an Aim Solo DL for my birthday! She grabbed me a CANBUS one which was exactly what I wanted! Installation wasn't too bad. At the fusebox behind the glove, there is a CANBUS+ and CANBUS- to tap the two wires into. I tapped fuse #5 for power and grounded the ground to the chassis. Can't thank her enough! Love her


I also want to thank all those in the track chit-chat thread for the mounting suggestions! The final mounting position is now the left of the cluster. I'll look into purchasing a ProClip to mount the Aim Solo in near the center vent in the future but this will do for now!



For the main page, I decided to have the following parameters: Rolling Session Time, Predictive Time, Engine Coolant Temp, Engine Oil Temp. This seemed to be the most critical information I could glance at during the sessions. I configured other pages for the drive up but this 4 parameter page felt the best for me.

I also swapped over to DTC60 pads on the ST60 and stock rear pads.

Time for a trackday!

Thunderhill HPDE!

This past weekend marked the first track day of the 2020! Nature didn't want to get beat by COVID so it added a few fires in August too! The closest fire to Thunderhill was not far away and developed a poor air quality index of 200+ for the Saturday. Paired this with 100F+ weather, it was not a recipe for great lap-times.

Long time friend Stephen tagged along in his Imola Red E46 ZHP with my wife's F87 M2 and my E90 M3. It was good to be back!



The dark drive didn't show how smokey it was until the sun broke through after sunrise.




# Media Setup
For video/audio, I used a GoPro Hero5 with an external mic attached to the rear bumper.
For data, my new AIM Solo2 DL.
Race Render Pro for compiling the videos with overlays.




# Laptimes
I am impressed with what a Pilot Sport 4S can do! The tire held very well for a 300 treadwear tire. They were very predictable at the limit. I was able to hit a 2:05.80 but I am believe I can clean that up with a little more seat time!



# Impressions
The car is in a very good spot now. I think with 200TW tires and adding Schroth quickfit Pro Harness, I will be in a very good spot to chase that 2 minute mark. The DTC60 brakes were solid and PS4S faded before I could reach the limit of the brakes. I am now itching for 4.10 final drive and some solid rear bits......

Media

Here are some of my favorite pics from the Official Photographer at the event

"Aftermath

I knew painted Stoptechs tend to discolor but I didn't expect it to happen on the 1st HPDE outing! I guess 100F+ temps would do that! Oh well!


For whatever reason, there seemed to be more rubber marbles hitting my car this time around. There were a ton all over the front end and all over the sides. A friend of mine referred me to Mother's Racing Rubber Remover. That stuff is magic! One smooth wipe and the rubber marks were gone!



The clean car was short-lived as the car is now covered in ash from the California fires.


## DSC lights!!


On the way home, car lit up like a christmas tree on the freeway. By the end of the weekend, I confirmed the issue was a faulty rear wheel sensor. I ordered a new one from FCP and it should be here soon. I'm just glad it wasn't anything bigger!


That's it for this post.

[kyippee]

derbo For sure, with 200TW RE71R or 100TW NT01 (slower than RE) sub-2 is do-able!

[wyatth]

Hell yes!!

Maybe we should grab salads and seltzer instead of pizza/wings/beer in order to help with that 2:00 goal!

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by derbo

Prep for HPDE

My loving wife knew I was looking to improve my data acquisition at HPDE events. She did the research and ended up buying an Aim Solo DL for my birthday! She grabbed me a CANBUS one which was exactly what I wanted!

she's a keeper!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

she's a keeper!

Damn right! She tracked her M2 too! I love that she is into cars not cause of me and genuinely into them.

Ohlins R&T + TE37OG. That car has M Laptimer built-in so she didnt need an AIM SOLO lol

[derbo]

Impulse buys make for great pics

My M3 already has trouble getting out of my driveway as it is. To add more to that, I decided against my own logic to participate in the GTS LIP group buy setup by Epoustouflant

Review

Fitment isn't as good as I hoped for something that is a true replica of the original. A big reason for this is that it is FRP vs ABS plastic on the OE part. ABS is way more flexible and would've fit the gaps a lot better. That said, it looks damn good. Now I have a problem getting up my driveway....

Fitment: 8/10 (this might need to be edited as some people are getting better fitment than me)
Installation: 6/10


#Hardware required for 1pc

Drill bit for M6 size
3M VHB 1/4" tape
Stainless steel
M6 Nylon locking nuts
M6 washers x 12
M6-1.0x16mm x 4
M6-1.0x20mm x 2 (needed as you will need to drill into the side felt pieces as well. I didn't have the 20mm and just removed a washer.

#Fitment
For the best fitment, theunholy and I determined that the end of the lip needs to line up with the bumper. This unfortunately will bring some gaps at the outer edges of the lip but it is better than the middle area where the lip needs to follow the curvature of the bumper. For best results you will need to remove the bumper for installation.




#Finished Product

[Epoustouflant]

Dang this looks good, from afar atleast. Where are the fitment issues?

I'm installing the 1 pc this week, will probably wait until spring to chassis mount the 2 pc brackets.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Epoustouflant

Dang this looks good, from afar atleast. Where are the fitment issues?

I'm installing the 1 pc this week, will probably wait until spring to chassis mount the 2 pc brackets.

you sorta have two options.

Option 1: If you line up the bolt like I did, you will see a gap here in yellow.
Option 2: If you move the lip forward more, you will see gap in the red highlight area.


Since the area highlighted in yellow is not as visible due to shadows, I opt for that instead of the gap in red.

Good luck installing! I really wish these were ABS plastic as it would mean it would be far more flexible.

No matter what, please remove your bumper to do the lip install

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by derbo

you sorta have two options.

Option 1: If you line up the bolt like I did, you will see a gap here in yellow.
Option 2: If you move the lip forward more, you will see gap in the red highlight area.


Since the area highlighted in yellow is not as visible due to shadows, I opt for that instead of the gap in red.

Good luck installing! I really wish these were ABS plastic as it would mean it would be far more flexible.

No matter what, please remove your bumper to do the lip install

Thanks for the details. I wonder if having the 2 piece and lower bracket helps align the upper lip.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Epoustouflant

Thanks for the details. I wonder if having the 2 piece and lower bracket helps align the upper lip.

Not sure. I think due to the way the FRP is so stiff, there isn't really a way to do it. Unless you bend down to look for gaps, it would be hard to see it from normal height when most people look. Most eyes will look for gaps in the red circle areas as thats where most of the replica lips are poor.

[Exclusivs]

Looks great! Thanks for posting detailed info here on your experiences mounting and installing. Very helpful tips, and a great addition to your car Derek!

[akkando]

Originally Posted by derbo

Damn right! She tracked her M2 too! I love that she is into cars not cause of me and genuinely into them.

Ohlins R&T + TE37OG. That car has M Laptimer built-in so she didnt need an AIM SOLO lol

How would you compare the e90 M3 and the M2?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by akkando

How would you compare the e90 M3 and the M2?

That's a tough one that really depends on the situation. If I had to daily one of them, it would have to be the M2 for logical sense. M3 just eats way too much gas if you have a commute like mine (57miles 1way). That's why I daily a civic

On track, I missed the opportunity to drive the M2 in my session. Next time around I'll try it out and let you know. From my backroad driving, the M2 is definitely faster than my car just on newer chassis rigidity.

The Ohlins R&T for the M2 is 500lbs/1084lbs/in spring rates! The motion ratio seems to be lower in the rear of the M2 but even so, it makes my E90 feel like a dad mobile with 400/700.

[Drifter2090]

Wow! I've been waiting for the day!!

The lip has completely transformed the look!!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Wow! I've been waiting for the day!!

The lip has completely transformed the look!!

Thanks man! It's been on my want list for a long time. I think the problem for me is that getting up my driveway is a pain in the ass. As it currently sits, it requires 2x6 + backing up to not scrape going up the driveway. I'm not sure what I will do. I'm going to re-measure my height to see how much lower the car dropped since my initial installation measurements.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by derbo

Thanks man! It's been on my want list for a long time. I think the problem for me is that getting up my driveway is a pain in the ass. As it currently sits, it requires 2x6 + backing up to not scrape going up the driveway. I'm not sure what I will do. I'm going to re-measure my height to see how much lower the car dropped since my initial installation measurements.

Oh wow that's crazy! What kind of driveway is that?? I haven't come across any that just angling wouldn't work on!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Oh wow that's crazy! What kind of driveway is that?? I haven't come across any that just angling wouldn't work on!

Obviously you never been to San Francsico

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by derbo

Obviously you never been to San Francsico

Haha yeah, damn I thought the GTA was bad

[BimmerRules!]

Hey! Awesome to finally catch up on what all you have been doing man! Hats-off!!

[derbo]

Quite a scare this past friday at Laguna Seca!

Long story short, spun at T1 at 117mph, hit a few cones and gravel trap. I came out great considering what could've been.

Damage control:

Undertray is gone
Lip is broken
Fenderliner is worn from rubbing but not needed to be replaced.
Bumper might be tweaked but it doesn't look like it.
Bumper mesh grill is broken
One of the wheels didn't hold air due to amount of gravel stuck in the tire bead
wheels are all pitted from gravel hitting it
1 tire is chunking at the tire tread blocks





Happy I am able to just replace parts and get going again!

[XKxRome0ox]

considering how much you spun out and traveled across the pavement and off the track ... you really got out of it with minimal damage

stay safe!

[cyberkaa]

Poor lip didn't live very long. Oh well, definitely came out on top with just a few minor bruises.