Track mods

[zuschnell]

I'm waiting for my new f80 m3 and kind of going crazy so I started the process of making a few track mods for my e90. I'm planning to keep this car streetable but wanted to see some track gains as I will be focusing some more time going to the track starting next year. So far, I have a challenge x pipe, Megan exhaust, and a BPM sport tune, all of which I've had for a few years. I just picked up a stoptech st60 front bbk from another forum member. I'm about to get square apex ec7 18's from another forum member as well. I was thinking about getting some camber plates up front as well.

Is there anything else you guys would recommend? I have tracked my m3 about 10 times over the last few years and am in intermediate run groups. I'm not that bad of a driver but also think any serious track mods would be lost on me at my current ability.

[msan]

I'm starting similar mods and I think Upgrade brake fluid if you haven't already and maybe the power steering catch can....

[roastbeef]

camber plates, brake lines/fluid, put a sock over the power steering reservoir, and go have fun.

[M3 Number 86]

tires, seats, cage, harness, hans, shit it doesn't end. lol

[zuschnell]

I've got the sock on the steering reservoir! Noticed that after the first track day a few years ago. Never really had to top off though. It must not spill that much.

I've been running srf and ferodo 2500's on my stock brakes up till now. Excited to put on the stoptechs and see what they can do.

[redpriest]

Stud kit with those new tires. I love how I can just throw my track tires in the car and change it out at the track.

[Richbot]

Personally I don't understand why anyone would A) buy a car, B) track it or C) change the wheels from stock and D) why are y'all all such haters I'm just expressing my opinion

But yeah, fluid, sock on the reservoir, maybe consider putting some pads that won't smear all over the rear rotors if they get hot back there since the ST60 kit will be able to take a lot more abuse, and use a real race pad in the front so you aren't smashing your head against the wall using a street pad. 2nd stud kit too, best thing I've done to my BMW's. Camber plates are a good idea

[dparm]

Originally Posted by zuschnell

I'm waiting for my new f80 m3 and kind of going crazy so I started the process of making a few track mods for my e90. I'm planning to keep this car streetable but wanted to see some track gains as I will be focusing some more time going to the track starting next year. So far, I have a challenge x pipe, Megan exhaust, and a BPM sport tune, all of which I've had for a few years. I just picked up a stoptech st60 front bbk from another forum member. I'm about to get square apex ec7 18's from another forum member as well. I was thinking about getting some camber plates up front as well.

Is there anything else you guys would recommend? I have tracked my m3 about 10 times over the last few years and am in intermediate run groups. I'm not that bad of a driver but also think any serious track mods would be lost on me at my current ability.

Take that money and pay for professional instruction. I did it about a year and a half ago and it was a huge leap forward for me. There are a lot of good choices in schools based on the specific platform you want to learn on, location, and different skills.

You have already hinted at the fact that you might not even be able to extract the car's maximum performance yet, so why throw away more money on mods?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

camber plates, brake lines/fluid, put a sock over the power steering reservoir, and go have fun.

This. That and an ST-60 with PFC 08s on track is all I ever did. If you decide you want more pad than your DS2500s, get PFC 11s, apparently the new hotness for track pad that is still VERY streetable in terms of dust, noise, and rotor wear. The BBK by itself won't do anything for you unless you've been experiencing pad fade, in case you didn't realize that. It might end up being cheaper to run though since the larger pad and rotor surface area will decrease wear rate more than the increased cost of the parts themselves, and of course the fast pad swaps are nice if you decide to do that, but again PFC 11s are supposed to be a new level of dual purpose pad.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by jphughan

This. That and an ST-60 with PFC 08s on track is all I ever did. If you decide you want more pad than your DS2500s, get PFC 11s, apparently the new hotness for track pad that is still VERY streetable in terms of dust, noise, and rotor wear. The BBK by itself won't do anything for you unless you've been experiencing pad fade, in case you didn't realize that. It might end up being cheaper to run though since the larger pad and rotor surface area will decrease wear rate more than the increased cost of the parts themselves, and of course the fast pad swaps are nice if you decide to do that, but again PFC 11s are supposed to be a new level of dual purpose pad.

Agreed.

I have been truly shocked at the low rate of wear on my ST40 kit. After 4 track days, the rotors measured ZERO wear. Even the pads had only lost a few mm of thickness.

I was actually slightly annoyed that I spent an hour jacking up each side of the car to measure it.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by dparm

Agreed.

I have been truly shocked at the low rate of wear on my ST40 kit. After 4 track days, the rotors measured ZERO wear. Even the pads had only lost a few mm of thickness.

I was actually slightly annoyed that I spent an hour jacking up each side of the car to measure it.

For reference, it took me I think 26 track days to go through the 380x35 front rotors from my ST-60 kit using PFC 08 pads with a stock rear setup (except for Street Performance pads back there), and even then I didn't take the rotors all the way down to the minimum thickness measured with a micrometer because by then there were some cracks that concerned me, so you've likely got QUITE a ways to go.

[1MOREMOD]

You're on the right track, just try to avoid doing it twice. Make good choices

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by dparm

I was actually slightly annoyed that I spent an hour jacking up each side of the car to measure it.

An hour?!

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

An hour?!

Sorry, I meant to say an hour in total.

[zuschnell]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Stud kit with those new tires. I love how I can just throw my track tires in the car and change it out at the track.

Is it that much easier to swap wheels because of the stud kit vs. stock?

[zuschnell]

Originally Posted by dparm

Take that money and pay for professional instruction. I did it about a year and a half ago and it was a huge leap forward for me. There are a lot of good choices in schools based on the specific platform you want to learn on, location, and different skills.

You have already hinted at the fact that you might not even be able to extract the car's maximum performance yet, so why throw away more money on mods?

Planning to do a driving school next year!

[zuschnell]

Originally Posted by jphughan

This. That and an ST-60 with PFC 08s on track is all I ever did. If you decide you want more pad than your DS2500s, get PFC 11s, apparently the new hotness for track pad that is still VERY streetable in terms of dust, noise, and rotor wear. The BBK by itself won't do anything for you unless you've been experiencing pad fade, in case you didn't realize that. It might end up being cheaper to run though since the larger pad and rotor surface area will decrease wear rate more than the increased cost of the parts themselves, and of course the fast pad swaps are nice if you decide to do that, but again PFC 11s are supposed to be a new level of dual purpose pad.

So I should be fine with rear stoptech street performance pads and track pads up front while at track? I'll swap out to street performance for dd purposes now that it will be an easy swap.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by zuschnell

Planning to do a driving school next year!

Do it sooner rather than later -- my point was to take the instruction BEFORE you sink any more money into mods. Some of the schools even offer discounts in the summer months since it's a slow time for them.

Originally Posted by zuschnell

So I should be fine with rear stoptech street performance pads and track pads up front while at track? I'll swap out to street performance for dd purposes now that it will be an easy swap.

Yes.

[zuschnell]

Originally Posted by dparm

Do it sooner rather than later -- my point was to take the instruction BEFORE you sink any more money into mods. Some of the schools even offer discounts in the summer months since it's a slow time for them.

Yes.

Trust me, I'd go right now if it were possible with my schedule. I have a buddy who wants to go too and we are planning for next year when our wives let us off the leash. The only thing I haven't purchased already is camber plates. Otherwise I have everything else. I am not really interested in buying anything else but just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything easy that I was missing that all of you would recommend. Thanks!

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by zuschnell

Is it that much easier to swap wheels because of the stud kit vs. stock?

yes, it is tremendously easier.

Originally Posted by zuschnell

I've got the sock on the steering reservoir! Noticed that after the first track day a few years ago. Never really had to top off though. It must not spill that much.

i was told that a little power steering expansion is normal, but it doesn't need to be topped off because it was likely a little overfilled to begin with.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i was told that a little power steering expansion is normal, but it doesn't need to be topped off because it was likely a little overfilled to begin with.

Mine boils over a bit every time. Never been a problem. Remember, that entire reservoir is overflow. As long as the car isn't spraying tons of it all over the place, a tiny bit of fluid dripping down the side is fine.

If you're really that worried, just keep a spare bottle of CHF202 around. It's not expensive.