Just dropped a deposit on some M Power - Trackday Project Car
- Thread starter Gibbo
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I didn't at first but do have one now. My first helmet didn't have Hans posts so used to wear a neck brace but when I bought my new one I got one ready for HANS.
They take quite a bit of getting used to and personally I find them quite uncomfortable. I'm getting a new seat this year so that might help.
When folk started doing the home-made feed/ducting, there was a plumbing joint from Homebase that a lot of folk used with flexible ducting (Demon Tweeks, Rally Design etc). There's a thread on Cutters somewhere.
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I like the black and blue combo. However, that's the path I'm choosing on going too, so am biased 
Corner weighting is a different thing to F/R distribution.
Corner weighting is more about making sure the distribution is 'square' across the 4 wheels. A simple analogy is that it's the equivalent of fixing a wobbly table by adjusting one of the legs.
General procedure is to ensure the car is on a level and flat surface, remove the effect of any ARBs by disconnecting the droplink on one side (as the load transfer of the ARB can skew the measurements) then weigh all 4 corners with the car loaded as it would be on track (including driver) and adjust the ride height of one corner until the sum of FR+RL is the same as FL+RR. This can be achieved regardless of whether your F/R or L/R weight distributions are 50/50 or not. Once done reconnect the ARBs - This should be done without applying any load to the bar itself, if the droplink won't go in without having to load the bar then you should adjust the length of the link accordingly.
Hi there
Removed the secondary air pump today as weather was nice:-
Gonna get local garage to cut the un-used part of the bracket off to neaten things up and save a little more weight. About another 4kg saved from the front-end.
Removed the secondary air pump today as weather was nice:-
Gonna get local garage to cut the un-used part of the bracket off to neaten things up and save a little more weight. About another 4kg saved from the front-end.
It needs a wing 15 feet from the back window and a dinner table stapled to the front spoiler as a splitter. I'd also give it an air scoop to help the engine breath, probably based on a mid 70's Liger and mounted min bonnet, ideal with some pop rivets and Gloy
It needs a wing 15 feet from the back window and a dinner table stapled to the front spoiler as a splitter. I'd also give it an air scoop to help the engine breath, probably based on a mid 70's Liger and mounted min bonnet, ideal with some pop rivets and Gloy
Haha!
Before I go anywhere near aero on the car I'll ensure everything else is spot on, for now the CSL bumper and boot lid will suffice for extra downforce.
The car is nearly complete now, the big hold up is how long this boot lid is taking to get sorted, can't see me getting it before end of year at this rate and I don't really want to corner weight car until that is done. As it's nearly done, brakes done, coil over suspension done, exhaust done, all weight reduction done, engine maintenance done and I've just purchased an Evolve-R tune with SMG rev matching. Shall see what it makes on the RR, supposedly E46 M3 never make their stated power figures and most are in the 320-330BHP region and not the claimed 338BHP (343PS). So shall see next Saturday what it makes with tune in place and if I can I shall re-run with the tune removed to see how they compare.
So yeah once corner weighting is done, all that is left is to get the harnesses so they are at the correct angles for safety then just do a load of track days and see how good or amazing the car is.
Am tempted to see if Powerstation can weigh it Saturday though as am curious as to how heavy the car is now as pulled so much weight out of it.
Hi there
As I've got some simple breathing modifications on the car and as its a track car I really wanted rev matching for the SMG, something CSL SMG only does when your on the throttle, so when braking it won't rev match, making it a bit jerky and more stressful on transmission.
Also removing secondary air pump and fitting high-flow cats means engine check lights, so disabled the sensors after the cats to stop triggering engine light.
So I spoke with the guys at Evolve and as my car is not hugely modified, like turbo's or superchargers, they said their Evolve-R tune would be perfect for my needs and I'd see no benefit to visit them at their dyno and they could simply sell me the cable/software and email me the tune. They also gave me a discount too, so I went with the tune along with SAP delete, Rev matching, top speed limiter removed, emissions light removed, raised rev limit of 8300rpm, sport button memory and mapped for Shell Vpower 99.
Here is what you get:-
So last night I used their very easy to install software, and read my stock ECU file off and emailed it to them, very very easy to do and took approx 2 minutes to complete.
Now fast forward to late this afternoon and Evolve have emailed me two tunes, one is a Stage 2 tune for my car, unsure why I am not stage 1, maybe my high-flow cats and exhaust take me too stage 2 level. They also sent me my stock tune but modified so I can run on a dyno without issue (the 6000rpm issue), so I can do a comparison.
Tonight I flashed the car to the stage 2, again extremely easy process and it took less than 5 minutes.
Started the car up and turned off to just check sport button memory was working to prove the car had taken the remap, it had.
Now let the fun commence!
So driving impressions:-
The car is a lot more perkier in the 2000-3500rpm range, feels like it has a lot more torque as it is far more urgent to pick up, this is very noticable. 3500-4500rpm it pulls a little harder, 4500-6000rpm feels about the same as before. But 6000 it is pulling noticably harder and where before it felt like power levelled off around 7400rpm, it now does not have this feeling at all, infact it pulls like crazy in the last 1000rpm right upto the 8300rpm limiter.
In short the butt-dyno is feeling a great change, I'd say if I was to take a guess on it, 10-20BHP / 10-20lb/ft more sub 2000-3500rpm range and around 15-20BHP more at the top-end, whatever it is, I can tell you now it is certainly noticable, more so than the high-flow cats were by quite a lot.
The rev matching works very well, in S6 its an aggressive blip that is loud and makes changing down gears so much smoother on the transmission, even 2nd down to 1st is completely smooth. Slow the change down, say S4 for instance and the blip is softer and not so loud, so works well on that side. Might have to attent a VMAX day at somepoint or try to find somewhere to do a top speed run, be interesting to see what speed it would top out around, am thinking 175-185mph maybe.
In short car is without a doubt faster, improved drivability and a lot smoother, it feels more like a 400BHP car with all the weight reduction. Based on the fact these cars tend to make 320-330BHP on dyno's it shall be interesting to see what the car makes on the OcUK Dyno day at Powerstation this Saturday, as plan is to run the car on the dyno when I get there, then load the stock map to the car with dyno ability, drive for a few miles for any adaptions to take place and then run again. Then compare to the two runs.
Car also feels quicker than my 911, but it always has a little due to have stripped out it is, but the 911 has both more power and torque, for comparison on vbox the stats were:-
M3 30-70mph - 3.9s
M3 CSL 30-70mph - 3.9s
911 C2S 30-70mph - 3.5s
Mustang 30-70mph - 2.75s
EVO X FQ-360 @ 400 - 3.6s
M3 60-100mph - 5.9s
M3 CSL 60-100mph - 5.9s
911 C2S 60-100mph - 5.5s
Mustang 60-100mph - 4.2s
EVO X FQ-360 @ 400 - 5.6s
Its as quick as my CSL was, I need to re-run now its got the high-flow milltek cats on and the remap, should be a little quicker in theory.
Irrelevent of results I won't be using the 10 day money back option, I am happy with the results and how its improved the car.
So now all that is left is CSL bootlid, corner weighting and maybe a braille lightweight battery, then car is done and ready for plenty of track days next year. Can't wait to get to Donnington to see what kind of laptime the car can do and Oulton Park.
As I've got some simple breathing modifications on the car and as its a track car I really wanted rev matching for the SMG, something CSL SMG only does when your on the throttle, so when braking it won't rev match, making it a bit jerky and more stressful on transmission.
Also removing secondary air pump and fitting high-flow cats means engine check lights, so disabled the sensors after the cats to stop triggering engine light.
So I spoke with the guys at Evolve and as my car is not hugely modified, like turbo's or superchargers, they said their Evolve-R tune would be perfect for my needs and I'd see no benefit to visit them at their dyno and they could simply sell me the cable/software and email me the tune. They also gave me a discount too, so I went with the tune along with SAP delete, Rev matching, top speed limiter removed, emissions light removed, raised rev limit of 8300rpm, sport button memory and mapped for Shell Vpower 99.
Here is what you get:-
So last night I used their very easy to install software, and read my stock ECU file off and emailed it to them, very very easy to do and took approx 2 minutes to complete.
Now fast forward to late this afternoon and Evolve have emailed me two tunes, one is a Stage 2 tune for my car, unsure why I am not stage 1, maybe my high-flow cats and exhaust take me too stage 2 level. They also sent me my stock tune but modified so I can run on a dyno without issue (the 6000rpm issue), so I can do a comparison.
Tonight I flashed the car to the stage 2, again extremely easy process and it took less than 5 minutes.
Started the car up and turned off to just check sport button memory was working to prove the car had taken the remap, it had.
Now let the fun commence!
So driving impressions:-
The car is a lot more perkier in the 2000-3500rpm range, feels like it has a lot more torque as it is far more urgent to pick up, this is very noticable. 3500-4500rpm it pulls a little harder, 4500-6000rpm feels about the same as before. But 6000 it is pulling noticably harder and where before it felt like power levelled off around 7400rpm, it now does not have this feeling at all, infact it pulls like crazy in the last 1000rpm right upto the 8300rpm limiter.
In short the butt-dyno is feeling a great change, I'd say if I was to take a guess on it, 10-20BHP / 10-20lb/ft more sub 2000-3500rpm range and around 15-20BHP more at the top-end, whatever it is, I can tell you now it is certainly noticable, more so than the high-flow cats were by quite a lot.
The rev matching works very well, in S6 its an aggressive blip that is loud and makes changing down gears so much smoother on the transmission, even 2nd down to 1st is completely smooth. Slow the change down, say S4 for instance and the blip is softer and not so loud, so works well on that side. Might have to attent a VMAX day at somepoint or try to find somewhere to do a top speed run, be interesting to see what speed it would top out around, am thinking 175-185mph maybe.
In short car is without a doubt faster, improved drivability and a lot smoother, it feels more like a 400BHP car with all the weight reduction. Based on the fact these cars tend to make 320-330BHP on dyno's it shall be interesting to see what the car makes on the OcUK Dyno day at Powerstation this Saturday, as plan is to run the car on the dyno when I get there, then load the stock map to the car with dyno ability, drive for a few miles for any adaptions to take place and then run again. Then compare to the two runs.
Car also feels quicker than my 911, but it always has a little due to have stripped out it is, but the 911 has both more power and torque, for comparison on vbox the stats were:-
M3 30-70mph - 3.9s
M3 CSL 30-70mph - 3.9s
911 C2S 30-70mph - 3.5s
Mustang 30-70mph - 2.75s
EVO X FQ-360 @ 400 - 3.6s
M3 60-100mph - 5.9s
M3 CSL 60-100mph - 5.9s
911 C2S 60-100mph - 5.5s
Mustang 60-100mph - 4.2s
EVO X FQ-360 @ 400 - 5.6s
Its as quick as my CSL was, I need to re-run now its got the high-flow milltek cats on and the remap, should be a little quicker in theory.
Irrelevent of results I won't be using the 10 day money back option, I am happy with the results and how its improved the car.
So now all that is left is CSL bootlid, corner weighting and maybe a braille lightweight battery, then car is done and ready for plenty of track days next year. Can't wait to get to Donnington to see what kind of laptime the car can do and Oulton Park.
Hi there
Updates:-
1. Remap done with rev match and SAP/CEL delete, very noticable and a dyno proven 31BHP, now upto 367BHP from 336BHP it made with just breathing mods.
2. Rear boot carpeted, about 2-3kg re-added but car is now far quieter inside as it's stopped most exhaust noise/drone.
3. Bracket cut and neatened off under front bonnet.
4. IAT relocation kit fitted, ensures full power always as the air temp sensor is built into the maf and known to heatsoak, this cures that problem by relocating to airbox as on the CSL.
5. Near 10kg saved, battery swap to Brailles most powerful battery, the 3121, could have gone couple grades lower but went for the more powerful unit.
Some pictures:-
Saturday:-
1. Corner weighting and alignment - FINALLY
2. Fit CPV valve, engine has an oil weeping from this valve, common issue as is located at back of engine, cost £3 and I'm a perfectionist so want car spot on.
3. Hope my CSL boot at some point turns up, nearly six months now.
More will depend on the cars weight come Saturday, I know the CSL boot will save me an additional 15-20kg.
Updates:-
1. Remap done with rev match and SAP/CEL delete, very noticable and a dyno proven 31BHP, now upto 367BHP from 336BHP it made with just breathing mods.
2. Rear boot carpeted, about 2-3kg re-added but car is now far quieter inside as it's stopped most exhaust noise/drone.
3. Bracket cut and neatened off under front bonnet.
4. IAT relocation kit fitted, ensures full power always as the air temp sensor is built into the maf and known to heatsoak, this cures that problem by relocating to airbox as on the CSL.
5. Near 10kg saved, battery swap to Brailles most powerful battery, the 3121, could have gone couple grades lower but went for the more powerful unit.
Some pictures:-
Saturday:-
1. Corner weighting and alignment - FINALLY
2. Fit CPV valve, engine has an oil weeping from this valve, common issue as is located at back of engine, cost £3 and I'm a perfectionist so want car spot on.
3. Hope my CSL boot at some point turns up, nearly six months now.
More will depend on the cars weight come Saturday, I know the CSL boot will save me an additional 15-20kg.
Howcome you didn't go for the glorious CSL intake given that you have had an Evolve remap anyway?
There's quite a lot of good replica's out there too if you don't want to fork out £3.5k for a genuine one...
No additional power increase!
Only replica worth bothering with is Geoff steel or Evolve, and still around 2.5k fitted and all I'd get for that money is an epic sound track, but 2-3k is too much for that.
If anything better, quieter and not jerky at all.
Corner weighting done today, 1373kg with half a tank of fuel, so with no fuel it's around 1350kg.
Andy aka Fuzz has showed me that it is ok to re-locate the harnesses onto the rear shell with some plating added, so were gonna sort that too so that the harnesses are level.
So in short I need to remove another 50kg from the car if I want to see 1300kg weight, still got rear boot to change, then that leaves options such as lighter wings, bonnet, headers, wheels etc. But none of these are a priority, more so now to get to warmer weather and get some track days done.
Did the guys at powerstation manage to get you the weight of your M3 today?
EDIT: Just as I replied the post above popped up - pretty tidy reduction in weight from standard.
I'm still trying to talk myself into keeping my S3!
EDIT: Just as I replied the post above popped up - pretty tidy reduction in weight from standard.
I'm still trying to talk myself into keeping my S3!