Just dropped a deposit on some M Power - Trackday Project Car

[Gibbo]

That's looking great Gibbo. If you're running out of ideas, I would get in touch with Russ at DMWorx in Aylesbury. He's built a few e46 M3s for the CSL Cup series and might be able to give you some more pointers.

Cheers m8.


Really impressed with how its looking, its got some stone chip rash on the rear quarters low down, pretty much the norm on any car especially a track car. Front bumper and bonnet is chipped to hell, though not as bad as it could be. Bodywork not so offended by due to the cars purpose, but due to getting CSL Bumper (5kg) saving and CSL Boot (15kg) saving the front shall be re-sprayed.

Think next stage for track work will be new tyres once Federal 595's are worn out, they are OK in dry, terrible in wet, so shall change to Kumho V70A mediums I think. Then in future if the current wheels are not particular light I shall get some light wheels and fit with slicks for track use.

Then might need to look into downforce, the CSL bumper/boot will help a little with that, but might need to go more serious, so shall give that guy a shout to see what the CSL cups run downforce wise.

 

[Gibbo]

Ok, I figured out how to install the CSL software myself, did it tonight and wow, gear changes areso much smoother, its like there's a constant blip/throttle applied so that the transmission doesn't slop, and the upper gear change modes feel faster (s4/s5), although S6 doesn't feel different - I think both the CSL and standard SMG shift at 80ms in s6 anyway.

Have you made any changes recently Gibbo?

Was just gonna post you the link to where you can download it.

Yes it makes things much smoother with the CSL SMG and much quicker at partial throttle.

Further updates are:-
CSL pollen filter housing fitted, 2-3kg saving in front.
12mm front spacers fitted, widening front track 24mm.
Rear Performance Friction disc fitted.
New Performance Friction 08 pads fitted.
CSL front bumper arrived, 5kg saving, not yet fitted.
Rear CSL boot still not arrived and no response from seller.

So to do is fit front bumper and paint plus chase up CSL boot and fit. Then corner weight and align.

 

[Gibbo]

Is spacers on a track car wise?

Yes perfectly fine within reason. Widening track front/rear can help fine tune balance and help improve grip and bump steer. But go too far and you can induce scrub and put a lot more stress on the wheel bearings.

15mm either side is the absolute maximum I'd go and I'm running 12mm front and 10mm rear.

Some people fit 25mm either side but do so for more of a stance/looks reason as that is too far in my opinion.

P.S. Of course with spacers make sure you use longer bolts to prevent the wheels falling off.

 

[Gibbo]

As you'll know, belts and harnesses are different. Harnesses should not be mounted at any greater than appx 20 degrees to horizontal as in a crash they can compress you down into the seat if you have them too low. Potential for nasty spinal injuries.

I've seen them mounted on a welded rear bar between the strut tops on an E46 when there's no cage but as I've said before in this thread, I'd be putting a cage in 1st before thinking about anything else.

Interested in the welded rear bar idea, got any pictures/links please.

The car is used on the road, a cage is a no go, also I am running stock panels and semi slicks. If I remove panels for lighter weaker items, go to full slicks the yes a cage is a must.

But do see the point about them being mounted too low, so interested in the bar idea.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there


An update.

Car had an Inspection 2 service couple of weeks ago along with all vanos bolts replaced as preventative maintenance, so as long as nothing breaks all set for next year and 2-3 track days and then just need to changle the oil.


Removed the seat adjuster, so seat sits a little lower, about a further 2kg loss as well. Seat far more stable now, no movement in it, mucher better.

Also bagged some Milltek 100 cel cats for £175, got them fitted today, very impressed with them, car is no louder inside but the tone is a little deeper but still with an M3 rasp, infact I love the noise now. Ok still maybe too loud inside as my car also has an uprated mid-pipe and lightweight back box too which add further volume, but I like the noise.

The milltek cats were also much lighter, felt like a good 5kg or so lighter, the stock ones were so heavy.

Drive wise car is more responsive, a little better drivability and it pulls harder from 3500rpm all the way upto 8000rpm, rather impressed.


CSL bumper gets fitted Monday, about 5kg saving and hopefully CSL boot will arrive sometime next month, seller being in touch, just delays with production, that should save 15kg and hopefully be fitted in time for RR.

Then corner weighting and alignment session.


That then just leaves secondary air pump delete and maybe remap from Evolve as their map seems proven with great low-end improvements and a good 20BHP up top.

That just leaves little bits then like door cards etc. Wear the Federal 595RSR tyres out and maybe give the Federal FZ-201 a try as they seem very highly rated as a full semi slick.

Just can't wait for next year now and get back on track, even without the corner weighting done it's a lot of fun on the road and very capable.

 

[Gibbo]

Whats that going to do to balancing, I get that the cars stripped out pretty much already, but is it just a case of the more weight off the better, or are you thinking about how much weight is coming off at which end?

Presumably the CSL was set up with the boot weighing less along side the other CSL weight reductions off setting it, but your car isn't a CSL (despite probably being a bit lighter at this point sans interior!), or is this not a concern at all?

Should be fine, being in touch with M30dus who has a fully stripped E46 M3 with super charger, he was running 475BHP, now 600+

He had rear traction issues due to power and weight loss, he said once he corner weighted the car was transformed and he could put power down much easier.

So in short get the weight out, battery is another obvious saving with a Braille unit, but also like Clarkey says even stripped it's still probably around 52/48 weight distribution.

As the car was before cats it was matching my CSL's performance 30-70 and 60-100 acceleration so it's obviously lighter for sure as CSL had more power.

Now with cats and a further 30kg gone, should be quicker than CSL for sure, certainly with a remap which gives CSL power.

For comparison sake 30-70 is 3.9s (Porsche is 3.5s) and 60-100 is 5.9s (Porsche is 5.3s).

If when done it's nearly as quick as my 911 it will be damn quick on track due to fingers crossed better corner speeds.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there

Car getting bumper fitted and front-end re-spray, for bargain price of £300, here she is stripped down:-

When done shall add updated picture.

 

[Gibbo]

Full front end for £300? That IS a bargain, I see guide coat on there so will be a half decent job too.

Love that these have a carbon crash bar.

Yeah he is a one man business, Andrew Moore introduced me to him as the work he's done for him has being great.

When done shall post up pictures, hope to collect Monday, but yes price is exceptional.

Once boot is on should look awesome, a true fake CSL but will provide extra downforce, true forced cold air intake and should look great.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there

Went to bodyshop to pick my car up today.

First thing I noticed was bumper did not lineup and the arch liners did not fit properly, not the fault of the guys, just the bumper not being OEM and a copy did not fit great.

The guy though did admit he fitted it up in the air and did not think to actually see if it looked right. Anyway 2hr's later we made the bumper line up and a heat gun on the arch line persuaded it into place, so excellent service there.

The actualy paint work is spot on, just the bumper is not the best quality and supposedly this is one of the better copies, I'd hate to image how bad the poor ones must be. Still the bumper cost me £400, a CSL original is well over 1k.

Here are some pictures, car was not that clean so not the usual shine you see my cars in:-

You can see that next to the OEM bumper it looks fine, even the OEM bumper flares out to the sides making it not look like a good fit, just seems to be how M3's are, bit barry boy.

Still paint job is very good, the bumper now looks OK its straight, however things to do:-

1. Bodyshop sprayed the mesh blue, as I said paint everything bar the fake carbon splitter, OOOOOPS.
Still nothing plastidip can't sort.

2. Need to get the CSL OEM mesh for the cold air intake on the bumper, to just neaten it off, emailed BMW, hopefully its £5 and not £50.


I am a bit of a perfectionist, so to me its not perfect, but at the same time I've paid less than £800 fitted including the parts, the total cost to fit and paint was £340 and he even sorted the bubbling/rust which was starting to show itself on front wings. The bumper aint 100% to my liking, but its fitted pretty securely and will do the job.

Now just for my goddam boot to turn up so I can get this goddam thing corner weighted.

 

[Gibbo]

I'm surprised that you're bothering with paintwork for a track car.

Edit - oh I see, it's a lighter bumper.

Yep, about 5-6kg lighter, direct cold air feed and though I don't want to sound like Turbo Toaster it helps add a little front-end downforce, think BMW claim something like 15-22kg addition front downforce, made sense considering I have the CSL boot too.

 

[Gibbo]

So how many trackdays have you done in it?

Did one couple of months ago, dry morning session, then a wet session in afternoon to get some baseline experience.

In short it was pretty damn good in the dry, terrible in the wet.

Hoping to do another track day in December to check the corner weighting and alignment.

Then shall put the car to rest until Spring next year.


In short it's being out on track, it was pretty damn good, now it should be epic and some only need some very fine tuning.

 

[Gibbo]

friend of mine owns M3 XRV plate Infact thats in stoke / uttoxeter.

Got the plate with the car which was a nice bonus.


P.S. My car thinks it's -40c outside since bumper fit, where is temp sensor located as it's obviously become dis-connected during bumper fit.

 

[Gibbo]

You can't compare yours to Duncan's from shell race build running forced induction, slicks and a totally different set-up.

Now you've spent on the bling are you going to consider a cage and getting those harnesses sorted? I hope the drivers air bag will be deactivated whilst you're out on track.

Well as I've actually spoken with Duncan on how he sorted his rear traction issues I think I can.

His reponse went along the lines of, once I had the car corner weighted, putting power down was vastly improved, once I fitted slicks I then had no issues.

I asked him how he improved rear traction, he said corner weighting made the biggest difference, so I think it is fair to say it is going to help mine a lot would you not agree?

Cage, no. Like you say his is a stripped shell, different body panels, he has removed his crash bar protection from the shell for less weight, hence the absolute must for a cage, plus he is running slicks.

My drivers airbag was removed a long time ago.

My harnesses shall be addressed yet, I shall be getting some sorted so they are both at the right angle/height and the anchor points are strong enough, something I shall get a place with experience to sort for me.

 

[Gibbo]

Alignment as part of corner weighting helps traction. If you want straight line grip then just put all the weight on the rear.

Just want to get it back close to 50/50 mate, or whatever the alignment/guy doing it reckons is best.

But right now 75% of the weight reduction has mainly come from the rear, so its probably a bit out.

Lets just say BIG BIG slides happen very easy in the wet, of course tyres are a big factor too.

When its done I shall take a photo of before and after to show weight and its distribution.

Just before this, I need to remove secondary air pump and bracket/harness from under bonnet, gonna do this weekend if dry and then just waiting for CSL boot. Can't really strip more weight then without going crazy and spending big money.

 

[Gibbo]

Be interested to find hear your experience with the corner weighting stuff. I took my car to be corner weighted and the guy basically said it would be a waste of time and money and sent me away.

The guy doing mine, sets up GT3's so M3's not his expertise, but he knows 50/50 is best aim for an M3 and he knows from his own track cars that corner weighting for his GT3 made a big improvement.

 

[Gibbo]

I'm not having a go, it just annoys me a little I guess when people build a "track" car and their safety, and more importantly the safety of others seems to be low down the priority list when it really should be right at the top and the car modified around that.

I get that people see the cage as a major expense, major ballache to fit and adds significant weight but a well designed and installed cage can also strengthen and stiffen, which can provide a good platform to get the best out of a car, even on such a good base car as you have. More importantly, it can save the lives of you and any passengers.

Unfortunately, if you plan to track the car regularly, chances are that at some point you will have a moment. When there's other cars on track there is always a risk even if you're talented and experienced. Having driven a standard E46 M3 on track for a few years I certainly had some moments, not all of which were of my doing. Such a good car and just encourages you to push harder, until the OEM brakes melt.

I appreciate it may seem negative, but being involved in motorsport I think you have more of an awareness of safety and where the priorities for spending should be. Biggest single expense in racing for me, other than my car was my helmet.

A cage could also kill me.
Remember this is also a road car and full cages in road cars is a huge no no. This is not a track dedicated car or race car. It's a fun project car which will see a lot of none competitive track days and also be used on road.

I agree a cage can improve stiffness and handling.

The car has uprated brakes all round.
The harnesses shall be sorted and all airbags are gone.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there

Am looking to buy some hoses to make brake cooling ducts with and cold air intake, In USA they get such things from home depot stores for pennies, but where in the uk can I buy such ducting/hoses?

Why?

Got a CSL bumper so want to feed cold air from air intake directly into air box and also make some brake cooling ducts as per below :-

http://evolvedperformance.com/?p=50

http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/12206650-Brake-cooling-for-CSL-bumper

http://m3support.freeforums.net/thread/40/csl-front-bumper-diy-e46?page=1&scrollTo=44

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=395982&highlight=csl+ducting


So anyone know where I can buy some hosing/ducting as per above links please? So I can do some brake cooling ducts?

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there

Went to fill car up tonight, think with a mix from loosing more weight, more cold air getting to intake and the lower temperatures, the car feels seriously quick now, also snapped a few more pictures too:-

When I get the corner weighting done, think I shall lower it a further 10mm all round at same time too, as getting weight out from front-end does seem to have cause front-end seem a little higher, might just be me, but beauty of coilovers can just adjust it lower anyway.

Its hard to see but I've painted the mesh black with plastidip and got a CSL mesh grill for the air intake.

 

[Gibbo]

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.

 

[Gibbo]

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.