[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

My thoughts on LSD are that they help you on corner exit, whereas tires and coilovers help you through the entire corner.

So....I was always under the impression that 5mph faster corner exit gets you around the track a lot faster than 5mph more entry/mid corner speed... ie.. i'd rather enter at 55mph and exit at 65mph rather than enter and exit at 60mph...

is that logic somehow backwards/wrong?

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I say fix the loose nut behind the wheel.

That never gets old...

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

So....I was always under the impression that 5mph faster corner exit gets you around the track a lot faster than 5mph more entry/mid corner speed... ie.. i'd rather enter at 55mph and exit at 65mph rather than enter and exit at 60mph...

is that logic somehow backwards/wrong?

Your thinking is right. Faster exit speeds are paramount. However, if you can carry more speed through the corner, you'll be less likely to be in the lower, high torque multiplication gears on corner exit, lessening the need for the LSD.

The lack of LSD is really apparent on slow corners for that reason. At 70mph corner exits, you're at high enough of a gear that torque to the ground isn't that much.

that said, ideally you get lsd, tires and coilver. but if I had to drop one, it'd be the first one.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

That never gets old...

Dude..how do you like the PSS10s....in theory they seem way better than my PSS9s.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

At 70mph corner exits, you're at high enough of a gear that torque to the ground isn't that much.

Doesn't a chipped 335 have enough torque on tap to light up the tire (singular) at will even in 3rd gear?

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

Doesn't a chipped 335 have enough torque on tap to light up the tire (singular) at will even in 3rd gear?

It could. You just need to be more ginger on the throttle.

But think about it. If you're carrying more speed through the corner and hit the track out area with more speed, you will spend less time in the precarious, "one side loaded and accelerating hard" condition where you're more likely to spin like crazy.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by scollins

I've been saving some cash in order to modify my E90 335i. My primary goal is to make it not only a better street car, but also a competent track car. I know that requires some compromise, as it is nearly impossible to have a great streetable car and a great trackable car all in one.

First off, my track experience is very limited, but the training budget (which is separate from the mod budget) is in place too. Since we are now in the wet & cold season here in Seattle, the HPDE sessions are pretty much done for the year. Over the winter I'd like to make some changes to the car, but only those that will not mask bad habits on the track. In other words, no r-comp tires right away! The plan is to hit the HPDE circuit hard next season, as I've got Pacific Raceways, Portland International Raceway and Bremerton Raceway all within a relatively short drive.

The question is, which changes should I make and when? The current budget is $6,000. What do you do?

Here is a list of the choices I've researched so far:

• Coilovers - Leaning towards TC Kline with camber plates, with JIC Cross a close second. KW V3 and Bilstein PSS10's as a more "budget friendly" option.
• Braces - E90 M3 OEM front strut brace and Hotchkis X-Brace
• Brakes - Alcon/Stasis 365mm front, upgraded rear brake lines and pads. I'm also looking at Stoptech, but that really eats up the budget (front & rear.)
• Wheels - Already have Advan RS 18" wheels (staggered), which reduced unsprung weight by 48 lbs
• Tires - When the time comes, looking at Dunlop Direzza Star Specs or Bridgestone RE-01Rs. I probably won't be able to run a dedicated tire/wheel combo for some time.
• Engine Performance - Exhaust only at this point (AE Quad). No plans for a piggyback, flash tune, downpipes, etc. at this point. I'm not looking for huge power gains, but mostly trying to drop a few pounds.
• Misc. - Lightweight battery setup from HP Autowerks. Collecting a few pieces of the M3 suspension that can be used.

As you can see, that list is well over the budget. Some changes will have to wait.....

Having changed out the stock wheels, getting an aftermarket exhaust and the battery switchover, I'm hoping to drop near 100 lbs off the car. I think that is about the extent of the weight loss because I'm not willing to go to Recaro seats or other more extreme weight loss measures.

What else is missing on my list? Obvioulsy, I'd love to add an LSD to the list, but it is very likely I have the welded ring gear, so that is a $4,000 mod all by itself.

So, what on that list can I do now vs. what should I postpone until I have multiple track sessions under my belt? I've been driving the car for over 17 months, so I know that I'd like to work the suspension and tires a little, just to get a better street ride. The plan is wear out the stock Potenza's before replacing them, and I'm still sitting on 7-8/32's all around. ZSP isn't bad, but I've ridden in a car with KW V3s and non-RFT tires, and it was much, much smoother on road.

Or do I save up another $4,000 and just get an E36 M3 to use a dedicated track car? If I didn't already have 3 cars in the driveway, that would be very tempting!

My vote goes to the TC Kline coil-overs with camber plates, M3 front tension rods and lower wishbone for added camber, and tires. If you are doing your own install, there should be enough budget left for our lightweight battery and mount!

Harold

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by kenneth

On the East Coast, most HPDEs are attended by middled aged farts, like myself. So that could be a difference for you guys in the West Coast?

Speak for yourself oldman!

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Speak for yourself oldman!

Ok, let's hear it!

[jbass524]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

I would go coilovers and tires. TcKline and camber plates + direzzas. That's the ticket.

+1 I have this exact mod but include camber plates. I would add some kind of brake upgrade but more like pads and rotors for track days along with fluid. This keeps the stock pads and rotors for DD and still under warranty. Also! You won't have to bed the pads in for the track. Search on this to find more info.

I say this because adding full brake kits to the suspension and tires will get you into about 8,000 or 9,000 after install. Suspension isn't perfect the moment you put it on. It can take a little time and some corner balancing to get it right.

No need to mod the motor if you're into tracking. Our motors are faster than our suspension, oil coolers and brakes IMHO.

BTW, Harold from HP helped me out a lot on my suspension. If you go with TC Kline give him a call. The PSS9s and 10s along with KWs are good maybe a little more street friendly...S4to335?

[335ievo]

I would get some light weight wheels, good suspension, and maybe lighten up the car a bit.
Other than that, since its not a track car, keep the mods. to a minimum if your planning to daily drive. Just always try to improve you lap times, until you are at your max, then start adding mods and changing items where its needed. The car is fast enough, just really heavy.