[Donald-335i]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Closed circuit road course that's longer than 1/4 mile and requires turning the steering wheel

excuse me jermery clarkson.

[Shieldze1025]

Is it safe to say the same thing for autox? The general consensus I've heard is if u have the aux oil cooler (factory) and only do a few laps at a time you should be fine.

I would like to get some autox/track days in this year.

[aisthetes]

Auto-x will be fine. I've raced in 60F to 90F events with no overheating issues. One lap runs just aren't enough to cause an oil temp problem.

I'm limiting track days to cooler months and avoiding the summer. I did a Streets of Willow track day in 50F-60F and had no issues pushing hard all day, other than my Dunlop Star Specs getting a bit greasy by the end of the session. I've seen plenty of guys do the same in the hot summer months and have limp mode problems after just 4-5 laps with the factory cooling system.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

You guys that dont have problems are you more or less stock performance wise? or are you running something similar to a Jb3 or procede? (higher boost)?

I'm confident at stock boost levels you really need to push the car hard for a while.

But, my temps after a few short pulls come right near 250. Now, Ive never exceeded 250, but then again when it gets near it, I stay out of boost. I'm near the 400WHP range and I run Meth.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

You guys that dont have problems are you more or less stock performance wise? or are you running something similar to a Jb3 or procede? (higher boost)?

I'm confident at stock boost levels you really need to push the car hard for a while.

But, my temps after a few short pulls come right near 250. Now, Ive never exceeded 250, but then again when it gets near it, I stay out of boost. I'm near the 400WHP range and I run Meth.

I only run stock tuning at the track..and I still have issues with oil temps on days as low as 70 degrees ambient air temp. Over 290.

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

Is it safe to say the same thing for autox? The general consensus I've heard is if u have the aux oil cooler (factory) and only do a few laps at a time you should be fine.

I would like to get some autox/track days in this year.

The factory oil cooler has been fine for me; 2008 335XI 6MT. I've tracked in 90F weather with full boost (15psi), pushing the crap out of the car and rarely see the oil temp get above 115-117C (<250F).

Originally Posted by JPSlick

You guys that dont have problems are you more or less stock performance wise? or are you running something similar to a Jb3 or procede? (higher boost)?

I'm confident at stock boost levels you really need to push the car hard for a while.

But, my temps after a few short pulls come right near 250. Now, Ive never exceeded 250, but then again when it gets near it, I stay out of boost. I'm near the 400WHP range and I run Meth.

I havent seen anything over 250F when I have tracked with a tune. I stay on full throttle every chance when on the track to the point of the fumes causing my eyes to tear. I still havent seen anything too much over 250F. But running meth injection may be a whole different story though ...

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I only run stock tuning at the track..and I still have issues with oil temps on days as low as 70 degrees ambient air temp. Over 290.

Im surprised to be honest, you must have some long straights or something, or a lot of laps. I would expect that from a tuned car, but not a stock tune. Yet again, it just depends on the track, temp, # of laps, humidity, etc

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

The factory oil cooler has been fine for me; 2008 335XI 6MT. I've tracked in 90F weather with full boost (15psi), pushing the crap out of the car and rarely see the oil temp get above 115-117C (<250F).


I havent seen anything over 250F when I have tracked with a tune. I stay on full throttle every chance when on the track to the point of the fumes causing my eyes to tear. I still havent seen anything too much over 250F. But running meth injection may be a whole different story though ...

Seems like things go eitherway...

Not saying either of you are lying, but there is a clear diffence from "where you are", "style of driving" and temperature. As well as tune, and gas used.

Naturally the "style" and length of the track etc etc

My point... lots of factors.

[vwong]

I've been to one track event where it was about 110F outside. I could only manage about 3 hot laps (time attack style laps) before it reached 270F. When it did, I immediately backed off and did a cool-down lap, then pit. Then, I've also been to another track event where it was in the 70F. I was able to put in more hot laps (maybe 6 or so time attack style laps) before I had to cool down.

In autox, at 90+F ambient temp, I saw just about 250F at the end of one 60-second run. So if you have the factory oil cooler, you should be fine at autox.

BTW, my car is bone stock.

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Im surprised to be honest, you must have some long straights or something, or a lot of laps. I would expect that from a tuned car, but not a stock tune. Yet again, it just depends on the track, temp, # of laps, humidity, etc



Seems like things go eitherway...

Not saying either of you are lying, but there is a clear diffence from "where you are", "style of driving" and temperature. As well as tune, and gas used.

Naturally the "style" and length of the track etc etc

My point... lots of factors.

It certainly go either way. I havent heard of 290F, but that can simply be a matter of S4s superior track driving. I have managed 265 but that was only during one session. Makes me wonder if it has anything to do with the front lip I have a Hamman which has a large frontal scoop ... Hmmm

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

It certainly go either way. I havent heard of 290F, but that can simply be a matter of S4s superior track driving. I have managed 265 but that was only during one session. Makes me wonder if it has anything to do with the front lip I have a Hamman which has a large frontal scoop ... Hmmm

I had splitters on my car while on track....but I think frontal exposure to air definitely has a bearing on intercoolers/radiators/oil coolers.

[Purple All Sectors]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

If you do not have the factory oil cooler, very bad. If you do have the oil cooler, still bad. If you have an upgraded oil cooler like me, the coolant and transmission still freak out.

You have an aftermarket oil cooler and you still get LIMP Mode at track events?

[guidance]

I tracked my stock 335i 6MT(M3 wheels & PS2's only) w/ air temps in the 60's with no oil temp problems during 30 minute sessions. Started getting CELs after a few sessions over the weekend that did not effect performance but freaked me cause I was 6 hours from home.
New game with JB3. All the threads I can find suggest not to exceed Map 3 or you will overtemp oil & water and go limp fast. Got to believe that's correct.
The Dinan tune package adds only 20 hp and includes an add on to the radiador, more fan power & ducting.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462
Can't wait to track again in May.

[kenneth]

I think if you have the factory oil cooler, you might get away if the course has some long straights. On these courses, my temp would be just over half mark. On courses with few straights, I did get the car to over 290, approaching 300F. I now have the additional AR oil cooler.

[E30M3Driver]

Wow kind of an open ended question with a whole lot of answers and a bunch of "it depends" and some serious "this has all been discussed before". But since you asked...

I am an instructor and hold an SCCA race license, but drive my 335i bone stock-tune, suspension, brakes, but run a high quality street tire, right now Re-11's... I have a 6MT and oil cooler. I am faster than 95% of the student cars and about half of the instructor cars. Yeah the car gets hot - 280-290 degrees depending on the ambient temp. Yeah the car pushes a little, doesn't rotate as well as my E30 M3, and yeah I gotta swap front tires half way through the day. About 16 minutes into a 20 minute session I start to back off, but I think this car rocks and I have a blast driving it. I have never limped due to heat but I know I am close.

A lot of guys throw a lot of stuff at these cars to make them perform better, and everything is certainly an improvement in one way or another, but honestly, IMO the only critical issue related to track readiness is the cooling - with oil cooler = bad, but not fatal; no oil cooler = really bad (roll the dice on limping); no oil cooler + auto = ridiculously bad (limps are all but guaranteed once you get out of the novice group and/or it is really hot out). Auto makes it worse because of the auto cooling requirements create additional demand on the cooling system. Brakes are the next issue depending on the track and the driver and whether or not you have tuned it. I am real easy on brakes and my local tracks don't have anything real extreme for braking, so stock works great for me but I can see the value of upgraded pads. Lastly, the stock suspension and lack of camber up front contributes to aggressive tire wear especially on the shoulders and can be a problem getting reasonable life out of the tires.

Bottom line is that if you are going to track your car, you can, and you should if you so desire. You should go get yourself a factory or aftermarket oil cooler at a minimum if your car lacks it, and then show up and drive. Resist the urge to throw stuff at the car to go faster and "improve" the performance until you have "improved" the driver's ability behind the wheel - I'm still not there yet and I have been doing this for 15 years.

Adding suspension bits, a tune, and the bbks will make the car perform and handle much, much better and go significantly faster, but are completely unnecessary for a HPDE. Cooling aside these cars are completely capable stock to handle your typical CCA track day, to do it safely and to generate a lot of grins.

[M3E46M]

Originally Posted by Blue335i

I had no oil cooler with an AT, 75 degrees, limp mode at Infineon often. Factory Oil cooler, 99degrees at Thunderhill, limp mode often. Then 75 again Laguna Seca, slight limp mode, but didn't push it that much, pulled off once. Got a VKwerks larger OC and will go to Infineon this weekend and report. Suppose to be 75 degrees.

Don't think this is a problem on a 335i manual is it?

[tres]

Originally Posted by E30M3Driver

Wow kind of an open ended question with a whole lot of answers and a bunch of "it depends" and some serious "this has all been discussed before". But since you asked...

I am an instructor and hold an SCCA race license, but drive my 335i bone stock-tune, suspension, brakes, but run a high quality street tire, right now Re-11's... I have a 6MT and oil cooler. I am faster than 95% of the student cars and about half of the instructor cars. Yeah the car gets hot - 280-290 degrees depending on the ambient temp. Yeah the car pushes a little, doesn't rotate as well as my E30 M3, and yeah I gotta swap front tires half way through the day. About 16 minutes into a 20 minute session I start to back off, but I think this car rocks and I have a blast driving it. I have never limped due to heat but I know I am close.

A lot of guys throw a lot of stuff at these cars to make them perform better, and everything is certainly an improvement in one way or another, but honestly, IMO the only critical issue related to track readiness is the cooling - with oil cooler = bad, but not fatal; no oil cooler = really bad (roll the dice on limping); no oil cooler + auto = ridiculously bad (limps are all but guaranteed once you get out of the novice group and/or it is really hot out). Auto makes it worse because of the auto cooling requirements create additional demand on the cooling system. Brakes are the next issue depending on the track and the driver and whether or not you have tuned it. I am real easy on brakes and my local tracks don't have anything real extreme for braking, so stock works great for me but I can see the value of upgraded pads. Lastly, the stock suspension and lack of camber up front contributes to aggressive tire wear especially on the shoulders and can be a problem getting reasonable life out of the tires.

Bottom line is that if you are going to track your car, you can, and you should if you so desire. You should go get yourself a factory or aftermarket oil cooler at a minimum if your car lacks it, and then show up and drive. Resist the urge to throw stuff at the car to go faster and "improve" the performance until you have "improved" the driver's ability behind the wheel - I'm still not there yet and I have been doing this for 15 years.

Adding suspension bits, a tune, and the bbks will make the car perform and handle much, much better and go significantly faster, but are completely unnecessary for a HPDE. Cooling aside these cars are completely capable stock to handle your typical CCA track day, to do it safely and to generate a lot of grins.

[KKelly]

Originally Posted by E30M3Driver

Wow kind of an open ended question with a whole lot of answers and a bunch of "it depends" and some serious "this has all been discussed before". But since you asked...

I am an instructor and hold an SCCA race license, but drive my 335i bone stock-tune, suspension, brakes, but run a high quality street tire, right now Re-11's... I have a 6MT and oil cooler. I am faster than 95% of the student cars and about half of the instructor cars. Yeah the car gets hot - 280-290 degrees depending on the ambient temp. Yeah the car pushes a little, doesn't rotate as well as my E30 M3, and yeah I gotta swap front tires half way through the day. About 16 minutes into a 20 minute session I start to back off, but I think this car rocks and I have a blast driving it. I have never limped due to heat but I know I am close.

A lot of guys throw a lot of stuff at these cars to make them perform better, and everything is certainly an improvement in one way or another, but honestly, IMO the only critical issue related to track readiness is the cooling - with oil cooler = bad, but not fatal; no oil cooler = really bad (roll the dice on limping); no oil cooler + auto = ridiculously bad (limps are all but guaranteed once you get out of the novice group and/or it is really hot out). Auto makes it worse because of the auto cooling requirements create additional demand on the cooling system. Brakes are the next issue depending on the track and the driver and whether or not you have tuned it. I am real easy on brakes and my local tracks don't have anything real extreme for braking, so stock works great for me but I can see the value of upgraded pads. Lastly, the stock suspension and lack of camber up front contributes to aggressive tire wear especially on the shoulders and can be a problem getting reasonable life out of the tires.

Bottom line is that if you are going to track your car, you can, and you should if you so desire. You should go get yourself a factory or aftermarket oil cooler at a minimum if your car lacks it, and then show up and drive. Resist the urge to throw stuff at the car to go faster and "improve" the performance until you have "improved" the driver's ability behind the wheel - I'm still not there yet and I have been doing this for 15 years.

Adding suspension bits, a tune, and the bbks will make the car perform and handle much, much better and go significantly faster, but are completely unnecessary for a HPDE. Cooling aside these cars are completely capable stock to handle your typical CCA track day, to do it safely and to generate a lot of grins.

How is with no lsd? I find I can't even put the power down at moderate speeds on the street exiting corners (though I have runflats still). The car is fantastic but it doesn't hunker down like E36 M3 track rat or even my porker '91 M5 did on corner exits.

One thing I did love about my M5 is you could spin that thing all day at 5500-7300rpm and the oil temp would rarely go over 230-240, even on 108 degree days at Buttonwillow, and by the time I finished a cool down lap it was at 200. That is what a nice big oil cooler and nice big engine compartment will do.

[M3E46M]

This may be a stupid question but don't these 335i's have coolant thermostats? I know they open up because the car is hot anyway but what if you just take the damn thing out? any one think it would help to get the temps down on a track day? BTW I installed the Burger Hi Flo Air Filter and removed the factory intake box and I saw some engine temps drop a little, I think it has to do with the fact that there is much more empty space under the hood + the snorkel acts as ram air cooling a little.

[M3E46M]

Originally Posted by KKelly

How is with no lsd? I find I can't even put the power down at moderate speeds on the street exiting corners (though I have runflats still). The car is fantastic but it doesn't hunker down like E36 M3 track rat or even my porker '91 M5 did on corner exits.

One thing I did love about my M5 is you could spin that thing all day at 5500-7300rpm and the oil temp would rarely go over 230-240, even on 108 degree days at Buttonwillow, and by the time I finished a cool down lap it was at 200. That is what a nice big oil cooler and nice big engine compartment will do.

I use the DTC button for now untill I get my lsd. DTC will allow for some some wheel spin but it will also apply brake to the wheel with the least traction to force the power to the other wheel. Ya it cuts power a little but not by much. Turning it off copletly, doesn't do that and you spinn one wheel.

[M3E46M]

who checks their coolant before tracking the car?

[marcel b]

if you have the factory oilcooler and if you are a novice tart you will have no problem with temps, even on hotter day. I had the engine cutting power on hot days but only when pushing hard. As soon as a back off a bit, the temps drop a bit. I have installed the power kit with the additional cooler which helps but is still not sufficient IMO. (I have no other tune installed) Currently a better FMIC is being installed and I will exchange the oil cooler against a bigger and better one. (Setrab) This should put an end to the high temps. I have a DCT which also contributes to the higher temps, if you have a manual this is of an advantage.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by KKelly

How is with no lsd? I find I can't even put the power down at moderate speeds on the street exiting corners (though I have runflats still). The car is fantastic but it doesn't hunker down like E36 M3 track rat or even my porker '91 M5 did on corner exits.

One thing I did love about my M5 is you could spin that thing all day at 5500-7300rpm and the oil temp would rarely go over 230-240, even on 108 degree days at Buttonwillow, and by the time I finished a cool down lap it was at 200. That is what a nice big oil cooler and nice big engine compartment will do.

Hey Kev...long time no talk....you finally got rid of your white M5? I dont believe it. :-)

This is Steve.