TC Kline on the track

jbass524 · 11-18-2008, 09:36 PM

Hey all,

I installed the TC Kline kit with Vorshlag plates and have been able to drive it at 4 track days...well 3.5 days; big rain with BBMWCCA at Infineon.

Impressions:
Do not underestimate how good an engineering company BMW is when trying to make your car better. It's not easy and can be expensive. Use an expert. With that said, I have my car in a good place now. It took a lot of adjustment and a some driver behavior alteration.

It's a stiffer ride on the street but not bad at all. The main discomfort is the sound the suspension makes because there's no rubber buffer between the springs and perches. It's a little clunky sound on bumpy roads at slow speeds.

In the end, I'm glad I did it.

Evidence:
The fastest I've ever gone around Infineon is 2:06. That's not very fast but that's the best I could do. Not sure if that was a clear lap because I've never really paid attention to times and someone else was doing the timing without my knowledge.

The track on that day was optimal. I was running stock suspension with Dunlop Direzzas.

I recently went 2:02 with the new setup, still with Direzzas. That was with a pause for a pass into turn 10 so it could have been less. Here it is: Infineon with Trackmasters. I didn't get any other clear laps that day (Trackmasters Mixed Group).

I love the way the car feels and am looking forward to dialing it in even more.

S4to335 · 11-19-2008, 12:09 AM

couple of comments on your tape there...

1) You were taking a Spec Miata line thru T6...you should be outside more...maybe 3/4 out...and then gradually pinch it to the apex berm. You were turning in too early on those laps

2) On T3...go out right before you turn left to go up that hill

3) For T2...approach it a bit more outside..dont go right up that outside edge from the track entry lane.

Otherwise..everything looks pretty nice. Oh...you were following the M3 too close...but he should have let you pass way earlier than he did....so I understand your frustration.

Party on Wayne...

jbass524 · 11-19-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S4to335

couple of comments on your tape there...

1) You were taking a Spec Miata line thru T6...you should be outside more...maybe 3/4 out...and then gradually pinch it to the apex berm. You were turning in too early on those laps

2) On T3...go out right before you turn left to go up that hill

3) For T2...approach it a bit more outside..dont go right up that outside edge from the track entry lane.

Otherwise..everything looks pretty nice. Oh...you were following the M3 too close...but he should have let you pass way earlier than he did....so I understand your frustration.

Party on Wayne...

I got intoxicated with the way the car handled with the new suspension. I even told myself what you said after looking at my lower top speeds after 6. I just couldn't help myself.

I would be very curious to see if the wide way around 1 and 3 are actually faster. I would need a performance box or trackmate for that info.

Thanks

S4to335 · 11-19-2008, 04:55 PM

I just reviewed my tape of Infineon from Oct 07...with the Audi club...and I got one clean lap..at 2:03...with no chip tuning. This next year...Oct 08 I ran with them again with a Dinan Stage2 chip...and definitely did better. Dont have the tape with me to check out what the lap times were...but I am gonna try to see what they were when I get a chance. I was not dissin your performance...by any means..I was just making a suggestion for you to consider. BTW, I am not the Shell Answer man...

jbass524 · 11-19-2008, 07:56 PM

S4, I welcome your critique. It makes me think and I have a lot to learn. I really did think about all of that.

It would be interesting to see at what point a tighter line as opposed to the school line is faster. We would need data for that.

I was considering my speed going through T1 and what I could retain once I turned into the hill and how much I needed to brake or 2. All concerned it felt fast there. Turn 6, not as much because I was getting mid corner understeer and the tight line didn't help through the long turn. It hurt my speed up to 7.

A solid 2:02 with a pause ain't bad. and it's the best I've ever done so I'm pretty happy with the suspension.

I'll stay on the street tires until they wear out sometime next year. Brakes are a must and an oil cooler is desperately needed.

I know you posted about power loss when hot with the tune but I feel noticeable sluggishness when the oil gets to 275 and I'm a stock motor. It's not hard to get there either.

11-18-2008, 09:36 PM	#1
jbass524 Major 110 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norcal iTrader: (2)	TC Kline on the track Hey all, I installed the TC Kline kit with Vorshlag plates and have been able to drive it at 4 track days...well 3.5 days; big rain with BBMWCCA at Infineon. Impressions: Do not underestimate how good an engineering company BMW is when trying to make your car better. It's not easy and can be expensive. Use an expert. With that said, I have my car in a good place now. It took a lot of adjustment and a some driver behavior alteration. It's a stiffer ride on the street but not bad at all. The main discomfort is the sound the suspension makes because there's no rubber buffer between the springs and perches. It's a little clunky sound on bumpy roads at slow speeds. In the end, I'm glad I did it. Evidence: The fastest I've ever gone around Infineon is 2:06. That's not very fast but that's the best I could do. Not sure if that was a clear lap because I've never really paid attention to times and someone else was doing the timing without my knowledge. The track on that day was optimal. I was running stock suspension with Dunlop Direzzas. I recently went 2:02 with the new setup, still with Direzzas. That was with a pause for a pass into turn 10 so it could have been less. Here it is: Infineon with Trackmasters. I didn't get any other clear laps that day (Trackmasters Mixed Group). I love the way the car feels and am looking forward to dialing it in even more. Last edited by jbass524; 11-18-2008 at 09:51 PM..
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11-19-2008, 12:09 AM	#2
S4to335 Brigadier General 480 Rep 4,380 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i sedan [8.00]	couple of comments on your tape there... 1) You were taking a Spec Miata line thru T6...you should be outside more...maybe 3/4 out...and then gradually pinch it to the apex berm. You were turning in too early on those laps 2) On T3...go out right before you turn left to go up that hill 3) For T2...approach it a bit more outside..dont go right up that outside edge from the track entry lane. Otherwise..everything looks pretty nice. Oh...you were following the M3 too close...but he should have let you pass way earlier than he did....so I understand your frustration. Party on Wayne... __________________ Car is now gone .... :-(
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11-19-2008, 04:55 PM	#4
S4to335 Brigadier General 480 Rep 4,380 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i sedan [8.00]	I just reviewed my tape of Infineon from Oct 07...with the Audi club...and I got one clean lap..at 2:03...with no chip tuning. This next year...Oct 08 I ran with them again with a Dinan Stage2 chip...and definitely did better. Dont have the tape with me to check out what the lap times were...but I am gonna try to see what they were when I get a chance. I was not dissin your performance...by any means..I was just making a suggestion for you to consider. BTW, I am not the Shell Answer man... __________________ Car is now gone .... :-(
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11-19-2008, 07:56 PM	#5
jbass524 Major 110 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norcal iTrader: (2)	S4, I welcome your critique. It makes me think and I have a lot to learn. I really did think about all of that. It would be interesting to see at what point a tighter line as opposed to the school line is faster. We would need data for that. I was considering my speed going through T1 and what I could retain once I turned into the hill and how much I needed to brake or 2. All concerned it felt fast there. Turn 6, not as much because I was getting mid corner understeer and the tight line didn't help through the long turn. It hurt my speed up to 7. A solid 2:02 with a pause ain't bad. and it's the best I've ever done so I'm pretty happy with the suspension. I'll stay on the street tires until they wear out sometime next year. Brakes are a must and an oil cooler is desperately needed. I know you posted about power loss when hot with the tune but I feel noticeable sluggishness when the oil gets to 275 and I'm a stock motor. It's not hard to get there either.
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