Tracking a steptronic 335

Porschefile · 09-12-2009, 08:01 PM

I went to a PCA track day at VIR last week in a SLK55 and had a blast and now I want to make my 335 track worthy. Unfortunately it's a step AND has no OEM oil cooler. What do I need? I was thinking aftermarket oil cooler (vk or ar probably), and possibly a FMIC as well. I'm a noob and can't really go that fast yet. Thanks for reading!

200Duece · 09-12-2009, 08:09 PM

see if you can get the cooler added by the dealer. search around for the Service bullitens and how others got it done.

TheAcAvenger · 09-12-2009, 08:13 PM

You won't last 5 minutes at VIR without an oil cooler with a step n54.

Porschefile · 09-12-2009, 08:25 PM

I tried to get one through the dealer and they turned me away because I'm the 2nd owner. I'm willing to pay for one. Do you guys think just a cooler will be enough to make an auto trackable?

e90southfl · 09-12-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porschefile

I tried to get one through the dealer and they turned me away because I'm the 2nd owner. I'm willing to pay for one. Do you guys think just a cooler will be enough to make an auto trackable?

I have a step with a VK oil cooler and still have issues with the transmission. The torque converter will lock up when it gets too hot. On a 90 degree day, i will get about 15 hard minutes on the track before I have to call it quits. My friend running at the same events with a 6 speed and VK oil cooler has no issues. Thats why I have retired the 335 from track days and I am on the hunt for a nice used z06.

Porschefile · 09-12-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90southfl

I have a step with a VK oil cooler and still have issues with the transmission. The torque converter will lock up when it gets too hot. On a 90 degree day, i will get about 15 hard minutes on the track before I have to call it quits. My friend running at the same events with a 6 speed and VK oil cooler has no issues. Thats why I have retired the 335 from track days and I am on the hunt for a nice used z06.

Thanks for the reply, that's what I was afraid of. I'd hate to go ahead and get the cooler and still not be able to run a full session.

orionredwing · 09-14-2009, 05:36 PM

Ouch, sorry to hear

But just to give you another data point, I drive a E90 STEP w/ the factory oil cooler retrofit. In my 3 events, my car did not overheat at all in the 20-25 min track sessions in up to 90F conditions.

Although I'm still a noob, I can accelerate just as hard as anyone coming out of the turn, and the main straight is the same for everyone. So minus a few secs of acceleration lost each lap due to my slowness coming out of the turns, I believe I would still be stressing the engine/oil cooling limits at ~95% of the track experts.

Maybe there will be a prob in 100F weather. I dunno, but so far, no probs, except for the HPFP.....grrr!!! hehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90southfl

I have a step with a VK oil cooler and still have issues with the transmission. The torque converter will lock up when it gets too hot. On a 90 degree day, i will get about 15 hard minutes on the track before I have to call it quits. My friend running at the same events with a 6 speed and VK oil cooler has no issues. Thats why I have retired the 335 from track days and I am on the hunt for a nice used z06.

Ramos · 09-14-2009, 06:13 PM

Oil cooler and FMIC will def. help you for now...
you also need a set of track wheels and tires pronto...

uberschnell · 09-14-2009, 07:57 PM

I'm tracking with an upgraded oil cooler and FMIC. The oil cooler will certainly help keep temps down, the fmic will help fight heat soak and retain power. A trans cooler would be kick ass if anyone made one. And run at least 93 octane on the track.

BTW, I track pretty hard and don't have any issues like said poster with the locked up torque converter.

Porschefile · 09-14-2009, 08:14 PM

Cool, good to hear success stories. I ordered the AR design cooler so we'll see how it goes. I have an intake and JB3 but I'll probably run map 0 at first anyway. Track days are addicting

wakeboarder109 · 09-14-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porschefile

I tried to get one through the dealer and they turned me away because I'm the 2nd owner. I'm willing to pay for one. Do you guys think just a cooler will be enough to make an auto trackable?

I haven't been to any track events but would like to in the near future. I'm in the same boat with Step and no oil cooler. So if you're the original owner they'd consider an install?/

Bubbles · 09-14-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90southfl

I have a step with a VK oil cooler and still have issues with the transmission. The torque converter will lock up when it gets too hot. On a 90 degree day, i will get about 15 hard minutes on the track before I have to call it quits. My friend running at the same events with a 6 speed and VK oil cooler has no issues. Thats why I have retired the 335 from track days and I am on the hunt for a nice used z06.

He is right, if you drive hard you'll get lock-up with ATs on high temp days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by orionredwing

Ouch, sorry to hear

But just to give you another data point, I drive a E90 STEP w/ the factory oil cooler retrofit. In my 3 events, my car did not overheat at all in the 20-25 min track sessions in up to 90F conditions.

Although I'm still a noob, I can accelerate just as hard as anyone coming out of the turn, and the main straight is the same for everyone. So minus a few secs of acceleration lost each lap due to my slowness coming out of the turns, I believe I would still be stressing the engine/oil cooling limits at ~95% of the track experts.

Maybe there will be a prob in 100F weather. I dunno, but so far, no probs, except for the HPFP.....grrr!!! hehe

Porschefile · 09-15-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeboarder109

I haven't been to any track events but would like to in the near future. I'm in the same boat with Step and no oil cooler. So if you're the original owner they'd consider an install?/

They used that excuse on me, but being the 1st owner doesn't mean they'll just hand it over. From what I've read in the thread about oil cooler retrofits, if you bug them enough they generally give in for the original owners but it takes forever. They should have just sent out a service bulletin and given us all coolers.

cgeorge · 09-18-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porschefile

Cool, good to hear success stories. I ordered the AR design cooler so we'll see how it goes. I have an intake and JB3 but I'll probably run map 0 at first anyway. Track days are addicting

You hve a jb3 and youve yet to intall a fmic? damn! You should get that immediately.

David9962000 · 09-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90southfl

I have a step with a VK oil cooler and still have issues with the transmission. The torque converter will lock up when it gets too hot. On a 90 degree day, i will get about 15 hard minutes on the track before I have to call it quits. My friend running at the same events with a 6 speed and VK oil cooler has no issues. Thats why I have retired the 335 from track days and I am on the hunt for a nice used z06.

Have you tried a transmission cooler? Contact Turner motorsports.

jgalaxy · 09-20-2009, 05:04 PM

Like everyone else has said, oilcooler first. If you'll track a lot, I'd get track rims and rubber (17 or 18" x 8.5 or 9" all around), suspension upgrade bits, tune and FMIC.

DrDomer · 09-22-2009, 11:04 AM

Not that I'm an expert, but the VERY last thing I would ever due to a 335i that I was going to track is put a tune on it (unless it's the BMW performance tune with increased cooling). Even if you don't limp, by mid-session power is noticeably reduced due to heat-soak. Adding a tune will only get you to limp faster. Even with cooling modifications it's a waste of time IMHO. The car has more than enough power. I'd focus on cooling mods and tires first. From reading everyone else's experiences and my own experience, it's just easier to track a different car. The N54 auto's are a pain in the ass. I've switched to a Miata (guess what? I'm having more fun too...).

kenneth · 09-22-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDomer

Not that I'm an expert, but the VERY last thing I would ever due to a 335i that I was going to track is put a tune on it (unless it's the BMW performance tune with increased cooling). Even if you don't limp, by mid-session power is noticeably reduced due to heat-soak. Adding a tune will only get you to limp faster. Even with cooling modifications it's a waste of time IMHO. The car has more than enough power. I'd focus on cooling mods and tires first. From reading everyone else's experiences and my own experience, it's just easier to track a different car. The N54 auto's are a pain in the ass. I've switched to a Miata (guess what? I'm having more fun too...).

And with more dollars in your pocket to boot!

jgalaxy · 09-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDomer

Not that I'm an expert, but the VERY last thing I would ever due to a 335i that I was going to track is put a tune on it (unless it's the BMW performance tune with increased cooling). Even if you don't limp, by mid-session power is noticeably reduced due to heat-soak. Adding a tune will only get you to limp faster. Even with cooling modifications it's a waste of time IMHO. The car has more than enough power. I'd focus on cooling mods and tires first. From reading everyone else's experiences and my own experience, it's just easier to track a different car. The N54 auto's are a pain in the ass. I've switched to a Miata (guess what? I'm having more fun too...).

Thanks for your opinion on the tune. It is just that, an opinion.

I agree on the Miata, though.

e90southfl · 09-25-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David9962000

Have you tried a transmission cooler? Contact Turner motorsports.

I didn't want to go down the path of adding another cooler since I decided it would be best to retire the 335 from track duty and just use it as my daily driver. I finally found a z06 that I liked and was a good deal.

I am interested in selling my VK Oil Cooler. If anyone is interested send me a PM. It would be a great deal for someone with an e90 since the install would be very easy! I can send you all the parts pre-cut (wheel well liner, oil cooler grate cover, brake duct) and then you can simple bolt in the new cooler and parts.

jgalaxy · 09-25-2009, 06:07 PM

Nice score. I am looing for exactly the same thing. My E9X XI will be retired as well. Z06 is the best bang for the buck for that kind of displacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90southfl

I didn't want to go down the path of adding another cooler since I decided it would be best to retire the 335 from track duty and just use it as my daily driver. I finally found a z06 that I liked and was a good deal.

I am interested in selling my VK Oil Cooler. If anyone is interested send me a PM. It would be a great deal for someone with an e90 since the install would be very easy! I can send you all the parts pre-cut (wheel well liner, oil cooler grate cover, brake duct) and then you can simple bolt in the new cooler and parts.

Porschefile · 10-12-2009, 12:05 PM

Well I just returned from 2 days at VIR and the cooler seems to have cooled the car effectively. I was hitting 270-280 oil temps on a cool day (67 degrees or so). I think it's safe to say that on a warm summer day the car would overheat with the AR cooler. During my last session the car went into limp mode and the SES light came on and I assume it was the transmission (oil was in normal range). The 335 steptronic is a great street car but not suitable for the track even with the oil cooler. I'll probably end up getting a spec E30 or an E36 M3 to play with.

09-12-2009, 08:01 PM	#1
Porschefile Major 59 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	Tracking a steptronic 335 I went to a PCA track day at VIR last week in a SLK55 and had a blast and now I want to make my 335 track worthy. Unfortunately it's a step AND has no OEM oil cooler. What do I need? I was thinking aftermarket oil cooler (vk or ar probably), and possibly a FMIC as well. I'm a noob and can't really go that fast yet. Thanks for reading!
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09-12-2009, 08:09 PM	#2
200Duece Colonel 45 Rep 2,575 Posts Drives: '73 2002,'18 X5 35d,'17 328d T Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A Whale's Vagina, Ca iTrader: (5)	see if you can get the cooler added by the dealer. search around for the Service bullitens and how others got it done. __________________ 1988 E28 535is Euro Conversion --- sold 2009 E90 335 6MT --- sold 2003 E39 540iT Msport --- sold
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09-12-2009, 08:13 PM	#3
TheAcAvenger Brigadier General 134 Rep 3,132 Posts Drives: 2018 R35 GTR / 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 757 > Nova > Denver iTrader: (1)	You won't last 5 minutes at VIR without an oil cooler with a step n54. __________________ 2018 R35 GT-R Cicio800 \| 2007 E92 335i - RB Turbos, TC Kline DA Coils, HPA M3 Suspension, Quaife LSD, Stoptech BBK, JB4, FuelIT, AR Downpipes, RDSport Quads, Stett OC, Helix IC, Volk TE-37, Vorsteiner V-35, OSS Headlights \| Retired - 2015 F82 M4
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09-12-2009, 08:25 PM	#4
Porschefile Major 59 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	I tried to get one through the dealer and they turned me away because I'm the 2nd owner. I'm willing to pay for one. Do you guys think just a cooler will be enough to make an auto trackable?
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09-14-2009, 06:13 PM	#8
Ramos Colonel 863 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: G20 2020 M340 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (6)	Oil cooler and FMIC will def. help you for now... you also need a set of track wheels and tires pronto...
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09-14-2009, 07:57 PM	#9
uberschnell Brigadier General 674 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	I'm tracking with an upgraded oil cooler and FMIC. The oil cooler will certainly help keep temps down, the fmic will help fight heat soak and retain power. A trans cooler would be kick ass if anyone made one. And run at least 93 octane on the track. BTW, I track pretty hard and don't have any issues like said poster with the locked up torque converter.
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09-14-2009, 08:14 PM	#10
Porschefile Major 59 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	Cool, good to hear success stories. I ordered the AR design cooler so we'll see how it goes. I have an intake and JB3 but I'll probably run map 0 at first anyway. Track days are addicting
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09-20-2009, 05:04 PM	#16
jgalaxy Gearing 86 Rep 3,965 Posts Drives: E46 M3, F22 M240 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Out East Canada iTrader: (3)	Like everyone else has said, oilcooler first. If you'll track a lot, I'd get track rims and rubber (17 or 18" x 8.5 or 9" all around), suspension upgrade bits, tune and FMIC. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...
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09-22-2009, 11:04 AM	#17
DrDomer Major 39 Rep 1,349 Posts Drives: 2004 330ci ZHP, 1999 Miata Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	Not that I'm an expert, but the VERY last thing I would ever due to a 335i that I was going to track is put a tune on it (unless it's the BMW performance tune with increased cooling). Even if you don't limp, by mid-session power is noticeably reduced due to heat-soak. Adding a tune will only get you to limp faster. Even with cooling modifications it's a waste of time IMHO. The car has more than enough power. I'd focus on cooling mods and tires first. From reading everyone else's experiences and my own experience, it's just easier to track a different car. The N54 auto's are a pain in the ass. I've switched to a Miata (guess what? I'm having more fun too...). __________________ Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. ~Albert Einstein
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10-12-2009, 12:05 PM	#22
Porschefile Major 59 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	Well I just returned from 2 days at VIR and the cooler seems to have cooled the car effectively. I was hitting 270-280 oil temps on a cool day (67 degrees or so). I think it's safe to say that on a warm summer day the car would overheat with the AR cooler. During my last session the car went into limp mode and the SES light came on and I assume it was the transmission (oil was in normal range). The 335 steptronic is a great street car but not suitable for the track even with the oil cooler. I'll probably end up getting a spec E30 or an E36 M3 to play with.
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