[taibanl]

I'd like to have a thread that discusses all things track related for the D. For instance: what upgrades are you running, what preparations you take, what non-CBS service everyone performs, etc....

I'll start: What OCI do you guys use for occasional track use? In my case I've been once and looking to go 1-3x/year.

[335dFan]

Your HPDE frequency sounds like mine. For OCI, I am sitting at 10K miles on the odometer, have been to one HPDE in Sept 2012, and have not done a single thing to the oil other than check the dipstick a couple of times. If I hadn't been under the weather and the garage being so cold, I would have changed my oil at about 5 or 6K. My old Jetta Diesel got a new jolt of Mobil 1 every 3000 miles for her entire time in my possession (20 years and 300K). I probably wouldn't go that extreme for sure with the 335d, but I would change it between dealer visits. That's just old school me. As far as I can tell, running around Summit Point one day a quarter or every other quarter isn't going to cause the car to break a sweat, not in my skill and league level. I only go on Saturdays and so that's four 10-12 minutes track sessions and one skid pad. The only thing that seemed to get beat up was my tires.

[Dutchdaddy]

Done couple so far.
VIR (2*)
Watkins Glenn
Summit Point (Main)

Ran VIR first time with PFC pads, massive issues on braking, lots of shatter, to the extend that I didn't feel comfortable driving the car on track. Switched back to stock pads, no issues at Watkins Glenn in using these.....

I fit 275/35/18 Hoosiers in square setup on the car, no rubbing, no issues.

I have a 1994 Miata for track duty....

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Dutchdaddy

Done couple so far.
VIR (2*)
Watkins Glenn
Summit Point (Main)

Ran VIR first time with PFC pads, massive issues on braking, lots of shatter, to the extend that I didn't feel comfortable driving the car on track. Switched back to stock pads, no issues at Watkins Glenn in using these.....

I fit 275/35/18 Hoosiers in square setup on the car, no rubbing, no issues.

I have a 1994 Miata for track duty....

From your track experience, I must admit that mine was only on the short Jefferson Circuit, so I guess a different (i.e., longer and faster) track would have been much harder on the brakes. Aside from my slippery OEM tires, the only other thing that I was worried about was the brakes, and the stock setup seemed to be just fine.

Next HPDE I will have to totally recalibrate my expectations with a modified suspension, new lighter wheels and better tires, and maybe a tune job. With the short Jefferson Circuit I was fine with my basically stock D (except for the Bilstein B6). I was/am not a talented enough driver to push the car beyond its current limits. I am the limiting factor, not the car.

[Dutchdaddy]

Well, you have the perfect setup already: The only right attitude, driver as limiting factor, not the vehicle.... If every attendee at an HPDE had that thought, HPDEs will be structured a whole lot different..

I didn't push the car hard at WG, had been three years since I had been there, and this was the first time with a RWD vehicle (only driven at WG with AWD/Quattro vehicles in previous years).

I expect to have the diesel with me next month in Summit, as the Miata is undergoing slow (and painful) surgery....

[taibanl]

I am well aware of my own limfacs as driver as well,

however, two things I noticed, even given my lack of experience.

Wheel spin coming up out of the boot --:> fix=LSD
brakes got a bit softer later in the session on sunday (was wet out) --> fix= at least upgraded pads.

Bonus:
FMIC
Performance Suspension
N57 with tri-turbo from M550d (ok, j/k)

[FormerRotor]

I very much want to join this club in the spring. We shall see. It's interesting that most seem to be content with the stock brakes (short maybe dedicated track pads). I would think that--mechanically speaking--an LSD would be a huge step in the right direction second/equal only to the 275 square setup mentioned by Dutch. Of course skill level comes first and foremost.

Dutch, what wheel widths, offsets, & camber are you running to squeeze the 275s up front? I figured 255s would be about the max short replacing/pulling the fenders.

[Concentric190]

Summer tires + a set of hawk HT10 brake pads. Car felt great.

[mact3333]

Personally, I wouldnt do anything to the car unless you are at a minimum intermediate level driver.

BMW brakes are notoriously great at first but will fade quickly...this was the case with every M3 I have owned and tracked....so this is not just a 335 issue.

Just go and have fun, that is the key!

If there was one upgrade I had to do it would be to upgrade to int. level brake pads like the Ferodo DS 2500's...but its a PITA to swap them all the time...although I have run them on and off the track they squeel.

If you have paddle shifters I would practice using them cause it will save you alot of time to down shift quickly while braking cause to heel toe on manual cars takes alot of practice and skill...thats not to say our paddle shifters are anything like SMG II or DCT cause it obviously isnt but better than nothing.

[mact3333]

I couldnt imagine running 275 square set up with our cars...our suspension is fairly soft and if lowered at all, I would think rubbing will be an issue.

Unless you are advanced, I would forget about offset and camber.

Taibanl, you want an analogy you can understand, that is like someone who has never done a audio install ever and thinking they are going to do Musicars stage 3 upgrade by themselves...

[Dutchdaddy]

Sorry that you lack imagination

....here you go..



Upclose; wheels are 18*9; forget what the offset is, got them via Sonictuning.com;, they're fairly local to me, and aside them being heavy wheels, they hold up well. Just wanted a cheap setup......not going for HPDE championships...

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by mact3333

Taibanl, you want an analogy you can understand, that is like someone who has never done a audio install ever and thinking they are going to do Musicars stage 3 upgrade by themselves...

Well; I had never done an audio install before and doing a complete Musicar kit is WAY easier than they hybrid, partial DIY route that I have taken!!.

[taibanl]

So I think I have it sorted:

1. Brake Pads (any recommendations, and more specifically...WHY??? - where do I start?)
2. LSD (prob before this track season)
3. FMIC (next year?)
4. Performance Suspension

Originally Posted by taibanl

I am well aware of my own limfacs as driver as well,

however, two things I noticed, even given my lack of experience.

Wheel spin coming up out of the boot --:> fix=LSD
brakes got a bit softer later in the session on sunday (was wet out) --> fix= at least upgraded pads.

Bonus:
FMIC
Performance Suspension
N57 with tri-turbo from M550d (ok, j/k)

[FormerRotor]

Originally Posted by taibanl

So I think I have it sorted:

1. JBD (already in hand for off-road use)
2. Brake Pads (any recommendations, and more specifically...WHY??? - where do I start?)
3. LSD (prob before this track season)
4. FMIC (next year?)
5. Performance Suspension

Tai, what suspension are you running now?

[Persian Whisperjet]

I drove my 335d at Summit Point Friday (main circuit) for track day and found the brakes to be excellent and fade-free. my only preparation was checking tire pressure and purging the brake calipers.

[taibanl]

Stock non sport

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

I drove my 335d at Summit Point Friday (main circuit) for track day and found the brakes to be excellent and fade-free. my only preparation was checking tire pressure and purging the brake calipers.

PW, how would you compare the Jefferson Circuit to the Main Circuit? Speeds. Demands on brakes. Level of difficulty. Etc.

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by 335dFan

PW, how would you compare the Jefferson Circuit to the Main Circuit? Speeds. Demands on brakes. Level of difficulty. Etc.

335fan I am not familiar with the Jefferson circuit, but re the main circuit, I am a novice driver and at this level I have an instructor with me in the car. There are two places in the main course that are hard on the brakes, Turn 1 at the end of the front straight, and Turn 5, the carousel.

Just looking at the map, the main circuit is a lot bigger and faster -- the 335d (zero mods) was hitting 120 down the front straight. I could hit the brakes at 300 feet and have no trouble making Turn 1, though in general I would chicken out and start at 400 feet. In Turn 5 I was going maybe 45-50.

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

335fan I am not familiar with the Jefferson circuit, but re the main circuit, I am a novice driver and at this level I have an instructor with me in the car. There are two places in the main course that are hard on the brakes, Turn 1 at the end of the front straight, and Turn 5, the carousel.

Just looking at the map, the main circuit is a lot bigger and faster -- the 335d (zero mods) was hitting 120 down the front straight. I could hit the brakes at 300 feet and have no trouble making Turn 1, though in general I would chicken out and start at 400 feet. In Turn 5 I was going maybe 45-50.

PW, thanks. That was the perfect answer. I was also a novice on the Jefferson circuit, also no mods. On the longest straight I could achieve a smidgen over 100 mph. So 120 would make a lot of difference on brakes (and courage) getting ready for the turn.

[Dutchdaddy]

Jefferson is small, short, and almost go-kart like......nice and technical, great for a momentum car......Jefferson can cause quite a beating on your car....but it's a rewarding and fun track....

Summit Main, I'll be there this weekend......Main will give you some room to reach higher speeds...

[FormerRotor]

So I see that there is another d signed up for the May 11 HPDE at Summit Point. I got my registration in late, but hopefully I make the cut. Who else is in there with me? Anyone on this board?

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by FormerRotor

So I see that there is another d signed up for the May 11 HPDE at Summit Point. I got my registration in late, but hopefully I make the cut. Who else is in there with me? Anyone on this board?

Still haven't got my summer wheels/tires ordered/installed.