[boostbuddy]

I'd like to track my 335i occasionally, but I have heard that even though i have (stock) oil cooler, I will most likely go into limp mode due to high water coolant temps (contributed to by AT cooling). Thoughts?

Also, If I went when OAT's were lower (say this winter/early spring) would that help?

[EDM92]

Don't track a 335. End of discussion.

[Koreyy]

Originally Posted by EDM92

Don't track a 335. End of discussion.

Lollllll

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by Koreyy

Lollllll

+1!
Look at the advan oil cooler stage 2. It's a really nice kit and functional. There are a lot of other options out there too, dare I say "if you search"...

[rismo]

If you are not tuned, invest in the Performance radiator and secondly in a oil cooler.

Make sure that you do not push it to hard for to long and consider new (ATF) oil after tracking as your gearbox realy does not like ATF fluid that has been overheated (It becomes useless).

If you are tuned, go conservative for the track, most people do not benefit from the HP's on the track and it mostly just generates a lot of extra heat.

Most important, take some lessons, good driving skills will also reflect back into less stress on the car as you migh start to drive more fluent.

[CHECKERED]

go to the track and see what actually happens, it’s pointless to spend money on a ‘what if’

my suggested upgrade path is as follows:

1. Dedicated auto trans cooler, separate from the radiator.
2. Upgraded oil cooler.
3. Upgraded radiator
4. Secondary radiator and 850w fan (aka performance pack)

[neilvosko]

Get the Evolution Raceworks Dual Oil cooler, Talk to Fred SU for help.
and get race pads, i have been using PF08s

when you get really good, you will want a dedicated track car. for beginner 335i will teach you the basics and how hard it is to drive a heavy car on the track

[ajm8127]

Originally Posted by CHECKERED

go to the track and see what actually happens, it’s pointless to spend money on a ‘what if’

my suggested upgrade path is as follows:

1. Dedicated auto trans cooler, separate from the radiator.
2. Upgraded oil cooler.
3. Upgraded radiator
4. Secondary radiator and 850w fan (aka performance pack)

+1

And yes, lower ambient temps will help, but you don't know what will happen unless you try. The car will go into limp mode to prevent any sort of catastrophic failures, so just go see what happens. If there is a problem. figure out the cause, and go from there.

I think a dedicated ATF cooler is a good idea regardless though. The cooler you keep the ATF, the longer it will last. If you do use a cooler, use a thermostat as well. Too cool is not good either.

[MrRetep]

If its your first time tracking, I doubt you will work it hard enough to go into limp mode. ( i did my first track day in my e90, in 100+F and didnt overheat) Once you learn your car and can really push it though, there is a good chance you will overheat. I did some free "mods" that helped a bit, I removed all the lower grilles on my front bumper (allows more airflow) I also removed the plastic grille behind the oil cooler (again more airflow) and removed my cowl and rubber sealing strips from around my hood(you guessed it, more airlfow). Then between sessions drive the car normally around the pits to cool it down, park it and leave it running with the hood open for a few minutes. I rarely track my 335i now (bought a dedicated track car) but I tend to go out at least once a month now+autox. I will be more than happy to answer any questions. Just pm me

[raceyBMW]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412156

This thread has everything you need to know. As said above, the first time out you will probably not limp if you have never tracked much before, but they will happen eventually as you get faster and want to push the car more. Also as you know, with an AT car you will undoubtedly limp from coolant temps before you will from oil temps.

Go out and have fun this time, and see how the car does, then you can start taking steps to help with cooling issues as per that thread I listed.

[CHECKERED]

Originally Posted by neilvosko

Get the Evolution Raceworks Dual Oil cooler, Talk to Fred SU for help.

unless you have a dedicated track car that kit is overkill, I understand getting oil temps under control, but running huge dual oil coolers you are risking an across the board oil system pressure drop which is far worse than slightly elevated temps.

Simply upgrading the stock oil cooler is sufficient in 98.33% of applications.

[CaptainInsano]

The stock oil cooler is not enough, even for a stock car. The Evolution Raceworks setup is awesome, but the lower thermostat on the STETT setup was the deciding factor for me.

The upgrade path that CHECKERED has laid out is correct, however I would upgrade cooling before hitting the track.

[dlbrooks18]

For occasional track days you can track your car as is, down road I would recommend LSD and run conservative boost/tune.. see how your car reacts out there and don't leave it in DS mode, use your paddles to shift and hold gears...

[rismo]

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412156

This thread has everything you need to know. As said above, the first time out you will probably not limp if you have never tracked much before, but they will happen eventually as you get faster and want to push the car more. Also as you know, with an AT car you will undoubtedly limp from coolant temps before you will from oil temps.

Go out and have fun this time, and see how the car does, then you can start taking steps to help with cooling issues as per that thread I listed.

This + 1

Invest in water cooler to avoid limp's on a track when tracking an AT.
I don't say invest not to invest in oilcooler, but your cooleant will provide you with a limp free of charge!

[raceyBMW]

I think first step is to try 100% water + 2 bottles of Water Wetter in place of coolant (obviously have to change for freezing temps if you live in a region that sees cold), possibly upgraded fan after that, and then maybe step up to the dedicated tranny cooler. The extra radiator from the perf. kit supposedly doesn't do a whole lot. Also try upshifting on the straights to 6th and backing off some to help with heat if it becomes an issue.

An upgraded oil cooler will help you to some extent, since the turbos are cooled by coolant and oil, cooler oil will mean that more heat can be transferred to the oil, and by extension less heat will be transferred to the coolant.

I can get about one, maybe two full sessions in before I limp due to coolant temps. Its frustrating because it ruins your mindset and consistency.

[twinturbopg]

Originally Posted by dlbrooks18

For occasional track days you can track your car as is, down road I would recommend LSD and run conservative boost/tune.. see how your car reacts out there and don't leave it in DS mode, use your paddles to shift and hold gears...

+1

go to the tracking forum and do some searching there, because you will get folks that really do track there cars in that section. Also there is sticky note on the top on tips for tracking your 335, its quite informative.

I have no oil cooler and 6AT and the mods listed in my sig. I have tracked hard at infineon all year around without going into limp mode. The relatively cooler weather in the bay area will help you a ton. Just make sure to cool down your car properly between sessions like popping the hood and letting the car run for lil while. Also I switch back from DCI to stock airbox to reduce heat on the track. It works for me, but I can't guarantee it will work for you.

I see your new to the forum, a lil bit of advice...you will always get somebody that will say don't ever track a 335 etc...just ignore those insightful people. Just take everybody's advice with a grain of salt.

[Autobahn335i]

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think a dedicated transmission cooler is readily available for our cars? It would have to be fabricated as a custom job.

[CaptainInsano]

Originally Posted by Autobahn335i

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think a dedicated transmission cooler is readily available for our cars? It would have to be fabricated as a custom job.

ECS...

[neilvosko]

countless threads of how a strett or AR single oil cooler was like pissing in the ocean, and next step was to move towards the dual setup, especially in the warm and sunny climates.