[ashmostro]

Just installed my new rotors and pads. Detailed on this thread here.

[kenneth]

1) AST / Swift springs / Vorschlag camber plates

2) 17 x 9 square ARC 8 wheels / Hankook RS 3 255/40/17

3) RB rotors at 4 corners with PFC 08 pads / SS brake lines / RBF 600

4) ER competition coolers (twin coolers)

5) Drop-in K&N Filter

6) Helix Intercooler

7) LSD

[ashmostro]

Thanks!

I'm leaning towards Ground Control coils, and will probably not be able to afford dedicated track wheels for a while. Will have to live with PSS' on the stock 313's. Agree it's better to have square track wheels though.

I'm making my own Setrab-based oil cooler, with extrenal 180 degree Mocal thermostat (there's a thread I started on here about that - I want to provide the kit information to the public so they can build their own for much less than the overpriced kits out there).

I ordered a VRSC 7" intercooler. I know some look down on the brand- I will decide for myself if it was a good idea or a bad one.

As for LSD, I'm budgeting an OS Giken superlock. I'd rather spend a little more and get the best.

Also budgeting M3 front arms, rear subframe bushings, and *maybe* rear arms as well. I'm not convinced of the bang for the buck on the rear arms though.

As for the K&N filter, is that more for better filtration and hence protection, or performance over OEM?

I upgrade the brakes and will see if the pads are temp-stable enough for the track. RB rotors may come later but not now. If anything, I might retro the factory air ducts to make true and actually effective ducts- best brake enhancement for the track, hands down.

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming if you have more!

[kenneth]

K&N for marginal breathing enhancement not better filtration.

The underhood is extremely hot, hence I prefer this set-up which takes in cool air like the oem set-up from the front, than the dual cone filters that breathe hot underhood air.

My advice is not to invest too much mod money in this car as a track car. Who knows, you may want a significantly lighter car in the future e.g. such as a vette .....

[ashmostro]

Got it. Yeah I have no plans of adding a HAI, lol

It's either stock, or a ducted true CAI.

[ashmostro]

Quaife LSD on order!! Along with M3 diff mount bushings while we're at it.

I'm working with VAC Motorsports on this deal. Great guys so far.

[ashmostro]

Awwww yeah... heading up to Philly this Saturday!

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Quaife LSD on order!! Along with M3 diff mount bushings while we're at it.

I'm working with VAC Motorsports on this deal. Great guys so far.

Dang you beat me to it

[ashmostro]

When are you getting yours? They say this is the first DCT they've done. Now that they will have my core your install will be easier and cheaper! I had to buy a brand new core from Germany...

[steven26]

I thought you were going to get the OS Giken lsd? What made you decide on the Quaife instead?

[ashmostro]

Yeah I was! Several factors led to my decision to switch:

- After reading up more on the locking style of the giken vs the. Biasing of the Quaife I felt the reduced mid corner push was something I preferred.

- The Quaife does not have a break-in period, and does not need as much TLC as the giken. In particular, the fluid for a change on the Giken costs close to $100, and needs to be changed out after initial break in. Also, the Quaife lifetime warranty is comforting.

- Since the diffs in our cars don't have a drain plug, you either have to pull off and regasket the cover, or purchase a pricey aftermarket cover w a drain (or tap your own). Since the Quaife is essentially zero maintenance the cost differential (!) In the first year ended up being $750ish all-in.

All these factors combined led me to the Quaife. In real world driving scenarios, I'm just not worried about the one wheel off the ground limitation. And in snow, well DTC will help with torque biasing. The giken is a phenomenal diff, but just not for me, on this mostly streeted vehicle.

[n54gte]

Sorry, not trying to be rude but you should've just went with an M3 if you're gonna track!

[ashmostro]

Opinions aren't rude

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by jordan313

Sorry, not trying to be rude but you should've just went with an M3 if you're gonna track!

Where's the fun in that?

[ashmostro]

No big. Some folks want a car set up for the track with minimal work and others like to wrench. Yet others don't have the coin to put out up front for an M3, and so "compromised" with a 335is and will be building it up over the next few years to be exactly what he thinks a 3-series should be.

I'm not naming names, but....

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

No big. Some folks want a car set up for the track with minimal work and others like to wrench. Yet others don't have the coin to put out up front for an M3, and so "compromised" with a 335is and will be building it up over the next few years to be exactly what he thinks a 3-series should be.

I'm not naming names, but....

Well said...

[TurboBimmer]

Your next mod should be the M3 chassis parts. They really tighten everything up and improve the handling ALOT. Don't forget the front strut brace.

Camber plates with coilovers will also be a big improvement.

Finally, if you really enjoy tracking the car you should sooner or later look into a BBK. Gives you SO much more peace of mind on the track and cuts some tenths of your times away too of course. You can oftenly find good deals on BBKs in the used parts sale section if the price steers you away.

[ashmostro]

I actually have a mods planning spreadsheet and my next parts are indeed the front upper and lower arms, the rear subframe bushings, and the M3 e93F/e92R sways.

Then the second phase is GC coils with M3 rear lower camber arms. I have yet to hear if there are bushing differences between non-M and M rear guide rod/upperlink/track strut arms. If you definitively know, I'd like to hear it!

The second phase is a ways out, budget wise. I have spent a lot on her this year already!

Oh, and as for BBK, I'm first going to custom-build my brake duct kit and then see if she needs a true BBK. In fact, in between those two, I will probably try dedicated (vs hybrid) track pads and maybe RB rotors before dropping serious coin.

[ashmostro]

Got my Quaife and ETS FMIC installed this weekend! I will be getting my JB4 in the mail tonight and installing it as well as an RB PCV valve to address the blowby I'm getting. The stock downtube to the FMIC had pooled oil in it- not a lot, but it's there. I was concerned that my oil consumption rate was caused by a leak bc some member here aid it was just too high to be consumption, but VAC motorsports assured me after looking at my car that there's no leak and my consumption rate is within the realm of normal N54 behavior- and is probably due to a weak PCV.

I might also get a BMS OCC, but I will do the PCV and test for a month first.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Got my Quaife and ETS FMIC installed this weekend! I will be getting my JB4 in the mail tonight and installing it as well as an RB PCV valve to address the blowby I'm getting. The stock downtube to the FMIC had pooled oil in it- not a lot, but it's there. I was concerned that my oil consumption rate was caused by a leak bc some member here aid it was just too high to be consumption, but VAC motorsports assured me after looking at my car that there's no leak and my consumption rate is within the realm of normal N54 behavior- and is probably due to a weak PCV.

I might also get a BMS OCC, but I will do the PCV and test for a month first.

Good work so far man.. Are those new Michelins RFTs? Looking to beef up the rubber after installing Cobb. The car is a beast. Have 15mm spacers in the back, any rubbing with wider rubber?

[ashmostro]

Thanks bud!

Negative to RFTs... Hate them! No rubbing on the rears, but no spacers either. The fronts rub at partial lock in reverse only.

[ashmostro]

New kit installed recently!

Added a BMS OCC and a Rob Beck upgraded PCV to address my rough idle and oil consumption issues, respectively. Also cleaned up my plugs and things have smoothed out quite a bit, along with consumption having gone down! That mission, it seems, has been accomplished.

Last night, I added an AFE Stage 2 intake to her repertoire. I considered the more cost effective BMS DCI, but wanted something that looked a little more integrated, even if the gains are essentially equivalent.

If I don't like the performance gains, or if I find the hot air causes driveability issues in traffic, I might switch back to stock. No big deal. The shakedown drive in 85 degree weather was pretty good though.

Getting excited for my first track day of the season!