[bcoffin23]

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a 2007 e92 with 91k miles. New turbos at 67k and replaced fuel pumps and thermostat within the last 30k miles.

Currently I have a fully caged and prepped 350z that I am racing, but I will be converting the e92 into my next race car over the next 2-3 years to race in NASA ST3 and potentially ST2 later on if I can safely turn up the power.

Question for the heavy track users:

What are the common issues you see after 30min for 9/10-10/10th driving?

I really want to focus my budget on the essentials.

*I will be keeping stock power since power/weight ratio is limited at 1:10*

[bbnks2]

Water temps and oil temps will be your biggest fight. Also, code off all the hard coding for brake pre-tensioning, brake fade compensation, brake overheat power reduction, and etc... Put some brake ducts in and have fun.

Get ready for the maintenance of oil leaks, water pump failure, blower motor fires, and all the other common n5x problems lol. Oh and put in a real differential.

The prep is just like any other car. Except, the n54 has twin turbos that generate a shit ton of heat...

[bcoffin23]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Get ready for the maintenance of oil leaks, water pump failure, blower motor fires, and all the other common n5x problems lol.

Are there race-specific water pumps you see people running?

The AC/Heater system will be fully stripped out along with everything else non-essential in the engine bay.

[bcoffin23]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Except it has twin turbos that generate a shit ton of heat.

Have you seen any improvement in heat on the turbos from wrapping the downpipes, charge pipe, and larger intercooler?

[sirdaft1]

bcoffin23 great so see another Motorsports-type enthusiast come onto this platform! We’ve been a somewhat rarer breed on this platform up until the past 1-2 years. That said, as R&D continues to advance on this platform, we’re seeing more and more track day/race car builds taking place, which is awesome.

That said, for some background on how to properly build these - search for turb0mik3’s build thread (probably the most famous e9x n54 racecar in this community). And feel free to click the link in my signature below for some of the items we addressed when we went full tilt racecar mode with my 335.

That said, cooling is the Achilles heel that can 100% be remedied. Address cooling in these three areas:

• Oil
• Coolant
• Air (intercooler)

Oil
You might be able to DIY this with some Setrab cores, but I would recommend just splurging on the ER Competition Dual Oil cooler setup. It’s pricey but will handle the issue. I would also recommend getting the aluminum shrouding that comes with the OCs, makes them far more effective.

Coolant
Upgrade to an aluminum CSF or Mishimoto radiator. The aluminum plus added capacity handles the heat issue. Also if you upgrade the oil coolers (as previously mentioned) the radiator no longer has to compensate double duty by cooling down the sky high oil temps.

Air
Depending on power goals (stock turbos or ST?), get an upgraded intercooler at a minimum (VRSF, ER, etc - cheap and plentiful). This will keep IATs in check.

Beyond these, down pipes are worth looking into as they breathe much better than the restrictive catted pipes. And at a minimum, proper brake pads are also recommended (I prefer PFCs).

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask away on any other questions. By the way, any pics of the 335??

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Are there race-specific water pumps you see people running?

The AC/Heater system will be fully stripped out along with everything else non-essential in the engine bay.

Not needed unless you convert to a Formula D style rear mounted radiator. The stock water pump is sufficient for track abuse.

You will need to block off the heater core hose if you remove it.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Have you seen any improvement in heat on the turbos from wrapping the downpipes, charge pipe, and larger intercooler?

The little stock twins do put out some heat, but it’s a lost cause to wrap any of the stock components. Get a large FMIC and IATs will be fine. If you’d really like to reduce under hood temps, quite a few of us run Track Spec hood vents. Well worth taking a look at.

[bcoffin23]

sirdaft1 thank you so much for the info. I will be starting a build thread within the next week or two that will have pics!

[Synectic]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

The little stock twins do put out some heat, but it’s a lost cause to wrap any of the stock components. Get a large FMIC and IATs will be fine. If you’d really like to reduce under hood temps, quite a few of us run Track Spec hood vents. Well worth taking a look at.

Hey there, I've been running into issues while on track with limp mode due to high temps. Im currently with a CSF Radiator and installing a low temp T-stat. I have the aux radiator as well. I'm thinking about getting the ER Sport cooler and a trackspec vent. Does the E92 m3 ones fit? i figured i could just do some fab work if necessary

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Synectic

Hey there, I've been running into issues while on track with limp mode due to high temps. Im currently with a CSF Radiator and installing a low temp T-stat. I have the aux radiator as well. I'm thinking about getting the ER Sport cooler and a trackspec vent. Does the E92 m3 ones fit? i figured i could just do some fab work if necessary

Yes, those vents will fit. They’re somewhat generic and can be used on lots of different cars... but they’ll work for you.

Curious, what is causing the limp mode for you? Oil temps?

[ricardofors68]

Subscribed as I'm also building a NASA TT car myself, 08 car with auto. Not aware of any N54 cars in my neck of the woods. I will be adding an oil cooler, MSF rad, trans refresh. I'm changing the charge pipe as the stock plastic one is known for failing as well.
I have my M3 as a donor car as well. Good luck with your build.

[bcoffin23]

Maintenance/Mod Update:
Mileage: 92k
Track days: 0

• Walnut Blast
• New Spark Plugs and Coil Packs

Probably won't take the e92 to the track until October/November timeframe. To busy with my TT4 350Z and prepping for the 2019 season in that car.

[Synectic]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Yes, those vents will fit. They’re somewhat generic and can be used on lots of different cars... but they’ll work for you.

Curious, what is causing the limp mode for you? Oil temps?

Oil temps, had a vanos issue as well but i swapped out the solenoids and need to check my next track day(couldve been just solenoids but never had a scanner when i went out) Oil temps were always around 295 after 10 minutes into a session

[bbnks2]

I forgot to mention, definitely look into an Accusump or at least install some baffles into the oil pan. Oil starvation on these motors is not uncommon. Not sure if it's due to poor drainage back to the pan or a poor pickup location but it does happen.

[Synectic]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

I forgot to mention, definitely look into an Accusump or at least install some baffles into the oil pan. Oil starvation on these motors is not uncommon. Not sure if it's due to poor drainage back to the pan or a poor pickup location but it does happen.

Heh thats funny, my boss is in the process of putting a newly legal drysump into his c6 for t1, and i was thinking of having an oil starvation issue as well. i was going to put slightly more oil on track in the meantime while i did some research

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by Synectic

Heh thats funny, my boss is in the process of putting a newly legal drysump into his c6 for t1, and i was thinking of having an oil starvation issue as well. i was going to put slightly more oil on track in the meantime while i did some research

I was recently reading on corvette forums on how track guys have found that by retrofitting an aftermarket oil pressure sensor they have been able to capture momentary losses in oil pressure the factory computer was not. Something about 1.4g+ for over 4 seconds and the pickup runs dry. I don't think the oiling system on any street car is setup for that type of abuse. N5x Dry sump would be nice for an enthusiast if it were affordable. Bimmerworld uses a dry sump on their race e9x 328i's or maybe it's a VAC product... I don't recall.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

I was recently reading on corvette forums on how track guys have found that by retrofitting an aftermarket oil pressure sensor they have been able to capture momentary losses in oil pressure the factory computer was not. Something about 1.4g+ for over 4 seconds and the pickup runs dry. I don't think the oiling system on any street car is setup for that type of abuse. N5x Dry sump would be nice for an enthusiast if it were affordable. Bimmerworld uses a dry sump on their race e9x 328i's or maybe it's a VAC product... I don't recall.

At a minimum it’s wise to run a VAC oil pan baffle

https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mob...n54-p1435.aspx

[Synectic]

Thanks. Going to have to do it during the winter since i already have too many parts i have to change this weekend. (MCS, Hotchkis sway bars, Oil Cooler, Rad, T-stat, Condenser, and smaller items.)