[Socket]

MOD 133 - M3 BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER

Has been a while since the last mod, so time to upgrade the brake master cylinder to a M3 unit. The M3 MBC is bigger (volume wise) then the stock MBC and therefore moves more brake fluid when the brake pedal is pressed.
More brake fluid = more braking..... and who doesn't want that haha

Install involves replacing the MBC and doing a brake and clutch bleed

Once again big thanks to Vince for doing all the hard work

Brakes are a little spongy as we work the remaining air out of the lines, so will report back on how the M3 stacks up vs stock, when everything is working properly

Pics below

Pics 1 & 2 - Removing the M3 MBC from brake booster tank it came with
Pic 3 - M3 (top) vs stock (bottom)
Pics 4 & 5 - M3 unit installed
Pics 6 & 7 - Brake and clutch bleed in progress

[135]

Originally Posted by Socket

MOD 133 - M3 BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Has been a while since the last mod, so time to upgrade the brake master cylinder to a M3 unit. The M3 MBC is bigger (volume wise) then the stock MBC and therefore moves more brake fluid when the brake pedal is pressed.
More brake fluid = more braking..... and who doesn't want that haha

Install involves replacing the MBC and doing a brake and clutch bleed

Once again big thanks to Vince for doing all the hard work

Brakes are a little spongy as we work the remaining air out of the lines, so will report back on how the M3 stacks up vs stock, when everything is working properly

Did you end up using an E9X or F8X M3 brake master cylinder? Let me know if the spongy pedal goes away - I'm hoping it'll be solid and responsive.

And did you/Vince code the VO to add SPBR? If so, I'd be interested in Vince's thoughts on the coding mentioned in my last post to our conversation: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=26994919

[Socket]

Originally Posted by 135

Did you end up using an E9X or F8X M3 brake master cylinder? Let me know if the spongy pedal goes away - I'm hoping it'll be solid and responsive.

And did you/Vince code the VO to add SPBR? If so, I'd be interested in Vince's thoughts on the coding mentioned in my last post to our conversation: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=26994919

Went with a E9x M3 MBC. Vince said the VO coding doesn't apply to the 335i because it already has bigger brakes then standard 3 series

[Socket]

Couple of pics from the other day

[Coupes33]

Car looks great as ever Socks. How do you find the ride with the KW3 suspension. I am just considering whether to upgrade mine or not.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

Car looks great as ever Socks. How do you find the ride with the KW3 suspension. I am just considering whether to upgrade mine or not.

Thanks Coupes

KW3s are middle of the road coilovers. They are fine for daily driving and the odd bit of spirited stuff, but there are definitely better shocks out there. Ride is firm but not too stiff. They have height, rebound and bump adjustments, which is handy.

What are you running atm mate?

[Coupes33]

I have Eibach Pro Kit springs with Koni Yellow adjustable shocks. I have been adjusting the shocks from time to time over the past couple of years but haven't really found a setting that completely satisfies me as yet.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I have Eibach Pro Kit springs with Koni Yellow adjustable shocks. I have been adjusting the shocks from time to time over the past couple of years but haven't really found a setting that completely satisfies me as yet.

Ah yep, I ran a similar set up for a while H&R springs with the Koni Yellows.
I liked the stance with the H&R/Konis but the ride and handling is better with the KW3s, plus less scraping on speed humps lol

Have you done all the other suspension mods yet (sway bars, bushings, control arms etc) ??

[Wolf 335]

Socket did you ever end up installing those electronic wastegate actuators? I cant remember what happened to that, you had some concerns or something.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by Socket

Ah yep, I ran a similar set up for a while H&R springs with the Koni Yellows.
I liked the stance with the H&R/Konis but the ride and handling is better with the KW3s, plus less scraping on speed humps lol

Have you done all the other suspension mods yet (sway bars, bushings, control arms etc) ??

I have H&R stabilisers front and rear, M3 control arms on the front and nolathane rear subframe bushings.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I have H&R stabilisers front and rear, M3 control arms on the front and nolathane rear subframe bushings.

I would install some M3 front and rear sway bars, monoballs joints on the front and rear control arms (GAS or Lemforder) and M3 diff bushings.
Should stiffen things up and improve control, if still not happy then upgrade to coilovers mate

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Socket did you ever end up installing those electronic wastegate actuators? I cant remember what happened to that, you had some concerns or something.

Hey Wolf, last time I looked turbosmart had not released the e-WG model. I put money down but ended up getting a refund as they the first units were still months away.... I should follow up and see if they are available now

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Socket

Hey Wolf, last time I looked turbosmart had not released the e-WG model. I put money down but ended up getting a refund as they the first units were still months away.... I should follow up and see if they are available now

Thank you good Sir. Would be nice to see these come into the market.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Thank you good Sir. Would be nice to see these come into the market.

Press release from Nov 20 announcing these are now available.
Looks like needs special connectivity and controls

https://www.turbosmart.com/news/turb...available-now/

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Socket

Press release from Nov 20 announcing these are now available.
Looks like needs special connectivity and controls

https://www.turbosmart.com/news/turb...available-now/

I still don't trust them...given the heat of the environment.

They are also almost 3x as tall. not going to be a direct drop in replacement on many manifolds. It's going to hit the frame or be too close to a manifold runner etc.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I still don't trust them...given the heat of the environment.

They are also almost 3x as tall. not going to be a direct drop in replacement on many manifolds. It's going to hit the frame or be too close to a manifold runner etc.

Agree Torgus, looks like they have been developed for pro racing market. Claim they have done a lot to protect the electronics and servos from the heat but i dunno. Def need lots of room to fit. Then there is the problem of of power supply, H bridges and control integration. Too many headaches to solve, just to fix the wastegate leak on the turbo. Much simpler solutions out there tbh

[Socket]

Originally Posted by 135

Did you end up using an E9X or F8X M3 brake master cylinder? Let me know if the spongy pedal goes away - I'm hoping it'll be solid and responsive.

And did you/Vince code the VO to add SPBR? If so, I'd be interested in Vince's thoughts on the coding mentioned in my last post to our conversation: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=26994919

Did another brake bleed tonight and fixed the spongy brake pedal issue.

When we installed the M3 master brake cylinder the other week, we only bled the outside bleed points on calipers. The AP race calipers actually have a second bleed point on the inside of each caliper as well. We doubled back and bled both the inside and outside bled points and released a bunch of air.
Pedal is firm and the car is pulling up nice and quick.

So in the end I can report, the M3 master brake cylinder is an improvement over the stock unit. Brakes come on quicker and bite harder with less pedal pressure. Very happy with the results

Big thank you to Vince for working on SPCGRY after a long day at the office... much appreciated mate

[Socket]

After 5 years I am happy to say SPCGRY is done.

It has been a great journey and I have met so many great people along the way, including my good friend Vincent Lim, who without his help and talent, this would not have been possible (thanks mate).

While I don't plan to do any more major modifications, there will always be work to do on the car, so Ill still be posting updates on this build thread

Still have to finish the audio system and Ill do a video to summarise the build and the journey to today.

Speaking of videos I have set up a youtube channel and dumped a heap of random vids from over the past 5 years in there.

I have also included a playlist of about 40 vids on the sound treatment and audio tuning. If you every wanted to know whats inside the door or under the carpets, or just how to remove the headliner, these vids have you covered

Link below

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXl...11nWaDA/videos

Finally a quick clip to close out this post

Cheers
Socket

[Hoper]

Originally Posted by Socket

After 5 years I am happy to say SPCGRY is done.

It has been a great journey and I have met so many great people along the way, including my good friend Vincent Lim, who without his help and talent, this would not have been possible (thanks mate).

While I don't plan to do any more major modifications, there will always be work to do on the car, so Ill still be posting updates on this build thread

Still have to finish the audio system and Ill do a video to summarise the build and the journey to today.

Speaking of videos I have set up a youtube channel and dumped a heap of random vids from over the past 5 years in there.

I have also included a playlist of about 40 vids on the sound treatment and audio tuning. If you every wanted to know whats inside the door or under the carpets, or just how to remove the headliner, these vids have you covered

Link below

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXl...11nWaDA/videos

Finally a quick clip to close out this post

Cheers
Socket

Originally Posted by Socket

After 5 years I am happy to say SPCGRY is done.

Socket 5 mins later.....what am I going to do with all my spare time :

[Coupes33]

Yes Socks, it is a sad day to hear that SPCGRY is no longer going to have any further mods carried out on it but I guess there are no mods left to do. You have replaced or removed almost every part on the car and the only part you haven't touched is the engine, internally. The threads and videos that you have produced over the 5 yrs will provide anyone thinking of buying or modifying a E90/92 BMW all the information they require which is a credit to you. Normally, people who love modifying vehicles find it very difficult to stop doing it for any prolonged period. How long do think you will last before starting on another car?

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Hoper

Socket 5 mins later.....what am I going to do with all my spare time :

Haahhaha still got plenty to do but yeh not sure how i would spend my time.... maybe gardening................ NOT

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

Yes Socks, it is a sad day to hear that SPCGRY is no longer going to have any further mods carried out on it but I guess there are no mods left to do. You have replaced or removed almost every part on the car and the only part you haven't touched is the engine, internally. The threads and videos that you have produced over the 5 yrs will provide anyone thinking of buying or modifying a E90/92 BMW all the information they require which is a credit to you. Normally, people who love modifying vehicles find it very difficult to stop doing it for any prolonged period. How long do think you will last before starting on another car?

Thanks Coupes, just happy to share the story and give back to the community that has been so generous to me

Yes pretty much done with adding mods to the car
I could change the bimmer life coil pack to something else, or upgrade the KW3s to a full race spec coilover etc, but tbh its just pouring more $ into the car for minimal gain

Im very happy with the current set up, goes quick, pulls up quick and handles pretty good in the twisties, so any mod I can add from here wont make a huge difference (except maybe port injection )

That said there is still heaps I need to do, (SQ audio tune, aircon lines, reprogram adaptive steering etc etc) so will still be working on Gary for a long while yet