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Actually interested in the diff as well

Is that weight with a full cage or just a roll bar and partially gutted interior with seats/harness??
Heading to buttonwillow Jan 27 for the first time. Anyone here going? Where do you guys stay?
Tommysalami wrote
Heading to buttonwillow Jan 27 for the first time. Anyone here going? Where do you guys stay?
You'll be addicted soon!

I tend to just Camp at the track if you call in and reserve your garage.

If you're coming up from the LA area, most people stay at the Motel 6 on Tracey Ave. If it's full, I usually book the Vagabond across the street.
marauder1 wrote
The rear I know seems too soft. The fronts I wasn’t sure.
Previous track car was a Miata NB with 200tw and mid level aero. I ran Xidas with 14kg/mm(784ft/lb) front and 9kg/mm(504ft/lb). I had no issues with that setup on the street and found it loved it on the track. That was a much lighter car.

Would would be a better rate?
As I have no aero and no plans to run slicks?
Tracks I run are mainly Summit Point, Dominion Raceway, and VIR.
rear springs on an NB are more effective than front springs (.66/.77). It makes more sense to run a higher front spring relative to the rear in an NB. In an E92 m3 the rear mounting position still has a much lower motion ratio than the front even in a true-rear coilover setup (.914/.671)

Just based on math of the springs, motion ratios, and estimated corner weights for these two cars: you would need to run 900/850 to get a similar ride as your Miata (approximately natural frequency of 3.2/2.9hz F/R)
omgzirra_exe wrote
You'll be addicted soon!

I tend to just Camp at the track if you call in and reserve your garage.

If you're coming up from the LA area, most people stay at the Motel 6 on Tracey Ave. If it's full, I usually book the Vagabond across the street.
Thanks, that's where I'm booked.

I've had the addiction for a long time now. Just been a time/money thing keeping me from doing events recently. Probably not gonna change much with a 4-month old at home now
Tommysalami wrote
Thanks, that's where I'm booked.

I've had the addiction for a long time now. Just been a time/money thing keeping me from doing events recently. Probably not gonna change much with a 4-month old at home now
i meant addicted to buttonwillow :happyanim:
omgzirra_exe wrote
i meant addicted to buttonwillow :happyanim:
haha I see. I've been driving it in assetto corsa and it's really fun
Tommysalami wrote
haha I see. I've been driving it in assetto corsa and it's really fun
Which track organizer?
mikerunt wrote
Which track organizer?
Speedventures
Just ordered some upgraded suspension for the race car. Now its a 3-4 week wait to have them built
What suspension are you going with Joe??
spxxx wrote
Been a while since I've posted but I've been busy being dumb with the new E46 build and continuing to work on weight reduction/suspension optimization for the E92 (right around 3150# now with 1/2 tank). Lap times have been steadily dropping and I'm super proud of what the E92 has done on street tires. Was able to run mid 1:53's at T-Hill and low 1:51's at Buttonwillow. Still pretty far from my sub-50 goal but I've realized that the car needs a totally different setup there vs our smoother NorCal tracks. I'm trying to find a balance but might give up since I'll be changing my suspension setup again as I move to Pirelli/Yoko scrubs next year to save the wallet a bit.

Next up are some carbon doors for the E46 which retain full OEM functionality (going for a poor man's Schirmer style build). Currently it's pretty built up... CSL Intake, SS V1 headers, BW race exhaust/diffuser, PFC BBK, weight loss, Shaftworks coilovers, Custom LSD (similar to my E92 diff if anyone is interested, they're on par with DiffsOnline but ~$4k without a core charge).

It'll be fun to see how the two compare on track and excited that I'm able to get my Dad running laps with me.

ALSO! If anyone has experience trying to squeeze Yoko 300/650/18 tires on these cars, please let me know! Haha
Beautiful e46 M3! I miss my ‘03.5 M3 with slick top and manually adjustable seats in Imola Red/Imola Red. Should’ve not sold it.
RalliartRsX wrote
What suspension are you going with Joe??
MCS2WR with a true coilover rear
I'm overdue for a front sway bar replacement. Is hotchkis still the to go for E92? I also have heard good things about 034's sway bar sets. What do people think?
(The car is now 80% work commute + 1 trackday/month ish).
StripclubDJ wrote
More race car
Can’t wait to see how light it is once the diet is over :D
romero1990 wrote
I'm overdue for a front sway bar replacement. Is hotchkis still the to go for E92? I also have heard good things about 034's sway bar sets. What do people think?
(The car is now 80% work commute + 1 trackday/month ish).
Adding front bar will increase understeer. Are you sure this is what you want?
A front bar will feel flatter and more planted on the street, but might not produce the desired effect on the track.
roastbeef wrote
Adding front bar will increase understeer. Are you sure this is what you want?
A front bar will feel flatter and more planted on the street, but might not produce the desired effect on the track.
I'd say this is true, except if he's on stock springs (or a mild lowering spring). Then a front sway bar can help get you more front end grip just by limiting the camber loss mid-corner. I did this on my 128i, and added on the adjustable Hotchkis M3 bar and it helped on track. But, that was with some Eibach off the shelf lowering springs, so still very soft rates.

Otherwise, yes. If you already have a coilover setup with decent spring rates, adding on the front bar alone will just make the car understeer more.
roastbeef wrote
Adding front bar will increase understeer. Are you sure this is what you want?
A front bar will feel flatter and more planted on the street, but might not produce the desired effect on the track.
The problem though, the PO had a RDsport bar on and the bushing are worn out. I am also on B12 pro kit so not exactly full stock. I want to make it a step forward for more track days build. But also open to a better route.
The B12 kit is still quite soft spring rates. So I'd say adding the front bar on its own will be fine and be a net positive result.
I think the Hotchkis bar is the best available since it's the most adjustable.
tsk94 wrote
The B12 kit is still quite soft spring rates. So I'd say adding the front bar on its own will be fine and be a net positive result.
I think the Hotchkis bar is the best available since it's the most adjustable.
I was looking at this bar as a band-aid solution with my Ohlins R&T but was concerned about just increasing understeer as was mentioned. Any thoughts on where the line is in terms of benefit/hinderance ?
e92BMW///M3 wrote
I was looking at this bar as a band-aid solution with my Ohlins R&T but was concerned about just increasing understeer as was mentioned. Any thoughts on where the line is in terms of benefit/hinderance ?
Do you know what spring rates your kit has? I believe it's changed over the years a few times.

I'd guess it's probably getting to the limit of where it would actually help. Good chance it just adds some understeer unless you add a rear bar upgrade at the same time.
tsk94 wrote
Do you know what spring rates your kit has? I believe it's changed over the years a few times.

I'd guess it's probably getting to the limit of where it would actually help. Good chance it just adds some understeer unless you add a rear bar upgrade at the same time.
342/685 lbs/in is the off the shelf Ohlins RT setup.