Long term non BMW project teaser

[Emre]

Any vids by chance? Love the project, it's so hard finding videos of these things in action compared to the E30 M3.

I've got a bunch of GoPro footage, but I've never gotten around to editing them and posting clips. I'm pretty much a total n00b when it comes to video software. I'm just learning the basics of Apple's iMovie.

How do you like the steering box in a track vs a steering rack?

I honestly don't feel a significant difference. It's not like an E28 where you have a huge dead spot in the middle. Even though it's a box, it still gives plenty of feedback and basically zero slop.

It also helps that we're running a significant amount of castor and negative camber (-3.5 to -4.0 degrees) up front. We also deleted the steering damper, which artificially softens the steering. If there's a difference in feel between old Mercs and old Bimmers, it's mostly down to the steering damper.

You don't have a tremendous amount of feedback when the wheel is perfectly straight, but as soon as you dial in even the tiniest amount of steering lock and the suspension loads up, you get plenty of feel.

[diegom6]

How do you like the steering box in a track vs a steering rack?

[canakami]

Any vids by chance? Love the project, it's so hard finding videos of these things in action compared to the E30 M3.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Can't wait to get her on the track this weekend.

[Emre]

Getting her ready for a new season. First event of 2013 is this weekend at NJMP.

• Replaced all the rear suspension arms and bushings.
• Fresh Yoko R-comps. This time I'm trying the Medium compound.
• Had a second set of R129/Evo I wheels refurbished.
• New Toyo R1R summer tires for wet track use.
• Fresh Brad Penn PG-1 20w-50 for the crankcase. Wix filter element.
• Flushed the trans with Amsoil MTG 75w-90.
• Flushed the diff with Amsoil Severe Gear 75w-140.
• Flushed the brakes with Wilwood 570.
• New Carbotech race pads.
• Another 4-wheel alignment

Ready to go!

[Emre]

Emre, that car is soon hot, mang.

Thanks!

How was the lack of camber not visible to the naked eye?

It was originally set to -2 degrees, which is what the folks from GC recommended. Now it's between -3 and -3.5 degrees. The theoretical maximum is -4 degrees.

[markseven]

Emre, that car is soon hot, mang.

How was the lack of camber not visible to the naked eye?

[Emre]

Alignment

I mentioned that the car felt a bit understeery at Tremblant last month. So I took it in to a local race shop that Levent works with (Bulldog Motorsports, Clifton, NJ) for another alignment. After a lengthy discussion with a couple of guys who have experience on the track with the W201 chassis, my goal was to be able to dial in between 3 and 4 degrees of negative camber up front.







Turns out I had -3 degrees camber in the rear but only -2 degrees in the front. Plus, there was a massive amount of toe-in up front. The GC camber plates don't have a provision for caster adjustment, so we were stuck with whatever we had.

We were able to dial in lots more negative camber up front, but really weren't sure what our goals should be in terms of toe. Considering the suspension design and weight are grossly in line with an E36 M3 on Ground Control suspension, we figured that would be a reasonable baseline. That meant a bit of toe-out.

This is what we ended up with:

FRONT CASTER: +10.2
FRONT CAMBER: -3.3
FRONT TOE TOTAL: +0.08

REAR CAMBER: -3.0
REAR TOTAL TOE: -0.23

I haven't tried it out on the track yet. But just driving around a few on-ramps and things you can definitely feel the front end is much, much sharper on turn-in (I'm sure the toe-out has a lot to do with this). And the car feels more neutral overall; the balance has shifted from gentle understeer to slightly tail-lead.

We'll see how it does on a real circuit: I'll be at Calabogie with the folks from BMW Club of Ottawa next weekend (July 20-22) and then at Summit Point with the BMW CCA NJ Chapter the following weekend (July 28-29).

Can't wait! ::D :woowoo:

[E30_Pare]

Dumpability, pics of front mounting, camber plates? Ride quaility (bouncy, stiff, soft, harsh, etc), rear suspension setup, camber arms? Skid plate? I don't know if any of you guys have seen 190 suspension before, but the first time I had the tires off I was just baffled. Then of course the w201 seems to have a very limited after market options. I've also heard of people modifying to fit e36 camber plates & konis. Not very clear on many things. Thanks 190rev :(

[cbouchez]

It looks amazing!! Love your car man.

[bestwheelbase]

Looks great on the track.

[Emre]

Any info on the ground control setup?

What do you want to know?

If all else fail might just get an h&r cup kit.

I've heard nothing but bad things about the Cup Kit. If you want H&R springs, try their "Nurburgring GP Spec" springs paired with Bilstein Sport dampers revalved to "Firehawk Spec." It's basically a copy of the old FIA Group N suspension.

Anywho sweet ride that is a proper cossy

Thanks!

[E30_Pare]

Any info on the ground control setup? I've been searching for a decent setup for my 190d, but nothing on the market seems worth the money. If all else fail might just get an h&r cup kit. Anywho sweet ride that is a proper cossy

[Petebee]

Hey I did the same thing with the wheels on my Scirocco (Porsche GT3 Orange):





Awesome MB!

[aproy]

looks awesome Emre!