Got grip, now found new problem

[dinanm3atl]

that probably describes most stock E30s, but obviously not yours. lol

other than you *can* hold more momentum through the turns than most bigger/newer cars can

Yah it was a broad e30 comment. Not his specifically :)

[Dave]

Quite frankly, it applies to most BMWs with factory engines. Just go to an HPDE when you have 'Vettes, Vipers and big P-Cars, and you'll see what I mean. One of the classroom guys at one of my HPDEs described his e36 M3 as a "momentum car" as it isn't a high HP vehicle.

[nando]

How would you check for clogged lines? I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but sometimes when my car primes before starting it makes a wierd sound, like if there was something obstructing the fuel flow, but then other times sounds normal.




What does that term mean? I always thought a "momentum" car is one with good handling, but little power to back it up.

that probably describes most stock E30s, but obviously not yours. lol

other than you *can* hold more momentum through the turns than most bigger/newer cars can

[mazur]

I don't think fuel starvation is inherrent to the E30 - there are way too many guys who track their E30s on a regular basis on stock fueling systems with no problems. I'd look for clogged lines, bad wiring, etc.

How would you check for clogged lines? I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but sometimes when my car primes before starting it makes a wierd sound, like if there was something obstructing the fuel flow, but then other times sounds normal. And when it makes this sound I feel my brake pedal vibrate...I can't figure it out.

I think it takes more "balls" to drive the e30 fast because it is a momentum car. You have to keep it rolling and that can sometimes be a bit more hairy in the corners :)

What does that term mean? I always thought a "momentum" car is one with good handling, but little power to back it up.

[dinanm3atl]

I think it takes more "balls" to drive the e30 fast because it is a momentum car. You have to keep it rolling and that can sometimes be a bit more hairy in the corners :)

[nando]

I don't think fuel starvation is inherrent to the E30 - there are way too many guys who track their E30s on a regular basis on stock fueling systems with no problems. I'd look for clogged lines, bad wiring, etc.

[mazur]

Try some HT-10s or Blues or similar.

I'll definately try those out when I eat up my current ones.

Dang I love tracking my e36 M.

Yup, loved tracking mine. It felt more solid overall (most likely due to very stiff suspension compared to my E30's) and easy to go fast in. But the E30 has no understeer, is nimble, and leaves people wondering when you fly by:), so I think I'm enjoying it a lot more:D I had fuel starvation with it at 1/4 tank, too...

[dinanm3atl]

Get some real track pads :) Your problem will go away. I personally know of a m50 powered e30 and he runs hawk blues with no extra ducting and has never had fade issues and he can run out there with the best of them. Ducting will help though. IIRC the pads you got are not "track pads" but more of a super duper ultra high performance pad... I could be wrong.

Try some HT-10s or Blues or similar.

For the fuel starvation if it happened at 1/4 of a tank and now you can grab more G's and it happens at a 1/2 I would look into a way to not starve :) Or keep the tank more full.

Dang I love tracking my e36 M.

[mazur]

Your brake issue may be a function of the track you drive. Assuming we're talking PIR, the only times I'm heavily on the brakes are into turn 9 and into turn 2. And a lot of people go into two soft and don't brake much. I've found the quick way...and one way to pick up a lot of time on most drivers, is to come into one fast, drive over the transition and then go WOT for a couple seconds adn then get hard on the brakes into two. Most people in the lower groups turn in, drive over the transition and then coast/shift going into two.

All that to say that PIR's pretty easy on brakes, especially in a lower power car where you don't get a ton of speed (I think most spec 944 guys only use the brakes once or twice a lap).

Yah, we're talking PIR. My brakes are only working hard before 9, 1, and 2. I used to coast 2 a lot and never really noticed this flaw till I corner worked that corner and noticed almost everyone does it! But now I'm pretty much going in there near the limit, but I'm sure if I can straighten out my line I could pick some more time. I went from a 1:18.xxx to a 1:12.710 with just getting tires and improving my driving (part of that improvement has been growing some balls to fly through 4 (tire corner) WOT and holding 100+ on NASCAR.) so I'm really starting to have some fun out there.

That was my first weekend that I have ever been close to being that fast, so I'm sure I might be doing certain things wrong. I'll be going to the next two day event with all the things said in this thread on my mind, and with a full tank of gas for now. I'll also be making myself a brake cooling kit with those nice backing plates someone linked.


What car are you driving out there, BTW?

[speedblind]

Your brake issue may be a function of the track you drive. Assuming we're talking PIR, the only times I'm heavily on the brakes are into turn 9 and into turn 2. And a lot of people go into two soft and don't brake much. I've found the quick way...and one way to pick up a lot of time on most drivers, is to come into one fast, drive over the transition and then go WOT for a couple seconds adn then get hard on the brakes into two. Most people in the lower groups turn in, drive over the transition and then coast/shift going into two.

All that to say that PIR's pretty easy on brakes, especially in a lower power car where you don't get a ton of speed (I think most spec 944 guys only use the brakes once or twice a lap).

[mazur]

Threshold braking is the use of as much brakes as the tires will take (just short of locking up a tire). In most ABS equipped cars you'll engage the ABS before you reach threshold braking. The average ABS system limits you to about 85% of what the tires can take. Since you aren't hitting the ABS, I'd have to say that you aren't braking hard enough.

Actually, I just realized that even when it looks like my ABS is working, it'll turn off by itself, doh!

Anyways, even though, I never locked them up. Either my leg is wimpy or I'm being a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles because I'm not used to braking so late. I'll see what's up next event and will try to diagnose my ABS issue.

[jlevie]

What do you mean by threshold braking? I've been braking hard and as late as possible.

Threshold braking is the use of as much brakes as the tires will take (just short of locking up a tire). In most ABS equipped cars you'll engage the ABS before you reach threshold braking. The average ABS system limits you to about 85% of what the tires can take. Since you aren't hitting the ABS, I'd have to say that you aren't braking hard enough.

[155///MPH]

I replaced both pumps (internal and external), all soft fuel lines, filter, and both regulators (two on early cars) and can now run all the way down to fumes if I need to.

It wasn't cheap but on a 20 year old car replacing all of the fuel system pieces is not really a bad thing.

[etxxz]

^^ +1


so, what is the solution to the starvation problem?

[TrackAddict]

One is in the tank on the passenger side of the lower rear seat area (black oblong access panel). The other is right in front of the driver's side rear tire between the body, gas tank and fuel filter.

The main relay is right beside the AFM under that black cover. It's the one closest to the front of the car.

Thanks!