What are the MUST HAVE mods for HPDE'ing reliably with a 135 DCT?

RideZX6R · 01-13-2015, 12:49 PM

I'm considering getting a 135 DCT for a weekend and HPDE car.
I know the DCT doesn't have too many issues - from the searching I've done it looks like hardly anyone has had problems or failures (or at least that it's pretty rare).
So I'm curious about oil temps and air temps...

I'd like to run a tune on the car, Cobb probably, likely a full exhaust as well.
However I assume with the turbo that heat is an issue. So I'm curious if you guys are finding you need a new intercooler, upgraded rad, oil cooler, etc ?

If so, what are you using to keep temps in check? (Looking for preference of brands for the parts I listed above basically here)

People using methanol injection? E85? etc

Also - yes I know I'll want high temp brake fluid, sticky tires, and better pads/lines - I'm more concerned about keeping the engine cool with this post.

Ginger_Extract · 01-13-2015, 08:09 PM

Run it stock first and adjust accordingly, not all N5x are the same in terms of temps. Some people run them with stock cooling at lapping days without issue. Others, myself included are seeing 280* oil temps as soon as we're off the warmup lap. YMMV.

Nugget · 01-13-2015, 08:54 PM

Brakes, suspension, tyres.
Leave engine stock.

3002 tii · 01-13-2015, 09:00 PM

Refer to this thread on how to keep the engine cool

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412156

02rsxpilot · 01-17-2015, 04:09 PM

There are no must haves. You can drive a bone stock 135i DCT on track if you treat it like a street car (which is not to say that it needs be slow by any means). If you treat it like a race car you'll have a long list of wants/needs.

The fact you mentioned a tune already worries me. The car has a few weaknesses on track, none of which have anything to do with power. Adding power is what will make the cooling and brakes insufficient. Leave it as is. It's already brilliant for what you described (RFTs aside).

DietTab · 01-19-2015, 01:37 AM

My car runs cooler on a 23psi e85 tune then it does on a stock boost 93 octane tune. Just saying.

John_01 · 01-19-2015, 01:57 AM

I found the DCT is a limitation once the ambient temperature gets up. At the time my car had BMW PPK V2 and no other engine mods. The DCT is cooled from coolant coming out the bottom of the radiator. Anything you can do to lower the coolant temperature will help avoid DCT thermal shutdown.

e82n54 · 01-19-2015, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Refer to this thread on how to keep the engine cool

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412156

Thanks for posting this!!!! This is great info!

I have a manual transmission, so my experience may not be so relevant to your DCT, but I can't lap with a tune and stock cooling. I tried that and fused the turbos. That was a bad day. It probably would have been prevented if I let it cool down better after the session. I was running Cobb's stage 1 aggressive tune on 93 octane. What a blast... my instructor couldn't believe the power, but it was short lived.

With the stock engine map and stock cooling my oil gets a little over 280 F. That's even with short shifting and occasional cool down laps during the sessions. I haven't dared try lapping again with even a mild tune since.

jafo1701 · 02-20-2015, 09:31 PM

I have the BMW PPK installed, only the tune. I haven't had any problems and I run pretty hard. Granted the hottest day has been in the upper 80s. My skill level is intermediate and i'm usually in the top 25% of the intermediate drivers. Stock cooling, I just change to a 75% water to 25% antifreeze mix with a bottle of water wetter during track season. No problems with the DCT or running into any limp mode.

01-13-2015, 12:49 PM	#1
RideZX6R The Stig's southern cousin 14 Rep 35 Posts Drives: SS1LE 427, E92M3, Ram, EV6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Locust, NC iTrader: (0)	What are the MUST HAVE mods for HPDE'ing reliably with a 135 DCT? I'm considering getting a 135 DCT for a weekend and HPDE car. I know the DCT doesn't have too many issues - from the searching I've done it looks like hardly anyone has had problems or failures (or at least that it's pretty rare). So I'm curious about oil temps and air temps... I'd like to run a tune on the car, Cobb probably, likely a full exhaust as well. However I assume with the turbo that heat is an issue. So I'm curious if you guys are finding you need a new intercooler, upgraded rad, oil cooler, etc ? If so, what are you using to keep temps in check? (Looking for preference of brands for the parts I listed above basically here) People using methanol injection? E85? etc Also - yes I know I'll want high temp brake fluid, sticky tires, and better pads/lines - I'm more concerned about keeping the engine cool with this post.
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01-13-2015, 08:09 PM	#2
Ginger_Extract California-bound 385 Rep 1,480 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (3)	Run it stock first and adjust accordingly, not all N5x are the same in terms of temps. Some people run them with stock cooling at lapping days without issue. Others, myself included are seeing 280* oil temps as soon as we're off the warmup lap. YMMV. __________________ Streets of Willow: 1:27.7 CW 11/15/15; 1:29.5 CCW 8/15/15 \|\|\|\| Autoclub Speedway ROVAL (CCW): 1.52.6 - 12/2/17 Willow Springs - Big Willow (CW): 1:35.8 - 3/31/18 \|\|\|\| Buttonwillow #13 (CW): 1:59.3 1/27/18 https://www.facebook.com/JakeStumphRacing \|\|\|\| http://www.youtube.com/user/RaceMeMZ3
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01-13-2015, 08:54 PM	#3
Nugget Colonel 650 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: G81 M3 Touring, GR Supra GTS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perth iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [10.00]	Brakes, suspension, tyres. Leave engine stock.
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01-13-2015, 09:00 PM	#4
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Refer to this thread on how to keep the engine cool http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412156 __________________ Follow for latest mods
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01-17-2015, 04:09 PM	#5
02rsxpilot First Lieutenant 47 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [10.00] 2013 Mini Cooper S [0.00] 2002 Acura RSX [0.00]	There are no must haves. You can drive a bone stock 135i DCT on track if you treat it like a street car (which is not to say that it needs be slow by any means). If you treat it like a race car you'll have a long list of wants/needs. The fact you mentioned a tune already worries me. The car has a few weaknesses on track, none of which have anything to do with power. Adding power is what will make the cooling and brakes insufficient. Leave it as is. It's already brilliant for what you described (RFTs aside). __________________ 2012 BMW 135i DCT - M3 Front Control Arms, Whiteline RSFB, Dinan camber plates.
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01-19-2015, 01:37 AM	#6
DietTab First Lieutenant 12 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Manhattan, KS iTrader: (2)	My car runs cooler on a 23psi e85 tune then it does on a stock boost 93 octane tune. Just saying. __________________ LSXOCET - 404rwhp @ 1600 lbs curb weight... bonkers fast
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01-19-2015, 01:57 AM	#7
John_01 Colonel 232 Rep 2,643 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	I found the DCT is a limitation once the ambient temperature gets up. At the time my car had BMW PPK V2 and no other engine mods. The DCT is cooled from coolant coming out the bottom of the radiator. Anything you can do to lower the coolant temperature will help avoid DCT thermal shutdown.
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02-20-2015, 09:31 PM	#9
jafo1701 Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, 2016 VW GTI Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	I have the BMW PPK installed, only the tune. I haven't had any problems and I run pretty hard. Granted the hottest day has been in the upper 80s. My skill level is intermediate and i'm usually in the top 25% of the intermediate drivers. Stock cooling, I just change to a 75% water to 25% antifreeze mix with a bottle of water wetter during track season. No problems with the DCT or running into any limp mode.
	Appreciate 0 Quote