Simmons F-Street Build

[Simmons-Racing]

I bought a 2010 135i with M package.


Got my first set of wheels.


Breyton GTS-R







Simmons

[Simmons-Racing]

Next step, Z2's, front bar, and shocks.


I can't wait for spring.

[Jazzy]

Originally Posted by Simmons-Racing

Next step, Z2's, front bar, and shocks.


I can't wait for spring.

Are those 17 or 18" wheels, and what size tires will you be using?

[Simmons-Racing]

Originally Posted by Jazzy

Are those 17 or 18" wheels, and what size tires will you be using?

Those are 18" wheels, I will be running 245's.

I am buying 17" wheels also.


Simmons

[Simmons-Racing]

I got my 17" wheels





Simmons

[Simmons-Racing]

I got my Pro Clips mount for my Note 3. Should be good for Solostorm.

[Kgolf31]

Very nice purchase with the SoloStorm.

Haven't used it personally, but others have and it is a very powerful tool

[Simmons-Racing]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Very nice purchase with the SoloStorm.

Haven't used it personally, but others have and it is a very powerful tool

Definetly is, I had it all last year in the BRZ and Mx5.

Simmons

[Focusedintntions]

If you're looking at actually improving the handling of the 135...i'd stay away from a fsb. It'll give you flatter feel, but you'll have worse understeer. Now if you're going to put a height adjustable suspension on there, that can be dialed out. Get some of 2011 linear rear springs and the shocks w/o a sway bar and you'll be faster.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

If you're looking at actually improving the handling of the 135...i'd stay away from a fsb. It'll give you flatter feel, but you'll have worse understeer. Now if you're going to put a height adjustable suspension on there, that can be dialed out. Get some of 2011 linear rear springs and the shocks w/o a sway bar and you'll be faster.

Do you know Stock rules for SCCA Solo?

Changing springs, or ride height is illegal. You can only change shocks.

As well, a front sway bar will actually be beneficial, people do not understand how it helps on BMWs.

It will avoid the actual wheel from going into positive camber under load. Yes, there may be a reduction in grip, but initial turn-in is much, much better.

As well, I'm sure Simmons knows what he is doing, he is a Pro Solo National Champion

[Focusedintntions]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Do you know Stock rules for SCCA Solo?

Changing springs, or ride height is illegal. You can only change shocks.

As well, a front sway bar will actually be beneficial, people do not understand how it helps on BMWs.

It will avoid the actual wheel from going into positive camber under load. Yes, there may be a reduction in grip, but initial turn-in is much, much better.

As well, I'm sure Simmons knows what he is doing, he is a Pro Solo National Champion

Don't know the scca rule book. Wasn't sure if using springs from the same model car from a different year would be considered changing springs or not. Maybe it says aftermarket springs or there's room for interpretation.

Either way was just trying to pass along knowledge about this chassis that maybe he hadn't picked up yet. He wasn't a national champ in this car/chassis.

Your statement about sway bars and bmw's is so vague and generalized it makes no sense and doesn't apply universally to all cars...i really don't know how to respond other than to say I don't think you know anything about setting up the e82 chassis.

I mean this is for the OP to decide for himself...do you want to feel like you have improved turn in with less grip for a slower time or do you want maximum grip for a faster time? I mean what good is it if you turn the wheel, feel it turn, and keep going straight?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

Don't know the scca rule book. Wasn't sure if using springs from the same model car from a different year would be considered changing springs or not. Maybe it says aftermarket springs or there's room for interpretation.

Either way was just trying to pass along knowledge about this chassis that maybe he hadn't picked up yet. He wasn't a national champ in this car/chassis.

Your statement about sway bars and bmw's is so vague and generalized it makes no sense and doesn't apply universally to all cars...i really don't know how to respond other than to say I don't think you know anything about setting up the e82 chassis.

I mean this is for the OP to decide for himself...do you want to feel like you have improved turn in with less grip for a slower time or do you want maximum grip for a faster time? I mean what good is it if you turn the wheel, feel it turn, and keep going straight?

If it isn't stated, it is illegal. No room for interpretation.

As far the rest of your post, no comment. Think what you want to think, but a big bar on a BMW is beneficial.

What you think a big bar will do on the internet isn't the same what it does in real life.

My 30mm bar really hurt me in my Z4M. Because taking top in class was just terrible

[Simmons-Racing]

I am definitely going to try the stock bar and a larger adjustable one.

I just installed a stud conversion from Apex, should make life easier with wheel swaps.

Simmons

[Simmons-Racing]

I did my alignment today, removed the pins in the front.

-1.1 LF/ -.7 RF with me in the car.
rear -.8 both sides with 1/8" toe in.


Does the front subframe have some room to move side to side?



Simmons

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by Simmons-Racing

I did my alignment today, removed the pins in the front.

-1.1 LF/ -.7 RF with me in the car.

I saw a similar mis-match after a memorable impact with a curb. Turns out I bent my LF strut and the car went back to normal with a new strut. The bend was hard to see without taking the knuckle off. The picture shows the bend against a straight edge. It is lucky the strut is a weak point because I would rather bend something replaceable. I doubt you can move the front subframe enough to make any significant change in front camber.

[Simmons-Racing]

I double checked the alignment at my friends perfectly flat garage floor, looks like -.9\ -.8 with me in it.



Simmons

[Simmons-Racing]

I just ordered my Z2's from Tire Rack.



Now I just need some good weather around here.


Simmons

[The Transporter]

Originally Posted by Simmons-Racing

I am definitely going to try the stock bar and a larger adjustable one.

Simmons

Please post results. I am interested if there is a clear winner so I can compare notes. There is a test-n-tune locally at the end of the month and I hope to see if my E92 M3 bar is really helping.

[Simmons-Racing]

I got my Berk axle back exhaust from JSC Speed today.

I saved 25.6 lbs over stock. It looks and sounds good.







Simmons

[fcman]

What would you say is the first mod that should be done to this car (but stay in F-street)? I have done around 4 events in it and I felt pretty comfortable in it until the most recent event I did on a fairly slick surface. Pretty dramatic understeer. I'm thinking about picking up a second set of wheels and some Z2s, since they were fantastic on my S2000. What offset do you run on 17s for this car and what size tires?

Thanks in advance.

[Simmons-Racing]

Originally Posted by fcman

What would you say is the first mod that should be done to this car (but stay in F-street)? I have done around 4 events in it and I felt pretty comfortable in it until the most recent event I did on a fairly slick surface. Pretty dramatic understeer. I'm thinking about picking up a second set of wheels and some Z2s, since they were fantastic on my S2000. What offset do you run on 17s for this car and what size tires?

Thanks in advance.

I wish I had some good answers for you,...but I just bought the car about a month ago and I am learning myself.

I should know about three weeks from now.


Simmons

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Simmons-Racing

I got my Berk axle back exhaust from JSC Speed today.

I saved 25.6 lbs over stock. It looks and sounds good.







Simmons

why not just get the race version to shed more weight?