DD/Track car build

[p66]

My Track Car – my interpretation of the ideal blend of street and performance. It’s not quite finished but very close. My 1M is my dd and occasional track toy. I swapped a few parts from my 135i, which made this a little more wallet friendly. First track event is Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX on 9/10 and 9/11. Pics on the bottom. Only a point and shoot. Not the best. Wheels look much better in person and in bright light, just like the VO cars.

Specs:
• AST 4200’s with 400f/750r spring rates (could be higher but this is a 95% daily driver)
• Vorshlag camber plates (I can get max negative camber in front of -3.22 left side and -3.79 right side)
• Car is lowered about 3/4” in front and 3/8” in back on the suspension. Smaller diameter track tires lower the front an additional 1/4”, and the back an additional 5/8”. In total, on track tires, the front is lowered by about 1” and the rear about 1”. I wanted to maintain the stock front to rear weight bias to start. Especially with the larger section width rear tires.
• Mason steel cross tower brace. Be prepared to modify this brace to make it work. Fitment is not precise. You will need to elongate and widen fastener holes.
• Rear tower brace – carbon fiber wrapped aluminum. (Don’t ask me where I got it. I had it on my 135i. Bought it years ago. Can’t for the life of me remember who sells it. Got it from Japan. Probably doesn’t provide any benefit but it’s very light and looks cool – I think)
• Berk mid-pipes (drops a little weight and sounds great)
• Hawk DTC70 pads with motul 660
• Gloss Black grills
• Curb rash on right side of front spoiler – part of my aero package
• Apex ARC 8 wheels painted VO.
o F: 18x9.5 et 35 with 10mm spacer (perfect fit) Plenty of margin. I’m testing to see if 275 will fit in the event a square setup works better
o R: 18x10.5 et 27 no spacer (perfect fit) Plenty of margin
• Advan A048 tires: 265x35x18 and 295x30x18. Rear diameter is significantly smaller than the front but so far I’ve not experienced any early intervention of TC with what little spirited driving I’ve done on the street. But I intend to turn off TC on the track.
• Stock wheels for street.
• CDV – modified
• Track setup and settings: everything is fair game to change and tweak. Goal is a well-sorted compromise between street and track. Not a dedicated track car.

The goal of my build was to make my daily driven 1M a bit more competent, and fun, on the track. And to only make bolt-on modifications that are more warranty friendly and 100% reversible back to stock. No power mods – yet (you know how the spiral goes once you start).

Huge thanks to Brian Hanchey with AST for his participation. Brian is the master distributor for AST and Moton in North America. He personally installed my 4200’s. Brian and his team are truly dedicated to supporting the enthusiast and professional alike. AST and Moton are some of the world’s best components in their price range. Match that with passion and commitment and you can’t go wrong. I had AST 5100’s on my old 135i and wouldn’t buy any other brand. (My 5100’s are for sale if anyone wants to turn up the wick on his or her 135i). The owners of AST were in the states a year or so ago and I attended a customer appreciation event. I got free advice to increase rebound in the rear. Brian revalved my 4200 without even asking me. That’s a good memory and great service.

Another big thanks to Harold Lin at HP Autowerks for all his advice. Harold is one of the most responsive and generous vendors to the automotive performance market. I don’t believe I have ever waited more than a couple hours before Harold returned either an email or a phone call – and there have been many over the last 3 years. And he will share his advice and experience with anyone on any topic. No minimum purchase required. But he does sell all the best parts if you need anything.

[marcel b]

enjoy! you will have a lot of fun with that set-up!

[Mid Life]

How is the ride?

[21450]

Nice setup

Hopefully I can drop by MSRC to check it out.

[p66]

Originally Posted by Mid Life

How is the ride?

The ride is superb. I currently have compression set at 2 out of 12 and rebound at 4 out of 12 (12 being highest or hardest). That setting is very close to stock. I started at 0 compression and 2 rebound and it was softer and more compliant than stock, even with higher spring rates. Too soft for me. I wanted stock or stiffer. I turned up the rebound a one click to 5 last night to see how it feels. Can't wait for the track. It's amazing how a good aftermarket suspension system can allow you to increase spring rates, lower the car, and still return a great ride. And even if your goal was not to track your car, and you want a coilover more for looks, the higher spring rates allow you to lower your car with less rubbing and clearance issues. I rub less now on this setup than I did on stock. But don't go cheap. You will regret it. Splurge a little and get the best system you can afford.

[BlitzM]

Very nice, I am planning on doing similar work to my car for the same reasons. Please come back with a report after your track sessions.

[Yellowceta]

P66, I work just down the street from MSR in Cresson. I have been over to watch some lunch time sessions with a variety of porsches and mazdas. I am very interested in hearing how your track session goes next weekend as I am thinking about setting mine up for the same goal as your's, a dd that can autoX. I don't take delivery until Dec. so I have time to research the right options. Until now, all I had heard about was the KW V3's. It's good to see some variety and get some feedback from members using different products. Good luck next weekend and enjoy it!

[James T. Kirk]

Wow. Congratulations on a really impressive setup.

[Mnime]

Looking forward to seeing those wheels in person. See you later in the week and next weekend. I too am looking forward to seeing how our cars do at MSR and comparing notes. Stock (other than pads/wheels/tires) vs. track upgrades...I am sure I'll be wanting to mod something after the weekend is over

[fastauto]

perfect

[flipm3]

Now that is how you build a car! Great work.

Please make sure to share your thoughts on the 4200s after the track!!

[p66]

I'll post impressions-absolutely. If anyone is debating KW vs AST or other, talk to Harold at HP Autowerks. He sells both. I've never used KW so I can't comment.

[Texas F1]

p66, I really like what you've done with your car. Smart to start with suspension and handling improvements and avoiding the temptation to mess with the power first off. I haven't seen the A048 tires used much other than on the Elise/Exige, so this looks like a good setup for the 1M. Enjoy your session at Cresson.

[MrRoboto]

Awesome...aside from the orange wheels.

[p66]

Those orange wheels are pretty loud-I concur. I got the wheels for $850 (entire set). But they were black and I didn't want Blk on Blk so I needed to paint them. The orange really pops in person and gives the car a more Motorsports feel. I love them for the track. Not sure I would drive around town with them. Certainly not at my age.

[ZCP M3]

Why the super high rear spring rates? Are the spring/wheel rate ratios that low on the rear?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Mnime

Looking forward to seeing those wheels in person. See you later in the week and next weekend. I too am looking forward to seeing how our cars do at MSR and comparing notes. Stock (other than pads/wheels/tires) vs. track upgrades...I am sure I'll be wanting to mod something after the weekend is over

Mention of this thread and get free shipping on your purchase of AST's from HP Autowerks.

[p66]

Originally Posted by ZCP M3

Why the super high rear spring rates? Are the spring/wheel rate ratios that low on the rear?

My choice was based on professional recommendations and successful results I've read from others. I had similar spring rates on my 135 with AST 5100's and they worked really well with a square setup. My biggest issue with my setup starting point is that I'm changing so many variables simultaneously. But I just couldn't suppress my enthusiasm.

[fastauto]

I know search is my friend but does anyone know offhand what the spring rates of the kw club-sports are?

[Mnime]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Mention of this thread and get free shipping on your purchase of AST's from HP Autowerks.

Harold you make it too easy for us to spend money

But like the OP...I have dealt with Harold at HP a few times already on some of my mods and he really is great to work with and always gets back to you with questions quickly. Thanks man....

[TUNEDM3]

Nice setup!! KW CS are 500/800

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by fastauto

I know search is my friend but does anyone know offhand what the spring rates of the kw club-sports are?

AST generate damping force much quicker than KW so spring rates don't need to be as high to get the same results.

KW is best compared to the Koni for spring rate selection.