Frustrated: Here's why the 135i is NOT a good track car choice...

[gmx]

FWIW, the endurance cars here with E series N54s 335i/135i/1M entries have all competed with the 335i/1M having won 6hr Bathurst in the history of the event. Even a F20 N55 M135i Auto won it. From what I know, 2 of the N54s run a full quart overfill with no baffling.

Pretty much all entries run twin oil coolers. They're not allowed over OEM boost according to the rules though and that obviously helps a bit. Tune/turbos, all that stuff is better left to the street. You're asking for trouble upgrading/pushing these imo.

The team with decent budget ran and built two cars with this setup posted on this very forum which is unheard of (best kept secret if you want to win):
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...0&postcount=27

That very team has moved onto developing the F8x. For the rules of this series, they are far more capable and faster. The leap they made is far larger than E8x/E9x vs E46 and E36 before it. That's a fact.

[chris_flies]

Just an owner of a 193k-mile, regularly-tracked 128i passing through

Sorry about your issues OP. It's kinda the risk we run driving hard around tracks. If you do swap for a used motor, I'd get one and start working on things like oil pan baffling, better bearings, and any other internal issue you can think of. I'd also think about doing all the usual gaskets. You know, while you're in there

Maybe you'd consider swapping to a 128i. Same suspension and everything, just less powerful and more reliable...

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

Have you been watching my videos? LMFAO.

At this point, I am going to get my 2010 Civic Si down to comparable lap times as my heavily modified 135i with the stock 200hp engine.

The 135i is just a terrible platform for serious tracking, unless your budget is fucking enormous.

Have not watched your videos, but love mine. Set of KW V3, good brake pads (Hawk DTC 60), Hondata Flashpro, set of slicks on RPF1. Embarrasses many a BMW and Porsche.

At the end of the track day, swap back to street tires, swap back to Hawk HPS pads, top off the oil, and enjoy the drive home.

[Relegate]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Maybe you'd consider swapping to a 128i. Same suspension and everything, just less powerful and more reliable...

Right?! haha... Probably a swapped Miata (K24A2) and send it. I had a nice Miata, sold it to buy a new trans (with OS Giken LSD) for my 996 track car... that blew the engine 2 events later (on the cool down lap so no drama). Sold that as a roller and bought the 135. Stupidly, I could have paid for the 1 in cash, but I decided to put the money into my business and financed most of it. SO, I still owe $10k on it.

Yeah, after reading about everyone's issues (digging here and on Sp00lStr33t) it might be time to fix and sell. It's a great car, very quick and fun, but just not cut out for track. Once I fix this (without upgrading cooling), I'll be $8k into this car for repairs in 10,000 miles and a handful of track days. (60k on it now). I can sell the trunk and wing (or just wing) for $1200-1500. Just need another hood, raise the ride height and sell it.

or

I let it sit in the garage and save up money, get a new motor, add some baffling, accusump and cross my fingers. Fortunately I have some qualified friend who can help with swapping motors, welding, etc.

[dtla1]

Relegate Not to get off topic, but what wheels are you using to run your square setup? LTW5's or something else?

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by gmx

FWIW, the endurance cars here with E series N54s 335i/135i/1M entries have all competed with the 335i/1M having won 6hr Bathurst in the history of the event. Even a F20 N55 M135i Auto won it. From what I know, 2 of the N54s run a full quart overfill with no baffling.

Pretty much all entries run twin oil coolers. They're not allowed over OEM boost according to the rules though and that obviously helps a bit. Tune/turbos, all that stuff is better left to the street. You're asking for trouble upgrading/pushing these imo.

The team with decent budget ran and built two cars with this setup posted on this very forum which is unheard of (best kept secret if you want to win):
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...0&postcount=27

That very team has moved onto developing the F8x. For the rules of this series, they are far more capable and faster. The leap they made is far larger than E8x/E9x vs E46 and E36 before it. That's a fact.

Thank you for this comment. So much FUD for these cars when in fact they are a fantastic car in the right hands. People try to make it seem like you can just hop into a high whp RWD car and be fast...

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Have not watched your videos, but love mine. Set of KW V3, good brake pads (Hawk DTC 60), Hondata Flashpro, set of slicks on RPF1. Embarrasses many a BMW and Porsche.

At the end of the track day, swap back to street tires, swap back to Hawk HPS pads, top off the oil, and enjoy the drive home.

You just described a 135i too lol...

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

You just described a 135i too lol...

Except the Civic doesn't break.

[Relegate]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Relegate Not to get off topic, but what wheels are you using to run your square setup? LTW5's or something else?

17X9 +42(?) TR Motorsports from Tire Rack. Light enough and pretty strong. A cheap, slightly lower quality option to Apex. The NT01 had the best clearance, the AR1's the worst... they are wide and very square (and fast).