diy E82 N55 Track Build

[Soldi3r]

Hi Guys & Gals,

So I have a 2010 E82 135i N55 - DCT. I got the car in 2015 and used it as a daily up until the beginning of this year. I bought the car with the intention of keeping it and had nothing but 90k of happy sort of problem free kms lol (water pump, radiator, and upgraded starter wire - the OEM one is shyte)

The day I got the car:




I done some minor mods (nothing to the engine, still stock) over the years:



Mods:
* Team MFactory LSD
* BC Racing Coilovers
* Rennzport cp

When I got married I sold the rims (OZ Ultralagerra) as it did not allow for passengers lol, and also got rid of the stripe.



For a long while I've wanted to convert this car to a track tool/toy, and now that I have a daily its making it easier to start messing around on this car.

The purpose of this post is to share my progress, ups, and downs so that if anyone wants to do the same in the future, this post can maybe help. Also its to share my passion with other fanatics out there

First time out on killarney, using accelera 651 sport - standard pads with performance drilled and slotted discs. I had no brake ducts and suffered severe brake fade after about two sessions. The bug bit and so began the progress:

 

[Soldi3r]

One thing I can say, killarney eats brake pads for breakfast lol - these were my OEM pads after the first session:


First upgrade was EBC Yellow Stuff and Braided hoses, with make shift brake ducts (dont have pics of the wip)


Another thing I was struggling with, was staying in the seat going through corners. So next step was a bucket seat with 5 point harness:



isofix being put to good use lol



The bucket seat and harness really makes a world of a difference. Feeling secure in the seat while driving gives a much better feel and more control. I now did not need to focus on keeping myself in the seat and could focus more on driving. Feeling a bit more confident, now that I had these braided hoses and upgraded pads - I piggy backed on a private session with some buddies:
Session 1:

Session 2:

 

[Soldi3r]

The second session my confidence was a lot higher, evident by the amount squeal that can be heard from the tyres. I was attacking much harder with my new EBC pads and braided hoses, also swapped to DOT 4+ racing brake fluid.

However, sadly after about 5 or so laps into the session, I got the dreaded brake fade again. I was not expecting it since I had better pads with the braided hoses, as well as some ducts going onto the discs. But I dont think the ducts were working correctly.

The purpose of the brake duct is to get air into the centre of the rotor, where there is vacuum being generated. This vacuum is meant to suck in the cold air, and disperse of it via the veins in the disc.

For me to build a proper brake cooling duct, my dust covers would need to go.

In preparation for the next track day, I did a brake fluid flush, and did some modifications to the dust cover to try and get more air flowing to the centre of the rotor.

Things that I noticed from the two previous sessions were:

I have narrow and wide rims, and had 225/40/18, and 235/40/18 tyres - the accelera semi slick. It offers lots of grip and is a very good tyre for driving to the track, doing an open day and driving back home as it is DOT approved.

I had my coilovers set to 10 away from hard, however the car felt very nervous during turn 3 & 4. After turning into the corner it felt as if the back was very twitchy.

Even bleeding the brakes using ISTA, the peddle still felt a bit spongy - and I came to know about brake knock back. It is to do with that fact that the mperformance discs (and standard I believe) are floating discs, and causes the piston to be pushed just slightly back into the caliper while you are driving.

To prevent the spongy feel when you get onto the brake, you need to touch on the brake peddle just enough to build some pressure before getting on to the brakes.

Third time out on the track!

Session 1:

Session 2:

Session 3:

On this day, my good friends dad, who is also like my friend gave me a set of bridgestone re11s semi slicks to use. These tyres have seen in excess of 150 laps already, and were also flat spotted, and was of no use to him.

They were on a set of aline rims and the offset was just slightly out, not to worry, I was able to give the front wheels about a degree of camber as the stock shock towers have sort of an over hole for the bolts, and I moved them over as far as possible since I do not have camber plates yet. I think I have the BC RS which dont come with the camber plates.

These rims were also a square setup.

Now I am not sure if it was the tyres or the square setup (think more the square setup) but the nervousness in the rear was completely gone.

With my new knowledge of knock back, my upgraded brake cooling ducts and a bit more confidence, I was able to improve my PB by 4 seconds. The only downside was my EBC yellow stuff were on the metal after this day

It lasted for two track days which is a shame considering the price. I am planning to try the blue stuff out next as it is apparently a more premium pad and is meant to last longer.

My plan is to only start changing parts once I reach the limit with what I have, this is to help keep costs down and to allow myself time to progress as a driver.

Its also a good idea to not change too many things at the same time, to know if the part changed has affected the care negatively or positively.

Planned mods:

* BC Camber plates
* Proper brake cooling ducts
* Solid sub frame bushes
* Solid diff bushes
* Solid rear lower and upper mounts
* Vari racing BBK (I've done a ton of research and its the most affordable BBK out there, and its locally manufactured so thats a bonus)
* Wheel studs conversion
* Routine maintainanece
* Strip the car out and put in a full roll cage
* Proper exhaust system (I still have the stock exhaust and can barely hear my car)

The next track is November 27, and thing are looking bleak, I am not sure if I will make it.

If you drive a 135i e82, you will know that they come with 6 pot brembo upfront which are a killer set of calipers ... for the road. I found that they are not as effective on the track, especially if you are hammering those brakes lap after lap.

So I will be selling my front calipers, with discs and EBC braided hoses as the Vari Racing BBK is a bit pricey.



Adjusting the camber




I have since sold my rims and tyres, and have bought me a set of KOYA Racing 18"x 8.5j et35 - will be running a square setup. Also scored a second hand set of dunlop direzza semi slicks for R2000

 

[Dax]

I like, you need a manual LOL

 

[GoCart]

Now this right here is tasty ! I'm really excited to see how it develops.

 

[Benji]

Exciting! Do you still daily the car? I would say the next logical step is to start removing weight and see what effect that has? Will definitely give your brakes an easier time

 

[Soldi3r]

I like, you need a manual LOL

I could not agree with you more. I enjoy the DCT a lot, but the route that I am going, I miss the feel of changing gears - so yea, it is on the cards but not anytime soon.

 

[Soldi3r]

Now this right here is tasty ! I'm really excited to see how it develops.

I am not much of a camera man and always forget to take pics of progress lol, but I definitely plan on sharing progress as best I can.

 

[Soldi3r]

Exciting! Do you still daily the car? I would say the next logical step is to start removing weight and see what effect that has? Will definitely give your brakes an easier time

I hardly drive the car between sessions. I have a daily so this car parks and the only time I really drive it is to go and work on the car or drive it to the track..

Yes I agree, I will be striping the car out most likely next year. The only reason I still have my passenger seat in is I owe some family members a few laps around the track lol.

But yea the car will definitely be stripped, and keep an out on the for sale threads as I will most likely sell the parts I strip to help fund the build

 

[Vinnige Fanie]

Saw some of your videos.The car looks great on track.