1999 M3, Don's

[D_Eclipse9916]

Okay, ive heard through the grapevine this past year that my car was not right in PAX, either light or too much power or blah blah blah. Decided I was going to put that to rest and help anyone that wants to prepare their 325i or m3 for autocross. The car seems very well setup and is a hoot and fast to drive despite what "should be" an inferior setup because of the crappy parts. You can replicate this incredibly cheap.

How it was this season:

1999 M3
Bilsteins Struts/off the shelf H+R OE springs
TMS Sway Bars
Stock upper hats
Conforti Intake
UUC RSC36
Sparco Pro2000 Seats
Momo Steering Wheel
TCKline Roll Bar with rear seat/spare/cd changer and carpet removed.
17x9 MT1r (16.6lbs a piece) with 245 old RS2s at the start of the season, and then 255 star specs at the end.


Since the last event I ran with CDC
Delrin control arm bushings front
Bimmerworld Race intake
Front splitter (wont help at all autox)
Rear wing (wont help at all autox)
Removed rear cat-back (hahah the track helped with this, itll be back on for any CDC autox)
M50 intake manifold

Went and got the car weighed at the lightest itll ever be. Came in a 3172 with me in it (without rear exhaust), so its more than 3000lbs without driver with probably 20-30lbs to spare. And now ive added splitter and rear wing for moar weight

Car also got the Race Intake (which probably added .5 horsepower ) and the latest dyno done this past weekend with the race intake and intake manifold (supposedly adds 10-15 peak wheel horsepower) installed, as it sits is 223/223. So ill be doing plenty more to get some moar power under the hood.

[eage8]

how do you like the delrin control arm bushings NVH-wise?

I'm still debating what I want to do with my FC. I have spherical bearings in the rear and it's not bad at all, but I think the front would make more of a difference.

[D_Eclipse9916]

how do you like the delrin control arm bushings NVH-wise?

I'm still debating what I want to do with my FC. I have spherical bearings in the rear and it's not bad at all, but I think the front would make more of a difference.

I barely notice them, I noticed a huge increase in steering feel (although that may be cause I Replaced everything under there thats a wear item), but the only time I ever hear a clunk is on a speed bump where there is a wall and the noise reflects back off the wall or car and into my car.

Sphericals are way nicer and allow better articulation of suspension pieces but Iw ould take a huge hit in points going to sphericals for my class so thats not an option right now.

[eage8]

I barely notice them, I noticed a huge increase in steering feel (although that may be cause I Replaced everything under there thats a wear item), but the only time I ever hear a clunk is on a speed bump where there is a wall and the noise reflects back off the wall or car and into my car.

Sphericals are way nicer and allow better articulation of suspension pieces but Iw ould take a huge hit in points going to sphericals for my class so thats not an option right now.

Cool, good to know...

They make needle bearing front control arms for the FC... but they're cost prohibitive.... ($400 per side )

Delrin is probably the way I'll go.

[hufflepuff]

Don,

Thanks for the feedback! How does the car ride as a D.D. with the lowering springs? Why did you go with bilstein over KONI yellows?

Thanks,
Matt (previously drove red dodge neon srt-4)

[D_Eclipse9916]

Don,

Thanks for the feedback! How does the car ride as a D.D. with the lowering springs? Why did you go with bilstein over KONI yellows?

Thanks,
Matt (previously drove red dodge neon srt-4)

It was a little harsh as a DD, but thats cause im used to my big comfy yukon denali. The car came with the bilstein setup (actually if your interested its for sale). It did excellent paired with sways. I just installed a set of Motons on my car so I no longer need the bilsteins

[hufflepuff]

Do you feel the m50 manifold was worth the effort?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yes the M50 manifold was worth it.
Bimmerworld race box over a make it yourself CAI? no

Hoping to get another dyno here soon. Biggest upgrade was the Differential and the tune letting me rev out to 7100.

[hufflepuff]

Was the dyno with the "tune"? What tune are you using? I hope you are feeling back to normal after the shenandoah crash.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Was the dyno with the "tune"? What tune are you using? I hope you are feeling back to normal after the shenandoah crash.

No, the dyno was without a tune. After the tune, I consistently hit somewhere around 229-230whp. 229WHP at NASA National Championship dyno, 230whp at Virginia International NASA-MA dyno.
Honestly, it depends on what classing you want to do. But if your doing CDC or NASA, not SCCA, the M50 manifold is well worth it.

I am using the Bimmerworld Tune. Feeling much better, and got some driving in, but im ready for this winter break.