Tracking for the first time

[sfzBimmer]

If the brake fluid in the car is less than a year old, you should be fine with bleeding the system.

[1996 328ti]

Originally posted by greateratlanta
When you guys say to "flush the break system" before a track event, are you referring to bleeding the breaks or is this a totally different thing???

I flush the system every 2 driving schools and before the first school of the season. I may go 3 schools depending on weather conditions and the track. Bleeding the brakes is a matter of removing fluid at the caliper. I see people bleeding brakes at the track after the pedal gets mushy. With adequate cooling and proper replacing of the fluid, you would not need to bleed the brakes between seasons. Ate only costs $9.95 and I'd rather have my fluid flushed before I get to the track than waste time at the track bleeding brakes.

[TheWiseGuy]

Completely depends on the car, driver, temperature,weight, brake setup, track, and fluid. At times I will bleed brakes 10 times a day. Others 1. The only advice i can give is dont be lazy, if you have a feeling you should, DONT WAIT just do it anyway. Always test your job after. and always be clean with the fluid. It eats through just about anything.

[Techno Violent]

Originally posted by TheWiseGuy
always be clean with the fluid. It eats through just about anything.

Indeed it does . . . excellent advice.

[TheWiseGuy]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA yeah well........... ooops........

[tatawaki]

Just took a track school and wow, I almost went through a set of tires. the only bad thing is we are only allowed to pass on the long straight when we do parade laps. The school we were passing on the inside and outside around turns. was major fun.

I blew both my control arm bushings so my whole front end was loose. my rear wheel almost fell off too. I did torque them to 75 ft lbs. pre track so I guess the force knocked the bolts loose.

there is rarely any actual track days. it's more on marshaling, then we get to do parade laps at the end of the race. last year there was only one person who rented the track.

are M3 bushings any better / stronger for my 325? I just got my bushings replaced last year. and they need to be replaced again

[SG_M3]

passing in turns at a DE is very dangerous, especially in lower run groups. You torqued your lugs before every session and they still came undone? You did torque them cold correct?

[tatawaki]

not every session, I will now though. the bolts did need to be replaced. Torque them Cold? please clarify

yes, passing is dangerous.. but soo much more fun.

[SG_M3]

You need to torque the lugs when they aren't hot. So before every run session torque your lugs, not right after when they are hot.

[bimmerkaz]

One thing nobody mentioned are upgraded transmission mounts. I was having trouble downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear on the track last season. The problem was only evident during autocross and track sessions. I upgraded my tranny mounts to the Rogue Engineering mounts this year and it solved the problem.

[tatawaki]

I had no issues... Nice and smooth...

[deep throat]

Whoa there's soooooooooooo much to learn from this thread n guyz with experience!! My H&R Cup Kit, H&R sway bars, Rogue Engineering RSMs, and Rogue Engineering SSK are to be fit in the car two weeks from now. Not quite the perfect track set up i know, but still better than running there stock! But it seems there are a zillion other stuff to change,mainly bushings, fluids, AND brakes are noooo joke one can tell! It's going to cost alot every time i'd go there IF i want to keep the car intact. I'll wait till i get a job, mod the car every now and then, and keep going to the track to watch and learn, then i'd join when i can afford the cost of maintenance, tires, pads, extra oil quarts, and miscellaneuos things.

[nickvel]

i was told by a mechanic today at work that too much oil is bad it creating a foam like mixture which apparently doesnt lubricate. he said its better to be little less rather than too much

[nondescript]

Originally Posted by nickvel

i was told by a mechanic today at work that too much oil is bad it creating a foam like mixture which apparently doesnt lubricate. he said its better to be little less rather than too much

Oil foaming is bad... however you run a higher risk of sucking air and oil into the pickup together and causing foaming conditions with low (or even normal) oil levels in the M52B32 engnie than you do with high oil levels... Especially during hard left turns of moderate duration.

However, on other engines (S14's come to mind) - from what I've seen people say in forums - the oil pressure is related to the oil volume - so running a bunch of extra oil can blow a main seal somewhere due to too much pressure... This isn't a problem with some newer engines - but as always you mileage may vary... do homework on your particular motor. FWIW - I know I'm safe with an extra Qt. of oil in the M52B32...

[J Mack]

Anyone know if oil starvation is an issue with M20's as well?
I've run my '86 325es at a couple track days and autoX's with no starvation problems(no pressure light). I never overfilled it. Maybe if I had a pressure gauge I would notice a signifigant drop?