02-11-2019, 01:18 PM | #1 |
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Please Advise; Track Set Up
New to the forum, new to bmws, new to F80. I have a 17' F80 4k miles, comp pack and I would very much like some advice on track prepping the car with acknowledging I will be sacrificing comfort. A little about me. I have extensive track experience with 2 wheels. I'm currently tracking my bike but thinking of transitioning fully to 4 wheels. Hitting the ground at +120 doesn't go over so well anymore!! Been racing with WERA and CCS for 30 years and countless track days with N2 and Motorcycle Excitement. My intentions this year will be 6-7 track days with the F80. I have been researching forums for about two weeks now with countless hours of reading to educate myself as much as possible prior to posting as to not waste anyones time. My questions I'm sure have been discussed on this forum but nothing very current, most post I found of interest were dated 2015. So I'm hoping some of you more experienced guys with the track might be able to chime in with some advice. My intentions are not to turn the car into a absolute race car, I do want to maintain some street drivability but it's not at the top of my list. It will not be a DD, more of a weekend car, week to the beach etc. So a stiff suspension is acceptable but I don't want it to be uncomfortable neither. I read an extensive write up from another member on his AST 5200 and he loved them and was okay with the stiffer ride even with his wife in the car. He mentioned he liked the feel of the race suspension on the street and knowing the aggressive nature of myself I may be in the same boat but I'm not sure hence why I'm creating this thread.
Please note I am leaning on a staggered set up 10" front, 11" rear so I do not want a suspension that will limit this option. Here is what I have been able to discern so far: KW V3 is the compromise for a street/track car...What I'm afraid of here is it may leave me wanting more on the track...Will the KW V3's be enough of an upgrade performance wise? I love the stance these give but cosmetics are not as important as performance for me but are these the perfect compromise? Will 10" fronts and 11" rear wheels work with this set up? Ohlins R/T another option but I don't like the stance of the car, doesn't get low enough for my liking. With the KW V3 do I add camber plates, opinions? Opinions on camber plates in general would be helpful also. I know its important for tire wear but critical for the ultimate set up? Too much for street driving? JRZ Rs Pro, KW Clubsports, AST 5200: Not looking for a debate over which of these three are the best, more looking for pros or cons for these more track focused coil overs for street use. Total overkill for a guy doing 6-7 track days a year? The difference in lap times going from a KW V3 to one of these set ups significant or slight? Way too stiff for the street? Please advise. Again want to maintain some manners on the street but I don't want to be sorry for track purposes of not getting a two way set up half way into the season. Lap times will matter... Tires: 18" set up seems to be the favorite: Open to any advice here but specifically would like some opinions between Apex staggered set up, 10'-front, 11" rear vs going with a set of OEM 513's 9" front, 10" rear. My concern with the Apex wheels is quality vs the OEM wheel. Whatever set up I go with I do still want to be able to revert back to my 666's so please keep this in mind when offering advice. Tune????....Will save that conversation for another thread. Many thanks in advance for your help!! Clint Last edited by Clinton1009; 02-11-2019 at 01:23 PM.. |
02-11-2019, 01:39 PM | #2 |
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Cliffnotes?
Here’s what you need to have fun: 18x10 square setup (or run oem 513M wheels) I run MPsS tires but this season will be upgrading to R comps. Upgraded fluid Upgraded pads (I run Ferodo Ds1.11) Drop (I’m fine with springs) I don’t need a tune. The car is plenty fast without it. Some people say you need cooling once you tune. Some people also complain of front tire chunking and need of camber plates. I never experienced that. Here are a few of my videos which you may find helpful. The track turn by turn I discuss my mods |
02-11-2019, 01:46 PM | #3 |
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Is a square set up the favorite in the paddock opposed to staggered or is this really a matter of preference and we are splitting hairs? I can get a good deal on a set of KW V3's. Would there be any reason to steer away from these?
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02-11-2019, 01:52 PM | #4 |
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I spoke with many people who were very dissatisfied with KWs at the track. I ran V2s in my previous car and they were too soft.
Try your car stock for now. You’ll have plenty fun especially in the hardest setting. Or just invest in a set of Ohlin suspension. Wheels are a matter of preference. Square setup is easier to rotate. If I were to do it again I’d go square |
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02-11-2019, 02:05 PM | #5 | |
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You can’t go wrong with any of the 3 brands I just mentioned |
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02-11-2019, 02:07 PM | #6 | |
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02-11-2019, 02:10 PM | #7 | |
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02-11-2019, 02:10 PM | #8 |
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OP: You're new here, welcome! There are other forums here besides the General Forum and are designed for specific subjects within those forums. When you post in these forums you will get people looking at your post who have answers to your specific questions.
You might want to check out these forums: Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques Suspension | Brakes | Chassis
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02-11-2019, 02:12 PM | #9 | |
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02-11-2019, 02:12 PM | #10 | ||
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02-11-2019, 07:03 PM | #11 |
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I have JRZ RS Pros on my E46 and E92. They are fantastic track focused suspensions, but they are buttery soft on the street when you're done - just put them to the recommended positions for street driving - 6 rebound 3 compression from full soft and you'll have no issues.
They will be my first choice when I upgrade my F82.
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02-11-2019, 07:21 PM | #12 | |
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02-11-2019, 07:28 PM | #13 |
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02-11-2019, 07:34 PM | #14 |
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02-11-2019, 07:42 PM | #16 |
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Ok, so how fast do you want to go? I know this is an odd question, but if you've been racing for 30 years you know what I mean. this car can be built to be very fast.
How important is lap time to you? As a racer, I'm willing to put up with a lot for a couple of seconds on the track. Budget? I would stay away from KW and from Ohlins btw. (I've had Dinan, Ohlins, JRZ, and MCS on this car fwiw). I would go MCS single adjustable or doubles (at least 650lb/900 springs), Ground Control camber plates, and rear toe links at a minimum. MCS gives you the most tire/rim clearance and most options for offsets on the front of the car , which is the limiter on this chassis. JRZ / Ohlins / KW / etc... all will cost you at least 10-15mm of tire clearance on the front of the car due to the spring placement behind the tire on the strut. Wheels are a preference. My favorite right now is 18x10.5 square. 18x10 and 18x11 is fine too, but I like the ability to rotate tires F/R and side to side. You haven't mentioned brakes? Apex wheels are relatively strong (not indestructible) and cheap. (also very quick to replace if needed).
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02-11-2019, 08:11 PM | #17 | |
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Brakes I was figuring for my first track day since I'm sure I will be put in intermediate to just run the stock pads and then go with a track pad for my second event. Am I better off rotating out pads for street/track right out the gate? I'm open to suggestions here aswell. |
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02-11-2019, 09:16 PM | #18 |
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I’m running MCS 2WR dampers with F/R 600/900 lbf/in spring rates on my M4 and the street ride quality is far superior to a stock M3/4 (as well as my wife’s ‘18 240i x-drive). I’ve used Moton, JRZ, TCK and MCS setups on my e46 M3, e92 M3s and f82 M4 - the MCS setups are by far my favorite setups. BTW, you can start out with a set of MCS 1WNR dampers and upgrade to 2WR, or 3WR, dampers if you end up needing more performance/adjustability down the road.
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02-11-2019, 09:49 PM | #19 |
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I'm with M3SQRD on this one. The MCS 1RW is a great starting place, and can be upgraded. I went for the full coilover version of the the 2WR. With 600/500 (600/900 eqiv) it rode better than my friends 18' with comp package. (now on 800/700 and still rides pretty well). Camber plates will be a must as well. I would start with a minimum of good brake pads and new fluid as the car is pretty heavy and I suspect you are past most beginning drivers who start out with stock pads. From there I would add toe links to the rear which settles the car down a bit, especially on braking. Everything else at that point will be small gains. Brakes, monoballs, swaybars, etc...
Wheels are by choice, but the 18" is the way to go as it opens up tire options. Tires are a bigger can of worms, but NT01's, Toyo RR's, Hoosier, Pirelli DH slicks in that order are the basics of R compound speed. I personally like to get as much tire under the car as possible as it's a 3800lb machine with me in it, so you really can't have too much tire.
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02-11-2019, 09:50 PM | #20 | |
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02-11-2019, 09:52 PM | #21 | |
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02-12-2019, 08:31 AM | #22 |
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I agree with the others on MCS (as well as Apex wheels). I have only run MCS suspensions on my e46's and not the F80, but have been more than impressed with the performance both on and off the track. Just as important to that is there customer service. You can give them a call at anytime and they will talk you through any setup or other questions/issues you have. Also will give another vote to Apex wheels. Ultimately not as strong as a fully forged wheel, but for the price as well as once again customer service you cant beat them.
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