From Frankenstein e30m3 to GTS

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by Track/S

May I know what info SYT_Shadow has given you about the knuckles?

I second this!

[hyboost]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

I second this!

We did it with the knuckles on the car….following this info

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176

[Gomeler]

The other side of the knuckle's profile is also a bit different with an arc instead of more linear profile. I just took a bunch of pictures of my replacement driver's side knuckle. In general there are several changes that all look like material was removed(almost like 2016 knuckles were re-machined).

Just another time where I wish I had a CNC machine in my social circle, probe both the old and new knuckle and mirror it for the passenger side. I'll be grinding up my passenger side later this week and I'll post the pictures once I can crop and mark them up.

[mikerunt]

What camber plates came on the car?

[hyboost]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

What camber plates came on the car?

TC Kline. Prior owner had the car setup at TC Kline Racing. Getting the car on the alignment rack next week to see what it’s set to, but looks to be at least -3°.

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by hyboost

We did it with the knuckles on the car….following this info

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176

You have to remove the same amount of material as in the oem knuckle, in the syt_shadow images the amount of material removed is little.

Originally Posted by Gomeler

The other side of the knuckle's profile is also a bit different with an arc instead of more linear profile. I just took a bunch of pictures of my replacement driver's side knuckle. In general there are several changes that all look like material was removed(almost like 2016 knuckles were re-machined).

Just another time where I wish I had a CNC machine in my social circle, probe both the old and new knuckle and mirror it for the passenger side. I'll be grinding up my passenger side later this week and I'll post the pictures once I can crop and mark them up.

It's a redesigned piece, I don't think they modified the existing 2016 knuckles.

[hyboost]

First track session was a success!
Ran Sebring last weekend and it performed flawlessly. Took a few laps to start to get used to the new car and begin figuring out where the limits are.
Some learnings and observations:

• MDM is horrendous and should be disabled immediately. Made an attempt to leave it on in first session but it couldn’t get out of its own way
• Car has tons and tons of grip (Nankang AR1’s). I need to trust it more.
• First time on track with a turbo car. Wasn’t sure what to expect, especially boost mid corner. But it was a non-event, super smooth and linear
• Need buckets and harness. Next mod for sure
• Water injection worked well. Used up about half tank per session
• Car drinks gas!!! Full tank not enough for 2 full 30 minute sessions
• Driving home in downpour on AR1’s = terrifying!
• Brakes felt amazing, predictable, easy to modulate (Girodisc + Ferodo)

Overall very happy with it! Great starting point and platform with tons left in it. No record-setting laptimes but we did get into high 20s out there. Still about 10 seconds off e30m3 pace but we’ll get there. Love this car!

[SYT_Shadow]

EuroMDM, which can be coded, is a bit better, but in general M cars need to be driven, they don't drive themselves.
I don't have enough seat time in the G8X generation but it looks like the electronics there work well enough to not disable them.

Glad you enjoyed the outing! Seats and harnesses are definitely needed to keep you in place.

[hyboost]

Yeah, I had no intention of driving with MDM long term, but was more curious to see how it performed. I ran some laps with electronics on with gt3rs and it was fine and barely noticeable. BMW in comparison is crazy intrusive.

Oh, forgot to mention tire temps. Wow do they climb! Started 27 psi cold and saw 38 hot. Kept dropping it, 32-33 hot was definitely the sweet spot for the AR1s

[mikerunt]

I can vouch for the euroMDM being a significant improvement. I did back to back track days and euro was more pleasurable (if you are looking for some electronics to stay enabled).

+1 on tire temps, I was battling all day to keep them inline.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

I can vouch for the euroMDM being a significant improvement. I did back to back track days and euro was more pleasurable (if you are looking for some electronics to stay enabled).

+1 on tire temps, I was battling all day to keep them inline.

Is the Euro MDM the “same” as would be for normal M3/4’s?

[mikerunt]

I’m not totally sure TBH… kubax86 might know

[hyboost]

Quick update…
After my last track event, I was inspecting the car and unfortunately found a cracked passenger knuckle, even after machining down the excess material prior to tracking it. I figured it was a 50/50 shot doing it as preventative. So ordered new knuckles and they just came in. Replacing them next week and then back out there!

[SYT_Shadow]

such beautiful parts!

[hyboost]

Yeah, almost want to hang on the wall as art!
You can see the change in design. Passenger cracked, driver side still ok but replacing both for peace of mind.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by hyboost

Quick update…
After my last track event, I was inspecting the car and unfortunately found a cracked passenger knuckle, even after machining down the excess material prior to tracking it. I figured it was a 50/50 shot doing it as preventative. So ordered new knuckles and they just came in. Replacing them next week and then back out there!

Dare I ask what price range they are?

[hyboost]

Originally Posted by schnell325

Dare I ask what price range they are?

They were $2633 per side, plus tax came to $5644 total with free shipping. At least I don’t have to pay for the install 🤪

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by hyboost

They were $2633 per side, plus tax came to $5644 total with free shipping. At least I don’t have to pay for the install 🤪

Are these OEM??

[hyboost]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

Are these OEM??

Yes, OEM replacement BMW billet knuckles.
Part numbers:
31-21-9-500-210
31-21-9-500-209

[Lienrocs]

I’m parting out my track modded GTS. I just pulled the Ohlins TTX off the car if you’re interested. Welcome to the GTS world. They’re absolutely phenomenal cars.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by Lienrocs

I’m parting out my track modded GTS. I just pulled the Ohlins TTX off the car if you’re interested. Welcome to the GTS world. They’re absolutely phenomenal cars.

Damn - I just bought a full MCS 3 way setup!

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by hyboost

Quick update…
After my last track event, I was inspecting the car and unfortunately found a cracked passenger knuckle, even after machining down the excess material prior to tracking it. I figured it was a 50/50 shot doing it as preventative. So ordered new knuckles and they just came in. Replacing them next week and then back out there!

It has cracked because you removed too little material.


2 trackdays + more than 10laps on Nurburgring: