Solaris99

With the PCC Audi Club NA. Great group which always puts on a wonderful event. The last session of the 2nd day, I was all over a C6 Z06. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my friend timed me for a few laps.. He told me I ran a 2:28 when I was behind the Z06 and 2:25 after I passed it; I haven't been paying attention to putting together good laps, just working on it one corner at a time. That's part of why I haven't installed a camera yet. I want to focus on the fundamentals before worrying about time. I'm only using Sumitomo summer tires (8 track days prior), catless DP, and a Powell Hardcore rear bar.

I could run better. I was slow in turn 3 those laps because the sun was in my face. No need for unnecessary chances. A lot of people told me how fast I was and I didn't have to point many cars by. While I am a good driver, the car deserves a lot of credit. It's very predictable and trail brakes well. I may be done tracking this car, though. I don't want to wad it up, so I'd really like to get a RWD track car this winter. If I could have 2 track cars, I'd get another one of these.

bri2203

iTrader: (10)

Awesome I am currenly building a 1989 Camaro for a track car. I am currently installing a LS1 and T56, and I will be upgrading the front brakes to C5 corvette. I am hoping to get the weight down to 2900 lbs.

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

C5 z06.

casionerd

iTrader: (3)

Here's all you need to do:

Watch Wangspeed's videos
Study his turn points, brake zones, speed and lines
Have fun
Record videos and take pics for those of us who wish we could do it.

Good stuff. Congrats.

r1owner

A lot of guys that have a lot of experience that I've talked to at tracks all recommend this car too. They are pretty darn cheap (considering) on ebay too with low miles...

Sox-Fan

iTrader: (7)

Mine is box stock and on 2005 tires. We just set fast time of the day for street tires at an event at CMP this past weekend. When I'm not busy spinning it out it's a darn fast car. On slicks I'm sure we would have FTOD overall.

r1owner

2:25 in a Cobalt at VIR full is pretty dang fast too...

Solaris99

I ended up buying a 1999 M3 with 183k miles. It has a few modifications that help me on the way to becoming a track car (coilovers, baffled oil pan, aluminum radiator, stronger clutch and LWFW). I will be back at VIR with the Cobalt in April since I don't see the M3 being ready by then. I haven't driven it much yet (just picked it up on Saturday), but so far it's been a lot of fun. The only power upgrades done have been the M50 manifold and a CAI, and I don't plan to do anything else in that department.

r1owner

Cool, I've been looking at an E36 M3 sedan as well. I've read they are great track cars... trying to save for a C7 Z06 though...

Solaris99

I see a lot of E36s at track events and the owners all enjoy them. They aren't the cheapest track cars to run, but not the most costly either.

r1owner

Yeah, I understand they are considered by many to be one of the best drivers cars.... would like to drive one once. Your's looks real nice.

Will be interesting to get a comparison of that to your Cobalt.

Solaris99

It has been very well cared for. The hood needs a respray because it's been parked out in the southeastern sun (not anymore), but I'm not spending money on cosmetics for my track car. I forgot, it also has Wilwood 4-pot front calipers and Recaro Speed seats. I'll probably end up going with seats that don't recline, but these are great to start out with.

m33pm33p

Why was your choice to buy another car to track, especially a high mile bmw? That M3's is probably slower than the stock tc. With a tune, good tires and some coilovers/yyz and a hardcore bar a ss tc will romp on newer M3's all day.

Daily driver ss? Nm I see what you mean.

Solaris99

It's not about all-out speed. I want to develop my skills in a RWD car because I plan to one day race RWD cars.

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

Nice e36M! Real bespoke race engine.

m33pm33p

Ah, makes sense. What class are you thinking of "stepping into"?

Solaris99

Thanks

I'm really not sure yet. I don't think I'll convert this into a race car because it's cheaper to just buy somebody else's race car.

vanos

[QUOTE=Solaris99;7272733]It has been very well cared for. The hood needs a respray

hey solaris- just some tips for your E36.
I purch my '95 m3 Ltw -new. (w/ 75 miles on it)

1995 BMW M3 Lightweight - Bing Images

For the last 9 years the Ltw has been a garage queen (w/ regular fluid maintenence, tho).
It's still in as-new cond w/ 15kmi.
I stopped driving it until i find time to replace/safety tie the below item.

Please be careful until you check the oil pump mounting bolts!
Some m50 engines these can be loose - all oil pumps were not factory safety tied.
more bmw quality... LOL.
You just have to inspect/tie oil pump bolts (remove oil sump).

AND a few other biggies :

Stop revving your m50 until you are positive you have the upgrded TO the bmw metal waterpump!! be sure to remove and Quickly throw away the plastic impeller h2o pump.
be sure you are replacing with the upgraded METAL impeller water pump.

You already know The engine REVS quite quickly,
so IF the water pump impeller Hand Grenades or fractures -plastic fibers will be convieniently distributed (All these lovely loose plastic fibers)
thru out the engine block water passages which will Lunch the block since you cannot clean it all out...I replaced my water pump at 1,800 miles & was not covered by bmw warranty! LOL that was in '97.
(This is why some M50's have mysterious/serious overheat symptoms)

others to check:

Trunk battery [properly vented] not corroding any-thing.

Rear suspension attach points- sometimes cracks/bends around trunk mounting areas
from hi G stresses of road course duty and/or from battery not venting to outside....

- thank you bmw! ["archaeic perfection"!]

I absolutely love my LTW, but DD my SS-t/c's.

cheers ethan

Solaris99

Thanks. It's going into a reputable local Euro shop next week to get a lot of things done. Subframe reinforcements, RTAB pockets, oil pump nut wire mod, new front CAs, new guibo, and engine mounts. I'm going to do the rear shock tower reinforcements and x-brace myself. The PO upgraded the water pump and radiator (Mishimoto), so I'm good there.