E46 M3 SLR Race Kit

[Ma13tt]

Does anyone have experience running an SLR Race Kit. I run 275 35 R18 on vorshlag camber plates and JRZ suspension. After initially putting the front wheels on, they were rubbing the front bumper. I dialed out the adjustable lollipops to pull the wheels back. I think they are to far dialed out to be safe to run. I will try to attach a photo. Any advice is much appreciated.

[Johnvu]

Is this kit worth running on a road race only car? I can see the benefit for drift vehicles but unsure about normal track cars. Thanks!

[Ma13tt]

SLR makes multiple kits. They make a Drift Kit and Race Kit for the E46 M3. The kit will quicken the steering slightly and also add a Ackerman adjustment which I found appealing. Anyway here we are.

[Ma13tt]

Just a quick update. Sean from SLR is the real deal. I could not have gotten a better response. He took the time to talk to me about my setup and he had the solution. He makes different size control arms both length and angle. I spoke to him Monday June 22 after 5:00pm on Saturday June 27 the arms were delivered. He had them made and sent out within the week. I have not ever experienced anything like this. I cannot say enough. The arms are mounted and the steering quickness is incredible. SLR!

[F360C]

Just a quick update. Sean from SLR is the real deal. I could not have gotten a better response. He took the time to talk to me about my setup and he had the solution. He makes different size control arms both length and angle. I spoke to him Monday June 22 after 5:00pm on Saturday June 27 the arms were delivered. He had them made and sent out within the week. I have not ever experienced anything like this. I cannot say enough. The arms are mounted and the steering quickness is incredible. SLR!

Interesting... I bought a set of the SLR Race arms for my Z4 M Coupe and had the same issue when aligning. Did you get the wrong arms initially or was there just an alternate arm they make that would work better with your set up?

Other then that I love these arms.. the increase in grip on the front end with the roll center correction is amazing.

[Ma13tt]

I bought the BMW E46 M3 Race Kit. Not the drift kit. After mounting, you can see where the lollipops are. I called SLR, and he said they make an alternate set which produces a lower caster Angle. My lollipops are still dialed out in order to get the wheel back in order to not rub the bumper. I still haven’t gotten the car aligned. I have brake caliper issues. Thats another post. Lol. I will keep you up to date. It’s interesting I needed to use a lot of rack stops to limit the angle. As of now it looks like 2 turns lock to lock to achieve the stock turning radius. More to come.

[F360C]

I bought the BMW E46 M3 Race Kit. Not the drift kit. After mounting, you can see where the lollipops are. I called SLR, and he said they make an alternate set which produces a lower caster Angle. My lollipops are still dialed out in order to get the wheel back in order to not rub the bumper. I still haven’t gotten the car aligned. I have brake caliper issues. Thats another post. Lol. I will keep you up to date. It’s interesting I needed to use a lot of rack stops to limit the angle. As of now it looks like 2 turns lock to lock to achieve the stock turning radius. More to come.

Good to know. I initially set my lollipops to match the OEM mounts but like you had the tire hitting the front bumper.

So with the new arms are they still dialed pretty far out or is it a lot less now?

[Ma13tt]

I was able to turn them back in 2 turns. But they are still sticking out. The base of the lollipop is 2 inches across not counting the nut. The bolts threads are 1.5 inches inside the lollipop housing. Is that about the same as yours?

[F360C]

I was able to turn them back in 2 turns. But they are still sticking out. The base of the lollipop is 2 inches across not counting the nut. The bolts threads are 1.5 inches inside the lollipop housing. Is that about the same as yours?

I don't know the exact measurement off hand but mine are 12 turns of the lollipop out from all the way screwed in.

[Ma13tt]

That’s funny. I think mine are 10 after the new arms. Any problems?

[_10speed]

How is the race kit holding up for you guys? Just finished installing the kit on my e46 M3. Went for a quick drive and all seems good. Planning to recheck the torque next, then string align it. I am running the lollipops adjusted close to OEM dimensions. No issues with rubbing. My fenders and bumper modified for clearance.

[_10speed]

String aligned the car and went for another drive. One thing I noticed is the cars stability control comes on during basic 90 corners on turn -in. Not sure if its a wheel speed sensor issue. Feels like it's braking the inside front. I'm gonna talk to Sean and update the thread here. Also curious if with my setup there is reduced droop travel. There is nothing obvious that indicates that. Setup is 400lb spring front, 1000lb springs rears, MCS dampers, GC races camber plates and swaybar. Next autocross is this weekend, so looking forward to how it feels driven at the limit.

[F360C]

String aligned the car and went for another drive. One thing I noticed is the cars stability control comes on during basic 90 corners on turn -in. Not sure if its a wheel speed sensor issue. Feels like it's braking the inside front. I'm gonna talk to Sean and update the thread here. Also curious if with my setup there is reduced droop travel. There is nothing obvious that indicates that. Setup is 400lb spring front, 1000lb springs rears, MCS dampers, GC races camber plates and swaybar. Next autocross is this weekend, so looking forward to how it feels driven at the limit.

This is on a Z4 M but funny enough I have been chasing this issue too... low speed when I brake and turn sharply I get a light ABS pulse and the DSC light flash. Sometimes I get the ABS pulsing with out the DSC light but both happen when it is low speed, braking and there is steering angle input. I can brake as hard as I want in a straight as I want in a straight line and no abs pulse. DSC off no issues at all.

As a precaution i recently replaced all four wheel bearings and all sensors and no change. Like you I stringed the car using smart strings to align it but in the past I have never measured caster. Basically I set it to as much as I could get with the plates while using an eyeball to make it as even as possible between both sides. I am thinking the arms might make the computer extra sensitive to uneven caster. I realigned the car recently and while doing so I tried to make the caster even side to side (with out the proper tools). This seem to greatly lessen the issue. I ordered turns plates and a gauge so I am going to properly set the caster and see if this is the culprit.

I am also thinking that with the change of arm the steering angel sensor might need to be re calibrated

[Michael9218]

I’ve been running this SLR race kit on my Z4MC track car for coming up on three years. Excellent kit! Sean is second to none on customer support. The dude is passionate about what he does and is impressively knowledgable on suspension geometry. As mentioned above, he’ll work with you and make any size arm you want. He makes them in house, not in China, so he can offer that flexibility.

The kit can allow a lot of caster (I have about 8.75 degrees), which in my case required trimming the back of the bumper 3/4” to clear. I’d rather have the caster...

I also find that I can run a lot less camber. Probably a result of both the high caster and the roll center correction.

Only a couple of niggles, really. The hardware tended to loosen up after a season so I installed jam nuts (After talking to Sean, I believe he now includes jam nuts). Also, the thin control arm bushings in the lollipops wear out after a couple seasons. The good news here is that he sells replacements for $25 and it takes about 15 minutes per side to replace. So no big deal.

As for the speed of steering, even with the fast Z4MC rack it feels great. No issue there.

I’ve seen other kits’ control arms crack and even tie rod studs snap (one recently resulting in serious damage). The SLR kit is a stout kit and is the only kit that properly spaces down the outer ball and tie rod, IMHO.

[_10speed]

I don't have much to update on my kit although I datalogged the wheel speed sensors with Race Capture and the LF sensor is not measuring. I still need to order one up and install. I am too really thinking about ordering up a set of turn plates and whatever else is appropriate to set caster accurately. I really want to get to testing this kit, but our weather went from 100 degrees to 60 degrees with rain, so just need to get some good running in before the season ends.