MasterC17's HPDE/Time Attack Track Car (Re)Build

[bigjae46]

Damn, I missed the post about wire harness thinning. I only have 4 modules left in my car - ECU, DSC, LCM and the fuel pump relay. Maybe the Hall effect switch on the brake pedal if you consider that a module.

Everything else can be deleted.

You can delete the fuse box, I used two 10 position distro blocks - one for +12v and one switched. I have a cut off switch - the e-cut off and an ignition switch in the dash - I probably could have gotten by with a single 12-16 position fuse box.

[MasterC17]

Well overdue for an update! I was tied up with Gridlife @ The Glen - ended up taking 1st place in TrackMod in Time Attack!



Finally got the motor in, and things have moved quickly from there. Really just to the point of working out the smaller details, and I need to wrap up the wiring. I'm sure it will still be a bit before the car moves under its own power, but awesome progress nonetheless!

[MasterC17]

Next step is to get the motor in the car!

[MasterC17]

Just missing a few gaskets and seals. Should have the motor wrapped up next weekend!

[MasterC17]

Headlight trim and mirrors installed. Forgot to have these painted with the rest of the car the first time around lol

[MasterC17]

Sometimes it doesn't really feel like a ton is getting accomplished, despite the many hours being invested into the car!

On Friday I had HTE Performance tune the car, delete EWS, etc. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the MSS54 (non HP) can't run a MAP Sensor, so I am now on the hunt for an MSS54HP. Running Alpha-N for the moment. A bit frustrating, but that's how it goes.

Waiting on some parts for the motor, so this weekend consisted of getting the calipers on the car, pressure testing the system, and filling the system with fluid. Happy to report that all went well! Mounted up new Kumho V730's on new APEX ARC-8's in 18x10. And then just the normal futzing around with little things here and there, and figuring out what is still missing. In effect, the car should now stop and turn, so we just need the "GO" parts!

Some obligatory pictures - not sure which car has more front camber!

[MasterC17]

Exciting day - engine pickup from machine shop!

Specs:
Mahle Pistons 87.25mm 11.6 CR
VAC Motorsports High Performance Coated Rod Bearings
VAC Motorsports High Performance Main Bearings
ARP Rod Bolts
ARP Head Bolts
ARP Head Studs
Supertech Valve Guides

[MasterC17]

Awesome updates. Do you mind posting some pics of the steering column mounting to the roll cage?

Sure thing - see attached!

Nice work! Like the MK60 swap. Job is a pain on a street car, but probably not as terrible with the engine and interior out. Good call on tapping into the rear lines, making new rear ones was easily the worst part when I did mine.

It's still terrible LOL. Kudos to you for doing it with the motor still in - your DIY is super helpful!

Some progress from this weekend. I decided to make the MK60 harness (more or less) standalone. There will just be two Deutsch connectors that make the final connections to the body harness for power, warning lamp, CAN, brake lights, and OBD connection. Wheel speed sensor wiring all covered in 1,200f thermal shielding. Wiring running from the drivers to passengers front is using corrugated tubing. Not quite finished, but coming out clean which I am happy about.

The body harness is coming along, albeit slowly. Lots of things to delete, but also can't delete too much and make the car non-functional lol! This will also be run in corrugated tubing/cloth tape. Once finished, it should be extremely simplistic. I want to replace the giant OE fuse box with a mini fuse box, but also need to be conscious of time, so that might have to wait for now.

[heinzboehmer]

So what you're saying is track guys have it easy?

Haha...actually we do. I helped someone do a valve adjustment awhile back on a garage queen. I looked at his engine bay and barely recognized anything. I was like...you really need to take all of that crap off? Takes 5 min to get the valve cover off on my car.

Lol easier is probably more accurate. Soo much stuff in the way on street cars

[bigjae46]

Nice work!

Like the MK60 swap. Job is a pain on a street car, but probably not as terrible with the engine and interior out. Good call on tapping into the rear lines, making new rear ones was easily the worst part when I did mine.

So what you're saying is track guys have it easy?

Haha...actually we do. I helped someone do a valve adjustment awhile back on a garage queen. I looked at his engine bay and barely recognized anything. I was like...you really need to take all of that crap off? Takes 5 min to get the valve cover off on my car.

[heinzboehmer]

Nice work!

Like the MK60 swap. Job is a pain on a street car, but probably not as terrible with the engine and interior out. Good call on tapping into the rear lines, making new rear ones was easily the worst part when I did mine.

[bigjae46]

Awesome updates. Do you mind posting some pics of the steering column mounting to the roll cage?

[MasterC17]

Small update - received the Rotora Calipers back from powder-coating. Are they the most fantastic brakes on the planet - no. But, they worked perfectly fine before, and given the car is ~2,600lbs and won't be making more than 350whp, it won't take a mega amount of brake. One advantage is that they are very light - I'll post final weights later but my recollection is ~5lbs for the rears and ~8lbs for the fronts. Paired with CSL rotors and good pads it's more than enough. Will be getting all new hardware as well.

[MasterC17]

Here's a closeup of the MK60 swap. Tapped into the existing rear line connection points, but ran new lines everywhere else. These are not easy to bend!



Also a picture of the current wiring (mess). Will be splicing in the MK60 Connector and cleaning everything up, and deleting the things no longer needed (SMG, EWS, etc).

[MasterC17]

Heck...I think I knew you from the E46Fanatics days. LCI E46 330Ci, right?

Nice color change! I don't know why but I love the way alpine white E46 M3s look. It's a subdued body style with a classic color I guess.

If you have the S54 JB Racing flyheel then you need an E46 M3 pressure plate with the E34 M5 clutch. I've always wondered if I could bolt up an E36 M3 flywheel to the S54 and then use an E36 M3 pressure plate which has more options available. I think Sachs makes an HD/non-SAC version of the pressure plate for the E46 M3. The issue is the E36 and E46 have different diameter pressure plates.

Details on the side exit? Do you the have the total length of the piping?

Yup - that was me!

I totally agree, Alpine White is just a great color. Tentatively planning to use an E46 M3 ACT lightweight flywheel.

I'm not certain of the total length of the side exit, but it's using a Bimmerworld Y-Pipe to 3.5" tubing which is probably about 2ft in length or so. Only one exhaust tip is used, the other is for show lol!


Some updates!

The MK60 swap is basically finished, I just need to do the wiring now and get fluid in the system.

The Moton's are installed - once everything else is done will focus on corner balancing, alignment, and damping adjustments.

Got a lot of the exterior bits back on - tail lamps, wing, trim, some glass, etc. Still a bit to do there.

Pedals are in. So manual swap is probably 1/3 of the way done.

Motor is nearly complete at the machine shop, planning to pick up next week.

Still a lot to do, but making progress!