Cockroach Individual M3 12/10 just event prep stuff

[samthejam]

Howdy y'all another update.

So I ended up getting the Continental Extreme Force Contact, 275/35R18. They were on sale. Fuck modern 200tws tire sizing, they must be like 285s. My last set of direzza were "265s" but look a lot different than the Rs4s that are mounted on same wheels. Anyways, so I took out the spacers not a big deal but fucking annoying. I should've got the 265/35R18 RT660s that were also on sale but wanted something a bit more endurance focused for this go around on tires.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

During that I noticed my RR balljoint was fucked. Had quite a bit of play, explained why the car was so loose last time I took it out.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

So I ordered a toolset from Amazon and Lemforder Balljoints, was very happy to see Made in Germany on the Box!


My friend with less than a weeks notice suggested we go to FD to spectate Road Atlanta, and I realized I hadn't taken a day off yet this year. I also wanted to help jayjaya29 finish his S54, we are pretty close talk to eachother almost everyday about our cars, life etc.. The progress had naturally slowed down with his new child, and he needed the car mobile to maintain his other cars. He has helped me out in so many ways the least I could do was a weekend slam to get it out on its first test drive. So the plan was, get car aligned Thursday. Leave Friday, do the weekend stuff and cannonball home Monday a standard Atlanta trip for me.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Not a big fan of FD, but a big fan of supporting this amazing track and people using it. It was a good time.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Now back to the car. Before I left, I saw the LR shock was leaking there was oil up the 3 or 4th threads. Which sucks. We had the car packed down with 3 people, luggage, all my tools, spare tires etc. The shock did not make it. When we arrived to Atlanta it was dripping oil onto the floor. It had a slight knocking noise under big bumps, I felt it during a driver swap sleeping in back seat. The car was also pulling to the left, Lins Automotive was open and by the track so I stopped by to get a last minute alignement. I called Friday ahead for notice and they were very cool about it.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Other than that, no real issues on the trip. Thing pulls strong, we had some stretches of open roads still pulling up the factory Vmax that is deleted, but didn't have the balls to go past it.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

When I left ForumlaD, one of the drift shops by there had $100 dyno pulls. So I pulled in and let er eat. They strapped down the factory lower camber arms, so pretty sure rear alignment moved a bit but luckily they didn't bend visually.

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The guy at the shop said they usually dyno at 260 there which seemed very low, but I had no baseline so who knows. Anyways Pretty happy with that, I am told if I do a cold air intake like AFE or something there is some more. However K.I.S.S, stock airbox is very serviceable.


Back to the shock, by the time I was back home in Louisiana. The noises it was making was not good, and the last stretch to my house in Houston was rough but we made it.

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The shock is quite rust proofed. I need the car in less a month at Road Atlanta and I want it up quick and cheap. I think I have come up with a solution, I will post that next if it is successful. Trying to save up for MCS new or find a good pair used so want to just get moneys worth out of this set.

That puddle of oil off to the side is from just setting the shock over. It still has gas pressure but it is hemorrhaging fluid.

It got 22mpg with me using cruise going 80-90. My friend drove it briefly on the way up and he got 24mpg doing 60-70.

[bigjae46]

Poly is trash. Stay OE rubber or go with the Turner spherical.

[samthejam]

So these Bimmerworld TrackCABs have been pretty terrible. They just don't hold up well for me. Even if installed flush they will work their way out and eventually start to wear a groove in them.

Remember how I just did these a couple months ago?

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Well here is the driver side.

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Already a groove and itll do a popping thing under braking. You can't replicate it with a pry bar, its fucking annoying in daily use until it gets really really bad. . Luckily a set of used FCABs came up here on the forum, a set of AKG ones already installed in some housings.

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Installed those last nights laying in the rain in the driveway, hopefully these will hold up better. I also bent back out the heat shield for passenger side FCAB. I think that whole shield will just need to be replaced.

[samthejam]

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So my tire situation was in pretty dire shape. I asked around on facebook and SQ13 had some older 265/35R18s. They're older Acceleras like 7 years old but tread, so perfect enoough to get me around in interim until I can get a new set of 200tw.

This was an adventure in itself getting them back here.
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Then I stacked the wheels in...
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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

I have a bunch of extra SSRs but they don't match.

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I really liked the silver in the front. More on that later.

Next I wanted to tackle the ducting so went to my friend Alejandros house, and he had something I could use as well as a bunch of other hardware and little bullshit.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

I could not stare at the mistmatched wheels any longer, so I got the spray can out.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


I also realized I was losing my mind driving the car making changes trying to feel differences. I started to just wonder if the methodology I was using, to tune it which was mainly adjusting ignition timing because that's what I saw in the other tune. This just seemed like the wrong approach with the amazing vanos system on this engine. So I gave up and decided it was best for my time and sanity to outsource this.

So I bit the bullet and got a tune from @HassanEido. Absolutely wonderful experience, Feels great and my car has all the factory safeties. The level of transparency, communication from a tuner is something I have never seen before. So that has been great, going to start looking locally to find a dyno shop so he can get it perfect but so far the canned tune feels great.
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[Bry5on]

For tuning, smart to keep it simple with mild changes. Unfortunately it's very difficult to tell exactly when/where the DME is pulling timing because the sampling rate of the d-bus is so slow. The adaptation values for timing pull it based on events then slowly try to return back to 0 as I understand it, making tuning a little tough. These motors are also pretty sensitive to air/fuel ratio at part throttle, so if you're playing with timing and getting a better burn, you might need to add a bit of fuel. A user named Pavlo produced a pretty nice guide for doing basic part throttle fuel tuning which is super helpful, but won't replace a Wideband O2 to really nail it. Good luck!

[bigjae46]

I will grab that A/C Condensor just to have as a spare. I want to try and clean mine in the car if possible, but if it is pretty worn out than can put in yours.

Do you happen to have your original bellypan by chance?

No belly pan.

I’ve found cleaning the radiators helps a little but replacing it makes a much bigger impact. Really need to remove and then shake the crap out.

What do I have to do to get that headliner?

[samthejam]

I have an AC condenser that is in decent shape. That will help.

The biggest problem is you probably have a lot of high pressure air under the hood which stalls flow through the radiator and oil cooler. The E9X M3 ducts the oil cooler underneath the car out of the engine screening. That would help.

The other thing that helped a lot was swaintech coating my headers and reinstalling the heat shields. Then relocating the expansion tank to the drug bin and then replacing it with a 2l Canton tank helped a bunch. Also can run a higher pressure cap.

I will grab that A/C Condensor just to have as a spare. I want to try and clean mine in the car if possible, but if it is pretty worn out than can put in yours.

Do you happen to have your original bellypan by chance?

[samthejam]

I also see I am missing a fuck ton of the ducting, Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Mine doesn't even have the lower piece that directs air towards the oil cooler/rad, it's broken. Missing the side pieces and the undertray so going to source all that.
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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

[samthejam]

So, the path to tuning begins. I loaded the canned tune, which is for a Bimmerworld Race Exhaust with the same headers. I have the Street/Track exhaust, so I expected it to be close. I immediately had to switch to the stock throttle map, I preferred that much much more.

I didn’t feel a meaningful difference at WOT. If anything, near redline it felt like it pulled less hard. It wasn't burying the needle to 8k anymore, felt like it wanted to be shifted a bit early. However, part-throttle response was improved. I also saw the knock adaptation quickly start pulling timing. I came across a thread showing that the CSL setting can allow it to only pull 2 degrees of timing, but I have no idea which table that is. I’m not trying to take the risk of the DME wanting to pull timing but being unable to. If I could find that out I would be much more comfortable trying the canned file, for longer. The canned file had other CSL settings, for knock related things so I am just being precautious.

In my opinion that’s not looking very good, if your tune is based on CSL PD31. If I remember correct, the max knock adaption is limited there to 2.00°cr. So it can‘t go any higher than 2.00°. So if all knock adaptions are maxed out to max, you have to much ignition advance in your tune for you engine or wrong fuel.

I got similar results with wrong fuel in tank, I mapped my CSL based tune to 102 octan (German premium fuel) and when I put 98 in my tank I also have 2.00° across all cylinders.

Since I didn’t feel any meaningful difference at WOT, and I knew the knock sensors were desensitized, and the engine was pulling timing fairly quickly, even with relatively cool ambient temps. To me, that felt too aggressive.

This tune was used in a race car for many years, so it should be good. However, this isn’t a competition car—I drive it to tracks as far as 800 miles away.

I understand these might be tricks to help the engine hit a timing target, but unless I’ve verified that it’s not knocking on a dyno, I’d prefer to play it safe until I can get it on a dyno.

Here were the knock adaptation values after doing the same test loop and similar WOT/heavy part-throttle runs using the stock tune. So there’s clearly some room for improvement, and I’m using this as a tool to sort've gauge it.

I still don’t fully understand what this adaptation means, and based on other threads, it seems like others aren’t entirely sure either. But I figure it’s better than nothing, so I used it for data since the testing conditions were pretty consistent.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/25764-knock-ignition-adaptations

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/93397-acceptable-range-for-ignition-adaptation-values

One thing that surprised me was how much better part-throttle felt, even though the canned map didn’t have many changes to the VANOS. It basically only advanced the intake cam about 15 degrees at high RPM. The exhaust cam was barely touched—only about a degree at high load and RPM.

However, it had a fairly aggressive part-throttle ignition map, and the torque management’s optimal ignition map was also edited.

So I chose to focus a lot of my time on the part-throttle ignition map. I increased timing, but more mildly than the canned tune, and kept the high-load/high-RPM areas close to the WOT timing values. I also added a degree of commanded timing at WOT, since knock adaptation showed the DME was trying to add timing. The DME should have no issue pulling timing if needed due to fuel quality, high ambient temps, etc. I did not change the torque management, optimal ignition map or the ignition minimum map. Just the part throttle map.

As for the VANOS, I retarded the cams toward the US values at high RPM and load, but tapered them similar to the Euro maps to promote some scavenging at lower loads. At higher loads, this should be less stressful on the engine. I’ve attached a document from M3Forum where people discussed adjusting cam timing. I also richened the WOT fueling, which should help keep EGTs down and reduce stress on the drivetrain.

Why didn’t I just use the Euro VANOS maps? Good question. I know what I have now is safe. The Euro map seems to play with VANOS a lot more, presumably because they weren’t limited by the restrictive USDM cats. With my much freer-flowing exhaust, using the USDM values should be much easier on the engine.

I’d really like to do some VANOS testing on a dyno or through controlled logging to monitor airflow and see what actually benefits my setup. If I had a more standard dual exhaust system from the headers back, I’d definitely lean toward using the Euro VANOS targets.





How is it? I feel like part-throttle response is definitely improved around town, which is exactly what I was after. WOT feels like the engine is less strained compared to the canned tune. Since it’s running richer and using similar VANOS values—with just mild advance at lower loads—it should be safe. Knock values also looked good.




I understand the way I’m doing this isn’t ideal. Like I said, I’d love to get on a dyno, rent one for the day, and really find out what this setup wants.

That said, I feel like I’ve made sensible changes—nothing drastic, but ones that should only improve things and be much easier on the engine. I’ve also kept the factory safety features intact until I can test more aggressive settings in a controlled environment. I’ll attach the tune file in case anyone wants to take a look and share their thoughts. It’s a 2701, so be sure to use that definition.

This DME has a lot more going on than the one in my E28, but it’s been fun learning and experimenting so far.

[bigjae46]

I have an AC condenser that is in decent shape. That will help.

The biggest problem is you probably have a lot of high pressure air under the hood which stalls flow through the radiator and oil cooler. The E9X M3 ducts the oil cooler underneath the car out of the engine screening. That would help.

The other thing that helped a lot was swaintech coating my headers and reinstalling the heat shields. Then relocating the expansion tank to the drug bin and then replacing it with a 2l Canton tank helped a bunch. Also can run a higher pressure cap.

[samthejam]

As far as getting it to run cool. I am not sure. I want to get all the ducting, my friend from the wagon should have a parts car coming soon. So want to throw that at it, maybe the lower temp thermostat from the board here from Anri, or a motorsports one. As well as probably just fork the $500 for a Koyo Radiator.

The fan clutch is good, water pump is present and working. Two used OE rads do it, the 2016 ones had fantastic conditions of the fins. Thermostat appears good, tested before installing and no issues with temps. What sucks is it hard to replicate car has to be driven hard for multiple laps.

Road Atlanta is in June and my goal is to do that, so hopefully can figure something out.

[samthejam]

Another Update,

Some maintenance things were done before my last track weekend, new MAF done preventatively, new fuel filter and I was started to get a knocking noise. So I replaced my FCABs, as that was the cause. Only 19k miles out of these Bimmerworld TrackCABs. So not very happy with them. However it was only $20 for new bushings, so I threw a set in. Next year will switch to Turner Monoballs or the GC ones.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Still using the car for daily driving. I have taken the E28 out, went to Moto GP with it and to work once a week. However this is still my main car.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

When I got the car it came with this clusterfuck of exhaust hardware. I have been buying Genuine Gaskets, but the bolts tend to back out and they're pretty pricey to keep doing. So I got all brand new hardware for this junction. I really wish I had found OE Euro headers. One day...

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Cracked another cheapy rear rotor. Also got some more NOS PFC 83s. It was the last set the guy had. So on the next set onto PFC 11s.
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If you remember last time at COTA the car was getting warm. So I threw a 2016 date code OE rad at it.
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Also did an oil change but car was prepped for the next event.
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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr



Needed to help my friend Ale get his wagon ready. His rear wheel bearing was going bad. He decided to just swap one from a parts car. So we did that one night, I forgot I gave my RTAB tool to someone. So had to burn and hacksaw the bushings out. We also found his coilovers were leaking. So I sold him my old GCs as well as got him some takeoff race pads to get through the weekend.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

The track weekend ended up being fantastic! Mainly because of Sunday, however Saturday was filled with ups and downs. I was very booked with instructor workload and the car was getting warm after 4 hot laps. I wasn't meeting my time goals. I went to bleed it but noticed there seemed to be a lot of bubbles that kept coming from nowhere. I am very good at catosphrizng things and wanted answers. So I bought an exhaust gas tester for the cooling system to rule that out and make sure I wasn't going to hurt anything. The gauge was only getting up to 3/4, and that makes me pretty anxious.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

It passed the headgasket test so I kept running it. Luckily we also got cooler weather and rain and car was doing perfect for that. Also added water wetter for shits and giggle.

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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Fun slides with one of my miata friends.

This was a scary one.

I also tested it at home once again with the headgasket tester, just to double check it. Sunday was a much cooler today, not that Satuday was very hot, only 85 degrees. Sunday was 50-60s, which is perfect. MSRH surface can be very temperamental too temperature. Despite this, car did fantastic all day.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

The surface also tears up tires, however getting fantastic wear for the fronts. The rears were actually lower after this event for tread. I am stoked about that! One of the issues with my E28 was getting it to have decent front tire wear. This car currently has a sharp turn in, and wants to be oversteer with the throttle which is how I enjoy driving. It isn't always fast but it is fun.

https://youtube.com/shorts/t4MPADWjkAk?si=vfOiRvDRpunAq6H5

I cleared space for my SD card at lunch and I am an idiot. Deleted all those PBs from the morning. I thought I backed them up, but I didn't.

I was able to get this video though. I though it was very interesting to see how the car looks from an outside perspective compared to my in car perspective.

Some more pictures:
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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
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[WestBankM4]

Great thread, the car has come a long way to make it onto the track reliably thus far.

[samthejam]

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Despite leaving about 2.5 hours away from COTA, it's a an intimidating place and I have always made an excuse to not go. This time I didn't know I had a car that could take it, but man was it hard on the M3.


It was a good weekend and car got home in one piece.


Saturday it was running to 3/4 for water temp. So I guess it needs a rad. I have never seen this thing go over half on track before, it was only about 85F. I had heater on full blast and it was holding there. My dads car was always at half, I want to make some effort to get that temp gauge down for the 90+ degree track events.

The stupid sunroof panel from my dads old car kept falling out, coupled with me being worried about the gauge AND really struggling through turn 13-16 it was a bad time. My instructor experience was quite stressful. I couldn't break past a 2:38.

Luckily, we got rain. Which brought cooler temps for everything and I learn a lot quicker in the rain. So I was able to figure out what the car liked and the surface here isn't fucked like MSR so could practice dry line in the wet.


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This set me up for the next morning. I stayed in San Marco, so like a 45 min drive from the track.
After a decent night sleep, and the things I learned in the rain. My pace picked up significantly Sunday by 2-3 seconds average but with the cold temps in the morning I was able to see a 2:34 on the laptimer. Goal was a 2:35.

Which isn’t totally correct since the start finish was in the wrong spot but it’s still a 2:35 if you hand time it at regular start finish.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

With my pace having picked up my brakes were struggling. Pad started disappearing quite quickly. I will need to add cooling. The RF shock also Sunday was creating some really odd shake in the wheel when unloaded in long right handers as well as just making the car handle odd. So there goes my PFC 83s I really liked.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr




So I guess it's time for the old GC's to put in some service, use them until the blow as well.

Action Items for next time:
- Get COTA added to my Aim Solo
- figure out front shocks
- genuine OE rad, or maybe Koyo (research if they are good)
- Add Brake Ducts/Cooling (deflectors?)
- Drive better.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

[samthejam]

So I went to spectate Nascar at COTA this past weekend, since I'll be there next weekend remember how to get there and also enjoy Nascar.

I only really took videos of the nascar part so these are the only pics I have from that weekend really.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

Fairly uneventful, went and enjoyed that and helped my friend finish up his engine swap into his frs. First time working on a LS but we got it running that night didn't home until like 2am.

The only hiccup to note with the M3 was, the ABS light was coming and going. Could key cycle it and I'd have ABS again. Indicative of an ABS sensor.

Next morning I scanned it,
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Sure enough it is the LF sensor. So off to the yard I went. I was also able to find a better but still not correct passenger arm rest, spare GM5 and a depo rear tailight thing.

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Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

You can change it without jacking the car up! AlSo I did that in a friends driveway, I overfilled the oil a hair when I did the change and he had a thing to suck the extra out. So I did both items there. His jacks weren't low car friendly but we made it work. The old sensor appears to be aftermarket it had no correct things to hold it down.

Next day Monday, I had the Monday off for some government paperwork I needed to take care of. So I got new tires mounted, the Montero didn't start so loaded them in the E28. Also got the alignment checked at another place because it was quicker, everything was exactly where it should be so they didn't charge me anything. It was nice to sanity check my alignment work on the other machine. Holy shit do tires make a difference. I knew the others were heat cycled out but man is it always such a change.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Than I gave it a much deserved wash. I hate Tire Shine but the car wash applies it by default so whatever.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr