MMM 318ti - getting low

[andy]

Haven't posted in a while, but I thought I'd post a few pics - we've done some extensive reworking of the rear of the car to get it handling as well as the hondas, evo, and other cars we usually race against. In order to get it this low, we've done some relocation of the subframe as well as some ...uh... 'clearancing' of the floorpan under the trunk...somewhat influenced by some of the DTM and 320i turbo modifications popular with the semi-trailing arms.



Here's the start of our last race in June at Sears Point - I jumped from 6th place qualifying to 3rd by turn 2. The ti launches very well.



I should have in-car video of the race ready soon.

[thesk8nmidget]

sweet! any pictures of the rear subframe?

[madfronter]

Very nice. Do you have any pictures of whats under the hood of your car? I would love to see and hear more about your ti.

[StealthBimmer]

+1 More pics and details on the track ti. Looks like a fast one you got there.

[andy]

I'm afraid I don't have any more pics of the rear setup at this point - things are still changing a bit. Suffice it to say that with 5" springs we had to essentially remove the height adjuster to get the rear low enough. Eventually, I think rear coilovers will be a necessity.

The car is completely stripped and race prepped - 2.8l with S52 cams, stock ECU with chip, custom exhaust, etc. For USTCC competition it is restricted to a power to weight ratio of 12.21 whp / weight with driver. So we shoot for about 210 whp, and we're trying to minimize weight, but we have a way to go, the cars typically about 2680 with me in it at the end of a race with enough gas.

Here's some in-car from our April race (still working on the last race)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...66970018&hl=en

Also, here's the series TV show from the same event:

http://www.finaldrive.net/April2008SP.wmv

I'll see if I can put some more pics of the car up soon.

[andy]

Oh - to see a comparison, check out my photo gallery. Those pics were before we really went to work on the chassis.

[thesk8nmidget]

nice thanks for the video! looks like a blast! damn work computer wont load most of it but the parts i saw were good

[Philly]

even before, how could you not hang with FWD Honduhs on the track as far as handling?

either way man, im super jealous

[andy]

Or the SRT-4 - I'm being beaten by a dodge.

When it really comes down to it, a real race car is going to go as fast as you optimize the equation: (build to the limit of the rules x Money) = Speed

It doesn't matter if said race car started life as a Ferrari, or a Hundai. If my competitors spend 10x what I did on shocks, and spend hours and hours testing their cars, and I don't then their cars are going to work better. But that's the whole exercise here, is getting the 'ti really dialed in where my lighter less powerful car can keep up. And you will notice on the starts, I do tend to get around a few people - rwd really helps there.

Lastly - I would point out that most modern hondas have a much more advanced suspension than the ti - unequal A-arms retain better camber curves and retain more travel when lowered than semi-trailing arms do. Once we get the rear really buttoned down, we'll get some pics up of what had to do. Put it this way - we're at a point now where the rear sway bar won't fit between the axles and the floorpan anymore and allow full travel. Time for more custom work.

[gimp]

^^^^

You are really trying to hurt me.

I sold my 1999 Hyundai Accent (Street Mod with homemade turbo setup) to buy my SRT-4.
I sold my SRT-4 to buy my 318til.

LOL

[mohaughn]

So Andy, what have you done to the front end of the car to handle getting that low? Running any of the trick bimmerworld or RRT control arms or front suspension goodies?

[mohaughn]

Andy- did you know that you are on page 76 of the October 2008 issue of Grassroot motorsports?

It is an article about a Fiero, you are parked next to his car.

[Maverix]

I think I have to change my pants now

[Cali330ti]

In for updates on rear setup.

[hatchgrafix]

Originally Posted by Cali330ti

In for updates on rear setup.

BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been trying to figure out the TI's rear end, it's got it for me right now, but I know it could be way better with some tricks! Did you get the springs custom from Eibach?

I'd like mine at stock height but stiffer, so what spring rate are you using, around 800lb?