332ti at Autobahn in August

[slowoldpoop]

I started looking up replacement bushings and found there are zillions of different parts that can be replaced. This could cost a fortune if I replaced everything. Which ones do you recommend I replace? Poly or Delrin? Any particular supplier?

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by slowoldpoop

I started looking up replacement bushings and found there are zillions of different parts that can be replaced. This could cost a fortune if I replaced everything. Which ones do you recommend I replace? Poly or Delrin? Any particular supplier?

Which bushings?
Some people use solid aluminum sub frame bushings.

[slowoldpoop]

Well, that's my question. What bushings should I replace? I don't know enough about BMWs, I guess.

[spidertri]

Front control arm bushings, rear subframe, and rear trailing arm make the biggest difference. Better trans mounts are good for the track so you don't money shift the transmission. Material is up to you, personal preference for sure.

A lot of information and good discussion can be found on the bimmerforums track section.

[slowoldpoop]

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know.

The Bimmerforums are great, but I wanted specific advice on a 318ti, and I figured I'd get better information over here.

[mohaughn]

Chiming in on an old thread. I've been through a similar freshening of my car, and run the TcKline DA's.

You need to replace every bushing in the car. If they've never been replaced, they are worn and definitely need to be replaced. If you can't tell for sure if they have or have not been replaced, definitely replace them. You don't want to have a massive failure at speed.

You mention you just have your shocks set to full stiff. Why? Have you tried softening them? Excessively stiff shock settings can cause a lack of traction. I would also think that your description of what the problem is needs to be better. Is it sliding at turn in, at apex, at track out? Issues under braking, under acceleration or steady state throttle?

The basics of suspension setup and tuning on a 318ti apply to all vehicles the same. Make sure everything is in 100% perfect working order, make sure the handling issue isn't related to a worn part or worn tires first. Get yourself a proper track alignment, nothing to aggressive, but both the front and rear wheels can benefit from some added camber, -2 to -3 degrees in the front. I like a slight amount of toe out in the front, or zero toe or slight toe-in in the rear.

If the car is swapped, what kind of shape is the differential in? Is it stock?

Knowing exactly where the problem in handling exists will help you figure out if it is suspension related or drivetrain related. Should be easy enough to know where the car is going into under/oversteer and what your inputs at the time were. That is essential information in terms of tuning a suspension.

You definitely need to go look at your springs and see what the rates are. TcKline has a tendency to make the rear end way to soft on these cars, but that should help with rear traction. Losing the rear sway bar also greatly helps with on throttling traction. I don't, and haven't for a long time, run a rear bar.

[slowoldpoop]

Moh:
When the shop installed the TC Kline, they set it to street settings, and told me so. But they didn't give me the setup sheet from TC Kline. So when we got to the track, we set the shocks to maximum. Well, that didn't work. I subsequently got the setup sheet, adjusted to the TCKline recommendations, and it's much better. Like other prepped M3s, it lifts the inside front wheel on corners.

This winter's projects will be an M50 manifold, chip and bushings.

I ALMOST got me a stage 4 Turner engine, already built up, but couldn't agree on price with the seller.

[1996 328ti]

RSBs
This made me think of something.
I recently replaced my polyurethane RSBs because they where crumbling.
Last time at VIR I was consistently 2 seconds faster every lap with the new bushings.
I thought it was because my Nittos where just getting good.
Looking back it was probably fresh RSBs.

[slowoldpoop]

I picked up 1-2 seconds after resetting the suspension.
Maybe with bushings, I'll get another two seconds like you.
And the engine mods ought to be good for another second.

Crikies! The car might be FAST!!!