What are the important upgrades for a street/track car

woh · 05-22-2008, 03:41 PM

I'm planning to take my ti to the track occasionally. It is a '96 318ti with the M package. Since it needs new brake pads I will be doing a brake job before going to the track. The mechanic suggested going to cross-drilled rotors and slightly uprated pads.

What are the important upgrades to make this more fun to drive on the track, and still keep it a street car? (ie not going exotic)

thesk8nmidget · 05-22-2008, 03:50 PM

suspension suspension suspension!

stock mtech suspension is plenty good enough for some fun on the track but upgrading it some more makes all the difference! xbrace also would help tighten up the chassis.

pretty much with our cars we need to rely on good handling to win. not so much power.

and keep in mind a good tight suspension and lower center of gravity will help a TON!

also brakes would be helpful as well. and also a nice set of tires will make a big difference!

mohaughn · 05-22-2008, 06:53 PM

I would avoid cross drilled rotors. Most of the cheap ones are for looks only. There are no good cross drilled rotors that will fit stock Ti brakes...

If you want to upgrade your brakes, look for a 32x brake upgrade.. Best bang for the buck if you don't mind used stuff..

Otherwise, stock OEM rotors with some good pads will be ok to start tracking with... You may eventually get to the point that you want to vented rotors that a 32x upgrade gets you.

Other than that, suspension, and maybe an ECU flash...

gimp · 05-22-2008, 07:49 PM

The most important upgrade is the driver, closely followed by the rule book for the organization/class you wish to run.

You will get the most gains from becoming a better driver, but you also need to make sure that if you make any upgrades, that they don't stick you into a class where you won't be able to compete (x-brace in autocross is a perfect example).

aceyx · 05-22-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woh

The mechanic suggested going to cross-drilled rotors and slightly uprated pads.

Get a new mechanic.

thesk8nmidget · 05-22-2008, 09:31 PM

i agree that the best mod is you! you will learn what makes you faster and what doesnt. if you can get a nice in car video of your runs you can watch them and see what you could do differently!

woh · 05-23-2008, 04:24 AM

Thanks all for the advise.

After searching a while I find no agreement on the value of cross-drilled rotors. I decided to pass on that.

BimmerBum · 05-23-2008, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohaughn

I would avoid cross drilled rotors. Most of the cheap ones are for looks only. There are no good cross drilled rotors that will fit stock Ti brakes...

Zimmerman makes a set for the ti, both early and late. I am not a huge fan of drilled rotors but I have raced on zimmermans without issue. Zimmermans are not drilled, they are cast. I also have the last 20 sets of Brembo slotted non-vented rotors for the ti. I am a huge fan of slotted rotors...

Philly · 05-23-2008, 04:56 AM

i hear alot of bad things about both slotted and cross-drilled.... and im not sure what i should go with.

Slotted apparently isn't so great because it slices the brake pads... and cross drilled because of cracking... so I don't know what the smartest way go is.
I have the 32x calipers - now i just need to find some good rotors.

BimmerBum · 05-23-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woh

What are the important upgrades to make this more fun to drive on the track, and still keep it a street car? (ie not going exotic)

Stickers mostly... lots and lots of stickers...

roadrash · 05-23-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerBum

Stickers mostly... lots and lots of stickers...

LOL

+1.... QFT

And don't forget the ///M badges ! !

Seriously though... a driving school is probably the best "first upgrade" you can make. If you can't control the car and push it to its limits "as is," it's doubtful that you'll be able to do so with bigger brakes, better suspension, and more horsepower.

BimmerBum · 05-23-2008, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly

i hear alot of bad things about both slotted and cross-drilled.... and im not sure what i should go with.

Slotted apparently isn't so great because it slices the brake pads... and cross drilled because of cracking... so I don't know what the smartest way go is.
I have the 32x calipers - now i just need to find some good rotors.

I have slotted brembos all the way around on my coupe and I love em... I have never noticed the pads to wear any different.

I have zimmerman cross drilled rotors on my E46 wagon, I have raced on them with no issues.

I have also sold many many sets of each and never a complaint.

**lazoh** · 05-23-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerBum

I have slotted brembos all the way around on my coupe and I love em... I have never noticed the pads to wear any different.

I have zimmerman cross drilled rotors on my E46 wagon, I have raced on them with no issues.

I have also sold many many sets of each and never a complaint.

I have Zimmerman cross drilled in my MINI for the past 2 years and no issues as of now. I had Stillen cross drilled a set of Brembos for the ti and for the past 4 years no issues.

I bet that people have issues with cheap ebay cross drilled rotors and that might be where the bad reviews come from.

BimmerBum · 05-23-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazoh

I bet that people have issues with cheap ebay cross drilled rotors and that might be where the bad reviews come from.

There are several people on eBay who buy zimmerman and brembo blanks, drill them themselves and sell them as cross drilled brembos or zimmermans as if they came from the company that way. Drilling a rotor after the fact will likely weaken the rotor and could very well lead to balance issues.

Brembo actually drills their rotors, but their engineers decide where the holes are made.

thesk8nmidget · 05-23-2008, 02:20 PM

i would say just steer clear of ebay for cheap cross drilled brakes make sure to pay the extra for authentic ones

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