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Old 08-09-2017, 03:30 AM   #1
BlackBMWs
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Cool New life as a track build - 98 S52

Original post and photos on Facebook. Capturing here in case anyone has questions on a similar build or component.

I am interested in what graphix or color scheme I may use for this build. Looking through Euro Compacts graphics for ideas. Last one was Yellow, Black and Red. I'll settle on my next colors and patterns.

I'll peel the Yellow plastidip off the Cali...

Rich

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the last two weeks I have made a few mods to my DD 1998 S52 TI to replace my 1998 Cali M44 TI for track. I got bumped to a faster run group and the reliable M44 just didn't have the umph to keep pace.


Suspension updates: Rebuilt the rear subframe with urethane subframe bushings, Delrin trailing arm bushings, Z3 steering rack with new tie rods. Swapped out the stock sport 26/17mm sway bars with Eibach 29/19mm F/R sway bars with urethane bushings, moved over my Mason rear strut bar.

Drivetrain: Swapped in a ZF 5 speed transmission with a UCC lightweight flywheel, E34 M5 clutch and pressure plate, solid motor and tranny mounts, replaced the pilot bushing, swapped in a 3.25 LSD, new clutch slave cylinder and stainless steel clutch line. UCC shift rod, short shifter with a stainless cup and ball with Delrin bushings.

Engine: Replaced rear main seal and replaced failed starter. ��

Body: Bride drivers seat and harness. Threw on LED tail lights so John could see me brake... ��. Installed the side airflow panels for the radiator, added in a Mtech underbody panel for undercar airflow. Replaced missing crush nuts for the Xbrace.

Swapped license plates to add some character. Pulled out the subwoofer.

Brakes: Replaced the old rubber brake lines with stainless steel brake lines, Hawk HP + track pads. I cleaned and painted the brake calipers screaming yellow just because.

Maintenance: Swapped out all fluids with Redline. Mixed tranny gear viscosity to prevent gear chatter due to the lightweight flywheel. ATE Blue brake fluid flush. Drained and refreshed BMW coolant. Changed all filters. Refilled the steering rack and reservoir with Synthetic ATF.

Rubber: Threw on a set of K1s with Bridgestone RE-71s then another set of staggered 68s with lower profile RE-71s.

————————————————————

Awesome track days resulted with the S52 and all the new gear. I had to retrain myself with the added power and the super grabby M5 clutch. The ZFs larger flex disc should handle that just fine.

I totally smoked both fronts brakes after the first run session on Saturday. (Literally, someone in the pits thought the front end of my car was on fire from the smoke on both sides...) Brake pads bedded during use. Brakes were awesome and didn't smoke after the Hawk pads bedded. Still running the non vented fronts. Potential front and rear upgrades to happen. The M44 has Vented 328i fronts and E34 rear calipers and has less braking effort overall while maintaining F/R bias.

The Z3 rack sure does make a difference, nice crisp turning with less arm motion at speed.

With all the solid mounts the car is way noisier, but shifting is improved and drivetrain flex is prolly greatly reduced. I did spend lotsa time wondering if I had a loose nut somewhere aside from my driving pal John.

The cooling vanes kept the temp right at 12 o'clock. Never moved... ��

Driving carefully/conservatively on Saturday, I knocked 4 seconds off my fastest M44 run last month. I know the car potential is there, just have to tune the driver to the cars potential. I learned some new dynamics about the M5 clutch...

Moving forward, I'll reinforce both front and rear subframes, swap out the steering flex joint and swap out my front strut bar. Also have to add some heat insulation to the transmission tunnel as the heat was roasting my butt. �� (the old insulation had deteriorated to the point only the bell housing is covered. )

Noisy and loud just now it seems pretty raw, but sooooo much fun to drive. reinstalling the subwoofer in the car solved the noise issue...

My Cali will be restored to a daily driver. Cali has been such a great starter and training car.

I was able to do most all of the mods myself with a little assistance where I needed a third hand or two because of the great info you all put into this forum.

Thanks for that... Cheers!
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

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Last edited by BlackBMWs; 08-09-2017 at 03:34 AM.
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