E36M3 #3264

This digest contains the following messages:

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#1. "Ron Buchalski"   RTAB ??? - from Erik
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:12:38 -0700
From: "Erik" <Erik@mpactmotorsports.com>
Subject: "Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@hotmail.com>  RTAB ???

Ron,

I have installed over 20 sets of RTABs in everything from stockers to heavy
duty track cars.  I have seen completely failed stock style RTABs at 20k
miles in cars that see 1-2 track days a month.  Generally speaking, the
average service life of a set, in my experience, is about 40k with very
light track/autocross use.  Given your use of the car, I would bet they are
toast.  I would also HIGHLY recommend replacing them ASAP, and not driving
the car until you do.  I have seen 4 cars that went too long, and had
varying degrees of damage.  The mounting points pull out of the car, and
when they get to a certain point, you can look forward to a $1500 or so
repair to do it right.  This can be a DIY job, if you have the tools.  For
reference, I charge $140 with parts for stock replacements (you want the 96+
units) and about $200 with parts for the Powerflex units (Which I and others
have been very happy with)

Let me know if you have any other questions, good luck!

Erik Lind
MPACT Motorsports
#95 BSP
95MPWR

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#2. RE: Need new race tires, opinions? (MPSC) - from BOOM,BILL (HP-Roseville,ex1)
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:56:28 -0700
From: "BOOM,BILL (HP-Roseville,ex1)" <bill.boom@hp.com>
Subject: RE: Need new race tires, opinions? (MPSC)

> From: Jay G <jguzman@hawaii.edu>
> Subject: MPSC Re: Need new race tires, opinions?
> 
> hey bill, i have to add in another data point on the pilot
> sports cup tires...i've had mine for over 1.5 years, (i also
> got them USED from james at bimmerworld) and they work
> pretty good for autocross...

I stand corrected. :-)

- Bill

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#3. Re: [E36M3] What do I need to do to a 08/94 production.... - from alex.fadeev@verizon.com
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 12:16:44 -0500
From: alex.fadeev@verizon.com
Subject: Re: [E36M3] What do I need to do to a 08/94 production....

SCOTT DOTY <sdoty@optonline.net> wrote:
> 
> '95 M3 to update the suspension(RTAB or other, reinforce suspension
> pickup points, etc) to make it like the '96 and newer cars. 

Scott,
Chances are you already have the newer RTABs. 
Depending on mileage/(ab-)use, you may be ready for a new set. 
GC reinforcements/plastic washers are a nice upgrade to either M or non-M 
cars, of all vintages.

> Also, anything else you guys would do to make my 3-6 track days a year 
> more enjoyable and not rip up the car(longevity stuff)? 

3-6 days == 1-3 DEs. That's nothing. 
Just keep an eye on the usual suspension pieces, relax and have fun.

> I had an E30M3 with lots of stuff done to the suspension and brakes
> and the motor to improve performance and longevity.

Aha, that explains the paranoia...
;-)

alex f
ducking and hiding...

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#4. Re: [E36M3] RTAB Question - from alex.fadeev@verizon.com
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 12:31:08 -0500
From: alex.fadeev@verizon.com
Subject: Re: [E36M3] RTAB Question

"Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> While prepping my car for the last DE (end of May), I noticed that, 
> when  either rear wheel was lifted on the jack (at the jackpad), when 
> I tighten the lug bolts on the rear wheel, I can hear a slight 'clunk'
> when torque is applied to the lug bolt.  The 'clunk' sounds like it's
> coming from the RTAB area.

That's not good, but I guess you already know that ;-)

> The car currently has 43k miles on it, original RTABs (10/94 build), 
> and has seen close to 30 track days since 1998 (was someone's garage 
> queen prior to that).

Could be time for the new RTABs. Could be something weird like the rear 
toe brackets enclosing the RTABs working themselves loose (when was the 
last time the car was aligned?). Could be something else entirely 
different. 
Jack the rear of the car, take a flashlight and a big-ass screw driver and 
inspect the RTABs. If applying the screw driver induces any significant 
bushing movement, or if you can spot any surface cracks, then you know you 
need new bushings. 

> I know the first response is "Replace the RTABs", but I don't experience
> the rear end "weirdness" on the track that is a common symptom of worn
> RTABs. 

Neither did I. And my 78K mile RTABs were in pretty good shape when they 
came out. 
However, the new bushings with GC reinforcement do feel more solid. I 
suspect that reinforcement have more to do with this than the new 
bushings, but there is no way to tell. 

> I planned to replace the RTABs this summer, but after the last DE, 
> I'm wondering if they're really bad.

Inspect them and take it from there!

alex f

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#5. Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5... - from Sue Kraft
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 12:37:32 -0500
From: Sue Kraft <suekraft@new.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

So who wants to trade in their M3 for an old e28? :-)

Suzy

Carey Probst wrote:

> Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:12:01 -0400
> From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu>
> Subject: RE: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...
>
> Suzy,
>
> Isn't this your baby?
>
> Selling already?
>
> Rejoining the E36M3 club with a real M3 again?
>
> Carey Probst, '99 M3/2, '86 325e w/i cam
> BMW CCA Patroon and Genesee Valley Chapters
> JC CAIed and Sharked, Stressed, Schrothed, Gauged, Hitched, X-Braced

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#6. Re: [E36M3] RE: Need new race tires, opinions? - from Rex Tener
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 10:51:22 -0700
From: Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] RE: Need new race tires, opinions?

At 12:32 PM 7/17/2003 -0500, BOOM,BILL (HP-Roseville,ex1) wrote:
> > > Another tire I've heard good things about are the Michlen
> > Pilot Sport
> > > Cup.  It appears they wear well and have grip as good or
> > better than the
> > > RA-1.  The down side is cost and limited sizes.
> > >
> > > Peter Fanning
>
>I run the MPSCs at the track and agree that they have good grip, wear, and
>consistency (much better than Kumho Victos on all counts.) But I find that
>it takes a lap or two for them to warm up... for that reason, they probably
>aren't well suited for autocross.


That was Navid Kahangi's experience with them at an autocross last 
year.  At the 7/14 event at Oakland he said he couldn't get any heat into 
the tires and the tires never really stuck.

<http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Results/2002/Championship/round13.html#sm>

He did much better on Hoosiers two weeks later at Marina.

<http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Results/2002/Championship/round15.html#sm>

The Oakland event is also the event when Gary Richardson decided his Audi 
TT just wasn't going be competitive in Street Mod.  Then he went and bought 
a Dinan supercharged '95 M3 and added Bob Tunnell's recipe for a BSP 
car.  That is the car that Jeff Reitmeir won the SCCA Solo II Street Mod 
National Championship in last year.

--
Rex Tener
rex_tener@yahoo.com
1996 BMW M3, SCCA SFR Solo II Street-Mod Light (as in lightly modified) #173

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#7. RE: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5... - from Carey Probst
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 14:00:18 -0400
From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu>
Subject: RE: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

Does it come with Packers tickets?

Not the M3 but I'd be willing to trade my E30 with dash in rear seat I'm
converting to track use.

;-)

Carey

-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Kraft [mailto:suekraft@new.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 1:43 PM
To: E36M3
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...


Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 12:37:32 -0500
From: Sue Kraft <suekraft@new.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

So who wants to trade in their M3 for an old e28? :-)

Suzy

Carey Probst wrote:

> Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:12:01 -0400
> From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu>
> Subject: RE: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...
>
> Suzy,
>
> Isn't this your baby?
>
> Selling already?
>
> Rejoining the E36M3 club with a real M3 again?
>

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-------------------- 8 --------------------

#8. Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5... - from Michael Lawrence
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 14:18:06 -0400
From: "Michael Lawrence" <95m3ltw@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

So give us details about the short love affair with it.  Too temperamental?
There was one here locally and the owner was selling, trying to find a stock
euro E28/e34 M5, stating that the turbo work distracted too much from the
car as a whole.   I would think lots of HP would always be a bonus.   Then
there was another guy who had his M6 turbocharged and liked it so much, sent
the M5 to dinan for the same.   Then he went insane on both cars with boost,
and blew both up.  You would think after over boosting the first one, he
would have learned.

Mike
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sue Kraft" <suekraft@new.rr.com>
To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net>
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 1:42 PM
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...


> Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 12:37:32 -0500
> From: Sue Kraft <suekraft@new.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...
>
> So who wants to trade in their M3 for an old e28? :-)
>
> Suzy
>
> Carey Probst wrote:
>
> > Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:12:01 -0400
> > From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu>
> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...
> >
> > Suzy,
> >
> > Isn't this your baby?
> >
> > Selling already?
> >
> > Rejoining the E36M3 club with a real M3 again?
> >
> > Carey Probst, '99 M3/2, '86 325e w/i cam
> > BMW CCA Patroon and Genesee Valley Chapters
> > JC CAIed and Sharked, Stressed, Schrothed, Gauged, Hitched, X-Braced
>
>
>
> *************************************************
> Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors:
> Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com
> Rogue Engineering  http://www.rogueengineering.com
> BMW M3 Specialties  http://www.jt-designs.com
> Bimmerworld  http://www.bimmerworld.com
> Turner Motorsport  http://www.turnermotorsport.com
>
> DIGEST INFORMATION:
> http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm
> *************************************************
>
>
>
> This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and
> privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,
> please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this
> e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this
> information by a person other than the intended recipient is
> unauthorized and may be illegal.

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-------------------- 9 --------------------

#9. Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5... - from Sue Kraft
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 13:48:09 -0500
From: Sue Kraft <suekraft@new.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

Unlike its owner, the M5 isn't tempermental at all. I don't think the previous
owner even knew how fast the car really is. I recently had a tune up done on the
car and while replacing the fuel filter discovered the in tank fuel pump wasn't
working. What a difference that made when it was fixed. I actually haven't had
any problems with the turbo at all (knock on wood!)

Suzy

Michael Lawrence wrote:

> So give us details about the short love affair with it.  Too temperamental?
> There was one here locally and the owner was selling, trying to find a stock
> euro E28/e34 M5, stating that the turbo work distracted too much from the
> car as a whole.   I would think lots of HP would always be a bonus.   Then
> there was another guy who had his M6 turbocharged and liked it so much, sent
> the M5 to dinan for the same.   Then he went insane on both cars with boost,
> and blew both up.  You would think after over boosting the first one, he
> would have learned.

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-------------------- 10 --------------------

#10. Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5... - from Michael Lawrence
Top
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 14:59:21 -0400
From: "Michael Lawrence" <95m3ltw@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...

 Actually I didn't mean to sound or imply that I was saying it was a
problematic car by any stretch.  Was just wondering why/what is replacing
it.  Most turbo cars are always reliable, until the owner/driver thinks,
"hmm, 8psi is good, so 12-14 must be better, hmm 14psi is better, 16-18 must
be great"  kaboom.  haha.

The two local ones who the owner ran at 18psi I believe showed clear signs
of over boost in a big way.   I cant remember what the HP numbers were, but
they were very high.

Mike
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sue Kraft" <suekraft@new.rr.com>
To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net>
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...


> Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 13:48:09 -0500
> From: Sue Kraft <suekraft@new.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Turbo M5...
>
> Unlike its owner, the M5 isn't tempermental at all. I don't think the
previous
> owner even knew how fast the car really is. I recently had a tune up done
on the
> car and while replacing the fuel filter discovered the in tank fuel pump
wasn't
> working. What a difference that made when it was fixed. I actually haven't
had
> any problems with the turbo at all (knock on wood!)
>
> Suzy
>
> Michael Lawrence wrote:
>
> > So give us details about the short love affair with it.  Too
temperamental?
> > There was one here locally and the owner was selling, trying to find a
stock
> > euro E28/e34 M5, stating that the turbo work distracted too much from
the
> > car as a whole.   I would think lots of HP would always be a bonus.
Then
> > there was another guy who had his M6 turbocharged and liked it so much,
sent
> > the M5 to dinan for the same.   Then he went insane on both cars with
boost,
> > and blew both up.  You would think after over boosting the first one, he
> > would have learned.
>
>
>
> *************************************************
> Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors:
> Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com
> Rogue Engineering  http://www.rogueengineering.com
> BMW M3 Specialties  http://www.jt-designs.com
> Bimmerworld  http://www.bimmerworld.com
> Turner Motorsport  http://www.turnermotorsport.com
>
> DIGEST INFORMATION:
> http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm
> *************************************************
>
>
>
> This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and
> privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,
> please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this
> e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this
> information by a person other than the intended recipient is
> unauthorized and may be illegal.

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