Its turning intoo a track car ....

[scotty_24]

So, it seems my cars turning more and more into a track car.
It never gets used now, only on track days and B reoad blasts.

One thing about the car, its heavy.
Been looking into cost effective ways at shedding weight. Its partially stripped but I could go the whole hog and take front carpets out etc.

Has anyone used these poly windows?
http://www.acwmotorsportplastics.co.uk/AUD01FDWP.html

Is it possible to mount them to the regulators so they still frunction as normal windows?

Cars on eibach springs and Koni shocks, and with stripping some weight the cars embarrasingly high. I think im going to go down the route of decent coilovers.

KW or ST by KW Coilovers?

 

[shaunevo6]

My understanding is the difference between KW and ST is KW kits use stainless steel for the tubes and the ST kits just use the normal steel. Apparently use all the same seals ect inside them both.

 

[scotty_24]

so the KW are better for longevity, but ST are the same quality @DPM

 

[Erikn89nl]

If you want it to be a track car, I'd go for the most levels of adjustment you can afford... @Prawn can chime in here too

 

[DPM]

so the KW are better for longevity, but ST are the same quality @DPM

The main difference is that the KW kits have stainless steel housing and the ST kits have galvanised housing.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Jay A3]

Love the Kw's
Stop faffing round and buy them. About the windows, might be worth speaking to @StaceyS3 he might be able to help regarding windows. Front and back windscreens too? The full works ?

 

[Prawn]

I'd be looking at Gaz Golds or BC BR I think, given you don't want to spend mega monies.

Both KW V3 and the ST use springs that are far too soft for a track car.

@daz-20vt had a se of Gaz golds custom rated for his old S3, and they were absolutely fantastic, although I forget the rates off the top of my head. I think they were 10kg front and 16kg rear due to the silly motion ratio (0.57 I think on the back of an S3?)

If you want to retain some comfort, the V3 or St springs will do that, but it'll always be slightly compromised on track. mine, despite being fairly capable, is far far too soft really, so I'm speaking from experience of the V3's.

if you want a hugely capable road car that won't shake your teeth out though, more like Erik, then the KW / ST offerings will be right up your street.

As usual, it's horses for courses.

 

[scotty_24]

I'd be looking at Gaz Golds or BC BR I think, given you don't want to spend mega monies.

Both KW V3 and the ST use springs that are far too soft for a track car.

@daz-20vt had a se of Gaz golds custom rated for his old S3, and they were absolutely fantastic, although I forget the rates off the top of my head. I think they were 10kg front and 16kg rear due to the silly motion ratio (0.57 I think on the back of an S3?)

If you want to retain some comfort, the V3 or St springs will do that, but it'll always be slightly compromised on track. mine, despite being fairly capable, is far far too soft really, so I'm speaking from experience of the V3's.

if you want a hugely capable road car that won't shake your teeth out though, more like Erik, then the KW / ST offerings will be right up your street.

As usual, it's horses for courses.

Ahhh I do remember Daz saying he had the Gaz coilovers. Il look into them and the BC BR, they are pretty big in Renault world arent they.

Yeah I want the best for the money I can afford. Its not a daily and harshness doesn't bother me at all. Its a B road blast in my spare time and every track day I can afford type car ! Knockhill booked for august bank holiday. Ive got the bug!

 

[scotty_24]

These are the BR Height and Dampening adjustabe

The Gaz ones

Doesnt tell you the spring rates of the GAZ.


As far as I understand, spring rate is how many kg to compress the spring 1mm.
So the 8/11 BC would be harder on the front than the 7/11 as it takes 8kg to compress rather than 7?

 

[Prawn]

yup. But 8/11 is still too soft really. Im sure Daz's setup was 10/16 or similar.

Gaz don't list rates because they're proper. There are no standard rates, they make them to your requested spec and valve accoridingly

 

[daz-20vt]

Paul
The bc range were too soft.
They offer custom rates but the front spring is at max. Either 7 or 8 kg.

So they can offer a harder rear but not front if i remember rightly so pretty pointless.

The guy who bought my gaz golds has a track tt and says they were fantastic. I had an aweful lot of faith in them and the guy who sold them as he sets up race cars.
Id recommend them based on what feedback i got. (The guy was already on coilovers at the time) gutted i didnt get to try 1st hand plus at 900 (ish) for the spec i think they were a bargain. Fully servicable,
Upgradable

 

[scotty_24]

Paul
The bc range were too soft.
They offer custom rates but the front spring is at max. Either 7 or 8 kg.

So they can offer a harder rear but not front if i remember rightly so pretty pointless.

The guy who bought my gaz golds has a track tt and says they were fantastic. I had an aweful lot of faith in them and the guy who sold them as he sets up race cars.
Id recommend them based on what feedback i got. (The guy was already on coilovers at the time) gutted i didnt get to try 1st hand plus at 900 (ish) for the spec i think they were a bargain. Fully servicable,
Upgradable

I think the Gaz are the ones to go for !
Did you buy them direct from Gaz?
Did they reccomend Spring rates ? Or did you specify to them?

 

[scotty_24]

The BC look like they come with adjustable top mounts ?

 

[Prawn]

Not for the 8L they don't. it's just a generic site picture.

 

[Alex C]

@Prawn is that a 0.57 MR for the rear spring? Out of interest, whats the MR for the rear shock?

 

[scotty_24]

Not for the 8L they don't. it's just a generic site picture.

Thats a shame.

OK looks like Gaz or BC, decisions to be made!

 

[Prawn]

BC are nice. well priced. Comfy for the road. Get the 8/11 if you go this route.

Gaz are nicer. Go 10/15 if you go this route, I just looked back through my love letters to Daz and that's what he went for

 

[scotty_24]

Its all going to depend on funds.

At first I thought why not go for AP's, they get good reviews everywhere.
But then I thought if its going to become a track car, coil overs are a go big or go home situation. I want to buy the best I can for the money I have.
Gas are looking to be the best in my price range. They are roughtly the same as the KW price wise.

Ive got Knockhill booked on August Bank holiday monday open pit lane. Then its coilover, hopefully cage, rear poly windows (if I can find any) over the winter!

 

[scotty_24]

Out of interest what are the spring rates on the KW?

 

[Prawn]

Soft as hell.

6kg on the front, unlisted on the rear as they're 'progressive'

 

[snowy]

Good luck finding that, just spent 15mins trying search ..

Not listed on KW's site anymore

Long long ago KW had specific spring rates for each PQ34 4WD model, not one rate for them all ..

Not what they used to be, imho

+1 for Gaz ~ Ohlins-eque

 

[Prawn]

Its all going to depend on funds.

At first I thought why not go for AP's, they get good reviews everywhere.
!

I'd sooner stick with what you have than get AP mate.

There's nothing 'wrong' with the AP, but they're just a cheap road coilover for making you car look cool. not a performance upgrade.

 

[snowy]

Soft as hell.

6kg on the front, unlisted on the rear as they're 'progressive'

lol

 

[scotty_24]

I'd sooner stick with what you have than get AP mate.

There's nothing 'wrong' with the AP, but they're just a cheap road coilover for making you car look cool. not a performance upgrade.

100% aggree, I soon realized this.
I don't know why but I'm really liking the BC ones. A good friend has a Megane and they are huge in Renault world. They seem to be height and dampening adjustable, good quality and reasonably priced.

I'm no Ayrton Senna and for my ability (currently) I reckon the 8/11 BC 's would more than suit my needs?
Gaz would be awesome, but is the extra money justifiable? I guess its gonna come down to the cash I have.

 

[Prawn]

You won't be disappointed in either mate

 

[Nathan Barnes]

Has anyone used these poly windows?
http://www.acwmotorsportplastics.co.uk/AUD01FDWP.html

View attachment 97303

I've just ordered some of them with sliders. I'll let you know when they are delivered.

My front windows don't open, so in this weather I can't wait...

 

[Nathan Barnes]

Oh, my mate has a set of BC's on his E30 that he's building for a trip to the 'ring.

They look the business - considering a set myself. They look amazing value for money.

 

[scotty_24]

I think I've settled in my head on the BC. They're awesome for the price, I don't think you can do much better.
I'm sure I will run out of talent before the BC wouldn't be good enough.

Thursday pay day, so Liqiud gauge and DS3000 for me ready for Knockhill August bank holidays


I'm thinking of using this thread as a progress thread to
Document where the cars came from,I should have started one years ago.
I bought the car 6 and a half years ago, it's been through stage 1, stage2, hybrid currently.

So here's the spec so far

Badger5 turbo inlet pipe with Jetex filter and Neispeed heat shield
Forge boost hoses
N249 delete
19mm catch can pvc delete
Trackslag charge pipe
Pro 4 manifold
Beach Buggy Turbo K418T with Badger5 spec ported hotside
3" relentless downpipe
3" turbo back exhaust 86 decibels @5200
Devils own water methanol injection dual port injection
R8 Coil packs
Leon cupra R Brembos standard disks, Ferodo DS2500 pads
Badger5 braided hoses
CG motorsports 8 paddle clutch
IE 20mm Rifle drilled connecting rods
Refurbished BAM cylinder head with supertech exhaust valves
DA31 in line fuel pump
Bosch 600cc injectors
Corbeau Clubsport XL bucket seats
Titon ) point harnesses
Koni Orange STRT Shocks
Eibach springs
Eibach anti roll bars
S3 dave polybushed lower tie arms
Full front and rear polybushes
Polytek engine mounts
Diesel geek short shifter
welly cooler
82 degree thermostat
Mocal 16 row oil cooler with thermostatic plate
Nankang NS2R medium compound tyres
342 bhp 315 lbft torque mapped by Bill at Badger5
Ran on map 3 on track

So far trackdays
Nurburgring
Croft
Knockhill booked August bank holidays

Future plans
Liquid gauge
BC coilovers
Cage
Full strip
Rust on the bottom of the doors being repaired Oct 3rd

 

[Nathan Barnes]

It's ridiculous how similar our cars are specced and look!

Mine's only a small port/narrowband APY, so a bit lower on power than yours

 

[Tj 0785]

What do you think of the koni shocks? I have them on mine and slightest pot hole and all you get is bang! Are yours as bad or are mine gone

 

[scotty_24]

It's ridiculous how similar our cars are specced and look!

Mine's only a small port/narrowband APY, so a bit lower on power than yours

Ha ha do I have a twin brother? Yep looking at your sig were fairly identical mods ha ha !

Im unsure of the drilled front bumper looks but its providing airflow to my oil cooler, these cars get sooooo hot on track man its unreal.
I just do 6-10 laps at a time and come in and let it cool off.

What do you think of the koni shocks? I have them on mine and slightest pot hole and all you get is bang! Are yours as bad or are mine gone

I bought the koni shocks in a bit of a panic buy as it was desperate for shocks. In BMW M3 world they rant and rave about them so I thought aaaahh why not il go for it.
For the price you cant go wrong for gas filled shocks! They've been find with the eibach springs for 2 years and counting.
I don't get any knocks and bangs from them.
My only criticism of my suspension set up is that it rolls too much even with the eibach anti roll bars, and because ive got buckets and removed weight the ride height is borderline embarrassing.



Soo in other news I went to Blyton park yesterday hooning it around in a mates 172. Those little clios HAVE to be the best bang for buck track car.
£1k car with buckets, pads, tyres and a cage and voila, cheap budget racing!

As for Blyton Park? Crap. Left left left left left allllllll day. Not exciting in the slightest. Safe to say il not be taking the S3 there unless its a cheap day. I would rather spend £20 more and do Croft etc.

PLans this week are to whip the brakes off and strip and clean them, and pray that the DS2500 are worn out so I can buy some DS3000 ready for Kockhill.

100% getting a liquid gauge this pay day so ive got Diagnostics, and can watch temps while out in the car instead of carrying a lap top with Vag com.

 

[Tj 0785]

I find there dead harsh over the slightest bumps so will be changing them at some point

 

[snowy]

8/11

Dug out my old KW info - my v3 setup has 9Kg front and 11Kg rears (all progressive)

 

[scotty_24]

Rolled the car out the garage tonight, stripped and cleaned the front brakes.
I hadn't touched them for a while and I'd done the Ring and Croft on the pads.
Took them out and fairly good amount left on them! Should see me fine for Knockhill.
Il take a standard set of pads with me too just incase.

Payday Thursday.... I think I've got my heart set on a liquid gauge.
Just to keep an eye on things on track and have diagnostics on the move !

 

[scotty_24]

Pay day!

New oil time, Comma 5W50. I always run this on the recommendation by @Prawn
Slightly thicker oil than 5W40 that I used to use, so it doesn't get too thin on track temps.
Last oil change was 500 miles ago just before croft. For the sake of what it costs I don't mind dropping the oil after a track day and keeping it fresh

 

[scotty_24]

One week untill Knockhill.
Driving from Newcastle to a hotel in Dunfirmline, then up early for a short drive to Knockhill.
Anyone been there ? I've been years ago in a Civic type r as passenger. I'm excited to drive it !

 

[scotty_24]

 

[scotty_24]

So the oil cooler mountings I had made previously weren't all that good, so last night I changed the oil ready for Knockhill, and made some proper brackets.
The oil cooler is now solidly mounted to the intercooler brace I made.
Bumpers back on and it all fits correctly.
Roll on Sunday for the drive up and trackday monday!

 

[scotty_24]

Well what a weekend at Knockhill !

Lovely drive up from Newcastle to Dunfirmline

And made it to the hotel, had a great night with a few drinks and drunkey games of bowling ha ha
Next morning was an early start. S3, Clio 172 fully kitted out with slicks to put on at the track, and the mighty Megane stage 2 on Toyo 888's etc.
Little brother in his Ibiza came up for the weekend to passenger and one of the lads came up to give his 8P a run out.

Got there and the lads swopped over to their slicks etc. S3 was ready to go after levels checks etc.

Lauren loving it getting ready to head out !

Then it was track time! We did the track in reverse, so its a long straight up the pit lane cracking up into 5th gear, and braking into a hairpin!
I did out brake myself once and had a slight gravel excursion but nothing too serious, il get some pics and upload them.

I'l let the rest do the talking.

All in all an awesome weekend away and the little S3 was amazing! My drivigs come on leaps and bounds!

The little Clio was awesome and my mate with the Megane is the best driver out of all of us, and was terrorising everything out there!

She's back i the garage, noticed a slight exhaust blow from the front of the car that needs investigating. I thought it may be the dreaded pro4 cracked, but a quick strip down last night and the manifolds ok, so Im thinking a gasket somewhere or the manifold to turbo bolts have loosened off.

JUst a few little repairs to do and shes good for next time

 

[Prawn]

Awesome stuff Paul!

Glad the trackdays are going well for you

You get any videos?