BMW E90 M3 - Maxxis Race Car Project

[ralphwarren]

Hi Everyone.

After a successful build of the Crevier E46 M3 SMG and the Total Lubricants 135i, Team SCTS has taken on a new project!!!

We were approached by Maxxis Tire to help them promote their new RC-1 R-comp track tire. We had a chance to test it last year and the tire performed real well.

We decided on the E90 M3 platform and found a non-sunroof 2008 wrecked but fixable with only 10K mi on the clock.

With huge support from our sponsors, a bit of hard work and a lot of luck, we got the car on the track and have raced it a couple times already (Chuckwalla and Buttonwillow).

Scott Cary and I will do our best to keep everyone up to date with the project.

Here are some pictures (before, during, after)...

-Ralph Warren

[ralphwarren]

Hi All,

For the E90 M3 Race Car build...

Maxxis has finished the first in the video series about the new RC-1 tire and our car/team.

[ame]http://youtu.be/colfs6vfdBM[/ame]

Here's a pic of Scott getting interviewed...

-Ralph Warren

[ralphwarren]

We are an amateur team thankful to friends, family and sponsors. This project would never have happened if it were not for support from others.

If we can help answer any questions about the build of the car, and the products used, please do not hesitate to ask.

We will be sharing setup and tire information as well.

A special thanks to our sponsors...

Akrapovic Exhaust - We use the standard street exhaust with cats. Incredible titanium quality, sound and light weight.
http://www.akrapovic.com/

StopTech Brakes - Big Trophy kit front and rear. 4-piston for Prepared-Class legality.
http://www.stoptech.com/

Hawk Brakes - Brake pads. We use the DTC-70 front and DTC-60 rear on both the M3 and the 135i.
http://www.hawkbrakes.com/

Apex Wheels and AST Suspension - Eddy has been a huge help. Square setup 18x10.5" wheels. Awesome light wheels. Top-notch AST dealer.
http://www.apexraceparts.com/

Total Lubricants, USA - Huge help - made the 135i project possible.
http://www.total-us.com/

Bullet Performance - Best independent BMW repair facility anywhere. Dyno, alignment, mount&balance, fab work, corner-balancing.
http://bulletmotorworks.com/

Sparco USA - Big help with seat, belts, new helmet, steering wheels, etc.
http://www.sparcousa.com/

Eibach Springs - Helped with new inventory of springs - does the 135i suspension.
http://performance-suspension.eibach.com/

HP Autowerks - Harold is awesome. Has been a huge source of great info. Big help with the 135i as well.
http://hpautowerks.com/

Crevier BMW - OEM parts parts parts - and unfortunately more parts ;-)
http://www.crevierbmw.com/

VS Engineering - Technical help, wiring, etc. Removable steering wheel with electronics. Did the custom SMG paddles on the E46 M3.
http://vsetrack.com/

Tsovet Time Instruments - Bad-ass watches - great style. Helped out with the 25 Hours of Thunderhill effort.
http://www.tsovet.com/

AutoKennel - Paul helped us find the car. Sales and consignment of unique cars. Good guy.
htp://www.autokennel.com/

BR Raacing - Bruce and Todd know their stuff - big source of setup information.
http://www.brrperformance.com/

Motorsport Hardware - Ryan has been a big help with studs, lugs and spacers allowing us to perfectly fit the huge wheels and tires on the car.
http://www.motorsporthardware.com/

-Ralph Warren & Scott Cary

.

[TOOLEAN]

Why keep the cats?

[ralphwarren]

We decided to keep the cats so when people heard the car, they would know that they could get the same sound if they chose Akrapovic.

We also wanted an exhaust that would pass sound at Laguna. Not sure about 92db, but certainly 96db. For 92db days at Laguna, we can put the factory center section back in and keep the exhaust rear mufflers.

Akrapovic did some testing and for stock S65 engines or engines with just mild performance upgrades, there is no gain in horsepower.

-Ralph Warren

[Jonathan@BimmerWorld]

Why keep the cats?

Hey, we all need to do what we can to watch out for the environment.

I'm really looking forward to more info on the RC-1s! More tire choices is never a bad thing.

[Hit_Apex]

Hey, we all need to do what we can to watch out for the environment.

I'm really looking forward to more info on the RC-1s! More tire choices is never a bad thing.

Plus one. What's so convincing about the tires to get behind such a project?

[scottn2retro]

Plus one. What's so convincing about the tires to get behind such a project?

Based on what we've seen so far, this tire is going to prove to be an excellent value for club racers and track students.

[LAWLence]

Good stuff! You guys got that thing together pretty quickly. I remember seeing parts sprawled out all over your garage just a couple of months ago!

[GatorMech]

Any idea of when these tires will be on sale?

-Robert

[LukeP]

We decided to keep the cats so when people heard the car, they would know that they could get the same sound if they chose Akrapovic.

We also wanted an exhaust that would pass sound at Laguna. Not sure about 92db, but certainly 96db. For 92db days at Laguna, we can put the factory center section back in and keep the exhaust rear mufflers.

Akrapovic did some testing and for stock S65 engines or engines with just mild performance upgrades, there is no gain in horsepower.

-Ralph Warren

Assuming the message here is that there is no gain in hp from removing the cats? Or from adding the exhaust?

[scottn2retro]

Assuming the message here is that there is no gain in hp from removing the cats? Or from adding the exhaust?

From what Ralph told me, there was no horsepower difference between their street exhaust and their lighter race exhaust.

We spent Friday at the LA Chapter track school at Cal Speedway and after Ralph did some laps, we had a special guest driver for a few laps - Boris Said!

He was at the school raising awareness for his new BMW dealership in Murrietta. He also had some good feedback/suggestions for us regarding the car setup.

[luv4myE36]

you need the new APEX EC7 wheels on this thing!

[GatorMech]

Still looking for some info on when these will be available to purchase and what sizes will be available.

-Robert

[Massive Lee]

Just to continue the legacy that started a decade ago on the East Coast, that new car deserves the honor to be called MadMaxxis ;-)

Those in the "know" will get it... It's an old story ;-)

[The HACK]

Did you get Boris to sign on the car? That would be cool.

[scottn2retro]

Still looking for some info on when these will be available to purchase and what sizes will be available.

-Robert

I think some sizes are going to be available later in the summer, but I'll ask to see if they have some info on the sizes they are planning to make.

[nolocontendere]

I'd be willing to try them as soon as I can get some--275/35/18.

[scottn2retro]

Did you get Boris to sign on the car? That would be cool.

It would have, but I thought we would have come across a little more star struck than normal, so I didn't ask.

I'd be willing to try them as soon as I can get some--275/35/18.

That is the size we are running now, so that should be one of the first sizes available.

Some pics from Buttonwillow

[The HACK]

What size is the 135i running, or is that on a different compound?

[scottn2retro]

The 135i is also running RC-1s in 255/40x17

you need the new APEX EC7 wheels on this thing!

That is a nice looking wheel. I haven't looked to see if there's any appreciable weight difference in the 8's and 7's.

[The HACK]

Are 245/40/18s in the plans from Maxxis?

[rkybobby]

I'm interested to hear your progress. I've built a NASA TTA car and was the beta tester of the ast 4200's. The e90 M3 is such a great platform to start with.
Have you played with swaybars? I am doing ok with proper spring rates and am not quite convinced that I need any more bar. The front
inside tire already lifts slightly in hard cornering.
Keep the updates coming.

[Jonathan@BimmerWorld]

The 135i is also running RC-1s in 255/40x17

What a coincidence! I know of a mildly supercharged 325iT which will be running that size very soon.

Here's my son helping to inspect the take-offs from that very car. Thanks to Scott and team for the pallet delivery this morning. I'm very much looking forward to giving some feedback after the Heartland Park "Flat Out Classic" coming up in June.

[scottn2retro]

Are 245/40/18s in the plans from Maxxis?

John tells me to expect the tires to be available late summer and people will be able to get them from the Maxxis eStore.

I hope be able to post a size list tonight.

Have you played with swaybars? I am doing ok with proper spring rates and am not quite convinced that I need any more bar. The front
inside tire already lifts slightly in hard cornering.
Keep the updates coming.

We're getting some sway bars in now from RD Sport. What springs rates are you running? We've got about a 200# difference front to rear (rear being more).