GRAND-AM 128i Build Thread

[Jatterbu]

After an unfortunate incident at Daytona a couple weeks ago we've had to tub a new 128i for the next race at COTA in Austin. We had a spare chassis with cage already sitting at the shop, if you know the CTSCC this is a must have, but still it needed to be prepped and built.

We sent the car off for the process of stripping it to bare metal, then to paint and we have received it back in the shop as of this past Saturday. I will continue to update as we build the car.

At Daytona test:



Here is video of the crash, Johnny Kanavas was running in 8th place with about 10 minutes left when it all happened. A car re-entered the track after blowing T1.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuykVJUfDps[/ame]

I think these are supposed to be straight!



Off to get stripped



Rear Subframe and Suspension in with Fuel Cell









Working on the interior, getting the dash in and the wiring harness







More updates to come shortly! This is all out of the Mitchum Motorsports shop in Virginia Beach.


Joey

[TOOLEAN]

Thanks for sharing Joey! Did this car originally come from Insight and Doran previously or was that car born at Mitchum?

Sucks about the accident, definitely a bonehead way to re-enter the track.

[Jatterbu]

This car was originally a Doran chassis. Forgot to put this picture up, chassis fresh from paint and the gold heat foil installed.

[dtcevo]

Very clean! Nice work boys.

[mcetuning]

great work

[Jatterbu]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I should have some more pics today. Here is a shot of it currently on the lift. Front subframe along with engine/trans and exhaust already in.



Let me know if you guys have any questions about the car.


Joey

[jonmacs22]

What will happen to the old tub? Are the front rails unable to be straightened, thus needing full replacement?

[Jatterbu]

We are going to replace the entire front clip on the old tub. Then go through the process of stripping it to bare metal and painting it. Still deciding if we want to keep it as a spare for an emergency rebuild for a GA car or possibly build it for NASA GTS racing and enduro's.

[GelbM3Morris]

Too bad about the crash. You don't see too many 1's out on the track. Looks fun!

[sdubois2010]

sorry to hear about the crash

[as racing]

Love it- those Coupes look so good race prepped!

[Evice]

You guys are my idol! My e36 m3 will be retired, and my 128i will be in the racing ranks really soon!

[will v]

What purpose does the foil on the chassis serve. To my simple mind doesn't that reflect all the heat back at the engine and other components?

[bennyfizzle]

It sure looks pretty cool.

[spidertri]

How has the N52 held up? Any big issues come up from racing it?

[onasled]

What purpose does the foil on the chassis serve. To my simple mind doesn't that reflect all the heat back at the engine and other components?

Better there then on the driver, being these are long races.



Is this the factory location for the 1 series steering rack?

[Evice]

How has the N52 held up? Any big issues come up from racing it?

+1 . I am curious on this as well.. What I heard until now is they are prone to starvation like any other BMW I6, Valvetronic is set to max lift to provide full power all over the rpm range....That's it...

Hope we can find out more!!

[Jatterbu]

You guys are my idol! My e36 m3 will be retired, and my 128i will be in the racing ranks really soon!

Awesome! Let us know if you need any help or have any questions about the car and getting it into race trim.

What purpose does the foil on the chassis serve. To my simple mind doesn't that reflect all the heat back at the engine and other components?

It is to keep the heat out of the cockpit of the car. We run 2.5 hour races in these cars and inside cockpit temperatures can get very high. For reference in the Roush GS car I drive, we have a temp strip on the floor of the car underneath the drivers legs that reached 235 degrees testing in Texas a few weeks ago. This is not inside air temp, but you can imagine how hot things get quite quickly.

How has the N52 held up? Any big issues come up from racing it?

We have a motor program with Dinan, they build and overlook all the engines in our BMW cars. During 2012 they had their developmental year and teething problems but have seemed to figure everything out. A lot of the problems were just simple issues from a newer platform that were quickly resolved. It is actually a great motor that provides very good #'s.

Better there then on the driver, being these are long races.

Is this the factory location for the 1 series steering rack?

This is the factory 1-series steering rack in the stock location.

Sorry I have been slacking on the pictures, I promise more today! Let me know if you guys have any other questions.


Joey

The front radiator shrouding and supports with rad and oil cooler are in.


The front corners are coming together. Was able to re-use some items from the crash, however most had to be replaced.

[TOOLEAN]

Joey, what do these engines rev to? I didn't know Dinan was doing the engines, I just assumed it was Sunbelt. Good to know!

[Evice]

Oh wow. finally someone installed some headers haha! http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805784

I am sure Mitchum car has even better ones

[spidertri]

What are you guys allowed to change engine wise? Is it anything goes and then they restrict you if you do too well?

[Jatterbu]

Joey, what do these engines rev to? I didn't know Dinan was doing the engines, I just assumed it was Sunbelt. Good to know!

We are limited to 6950rpm by GRAND-AM, however the motor is plenty safe up to 7200rpm and possibly further. We just haven't been able to rev them that high per the rules restrictions. There are a couple manufacturers of these engines that are in the GRAND-AM paddock right now, Dinan, Sunbelt, and CRD are currently producing them.

What are you guys allowed to change engine wise? Is it anything goes and then they restrict you if you do too well?

We aren't allowed to change much, figure it like a stock motor taken to the maximum tolerances. We aren't allowed to run aftermarket cams or high-comp pistons or anything of that nature, they are very close to the stock production engine. We do have a restrictor in the engine from GRAND-AM too to make sure all of the cars are on an even playing field.

We should be starting the car up today, I'll see if I can get video of it. Let me know if you guys have anymore questions.


Joey

[BimmerDawg]

Nice looking build! Sorry to see the wreck, I'm unfortunately all too familiar.

[jonmacs22]

What is the adjuster in the trunk for? Rear Sway bar? If so, is the fuel man making rear bar adjustments during the race as he refuels on pitstops?

Any discussion of moving onto the N20 in the near future?

[Johnny K]

Car looks great! Amazing work by the Mitchum crew in a short time. I'm very fortunate to be part of such a great team. The level of prep on these cars is top notch stuff...

As Joey mentioned, we worked through a few teething issues with Dinan last year. What we had this year at Daytona was strong with great BMW power through the whole rev range. Add to that an incredibly well prepared and setup car, which made for a great race car right up until the last few minutes of the race unfortunately...

Yes, the adjuster in the trunk is for the adjustable rear sway bar. It's a proper blade-type bar with multiple positions. We can make a handling change to the car during the race quickly with this. Have the same thing up front, under the hood.

And yes, it's a very fun car to race... Let's get to Texas!

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