E36 LS1 track car balance

[sk8rpirate]

Hey Everyone!

Just wondering what most of you e36 ls1 guys are doing on car set up/ chassis dynamics/ weight distribution for a road race set up
currently my car weighs 2995 with me (175) in it but very front heavy my split is like 52/48 right now with the lightest corner being RR at about 680ish
Spring rates 8k front 10k rear, aftermarket front sway bar stock rear bar. -3* front camber -2 rear camber
kosei k1 wheels with 245/40/17 michelin pilot super sports(upgrading to NT05 next event)

Car has zero aero, stock looking 94 325is

Now for the problem, after turn in about mid corner when i'm trying to get back on the gas to help rotate the car i feel the front end start to push and i end up understeering rather than rotating. Do i corner balance and add ballast?
Also what are your coolant temps on track? aka when do i back off and cool down 220F ? 230F ? Running distilled water and water wetter

other than a driver mod, what do you guys recommend? i'm sure there are tons variables to consider just looking for a bit of input. flame suit on

[Tim Mc]

I don't have experience with an E36...

52 / 48 isn't really bad is it?

What is your alignment-that could really help in my experience based on other cars.

How about a set of BFG Rivals? I'm quite a fan...NT05 is still just a street tire.

Thanks for posting the weight-interesting.

[theconverted]

So looking at the numbers you put 2995 total 52/48 and your rear right at 680 that means your rear left is at757 or so? I'm also going to assume that your heavy on the front right as well. That's a whole hell of a lot of cross weight difference that you have. I'd adjust that out first and go from there. 52/48 is pretty good in my book.

[JBasham]

They tell me an E36, which loses negative camber up front during compression, can benefit from a stiffer front anti-sway bar setting.

Your spring rates and camber are in the ball park of those used by folks looking for a street/track combo setup. A guy who runs a popular BMW speed shop down in NC once told me the chassis should be set up with a little rake (rear higher) to counteract throttle crouch too.

With BMW sedans, I usually lift briefly to rotate, not add throttle. I don't have a ton of E36 seat time yet, but I have done a couple hours in the last month and that rule held up. Are you used to Porsches? If so, just be aware these cars rotate a little more slowly in tight turns and there is much more sliding involved driving the BMW, by unweighting the rear a touch.

[bimerok]

If you are at the limit of the front tire traction and you are adding gas to help rotate e36 mid corner, you will almost always end up with front pushing. Instead try to lift off gas as was mentioned above or even trail-braking/left foot braking and you'll be amazed at how effective that is going to be.

[sk8rpirate]

So looking at the numbers you put 2995 total 52/48 and your rear right at 680 that means your rear left is at757 or so? I'm also going to assume that your heavy on the front right as well. That's a whole hell of a lot of cross weight difference that you have. I'd adjust that out first and go from there. 52/48 is pretty good in my book.

this is very true i will need to see what i can to about geting my cross weights within spec which may help

[sk8rpirate]

If you are at the limit of the front tire traction and you are adding gas to help rotate e36 mid corner, you will almost always end up with front pushing. Instead try to lift off gas as was mentioned above or even trail-braking/left foot braking and you'll be amazed at how effective that is going to be.

ok that makes sense i definitely have tried trail braking but will need to practice it will require some finesse to get right, should i brake later, then trail brake toward the corner apex?

[bimerok]

What works for me is braking late then either let go of the gas just before the apex or slight left foot braking. This seem to work well for me when needed.

[sk8rpirate]

What works for me is braking late then either let go of the gas just before the apex or slight left foot braking. This seem to work well for me when needed.

how did the aero you did (front splitter and wing) effect how the car rotated?

[bimerok]

I actually did not notice the difference in ability to rotate the car with aero, instead it made it a lot more stable at speed and significant difference under braking conditions. The cornering became more stable too with slightly increased speeds.