Project Track Slut Update: Prepping for the big day days
by Damon Lavrinc on Aug 6th 2008 at 6:35PM 
Click either image for a gallery.
As I type this, our BMW 318is is up on the rack, sans transmission, to replace the clutch and all the assorted bits that go along with the job. The last-minute clutch work, along with fitting a set of Hawk HPS brake pads and replacing the brake fluid with Castrol GTLMA synthetic, is all in preparation for our two-day track assault this weekend at Buttonwillow raceway.
We'll be running configuration 13 on Friday and Saturday, and plan to keep you updated over the weekend on how the Slut is holding up to our relentless flogging in 100-degree heat. Along with the upgraded pads and fluids (not to mention the H&R cup kit we installed in our previous post), we've managed to score a set of Kosei K1 wheels (+42mm offset), sized 16x7-inches and weighing 15 pounds from the TireRack for the bargain-basement price of $129 a piece. Needless to say, closeout sales rock, and with the TireRack offering Advan A048s (medium-hard compound) sized 225/50ZR16 on special for $149 per tire, we snatched up four new gumballs for track duty. They've been heat-cycled and mounted, and after a spending a few days on the Bimmer, we're convinced that our nerves will give out before the tires do... for the first few laps, at least.Check back on Saturday for pictures from the track, a run-down of how things went on Friday and updates between our sessions on Saturday.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sdiori 6:47PM (8/06/2008)
Kool.....keep us posted on how it holds up. After my I've returned my Civic Si in a couple of years, I'll be looking to purchase a 3-Series.
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Joce03 6:52PM (8/06/2008)
Very cool. Its always interesting to see the development of modifications to a car.
Just one question: Why do you guys call it "Slut"? Is it simply that everyone is going to get to ride it?
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sunnycyclist 7:05PM (8/06/2008)
Maybe because it will take it over and over again, and *hopefully* like it. Also, you don't want to have to keep feeding it money like a track whore.
Farris 7:16PM (8/06/2008)
The full name is "Project Track Slut," I think they just shortened it down to "Slut" to change up the wording of the article a bit and not sound repetitive.
As for the idea for naming it PTS, I don't quite remember why they called it that, but I do remember a big argument on one of the earlier posts on the topic where someone was REALLY REALLY offended by the name.
Joce03 8:26PM (8/06/2008)
Thanks for the insight! And no worries, I'm not offended.
ik 10:36PM (8/06/2008)
^^ it might not be offensive, but it's not a decent thing to say.
Josiah 10:51AM (8/07/2008)
The AOL autos team must be on a long corporate leash (aka they're making good money) to get away with a regular series with the word "Slut".
MachinaDC5 6:56PM (8/06/2008)
I can't believe some people get to do this as their job... Kings among men.
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BKadalur 6:59PM (8/06/2008)
wow...this is definitely the coolest things about autoblog.
keep it up, gives us all that little bit of hope.
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fd 7:14PM (8/06/2008)
I can only hope the "SLUT" is some clever acronym.
I know a few owners who gave their car(s) a name, but they're all true names. Not some derogatory word.
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Kaveh 7:18PM (8/06/2008)
Thats a great deal on the wheels, they sound super light too, those tires look pretty grippy. you guys doing carbon fiber hood, trunk and fenders?
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Alex 9:36AM (8/07/2008)
This whole project is being done on the cheap so unless they find some outrageous deal on CF, i wouldn't count on those bits being added.
lswspambait 7:51PM (8/06/2008)
Y'all sure a Hawk HPS is up to track day duty? I pushed a set beyond its limits on my first track day in a stock engined Miata at Road Atlanta. Per my instructor, a more experienced driver could have probably made them work better by not braking as early, but as my confidence grew on the 2nd day, they were fading about halfway through the session - rock hard pedal, but no bite. Switched to HP+'s the next time and had no further issues.
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drunkenpublicness 8:06PM (8/06/2008)
I'm guessing this car is also used for street duty and unless they perform a pad swap, the HP+ pads might be a little too noisy for street use. Just a thought...
Lester 8:43PM (8/06/2008)
i'll have to second that, the hps are generally favored towards street and auto-x. for any long duration track event i do not think these pads will hold up, get a set of hp+, the drive to the track shouldnt be too bad, besides it is a track slut, not a track queen.
JasonU 9:31PM (8/06/2008)
Agreed - I found HPS are really too little for the road course. Switched to the HP+ and the stopping power is MUCH better. Of course, they dust like crazy.
naggs 2:42AM (8/07/2008)
should be fine in the 4 banger bmw, what you really need is a LSD
Charlie 9:19PM (8/06/2008)
A tip from something I did on my old track 318i: The front brake rotors have these silly dust shields covering the inside face of each rotor. I recommend bending the front section of each dust shield further inward, so as to direct more of the air flowing through the front air damn onto the brake rotor for improved cooling.
Also, replace the rear shock mounts. The beefier units from the E43 M3 convertible fit with no modification neccessary only cost about $31 per side;)
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Chase 11:04PM (8/06/2008)
My two cents: Go with Falken Azenis RT-615 or Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec next time for tires. The Dunlops are cheaper and better than the yokos (they are my favorite tire), and the Falkens are much cheaper and almost as good.
Also, go for a lower-end racing pad, like the HPS above, or even better, Carbotech XP-8s. They will inevitably make more noise, make more dust, and eat your rotors to christ, but they are simply necessary to complete a 30 minute session without fade. The HPS pads are notorious for a very sudden and massive lack of braking force after they get to about 350 degrees (which will surely happen in the first 10 minutes of abuse on a track).
Don't forget that brake fluid is critical also. OEM brake fluids boil at about 300-400 degrees with low water content (the fluid inevitably gains water content over time, which decreases boiling temperature even more). After the fluid boils, your pedal feels like mush, and you have to push much deeper for the same amount of braking force. There is no downside to a higher quality brake fluid other than the small price difference. I'd recommend Motul 600 fluid, which boils at around 800 degrees, and isn't too expensive at about $17 per half-liter. Castrol makes the best brake fluid in the world, and it sells for about $75 per half-liter.
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Chase 11:09PM (8/06/2008)
Excuse me, that's about 600 degrees for the Motul fluid.