Filed under: Etc.
Track Daze: Project 318is at Buttonwillow, Day One
Imagine your perfect track day. A dozen cars, dry tarmac and absolutely zero loose nuts behind the wheel. That's been our experience so far at Buttonwillow. We've had the pleasure of being invited to a private track event organized by Jack Fried, co-creator of the Lotus Challenge Series and all-around genuine gent. For the majority of Friday, the track has been open, so whenever the urge strikes, you just head out and go. With only a half-dozen vehicles on the track at any given time – primarily Porsches and Loti – we're in our own private nirvana. And Project 318is is holding its own, despite being thoroughly outclassed by the rest of the field.
The H&R Cup Kit had paid for itself three-times over before noon. Body roll is minimal, transitions are easy to gauge, and coupled with the lightweight Koseis and Advan A048s we fitted this week, the Bimmer has achieved its goal: providing us with a competent track tool that proves the old adage about driving a slow car fast.
But despite the perfect conditions, our day hasn't been without a few hiccups. After our first lapping session this morning, the "check engine" light came on, and shortly afterwards, the little-four-banger-that-could began to lurch and buck no matter the revs or load. We pulled into the pits, popped the hood and checked for loose wires or bad connections. All seemed well. We unplugged the battery to reset the ECU, and gave the Bimmer a brief rest. With everything reconnected and the idiot light extinguished, we headed back out. Two sessions later, the light popped on again. We pulled off track and double-checked what we could, but everything seemed in order. The light's still on, and although we haven't had any issues since, we're not pushing as hard as we did this morning.
Tomorrow, we'll have access to some diagnostic equipment to see if we can scope out the problem, but otherwise, things are going smoothly. Our brakes have been fade-free and the grip provided by the ultra-sticky gumballs (31 psi hot) has us second-guessing our intestinal fortitude. With just over an hour left, we're itching to get back out. Is this our 10th or 11th stint? We don't know. And in this case, ignorance is bliss.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fooman 7:18PM (8/08/2008)
I'm going to guess cooling, specifically OIL temp is what did you in. It was hot and humid today in Socal. I'm pretty sure the hot oil triggered the check engine, then it started retarding the timing to cool off and got you bucking. Cooled off and cleared the light.
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tankd0g 7:19PM (8/08/2008)
Friend of mine had a 318ti "track slut", even though it has a more primitive rear suspension than this is it was a load of fun, and cheaper than an is, I'll probably pick one up myself one of these days.
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mack delrey 7:24PM (8/08/2008)
Possibly a temp sensor? Had the same problem some track days after awhile as temps rose. Engine bucked and struggled. Let it cool down for awhile, problem went away for awhile. Changed out the IAT sensor fixed the problem. Couldn't calculate the correct air/fuel mix for any given load, either starved or flooded the motor the whole time.
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Adam Carolla 7:33PM (8/08/2008)
Whatever happened to calling it "Project Track Slut"? Finally got the idea that it is offensive?
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Franz 8:35PM (8/08/2008)
What's wrong with calling it a track slut? People have been calling their race cars track sluts for years. I don't think there's anything offensive about it at all.
Reader 2:47AM (8/09/2008)
Gah, I hope the next article is called "Track Bitch" just to piss you pc people off.
Carlos 10:59AM (8/09/2008)
LOL Track Bitch
why not the LS2LS7? 11:38AM (8/09/2008)
How about track rapist?
It really gets the point across that you're going to attack the track. And it denigrates women even further!
(yes, I am being facetious)
Phillip 11:40PM (8/10/2008)
Stop being so politically correct, it makes my head hurt.
JagGill 7:39PM (8/08/2008)
Nice!! I'm definitely gonna get a "track slut" once I get the cash. Keep us updated.
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JonF 7:53PM (8/08/2008)
31 degrees hot?? I haven't run the A048's, but 39-42 degrees hot is more typical for track tires.
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:03PM (8/08/2008)
You probably didn't do it for me, but thanks for changing the name. I honestly couldn't even bring myself to click the articles with the previous name. Felt like I was a sophomore in high school doing so.
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Charlie 8:05PM (8/08/2008)
Thank you for ending this project's unfortunate name. Yeah, that check engine light will turn on a fair amount. Usually, it's nothing. Despite it's utter lack of torque, the M42 is actually a good motor for this sort of thing as it's bullet-proof in the tradition of old-school German iron.
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Keith 8:37PM (8/08/2008)
For the old E36 OBD1 BMW engines, you can go through a process that will flash codes to tell you why the CEL (Check Engine Light) is on. Works like a charm on my '95 M3. I don't know if it'll work on the 4-banger, but you could give it a try. Saves a lot of trouble and guess-work to diagnose problems:
# Sit in the driver's seat.
# Turn the ignition to the On position, but do not start the engine up.
# Immediately depress the accelerator fully and release fully 5 times quickly.
# Wait for a few seconds and you will see the Check Engine light flash once, then start it will start to blink. All codes are comprised of 4 digits. The number of blinks corresponds to the fault code. For example, ON then pause, ON ON then pause, ON ON ON ON then pause, ON ON ON then off would be a 1243.
# Each four digit code will be flashed sequentially. When the codes start to repeat, all stored codes have been displayed.
# Turn the ignition off and check the codes with the table below. 1444 and 2444 means no problem and that is what you hope to find! Good luck!
From: http://www.bimmerzone.com/fcodes.htm
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Benfolio 2:40PM (8/09/2008)
Or invest in a handheld code scanner. Your local Snap On or other preferred tool dealer will sell you one for less than $100.
BMWdownshift 9:03PM (8/08/2008)
As a previous e36 318is owner I must say this .
"Goodness gracious that car is a pig! " Heavy and so dauntingly slow.
I suggest changing the rear diff to a shorter ratio if you are looking for better acceleration, especially in AUTO X.
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Mike 9:36PM (8/08/2008)
AWESOME! Get some action shots!
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Mitchttj 1:16AM (8/09/2008)
Its asking for an engine conversion
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FAQinc 9:31AM (8/09/2008)
OU man you're Buttonwillow please please please take some pictures of the Gumball 3000 cars they have a checkpoint there today at around 16h. I know it will make for a very cool gallery ;)
P.S. I know it's irrelevent to the post but I wanted some pics from there sorry.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:36AM (8/09/2008)
Two things:
1. The bucking sounds like your crankshaft position sensor went out. It controls the ignition timing and if the engine loses track of it, it will run ridiculously rough.
2. I just can't stand to look at cars that have been lowered so much that the wheel arches actually come down below the top of the tires. I know you guys did it for a good reason, you are actually tracking the car, but it still screams "cut spring Civic" to me. I'm sure it performs well though.
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