Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Track Daze: Project 318is at Buttonwillow, Day One]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/track-daze-project-318is-at-buttonwillow-day-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/track-daze-project-318is-at-buttonwillow-day-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/track-daze-project-318is-at-buttonwillow-day-one/#commentsFiled under:



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.

Continue reading Track Daze: Project 318is at Buttonwillow, Day One

Track Daze: Project 318is at Buttonwillow, Day One originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buttonwillowproject bmw 318isproject track slutProjectBmw318isProjectTrackSlutFri, 08 Aug 2008 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Track Slut Update: Prepping for the big <strike>day</strike> days]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/project-track-slut-update-prepping-for-the-big-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/project-track-slut-update-prepping-for-the-big-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/project-track-slut-update-prepping-for-the-big-day/#commentsFiled under: ,


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.

Gallery: Project Track Slut: Last-minute prep

Project Track Slut Update: Prepping for the big day days originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw 318isBmw318isbuttonwillowfeaturedproject track slutProjectTrackSlutWed, 06 Aug 2008 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Track Slut, Part Two: Suspension]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/project-track-slut-part-two-getting-it-stiff/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/project-track-slut-part-two-getting-it-stiff/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/project-track-slut-part-two-getting-it-stiff/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery detailing the install

With over 140,00 miles on the clock, the stock suspension of our BMW 318is project car was far from ready for its upcoming track assault, and the stiffer sidewalls and stickier rubber we fitted in our first installment accentuated the tired springs and shocks. Thankfully, the popularity of the E36 chassis makes shopping for new suspension bits an easy, if slightly overwhelming, affair. The choices range from pieced together spring/shock combos to race-ready coilovers, so we decided to split the difference with one of H&R's Touring Cup Kits (31005T-1). The package includes springs and shocks that lower the front by 1.5-inches and the rear by one inch, balancing ride comfort and stiffness while allowing us to traverse speed bumps without having to worry about teetering on our oil pan.

Hit the jump to read our impressions on how the H&R kit fared during our first week of testing and you can read through the entire suspension swap in our tagged gallery below.

Gallery: Project BMW 318is - H&R Cup Kit Install

Continue reading Project Track Slut, Part Two: Suspension

Project Track Slut, Part Two: Suspension originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1992 bmw 318is1992Bmw318isbmw 381isbmw hr touring cup installationBmw381isBmwHrTouringCupInstallationfeaturedhr touring cup kit installationHrTouringCupKitInstallationproject garageproject track slutProjectGarageProjectTrackSlutWed, 28 May 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/project-track-slut-part-one-pick-a-weapon-on-the-cheap/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/project-track-slut-part-one-pick-a-weapon-on-the-cheap/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/project-track-slut-part-one-pick-a-weapon-on-the-cheap/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res shot of our newest project.

As regular listeners to the podcast know, Project MR-S met its untimely demise when a truck driver clipped the rear end of our 2ZZ-powered daily-driver, spinning it into the center divider with my fiancée behind the wheel. Fortunately, Melissa made it out okay. Unfortunately, said truck driver sped off and has yet to be found. Karma's a bitch, so we sleep soundly with the knowledge that what goes around comes around.

But life goes on. So with summer fast approaching, we set out to find a suitable replacement that would serve double-duty as daily driver and part-time track tool. The criteria was simple: something rear-wheel-drive, with a manual transmission, a small displacement engine and a blogger-friendly price tag. After a few weeks of research, we narrowed the list down to an NA Mazda Miata (MX-5) or something of the BMW variety. Having to install a roll bar (required for some track events) in the Miata quickly knocked it out of the running, so an E30 or E36 Bimmer became the focus of our late night, highly-caffeinated searches through Craigslist. And then, as if guided by the all-knowing entity upstairs, our friends at Modacar found a 1992 BMW 318is at an auction. It met all the criteria and had a price we couldn't pass up. Two days later, we drove it home and Project Track Slut was born.

Gallery: Project BMW 318is

Continue reading Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap

Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 May 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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