[uucdigest] Monday, January 24 2000 Volume 03 : Number 104 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | For all available Digest commands including unsubscribe/subscribe, | visit the BMW UUC Digest page: http://www.uucdigest.com | Send SUBMISSIONS to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Complaints? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you must. | Visit http://www.bubbaclub.com | www.bimmers.com - "serving enthusiasts on the 'net" | Visit http://www.bimmer.org - ultimate BMW bulletin boards! | Subscribe to the Zionsville Autosport Parts Digest: | http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/majordomo.htm ����������������������������������������� In this BMW UUC Digest: Re: [uuc] <m30> motor randomly cuts out Re: [uuc] tire question on 95 m3 [uuc] RE: [uucdigest] V3 #93 Re: [uuc] 32 MPG in E36's - easy Re: [uuc] Handling Questions Re: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow Re: [uuc] Willliams F1 News - all Buttoned up Re: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow [uuc] Another Source [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow [uuc] Dynapack Chassis Dyno [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 05:26:16 -0500 From: "Langsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <m30> motor randomly cuts out John Bolhuis wrote: Subject: [uuc] <m30> motor randomly cuts out Still have a random cut-out problem in the ol' supercar. Replaced main relay, fuel pump relay. When it cuts out, the tach drops (even though the engine is still coasting in gear) but the other gages remain unchanged. Motor always re-fires in a second. It seems that either the DME or the engine speed sensor are flaking. Any "been there done that" comments? "clipped. . " Any suggestions appreciated... John, Check the connector related to the AFM in particular the one between the AFM that is in the harness between the AFM and the intake manifold. I have seen the connectors corrode, wires fatigue and break causing precisely what you describe. Mario Langsten Bow, NH ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 18:25:40 -0800 From: Donna Seeley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] tire question on 95 m3 My input on the A032s and SO2s: I've had A032s on my 95 M3 since Sears Point in October and I have them on the 88 now. In empirical testing last week and today, in both cars, I have found that they are _not_ good rainy street tires. Not a fun drive home when you leave the R-compounds on a day too long! A032s are better than Kumhos for wet traction (yup, tested those too), but I'm glad to be back on the SO2s. The A032s are very noisy. In the 95, I have to turn up the radio at about 45mph. They're not as bad on the 88, but those are 205's, not 235's. Donna ------- 88 M3, track car, swaybar'd out all that nasty understeer 95 330isA, retired track car and super-commuter http://www.infoasis.com/people/dseeley/ > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 20:29:03 EST > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [uuc] Re: [uucdigest] V3 #100 tire question on 95 m3 > > my answer to tire question on 95 m3: i think the AO52's might be too loud > for normal driving and i wouldnt bet on the wet traction. the avs sports > grip well in wet and dry. they are also very reasonably priced ($165). mine > dont produce much road noise either. > <snip> > tommy > searching for the 11's 95 turbom3 , daily driver ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:14:27 -0500 From: "George, Zachariah (CICG Development)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: [uucdigest] V3 #93 Great article! I agree about the Hummer too, however anyone see the new "H2" (page 9) in the Jan 17-23 issue of autoweek? It looks a LOT more civilian, and actually compelling... Zach > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, Jan 21 2000 16:04:02 GMT-0500 > From: Ken W <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [uuc] Speaking of Cadillacs... > > Well, speaking of the Catera, I will refer you all to this: > <http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/editorial/top5/top5_April99.html > >. Besdies, it's some good reading. The Hummer one is my favorite. > > > - -Ken > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:05:04 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 32 MPG in E36's - easy Engines produce more power in cold air but cold lubricants in the trans and diff increase drag. Also cold air has higher aero drag. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Warm weather gives you better mileage than cold weather. Your engine is > >very inefficient when running cold. In warm weather, it warms up faster, > >and this is also worth about 1.5 mpg, all else being equal > > Warm weather? Don't engines perform better sucking in cool air? > Even in cold weather my car only takes a couple miles to warm up. > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:13:46 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Handling Questions More negative camber (top of tire moved towards the centerline of the car, you did put them in correctly, right?) should instantly reduce understeer. Your new ability to drive faster increases the load on the front which may be responsible for the added tire pressure. My experience here is that negative camber allows lowering the front tire pressure. A larger front anti-roll bar will cause the inside front to lift even more. You need a larger rear bar to reduce front tire lift. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I replaced the front upper strut mounts with the offset camber ones in my 89 > M3 last weekend, but I had an unexpected handling change at today's > autocross. I had to increase my front tire pressure a lot to make the car > neutral again . Is this because the front tires are getting so much more > traction that more pressure was needed to make them stick? > > I was also carrying the unloaded front wheel much more today (better front > traction?). Will a larger front sway bar help? > > Still trying to catch an expertly driven (Dave Schotz), Audi S4. > > Thanks > > Tony W > 89 M3 > > PS Thanks to all for the help with those mounts and my toe questions. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:09:17 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow What tires are on the 320i compared to the M3? ABS reduces stopping distance and maintains control (on most surfaces) which is nice for snow driving. LSD improves rear traction a little but also makes it easier to induce power oversteer. Its good if you are skilled, bad if you are not. A RWD car with 4 snow tires will stop and turn better than an AWD car with 4 all season tires. The ability to stop and turn is what keeps you on the road and out of a crash. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Dave Meyer wrote: > >I'm considering a Quaife automatic torque biasing differential > >for my E36 328is. Yes, this was brought about as a result of > >the recent snow in DC and subsequent 'slidy-sport' factory > >open diff and performance tires. My last BMW had a limited > >slip, so I know how nice that is > > Sorry no help here and sorry to sidetrack. Why do > people always associate a LSD and ABS with "nice for the snow"? Could > someone explain the advantages and disadvantages? > > (My opinion) but I find my POS 320i (no LSD or ABS) better to drive in > the snow than my M3. The M3 gets really loose around corners once the > power is applied and the ABS takes forever and a day to bring the car > to a stop. I can modulate the brakes on the 320i and shorten the > braking distances, the ABS seems to be even worse when there's a bump > on the road. I've almost entered intersections from failure to stop > when braking because of bumps (and that's in the dry), scary. I'll > agree that the LSD is better for not getting stuck in the snow, but I'm > apparently missing the rest of it. I'd like to hear an explanation > either agreeing or disagreeing (something better than my silly opinion > based on only two cars). > > Carlos > 91 M3 LSD and ABS > 78 320i (330i) big six > PS and how do you pronounce FACOM? Fake-om? Fack-om? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 13:19:41 +0000 From: Nick Brearley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Willliams F1 News - all Buttoned up Follow up to Scott's question and Chris's informative reply: This morning, Monday 24th, Jenson Button confirmed as new driver for Williams. At 20 will be youngest UK F1 driver in living memory. Having been successful in karts and upwards it will be interesting to see if he can hold onto the top rung. Will be going some if he can keep up with R Schumacher who (IMHO) could be a real contender if he gets an engine that performs and stays. Nick Brearley Looking forward to the first GP with some interest ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:32:27 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow Gary wrote: >What tires are on the 320i compared to the M3? ABS reduces stopping >distance and maintains control (on most surfaces) which is nice for snow >driving. LSD improves rear traction a little but also makes it easier to >induce power oversteer. Its good if you are skilled, bad if you are not. The 320i has all seasons, the M3 snows, but the 320i tires are narrower 175 vs 195. The 320 is probably lighter also so my comparison is not a very good one, nevertheless I prefer no ABS in snow, any other time it's fine, especially panic situations. Carlos. 91 M3 78 330i ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 08:42:12 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Bob Fluharty) Subject: [uuc] Another Source Jack Money says: "Due to the demise of Stephen's internet business, I HIGHLY recommend using The BMW Store in Cincinnati. Talk to James Dean (no shit!).....he's great to work with and he gives at least 25% discount to club members. I've recently done a lot of business with him so tell him I sent ya....doesn't do anything for me, I just want him to know that I'm pleased enought to spread the word. The phone number is (513)271.8700." As a Cincinnati resident, I'll chime in that these parts people are just as good to deal with in person (no experience with the sales staff). For you out-of-staters, I'll contribute their tool-free number: 800/543 1649. Bob '87 325is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 09:05:58 -0500 From: Christopher Pawlowicz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow Carlos sez >Why do people always associate a LSD and ABS with "nice for the snow"? >snip.. >(My opinion) but I find my POS 320i (no LSD or ABS) better to drive in >the snow than my M3. The M3 gets really loose around corners once the >power is applied and the ABS takes forever and a day to bring the car >to a stop. First a note: Tires tires tires! unless you are comparing 2 cars with the same tires, ABS and LSD don't necessarily mean a thing in the equation! Crappy all season tires are better in the snow that wide high performance summer tires. The LSD (limited slip differential) is a very nice *performance* upgrade. It may or may not make every day driving easier. It *does* give you more power to the ground, but you may not want it. from stop, split mu type situation (one wheel on ice/snow, one on pavement): LSD means you can still drive away. Non-LSD means one wheel spins and you don't move an inch. through a tight corner (autoX type situation): LSD means you can break the back end loose and rotate the car around the pilon non-LSD means one wheels spins and not much fun stuff happens through sweepers in slippery conditions: LSD means you can break the back end loose at will to help drift/rotate It may also mean if you are not careful with the throttle the back end breaks loose and rotates *when you don't want it to* non-LSD means if you goose the throttle a bit too much one wheel breaks loose but the other one stays stuck.. not much drama so: LSD means you have a greater ability to control the back end, but if you are not paying attention, the back end may take control of *you* with less HP and no LSD, your E21 may be harder to break loose and easier to drive in the slop ABS: I still haven't decided on ABS. There are good systems and crappy systems. Again, tires make a huge difference. I notice non-ABS cars lock their wheels *all the time* in the snow.. which may or may not matter. If there is camber on the road or you are slowing down for a corner, it *does* make a big difference. On split friction surfaces, ABS makes a big difference in a good way. Try hammering the brakes with 2 wheels on the shoulder. Non-ABS cars rotate like crazy trying to spin you back onto the road. I did some driving on a 100% ice track surface. Couldn't even stand up half the time because it was so slippery. ABS felt scary because the car wouldn't stop.. but it did respond slowly to steering. Non-ABS felt scary because it wouldn't stop either, but it didn't respond to any steering at all. chris pawlowicz '89 325i '74 2002 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 09:23:12 -0500 From: "Steve D'Gerolamo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Dynapack Chassis Dyno To add to Chester and Wayne's comments......... The hydraulic load units (pods) for this 800hp model weigh 800lbs each. The are capable of supporting a Kenworth diesel...no problems with BMW's. The flange adapters are fairly universal for 4, 5 or 6 lug although occasional spacers are needed on cars with large flares. The Nascar guys use 18" long adapters to move the pods further away from the car as their exhausts come out the side very close to the dyno. The user programs the sampling rate which in effect controls the length of the run. We did a sampling of .1 seconds per 100rpms. We could have told the dyno to do .1 seconds for 200 rpms for faster runs or .1 seconds every 50 rpms for slower runs/more data (for you Excel freaks). The user also sets the run range...we used 3000-6000 (or 7000 if the customer was brave). Typically, the user will be sitting in the car with the keyboard on his lap controlling all this. Foot to the floor and the dyno grabs hold of the car at 3000 rpms and allows acceleration of 100 rpms every 0.1 seconds as we told it. When the upper setting is reached, the graphs & data flash on the monitor and the run is over. Find a problem at a certain RPM, eg, 4600, you can set the next run for 4500-4700 for 50rpms every .3 seconds to get enough data to go back to your igntion and fuel mapping charts to try and find the problem. You can even depress the pedal to the block of wood or brick (there are depressor tools for this), walk away from the car to go to the bathroom, and the dyno will do 6 consecutive runs with different color plots and tons of data. They've use the dyno to break in engines, with runs as long a 13 hours, refueling the car while it was running on the dyno. The machine is safe. At one point I counted 12 people standing in front of an E30 M3 running at 7000rpms in 5th gear. I don't think those folks would be as brave in front of the same car jumping around on a roller dyno. The machine is quiet (40db). All the noise is from the car...if there's detonation, you'll hear it. The machine is easy to use. Several of the attendees yesterday got involved in hooking up the machine and using the keyboard. The only problem is lining up the 800 lb pods with the flange adapters...occasionally, the car has to be lowered or the pods repositioned. Note: the 450hp machine uses pods which are 300 lbs lighter...this machine would have been more than enough for our session yesterday as the supercharged M3 and 911 turbo did slightly over 300hp at the wheels. (Note- if you ever run into a situation where a car is overpowering the dyno, the monitor display will go bright red and count down in seconds...30, 29, 28....giving the user time to back out of the run. If he foolishly fails to do so, the dyno will shut down to protect itself which might not be good for the car) We only touched on the basics of what this machine can do. It'll take up to 16 channels of input with real time display of 8. With lambda and AFR sensors, it will show problems with fuel maps (at full or part throttle). Even this weekend, Tony was able to identify holes in torque curves as ignition, fuel or exhaust related...Dave Hellmans E30 M3 aftermarket exhaust caused significant losses over 5000rpms (who says aftermarket is always better). Having been a BMW tuner for many years, he's very adapt to interpreting BMW dyno charts. To quote a well known club racer (and potentially the first private owner here in the US) who was in attendance yesterday.... "The equipment is impressive to say the least and will probably change the tuning industry forever." I agree...now the experienced technician can optimize the software to the exact equipment and tune of the vehicle. The data log can be retrieved from file and overlayed on future runs to determine if there has been any improvement or degradation. We'll try to do a few more of these sessions throughout the year. I encourage tuners/racers/shop owners to see it for themselves. Its truly an amazing tool! SD ========================================= Steve D'Gerolamo - The Ultimate Garage 201-262-0412 / [EMAIL PROTECTED] / http://www.ultimategarage.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 09:46:01 -0500 From: Mike Orth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] LSD and ABS in the snow Hi Carlos, LSDs are very nice to have for the snow. I've passed many stuck, one wheel drive FWD cars during the past week here in North Carolina. ABS and snow is another matter. I would love to have a switch (like Audi' used to) to turn it off. Packed snow and gravel are a nightmare for ABS to deal with. Bumpy roads can also cause problems under heavy braking. The job of the ABS system is to keep the tires rolling. When you're on a surface that doesn't have much friction to give the tires, they lock very quickly. The ABS then starts trying to get the wheels rolling again(modulating the brakes at the offending wheels), but because there is so little friction between the tires and ground, it takes time to get the tire rolling and start the process over, mean while, you're still getting ever closer to the bumper of the SUV ahead of you the just happens to be at the perfect height to wipe out your headlights and hood... Being able to lock the wheel actually builds a wedge of snow/gravel in front of the tire which helps slow the car. This is all fine and good as long as you don't need to turn........ The proper tires make all the difference in the world. Performance tires on snow are a bad mix for ABS. Mike Orth Tarheel Chapter 93 325is 88 325is - Track car with Toyo's, snow mobile with D60-A2's installed. ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #104 ************************** _________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Bonneville Motorwerks . http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com | Circle Tire Co. (used & classic BMW parts) e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Curry's Auto Service . http://www.currysauto.com | Eurosport . http://www.eurosport-hp.com | Koala MotorSport . http://www.koalamotorsport.com | Taylor BMW - http://www.taylorbmw.com - Doc Bimmer! | The Ultimate Garage . http://www.ultimategarage.com | UUC Motorwerks . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com | Zionsville Autosport . http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com ����������������������������������������
