THSCC Forums

yeh BSP does sound like fun. mmmmmmm mods. hah

running a BSP pax in a tire class sure would be goofy though considerint the PAX is meant for rcomps.. but i guess its possible. i dont really know what to do

well i finally got to pick up the car yesterday. it feels so different than the R32 i've stalled it out twice!

R32: long clutch travel, catches high, light weight. sensitive throttle, effortless shifter

M3: short stiff clutch w/ low engagement. stiff short travel throttle. rubbery shifter. hah

i drove it a good bit yesterday and now i'm pretty used to it. on the way to work this morning i was feeling more confident and comfortable. it feels good. power is nice. RWD is.. somethign you have to be aware of in the rain i can't wait to try to autox this thing!

any of you e36 guys have a short shift kit or have you replaced the shifter bushings? i think some TLC might tighten this guy up a notch. the gas pedal feels a bit stiff and catchy so maybe i need to clean/lube the throttle and maybe a new cable.

any M3 owners want to trade test drives to compare?

while not an m3 i did put a B&M kit in mine. definitely more precise.
you should be able to install a longer clutch stop than the OEM. i plan on doing this soon. never noticed the throttle deal you mentioned. throttle response depends on air flow also. i generally have it matted so i don't know. drawback to not driving everyday.


real men drive RWD

^cool. yeh i think i will replace all the bushings that wouldnt be replaced w/ a SSK first.. then maybe add that UUC DSSR (replacement shiftrod).. then if i stilll want more maybe ill try a SSK and i wouldnt have to replace anything i've already replaced.

is your reverse really hard to get into? not the gear itself but like the gate that allows you to over the shifter left beyond 1st? once i get past that the shifter goes up and into gear fine. its probably hard on purpose to keep you from accidently getting into it while moving, but it seems pretty tough. all other gears shift nicely.

oh and i found it already had a clutch stop. it was adjusted too high for my liking so i lowered it back into the firewall a bit and its much better i think. i'm happy w/ that now. although i think the clutch pedal pivot could probably using new bushings

the throttle just seems kinda sticky and not totally smooth. like when i slowly let off instead of being real smooth, its a little catchy.. but it could just be me not being used to a firm pedal.

and yeh RWD is cool. i can feel the back step out in a turn w/ the right amount of throttle.. but it seems pretty catchable.

have not noticed the reverse thing, but you may have a different set-up with the M. my clutch pedal is wobbly also.

Fixed it for ya.

- dow

yeah, yeah

Hey, you can make the STi RWD - simply adjust the center diff to full open, then floor the gas in a turn. I need to play around with that setting some more - auto isn't as much fun.

Dan what you are saying about the gas pedal being a touch sticky seems to me like it would be a cable but that is my 2 cents as I have never owned a BMW. Good luck with it. Can't wait to see you out with it next year.

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2010 Honda Fit Sport
Couple of bicycles

I guess since I am THE 'AWD hack', I will slightly expound here.

With my 05, I can drift the car with the diff set to full auto. With the Center diff set to full open (fixed 35/65 torque split on the 04-05s), I can keep the car sideways as long as I want... "30 second, 2 hours... until I run out of petrol". Once an AWD car breaks traction, it is as loose, IME, as any car, but your 'contollable slip angle' seems to be larger and it is easier to bing it back while still 'power on'.

I have just had very few exploits with RWD cars, and each time I break traction, I find that the amount of patience needed to creep up to the limit but not step over it to be frustrating. Of course, I have never driven a well prepared RWD car.

Anyway, much love to all cars. I just like to be happy with the way any car controls... or 'out of controls'

- dow

Ah, but Brian, that balancing on the edge but not stepping over too far is exactly what driving has become all about for me now that I have reformed from my old AWD hack days. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, but when you get it right, its oh so very good. I mean, does Whitney look like he isn't enjoying himself on course? Talk about dancing it on and over the edge, he is the master. And yes, things get better with a better prepared RWD car. You spend alot less time waiting for the car to respond to your inputs and alot more time grinning.

Not trying to start up an old debate again, your comment just struck a cord with me and reminded me how much I like driving my car. You do alot of the same things with AWD and FWD cars, your obviously balancing them on the edge as well when your going fast, its just different and the harmony of steering with your hands and with the modulation of your right foot is beautiful thing. And believe me, I have tried them all. Anyways, nobody listen to me, its nice to have variety at autocrosses it would be boring if all that was there were RWD cars.

This is why rallycross > autocross for me.

But now that I have something with power, I am looking forward to the 2nd annual Mauldin/Allen Drift Show and Test & Tune at Laurinburg...

New Rule: All 4 tires have to stay on the concrete! We need judges at this one.

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In need of car.

You guys need to try V8 rwd solid axle pony cars in the wet, let alone snow/ice? About all I can say is that driving a V8 pickup in those conditions is probably tougher . . .

Basic rule of thumb since I started driving Mustang V8's in 1969 in rain/snow/ice. Power OFF or barely on until right angle turns are complete and steering is straight. Then apply "some" power and sneak up on the traction limit.

Kelly and I watched somebody almost spin a new (dealer plate) $100K Mercedes 2 seater from a standing start at the end of I540 at Capital Ave yesterday. Got on the gas while still turning right, at least one tire spun (we could hear it) and the car went sideways at about 5 mph. Don't know "where" the traction control or stability control were "hiding"

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

V8 pony cars will test anyone's mettle. i had to pitch mine for a more stable 405hp fiberglass something. traction control learn to love it.

and actually Vincent schooled me this past rallyX on thowing a FWD into a turn. i have probably eight hours seat time in a FWD. getting old is hell.