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      03-28-2013, 07:53 PM   #1
3002 tii
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I Sold My Concave Apex Arc-8's to Get These...

We'd all like to think we are DONE but we all know that is never the case. Short of a roll bar, I thought my track car was done. Plus I never considered safety items as "modifications", or at least that's how I justify it. But moving on, my car last appeared like this as of mid-March:



Then I found a deal on a used Stoptech ST-40 big brake kit (p/n: 83.148.4600) and the price was too good to pass up. The owner was parting out his E46 330ci track car and was offering the kit for less than half price. Here's the kicker, the Z4 3.0si shares the same exact front brake setup as the E46 330ci and it's imperative when purchasing brakes you find a kit SPECIFIC to your car. Many kits may "fit" or "bolt-up" but you're really messing with the bias. For example I know some vendors are offering a custom bracket for the 135i caliper but without fitting the matching rear, you may experience more understeer or even worse, lock up the fronts during hard braking. I don't want to offend anyone here who's used those kits and I'm sure they are fine for street but I didn't want to take my chances on track. In any case, I see plenty of big brake kits for sale on M3's but it's RARE you find one from a 330ci (Z4 3.0si) - so I HAD TO HAVE IT :P



Unfortunately though, the wheels above (Apex Arc-8 in 17x9.5 et35) would not clear the calipers due to its concaveness. I could've added a 15mm spacer but the offset would've been way too aggressive for my liking and not safe imo. So I made the hard choice to sell those as well and find a wheel that would a) clear the brakes, b) suitable for track duty and c) wouldn't break the bank

I then stumbled upon the TRM MT1-R wheels. TRM is Tire Rack's in house motorsport brand, but these are basically Enkei wheels made for Tire Rack. I've seen plenty of BMW guys run the MT1 wheels which I actually think looks better because there's no lip and hence the spokes look longer. The MT1-R has a small lip so the spokes don't extend as far out making the wheel look smaller. But the 17x9 et40 was perfect and best of all, Tire Rack threw in 4 free spacers in 5mm.




Couple things on these wheels and brakes

1) TR does NOT offer center caps for these so I just bought replica BMW caps in 68mm off eBay. I had to wrap the center cap tabs with electric tape because it was slightly loose but the tape did the trick. 2) My factory TPMS would NOT fit on these wheels. I know factory-compatible aftermarket senors fit but since these are only track wheels, I didn't see the need for them. Lastly, for those who are curious about these wheels, they will NOT show up if you enter Z4 as your vehicle. TR deems these wheels too aggressive for the Z4 so I had to put in 99 M3 (or any year for E36 M3) for these to show up.

In regards to the brakes, if you're buying a kit used like me, it's probably in your best interest to replace some of the misc. hardware. I purchased new crush washers, oe bolts and jet nuts. The jet nuts were most expensive but you have no choice to buy from Stoptech directly. Regular flange nuts won't work because you need something thin enough to clear the caliper. Also, be sure to read the instructions before, although you think the kit should be a simple bolt-on process, you'll have to a) trim your existing backing plates to fit the larger caliper and b) have access to a die grinder to shave down the steering knuckle in order to let the bracket fit. Lastly, the instruction mentions which parts need loctite and what the torque specs are.

And how she sits now...

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Last edited by 3002 tii; 03-29-2013 at 05:19 PM.. Reason: Some technical notes added...
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      03-28-2013, 09:20 PM   #2
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excellent! let's see some distance pics!

how's the duct-work coming along?
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      03-28-2013, 09:24 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v3.2mc View Post
excellent! let's see some distance pics!

how's the duct-work coming along?
With the limited time I had, I wanted to get these installed before the next event which is in 2 days. After that will tackle the ducts next but I'm almost certain I'll need to do something like you suggested to bridge the wedge shaped gap between back of bumper and flange. Prob is I know a double sided flange won't work because it'll be too short. The slope of the headlight is definitely more than 1/2" long but the flange lip is only 1/2". First thing's first, I need some exact measurements... diameter of the fog, length of the fog housing, etc.
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      03-28-2013, 09:25 PM   #4
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Very nice!

What pads are you going to run?
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      03-28-2013, 09:27 PM   #5
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Nice find ! Are you the only forum member racing an S.I. ?
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      03-28-2013, 09:45 PM   #6
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Excellent !!!!!!!
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      03-28-2013, 10:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
Very nice!

What pads are you going to run?
PFC 08's, would've run 06 but they're being phased out...


Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted Six View Post
Nice find ! Are you the only forum member racing an S.I. ?
Would hardly call if racing, I wish ha... but I don't think I've ever seen a 3.0si at a track event, just M's.

PS I'd love a cf hood with vents!!!


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Excellent !!!!!!!
Thanks!
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      03-29-2013, 02:06 AM   #8
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I've seen a couple 3.0s at track events. Not recently, but back a couple years ago during my first few times out. Car does quite nicely--but I think your brake upgrade is a smart move given your skill level.
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      03-29-2013, 02:39 AM   #9
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I thought you already had Stoptechs and Volks? Your wheels got me interested in the RE30's.
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      03-29-2013, 03:12 AM   #10
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BBKs are best investment by far for track duty
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      03-29-2013, 07:25 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
I've seen a couple 3.0s at track events. Not recently, but back a couple years ago during my first few times out. Car does quite nicely--but I think your brake upgrade is a smart move given your skill level.
Thanks Finn, last piece is a 4 pt rollbar, it never ends!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
I thought you already had Stoptechs and Volks? Your wheels got me interested in the RE30's.
Still have the Volks but they are for street. You are correct, I used to have a UUC / Alcon bbk but like all other UUC products it was sh*t. It didnt maintain bias at all, the fronts were so heavily biased the car would always understeer. Not to mention I always heard a weird knocking noise that UUC could (nor would) not resolve.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfanatic325 View Post
BBKs are best investment by far for track duty
Between this and the seats, hard call but they're both great!
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      03-29-2013, 09:18 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DSC_OFF View Post
PFC 08's, would've run 06 but they're being phased out...




Would hardly call if racing, I wish ha... but I don't think I've ever seen a 3.0si at a track event, just M's.

PS I'd love a cf hood with vents!!!




Thanks!
I've seen some of your videos, I'd consider what you do racing. Wish I could take my car out to track and do the same. Looks fun!
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      03-29-2013, 12:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
... I'd consider what you do racing...
+1

you're racing against yourself lap after lap.
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      03-29-2013, 03:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries326 View Post
I've seen some of your videos, I'd consider what you do racing. Wish I could take my car out to track and do the same. Looks fun!
Aries you should come out with me to the next track event where 'verts are allowed.
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      03-29-2013, 04:20 PM   #15
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Btw, after bedding in the pads yesterday I noticed the car's braking was improved, mainly better initial bite. However I recognize it's NOT the calipers, rather the increase in rotors. Stock is 325x235 and this kit is 332x32.
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      03-29-2013, 04:43 PM   #16
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you still need to update your sig.
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      03-29-2013, 04:52 PM   #17
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you still need to update your sig.
It's amazing how difficult it is to get a rolling shot of your car. LOL
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      03-29-2013, 05:19 PM   #18
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Nice! When's your next event?

I remember seeing you at Summit Point back in July. I was the imola red 99 mcoupe in the intermediate run group. I recently upgraded to an 07 Alpine MCoupe.
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      03-29-2013, 05:26 PM   #19
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Nice! When's your next event?

I remember seeing you at Summit Point back in July. I was the imola red 99 mcoupe in the intermediate run group. I recently upgraded to an 07 Alpine MCoupe.
Thanks man, and I remember your red M coupe then!

Tomorrow, Lime Rock Park with NASA. Then slight hiatus and will pick things up again in June.
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      03-30-2013, 03:44 AM   #20
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Looking good! They look a lot like 10 spoke Volk CE28's dont they?
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      03-30-2013, 11:53 AM   #21
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Very nice!
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