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      06-14-2013, 12:11 PM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shipkiller View Post
No winning involved here. I just was a little confused based on MY experiances. Remember, every car is a little different.

I have been using Redline 10W60 for the last two oil changes. I have also been adding a bottle of ZDDPlus to bring the anti-wear ZDDP levels (Zinc and Phosphorus) up.

I just switched to Redline 15W50. (I hear the ‘BMW Engineers know better than you’ Nazi’s with their pitchforks and torches moving toward me now…..)
At a Porsche event at VIR last month, James Clay was there all three days. He was being a personal driving coach for someone. I did not ask how much THAT cost……

We had a discussion about oil for the S54B32 engine. His comments specifically said that he and his tech boys at Bimmerworld are seeing better bearing wear on the S54 using a 50 weight oil. Like I said in a previous post, my on track temps are 5-10’ cooler with the 50 weight oil than with a 60 weight.

My car has 38,000 miles on it. I received the Blackstone report last week. My ‘Lead’ level was at a staggering 43PPM and ‘Iron’ was at 17PPM. Remember, this report has been on 10W60.

I am concerned but not ‘going out of my mind’ like some on this board would do. There are several things that could cause this spike in lead other than bearing wear. I just have to wait and see. Just be to sure and to have all my duck in a row, I have talked to Randy Forbes and my local guy on doing a bearing replacement.

I plan doing another oil sample at 3000miles to see what the delta’s are.
I used Castrol 10w60 with redline additive until 58,000 mile mark when i decided to replace my bearings with a similar report showing high lead.The picture below is what I found. I am now using Motul 300 V 15w50 I will post my next wear analysis with my new treated bearings as I think I'm certainly one of the hardest on his engine . I would seriously not wait and see, bearing replacement is cheap easy and needed on a tracked S54 even at your mileage.
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      06-14-2013, 01:35 PM   #68
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Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
I would seriously not wait and see, bearing replacement is cheap easy and needed on a tracked S54 even at your mileage.
Cheap? Easy? I was under the impression it was both expensive and difficult.
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      06-14-2013, 02:15 PM   #69
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Originally Posted by beta View Post
Cheap? Easy? I was under the impression it was both expensive and difficult.
It is very easy to access the rod bearings from underneath the car after removing the oil pan. Even if you go the most expensive route which I did and purchase the Bimmerworld S54 treated race bearing kit which comes with ARP hardened rod bolts, its only 599 in parts. Thats not expensive when you compare the cost of a new motor which is what you will be buying if you track your S54 with worn bearings. And peace of mind is priceless
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      06-14-2013, 04:33 PM   #70
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Originally Posted by seank View Post
Another issue with intercooler is

-it replaces the stock location of oil cooler and there is a gap below the radiator which is low pressure. This will make the radiator less efficient, due to lowering the pressure in front of the radiator slightly.

-The oil cooler is put in front of the radiator, which pre-heats the air before going though the radiator. Also, unless the gap between the oil cooler and radiator is closed off at the seams, it won't have low pressure to draw the air through the oil cooler. It will be high pressure behind the oil cooler. Essentially making it less efficient.

Having high pressure in the front and low pressure behind is what draws the air through because it wants to be in a low pressure area.

I will have to look at mine when it is being installed next week.

Not that this will solve all the issues, but it should be something to be considered.
Agreed these pics during my install show the problem quite well, its a game of where's the radiator lol. And what isn't covered is banged up from the track .
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      06-14-2013, 04:43 PM   #71
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An additional thing i am changing to prevent limp mode on track, which is also temp related is to change out my spark plugs. I am going to run a 1 step colder plug the NGK DCPR9EIX, which has been used effectively by the E46 M3 500 plus HP crowd. Honestly I think running stock plugs is an oversight by ESS, with a kit running 8.5 PSI boost with stock high compression. Especially in track situations and at high rpm (even on the street )was definitely leading to power loss due to increased knock . I am setting up a dyno day with some of my local friends so I'll have a good crossection in the severe Charleston SC heat. (2013 Camaro ZL1, 2012 Supercharged 5.0 Mustang, SL55 AMG ). It should be interesting to see how my Z4M fits into the picture.
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      06-18-2013, 05:17 PM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
An additional thing i am changing to prevent limp mode on track, which is also temp related is to change out my spark plugs. I am going to run a 1 step colder plug the NGK DCPR9EIX, which has been used effectively by the E46 M3 500 plus HP crowd. Honestly I think running stock plugs is an oversight by ESS, with a kit running 8.5 PSI boost with stock high compression. Especially in track situations and at high rpm (even on the street )was definitely leading to power loss due to increased knock . I am setting up a dyno day with some of my local friends so I'll have a good crossection in the severe Charleston SC heat. (2013 Camaro ZL1, 2012 Supercharged 5.0 Mustang, SL55 AMG ). It should be interesting to see how my Z4M fits into the picture.
I may have asked before, but I am assuming that you are running 100 octane on the track?
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      06-18-2013, 06:50 PM   #73
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Originally Posted by seank View Post
I may have asked before, but I am assuming that you are running 100 octane on the track?
I have Sean and it did help reduce the problem of knock at high temp/rpm I'm sure, but our cars shouldn't NEED race gas to keep from limping around track. My goal is to get it fully functional on 93 octane.
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      06-18-2013, 06:58 PM   #74
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Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
I have Sean and it did help reduce the problem of knock at high temp/rpm I'm sure, but our cars shouldn't NEED race gas to keep from limping around track. My goal is to get it fully functional on 93 octane.
True. I just read that it is what ESS recommended with the kit for the track, so I was just checking.
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      06-18-2013, 07:06 PM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seank View Post
True. I just read that it is what ESS recommended with the kit for the track, so I was just checking.
Why they don't rec 1 step colder plugs is beyond me, using the stock plugs is why race gas is needed when driving the kit hard. With a stock compression motor/8.5 PSI of boost its silly to run a hot plug. I'm kind of pissed I drove it on track with the stock plugs in. I have been data logging timing before and after the colder plugs and even at street temps my car is able to run Several i.e 5-10 degrees more timing above 5k rpm
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      06-18-2013, 08:35 PM   #76
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They don't supply colder plugs with their kit!? That's pathetic on their part.
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      06-18-2013, 09:42 PM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
Why they don't rec 1 step colder plugs is beyond me, using the stock plugs is why race gas is needed when driving the kit hard. With a stock compression motor/8.5 PSI of boost its silly to run a hot plug. I'm kind of pissed I drove it on track with the stock plugs in. I have been data logging timing before and after the colder plugs and even at street temps my car is able to run Several i.e 5-10 degrees more timing above 5k rpm
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Thanks for the tips. Sorry you have to continue to be the guinea pig.
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      06-19-2013, 07:53 AM   #78
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Video of Limp mode filled track session

Quote:
Originally Posted by seank View Post
Thanks for the tips. Sorry you have to continue to be the guinea pig.
Thanks Sean, I don't mind , the kit is great for the street but it is definitely not track ready out the box. Here is the video from the afternoon session when it was 95 degrees and 80% humidity. You can see the first limp mode at around the 3:00 minute mark (oil temp was already at 255). I proceeded to start out in 5th for the straight and short shift to sixth, as well as take it easy in turn 3 to keep it on the track. Pretty noticeable power loss as the session progressed in the top end.

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      06-19-2013, 02:26 PM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seank View Post
True. I just read that it is what ESS recommended with the kit for the track, so I was just checking.
i run race gas in mine, always have since day one, Re the plugs ess specifically told me not to stray from the stock plugs.... considering this is probably one of the most used s54 Fi kits our their id lean to their advise personally.... drop ess a line and ask them their advise and post up the answer.... it would be great to know once and for all....... after all, it would be no skin off their nose to supply new plugs charge us for the privilage and make money on the extra components.... my guess is they really aren't needed........

im back on track in a few weeks, again from 10am to 4pm, the car does countless laps, and never ever misses a beat, its usually in 24 deg C + heat as well..... its a really hard day on the car, one thing thats always been consistent is the performance of the car and the ess kit....

really sorry for having issues with yours gmd....
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      06-19-2013, 05:10 PM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
i run race gas in mine, always have since day one, Re the plugs ess specifically told me not to stray from the stock plugs.... considering this is probably one of the most used s54 Fi kits our their id lean to their advise personally.... drop ess a line and ask them their advise and post up the answer.... it would be great to know once and for all....... after all, it would be no skin off their nose to supply new plugs charge us for the privilage and make money on the extra components.... my guess is they really aren't needed........

im back on track in a few weeks, again from 10am to 4pm, the car does countless laps, and never ever misses a beat, its usually in 24 deg C + heat as well..... its a really hard day on the car, one thing thats always been consistent is the performance of the car and the ess kit....

really sorry for having issues with yours gmd....
Beedub in regards to the plugs just do a quick search of E46 M3 guys with FI at 500hp and above and what plugs they use. Also VF, AA , VAC ,Bimmerworld etc. and pretty much every other manufacturer recommends colder plugs for our boost level on the S54. With the stock plugs you ARE going to loose power in the upper rpm range because of knock especially on track. The bottom line is I drive my car a bit harder than most and you really can't compare European conditions to the Southern US in the summer. And 24 degrees Celsius is frigging winter here . This past day where i had temp issues you would have as well I guarantee it. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) and 85% humidity. Oil temps were up into the 255 range in only 3 minutes of track driving with water temps in the red. Our ECU's are extremely sensitive to oil and water temps , race gas or no. Also we do have different kits so I'm just letting people know what needs to be done to get a 525 car reliable on track ideally with 93 octane in my corner of the world. Honestly I wish i had just upgraded my fuel pump in the VT-1 set up i had at this point bc it was a killer on track with my M6 custom oil cooler and damn reliable too. I dream of the good old days when i'd have a limp every two track days not every two laps . The good news is I've gotten really slick at cutting the car off and restarting it at 140 mph
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      06-19-2013, 05:29 PM   #81
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Quote:
24 deg C
According to the calculator, that is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Screaming hot to an Englishman.

Btw, my mother is from Essex and yes, I know what they say about Essex girls.
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      06-20-2013, 02:27 AM   #82
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According to the calculator, that is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Screaming hot to an Englishman.

Btw, my mother is from Essex and yes, I know what they say about Essex girls.
lol its true!!! ive only done one trackday in 30 deg C heat in about 3 years!! lol!!!
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      06-20-2013, 02:28 AM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
Beedub in regards to the plugs just do a quick search of E46 M3 guys with FI at 500hp and above and what plugs they use. Also VF, AA , VAC ,Bimmerworld etc. and pretty much every other manufacturer recommends colder plugs for our boost level on the S54. With the stock plugs you ARE going to loose power in the upper rpm range because of knock especially on track. The bottom line is I drive my car a bit harder than most and you really can't compare European conditions to the Southern US in the summer. And 24 degrees Celsius is frigging winter here . This past day where i had temp issues you would have as well I guarantee it. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) and 85% humidity. Oil temps were up into the 255 range in only 3 minutes of track driving with water temps in the red. Our ECU's are extremely sensitive to oil and water temps , race gas or no. Also we do have different kits so I'm just letting people know what needs to be done to get a 525 car reliable on track ideally with 93 octane in my corner of the world. Honestly I wish i had just upgraded my fuel pump in the VT-1 set up i had at this point bc it was a killer on track with my M6 custom oil cooler and damn reliable too. I dream of the good old days when i'd have a limp every two track days not every two laps . The good news is I've gotten really slick at cutting the car off and restarting it at 140 mph
hmmmm maybe in my region the setup is just perfect... good luck on your quest.... let me know on the cooler plugs BUT still drop ess a line and post up the repsonse, that would be awesome!!
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      06-20-2013, 01:56 PM   #84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
Beedub in regards to the plugs just do a quick search of E46 M3 guys with FI at 500hp and above and what plugs they use. Also VF, AA , VAC ,Bimmerworld etc. and pretty much every other manufacturer recommends colder plugs for our boost level on the S54. With the stock plugs you ARE going to loose power in the upper rpm range because of knock especially on track. The bottom line is I drive my car a bit harder than most and you really can't compare European conditions to the Southern US in the summer. And 24 degrees Celsius is frigging winter here . This past day where i had temp issues you would have as well I guarantee it. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) and 85% humidity. Oil temps were up into the 255 range in only 3 minutes of track driving with water temps in the red. Our ECU's are extremely sensitive to oil and water temps , race gas or no. Also we do have different kits so I'm just letting people know what needs to be done to get a 525 car reliable on track ideally with 93 octane in my corner of the world. Honestly I wish i had just upgraded my fuel pump in the VT-1 set up i had at this point bc it was a killer on track with my M6 custom oil cooler and damn reliable too. I dream of the good old days when i'd have a limp every two track days not every two laps . The good news is I've gotten really slick at cutting the car off and restarting it at 140 mph
hmmmm maybe in my region the setup is just perfect... good luck on your quest.... let me know on the cooler plugs BUT still drop ess a line and post up the repsonse, that would be awesome!!
Beedub , check out this article from NGK our OEM plug provider, it will put you on the same page. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/p2.asp . Essentially going up one temp range on a plug lowers cylinder temps 70-100 C , Since I have knock , retarded timing , and high temps on track along with the fact our motors are high compression, high rpm and now high boost , the decision is easy. ESS likely doesn't do colder plugs bc they build and test their cars in Norway ( Its really cold their a lot )Roman agrees with me that for my usage pattern and location it's a good idea as the reduction in cylinder temps will reduce knock and actually increase my power by allowing the ecu to advance timing. The reason you don't run a colder plug stock is if the cylinder temp is too low < 500C ( ideal is 500-700) you have increased carbon fouling of the plug and then incomplete burn. With FI at 8+ PSI , a 8k redline and a high compression ratio there is no way we have a low cylinder temp issue ( even you in England lol)
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      06-20-2013, 02:53 PM   #85
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Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
Beedub , check out this article from NGK our OEM plug provider, it will put you on the same page. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_su...k_plugs/p2.asp . Essentially going up one temp range on a plug lowers cylinder temps 70-100 C , Since I have knock , retarded timing , and high temps on track along with the fact our motors are high compression, high rpm and now high boost , the decision is easy. ESS likely doesn't do colder plugs bc they build and test their cars in Norway ( Its really cold their a lot )Roman agrees with me that for my usage pattern and location it's a good idea as the reduction in cylinder temps will reduce knock and actually increase my power by allowing the ecu to advance timing. The reason you don't run a colder plug stock is if the cylinder temp is too low < 500C ( ideal is 500-700) you have increased carbon fouling of the plug and then incomplete burn. With FI at 8+ PSI , a 8k redline and a high compression ratio there is no way we have a low cylinder temp issue ( even you in England lol)
George
hey george, leave england out of this!!! lol!! do you have a part number.... im game to give it a try :-)
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      06-20-2013, 03:22 PM   #86
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hey george, leave england out of this!!! lol!! do you have a part number.... im game to give it a try :-)
HA HA . I spoke at length with an NGK spark plug engineer and he recommended the DCPR9EIX part # 2316. It is an Irdium plug that is 1 step colder than stock. This is what many high horsepower FI E46 M3 guys have used successfully. My car is running stronger than ever with them in , and I have data logs showing my car running more timing with them vs stock. I am in South Carolina and it is hot as hell here though lol.
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      06-20-2013, 06:06 PM   #87
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I ordered the plugs based on your recommendation. I just won't have anything to compare them too. If the car scares me with too much power, I will put the stock ones back in.

Thanks again.
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      06-20-2013, 06:49 PM   #88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seank
I ordered the plugs based on your recommendation. I just won't have anything to compare them too. If the car scares me with too much power, I will put the stock ones back in.

Thanks again.
Yes, put the stock ones back cause detonation is ideal...
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