Das Race: My '97 M3/4/5

[Jake]

So Kevin's had the car and been noodling around with it. The good news is that his initial inspection report didn't produce anything alarming. He's very detail-focused and that has me feeling good for 2019. 

Things he's doing:

Underneath

• Bimmerworld "Stage 1" clutch kit - E34 M5 clutch, JB Racing lightweight flywheel. The car still has the original clutch disc from 1997 installed and I just think it's time.
  
• Remove rear swaybar, which had already been disconnected for testing. I like the car with no rear bar.
  
• Replace leaky axle boot.
  

Underhood

• New power steering hoses - the non-OEM stuff has not been as leak-proof as on DJ's E36. Going with new OEM lines.
  
• New cooling system hoses - it's that time.
  

Outside

• Wing support cracked, being re-welded (likely from SE30 impact)
  

Inside

• Wiring clean-up, kinda everywhere
  
• Removal of passenger seat/bracket/harness
  
• New driver harness (expired)
  
• Seatback brace (required as seat ages)
  
• Fire bottle serviced and re-certified
  

Sooooo nothing too crazy, but lots of little stuff that I'm glad to have tidied up and done right. 

Additionally, GTS2 has a faster power to weight ratio for 2019 (now at 14:1, down from 14.5:1) which means I can either make more power, or lose about 100 lbs. I am choosing the BMWeightWatchers method. I had about 70 lbs of ballast in the trunk, so between that and the passenger seat, I should be about where I need.

I'll have Kevin pull all that weight, re-dyno the car for 2019, and order a new set of tires. Thinking BFGoodrich R1S this time around. I have been using the R1 (and still have a kinda-good set) but want to give the "S" a shot.

Once I get the car back from Kevin - probably won't have it home until after VIR - I'm going to run over to Tom's house and borrow some driveway space to spray-bomb my interior. He sprayed his Subaru all white inside and it is so nice. Going to leave the rollcage green but try to brighten it up otherwise.

FIVE WEEKS TO VIR!

Shout-outs to not only Kevin of FlimFlamSpeed but also OGRacing and Bimmerworld for their continued support this season. Every little bit helps.