SVMC member discount - Apex Pro track coach

I have worked with Apex Pro to bring SVMC members a great discount on the Apex Pro system. Discount info is below but first let’s talk about what Apex Pro is…..

I have used this for over a year and love it. This device and smartphone app can not only be a great and simple way to get your lap times, but the real power in this setup is that it shows predictive grip compared to the amount of grip you are actually using in real-time! I don’t think there is another system that does this. So how this works is that you buy the Apex Pro device (a small bar with LED lights) that is packed with GPS, accelerometers, gyroscope, and a slick algo. It will then calculate (in real-time) the predictive grip your car has on that track at that spot at that moment and then show you with the LEDs how much of the grip you are effectively using. What you are not using is your room for improvement as a driver.

That device can (but it doesn’t have to be) paired with a smartphone app which is free. If you do pair it with a smartphone it will act as a dead simple lap timer for you with some pretty slick data logging and analysis tools. This is an inexpensive, wireless, way of getting some good data on how you are driving. You can go a step further and pair the Apex Pro and app with an OBDII adapter to then get even more measurements (car sensors) to analyze later. You can also use the smartphone app as an AUX display while you are driving.

What I love about this is that it is simple, wireless, inexpensive, and can be used as your only data logging system or as a separate system augmenting your AIM or VBOX or what ever pro data logging system you are using. The predictive grip compared to actual grip is a measurement those other systems generally don’t provide and certainly don’t provide it in real-time to the driver……as they are driving.

$30 off Apex’s OBDII Interface with the code “obdtester” - Purchase Now

So now that you are excited about getting an Apex Pro here is the discount. If you go to their website and put in the following code “obdtester” you will get $30 off Apex’s OBDII Interface. That OBDII can be used without the Apex Pro LED unit if you simply want sensor data but I would highly recommend getting the Apex Pro system with the OBDII adapter. The OBDII adapter is regularly $129 but if you use the SVMC code “obdtester” it will only cost $30.

The APEX Pro OBDII interface fits all OBDII compliant vehicles. Not only can you view real-time vehicle data in the OBDII Dashboard, diagnose check engine lights, and set 0-60 times, you can log all of the OBDII data for review. You can also use the new gear selector feature to show which gear you were using while on track.

The APEX Pro OBDII interface will log: Throttle Position (TPS), Engine RPM, Coolant Temperature, and MAP Pressure. OBDII channels do not include steering position or brake pedal pressure.

Check out this video for info on how to use the APEX Pro OBDII Interface.

If you want to learn more about the Apex Pro system visit their website here.

BMW M2 Build - Data Logging Setup

Not only do I love to modify a car simply to modify a car, but I love it when those mods actually make you go faster and become a better driver. Getting good (and easy) data logging in a track/race car is critical. There are many different options to choose from ranging from smartphone setups, to advanced amateur setups, all the way to pro level setups. To read about what data system I put into the SVMC M2 check out this blog posting.

But what I found out once I began using that setup was that I was getting some confusing data readouts. Getting bad data is worse than getting no data. So I once again reached out to my friends at Edge in Fremont and they hooked me up with their data guru Jeremiah Wennermark from Man & Machine Consulting. Very quickly Jeremiah found out that my config files for my AIM Solo 2 DL and Smartycam were not setup quite right. He was able to provide me new config files remotely and I was able to simply load them up.

Jeremiah and I also talked about how to get better data from the SVMC M2 which either means upgrading the AIM system or moving over to a Motec system. Both of those options will require a good amount of coin so for now I will use my AIM Solo 2 DL but I do agree a more flexible and powerful system is preferred. Jeremiah also offers track side analysis, remote analysis, and complete data logging car setups. If you are in the need to work with someone on getting the best data logging you can, or you simply want someone to help you understand what all those squiggly lines mean after your race…..reach out to Jeremiah at Man & Machine Consulting.

A bit more about Man & Machine Consulting:

We are proud to focus on the analysis and development of drivers, vehicles, processes, and teams across the motorsports spectrum. Our passion revolves around efficiently getting drivers and vehicles up to speed. We can support teams' with the most basic data acquisition and excel with professional motorsports' grade instrumentation and controls.

Our passion lies in objectivity, engineering, growth, and sharing all of the above with teams. We strive to elevate our clients' standards by sharing our passion and processes. Doing so allows them to continue to grow long after our contracts are complete. Many consultants hold their processes and information close to their chest thus hindering clients' long-term development. We take pride in supporting our clients, their vehicles, and their sponsoring partners. VISIT US

BMW M2 Build - Wheel and Tire Update

I have been asked what my current wheel and tire set up is on the SVMC M2. If you have been following the build you will notice that I started out with a square setup, but then I did go to a staggered setup for a while. While that allowed for a slightly wider tire in the rear I ended up going back to a square setup because I did run into some clearance issues when I went to a 285/305 setup.

I currently run Apex FL-5 ET40 18x10.5 satin black with Nitto NT-01 275x. This setup doesn’t require any fender rolling and it clears the Sparta big brake kit and KW clubsport suspension. Because the wheels are 10.5 yet the tires are 275/35/18 the tires are stretched a bit to give them a slightly larger contact patch. I have found this to be a great all round setup without compromising much of anything. The Nitto NT-01 give me about 20 heat cycles so about 4 full track days. They are my preferred track tires as they are very progressive, very grippy, and handle the heat cycles well. They are not the best for the street as they are loud and they are a bit slick for wet roads but given I am in CA I have no problem using them on the street simply to get to the track.

You got to love the simplicity of a square setup that just works.

BMW M2 Build - Fixing Track Failures

Contrary to what a Porsche owner says…..the BMW M2 is a great track car platform. Sure a GT3 or GT4 is more capable than any of BMW’s M line. But those Porsches cost significantly more (like 3-5 times more) than a stock M2/3/4. Even after you spend a ton of money turning an M2/3/4 into a track beast you are still in the hole less than a stock GT3 or GT4. Yes a Porsche will be faster, but speed and lap times are not always the main point of a car build. For some of us the main point is to simply have FUN and to create a one of a kind car. So if you are like me and you want a project car, but also want a great platform to work on, and you are on a budget, then the M2 might be a great option…..at least until you have a Porsche budget to play with :)

With that said, there are a couple things you will need to address on the M2 to make it a great track car that frankly are annoying oversights by BMW. The first, which is very well documented throughout the web, is the tendency for the M2 to go into limp mode on the track due to fuel starvation. While that is bad enough as is, what is worse is that you don’t know it is due to fuel starvation unless you have a code reader. This happens when you are pushing the car on the track under G load and the fuel tank is 1/2 full or less. What happens is the car will signal a drivetrain malfunction and immediately put you into a 35 mph limp mode…..not awesome. Fortunately the fix is easy and cheap. All you need is Dinan’s Fuel Upgrade Kit.

Another annoying mod you need to make on the M2 for the track is to either turn off all the nannies or code in new settings for the nannies so you have more control of the car. The US MDM settings are a joke. The Euro MDM settings are better, but the best for the track are the M4 GTS MDM settings. You can also use the M4 GTS settings for steering, the differential, and the transmission (DCT). To learn more about how I coded these into the SVMC M2 check out this post.

Other than those obnoxious, yet required, mods you enter the normal mods like wider wheels and tires, better brakes, better suspension, and more power. In case you are wondering what order of mods you should do I would suggest tires, brakes, suspension, codes/tunes, and then power. No need to have more power if you can’t do anything with it. If you are wondering what the priority is for the safety mods (cage, seats, belts, fire suppression, etc) my philosophy is that once you get out of the “A” run group and are driving solo then you should begin creating a plan for your car and start increasing safety along the way. Safety mods should never be overlooked and as you get faster your budget should shift from fun stuff to safe stuff.

One last comment about BMW’s for the track. If you are working with a modern BMW (anything after the e46 M3) weight is an issue. There is only so much weight you can strip out of a modern BMW, but you can say that about most modern cars due to safety standards.

UPDATE 11/12:

I took out the SVMC M2 to test out the Dinan upgraded fuel pump kit and it worked perfect. Before this upgrade I would go into limp mode if I let the fuel get to 1/2 a tank due to fuel starvation. With the upgrade kit I am able to take my tank all the way to empty without going into fuel starvation. I know this because yesterday at Sonoma after lunch I forgot to refuel and in my 4th session out I drained my tank to near empty without ever going into limp mode. The Dinan fuel pump kit is a must buy for any M2 that is going to see track duty.

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BMW M2 Build - More Coding / Tuning

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I have already done some coding and tuning but I did not go very extreme right away as I wanted to see how the car performed closer to stock. Now that I have done a handful of track days in this car I decided to code/tune a few more things. Here is what I had previously done:

Engine Tune

Coding

The Euro MDM was a huge improvement over the US MDM. The Euro settings are far less restrictive for aggressive street driving but still not great for the track. If you are just starting out on the track the Euro MDM settings might be perfect, but as you pick up speed on the track and start to push the car you will find the Euro MDM settings still a bit too aggressive on the exit of the turns. I track my car in Sport+ mode which still allows some nannies to take over at times. This is not ideal, and frankly I need to simply turn all the nannies off on the track, but if you still want to hold onto some form of a safety net the Sport+ mode is pretty good.

The best way to keep some nannies but to have the car set up for the track is to code in the M4 GTS settings for MDM, steering, differential, and the DCT. You can have an outfit like CodeMyCar do this for you remotely by hooking up a laptop to your OBDII…..or you can do it yourself if you use something like Thor - The M Flasher. Thor uses an OBDII bluetooth adapter and a smartphone app so that you can change the settings between stock, aggressive street, and track. This method costs a bit more than the usual remote coders but I like that I can do it myself at any time without needing to schedule an appointment. This also allows you to switch back and forth between settings with a quick (10-15 minute) code refresh. So at the moment I have changed out the Euro MDM for the GTS MDM along with the GTS settings for steering, diff, and the DCT. Now it is time to go test out the new settings (off to Sonoma Raceway).

UPDATE 11/12:

Yesterday I was out at Sonoma shaking down the SVMC M2. I was running with the M4 GTS mappings and I have to say they are nice. I honestly can’t say I noticed a huge difference between those mappings and the Euro mappings but my impression is that in Sport+ (most traction control turned off) the car slipped when it should, didn’t slip when it shouldn’t, shifted fast, and handled well. So if you are looking for the most aggressive settings for the track I would recommend the M4 GTS mappings. One down side to Thor’s M Flasher…..when I flashed the M4 GTS mappings it re-enabled my previous TPMS delete. So that makes the entire day I had my TPMS alarm going off but it did not impact the car. Now I have to work with Code My Car again to get the TPMS disabled again.

SVMC New Club Gear is Here

New club gear arrived today featuring the new logo and colors. Check out our gear page to see three new shirts, a sweatshirt, and stickers. In a few weeks we will have two new hats and a patch available as well. Show your support for the club and buy some gear today.

BMW M2 Build - Carbon Fiber Vented Hood

As you can tell I have tried very hard to get the SVMC M2 to look and perform like a GTS, just in M2 form. The meaningful mods have all been performance oriented, but I have done some cosmetic mods along the way to achieve the right look. Most of the time I don’t have heat issues with the M2 but every now and then I will get an error message. It has never gone into limp mode but those error messages are annoying nonetheless.

So I started to look around at heat management solutions which got me thinking of getting a larger intercooler, radiator, oil cooler, and DCT cooler. I have that all picked out but have decided to wait a bit before doing that project as the cost gets up there pretty quick. Seems like a great winter project to keep me busy.

Another option for heat management is a vented hood. While this usually doesn’t “solve” a heat issue it can help increase air flow to the engine bay as well as let the heat dissipate better. I had looked at just buying vents and cutting into the stock hood but that is involved, runs some risk of it not looking clean, and does not have other benefits like cutting down on weight. So I looked for carbon fiber vented hoods for the M2 similar to the ones found on e36 or e46 GTRs. There are a few options out there but most try to mimic an M4 GTS hood which has a power dome + 1 small vent. It looks decent but the vent is so small I doubt it will do much (if anything) for heat management. So I went with the Agency Power Carbon Fiber Dual Sided Vented Hood. It has three good sized vents, full carbon fiber, plus a power dome for some M3/4 style. The fit and finish is very good with only modest gaps along the body seams. The vents are the largest I have found for the M2 and there is the added benefit of some weight savings compared to the stock metal hood.

The plan is to paint the hood in OEM Alpine White but to leave the vents in gloss black carbon fiber. Once that paint job has fully cured for a few weeks I will wrap the hood in Xpel to protect it from the abuse of the track. So far I am very happy but I won’t know if it actually helps with heat management until I get back out on the track and do some sessions and compare my heat measurements. Stay tuned for details.

SVMC New Logo

While our shield logo is great, it is hard to work with at times given the shape. So I decided to post an online design contest to see what other logo ideas the community could come up with. I uploaded some ideas and gave some general direction which resulted in us receiving over 250 design ideas. Here is the one we picked (in a few different colors). You will see this roll out across our website and social media in the coming weeks. We will also create some new gear using this logo. If you love the shield, don’t worry. We will keep the shield around for certain purposes.

SVMC M2 Turner Motorsports Article

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I love it when my SVMC M2 project gains any level of notice. While I have done this project for myself it is always nice to have your work appreciated. Back in November 2018 Turner Motorsports reached out to me about doing an article on the M2 for their newsletter. Turner is a great company so I was more than eager to help out. A lot has changed on the M2 since that article but I wanted to share the article link nonetheless. Here is a link to the article.

SVMC showing support for FemPowered

As you can read from SVMC’s vision below I created this club with the idea that motor enthusiasts should simply get together and not get hung up on gender, age, brands, or specific events.

“SVMC is a free to join social club for men and women drivers and riders that simply want to get out there and experience the road and track. We are a motor club that welcomes all enthusiasts, racers, and collectors alike to get together and talk, drive, ride, and race.”
— SVMC's Vision

I am happy to say that SVMC has a handful of women members which I am very proud of, but at the same time surprised there are not more. While I understand motorsports might attract more men than women in general, I have seen plenty of women at various car and bike events. That leads me to think that there is interest from women but there must also be barriers.

FemPowered is a new organization that is focused on breaking those barriers to create a welcoming environment for women to express their inner motor head. The founders of FemPowered (Nancy, Erika, and Rhoda) have just begun the journey to help women get more connected around motorsports and SVMC is happy to support their effort. I hope to do more things with FemPowered over the coming years because what they are doing should be supported by all of us.

Here is more about FemPowered:

FemPowered was born out of a wish.  A group of women who each were involved in motorsports in their own way but wished there was a community to meet others like them.  So over mimosas one summer day, FemPowered was born.

Our goal is to create the women’s motorsport community that we were looking for.  A place for all women, from the diehard weekend track warrior to the casually interested fledgling.  A place to meet others like them, to learn from others, and most importantly, a place where we belong and are not alone.

Each of us realized how lucky we were to have either grown up around motorsports or had the support structure in place to start our journey.  But many women are not so lucky. For these women, FemPowered will be there for them. We will guide them, support them, and show them the path.  And when they are ready to make their own path, we will still be there.

BMW M2 Build - Data and Video System

All respectable track cars need a data and video system of some kind to see where you can improve. In my case I need all the coaching I can get. There are plenty of systems out there to choose from. You have the inexpensive iPhone + app setup. The slightly more expensive iPhone + app + GoPro system. The expensive dedicated data and video system that tap into the ECU and receive a multitude of data channels and then overlays that data onto track video. And finally, the pro custom systems that monitor every aspect of the car and streams that data back to the pit crew for real time analysis.

On any given track day the dominant system (by far) is the iPhone + app + GoPro. I started with this system years ago and it is great for the price. You have apps like Harry’s Lap Timer that do a terrific job at capturing some data channels and video and putting it all together for engaging video footage. The only issue is that you can’t do deep analysis on the data or easily compare the data from a reference lap to the rest of your laps. Also you end up with gear all over the windshield (iPhone + GoPro + cables). There is a practical problem with all that gear stuck to your windshield or dash besides visibility……and that is “when” it falls off it may fall into the driver’s footwell and obstruct the pedals. Having something fall by your feet as you are dive bombing into a turn is not a great feeling. The other thing that bothered me with the iPhone setups was the constant management I had to do with the gear. Turn this on, check that, recharge this. All of that time and attention took away from enjoying the day and focusing on driving.

So years ago I switched to an AIM system. My original system was a Solo DL + Smartycam. A system like this is more streamlined, is automated (turns on and records and shuts off all based on you starting and finishing a session), and since it is a dedicated system it is more feature rich. The downside….price. These systems can add up quickly but if you are on the track enough they are worth it. About 1-2 years ago AIM updated their lineup and came out with the Solo 2 DL and Smartycam GP HD 2 which is the system I picked for the SVMC M2. It taps into the ECU, has GPS, draws power from the car, overlays the data onto the video in real time, and has a powerful (albeit cumbersome) computer application to store and analyze all your data. The Solo 2 DL even has wifi connectivity to pass all the data (not video) to your track side laptop.

Keeping with the GTS theme for the M2 I decided to do a custom installation for the AIM system to hide all the wires and make it look like a factory option. So I had a fabricator (TC Design) build a metal housing over the cup holder area of the M2 in the center console and powder coat that glass black so I could mount the Solo 2 DL in a central place that is out of the way but easy to read. It also allowed me to tuck all the wires behind the dash. The enclosure also gives me a place to mount switches in the future. I then mounted the Smartycam GP HD 2 behind the driver in the backseat footwell so I could easily access it but keep it out of the way. I am left with a system that is fully contained, fully automated, pulls data from the car, and makes analysis quick and easy. In short it is fool proof and works every time without having to do anything. The only issue I have with the Solo 2 DL is that the level of ECU support for the F87 chassis is light. BMW is rather strict on what channels they allow to flow through to systems like AIM. This is more of an issue for BMWs as other cars like Porsches are much more open. But the data channels you do get are rather good (some temps, RPM, wheel speed, calculated gear, etc.). A slightly more advanced option would be to run independent sensors and use an AIM system like the MXm. In hindsight I wish I had gone this route.

Now let’s talk about predictive grip data. One thing that most data systems lack is true predictive grip data which is the level of potential grip your car has at any given moment. The only system I know of that has this capability is APEX. This little device has a series of lights that show you the potential grip at that moment compared to the amount of grip you are using. The APEX device wirelessly connects to your iPhone and does have other data recording capabilities, but for my purposes I only really use the APEX system to record potential grip compared to actual grip. It is a great way to see how effective you are using the grip….AKA how hard and smooth are you driving. If you are not interested in buying an AIM system you can use APEX for an end to end system that is better than most iPhone + app setups.

Once you have all the data and video information handy then you need to know how to read the data. For that get a book or take a class or watch training videos to make sense of all those squiggly lines. Good luck with that.

BMW M2 Build - Custom Laguna Pipes

The last time I was at Laguna Seca I blew sound enough times that it almost ended my day. I ended up having to literally coast through turn 5 to pass sound (not fun). I started thinking about what kind of Laguna pipes I wanted. The issue is that I wanted them easily removable and I didn’t want them to scratch up the finish of my Dinan exhaust. So I came up with the design of putting the pipe extensions inside the Dinan tips and securing them with some simple bolts. I asked Edge Motorworks in Mountain View if they could fab them up and as always they were up for the challenge. They took it to the next level with some trick welding, stenciling their logo, and painting the pipes with matte black high temp paint. They simply redirect the sound away from the mic at Laguna but its enough to pass the strict 90 dB sound limit without having to lift or shift early. To be fair I do need to engage my electronic exhaust baffle as well but without a doubt these one of a kind pipes did the trick.

Winter Break - See You In The Spring

Club members, just a reminder that the club takes a small winter break between Dec and April. We have found that the weather (most years) is too inconsistent and frankly…..I want to ski and snowboard on the weekends. During this break get all those car projects done so that come April you can hit the track or our cars and coffee and show off all your hard work. Once we have our spring dates lined up we will post the event details on our club calendar. See you in April.

Winston, club member 0001

BMW M2 Build - Dinan Exhaust

For this build I tried to focus first and foremost on performance mods….but every now and then you need to do a mod simply to do a mod. I have had a few of those on this build but the most recent one is getting a Dinan free flow exhaust added to my Dinan resonator delete. While Dinan claims some performance enhancements for their exhaust system they are not material in my eyes. They are simply enhancements to make the car more enjoyable. Here is a great video highlighting the different options Dinan provides for the M2.

There are other systems that are louder or more exotic but the Dinan system is loud enough, 50 state legal, well fabricated, looks great, and reasonably priced. For all of those reasons I felt it was the right choice for the SVMC M2. Now I just hope I pass sound at Laguna Seca!!!!

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SVMC M2 video by Apex #2

Another short video by Apex focused on the SVMC M2.  This time we were trackside at Sonoma doing some test and tuning. I currently run their matte black 10.5” wide FL-5 wheels, their stud kit, and spacers in the front.  This gives the SVMC M2 a 275 (stretched) square setup which is about all we can fit without body medications given we are also running a KW clubsport suspension and a BBK. Also featured in this video is Sparta Evolution's M2 racing brake kit.

BMW M2 Build - Aero

Keeping with the theme, I wanted to make the SVMC M2 as track oriented as I could, while keeping with the GTS look.  So that meant putting on an aero package.  I wanted something that was streetable but functional on the track.  This is easier said than done as most streetable aero packages do virtually nothing on the track for downforce.  To accommodate both street and track I decided I wanted the aero package to be adjustable as much as possible so I could dial up or down the amount of downforce depending on the application. Most importantly, I wanted to make the aero package BALANCED.

You can't just slap a wing on the back but do nothing to the front.  You also can't put on a nice looking large front splitter but leave the rear untouched.  Doing one end of the car without balancing the downforce effects to the other end of the car might upset the car's grip profile to the point that you are doing more harm to your lap times than good.  So I had to find a package where the design of the parts were meant to work together.

That landed me with a front adjustable splitter that was modeled off of the M4 GTS and an adjustable racing wing modeled off of the M235ir factory race car.  There are a few companies making these types of aero package but in the end I went with RW Carbon out of SoCal.  They make affordable, nice looking, practical parts that accomplish what I was looking for.  I was pleased with the carbon fiber weave pattern and the fit of the parts to the M2 body.  I did have to upgrade all of the hardware that came with the parts to ensure the parts could stand up to some abuse on the track.  This meant replacing screws with bolts and adding more 3M tape in some places.  Also you will need to fabricate some support plates for the racing wing otherwise you risk bending your truck over time.  For this I had Edge Motorworks do the fabrication.

The front adjustable splitter was time consuming to install as you need to remove the bumper, but it was a rather simple process.  The splitter has three pieces: a support piece, the main splitter, and the adjustable plate.  What is nice about this design is that it is modeled right after the M4 GTS but scaled down to fit the M2, and thus follows the lines of the car perfectly.  It also allows for a couple inches of adjustability or you can quickly and easily remove the bottom plate to make it more streetable.  It also has some air ducts in the splitter that you could fabricate a mounting plate and hose to route to the front brakes if you wanted to.  This might be something I do over the winter. Since I had to remove the bumper to install the splitter I took the opportunity to also install a front camera system so that when I park I can avoid smashing the carbon fiber splitter into parking curbs. The front camera also makes loading and unloading the car in the trailer easy.

One thing I really liked about RW Carbon's racing wing was that you could order it with low towers or high towers as well as with racing end plates or GTS end plates.  With these options plus the fact the wing has some angle adjustability you end up with lots of choices and options to find tune the setup.  I bought both end plate and tower styles, but my go to setup will be the racing end plates with the high towers.

Lastly I did install some side skirts from RW Carbon which does not add any downforce or performance to the car, but does help tie the look of the various parts together.

Overall I am thrilled with the RW Carbon aero package I pieced together.  There are other aftermarket options, and some OEM options, but for the price and function you can't beat RW Carbon.  You might notice some quality differences here and there and you might need to beef up the mounting hardware but for the price RW Carbon is hard to beat.