Spec E46 Built

[Goodspeed]

Alright now, you've had enough of racing BMWs and talking Porsches. That was all well and good while it lasted, but DJ....it's time to come home.

[rherold9]

AI

Already said no on FB.

Goodspeed if only he would. It's gotta be a p-car if he can find a deal. He's talked/wanted one for awhile

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[Senor_Taylor]

Alright now, you've had enough of racing BMWs and talking Porsches. That was all well and good while it lasted, but DJ....it's time to come home.

[youtube]k-ImCpNqbJw[/youtube]

[rherold9]

Alright now, you've had enough of racing BMWs and talking Porsches. That was all well and good while it lasted, but DJ....it's time to come home.

[youtube]k-ImCpNqbJw[/youtube]

:geek: not sure if it is sad or good I actually think that's a decent song

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[Senor_Taylor]

It gets me in the feels. Same as that "See you again" song.

[BLINGMW]

well what happened to the E46? :dunno:

[Jake]

well what happened to the E46? :dunno:

The motor it came with popped a head gasket at the first NASA event of 2015 (in March, same weekend I joined the Leagues of the Milkshake). Got a new motor in it from an E39 530i with like 110k miles. He finished the Sunday race at Summit last month and came in with what sounded like a really bad misfire. Bent a valve and the valve smashed the top of the piston.

That's what I know, I'm sure DJ can fill in the details but that's some background. I've been following the Spec E46 FB page and it seems like there's been a string of bad luck with motors. Hard to say why, given a LOT of the donor cars are starting out with 180k+ miles on the drivetrain... is it a tired drivetrain, driver error or does the M54 not hold up well to being raced? My guess is mostly a mix of #1 and 2.

[BLINGMW]

Ah, frustrating. Hard to think that engine has some real design flaw that hasn't reared it's head in the last 15 years of plenty of race and track cars based on it. Now, money shifts and overreving? Plenty of history of that taking them out.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Ah, frustrating. Hard to think that engine has some real design flaw that hasn't reared it's head in the last 15 years of plenty of race and track cars based on it. Now, money shifts and overreving? Plenty of history of that taking them out.

The M54 does inherently have issues. Which is why the SpecE46 tune was limited to 6500. Neither of those issues was my issue however. 1st was a Headgasket and understandable, the car had been raced 3 years prior. 2nd was a retainer that broke. I originally thought it was a mis-shift but it is looking more like a dropped valve because of that broken retainer.

Those two failures, while frustrating, are not the reason I am moving on. I went to SE46 to get more competition and become a better driver. In that time I also have a dedicated autox car (Z06), a project car (LS1/M3), a full-house renovation, a career that I am doubling down on and a wedding in August. My "break" at the track became a real job that became stressful.

I then drove a friend's gts2 car, and instantly had a stupid grin on my face. I come to the track to have fun. I am not going Pro, instead I am dealing with huge egos in a club racing situation, with a car that is "fun" but not "omg fun". My time is limited and I must choose what is the most fun. Therefore, I go back to a class that will never be considered a "premier" driver's class, but one that is just fun. I can modify to my heart's delight, I can make it stupid fun and still have a little competition. Don't confuse this with me "giving in" and not wanting to be competitive; instead just focusing on a more fun car to drive and getting away from the intense Egos that are ever present in Spec Class Racing.

[JPolen01]

That sounds like a good decision to me! I always thought you would end up back in GTS anyway. It's a shame you can't buy back your old car.

[BLINGMW]

broken retainer.

Man, giving in over a $2 part!

Sounds like a plan, you have enough other "jobs" going on!

FWIW, do you feel Spec E46 did make you a better driver?

[rherold9]

That sounds like a good decision to me! I always thought you would end up back in GTS anyway. It's a shame you can't buy back your old car.

+1, you seemed like you enjoyed GTS more than what you were doing in Spec.

What car do you got your sights on? You've been talking about a p-car for awhile now

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[davej]

not a bad plan, you can only divide your time up so many ways and sounds like you'll be getting back to having fun behind the wheel when you're able.

[Jake]

+1 to Channing's question about "did SE46 make you a better driver" as I think it was a good challenge if nothing else. Definitely some sound logic behind the decision and honestly, I can't say I fault you given all the banter I've observed on the SE46 Facebook page. Lots of big egos being waved around.

[JPolen01]

I can't say I fault you given all the banter I've observed on the SE46 Facebook page. Lots of big egos being waved around.

Lol. These posts end up in my newsfeed from time to time and I'm always like :evileye:

[Evan]

I then drove a friend's gts2 car, and instantly had a stupid grin on my face. I come to the track to have fun. I am not going Pro, instead I am dealing with huge egos in a club racing situation, with a car that is "fun" but not "omg fun". My time is limited and I must choose what is the most fun. Therefore, I go back to a class that will never be considered a "premier" driver's class, but one that is just fun. I can modify to my heart's delight, I can make it stupid fun and still have a little competition. Don't confuse this with me "giving in" and not wanting to be competitive; instead just focusing on a more fun car to drive and getting away from the intense Egos that are ever present in Spec Class Racing.

:thumbup:
very similar to my decision to stop racing. (in a similar ego environment, no less)

personally if I ever decide to start racing again, I will look at fun factor before anything else, and probably end up in a purpose built car

[navin]

can't say I fault you given all the banter I've observed on the SE46 Facebook page. Lots of big egos being waved around.

I mean it's club racing, there's gonna be that everywhere it seems. I tend to stalk the SE46 FB page, but haven't really seen much of the ego stuff more-so people bitching about rules for a series in it's infancy. I mean c'mon DJ had to deal with someone at National's blatantly cheating, and then denying it and having to fight for awhile to get his championship. Guess people will do anything for a plastic trophy (yes, i know Nat's has more than just a trophy + tire money).

I enjoyed watching DJ + others race in SE46 the races I've seen.... All the races seemed to be very close and competitive. IMO, if you want to tinker just make the LS1 M a TT(whatever the hell it falls under) and go nuts. Doesn't your new trailer fit two cars now? :o

[SlimKlim]

if you want to tinker just make the LS1 M a TT(whatever the hell it falls under) and go nuts.

Don't give him ideas.

[D_Eclipse9916]

can't say I fault you given all the banter I've observed on the SE46 Facebook page. Lots of big egos being waved around.

I tend to stalk the SE46 FB page, but haven't really seen much of the ego stuff more-so people bitching about rules for a series in it's infancy.

I enjoyed watching DJ + others race in SE46 the races I've seen.... All the races seemed to be very close and competitive. IMO, if you want to tinker just make the LS1 M a TT(whatever the hell it falls under) and go nuts. Doesn't your new trailer fit two cars now? :o

You obviously don't read some of the threads. " All SE46 drivers could get nearly every ounce out of the tires so we immediately saw the new tire advantage." " i drive within 0.1s(0.2s at most) at MidO" . I know without context many people will read a lot of these without being bothered. But at the track, over PMs, the level of "I am the best and you all suck" is just too much for a class where the cars aren't very satisfying to drive.

The cars are VERY close to each other, and the racing is very intense. But when the race is over, people are just butt-hurt. Spec3 seems to have hit a good group this past year where they just drink and hang out. I like that. GTS was like that a lot.

Now is the time to sell in SE46. Just have to hope I get what I want.

[rherold9]

Just have to hope I get what I want.

I'm just going to keep saying p-car until it happens or I'm completely wrong. Anyways, do it. P-car. Right meow.

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