New CSL owner with a few questions

[Vario-Rob]

Hopefully by the end of this week I will be the proud owner of a CSL, the car in question is owned by a contributor to this message board and indeed lives just down the road from me I think, are you out there?

The car is pretty much standard as far as I can tell but I have bought it with the sole intention of using it on various track days through the summer, the first one at Goodwood next weekend

Geometry - I’ve ordered a set of Michelin Cup’s for her and will set about finding another set of rims to go with them, anybody got a spare set they might like to sell? None the less I want to get the geometry done as soon as possible and wondered what settings I ought to use to go with the Cups?

Tyres - Are Cups’ the preferred choice, I’ve run 888’s in the past and found the pretty good, anybody had any experience on other track day orientated boots?

Brakes - As mentioned these are standard and I am not going to have the time between now and the first day at Goodwood to get them upgraded beyond some fluid and harder pads. AP’s seem to be the preferred option but are there any others I ought to seriously think about?

Engine - Whilst I appreciate there isn’t much that can be done I will want to get it re-mapped and get the 155 silliness removed, DMS check out well but who else are worth a look? Beyond some hotter cams is there anything much else worth doing?

Exhaust - Decibels are the main issue I would imagine, having looked through several posts on the message board I wondered if I will run into trouble with the noise police if I go to a full Supersprint system, anything else?

Specialists - most of these questions could be answered by one but I prefer to have my noggin around what’s needed first, I see Thornley Motorsport and Simpson Motorsport are well know and whilst I fully understand about the naming malarkey who else should I consider or indeed avoid?

Many thanks, really looking forward to getting the car

[philj]

Firstly, great choice. They are awesome cars and great fun on track. I was at Goodwood in my CSL a few weeks back. I struggled with noise issues. I was way under on the static test, but had problems on the drive-by. This was made worse as there were a number of other noisy cars on track and the aggregate limit that is run at Goodwood was tripped. This meant delays as the circuit had to temporarily close. I still enjoyed the day, and Goodwood is a fantastic circuit, but it meant there was quite a lot of waiting around.

I use upgraded pads, fluids and hoses on my CSL and find the brakes fine on track. Dependent on how hard you are on brakes, you may be fine - Goodwood is a very fast and flowing, so not too hard on brakes.

Regarding modifications, try having a look on Mtorque.co.uk

Cheers
Phil

[nickbell3]

Had my CSL for 4 years, spent 15k+ on tuning, some bad decisions, some good decisions. PM if you want any advice, my current set up is fantastic.

[houlbt]

Cup tyres are worth the premium imho... I moved away for the winter onto some regular performance road tyres and I've not enjoyed it anything like as much.

I have a full race Supersprint... it's great but yes it's loud and can be an issue on certain tracks.





WWW.BMsport.COM

[houlbt]

Bit of pic whoring... can't help myself, only driven my car once since Christmas.

[The Dude]

Damn you Houlbt. Every time I see your car it gets me thinking about wrapping mine again

Edited by The Dude on Wednesday 26th March 15:58

[robm3]

Try Thorneys for servicing and performance, here's the web:

http://thorneymotorsport.co.uk/

(although his links to performance stuff for CSL's doesn't seem to be working but he's got em)

[DoctorD]

Rob, just a few quick replies to your questions, but can I also recommend you speak with Anthony at Simpson Motorsport. Together with Thorney Motorsport there's nothing they cannot answer about the questions you raise, and they're both straight talking and very helpful companies.

Geometry, if sticking with the standard top-mounts its worth moving the pins on these and achieving maximum camber (around -2 degrees). I have had this for over 4.5 years and provides better steering feel and suits the roll characteristics of the chassis. Otherwise you will toast a set of cup tyres on a track.

Cups are not very plentiful and expensive compared to high-performance tyres. Most of us chose to buy two sets of wheels, one fitted with cups (and kept for track use) with the other fitted with a good performance tyre. Mine is currently fitted with the Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres which provide quite a good balance of capabilities on road.

Brakes - AP Brakes have been proven time and again on CSLs and are the most prevalent upgrade. They work, provide much better feel and progression than the standard brakes, and suit the character of the car. Why reinvent the wheel when we already know what suits? (and is also the cheapest option).

Engine - the CSL already has longer duration cams than the M3, any more and you will compromise driveability. Its worth getting the remap (I used Simitis) but Thorney or Simpsons also provide good remaps, although Thorney has more experience. You will notice the difference, not least in terms of a smoother running engine that pulls more evenly.

Exhaust - I've run my SuperSprint set-up since new and have been very pleased with the straight through centre pipe and 100 cell race cats. Again you save some weight, add some power and balance the sound of the exhaust with that from the air intake. It's another worthwhile improvement. I have never been stopped by the sound police, even at Bedford, which is ironic especially since it sounds louder than a 996 GT3 for instance.

There are many more changes that you can make, so speak to Simpsons, Thorney and a few other existing owners.

Edited by DoctorD on Wednesday 26th March 23:42

[terryb]

Rob, I too have recently purchased a CSL and have been on track a few times, with Cups on a spare set of alloys

I would not recommend the full SS system using straight thru centre and lightweight race backbox - this is how my car was when I got it and I'm sure it would have given problems at Goodwood - as has been suggested, maybe not static but definately on drive-by. Goodwood are one of the worst for noise issues, especially on a quiet 98dB day

I have changed mine for the non lightweight backbox from SS and the resonated centre and it is much better - although still very boomy when cold.

[houlbt]

AS I already said... I have a Full race SS and I have had problems with noise limits on track days.

[DoctorD]

The secret is to leave the OEM back box on. I use the straight through centre pipe and race cats, which gives a much louder sound when on full throttle but no boominess and it passes every noise test.

[Vario-Rob]

Many thanks indeed for all the helpful input, I’m thoroughly looking forward to my first track day in the car this Saturday at Goodwood which fortunately is a 105 db day.

The day itself is a private one organised by a chap called Peter Saywell (featured on 5th gear with his Zonda, Segg, CGT et all) and the DTDC and I know there will be some very rapid motors in attendance so it will be a good starting point. Goodwood is of course one of the fastest and in opinion kindest tracks so ideal for a maiden CSL outing.

None the less the area of confusion does seem to be the whole exhaust problem but points raised have been duly noted. The Gruppe M system does sound damn good but pretty expensive for what it is £1500 unless I’m much mistaken?

The SS system seems favourite with straight through centre pipe and 100 cell race cats or could I get away with no cats?

What’s the storey with the white CSL is this a re-spray or some sort of vinyl wrap? Excuse the ignorance but it looks pretty tasty in my humble.

Thanks once again and I will post some pictures up of the car and her maiden voyage

[houlbt]

Vinyl Wrap sir... looks great but look closely from a couple of feet away and it is apparent it's not paint.