Workshop Update – July 24/2023

Zooming into the week with high-octane action! 🏎️ The E36 M3 Racecar took centre stage as we continued our journey of constant evolution. Buckle up for the thrilling updates before our next race at Donington Park!

🌬️ Cooling: S54 Engines run hot, but we took the challenge head-on! With half the front airflow gobbled up by the engine’s huge air intake, we had less space for the radiator. The previous setup was suited to the original front bumper, so an inclined angle was our ticket to fitting it in, but we didn’t stop there! 🛠️ With the new extended front bumper intake, we could raise the upper edge of the radiator and drop the lower edge, meaning we drastically reduce the angle, making it a breeze for the incoming air to keep things cool. And that’s not all! We crafted an entirely new radiator and oil cooler mounting tray, shedding a third of the weight from the outgoing setup. Talk about cool upgrades! 💨

🚀 ABS: Our customer craved control, so we equipped the M3 with a programmable ABS unit replacing the stock E46 unit. But oh boy, this posed an exciting challenge! Imagine a powerful, lighter car, packing more than 400bhp, demanding bigger front brakes for those 150mph repeated stops. But hang on tight! As you hit the anchors, the rear becomes lighter, and suddenly you’ve got too much rear brake. 🛑 Fear not! We introduced the adjustable manual bias lever, right in the cockpit’s command centre. With a simple flick of a lever, we can reduce rear brake pressure by over 50%. Why adjustable, you ask? It’s all about that weight game! As the race progresses and fuel burns, the weight shifts, and so does the brake power! Adjustable magic to the rescue! 🌟

EPAS Cockpit Shuffle and Brake Dramas 😅

EPAS (electronic power-assisted steering) was on the move, but it wasn’t a leisurely stroll. Last time, we had to  relocate it, it was moved to a temporary position, but now we had the time to do it right and a final decision on the brake setup. Nestled behind the front bumper before, it was time for a cozy cockpit spot. Naturally some replumbing was required, so some motorsport grade high pressure plumbing was the order of the day! No steering shortcuts for us! 🏁

New front brakes – well, they had a bit of a rough start. One of the caliper bolts decided to play tricky and stripped the thread in the adaptor. But, no sweat! We handled it like seasoned pros, repaired the bracket, replaced the front rotors and pads, and thought we were good to go. The brakes were set for the track day at Oulton Park, or so we believed. Cue the dramatic twist! 🥁 A puddle of brake fluid greeted us the next day – the calipers had an unexpected leak from a piston, one each side! Time for some emergency fixing and last-minute brake fittings. But alas, it was too late. The track day had to be cancelled, leaving us scratching our heads and our customer feeling less than thrilled.  Cue strip, rebuild and refresh time!

A Delicious Focus ST 🚗

Time to feast your eyes on a mouthwatering Ford Focus ST track car! 🤩 A brand-new customer rolled in with this beauty, set for some exciting upgrades. We planned a gearbox change to a unit equipped with a Quaife LSD, an alignment, and a general checkover to ensure this track star was race-ready. Now, we might have differing Ford feelings among our crew, but when it comes to appreciating a well-built car, we’re all in! It doesn’t matter where it came from – this Focus ST had our hearts racing. Neat touches like the CTEK trickle charger socket in the door mirror and trimmed cage ends for easy access and tidiness – simply delightful! Show or track, this car had us grinning from ear to ear. Can’t wait to see it tackle the corners on those Pirelli slicks!

Clio RS Returns for Some Love 🛠️

A warm welcome back to CAT Driver Training’s beloved Clio RS! 🥰 This time, it’s here for some tender loving care. We’ve got the general servicing covered, a thorough inspection to ensure peak performance, and brand-new brakes to keep things stopping smoothly. CAT DT runs a diverse fleet of immaculately maintained vehicles for their work, and we see them regularly for routine checkups and occasional emergency repairs. It’s all part of our commitment to preventative maintenance – we don’t wait for things to break; we take action to keep their vehicles in top-notch condition. Because, let’s face it, a vehicle not working isn’t earning! Keeping them on the road and track-ready is our mission. Ready for more exciting racing adventures ahead! 🏁