theCARhack

VRPerformance Open Track at Grattan

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:34:10 -0500

Our 8th annual open track day is set for 2013. We'll be heading to Grattan Raceway May 10th.

E36 323i suspension rebuild

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:59:12 -0500

Do not do this at home, trained professionals at work! Joking aside, a quick lesson for potential DIYers: think long and hard before tackling suspension work. We just completed a full suspension rebuild on a well worn, 182k mile E36 323i at the shop. This included all new dampers and springs, front control arms, tie-rod ends, and most importantly a complete set of bushings at all suspension points. It’s this last part that is tricky for shade tree mechanics.

Targa: The Videos

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:52:22 -0500

42 competitive stages and 1375 miles and VRPerformance finished its first Targa Newfoundland as overall winners in category 7, second in modern class and third overall. BMW won the manufacturers prize, with the most points scored by teams driving BMWs. The professional team of Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard and Brian O’Kane in a Mitsubishi Evolution IX came in first in modern class (they were in a different category).

Targa: The Road Trip

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:43:16 -0500

After two weeks of 20 hour days and late nights, Bill Caswell and I were sitting at the local watering hole around the corner from VRPerformance wrapping our heads around what we got ourselves into. Despite all the late work, we were not 100% done with the car.

But, before we could even get to Newfoundland for the race, there were two thousand miles of Canadian highway and one very long ferry to tackle. There was still plenty ahead of us before we started the race. So we drank beer until the bar closed.

Targa: The Build

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:07:29 -0500

It's been far too long since we last spoke. Much has been going on at the shop the last few months, so the time to post simply wasn't there. To kick things off for 2013, we thought we'd take a quick step back and bring everyone up to speed on "Target Targa", our 2012 Targa Newfoundland adventure. And because everyone loves a good video, we'll have a few of those in the next several entries...

Targa: The Team

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:53:56 -0500

A few posts back we annouced our entry in the Targa Newfoundland, and we mentioned we'd be bringing some updates, including information on our team members. Somewhat complete biographies past the jump.

Target Targa Newfoundland

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:14:48 -0500

VRPerformance Racing has entered the 2012 Targa Newfoundland. We'll be running a highly modified 2003 BMW M3 (follow the construction of the car on this blog). Team members include Bill Caswell, Horst Reinhardt Jr., Eric Volz and John Sandrock. Along with race car build updates, we'll fill you in on the teammates' backgrounds and some Targa Newfoundland information in the months ahead, so stay tuned. As a not so quick primer, check out the 2011 Targa Newfoundland video past the jump that the SPEED channel recenty posted.

VRPerformance Open Track Day at Grattan

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:36:33 -0500

Our annual track day is set for 2012. We'll be heading to Grattan Raceway May 11th.

As every year, we gather experienced track drivers (those with some club or professional performance driving instruction under their seatbelts) for 8 or so hours of open track fun. And we rely heavily on personal responsibility to make the event safe for everyone.

VRPerformance Racing

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:51:27 -0500

Racing improves the breed, it's as true for manufacturers as it is for shops like VRPerformance. We've delivered race cars to customers, we've tweaked street cars for the track, and now we're turning to our own in house projects with the formation of VRPerformance Racing. Our goal is not only to compete successfully, but also to take what we learn from our hands on racing efforts and apply it to all of our customer projects. Ultimately we want you to benefit from our experience, our struggles and triumphs at the track.

VRPerformance Open Track Day at GingerMan

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:37:54 -0500

It's official: Friday, July 29th, 2011 is the date for another VRPerformance Open Track day-- this time at the newly configured GingerMan Raceway in beautiful South Haven, Michigan.

If you've been to one of our events in the past, you know the drill. We try to gather experienced track drivers (those with some club or professional performance driving instruction under their seatbelts) for 8 or so hours of open track fun. We rely heavily on personal responsibility to make the event safe for everyone.

Fabspeed Exhaust Installation on a Porsche

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:20:52 -0500

One of the most balanced, best handling cars on the market today is the mid-engined Porsche Cayman. But, like every car coming out of a factory, it can be improved. Thanks to worldwide noise regulations, the stock exhaust stifles the glorious flat six cylinder engine note just a bit too much. Enter Fabspeed.

E46 M3 GT Part 4

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:27:54 -0500

I think I may have fallen off the GT wagon with the latest modification to my E46 M3. The last time we spoke, I installed a TC Kline Racing suspension. Next up, the exhaust.

Brake Rotor Friction Ring Replacement

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:11:43 -0500

To say that brakes are an important part of a car's performance is to state the obvious. Pads and rotors need to be checked often and replaced when worn or damaged. Most cars come with single piece rotors-- the friction surface that contacts the pads and the inner "hat" that bolts to the hub are formed from a single casting. Higher end brake systems, and many after market big brake kits, use two piece rotors.

Splitter Install (again)

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:59:55 -0500

Aerodynamics on a street car is important for efficiency-- how easily it can punch a hole through the atmosphere. On a race car, aero is even more important for handling. A splitter-- typically a horizontal plane extending out from below the front bumper, helps push the front end of the car down and consequently aids front end grip or traction. Balanced with a wing at the back, a splitter is an integral part in the car's handling.

Because the splitter is usually very low, it is vulnerable to trailer ramps, track burms and digging into wet grass should you have an "off". If it's attached to the front fascia and you have an off and bad things happen, you can kiss the front end of the car good-bye. The solution is to attach the splitter to something more robust, while allowing it to break away should an unfortunate incident occur.

The Little Things

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:34:22 -0500

Having worked on hundreds of cars over the past 5 years or so a few things have become abundantly clear: no two jobs are ever the same, even if the parts being installed are, instructions from the component manufacturer-- if they exist at all-- are almost never complete, and finally, exhausts never ever fit without a good amount of "tweaking". A quick example of tweaking is presented after the jump...