Friday, December 30, 2011

Track Day Prepartion, Bleeding Brakes, Tranny Fluid Change

12/03/11

After the alignement and everything suspension wise was buttoned up, it was time to get ready for the track to see if all these changes would amount to better times. The last track I was at was Streets so I decided to go back, this time with Speed Ventures, for an apples to apples comparison.

My brakes had felt spongey after the last event so I picked up a Motive Power Bleeder from Bimmerzone. I  had not shopped there before, it was just the best price on the internet because of free shipping. I went with the black label, because I had used the original before and the swivel fitting on the head seemed more desirable. Sometimes the hose gets all twisted up with the regular version, either way, they both do the same thing.


Part of the reason for the spongy brake feel was the fluid I used before, which happens to be the same fluid I used again, pictured above. I'll take more about that later. ATE Super Blue or Type 200 (same thing in gold) is good for street and light track. Last time at the track I boiled it. I'm going to be trying something new, most likely Motul RBF600, after the most recent visit to the track where I boiled it again.

Not much to say about bleeding brakes. Pelican has it covered right here if you're unfamiliar. 


Make sure to only use organic and Kosher when bleeding your brakes.


After the bleeding was done the pedal felt rock solid or at least as rock solid as an e36 brake pedal can feel. I also decided to change the tranny fluid while I had the car up in the air flat on four jack stands. 


I used Royal Purple Synchromax because I took the forums suggestion 2 years ago when I first bought my car and read "teh bestz tranny fluid for e36 m3," and have had it on the shelf ever since. Now that I finally got around to it I figured new fluid is better than whatever was in there for the last 17 years.


Yep, it's purple. Capacity is 1.2L. I can't say I felt much of a difference. So with fresh tranny fliud, and more importantly bled brakes, I headed to the track the next morning.

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