MBNRG

So, after a lil more research, learned more today:

2011 Models (and likely earlier) appear to have a different and smaller Trans Cooler (MB Part #2125000400), and OE Discount Parts Diagrams show it to be similar to the Smaller unit photo I posted above.

2012 Models and above appear to have the same larger Trans Cooler as Black Series (MB Part #2125000600) whose photo I also posted above (with 14 rows of cooling fins) . Tracy at OE Discount Parts could not locate a different BS part number for this, and so I grew curious, and was able to confirm by inspection through the grill of my own 2012 MY that it did indeed have the larger cooler with this same part number ending in 600 stamped on sticker.

I also contacted Keith (AKA Dad's), who was kind enough to forward me his complete BS Parts List, and indeed, he installed this same BS Trans Cooler ending in 600.

BLKROKT

Thanks for confirming that. So that only leaves the Vaeth or custom unit as upgrade options. When I'm not traveling like stupid I'll make some calls.

MBNRG

Thanks for the offer, Ron. A photo will be very difficult as the Trans cooler is behind metal portion of actual bumper, and plastic bumper cover needs to come off and has to be shot from below looking up for a good pic. Would appreciate if you can tell us if your BS trans cooler looks like the one I posted earlier (14 rows of cooling fins)- it'll be the one with the metal thermostat on the passenger side with 2 oil lines feeding it, also from the passenger side. You might even be able to see the sticker with actual part # on the top of cooler, as I did on my non-BS.

julours

BLKROKT, the fender stretch and roll is really amazing. The final outcome looks great: wide to fit proper 305 tire but not too much. IMO it's a very good balance.

I'm now talking to a shop in Shanghai to do something similar on my sedan. Do you have more pictures to share during the process of this stretch? Also pictures from inside the fender? Can you share them?

How about the front? did you also rolled them to fit 255 tire?
Thanks

BLKROKT

Thank julours. It's pretty discrete until you see the size of the tire, or from the back. I think it's good with the 295's, but feel like I could use even more tire as I get faster in this car. Now I see why the BS has the stronger E-class rear axle, wider track and fenders. The weight can only go down so much, and the tires can only take so much (I burned up my set of MPSC2's this past weekend), so you need to get wide to prevent roll. Maybe that's something to look into next year.

I'll see if I can find some of the modification/install pics, or take pics of inside fenders for you.

Front fenders not touched. Have 255's under there now, as I did on OE suspension. With the -3.5deg camber all around now, the tires all tuck nicely just inside the fenders. I don't think I can get a 265 under there while maintaining this amount of neg camber. I'm at the minimum track width setting with the KW camber plate at -3.5 and the KMAC bushing at OE spec, while also having a 10mm spacer so the tire clears the KW strut while making sure the tie rods don't run out of adjustment. Some adjustments pull the wheel in, while other push the wheel out. It's beginning to get complicated.

Car definitely needs more front tire to correct the understeer, but that means wider fenders and wheels. Then rear track, axle, wheel and fenders. Also need more rear downforce, as rear gets light on high speed turns. I think the next challenge is to get weight out of it somehow - maybe seats. Lots of things to fix still. I'm beginning to think that I should just pickup a Black Series because it's starting to get ridiculous.

604 C63

Ya think? LOL.

But then you would just be on a quest to mod the holy hell out of that.
Better to start 'reasonable'.

BadCompany

False. Be gone devil!

In all seriousness, it is fun watching the quest. However, when you finally arrive at the, "Why didn't I just..." things can be a little more troubling. My Lotus started with just a rebuild to a forged bottom end... Suddenly you realize that you've spent enough to have bought a GT3 and you shake your head. But when you're already this deep, the only sensible option is to keep digging. Carry on BLKROKT. Carry on.

Diabolis

I most certainly share both the pain and the sentiment. I've thrown enough money in an old 928GT to have bought a new GT3 and then some, and while the 928 drives better than it ever has, in hindsight a GT3 would undoubtedly have been a smarter purchase. You can't apply reason to love and passion, and I think this certainly applies to the C63 as well.

I just raced at The Glen for the first time last weekend in a ChumpCar race, in a 126hp Civic. It was frustrating having the rest of the field fly past me on the straights, up the esses or the toe of the boot. A C63 at WGI is the very definition of reasonable!!!

Carry on Jim!

julours

Thanks for all the inputs. That's also my target to have more rubber on the track, but without going with the BS body kit if possible.
I already showed the picts you shared in this thread to my shop and they were all thinking that you cut and welded steel to get wider fender because the fender lip is still there. They said that if they roll the fender out, this lip will be modified. So i would really appreciate if you have the chance to share more photos.
The difference is that mine is a sedan so it's maybe more difficult to realize. We'll see soon.

BLKROKT

Thanks for the feedback and support guys. I'm a little depressed by how much work there is left to do. I think I'll just enjoy the car for the rest of the year, and look into doing the full BS conversion over the winter. Has plenty of power, but could use an 8k rpm redline. Needs wider track width, wheels and tires more than anything else right now. Maybe even the Liberty Walk body kit and fenders just to be different. We'll see later this year.

Julours - that is all stretch on the rear, and the inside lip is gone. No metal was added, but it was stripped down to bare metal to do the work.

604 C63

I think the whole "I sunk enough money in it to buy a ......" is wrong on a few levels.

One, we don't buy these cars as an investment.
Two, most guys here would not be satisfied with a stock car no matter what it is, so ANY car is going to be a cash pit. A GT3 can suck up a lot of dosh too, and would, in the hands of most any guy here.
Three, at LEAST half the fun of car ownership is in the doing of this stuff.

I would argue that you have spent the cash in appropriate proportion and bought yourself just what you wanted. A performance car that you can do a lot of the work on yourself, and have.

Diabolis

^ Word.

Jasonoff

No, he's an idiot and should have bought a BS.

julours

The BS is another budget, but sure that is an incredible setup for track. Also here in China they keep their value quite well, but not sure if that's the same in USA.

With all modifications you've already been through, I support the idea to keep your actual rocket and continue to improve it according to your needs/style/track driving stye.

BLKROKT

I still have some roll to get rid of. Apparently.

Eibach roll bars with poly bushings should be here first week of July. After that, there's nothing left to do suspension-wise. Weight loss program first, then after that may have to widen the track or do dedicated track wheels with full slicks. Or both.

I almost have that inside front wheel lifted though. Which is cool.

BLKROKT

Here I am chasing a GT-R for a couple laps. Homeboy was FBO and trailered in with slicks. Glad I could just stay close. Embarrassed with some of my lines and throttle transitions here, but it was my first time on Thunderbolt. I'll get him next time.

604 C63

Protocol there 'point to pass'? On the left? Cos he overtook on the right, on the inside of that corner. I don't see when you would have given him the ok. Did you know he was on you or just BAM there he was when he went deep?
Some of his speed was his knowledge of the track. He was just getting on it out of the corner that much quicker. Fast car though.

My experience with the GT-Rs (which is only a couple or three) is that it seems they cant do a full day of track time without limping out. My home track is a very small tight course and we usually get 5 or 6 25 minute sessions with 50 minutes in between, and it seems as if they always crapping out around session 4 or so.

BLKROKT

Yeah, this club I was running with has point-bys anywhere on track. I was pointing him by on the inside. He was spitting 3' flames out the back going into turn 1 which was pretty cool.

Knowing the track a bit now, I'd keep it in lower gears (note: need higher redline) and my foot in it going through turns 2, 4, 6, 11 and 12. Think I could shave off another 4sec with more practice there. Car is getting light in the rear on fast corners though and gets real sketchy. Needs more downforce. Wing time.

julours

Good to see those photos and the video
If I remember well, you have an EC tune, did you extent the RPM limiter to 7500rpm?
Before thinking about adding a wing, did you play with the KW clubsport settings? As they have a lot of adjustable parameters, you can improve the car balance by this way, but it requires good knowledge/experience to do it well. I'm planning to upgrade with KW clubsport later this year and looking for good literature/website to get more indeep with coilover settings.

Clark Kent

Glad to see that you are repaired and back on track. Let the tracking season begin! Your car looks and sounds great - especially that inside tire lift.

GRP

Seemed more Godzilla than driver skill for him. The way he could just pull away in some sections after getting back on throttle was impressive.

Your soundtrack was glorious.

BLKROKT

Although on the front straight he didn't pull away from me a bit. I think his corner exit speed was the difference (AWD).

BLKROKT

Here are the 3' flames by the way

604 C63

Thats a sweet pic.

Ludedude

I hate those cars for just that reason. Homeboy there didn't hit a single apex, his lines were all over the place (and wrong) and even with your clearly better driving, no way you were going to give him a fight.

I've been on track with people driving those so poorly I'd swear I was going to die numerous times per lap but good old software kept them pointed the right way.

Your car looks and sounds good. I wonder how much more there is in that platform even with the mods you're talking about. Congrats on getting it that far