Do We Even Lift?
Stopping The Madness
Being able to take a moment to just stop…stop rushing through our daily lives; stop worrying about our finances; stop fooling ourselves into thinking reality television is worth watching…is a convenience many of us fail to take advantage of.
However, it’s important to take that moment when we can. Sometimes, it’s the only way for us to get going again.
Being able to stop on command is also important on the street or racetrack. While we all love to play with power, the ability to reign it in is an essential, yet often overlooked, aspect. When it comes to our Project EURO M3, we expected it to lay stripes on the blacktop not only while accelerating, but decelerating as well. In this installment, we’ll let you in on some of the details behind our braking and suspension set up.
Needing all the help we could get braking from break-neck speeds, a typical off-the-shelf set up just wasn’t up to the task. It’s not that we don’t love the various kits from StopTech And Brembo, both of which we are an authorized dealer for, we were just looking for something a bit more…homegrown.
No More Braking Bad-ly
So, we took to doing what we do best: manufacturing high-quality parts with performance and reliability in mind. For the front pair, we decided on 330mm slotted rotors, with 4-piston calipers, allowing for two brake pads within each caliper. These monsters provided plenty of gripping power up front, where it will be needed the most. At the same time, they weren’t overly large, which would not only have a negative effect on unsprung weight, but limit our wheel and tire sizes as well.
And These Are The Brakes…Brake It Up, Brake It Up, Brake It Up!
In the rear, we opted for nearly as large 320mm slotted rotors, again pairing them with 4-piston calipers. By going with a nearly square set up, Project EURO M3 was guaranteed proper braking balance and minimized wear and tear. Forget stopping on a dime, this baby will do that and hand you change.
Of course, all this stopping power is great, but it needs to work in conjunction with the right suspension system. While we can’t disclose everything, we can offer a glimpse into what lurks beneath the wheel wells.
Don’t Worry, We Won’t Keep You In Suspense Too Long…
The full coil-over set up is a dual adjustable, inverted design. Ride height and dampening can be varied according to a multitude of conditions on and off the track. Hyperco provided the springs front and rear, with 450 LB and 500 LB rates respectively. The stiffer rear setting will help the car rotate easier, preventing under-steer, and making it a bit more fun to toss around.
Up until this point, we’ve been in preparation mode. The clutch, suspension, brakes, and other miscellaneous updates have all been in anticipation of some seriously supercharged power under the hood. That update is coming soon. Until then, don’t forget to take a moment to stop and smell the roses…and motor oil.
Ready…Set…INSTALL
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