drove 330 bare foot & now it handles better - new appreciation for recalibrated EML
so after several weeks of driving a certain other car, I took the 330 for a little spin last night through the back roads. I didn't want anything to get in the way of me and any road feel so driving barefoot seemed like the thing to do. I also turned off the ventilation system and the audio system. for a brief time I drove with the sunroof open as well. it was pretty exhilarating, really.
anyway, I came to several realizations:
1) especially noticeable during quick left to right transitions is a certain vagueness or looseness of steering that is reminiscent of a recirculating ball nut type steering box in need of an adjustment. the steering ratio sucks and needs to be improved. I hope the M3s aren't this bad. maybe the retrofit was a placebo..??
2) the bimmer DOES handle very well but it's difficult to tell from within the isolation chamber. the sensory deprivation can be somewhat offset by adjusting the overhead sensory intensity throttle (more open = a richer mixture of sensory input). at this point, I have to agree with a statement in another thread that the increased road feel of my other (unnamed) car only feels like it's going faster. though it's a factor, it's not entirely true. if anything it adds to the fun factor.
3) I now have this new appreciation for EML recalibration as with the Dinan software and upcoming Conforti software. the throttle is as equally detached as the steering. what benefit are we supposed to get by replacing a simple (feedback providing) throttle cable? isn't it to insulate the driver from the engine vibration? I think that's a step in the wrong direction.
4) I now also have a new appreciation for software. the tweaks that tuners are now doing in software were previously done manually. recalibrated EML directly translates to tightening the throttle cable and or changing the accelerator pedal to throttle blade ratio. what was previously done by advancing the ignition timing and replacing or rejetting carburetors is now done on a much more granular and calculated level in the ignition and fuel maps. the tuners altering the VANOS in software are replacing adjustable cam pulleys. the magic isn't what they do but how they do it. I have done or will do all of the above mentioned tweaks manually to my other sports car. it is much more responsive and provides much more feedback I do have to now agree with the post made in another thread which stated that the other car only feels like it's going faster due to the increased road feel. I'd say that this increase s the fun factor.
yeah, I know.... driving one's car barefoot with all car accessories off is kind of odd but I think it puts me more in tune with the car. one's feet are also very sensitive and thus using them simply puts one in more sensory contact with the car.
I do want to say this... the stock lighting system on these cars is outstanding!!! especially when it's on a dark twisty road. wow!!!
so after several weeks of driving a certain other car, I took the 330 for a little spin last night through the back roads. I didn't want anything to get in the way of me and any road feel so driving barefoot seemed like the thing to do. I also turned off the ventilation system and the audio system. for a brief time I drove with the sunroof open as well. it was pretty exhilarating, really.
anyway, I came to several realizations:
1) especially noticeable during quick left to right transitions is a certain vagueness or looseness of steering that is reminiscent of a recirculating ball nut type steering box in need of an adjustment. the steering ratio sucks and needs to be improved. I hope the M3s aren't this bad. maybe the retrofit was a placebo..??
2) the bimmer DOES handle very well but it's difficult to tell from within the isolation chamber. the sensory deprivation can be somewhat offset by adjusting the overhead sensory intensity throttle (more open = a richer mixture of sensory input). at this point, I have to agree with a statement in another thread that the increased road feel of my other (unnamed) car only feels like it's going faster. though it's a factor, it's not entirely true. if anything it adds to the fun factor.
3) I now have this new appreciation for EML recalibration as with the Dinan software and upcoming Conforti software. the throttle is as equally detached as the steering. what benefit are we supposed to get by replacing a simple (feedback providing) throttle cable? isn't it to insulate the driver from the engine vibration? I think that's a step in the wrong direction.
4) I now also have a new appreciation for software. the tweaks that tuners are now doing in software were previously done manually. recalibrated EML directly translates to tightening the throttle cable and or changing the accelerator pedal to throttle blade ratio. what was previously done by advancing the ignition timing and replacing or rejetting carburetors is now done on a much more granular and calculated level in the ignition and fuel maps. the tuners altering the VANOS in software are replacing adjustable cam pulleys. the magic isn't what they do but how they do it. I have done or will do all of the above mentioned tweaks manually to my other sports car. it is much more responsive and provides much more feedback I do have to now agree with the post made in another thread which stated that the other car only feels like it's going faster due to the increased road feel. I'd say that this increase s the fun factor.
yeah, I know.... driving one's car barefoot with all car accessories off is kind of odd but I think it puts me more in tune with the car. one's feet are also very sensitive and thus using them simply puts one in more sensory contact with the car.
I do want to say this... the stock lighting system on these cars is outstanding!!! especially when it's on a dark twisty road. wow!!!
