82 replies to this topic

[flash]

ugh - i know that achy feeling all too well

i've been driving mine a bit lately - man, i love driving this car

[bombfactory]

I've owned my car for about a year and a half now and have had zero fun driving it due to:

1) Clutch - way way too heavy. New one on the way tho
2) Steering - again, too heavy. Resealed the pump, rebuilt rack going in shortly
3) Suspension - after caster blocks, misc. bushings and soon: rebuilt M030 struts and M030 sways, all will soon be well

I seriously can't wait to experience this car in its properly performing state!

[flash]

clutch - i am concerned that you still won't be happy - yours isn't all that stiff - yes, it's stiffer than normal, but not by that much

steering - the more you stiffen the suspension, the more resistant the steering will get - correcting the things that are wrong will help, but the more you seek performance, the more resistance gets added

this car is not a bmw, with its soft steering and slushy clutch (one of the main reasons we dumped the M3) - a 968, even in stock trim, is a lot more responsive than that to input from the road and driver - it you can get used to that, you'll love the car - if you can't, it will constantly make you batty

[tamathumper]

have had zero fun driving it

Sorry to hear that.

[bombfactory]

Flash, I haven't yet driven a properly tuned 968 (hint hint) so I shouldn't compare apples to oranges, but I gotta stick up for BMWs, M3s in particular. The mushy clutch you mentioned in your former E46 was probably due to the much-hated (in the BMW performance world) clutch delay valve that the idiots in the M division thought would smooth out the clutch action, making the car easier to drive for boneheads who don't know how to drive a manual (Read: BMW marketing geniuses wanted to sell more M3s to non-enthusiasts). All it did was slow down the clutch action to such a degree that proper shifting was just about impossible. I've never driven an E46 M3, so I can't comment on the steering, but the sloppy feel might have something to do with the porky weight of the car.

I used to own a fairly well sorted E30 M3, and that car did everything superbly. Steering, suspension, brakes, clutch, gearbox - all flawless in my opinion. My current E36 M3, again fairly modded as they are much too soft in stock form, also does everything well, with gobs more torque and refinement over the E30 - of course with the trade-off losses of steering feel and handling communication in comparison. A trade-off I've been more than happy with - this being my third E36 M3 - clutch delay valve removed when I upgraded to a lightweight flywheel and E34 M5 clutch kit.

Back to the 968 - if going down to a 2500 lb. pressure plate doesn't solve my issues with the weight of the clutch pedal, and if the new steering rack doesn't make the steering feel 'right', then I will sell the car, rather than keep on fighting with it. I'm pretty confident though that these fixes will make the car a blast to drive and that I'll really fall in love with it!

Edited by bombfactory, 15 June 2011 - 08:34 AM.

[flash]

i've driven an E30, E36, E46 325 and an E46 M3 - all same mushy clutch and sloppy shifter - absolutely hated them - i think the stock 968 clutch is mushy too, but not as bad as the bmw

i hope you get what you want out of the repairs - i'm just not sure exactly what you are expecting, and whether or not you'll get it

[Trueblue]

This sounds like good times, if not on travel I would love to participate........

-Trueblue

[flash]

outstanding - we look forward to seeing you

[flash]

less than 5 weeks to go

it looks like we are going to have a GREAT turnout, with a number of new people - very cool

i'll be playing around with the route over the next couple of weeks and seeing about new interesting twists to add

[wolfeman]

Now that I'm "allowed" to post to the forums, just popping by this thread to officially say I'm in - so add another coupe to the list. Can someone provide an address for Cars & Coffee? And how long does it take to shed this "newbie" designation on the foums? Any hazing rituals I'm not aware of?

Dennis Wolfe

[tamathumper]

2 more posts.

[bombfactory]

Info, pics and directions for Cars & Coffee is here:

http://irvine.carsandcoffee.info/

It's really an amazing car show every Saturday. Bring your camera!

Oh, and get there by seven at the latest. Most people start rolling out before 8.

[wolfeman]

Sweet. Thanks for the link. See you all there. - Dennis (Graduated to Rookie with that last one...)

[flash]

lol - the process is pretty quick, so fear not, you'll have full access in short order - it's a bit of a pain, but a necessary evil to keep this place free of spammers and such

look forward to seeing you

there will be full information about the event posted soon, including a map, onsite contact, times, and all that

[Rap]

I am looking forward to the run. Interestingly enough , to the people I have mentioned to that I am coming out to participate their response is, " your doing what?". Must mean it's good eh? Lol

[flash]

lol - i get that every time i go back east for an event - you should have seen the looks when i said i was dragging my car back there

[Rap]

I can well imagine since I have been asked how long it will take me to drive out and back!

[Blau]

Can't wait for the run...sounds like there is going to be a big group of us heading out!

[rxter]

Just drove the Ortega last Friday on a recon mission to Riverside and Indian Wells for a 35-year old Caddy - no kidding. The road is in great condition - no construction and the surfaces are all relatively new. Will likely be plenty of traffic on the road but should still be fun.

BTW after driving this car all day getting into a land yacht is actually somewhat dangerous.

[flash]

yeah - the last time i rode it was the same way - should be a great run

not sure yet what the state of condition of my car will be - i may have to yank the motor, or i may just run it as is and carry oil