Integra Type S on Ohlins vs FL5 CTR

[optronix]

I think I remembered you posting in the past about not needing an alignment for this platform when downsizing wheels/going wider/both. The last vehicles I built did need an alignment when switching, but this was on the Jeep & truck platform.

Am I understanding correctly that if we have a set of dedicated track wheels and another oem set, even though wheel & tire size is way different from each other, we don’t need an alignment?

I don't think I'm qualified to fully answer this question, but personally I wouldn't bother with getting an alignment just from swapping out wheels and tires. You're not necessarily altering the suspension geometry- but maybe someone else can weigh in if possibly adjustments may be beneficial if you're making a dramatic change in width/diameter as it could actually affect things like scrub radius, but I wouldn't think it's a "requirement". I could be wrong.

Whole different conversation if you want to dial in your suspension for track use. That's more of a "want" vs "need"- and as with most modifications carries with it certain consequences that would have implications on street use (e.g., excessive tire wear). On our cars it would likely imply some sort of camber adjustment; apparenty the Ohlins by themselves only offer but so much but there are aftermarket ball joints that allow for more negative camber but personally I'd save that until you get used to the car in stock form. Just a suggestion; I know you're pretty well modified already. But I'm here to tell you that the car performs quite admirably just as it comes from the factory. I could have plenty of fun this whole next season and likely beyond just leaving it stock... in fact I'm actually considering it if I can't find a shop I like to do the work. I can't be bothered to do the shit myself lol.

My dad’s long time friend is a Porsche enthusiast & coach at our local track, so that will help exponentially - but the BMW M-Club day sounds like a must!!! I will have to do some searching & hopefully they have those near me. That sounds like an amazing deal for what you get!

Other folks with experience can be very valuable as you start getting involved in track stuff, for sure.

And just to be clear, I flew out to South Carolina to the BMW Performance Center. Very much worth it, I think you're somewhere in the midwest? Shouldn't be too tough a trip. You would have to be a member of the BMW CCA, but that's like, $50 a year (and you don't need a BMW to join...). Worth it for the event alone; I think if I recall correctly the "M day" event was virtually the same event as their day-long training course, but $750 vs ~$1800. This was back in 2016 so prices may have shifted but I'd still expect these types of events to be a thing. Gotta get in early though, they fill up quickly!

I think there's a BMW Center on the West Coast- Bay Area maybe? But can't recall... there's a Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta and LA, but I don't think they offer a full-day instructor led event, just individual bite-size opportunities to get various Porsches in a track setting. There are other types of "training" opportunities out there but they do start to get really expensive. Skip Barber comes to mind- they do events all over the country but I think their 2-day course is like $7k a person.

The main benefit here is structured training in a variety of conditions in a controlled environment to learn and practice all different sorts of car control techniques- and it's not your car. BIG bonus, that last part.

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