A turbo set up for $250?

[bam2002]

that's an odd size for the e30- usually guys would run 225x45x15- these end up being close to the same revs per mile as the 205x50x15- this size is usually around 904 rev/mile compared to about 830 rev/mile

Hmmm the Star Specs dont come in a 225 15 inch size. We run both 15s and 16s..

According to the Falken site the 615k only come in 205s in a 15.. that is why we were going to try running 16 inch rims..

[chip]

The Falken tires are $160 for 225x50x16s each shipped. Vs the Star specs at $133 ea shipped.. So we will stay with the Dunlops..

Id like to try the 615ks but dont feel they are worth $30 each more.

that's an odd size for the e30- usually guys would run 225x45x15- these end up being close to the same revs per mile as the 205x50x15- this size is usually around 904 rev/mile compared to about 830 rev/mile

[PutSomeCheeseOnIt]

Dont try to boost it, you wont be able to do it cheap enough or reliable enough spend the moeny on poly and tune up parts
..ask me how i know

[bam2002]

The Falken tires are $160 for 225x50x16s each shipped. Vs the Star specs at $133 ea shipped.. So we will stay with the Dunlops..

Id like to try the 615ks but dont feel they are worth $30 each more.

[dinanm3atl]

Look now, I can't give you all our secrets, but get some 15" wheels from TR if you don't have them already, slap some 615's on them and drive the snot out of the car. We will run about 30psi cold +/- on the corners depending on the track. If the tires are still getting hot, there is the potential that you are overdriving and need to back off some. We haven't had much issue with the tires getting greasy- I think it's a new compound now and different from 4 years ago, so maybe not an issue anymore more.

615K is the new compound.

[chip]

I have a wholesale account with tire rack and they dont carry the Azenas. A local tire place does that I have an account with so I can try them. But I can actually get the Star specs at the same price.

We need new tires so I may get a set of each and see. We ran the 14 bottle cap wheels with Azenas when we first built the car 4 years ago. I recall them getting greasy when really hot

Look now, I can't give you all our secrets, but get some 15" wheels from TR if you don't have them already, slap some 615's on them and drive the snot out of the car. We will run about 30psi cold +/- on the corners depending on the track. If the tires are still getting hot, there is the potential that you are overdriving and need to back off some. We haven't had much issue with the tires getting greasy- I think it's a new compound now and different from 4 years ago, so maybe not an issue anymore more.

[bam2002]

I have a wholesale account with tire rack and they dont carry the Azenas. A local tire place does that I have an account with so I can try them. But I can actually get the Star specs at the same price.

We need new tires so I may get a set of each and see. We ran the 14 bottle cap wheels with Azenas when we first built the car 4 years ago. I recall them getting greasy when really hot

[chip]

30 hours.. We get about 15 to 21 on a set of the Star Specs. then they are pretty worn. They still can be used for Auto X, but I dont think they would make it in another 7 hour race..
I run one 7 hour race then put the other set on for the 2nd day. We then take them off the rims and flip them left to right. And run them another race. Then that is about it..
But with 15s there are not allot of choices for tires. We Ran Nittos? but they were really bad in the rain.

We don't flip the tires since they're not directional. We do rotate left side to right side of car and front to back. The tires that need replacing now are flat spotted.
Have you tried the Falken's? They have treated us well on the e30.

[bam2002]

Ronald's racers are running falken 615's- I'm not familiar with the SS, but the 615 have plenty of hours on them and do lose anything during the race. We have 30+ hours on one set and they are going to the 14 VIR race. Learn to drive! Learn to corner better and pass on exit if not in the turn! The straight away speed isn't that much of a advantage if you are faster in the turns! Think about different rear ends.

We're going to try for 2 hour stints at VIR- we think we'll be close, and I know that some of our drivers will make it, but we're figuring this out that races are won (and lost) in the pits.

30 hours.. We get about 15 to 21 on a set of the Star Specs. then they are pretty worn. They still can be used for Auto X, but I dont think they would make it in another 7 hour race..
I run one 7 hour race then put the other set on for the 2nd day. We then take them off the rims and flip them left to right. And run them another race. Then that is about it..
But with 15s there are not allot of choices for tires. We Ran Nittos? but they were really bad in the rain.

[dinanm3atl]

Ronald's racers are running falken 615's- I'm not familiar with the SS, but the 615 have plenty of hours on them and do lose anything during the race. We have 30+ hours on one set and they are going to the 14 VIR race. Learn to drive! Learn to corner better and pass on exit if not in the turn! The straight away speed isn't that much of a advantage if you are faster in the turns! Think about different rear ends.

We're going to try for 2 hour stints at VIR- we think we'll be close, and I know that some of our drivers will make it, but we're figuring this out that races are won (and lost) in the pits.

Even in F1 this is true.

[chip]

Good points. No tires are not shaved, since races are 7 to 10 hours we need all the tread to make it through a race.
The time changing tires would be more than the lap times we gain with shaved tires.

Also these are new tracks . So yes we get faster as we learn them, but Id sayt that is true for 70% of the cars out there. Ie they are also out for the 1st time. I know some people learn faster than others. But again more power makes it easier to get back time in the straights. Plus when there are 70 cars out on the track it difficult to pass packs of 4 cars in the turns. So the straights are the best palce to do so if you have the power.

Ronald's racers are running falken 615's- I'm not familiar with the SS, but the 615 have plenty of hours on them and do lose anything during the race. We have 30+ hours on one set and they are going to the 14 VIR race. Learn to drive! Learn to corner better and pass on exit if not in the turn! The straight away speed isn't that much of a advantage if you are faster in the turns! Think about different rear ends.

We're going to try for 2 hour stints at VIR- we think we'll be close, and I know that some of our drivers will make it, but we're figuring this out that races are won (and lost) in the pits.

[bam2002]

FWIW I cut 6 seconds off my lap times my first season with nothing but seat time, zero changes to the car. Very few drivers are out driving the potential of the car.

When you do start pushing the limits of the car, just finding a better tire can cut times. You said your running star specs, are you running full tread or are they shaved?

Good points. No tires are not shaved, since races are 7 to 10 hours we need all the tread to make it through a race.
The time changing tires would be more than the lap times we gain with shaved tires.

Also these are new tracks . So yes we get faster as we learn them, but Id sayt that is true for 70% of the cars out there. Ie they are also out for the 1st time. I know some people learn faster than others. But again more power makes it easier to get back time in the straights. Plus when there are 70 cars out on the track it difficult to pass packs of 4 cars in the turns. So the straights are the best palce to do so if you have the power.

[dinanm3atl]

Yah we are not trying to win. We just want to finish. VIR 24 we plan on running 1 hour stints anyways. We want to finish our first attempt at a 24 hour race. After that we'll consider a fuel cell and getting us up to a full time/stint.

[bam2002]

Just saying you admit it in your first line there. Better strategy and not breaking down got them a 2nd place finish. I would just reconsider more power when you are 5-6 seconds off the other E30s running your same engine. The way you are trying to gain the time is setting up for future failures. A turbo system while not overly complex still adds more parts to the equation. It also is going to add significantly to the overall complexity of the car.

My team is still a noob and have not physically raced but we are trying to steer clear of any type of performance anything until the car finishes a full race. No 24V swap. No Turbos. No performance stuff. All stock. All rebuild. See how it does. I would work on those 5-6 seconds of time and pit stop strategy and it would seem you would be right up there.

Your fuel tank is going to be your limiting factor, if you are running a 2.5l engine you wont be able to go the 2 hours.
When chump first started we always finished in the top 10 and had a 2nd and 3rd place finish. With a slower team. Well one of the drivers was slower, but she is no longer driving.. The rest of us are all still on the team and I would hope we have improved.

I do agree the race is won or lost in the Pits. But I would like to have the ability to make up time if needed. We shall see how it all plays out. Thats the great things about crap can racing. if I dont like the turbo it can come off for the next race and I have only spent $200..

Thanks Firebird for the data. I will be out shopping at the local U pulls this weekend.

[akorcovelos]

FWIW I cut 6 seconds off my lap times my first season with nothing but seat time, zero changes to the car. Very few drivers are out driving the potential of the car.

When you do start pushing the limits of the car, just finding a better tire can cut times. You said your running star specs, are you running full tread or are they shaved?