e30 top speeds

[kylebes1]

I was reading through the tech section and the e30 spec chart shows the Alipna does like 150, is that what it is geared for or will it go that fast?

[Jon325i]

Alpina E30s were not your typical car. They usually massaged the engine, suspension, etc. to get their desired result. To get an E30 to hit 150 would take a substantial motor upgrade since these cars have the aerodynamic efficiency of a brick. Plus I would question the accuracy of the cars' speedo or if it was running a slightly under-sized wheel/tire combo. Either of these can effect what the needle does.

Jon

[kylebes1]

Yeah I figured about the brick and the speedos do read little faster.

[e9nine]

If you want to go super fast.....get a 2.93 diff.

I would highly advise against this as the speeds you will get up to (if you can) will require you to get a cage and massive protection in case of the worst happening.

I would rather say you just get something to give you decent mileage and still allow you to scoot.

Diff ratios are of course matched with your tranny and motor setup..the 2.93 was a typical stereotypical piece of advice :!:

[Beej '86 325es]

If you want to go super fast.....get a 2.93 diff.

I would highly advise against this as the speeds you will get up to (if you can) will require you to get a cage and massive protection in case of the worst happening.

I would rather say you just get something to give you decent mileage and still allow you to scoot.

Diff ratios are of course matched with your tranny and motor setup..the 2.93 was a typical stereotypical piece of advice :!:

Don't the E36 M3's use the 2.93? Those things top out at like 170 don't they?...granted they use a completely different gearbox.

[Skafrog]

no way in hell will an e30 get up to a 2.93's full potential. You WILL slam into an aerodynamic wall around 140, and even sooner with a 2.93. If you want to go faster, go to a 4.10, since 140 will be hitting the low end of the rev range in 5th with a 2.93

[ian332isport]

I was lucky enough to test my top speed recently. It was part of a photoshoot for Performance BMW magazine.

Before any safety loving tree huggers get on my case, it was done on an old airforce runway that was two miles long, and seriously wide. No members of the public were put at risk during this test.

Anyway, back to top speed :D , I managed 157mph before I had to hit the brakes. With a bit more runway, I may have got 160, but that would be about it.

This was measured using one of these, so is an actual speed measurement, not a speedo reading.

http://www.racelogic.co.uk/2003/vbox/index.htm

Cheers,

Ian.

[Rob]

Ian is that indicated or on GPS?


Alexmc hit 157 on the GPS, I dont know how accurate the speedo was.

[ian332isport]

Ian is that indicated or on GPS?


Alexmc hit 157 on the GPS, I dont know how accurate the speedo was.

That was GPS.

For the record, my speedo was reading almost exactly the same speed.

Cheers,

Ian.

[kylebes1]

Ian yu are my idol! I know with enough power I could do 160.
What diff do you have? And I you said you have a 6 speed right ? probably geared at 0.87 or so, right?

I only have a 5 speed with a 1:1 fifth gear.

[ian332isport]

Ian yu are my idol! I know with enough power I could do 160.
What diff do you have? And I you said you have a 6 speed right ? probably geared at 0.87 or so, right?

I only have a 5 speed with a 1:1 fifth gear.

Hi Kyle,

My diff is a 3.64 LSD, and yes it is the 6 speed box. I believe it's 0.83:1 in 6th.

Cheers,

Ian.

[denisbmwm5]

Couple days ago i toped out my 87 325is at 147, there was no more room left on the rpms. Guess i need a lower gear diff. Also thats with a turner chip, with the stock one i think i toped out at 120-125. Hope that helps.

[Jand3rson]

My diff is a 3.64 LSD, and yes it is the 6 speed box. I believe it's

What gearbox are you using for the 6-speed? Is that with an M20?

[ian332isport]

My diff is a 3.64 LSD, and yes it is the 6 speed box. I believe it's

What gearbox are you using for the 6-speed? Is that with an M20?

It's the gearbox from a Euro e36 3.2 M3. This is connected to the Euro S50B32 engine, not an M20.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Jand3rson]

It's the gearbox from a Euro 36 3.2 M3. This is connected to the Euro S50B32 engine, not an M20.

Cheers,

Ian.

Very good. Thanks for clearing that up. :D