Road race / AutoX classes to suit build?

[whitebulat22]

Right now I'm playing with my stock eta engine on narrow tires to get to know the car, but long term I want it to be really fast. Like 300-350 WHP ish fast. My favorite options for doing so are S54, S62, S38 swap or built boost on my M20. I wouldn't apply forced induction to any of the "S" supermotors because I would rather save the money than lose complete control of the car. Those would get the simplest bolt-ons only and maybe larger valves / ports on the V8.

Which race class(es) fit the BMW powered 11-12 sec quarter mile E30 range the best? Suspension is centered around IE Stage 3 springs + Koni SAs and I will try to run a square 245/45/16 tire setup or 225s up front if I don't have the heart to hack the fenders. Those unless someone suddenly decides there should be more 255-265/35/17s or 245-255/40/16s, or some sort of wide 15 that isn't more than an inch off in diameter. I would prefer to stay in something with street tires for financial reasons but might be down to run the 275/35/17 Hoosiers on it one day.

Thanks r3v

[agent]

For SCCA/AutoX you'll be in SM for an engine swap regardless of what else you do. The only caveat to that is if you run R comps, in which case you'll advance to a tire class.

[Lof8]

...and SM is a hard class to compete in. There are some monster cars in there!

[agent]

Truth. An E30 in SM is a lot of fun, but it's not going to be competitive once you get PAX'd.

[Jb325is]

Stick to autocross, what your talking about would not be suitable or competitive in any wheel to wheel racing class. You would fit in SM and have some fun, don't plan on winning anything though.

[MX339]

What JB said. Pretty much the only place an E30 is competitive in a non spec series is in BMW CCA K-Prepared and NASA GTS-1 or 2, and you can't run big HP numbers there. Once you get into the higher HP classes you're simply outmatched by more aero and geometry efficient cars.

[RoccoB517]

Also keep in mind that if you do a swap and gut the car that will push you into XP in autocross (look over the rules carefully).

I'd also recommend looking into Time Attack/Time Trials events in your area. That way you will most likely be classified by a power to weight ratio. That will allow you to have a fun, fast car that can also be competitive. I run with the SCCA Time Trials in my area, and it has taken a ton of work to make my car hang with the newer cars (and even more to come), but if you are like me and get enjoyment out of building as much as driving then that might be the way to go. Grow your skills and grow the capabilities of the car over time, and in pace with each other.

[Eric]

Ah, the sound of youth!

[16v_e30]

Woah woah woah. I kick ass in SM. Faster times than turbo Miatas, and way less power.

The best mod you can do to compete in AutoX is improve your driving abilities.

[Jb325is]

Sure you can do well in SM depending on who's running, but if you are running against cars that are prepped specifically for SM it takes a lot to make an e30 competitive. Like 350-400hp, Motons and 275 Hoosiers. I plan to run my e30 s54 in SM next year, it will probably be competitive at Regional events, but not national

[matthugie]

Sure you can do well in SM depending on who's running, but if you are running against cars that are prepped specifically for SM it takes a lot to make an e30 competitive. Like 350-400hp, Motons and 275 Hoosiers. I plan to run my e30 s54 in SM next year, it will probably be competitive at Regional events, but not national

This. I'm probably going to win my local SM championship this year but only because 2 of the major SM players here are running Pro rather than open, and one other guy just didn't come to too many events. Getting an e30 to be able to compete with STi's and Evo's putting 400+ to the wheels with 315 width Hoosiers is a severely uphill battle, and one you'll never win on street tires.

[whitebulat22]

Exciting to see you guys already hunting with S54s. The experiences you guys are having in SM seem competitive enough that I would have some fun and growth in there, I don't think I'll need to flat-out win anything to enjoy myself. An 80s box not embarassing itself out there is amusing in itself.

I'd also recommend looking into Time Attack/Time Trials events in your area. That way you will most likely be classified by a power to weight ratio. That will allow you to have a fun, fast car that can also be competitive. I run with the SCCA Time Trials in my area, and it has taken a ton of work to make my car hang with the newer cars (and even more to come), but if you are like me and get enjoyment out of building as much as driving then that might be the way to go. Grow your skills and grow the capabilities of the car over time, and in pace with each other.

These power to weight ratio classings sound like what I'm looking for. I feel like as long as I can find a way to decently put the power down the suspension / aero disadvantages would be existent enough to be major for a GP team but minor enough that I would never have to blame anything other than my own driving.

Ah, the sound of youth!

I got started with these financial mistakes as soon as I could.

[Jb325is]

These power to weight ratio classings sound like what I'm looking for. I feel like as long as I can find a way to decently put the power down the suspension / aero disadvantages would be existent enough to be major for a GP team but minor enough that I would never have to blame anything other than my own driving.

Kind of, except the cars you would be running against would be pretty ridiculous. In NASA for instance, the kind of power/weight you are talking about is probably GTS3, which would be $60k++ e46 m3's. Aero and shocks make a pretty huge difference as well, more than you are thinking. I would do some auto-x for now, and go check out some race weekends. Look at the cars, talk to people, and see what you really want to do instead of asking. IMO, if you want to become a good racer you need to run Spec Miata first.

[Eric]

I got started with these financial mistakes as soon as I could.

At least you have a sense of humor!


Your first post sounds like a teenager with his first car that has read more forums and build threads than minutes behind the wheel. Go bang around an autocross and HPDE for a year or two before you decide to drop quad compound turbo M73 with afterburners in your 325e.




EVERYTHING you mention will put you in a racing class that is so high, you will be woefully uncompetitive. Get some driver's ed, and while your modding the most important part (you), figure out how to build a car to the class you want to compete in.

[MX339]

What's been said in this thread is very sound advice. Get out there with your putzy little E30 and have at it. If you've never been out on track, you're going to be amazed what the limit of even a stock E30 is. It's much easier and less intimidating to find said limit of a stock car on street tires than it is to find the limit of a Hoosier shod monster.

Take my word, track time is ridiculously fun either way.