Dream SCCA auto-x build

[Eric]

Eric, I have some Penske 7300's for the rear that I am working on.

Those aren't cheap!

BTW, i've been mildly lusting over your euro M5... my 92 3.8L was a wonderful car! Interested in trading for a 01 740? ;D

[Gesture]

What's your setup? 2180 allowable implies either NA 2.9L with 275mm tires (aluminum M52B28 with US S50B30 crank?) or a NA 1.9L (M44?) with bigger tires. 2460 with the blower seems to imply the former.

My build is an M20 with the S50 crank. I built the motor for fun with parts readily available to me, so on the cheap. Then once the car was running I found what class I was eligible for. I enjoy SM, I can do so much and will always have strong competition.

When I first ran in SM locally, 2 years ago, I was 16 seconds off the national pace. Last year I ran against the GTR at my first national level event and I was down to 8 seconds off the pace. When I wrapped up last season I was about 4-5 seconds off the national pace.

[Julien]

I was told that SM stands for "Spend Money", and it sure as hell does. That's why I abandoned my e30 as an autox platform, I couldn't afford what it would take to run with the best SM cars, even locally. Had I done a dedicated SM build from the beginning I might have been able to, but without a tow vehicle and trailer there's only so much you can do.

time to change that sig to vtak ;D

[matthugie]

Your last build of an SM car was back in '06, and it looks awesome, but Eric Hyman's GTR has really changed my thoughts on SM. From what I have gathered, talking to him and others, his car is about $300,000 as it sits right now.

I was told that SM stands for "Spend Money", and it sure as hell does. That's why I abandoned my e30 as an autox platform, I couldn't afford what it would take to run with the best SM cars, even locally. Had I done a dedicated SM build from the beginning I might have been able to, but without a tow vehicle and trailer there's only so much you can do.

[megatron]

Currently my SM car is 2550lbs, but that is with all the original sheetmetal. With my current setup I could technicly be as low as 2180lbs. I am planning to add a supercharger to bring my calculated minimum weight to 2460lbs, which I think will be achievable.

What's your setup? 2180 allowable implies either NA 2.9L with 275mm tires (aluminum M52B28 with US S50B30 crank?) or a NA 1.9L (M44?) with bigger tires. 2460 with the blower seems to imply the former.

I just think it will be tougher than ever to win in SM

Good. It will be worth trying again, then. :)

[Gesture]

How light do the folks with experience building E30 auto-x cars think an Street Modified E30 build can go? I don't know yet the hood and trunk weights, but my guesstimate is ~2300lbs. Looking at the current SM ruleset, I think an add-lightness approach taking the 275 tire allowance into account would be very interesting. Then basically let the achievable weight determine how much effective displacement the car can have, then pick the power plant and squeeze as much as possible from it.

Currently my SM car is 2550lbs, but that is with all the original sheetmetal. With my current setup I could technicly be as low as 2180lbs, according to the rules. I am planning to add a supercharger to bring my calculated minimum weight to 2460lbs, which I think will be achievable.

FWIW, my last auto-x build was an E36 M3 for SM. It had all sorts of goodies like aluminum doors, aluminum block/S52 Frankenstein engine with Eurosport Twinscrew, 315 Hoosiers, etc. It went 2nd fastest in Street Modified at the SCCA National Championships behind Bob Tunnell's car before I sold it and took time off autocrossing for graduate school and to start and run a business overseas.have, then pick the power plant and squeeze as much as possible from it.

Your last build of an SM car was back in '06, and it looks awesome, but Eric Hyman's GTR has really changed my thoughts on SM. From what I have gathered, talking to him and others, his car is about $300,000 as it sits right now, plus he has +20 years of autox experience. This is not saying he cannot be beat, he was beat this year, I just think it will be tougher than ever to win in SM.

[megatron]

Hi all, really glad to find this thread as I'm interested in building another autocross car, perhaps E30-based.

How light do the folks with experience building E30 auto-x cars think an Street Modified E30 build can go? I don't know yet the hood and trunk weights, but my guesstimate is ~2300lbs. Looking at the current SM ruleset, I think an add-lightness approach taking the 275 tire allowance into account would be very interesting. Then basically let the achievable weight determine how much effective displacement the car can have, then pick the power plant and squeeze as much as possible from it.

Thoughts on this approach?

FWIW, my last auto-x build was an E36 M3 for SM. It had all sorts of goodies like aluminum doors, aluminum block/S52 Frankenstein engine with Eurosport Twinscrew, 315 Hoosiers, etc. It went 2nd fastest in Street Modified at the SCCA National Championships behind Bob Tunnell's car before I sold it and took time off autocrossing for graduate school and to start and run a business overseas.

I've been back Stateside for a little over a year now, and have been trying to find more time to get back into autocrossing. I still have a few spares left over from my M3 build, including another aluminum M52 block and S52 head. I looked at the current rules for Street Modified and bought a pair of 318ti to try a different approach rather than just replicating my old car. Alas, I quickly learned that getting a ti down to the weight I want to hit was going to be harder than I thought.

So I went and found a slicktop E30 318is to have a few more options. It's unmolested and really too dang clean to build into an SM car, but it's what came up locally to me. I'm looking forward to reading and participating in this thread to see what everyone comes up with!

[MX339]

Weather isn't looking to good for Sunday. It's up to a 90% chance now.

That sounds like a damn good event, Gary. Not going to be able to make it though as there's a NASA event that same weekend at RA.

[Gary Horneck]

On Dec 6-7 there is a fun autocross up here. It's the Vette Club weekend, 28 runs in two days for $85. No course work, just run. Lunch provided both days. Pretty much wide open course with just a handful of cones. They could care less about sound. Ex-race Vettes running. Its open to all cars, yet nobody but me goes to it. Get 4 autocross's worth of runs packed into a weekend. That's worth the trip up here.

[Jb325is]

I'd love to go if you guys don't mind me tagging along. I've got quite a few things I'd need to do to the '02 to get it ready though. Getting some sticky tires would be one of those things. Do you have any 205 Hoosiers right now, Johnathan?

I don't have any at the moment, don't have any 15" wheels anymore. That'd be cool if you came though, just keep an eye on the weather.

[MX339]

I'd love to go if you guys don't mind me tagging along. I've got quite a few things I'd need to do to the '02 to get it ready though. Getting some sticky tires would be one of those things. Do you have any 205 Hoosiers right now, Johnathan?

[Jb325is]

Yeah we are watching the weather too, if the forecast clears up I am at least going to bring my car, maybe one more. I'm probably around 120db @ 20feet, working on ordering another muffler now but won't have it for this weekend. If it rains I'll probably stay home

[Gary Horneck]

All depends on what the weather does. If its too cold and rainy, I will run my '11 335i. No sound restrictions at this venue, our last before they close the site down. The next event (Dec 14) is at our prime venue, Milton Frank Stadium. They do have a sound limit of 96db, but only charged S2000's usually go over that.

[Jb325is]

TVR (Tennessee Valley Region) and TAC is where I run. My friend Steve just finished his 2.7i build and he runs SM. Come on over.

You running this coming weekend? We are thinking of bringing a few e30's over there if it doesn't rain. How are they on sound over there? My s54 car is currently very loud, don't want to bring it if it's going to cause any grief

[Gary Horneck]

Gary, what region do you run in? Alabama or Tennessee valley? I think me and a few friends are bringing our e30's over for a few events this coming season, all in SM though.

TVR (Tennessee Valley Region) and TAC is where I run. My friend Steve just finished his 2.7i build and he runs SM. Come on over.