SM Guys

[E30Driv3R]

Hey guys i was just wondering who all is running in SM... I know Nando, i think Mazur, and a few other people are how did you guys do last year?

Main reason being is that i blew the M42 up and i am putting an s50 in it.

What are some modifications that you guys would suggest?

I have been looking at the rule book and ben trying to find some things that i need to do to my car.

I know i wont be competitive nationally but i want to give the local guys a run.

[cheades]

Only mod I can suggest is the biggest, stickiest tires you can afford. Otherwise it can be hard to lay the power down real good. Around here we usually have to deal with turbo miata's running 225 v710's, no other real big guns but those miata's are light with great susp, tires, and drivers.

[Jean]

I ran in SM last year too (5th), and the top 3 guys have the best possible tire and suspension available, along with pads. I am good 2-3 seconds behind (on rt615s) the guy in 1st place who's been at it for years in SM, 300hp dot-r tires and many cubic $'s into the r&d ... all kinds of cars in SM and not an empty class so it makes things interesting :)

[funcrew]

In Las Vegas, SM is split into Plain SM for 4/5-seaters and SM2 for 2-seaters. The SM class is dominated by highly-prepped AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis rolling on huge R-Comp tires. I don't see how an E30 is going to be able to hang with that, even with an engine swap or turbo.

[Jean]

In Las Vegas, SM is split into Plain SM for 4/5-seaters and SM2 for 2-seaters. The SM class is dominated by highly-prepped AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis rolling on huge R-Comp tires. I don't see how an E30 is going to be able to hang with that, even with an engine swap or turbo.

Same here, SM and SM2. Although IIRC most STI/EVOs in my region were in the STU class. But you are right, 275 front/rear R comps is not unusual... brutal.

[E30Driv3R]

That is what i figured....

275 RComps, Best Possible Brakes...

anything else i should work on getting?

[Jean]

You really do need power, SM is deep pockets class especially so on national level. You aren't a newbie, so you obviously know that the driver behind the wheel is the most important thing but in SM you can only do so much. Tires, suspension, brakes, power, driver to your best ability w/out going totally broke ;)

Just to give you a real world example, there was an e30m3 s14 that was built to the full tilt per the allowed rules, and locally it was 1st/2nd place for the year in SM. My buddy used to go head to head with him also for 1st/2nd place, his car is an 03 gti 1.8t stage 3 apr hardware (about 300hp on 100 octane), custom coilovers , ap racing brakes and v710 tires. So, you don't need 500 hp in an e30 to be competitive (well, maybe you do on national level) locally . Good luck and have fun out there !

[Hick]

3rd place guy in SM here last year has an '88 MK2 Cabby with the stock 1.8L 8V motor. Second is a turbo '89 325i that makes around 300hp, 1st was a relativly stock Evo.

Its just not fair.

Im not sure if i will stick it out in DSP or if i will go to SM. SM allows some more modifications, BUT i will be out classed worse than i am in DSP.

[cheades]

Look at your past events and who was winning SM with what. To give you an idea of some areas there are two e36 M3's that each have 335 v710's, one is supercharged s52 and other is built s54.

Jean, I am impressed the Stage 3 APR is able to compete very well in SM due to horrid turbo lag. A friend has that and it doesn't get much boost until over 4000.

[E30 Racer]

3rd place guy in SM here last year has an '88 MK2 Cabby with the stock 1.8L 8V motor. Second is a turbo '89 325i that makes around 300hp, 1st was a relativly stock Evo.

A bit off topic, but that motor was actually a highly modified 2.0L. I built it for my '86 GLi (which I used to compete in SM with).

[DSP74]

Last I checked the rules, at 2.5l the car only needed to weigh 2200 or 2400 lbs. I'll double check that and then get back....

So I would make the car as light as possible, add some 15x10's and 275's, good pads (leave the stock brakes) and a DSP setup. I might consider adding a rear camber link since it's not legal in DSP but is in SM. 300-350rwhp on a fully lightened E30 should get you in the ballpark nationally. Some of the other cars have more power but more weight also.....

I'm turbocharging my m20. I should be able to make an honest 300 to the ground, but am hoping for 350hp. With a manual boost controller, BOV, or BPV, and a ballbearing Garret with Holset exhuast housing it shouldn't be to awefull laggy. I may balance the engine when I build another one, with lighter pistons rods, lightened crank and new valvspprings and rev it to 7500 to keep the deep gears from an auto E30

[DSP74]

I think that your diff setup and rear spring rate, and swaybar size will become more important with a big HP increase......You have to put that power down, but the car isn't very heavy. A diff that locks up to much won't let the car turn. Or not enought and you are smoking inside tires.

[cheades]

I would be less concerned about total power (getting to 350hp) compared to getting more area under the curve. If you can get the car to come up on boost by 2500 you will end up with way more area under the curve allowing you to pull out of corners at a bit lower rpm from tight corners.

[Herb]

I feel everyones pain with the Subie's, but add in a National contender in a Vette, and I have no chance running es100's - slim to no chance if I run R-comps.
GL
Test N Tune starts Mar. 16th here.
Herbert

[Hick]

A bit off topic, but that motor was actually a highly modified 2.0L. I built it for my '86 GLi (which I used to compete in SM with).

That bastard! Ben always chalked it up to is great driving, never told me it was messed with. None the less, even with a 2.0L thats pretty good.