The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 496 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: <E46> Jump Starting Carfax please? Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Re: E46 wheels & tires: Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:14:38 -0800 From: JKerouac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Jim Farris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jim, First, use Koni's. Konis autocross quicker than out of the box Bilsteins. Set the rears about 3/4 firm, fronts about 1/2. This will vary by pavement surface. Get as large a front swaybar as is available. The Metric Mechanic bar will be just right. Also it comes with hardware that will not self destruct, as the factory hardware will. That much front bar will induce what feels at first like horrible understeer so use a large split between front and rear tire pressures, one third to one half lower pressure in the rear as in the front. Start with front pressure that is too high, and half the rear tire pressure as front. First adjust front pressures until the sidewall rollover is minimized, then increase rear pressure so the car just barely won't go tail out when you breathe on the steering wheel. Best tire size to go with on the 14x6 stock wheel size is a 205/55x14. Also, there are several available and listed stock legal front springs. Using the table in the Bentley book, find the shortest listed spring part number applicable for your exact model. That will also be the softest and lowest. Mounts and bushings: Use the offset upper strut mounts as listed for the E30 //M3. They are also legal on other E30 as 'crash parts'. On the rear, use the factory offset rear trailing arm bushings. Set the outer bushing with the sleeve all the way down, the inner bushing with the sleeve all the way up. This has two advantages: 1. less static camber, 2. Rear wheels toe goes more positive as the suspension compresses, due to the different radii of the inner versus outer arm lengths to the hole center with arm raised versus with arm horizontal. Replace the rear subframe mounts too. Note: The solid //M3 style front control arm bushing is _not legal on other E30. Alignment: Set car to zero front toe. For street, one to two rounds total tie rod rotation of toe in depending on the road feel you like. For autocross, two or more rounds of toe out. More toe out for slower courses. Motor: Mallory coil. NGK wires as listed for 80's Z Datsun Z cars. K&N or similar air filter, or leave the air filter out. Rotate the light blue round switch knob on the ECU to first click away from initial position. Then disconnect the O2 sensor and turn down the ICV screw to force a lower idle and find the tooth position on the Air Flow Meter wheel that balances the system. One to three teeth form stock. Most first timers get it too rich at first. Done correctly, you will increase your zero to sixty times by 3/4 of a second or more. If you have the head off, shave it to spec. There's a couple of pounds of torque to be had in doing that. If there are deposits on the piston tops, leave them there since that increases compression a bit more. Also, over-torque the head gasket a bit. Also use a fan clutch that is worn out. This eliminates most of the drag the mechanical fan puts on the engine. The 325i throttle body, same as '88 325e, will bolt right on, though not legal to put on an '87. Use wheels up to 6mm (1/4") less offset, or use spacers up to that thickness. Brake bias: You can jiggle brake bias by leaving the old fluid in the rear, and fresh fluid only in the front. If not installed already, a harness keeps you in the seat better so you can steer the wheel instead of need to brace against it too. Just for reference, the 325e S package came with softer front springs and a larger bar. What we're doing here is taking it to an extreme. With a way oversize front bar and too low rear tires pressures, this is not an easy setup to drive well, but threading the needle on an autocross course it can win a lot of trophies over other drivers capable of threading the needle just as well. ymmv, Barry Jim Farris wrote: >Greetings Listers, >I'm ready to do some SCCA Solo II after many years of absence. >Unfortunately, I'll just have to use the appropriate car that I have >available right now - a 1987 325e, bone stock. I'll compete in G Stock. I >drive the car daily and don't mind putting a few dollars and some time into >it. I'm thinking new shocks, either Bilstein heavy duty or touring and >looking for a 3.73 ratio limited slip from a 325i or is. >Can someone help me with which differentials (year & model) will bolt in? >How do you tell if it is a LS? Finally, does the speedometer drive work off >the ring gear, so that it doesn't care what the ratio is? >Any other suggestions that will allow the car to stay in the stock class, >but give bang for the buck? >Thanks in advance, Jim Farris Montgomery AL > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:17:16 -0800 (PST) From: Kevin Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- Mark Andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Fender rolling is not allowed in SCCA stock class... Oops...it's been so long since I was in stock, I wasn't sure. > You absolutely can do option package conversions in stock classes. If you > can make your E into an IS bmw would have delivered, its legal. Note that > you also need to worry about unibody differences (often some models were > only available w or w/o sunroofs, for instance, which meant the unibodies > were different). > > See the 3rd paragraph of the beginning of section 13. And yes, its often > much smarter to just replace the car (but its often not as well). I'm not disputing being allowed to do options package conversions, but not on an e. The e and i/is are considered different models that run in different classes. They aren't just options package differences in this case. > Please read the rules. > > In _STX_, a 2wd car is allowed any time of limited slip. 14.11.a.5 I did read the intro to ST, but not the STX specific allowances, and I misread your original post. You are correct there, sorry. > You are correct that STS/STX don't allow R tires. Typically for newer > folks that's looked at as a benefit, not a problem, particularly given the > cost and tire life of Azenis, MX's, etc. Agreed. I just wanted to point out that R-comps had been mentioned as best bang for the buck, and they would be a bad investment if ST is the route Jim is planning on going. Kevin _____________________________________________________________ Highspeed Internet and Email by: Metronets www.metronets.net ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:34:13 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> More answers interspersed: >Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 08:02:25 -0800 (PST) >From: Kevin Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >--- Mark Andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Minor note... <snip> Technically, you'd have to have a chord for it to be minor. A note is just a note. Unless you mean the note in the chord that makes the chord a minor instead of a major. Sorry, I seem to have digressed again. >> Assuming you have the wheel well room, I'd go with a 225/50-14.� The 6" >> rim certainly isn't optimal, but the tire will also mount up fine. >> Similar situations exist with miatas, neons, etc.� In all cases, the extra >> width, even on a non-optimal rim, seems to be better. > >The 225 would most likely require rolling the rear fenders, but otherwise should >fit.� I was trying to stay away from body mods, even though that's a fairly minor >one.� I believe the fender rolling is allowed in stock though. I've run both 225/50-15 and 225/45-15 Kumhos on 7 inch rims on my lowered E30 without any rubbing, and without rolling the fender lips. I can't see why running 225s on 6 inch rims with stock springs would result in any rubbing, unless the offset was incorrect. And if the offset varies from stock by more than 0.25 inch, the wheels will not be stock legal. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:41:45 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> More interspersals: >Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 10:21:48 -0800 (PST) >From: Kevin Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Scott, > >You forgot 2 things: Hell, I forget more than 2 things just taking a pee in the morning! >The 4.10 also came in 325i automatics. Later automatics, yes. I believe the earlier 325iA's used the same 3.73:1. But you are correct. Any idea how many of the 4.10-equipped automatics had LSD? Me neither. >The 325iX had a 3.91 (what I wish I had instead of the 4.10, but I'm not getting rid of the quaiffe) This actually was my preferred ratio for my 325i. But the diff from the ix uses a viscous lockup mechanism, which is not as good for autocrosses as the mechanical lockup type. >Jim would be able to install a 325e lsd (2.93) for G Stock, but that's all. True. All of which makes this discussion either 1) moot, or B) an indication that Jim should look for either a non stock class or another car to run what he wants to run. >Kevin Scott ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:47:31 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hmmmz, I see some with 3.64 ratios (1988-89 635CSi), and some with 3.45 ratios (1985-86 635CSi). I don't see any with 3.46 on U.S. cars. What did I miss? Or is the difference between a 3.45 and a 3.46 a simple rounding issue? Anyway, still won't fly in an SCCA Stock class car. Scott >Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 13:25:31 -0500 >From: Ben Keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >you can also run a 3.46 from an E24, with the >changes noted below. > > >Ben >3.46, 2.93, 3.91 (x2) > > >Scott wrote : >> Jim, here are diffs that will fit: >> >> 2.93:1 - 1986-1988 (LSD stock) >> 3.25:1 - 1982-1984 533i, 1985-1988 535i/is, 1983-1984 633CSi (LSD optional, >> use your old cover and output flanges) >> 3.73:1 - 1987-1991 (or convertible thru 1993) 325is (stock LSD) or 325i/iC >> (optional LSD) >> 4.10:1 - 1988-1991 M3 (LSD stock, but ratio is too extreme for an eta) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 13:23:48 -0800 (PST) From: Kevin Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Consolidated responses: > I've run both 225/50-15 and 225/45-15 Kumhos on 7 inch rims on my lowered > E30 without any rubbing, and without rolling the fender lips. I can't see > why running 225s on 6 inch rims with stock springs would result in any > rubbing, unless the offset was incorrect. And if the offset varies from > stock by more than 0.25 inch, the wheels will not be stock legal. It probably depends on the car then. As soon as I put 225/50/15 Victoracers on my 15x7 rims, they rubbed the fender driving on the street just to heat cycle them with H&Rs and Bilstein Sports that weren't even a year old. And Hoosiers are even wider. Speaking of which, anyone know when Kumho is going to get the Ecsta V710 out in the 225/50/15 size? I'd actually be happy with a 225/55/15 too. > Later automatics, yes. I believe the earlier 325iA's used the same 3.73:1. > But you are correct. Any idea how many of the 4.10-equipped automatics had > LSD? Me neither. No clue. But the fact that it came in a medium case, on a 325i, makes it legal for use in Street Prepared. > This actually was my preferred ratio for my 325i. But the diff from the ix > uses a viscous lockup mechanism, which is not as good for autocrosses as > the mechanical lockup type. Yep. In many cases, used diffs have a good chance of the clutches being worn, so they don't grab as well as you would hope in spirited driving. But if you decide to build a diff, you can use whatever ratio you want with a factory clutch style LSD or a quaiffe. So the gear ratios are what is important. I just wish I'd had a 3.91 built instead of getting the 4.10. But I'm not nuts enough to pay that price again (at least not yet!) > True. All of which makes this discussion either 1) moot, or B) an > indication that Jim should look for either a non stock class or another car > to run what he wants to run. Yep. Barry's info is probably the most direct response of what you can do in stock class with the 325e. The big thing for Jim is just going to be getting out and enjoying running until you get comfortable and want to move forward. To that end, my initial recommendations (bypassing all the discussions we've already had) would be: Perform all the standard maintenance and make sure there's nothing about to break, air up the tires to the max pressure on the sidewalls, and head out. After trying a couple events, then start down Barry's list of allowed modifications, starting with replacing all the rubber bushings and buying R-Compounds. (there's recently been a similar discussion about what car to buy to run competitively in any stock class on another list I'm on.) Kevin _____________________________________________________________ Highspeed Internet and Email by: Metronets www.metronets.net ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:32:26 -0800 (PST) From: Andre Yew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E46> Jump Starting Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Fri, 14 Jan 2005, Robinson, Lee wrote: > The dog seems to have this kind of sixth sense too.....somehow that little > bugger always seems to know when we're heading for the park & when the vet > is the destination..... Cars must have this sixth sense as well: my battery died after 4 years in my E46, just as I was turning the car on to drive to a driving school, and the car had just been through Inspection II and a track tech session! Scott, My dash did not light up like an Xmas tree, and in fact everything seemed pretty normal after a jump start. Perhaps the Japanese ions I got from my friend's 350Z soothed it. Perhaps the electronics were jumbled by the low battery? --Andre ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:35:55 -0500 From: "Weimer, Matt J." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Carfax please? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Would someone with a Carfax account be kind enough to run a report on this vin # for me? WBSBF9326SEH03788 Thanks. Matt Weimer Hoosier Chapter ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:32:49 -0800 From: JKerouac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: E30 for SCCA Solo II Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think its important to decide what the objective for all this autocrossing is going to be. If its to have some fun and get your yayas out, build the car ba%%s to the wall and run whatever class they put you in. Otoh if you want to win and be competitive, stay stock in the slower classes. In the stock and slower classes is where the most about driving and car tuning can be learned the quickest, and for the least amount of money. In classes with more mods allowed, it can cost as much as the value of the car itself to get back to the same relative position in your faster class as when you ran stock before. fwiw, Barry Robinson, Lee wrote: > Question: > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 21:19:12 -0500 From: "Michael Gambini" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E46 wheels & tires: Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The 950 is an all season isn't it? The 750 is the summer high performance tire. Might want to switch if you have snows. MikeG ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Kosmalski" > > I have really appreciated the group's response to my tire and wheel query. > Based on all the responses, and a little research on the web, I think I > will go with the Bridgestone RE950 tires, and stick with the stock 16-inch > wheels (leaves a little $$$ to put towards the highly desirable UUC/Corsa > exhaust). At least that's the decision for this week. Who knows what > next week might bring! > > Tom K. > Hood River, OR > E46 325iT ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 18:27:45 -0800 From: "John Kjos" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Alex, I'm on my way to the Barrett-Jackson Auction this year and know an excellent mechanic (BMW specialist) in the area. I've looked at cars for others in the past. If you want to pay an "expert" to inspect it (his shop is 2 miles from the auction) then I can help you out by getting you two in contact. I'd be happy to look at the car but that will not be a thorough inspection like this shop could do. Korman Motors used this guy a few years ago for the same purpose. They bought the car. John Kjos '99 540i/6: Dinan S1 (+hi-flow manifold, 18" RK2s) '01 525iTa: w/ 540i wheels Portland, OR ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Cagann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW List" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 2:08 PM Subject: [UUC] Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson Hello guys. I am going to Barrett Jackson later this month and saw one particular interesting car there...and wondered if anyone knew anything about it. I'd also like opinions on what you guys think this sucker is worth. It is a one-off 320 with over $75,000 in custom crap. Here is a link. If the link doesn't work, make sure and cut and paste the second line. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp ?id=179750 Alex Cagann Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(11 messages) **********
