e36 m3 ITR

Tom R

New member
do you guys think that the e36 m3 with 3.2L engine would be a competitive car in ITR? it would have to be classed.

using the published classing process I estimate that the M3 would get roughly 3175 lbs. That figure is at 25% power gain potential.

Is that weight realistic? 3175 on 255 tires is not that bad.

thanks for the input!
 
Asked and answered (not going to get classed in ITR). It would have to weigh a lot more than that, try 3375+, depending on how the analysis falls. That's a LOT of ballast, given that we already have the exact same chassis at 600+ lbs less than that in the same class.

It would take a new, faster-than-ITR class. Put the M3 and the C4 Corvette in there, it would be awesome.
 
M3 is a perfect fit in STU.

Just say'n

I'm looking at using my ITR 325 for STU. I think the 3.2 M3 will have to weigh 3520lbs and the 3.0 M3 3300lbs versus 2750 for the 325.

I think in an E36 the 325 would be better.

What do you guys think?
 
Hey John,

I agree that the m50tu 2.5 is an excellant choice for STU, it's got a great ballance between power and weight. To make the 2.8 work in the Z3, I'd have to adapt a different intake manifold, really the S-54 ITB's would be the way to go with that motor and that's $$$$.
 
The E36 M3 with 3.2l can run at 3200 with these specs; Engines are permitted 0.040 overbore, 0.5
point increase in compression. Engines must

use the OEM camshaft lift.
 
M3 is a perfect fit in STU.

Just say'n

E30 - yes, but S14 achilles heel is torque...specifically lack thereof.
E36 - no, heavy for it's poswer potential due to limited compression and camshaft lift rules.
E46 - can make Huge power, but has to weigh 3500+ pounds - on an 8" rim, with a tiny wing.

It may take a year of E36M3's running in STU for it to happen, but eventually I think they can be made compeitive. right now, doubt it. E46 325/M54 engine is a better choice, more power and less weight than an E36 M3 S50/52.
 
AB, I heard similar, but I also heard that we did not get any trap speeds for two other important cars, Hoover's turbo Miata and Staal's RSX. Strangely, for both cars all traps speeds were null, every time...not enough info to draw conclusions.

BTW, "JS154" above *is* Eric Heinrich...BMW Club guy and driver of that gorgeous E30 M3...knows his BMW stuff.

GA
 
I heard that the E30 M3 of Erik Heinrich had the fastest top speed of the STU cars at the Runoffs...

Draft is HUGE at Road America. If you watch the videos you can see my car get sucked into it goign into T1. Draft of two cars is even bigger. (Having used a multi car draft to pass two BMW CR J-Stock cars at once going into big bend at LRP, at RdAm it's even more crucial. )

That said, even having the highest trap speeds didn't help catching the Audi who was still 1.5 seconds a lap faster without being pressured, and it was a lot of work keeping up with the Evo that just *rockets* out of those square corners.
 
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That said, even having the highest trap speeds didn't help catching the Audi who was still 1.5 seconds a lap faster without being pressured, and it was a lot of work keeping up with the Evo that just *rockets* out of those square corners.[/QUOTE]

And that's in the dry!

Wait until it rains and you are on a "stoppy starty" track.

I hate to say it but you probably need a AWD turbo car to win that class (I hope I'm wrong)
 
And that's in the dry!

Wait until it rains and you are on a "stoppy starty" track.

I hate to say it but you probably need a AWD turbo car to win that class (I hope I'm wrong)

I hope you'll be able to run down Mark Hoover. He might not be AWD, but he's got the boost. Also, I hope the STAC is open to reducing the size of the TIR too, when all NA cars can't even podium.
 
[

That said, even having the highest trap speeds didn't help catching the Audi who was still 1.5 seconds a lap faster without being pressured, and it was a lot of work keeping up with the Evo that just *rockets* out of those square corners.

And that's in the dry!

Wait until it rains and you are on a "stoppy starty" track.

I hate to say it but you probably need a AWD turbo car to win that class (I hope I'm wrong)[/QUOTE]

I think the EVO would be a ringer in the wet.
 
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