ITS cars - which are the fastest?

If you're thinking about building an E46, get an ECU solution figured out before you get too far into the build. Double VANOS, both continuously-variable = potential for good power, but also means you're going to need a GOOD computer solution...and that ain't gonna be cheap.

The SIR on a weak E36 2.5 motor knocks 10hp/10ft-lbs off of it, and changes the AFR about 4 points (and I don't mean 13.8:1 to 13.4:1) across the board. Looks like a good Megasquirt build can control everything necessary with this engine, though, including the simpler "on-off" VANOS.

I honestly giggled in my helmet a couple of times when I jumped on the brakes in our E36 coming into the braking zone at T10 in Atlanta. If we can keep that RF from locking as easily in other spots (coming into T3 and T5 in Atlanta, for example), we'll be in good shape on the braking front.
 
JIgou said:
I honestly giggled in my helmet a couple of times when I jumped on the brakes in our E36 coming into the braking zone at T10 in Atlanta. If we can keep that RF from locking as easily in other spots (coming into T3 and T5 in Atlanta, for example), we'll be in good shape on the braking front.
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This is an issue that some people overlook when corner-weighting a car. Most go for the best possible cross weights at the expense of the Front L-R. I bet you could make a slight adjustment to that and be in a really good spot.
 
Andy Bettencourt said:
This is an issue that some people overlook when corner-weighting a car. Most go for the best possible cross weights at the expense of the Front L-R. I bet you could make a slight adjustment to that and be in a really good spot.
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We'll certainly be tweaking in that area, although there's not much difference (around 50 lbs, I think) between the two as it ran last weekend. Coming from a SM, I was really quite surprised at how close the side-to-side weights were. Of course, with 2900 lbs to spread around it's easier to have each wheel be similar. :D

Keeping the inside front on the ground probably wouldn't hurt on this car, and we're planning on playing with springs and bars up front to see if we can get that a little better. The shocks on the car are known for having limited droop travel, which doesn't help that situation....
 
Adding to Jarrods comments,the car we brought to the ARRC this year which finished 3rd on the podium was getting it's lunch handed to it on the back straight.Everywhere else it was pretty good,really good in fact,the brakes are awesome and handled like a dream except for the back straight.
Our real motor blew up ealier this year so we put a 80,000 mile junker with stock Vanos and all in to just make the race,after leaving the dyno we knew we were bringing a knife to a gun fight.We were at least 10 hp down,probably really 20hp from where it could be and needs to be to compete at the Road Atlanta.The car got to the 45's on Saturday and I think with another session could get to a 44 flat with what we had in it.
With that all being said,a real motor,some sort of real engine managment,some real dyno work and some time on track with the car next year and I think you'll some different results(except for 5 easy laps at our home track earlier this year last weekend was my first real laps in the car)Can a well prepped,well driven E36 get to the 38's at Road Atlanta,probably not by me but I damn well will be really close next year.
We were on old,some really old tires all weekend(Hoosier R6)and I want to say we were hundreds of pounds over weight.So yes we have a bit of work to do but I do think a E36 can be a good ITS car
 
I'm very interested in how this car does. I've always thought the BMW folks abandoned the E36 far too quickly after the SIR, and have considered this as a potential "modern" ITS if I ever get tired of farking with drum brakes.
 
JeffYoung said:
I'm very interested in how this car does. I've always thought the BMW folks abandoned the E36 far too quickly after the SIR, and have considered this as a potential "modern" ITS if I ever get tired of farking with drum brakes.
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While I'd be sad to see you give up the TR, which BTW is one bad-azz odd-ball, I've got one word:

DOEEET!! :D
 
I like the oddball too - 968 is heavy and pricey to run. If I wasn't a P car nut I'd be on the 36 but more likely the 46. My Autotechnic bros have got the computer figured at some insane five figure development but they make ITR power in ITS from extreme pro level hard work plus its a better chassis. If I was going ITS I'd do 323 all the way. 46 is the way for that class.
 
Spec weight on my car -- 2560 -- is under process power, but I run at 2680. Probably need to fix that in teh book too actually although I've got one more round of motor development to do.

There are two cars that wholly in my opinion -- opinion -- might be outside of process in ITS. 944S and 323. I don't have any evidence to back it up so they stay as is.
 
I'm interested in the power they make too....................i have a great ITS rx7. I also have a little BMW knowledge too.

Greg
 
benspeed said:
I like the oddball too - 968 is heavy and pricey to run. If I wasn't a P car nut I'd be on the 36 but more likely the 46. My Autotechnic bros have got the computer figured at some insane five figure development but they make ITR power in ITS from extreme pro level hard work plus its a better chassis. If I was going ITS I'd do 323 all the way. 46 is the way for that class.
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A year ago when Dave and I were going through the "what should we do" decision process, I saw the Autotechnic cars and I'm pretty sure we chatted with them. They certainly had the ECU figured out, but the associated price spooked us.

In the last couple of days, as I've been digging into ECU options for our car for next year, I've learned that within the last 6 months or so a couple of folks have figured out how to run a double, continously-variable VANOS with a Megasquirt (the latest and greatest, of course).

Hmmm.... :D
 
JIgou said:
In the last couple of days, as I've been digging into ECU options for our car for next year, I've learned that within the last 6 months or so a couple of folks have figured out how to run a double, continously-variable VANOS with a Megasquirt (the latest and greatest, of course).
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That will be a mean ITS car....
 
looks like most of the cars near you guys are probuilt.......................Some real fast bmw's in ITS and ITR. What do ITR E36 cars make then?? Or is it just weight related?
 
The ARRC ITS champion E30 waves at you from Georgia, as it goes under the knife for an offseason of getting made significantly faster. :D
 
JeffYoung said:
New motor and shock package for me this winter...

Get that E30 to CMP and VIR next year!

See you guys at RA.
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Sadly, Matt basically CAN'T travel. He's on call for his business 24/7... actually had to leave the ARRC twice to run out on service calls. He risks it once a year to go to Birmingham... but even then has to tow there with his work truck just in case. :(
 
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