Official 135i/128i SCCA FS/STU/STX Chat thread

[jbv]

Originally Posted by I35it

Lol. Well then I guess I didn't see that in the rules. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the heads up. Good thing I don't go crazy with auto-x. Just a hobby. ,I prefer track events.

How did the front 9" wheel setup hold up at the track/road course?

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by Freon

I think you wandered into the wrong thread. =P

You're in my thread, Hoss.

[The Nebulizer]

I finally got a chance to drive around some cones.

The car (FStreet prep 135i) handles very nicely. I only have tires (245/275)and a Swaybar. It understeers a bit as expected. I did not notice the electric differential causing any issue. It put down power well and gripped well. In its current prep I'd guess it is about 1% slower than my well prepped e46 M3 (0.6sec on 55sec course) based on comparison analysis to others. That is nearly within the realm of prep potential I'd think (muffler, alignment, shocks, lightweight wheels).
I don't know that it is as exciting as my M3 however. Feels more docile.

[Ginger_Extract]

Your video is set to private, can't see sht, cap'n!

Quickie update on my end: Because no one is able to stock the APEX rear fitment for our cars, it would be silly to run a 9" front wheel and my current 8.5" rears, so that's on hold for the time being. My current rear tires were totally shot (17x8.5, 255/40), and I found a good deal on some 255/35R18 RS3 so for now I'm running those on the OE rear Style 261M. I forgot what traction felt like, Sunday's event felt goooood.

[Kgolf31]

Test and Tune this weekend for me finally. Need to shake the dust off.


Also, Bowling Green NCM Match Tour is the following weekend. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like my RE-71Rs are going to be in on time, so I gotta run on the Kooks

[The Nebulizer]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

Your video is set to private, can't see sht, cap'n!

Oops. Should work now.
I was late on just about everything on this run, but I kept it within 0.3 of my National Champ co-driver, Nick Myers - so I felt pretty good given the room for improvement.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by The Nebulizer

I finally got a chance to drive around some cones.

The car (FStreet prep 135i) handles very nicely. I only have tires (245/275)and a Swaybar. It understeers a bit as expected. I did not notice the electric differential causing any issue. It put down power well and gripped well. In its current prep I'd guess it is about 1% slower than my well prepped e46 M3 (0.6sec on 55sec course) based on comparison analysis to others. That is nearly within the realm of prep potential I'd think (muffler, alignment, shocks, lightweight wheels).
I don't know that it is as exciting as my M3 however. Feels more docile.

Backside ALL THE CONES!

I need to make my way out to Grissom sometime. The drive is painful though for a local

[Jazzy]

Looks like its time for some new tires. Been autocrossing for a few years now and getting very close to cracking top 10 in pax consistantly. I've being running 225/255 ZII's on stock wheels with koni yellows, front swaybar (FS prep). Is there any benefit or is it even possible to put a 235 or 245 on the front, or should I just stick with the 225? I have read that too big a tire on a small wheel causes too much sidewall flex. I guess what I really need to know is what's the best tire size for FS on stock wheels?

[The Nebulizer]

Originally Posted by Jazzy

Looks like its time for some new tires. Been autocrossing for a few years now and getting very close to cracking top 10 in pax consistantly. I've being running 225/255 ZII's on stock wheels with koni yellows, front swaybar (FS prep). Is there any benefit or is it even possible to put a 235 or 245 on the front, or should I just stick with the 225? I have read that too big a tire on a small wheel causes too much sidewall flex. I guess what I really need to know is what's the best tire size for FS on stock wheels?

245 fits up front and is my choice. It may depend on your tire though. I run Rivals and they work very well squeezed. Other tires arguably not as well.
265 will fit in the rear unmodified. To fit 275 you need either more camber than is ideal (about -1.5) or at least 55 offset (stock is 52).

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by Jazzy

Looks like its time for some new tires. Been autocrossing for a few years now and getting very close to cracking top 10 in pax consistantly. I've being running 225/255 ZII's on stock wheels with koni yellows, front swaybar (FS prep). Is there any benefit or is it even possible to put a 235 or 245 on the front, or should I just stick with the 225? I have read that too big a tire on a small wheel causes too much sidewall flex. I guess what I really need to know is what's the best tire size for FS on stock wheels?

Depends on the tire. I would give a 245/245 setup a shot. Especially with stock power, I don't feel like these cars benefit from a wide rear tire at autocross, however, they need as much grip as the front axle can get, and pinching the extra rubber on there might be the trick.

[The Nebulizer]

Has anyone ever fit a 275 up front? My measurements/calculations suggest it would fit just barely (well, at least, based on stock damper dimensions/width)

18x9" wheel: -3.5 camber, 36 offset
or
18x9.5" wheel: -4 camber, 33 offset

It seems 275 square should be a real possibility for those thinking of STU.
So, what kind of STU legal power is possible?

[The Nebulizer]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Ughhhh. Best of luck with that.

I still need to get my 9" w/ 255 RE71Rs but I'm thinking I'll need to run ET33 for decent fitment (I have 12mm spacers sitting at home).

Could maybe run 10mm but I'm rising chewing the tire up against the perch me things.


Also, best of luck getting -4

I'm at -3.5 and my camber plates are maxed with the exception of a little space for rebound adjustment

Why is your tire near your perch? Sounds like you need shorter springs for clearance.
What camber are you planning to run?
et35 and at least -2.5 should have plenty of clearance.

I had -4 on my M3 by chamfering down the top of the camber plate to allow it to slide a little farther against the strut mount (from -3.5). Doesn't take much.

Some quick analysis suggests the 135i might be possible under 3000 in STU prep. I can calculate down to 3046lb and I am likely missing a few things here and there.

So, could a 135i on 275s all around at 3000lbs and guessing 350hp? (downpipe, muffler, other parts I am clueless on...) be competitive in STU?
(My M3 with 285s, 3150lbs, and 333hp wasn't )

[The Nebulizer]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I have clearance on my perch, it's going to be awfully close though:

My alignment up front is -3.5. I'll take pictures but basically I'm maxed out against the actual shock mount, and can't remove anymore material obviously per ST* rules.


You're quite aggressive on your 135i weight. What's the current weight of the car?

I'm currently 2991 lbs on my 128i w/out sunroof and 1/4 tank. Race Seats, LTW Wheels and Muffler Delete are really the only weight savings so far. I need a LTW 15 lb battery and my new 9" wheels are 1.5 lbs lighter on each corner.

Can you not find shorter springs? Then you could lower your car more too if you want and clear your tires better.
Ah, I see what you mean about -3.5 being the max.

My FStreet 135i should weigh about 3224lbs (with 57 extra pounds - muffler, rotors, wheels).

For STU weight estimate I went with these values (some close estimates):
Stock Curb Weight 3367lbs
-41 Gas (1/4 tank)
-13 Muffler
-10 Cat back section
-37 Battery
-31 Wheels
-8 Trunk Junk
-76 Seats
-40 Manual Transmission
-6 Floormats
-5 Halogen lights
-8 Rotors
-11 Wiper Fluid
-15 Manual Seats
-20 Base radio
------
3044lbs

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by The Nebulizer

Can you not find shorter springs? Then you could lower your car more too if you want and clear your tires better.
Ah, I see what you mean about -3.5 being the max.

My FStreet 135i should weigh about 3224lbs (with 57 extra pounds - muffler, rotors, wheels).

For STU weight estimate I went with these values (some close estimates):
Stock Curb Weight 3367lbs
-41 Gas (1/4 tank)
-13 Muffler
-10 Cat back section
-37 Battery
-31 Wheels
-8 Trunk Junk
-76 Seats
-40 Manual Transmission
-6 Floormats
-5 Halogen lights
-8 Rotors
-11 Wiper Fluid
-15 Manual Seats
-20 Base radio
------
3044lbs

I'd say 63 lbs of Gas (~6 lbs per gallon)

Muffler/Catback/Wheels and Battery all make sense.

Why are you subtracting manual transmission, do you have an automatic currently?

Also, you're double dipping for seats + manual seats.

I have Recaro SPGs and shaved 55 lbs TOTAL. (VAC Mounts, Sliders and Seats weigh 27.2 lbs)

(lol floormats w/the whole SEB ordeal)


8 lbs of rotors is going to be fairly tough. Be ready to throw coin to make that happen

I doubt there is 20 lbs worth of extra radio over stock.





With that being said, I'm the lightest optioned 128i on the market

Manual Transmission, no Sunroof, Manual Seats (now removed), M Sport Package, Halogen Lights. If you add a typical 200 lb differential from 128 to 135i, that brings you around 3100 lbs of min weight. Perhaps 3150 lbs if you don't go full prep (meaning $$$$$$$$$$$$)

[Ginger_Extract]

My car is a no option 2010 6MT car with the following weight reduction applied:
- Cowl delete
- Exhaust (no mufflers)
- Suspension (?)
- 17" wheels/tires

With 3/4 tank my car weighs 3409 with me in it. Subtract me, and we're at about 3225. Subtract half a tank of fuel (6# x 7gal = 42#), and we're at 3183. All that is realistically left is the battery (-35#, guesstimate) and the seats (-55# by Kyle's math), which with rough math, would set the car just under 3100#.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

My car is a no option 2010 6MT car with the following weight reduction applied:
- Cowl delete
- Exhaust (no mufflers)
- Suspension (?)
- 17" wheels/tires

With 3/4 tank my car weighs 3409 with me in it. Subtract me, and we're at about 3225. Subtract half a tank of fuel (6# x 7gal = 42#), and we're at 3183. All that is realistically left is the battery (-35#, guesstimate) and the seats (-55# by Kyle's math), which with rough math, would set the car just under 3100#.

I think that's pretty realistic.

I still need to do a battery which is ~40 lbs, take into effect my new wheels, ~6 lbs. Then if I decide to do a custom exhaust with a dump pipe I'd probably save 10 or so lbs.

That'd put me at 2935 lbs. I could do brakes and lose some rotational mass, and probably some minor items here and there, but honestly you get to the law of diminishing returns at that point

[lowside67]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Mark Uhlmann, some of you who hang out at Bimmerforums may know me from my same username there. My last BMW was an E36 that I campaigned in DSP for a few years before doing an LS1/Jericho conversion and building a dedicated hillclimb car. This is what it looked like "before" I cut it up:


And after:


The reason I have joined 1addicts is I have just bought my next car, a 2011 128i 6spd no option car.



I am planning a serious STX build, not unlike kgolf's. I won the Packwood NT in the DSP car last time I ran there and the goal is to repeat that performance in 2015 in the hotly contended STX class... lots of ground to make up in a short time. Still fleshing the details of the build out and the car is currently being shipped to me, but I am excited!

Glad to join you guys,
Mark

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by lowside67

I am planning a serious STX build, not unlike kgolf's. I won the Packwood NT in the DSP car last time I ran there and the goal is to repeat that performance in 2015 in the hotly contended STX class... lots of ground to make up in a short time. Still fleshing the details of the build out and the car is currently being shipped to me, but I am excited!

Glad to join you guys,
Mark

You don't know anything about my car, right.....

Glad to see someone else go to my extent, stupid extent that is.

Anyways, finally got out the first event this season for a shake down. Cold and gritty. RS3s really never got to temp so I was working with a car on ice skates

Match Tour in KY next weekend.

[lowside67]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

You don't know anything about my car, right.....

Glad to see someone else go to my extent, stupid extent that is.

Don't quite know what to make of that first line... I found your build thread super interesting, I am going to have to prioritize on the build in terms of cost, I am currently planning it something like this:

1) Suspension
-Vorshlag Camber Plates
-Coilovers TBD, leaning towards MCS doubles
-Whiteline front swaybar
-Bushings TBD, likely a mixture of poly and M to keep NVH minimal as I do drive the car on the street

2) Wheels/tires
-Forgestar F14 17x9s
-Bridgestone RE71R 255-40-17

3) Differential TBD

4) Additional Weight Loss
-Seats
-Battery

5) Power
-AA Header
-AA Tuning
-Custom rear exhaust to balance noise with weight

Mark

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by lowside67

Don't quite know what to make of that first line... I found your build thread super interesting, I am going to have to prioritize on the build in terms of cost, I am currently planning it something like this:

1) Suspension
-Vorshlag Camber Plates
-Coilovers TBD, leaning towards MCS doubles
-Whiteline front swaybar
-Bushings TBD, likely a mixture of poly and M to keep NVH minimal as I do drive the car on the street

2) Wheels/tires
-Forgestar F14 17x9s
-Bridgestone RE71R 255-40-17

3) Differential TBD

4) Additional Weight Loss
-Seats
-Battery

5) Power
-AA Header
-AA Tuning
-Custom rear exhaust to balance noise with weight

Mark

You're officially my competitor now. That's all. Lol

[lowside67]

Hahah well seeing as there are going to be exactly 2 STX 128s in all of North America competing, I can't see that being an issue!

Besides, we need all the help we can get from each other, talk about an uphill battle. But I can't help it, I love the 1 series, it feels like the perfect natural evolution of my E36. The winners of both the Prosolo Finale and Nationals in an STX FRS have both posted their exact builds including spring rates, alignments, you name it. We need to get a serious information database for STX competition up here to get some more people onboard.

You put up an awesome show last year at nationals, especially considering the car was missing a header and differential!

Mark

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by lowside67

Hahah well seeing as there are going to be exactly 2 STX 128s in all of North America competing, I can't see that being an issue!

Besides, we need all the help we can get from each other, talk about an uphill battle. But I can't help it, I love the 1 series, it feels like the perfect natural evolution of my E36. The winners of both the Prosolo Finale and Nationals in an STX FRS have both posted their exact builds including spring rates, alignments, you name it. We need to get a serious information database for STX competition up here to get some more people onboard.

You put up an awesome show last year at nationals, especially considering the car was missing a header and differential!

Mark

Well, 3. There is one that was down at Dixie (Terry Baker)

Yea, for E36s and FRS/BRZ it's basically a spec build (At least off the FRS it's the good ole Sam Strano Special). I'm still figuring my car out, especially with the diff. It's was a total learning experience last year with me being the only builder of this car.

That, and my first year at National Events, I was fairly happy. I won Toledo which people dismissed as simply course design, and I coned away a Trophy at Wilmington Pro. Nationals I wasn't super impressed, the ProFinale I kind of drove meh and I didn't tackle the courses too well during Nats. That's the big show for ya. Finishing above 50% in a non-prep'ed car is still a good result to turn.

Honestly I'm still a firm believe that this car is capable. Pallotta, being such a big hater before driving my car last year has grown to like it. Just gotta have the nut behind the wheel tight. STX is no joke to run in.



Can you gain camber with the MCS struts? I know Matt Murray mentioned he was able to gain -2* camber off of the shocks alone + camber plate.