Anyone doing a STU build with the 135i?

[gotcone.com]

I'm thinking about prepping my 135i for STU next year and wondering if anybody else has done it or thought about doing it?

Doesn't seem to be much autocross discussion on here, so thought I would try to get some going

[Dave Mac]

I may after next year. I'm building for DS right now with some AST 4100's.

I'd imagine that a good LSD would be the #3 or #4 mod for STU.

Dave

[gotcone.com]

I agree a LSD is definitely going to be needed. I will also most likely be going with AST coilovers, we have them on our STi and are pretty satisfied with them.

My main concern is finding some way to get wide enough wheels and tires on the car. I am thinking that at least 275s (285s if at all possible) on 9.5" wheels in the rear and possibly all around will be needed to be competitive.

Edit: Actually my main concern is being able to drive the car well enough to be competitive... but that's another discussion all together

[RaceTime]

Hello...

I have been running in BSP due to the Dinan Stage 2 software.

I have 255 Dunlop Z-1's on a squared set up...the fronts rub a bit. You can see picture on the tire fitment portion in the tire section of the forum.

I have many suspension mods on my 1...H&R Coils, H&R front sway, Vorshlag camber plates... (sway and camber plates are the best mod, period!)

I would love to have an LSD, but they are pretty pricey. With a good driver my set up without the Dinan software should be competitive...

I hope this helps... Let me know if you have any questions!

[gotcone.com]

I have the Hotchkis front sway, it helped tremendously to keep the car flatter.

I am pretty sure 255s aren't going to cut it... they might be good enough for the front though...

[RaceTime]

Really? 255's give a good balance and the car has quite a lot of grip, even with my 420'ish horses...

I would be confused if you went to a wider rear tire and narrower front...that would just induce more understeer, ya know? Understeer is the worst part of our 1 series. A friend of mine uses 235's square and he is wicked fast on the narrower tires...

I would strongly suggest camber plates, that is the second best mod to do for suspension. Camber is your friend...

[gotcone.com]

I would like a square set up, but I really think 275s (maybe 285s) will be needed, and I'm not sure it is going to be possible to get them on the front without a lot of rubbing...

All of the other STU cars at Nationals that aren't non-AWD will be on 275s at least, I've seen some on 285s. I can pretty much guarantee that 255s will not be enough.

Camber plates and coilovers will be my next mods.

[RaceTime]

Yea...I race with SCR Performance in Loveland Colorado. A teammate fit 285's around his M3. He will be in the running at Nationals. In order to fit anything over a 255, you will have to do some fender rolling/fender mods, and probably install the M3 front suspension arms to be able to get more than the 2.8 degrees of camber (stock arms with max camber.) It will really be tough to get more than 255's under the front without major modifications. Sorry...

Also, make sure to read the rules for STU, I believe there is a really questionable and vague rule about fender rolling...

[gotcone.com]

Also, as far as I know you are only allowed to do 1 form of camber adjustment in STU. So if you use camber plates you can not change the control arms.

I will definitely check the rules on fender rolling before attempting it, thanks for the heads up on that. Not really keen on rolling the fenders unless I have too anyways.

[lib]

Originally Posted by gotcone.com

Also, as far as I know you are only allowed to do 1 form of camber adjustment in STU. So if you use camber plates you can not change the control arms.

I will definitely check the rules on fender rolling before attempting it, thanks for the heads up on that. Not really keen on rolling the fenders unless I have too anyways.

14.2.E. Fenders may not be cut or flared but the inside lip may be rolled to gain additional tire clearance. Flares that are part of body kits may be attached to the stock fenders. Plastic and rubber wheel well splash shields may be modified for tire clearance and to accommodate a rolled inside fender lip. The intention is to permit fitting the maximum allowable tire size, and the modifications may serve no other purpose (e.g. air intake, brake ducts, etc.). No other changes to the stock fenders or wheel wells are
permitted.

14.8.C. The following allowances apply to strut-type suspensions. Adjustable camber plates may be installed at the top of the strut and the original upper mounting holes may be slotted. The drilling of holes in order to perform the installation is permitted. The center clearance hole may not be modified. Any type of bearing or bushing may be used in the adjustable camber plate attachment to the strut. The installation may incorporate an alternate upper spring perch/seat and/or mounting block (bearing mount). Any ride height change resulting from installation of camber plates is allowed. Caster changes resulting from the use of camber plates are permitted.

14.8.I. Camber kits, also known as camber compensators, may be installed. These kits consist of either adjustable length arms or arm mounts that provide a lateral adjustment to the effective length of a control arm. Alignment outside the factory specifications is allowed. The following restrictions apply:
1. ...
2. On arm-and-strut (MacPherson/Chapman) suspensions, the lower arms may be modified/replaced OR other methods of camber adjustment as allowed by paragraphs 14.8.B, C, or G may be used, but not both.

14.12.4. (STX) Rim restriction: maximum width of 8", diameter/offset unrestricted. Tire restriction: max width 245 mm.

14.13 STU
STU follows the STX rule set, but raises the displacement limit for
otherwise STX-legal vehicles to 3.1 liters for forced induction and to
unlimited dsplacement for natural aspiration. Restrictions on wheel
width are lifted and the maximum tire width is increased to 275 for
FWD or RWD vehicles (but remains at 245 for AWD vehicles). Other
than these limited exceptions, the STX ruleset as described in 14.12
applies. ...

So essentially, yes, you can roll your fenders and either install camber plates OR replace lower arms (but not both) but you can't go wider than 8" for your wheels nor wider than 275 for your tires.

(God I have too much free time today)

[gotcone.com]

The tire restriction you quoted is for AWD vehicles only...

A. Tires may have section widths up to and including the following:
ST, STS – 225 mm
STX (AWD), STU (AWD) – 245 mm
STX (2WD) – 265 mm
STU (2WD). – 285 mm

and wheels are unrestricted for STU

14.4 WHEELS
A. Any wheels are allowed with widths up to the following:
ST, STS – 7.5"
STX (AWD) – 8"
STX (2WD) – 9"
STU - unlimited

[lib]

Originally Posted by gotcone.com

The tire restriction you quoted is for AWD vehicles only...

Oops. I was quoting the '08 rules by mistake.

It used to be what I quoted, but now it's what you quoted. Glad you caught that.

[RaceTime]

Nicely done you two!

I have been watching the BSP rules and not the ST rules...

I am sad to say, but last night myself and the shop guys had to roll my fenders...they look good tho. A little flare to the fender now. I was able to get the car in a full skid and found out that the 255's on the front rub pretty bad... Oh well, it shouldn't rub anymore.

[akak1997]

http://www.evolutionracewerks.com/product.php?prodid=66

Evolution Racewerks' Front Widebody kit will let you run up to 285 up front. They put custom wheels on their car and manage to run a 285 square.

[gotcone.com]

F. Addition of spoilers, splitters, body kits, rear wings and nonfunctional
scoops/vents is allowed. The intent of this allowance
is to accommodate commonly available appearance kits, and
replicas thereof, which have no significant aerodynamic function
at Solo speeds. Body kits are limited to bumper covers,
valances, side skirts, and fender flares. Standard parts may not
be removed except for the substitution of spoilers, rear wings,
bumper covers and valances. Rear wings must attach only aft of
the rear wheel centerline.

I'm not sure I am interpreting this right, but I don't think original fenders can be removed. Anyone wish to confirm or correct me.

[verlumpt]

Originally Posted by akak1997

http://www.evolutionracewerks.com/product.php?prodid=66

Evolution Racewerks' Front Widebody kit will let you run up to 285 up front. They put custom wheels on their car and manage to run a 285 square.

A nice shameless plug for a product, but that is so far from STU legal its hilarious!

gotcone.com... I've got 'methods' for truly figuring out fitment. Need to get your car over to my place sometime for some 'calculations'.

Thanks - Jon

[akak1997]

Originally Posted by verlumpt

A nice shameless plug for a product, but that is so far from STU legal its hilarious!

gotcone.com... I've got 'methods' for truly figuring out fitment. Need to get your car over to my place sometime for some 'calculations'.

Thanks - Jon

I'm no rule expert, but I thought that wide body kit is consider just flares... it's not like you're ripping the wheel well out...

[verlumpt]

Originally Posted by akak1997

I'm no rule expert

You're right about that. Those are not at all legal for any ST* class period.

You can do add-on flares, but the stock metal fender (aside from rolling the inner lip) cannot be changed. A full replacement front fender isn't even close to what is allowed. Would be ok for SM though. It is worth reading the rules, especially if one is going to offer advice.

I'm not really a dick, I just sound like one online as sarcasm just doesn't transfer.

Thanks - Jon

[akak1997]

Originally Posted by verlumpt

You're right about that. Those are not at all legal for any ST* class period.

You can do add-on flares, but the stock metal fender (aside from rolling the inner lip) cannot be changed. A full replacement front fender isn't even close to what is allowed. Would be ok for SM though. It is worth reading the rules, especially if one is going to offer advice.

I'm not really a dick, I just sound like one online as sarcasm just doesn't transfer.

Thanks - Jon

It's all good, thanks for pointing that out

[eltoshan]

When the BMW Performance power kit becomes available, would that keep you in STU or would it pump you to BSP?

[gotcone.com]

Originally Posted by eltoshan

When the BMW Performance power kit becomes available, would that keep you in STU or would it pump you to BSP?

What all is going to be included in the BMW Performance power kit?

[eltoshan]

Originally Posted by gotcone.com

What all is going to be included in the BMW Performance power kit?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289850

Pretty much better cooling and ecu flash? Not sure if the boost is turned up.