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

[Taskmaster]

Weight??

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Weight??

Too heavy :P

2977

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Too heavy :P

2977

You fat bastard.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

You fat bastard.

Still need to ditch the battery and fab a LTW exhaust. I'll be happy with 2925

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Still need to ditch the battery and fab a LTW exhaust. I'll be happy with 2925

Will it make that much of a difference?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Will it make that much of a difference?

It's doable. Figure 17 lb battery from 55lbs and then ditching the reasonator and OE cat for 100 cell hi flow and a small race muffler and dumping it in the middle of the car, that "should" make up the difference.

If I want to get stupid I can do a BBK later on

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

It's doable. Figure 17 lb battery from 55lbs and then ditching the reasonator and OE cat for 100 cell hi flow and a small race muffler and dumping it in the middle of the car, that "should" make up the difference.

If I want to get stupid I can do a BBK later on

Just follow my blueprint for the exhaust if you want the most power.

[Fume]

Went to my 3rd autocross event today and ran in the novice group as is required my the local SCCA. Don't mind my slow driving! I still have so much to improve on but I feel like I've improved a lot from my first two sessions.

Took my gopro with me and I copied kgolf's video angle because I really like that view point for seeing my driving inputs!

[Taskmaster]

Anyone lose to a E90 yet?

[Fume]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Anyone lose to a E90 yet?

There was an E92 M3 that was one of the fastest cars at the local event, although I'm guessing you're asking about E92 328i? From the events I've been to here, it seems like there aren't that many experienced drivers who drive a BMW other than a couple e92 M3, a e46, and there was an E39 M5. There were several E92 335i and M235i but both of those drivers were also novices (1st or 2nd event) and weren't beating anyone on times from what I can tell (understandably).

By far the most popular cars were miatas and FRS/BRZ.

Edit: But then again, if you're thinking of autocrossing your E90, then I say just go do it! If you're just trying to have fun, then I would think driving your E90 will be a blast! Maybe at the highest levels (i.e. nationals) it might not be competitive in its class but locally, people seem to be able to drive anything super fast. The E92 M3 was one of the fastest cars, but a Golf R was 1/10 seconds right behind it and they were beating out times from 2 Porsche GT3's (I think 997) by 2-3 seconds. Also one of the instructors in my first events had a 328i E92 and although he wasn't the fastest, he seemed competitive with other drivers who were there.

[Kgolf31]

128 doing a good-ole tripod

[Amalfitano]

A long time ago, these cars weren't ST* common. I fit 255's on 9's up front on a 135, without a crazy amount of fender rolling with vorshlag camber plates on ast 4100's. However i was using short springs with the collar set pretty high, and AST's don't like that. Popped a leak on both struts. As to the "tabs", there was some rub. Then eventually the tires self-made their clearance. Not the ideal way (but definitely within rules since *I* didn't modify them, the tires naturally did).

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Amalfitano

A long time ago, these cars weren't ST* common. I fit 255's on 9's up front on a 135, without a crazy amount of fender rolling with vorshlag camber plates on ast 4100's. However i was using short springs with the collar set pretty high, and AST's don't like that. Popped a leak on both struts. As to the "tabs", there was some rub. Then eventually the tires self-made their clearance. Not the ideal way (but definitely within rules since *I* didn't modify them, the tires naturally did).

How did you do?

[Amalfitano]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

How did you do?

i stopped improving and learning and kept thinking and working on the car instead of the nut behind the wheel. not recommended if its your 3rd year of taking autocross seriously.

I was not a good or fair evaluation of the performance potential of that car. Did ok locally.

[Ginger_Extract]

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Amalfitano

i stopped improving and learning and kept thinking and working on the car instead of the nut behind the wheel. not recommended if its your 3rd year of taking autocross seriously.

I was not a good or fair evaluation of the performance potential of that car. Did ok locally.

Well, we know there is potential to improve in both areas. At least you know what needs work, I'm just ignorant.

[ayoustin]

Hey guys I'll be driving my 2010 6spd 135i in FS.

Bilstein HD Shocks
Berk Race Axleback
Breyton GTS-R Wheels
225/40 255/35 Bridgestone S04 Polepositions
Upgraded brake pads (no idea but they squeal like a truck)

I've never done any motorsport events before so this will be a first for me! I've got one event coming up on 8/23 and another on 9/7. Both are just local events I'm doing for fun with friends but I'm really looking forward to getting seat time in and hopefully learning a bit about competitive driving.

If anyone has any advice I'm all ears. I've got an action cam so I'm planning to bring that along to view after my runs to help me improve.

[Ginger_Extract]

Since you're just starting out, learn the ins and outs of navigating the course, and have fun. These cars don't turn very well, especially in stock form, so slow in, fast out when it comes to cornering. I still get ahead of myself/the car frequently, and end up understeering a lot.
Beyond that, when it becomes an option, bump up to a faster tire, a la RE71R, Rival S, etc.

[ayoustin]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

Since you're just starting out, learn the ins and outs of navigating the course, and have fun. These cars don't turn very well, especially in stock form, so slow in, fast out when it comes to cornering. I still get ahead of myself/the car frequently, and end up understeering a lot.
Beyond that, when it becomes an option, bump up to a faster tire, a la RE71R, Rival S, etc.

Thanks! I'll try to not get too far ahead of myself, I bet I still will though.

I may need new rear tires at the end of the season or sooner but I'm not sure I'll move to ones that aggressive. College budget + car payments means I need to make smart tire choices and balance performance with tire life. I'm a really big fan of BFG's and though this is my first experience with Bridgestones I really am liking them.

Ultimately though I think I'll end up either getting another set of these S-04, BFG T/A KDW 2, or Nitto Invo. Right now the Invo has really caught my attention, it's got great reviews, is a little bit better than the S-04 on paper and is right in the same price range as the S-04. I'm having trouble finding a set of the T/A KDW 2's.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by ayoustin

Thanks! I'll try to not get too far ahead of myself, I bet I still will though.

I may need new rear tires at the end of the season or sooner but I'm not sure I'll move to ones that aggressive. College budget + car payments means I need to make smart tire choices and balance performance with tire life. I'm a really big fan of BFG's and though this is my first experience with Bridgestones I really am liking them.

Ultimately though I think I'll end up either getting another set of these S-04, BFG T/A KDW 2, or Nitto Invo. Right now the Invo has really caught my attention, it's got great reviews, is a little bit better than the S-04 on paper and is right in the same price range as the S-04. I'm having trouble finding a set of the T/A KDW 2's.

Burning up your old tires will be better than buying high-grip tires, that can often hide mistakes. Fair warning, you'll want tires with more grip soon after you start.

Late, but my Wilmington Summer Pro Solo Videos. Ended up 3rd, 0.6 seconds out of 1st position. Had time to compete with the 1st and 2nd place cars but was dirty (hit cones) on my fast time.

[alpho]

Originally Posted by ayoustin

Hey guys I'll be driving my 2010 6spd 135i in FS.

Bilstein HD Shocks
Berk Race Axleback
Breyton GTS-R Wheels
225/40 255/35 Bridgestone S04 Polepositions
Upgraded brake pads (no idea but they squeal like a truck)

I've never done any motorsport events before so this will be a first for me! I've got one event coming up on 8/23 and another on 9/7. Both are just local events I'm doing for fun with friends but I'm really looking forward to getting seat time in and hopefully learning a bit about competitive driving.

If anyone has any advice I'm all ears. I've got an action cam so I'm planning to bring that along to view after my runs to help me improve.

I agree with the other guys.. burn up your old tires first, learn the limits of your car then upgrade.

I don't compete in SCCA but I run with the local BMW/Audi/Miata chapters for fun. Check them out for extra seat time.

[ayoustin]

I think I'm right about 2-3/32" right now so I'm getting there. Thanks for the advice guys I really appreciate it. I'll mostly just be doing these events with friends and my roommates.