New to IT, Questions on Suspension

[TroyM857]

Oh, and I do know Troy, though he may not claim the same in public.

I will publically admit to knowing Andy. He the biggest BMW fanboi I know.

[JeffYoung]

Victor Manning races one of these in the SEDiv. Good guy, see if you can contact him through Evan Darling.

Also, a request was made to reprocess this cars weight (and lower it) and it seemed to me (not speaking for the ITAC here, just me) have merit. It will be voted on soon.

[Z3_GoCar]

A new weight won't help if it already can't get to the weight it's at. A new weight would help the Z3 though... But the only way weight will drop is if it's shown that the standard gain is optimistic in this case, and it's been repeatably demonstrated that this can never be shown sufficiently enough. I think the M-44 and the Toyota 4AGE share some of the same basic problems and will forever be a tweener motors, IMHO. I wish that wasn't the case, because in the scheme of things they're both good motors connected some great chassis'. So, if you really want to build an e-36 318i into an ITA car, I say: Go forth, and let it be so! Because you will only be satisfied racing the car you want to race.

[JeffYoung]

my understanding from my discussions with the one ITA 318is driver I know is that the car can make a lower weight.

I'm pretty sure, but not 100% so, that the 318is was never processed while the 1.9 Z.3 was. The 318is's listed weight in the GCR seems off by quite a bit to me compared to what its process weight should be.

A new weight won't help if it already can't get to the weight it's at. A new weight would help the Z3 though... But the only way weight will drop is if it's shown that the standard gain is optimistic in this case, and it's been repeatably demonstrated that this can never be shown sufficiently enough. I think the M-44 and the Toyota 4AGE share some of the same basic problems and will forever be a tweener motors, IMHO. I wish that wasn't the case, because in the scheme of things they're both good motors connected some great chassis'. So, if you really want to build an e-36 318i into an ITA car, I say: Go forth, and let it be so! Because you will only be satisfied racing the car you want to race.

[europeanspec]

my understanding from my discussions with the one ITA 318is driver I know is that the car can make a lower weight.

I'm pretty sure, but not 100% so, that the 318is was never processed while the 1.9 Z.3 was. The 318is's listed weight in the GCR seems off by quite a bit to me compared to what its process weight should be.

Process weight? To what are you referring?

The GCR lists the e36 318is as 2600lbs. Is that with or without driver? Also, it calls for solid rotors, front and rear, though the 1997 fronts were vented. Do I need to retrofit?

Thanks again for all the responses.

[TroyM857]

Process weight? To what are you referring?

The GCR lists the e36 318is as 2600lbs. Is that with or without driver? Also, it calls for solid rotors, front and rear, though the 1997 fronts were vented. Do I need to retrofit?

Thanks again for all the responses.

Andy, I'm still a newbie, but here's my understanding:

Several years back a process was developed to class IT cars using a mathematical formula along with some subjective evaluations to reestablish a car's minimum weight, which is referred to as the "great realignment". This replaced a very subjective way of establishing min. weights that was previously used. Many cars including the most popular models were run through this process, however the ITAC (improved touring advisory committee) does not have the resources to run every IT eligible car through the process. You have to submit a request to the ITAC along with supporting documentation to have a particular model run through the process.

Most of the people on the ITAC frequent this forum, so I'm sure some of them will also respond to correct anything I may have gotten wrong.

[europeanspec]

I will publically admit to knowing Andy. He the biggest BMW fanboi I know.

Mama said, "Go with what you know."

I have heard about the issues with getting the car to weight and making power. It was such a clean body that I couldn't pass it up, which may be a bad thing in the long run. We'll see.

I just received my GCR and haven't memorized it yet, but has the SCCA abandoned the VIN rule? If this thing is not competitive in ITA, I have the resources to convert it to a 2.5-3.0L engine for use in ITS-ITE. Is that legal now?

Again, thanks for all of your help. I'm going to try to make the race at Barber in September with my fellow Louisianians.

[ed325its]

Yes, the VIN rule is gone. Since you have a E36 2-door model (not the ti) you may choose to do an engine swap to any other E36 model such as the 2.5l or 2.8l and run in ITS or ITR. Also be sure to change all other required parts to match the new model. Some of those will be improvements like larger brakes and rotors, some may be less advantagous. But when finished the car must be exaclty like the 325is or 328is you claim it to be.

And if you want to stuff something larger like a 3.0l or 3.2l from an E36 M3 or E46 330, then it would run in ITE in most regions.

[europeanspec]

Yes, the VIN rule is gone. Since you have a E36 2-door model (not the ti) you may choose to do an engine swap to any other E36 model such as the 2.5l or 2.8l and run in ITS or ITR. Also be sure to change all other required parts to match the new model. Some of those will be improvements like larger brakes and rotors, some may be less advantagous. But when finished the car must be exaclty like the 325is or 328is you claim it to be.

And if you want to stuff something larger like a 3.0l or 3.2l from an E36 M3 or E46 330, then it would run in ITE in most regions.

Thanks for the info. How much for your ITR car?

[europeanspec]

One more question (I'm sure there will be more); Can I retrofit the car to run on an OBD-1 harness? I have both setups.

[ed325its]

Thanks for the info. How much for your ITR car?

The car ad can be seen here https://improvedtouring.com...ad.php?t=25906 and I am seeking $18,500, car is ready for a podium finish and comes with all spares. After several years (Andy called me seasoned!) of racing I am going to semi-retire and only run a handful of arrive and drive events each year.

In answer to your other questions.

OBD-1 - If I remember correctly the OBD-1 and OBD-2 variants are acutally different engines. The early 318 is 1796cc and the latter is 1895cc. They are also different spec lines on the GCR. If this is correct you would not be allowed to retrofit the 1997 car/motor to a OBD-1 harness. However, with open engine management you may be able to accomplish your goals without a change in wiring harnesses.

Weight - The GCR listed weight is 2600 lbs. That is the minimum weight for the car with driver, gear, and fuel as it comes off the track. I agree with others that appears a bit high and the car should be reviewed for a possible weight reduction.

Brakes - If the vented front rotors are stock for that car you should provide proof to the ITAC and request a GCR correction. However, I do not think vented rotors were stock on the 4 cylinder cars; 318i/is/ti or the 1.9 Z3. (I am not an expert on the 4 cyl cars so YMMV.)

Please feel free to ask any questions on or off line.

[europeanspec]

Thanks again for the info.

[CCARVER]

I can not wait to pass this car at our local track.