Anybody race an e36 BMW 318 Ti

[cchandler]

I concur with Noam.

The cars are heavy (by at least 150 lbs), the 2d to 3d gearing is fustrating (especially on the uphill at NH), there is virtually no aftermarket support for the 318i/is, and as many will attest, there is very little power to be made from the M44. Also, like all the BMW's, every part is EXPENSIVE. All that being said, at least it's a Bimmer!!

[JoshS]

I concur with Noam.

The cars are heavy (by at least 150 lbs), the 2d to 3d gearing is fustrating (especially on the uphill at NH), there is virtually no aftermarket support for the 318i/is, and as many will attest, there is very little power to be made from the M44. Also, like all the BMW's, every part is EXPENSIVE. All that being said, at least it's a Bimmer!!

To avoid the 2nd-3rd spacing problem, why don't you use a shorter rear end and use 3rd-5th? That's what I do in my Z3 6-cyl.

[nlevine]

To avoid the 2nd-3rd spacing problem, why don't you use a shorter rear end and use 3rd-5th? That's what I do in my Z3 6-cyl.

..which is why I have a 4.27:1 diff waiting to be installed (must be small case, too, for the 4-cyl) - out of an E30 318i cabrio automatic - to replace the 3.64:1 that's in there now. The 4.27 will be good for NHMS, but I'll need to swap diffs for any longer track.

[Z3_GoCar]

Used to be an Andy Chittum, sponsored by LeMans Karting in Fremont Ca. He started out with the M-42 I think and has swapped in a M50 now. I think last time I saw he'd run with NASA's natl's at Mid-O a couple of years back. I've seen him post on bimmerforums. He mentioned running a 4.10 when he had the M42.

James

[JoshS]

Used to be an Andy Chittum, sponsored by LeMans Karting in Fremont Ca. He started out with the M-42 I think and has swapped in a M50 now. I think last time I saw he'd run with NASA's natl's at Mid-O a couple of years back. I've seen him post on bimmerforums. He mentioned running a 4.10 when he had the M42.

Yeah, he's doing USTCC now, occasionally PTD/C. Forgot about him. He's local to me.

[73itb]

Thanks for all the info.....Matt

[Doc Bro]

Matt,

I had unarguably the most developed ITA Z3 in the country. I had left very few stones unturned. I hadn't gone through the (academic) exercise of a full standalone ECU because it just wasn't worth it. The engine is pretty much maximized from the factory. The best we could do was overcome driveline loss...for about a 15% gain. The rear suspension is horrid and it has the aero of a teardrop going in reverse. Brakes are great, it's super reliable (it's a BMW), and it's relatively small. I too feel that the rulebook is catagorically against the car. I've argued it before and I'll argue it again. I don't think (with all due respect) that the ITAC got it right with this car. I'll include the 318ti as it's virtually the same car. To even consider it go for the 318is as Christian said....much better rear set up....but it can't make weight, especially if the ITAC ever lowers the weight (unlikely). Now if you want a car for endurance only racing....it would be one of my first picks.

R