Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23

Thread: e36 325 competitive?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    10

    Default e36 325 competitive?

    I'm considering building an e36 325 2.5 liter for ITS. Any idea how competitive i can expect it to be. I've heard that the intake restrictor they make them run really slows them down. Would you be better off running it in ITR?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    E36's were extremely "competitive" in ITS, thus the restrictor. And, I suggest they're the car to beat in ITR right now, at least until/unless someone does full-up development on other options. Plus, it's all been figured out, so for you it's a plug-n-play (or, well, buy-and-install...)

    But, given that the only build difference between the classes is the restrictor and a little weight, run both classes and decide for yourself...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Black Rock, Ct
    Posts
    9,594

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post

    But, given that the only build difference between the classes is the restrictor and a little weight, run both classes and decide for yourself...
    Well, not exactly, Greg. As you remember, allowable wheel size is 8.5" wide in ITR, (and it's 7" in ITS) so a different wheel/tire package is part of the winning package. And, of course, that could mean different springs, dampers and sway bars, etc.
    Jake Gulick


    CarriageHouse Motorsports
    for sale: 2003 Audi A4 Quattro, clean, serviced, dark green, auto, sunroof, tan leather with 75K miles.
    IT-7 #57 RX-7 race car
    Porsche 1973 911E street/fun car
    BMW 2003 M3 cab, sun car.
    GMC Sierra Tow Vehicle
    New England Region
    lateapex911(at)gmail(dot)com


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Thank you, Jake, for providing yet another good example of why wheel width restrictions in Improved Touring are silly...


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Ligonier, PA, USA
    Posts
    1,676

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post
    E36's were extremely "competitive" in ITS, thus the restrictor. And, I suggest they're the car to beat in ITR right now, at least until/unless someone does full-up development on other options. Plus, it's all been figured out, so for you it's a plug-n-play (or, well, buy-and-install...)

    But, given that the only build difference between the classes is the restrictor and a little weight, run both classes and decide for yourself...

    What he said.........+1

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    327

    Default

    What Greg said is very true about the 325 in ITR. And it seems that just about every other car in your division (NEDiv) is a 325...
    Chris
    #91 ITR Mustang
    1st place-2008 Great Lakes Division Championship Series
    1st place-2009 Kryderacing Series

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Cambridge, MA
    Posts
    147

    Default

    Why would you build a car when there is a couple of good and proven ITS/ITR cars out there? It's a buyer market.

    There is not much data as of yet, but if I'd build a full-blown ITR car from scratch, I would consider other options as well, not just the E36 325.
    Rob Thiele - BMW 328is ITR
    www.motorsportcollection.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    raleigh, nc, usa
    Posts
    5,252

    Default

    Nor has anyone built, to my knowledge, a to the max, restricted ITS 325. Given how much of an overdog they were unrestricted, restricted they may do just fine.
    NC Region
    1980 ITS Triumph TR8

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Black Rock, Ct
    Posts
    9,594

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rthiele View Post
    Why would you build a car when there is a couple of good and proven ITS/ITR cars out there? It's a buyer market.

    There is not much data as of yet, but if I'd build a full-blown ITR car from scratch, I would consider other options as well, not just the E36 325.

    Such as???
    Jake Gulick


    CarriageHouse Motorsports
    for sale: 2003 Audi A4 Quattro, clean, serviced, dark green, auto, sunroof, tan leather with 75K miles.
    IT-7 #57 RX-7 race car
    Porsche 1973 911E street/fun car
    BMW 2003 M3 cab, sun car.
    GMC Sierra Tow Vehicle
    New England Region
    lateapex911(at)gmail(dot)com


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Cambridge, MA
    Posts
    147

    Default

    E36 328, E46, Z4, Porsche 968. For sure there is other brands and models as well with good potential.

    As I said there is not a lot of data on ITR cars, but it is worth considering all the options rather than just following the cow path of former ITS cars.
    Rob Thiele - BMW 328is ITR
    www.motorsportcollection.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Black Rock, Ct
    Posts
    9,594

    Default

    I agree! I just wanted to see what folks might be thinking...
    Jake Gulick


    CarriageHouse Motorsports
    for sale: 2003 Audi A4 Quattro, clean, serviced, dark green, auto, sunroof, tan leather with 75K miles.
    IT-7 #57 RX-7 race car
    Porsche 1973 911E street/fun car
    BMW 2003 M3 cab, sun car.
    GMC Sierra Tow Vehicle
    New England Region
    lateapex911(at)gmail(dot)com


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Cambridge, MA
    Posts
    147

    Default

    I am curious what the Flatout guys will end up building for 2010. Did you make up your mind yet, Andy?
    Rob Thiele - BMW 328is ITR
    www.motorsportcollection.com

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Trussville, Alabama, USA
    Posts
    1,087

    Default

    I have been told that there are those that have figured out the restricter and have their "S" cars almost as fast as before. Were I going "S", that is the way I would go, being a BMW guy, and all that. I think the open ECU rule has helped quite a bit. Chuck
    Chuck Baader
    White EP BMW M-Techniq
    I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    raleigh, nc, usa
    Posts
    5,252

    Default

    Chuck, I'd like to see the E36 come back to ITS with reasonable HP levels. Do you know who has done this (figured out the restrictor)?
    NC Region
    1980 ITS Triumph TR8

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Norfolk, Ct.
    Posts
    67

    Default

    [quote=rthiele;290308]Why would you build a car when there is a couple of good and proven ITS/ITR cars out there? It's a buyer market.

    http://www.racingjunk.com/category/8...-SCCA-ITR.html

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Cambridge, MA
    Posts
    147

    Default

    The D.Maynard and E.Tisdale ITS/ITR cars are also on the market, not for that price though, at least last time I've seen the ads
    Rob Thiele - BMW 328is ITR
    www.motorsportcollection.com

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Northeast
    Posts
    7,031

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rthiele View Post
    I am curious what the Flatout guys will end up building for 2010. Did you make up your mind yet, Andy?
    *I* have...
    Andy Bettencourt
    New England Region 188967

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    36

    Default

    I have the KVS e36. I have run it with the restrictor in BMW and PBOC along with a few test days. I have Chets 240z to compare lap times with. I have run a 145.2 at Barbers this past march with the BMW club with the restrictor on 15 inch wheels. I have a chipped dme and have also run a custom AEM ecu also. They can be competitive, the power is pretty dull and flat. The restrictor turns the e36 into more of a momentum car than a power car. The handling stinks compared to my zcars but it does have great brakes. If you can learn how to drive them as a momentum car they can be competitive. A much better fit in ITR with out the restrictor. With out the vin rule change control arms and motor and make a 328? The restrictor makes improvements from tuning with the vanos pretty much useless.

    Bobby Bitterman

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Another note. Chasis dyno comparing the 240 with sunbelt power to the e36 the restrictor needs to be at 31 or 32 mm to give the same power to weight ratio. There are alot of 240z out there with over 180hp at the wheels. I did use a different restrictor than the Raetech for the best result. The GCR defines what the restrictor must be and for how long. I dont buy into the theory that the restrictor has to bee as far from the intake valves as possible

    Bobby Bitterman

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Tijeras, NM
    Posts
    579

    Default

    If you find a fast ITS E36 check under the hood. I've heard of a few who just didn't bother with the restrictor. I don't believe tech ever checked ours, and they certainly didn't do the stall test.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •