Race Car Tech Discuss anything related to road racing and auto X.

Fastest lap times in a 3rd gen (need results to one up M3 owner)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-27-06, 05:58 PM
  #26  
Rotary Freak

 
pluto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: fort worth, tx, usa
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1:41:00 at VIR south course when they first open back up a few years ago. It was the first big Rx7 event at that particular track 6 yrs ago and my first time there in that track.. I was only running 10psi on pump gas.

My new track car should be much faster with the same boost since it only weights in 2100lbs and I have 18x10 front and 18x12 rears.
Also, my car running at 10-11psi was only 1/2 car slower in the straight compared to another rx7 that made 433rwhp. I figured I was probably only making 300rwhp at most since the engine was hurt when I raced him.


a pic of my car






Originally Posted by CCarlisi
A friend of mine owns an E36 M3 and claims that the FDS is only marginally faster on a road course (modded but still streetable). I'd like to throw a few numbers in his face if possible. In particular I'm looking for laptimes at the Glen, limerock and VIR.

Chuck Stickley ran a 2:09.471 in an E36 at the Glen. Can we beat that???

Last edited by pluto; 04-27-06 at 06:06 PM.
Old 04-27-06, 07:27 PM
  #27  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
John Magnuson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There are several guys out here on the west coast running 400hp FDs at the track. A couple of them are very fast.

It's hard to compare an FD and an M3. Both are great cars. However it has always been my experience at the track that FD will walk all over the E36 M3 due it's lighter weight and higher horsepower (with both cars having equally good drivers). Of course modification can change this.

For example, my stock powertrain FD running on the same Toyo RA1 compound tires as a stock powertrain E36 M3 laps about 5 seconds a lap faster at Laguna Seca (1:45 vs 1:50). Both cars are modified in the suspenion and brake department and stock weight. The M3 driver is a good driver/instructor with a lot of experience.

I'm actually interested in getting an E36 M3 because it's such a great street/track car.
Old 04-28-06, 09:39 AM
  #28  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by John Magnuson
There are several guys out here on the west coast running 400hp FDs at the track. A couple of them are very fast.

It's hard to compare an FD and an M3. Both are great cars. However it has always been my experience at the track that FD will walk all over the E36 M3 due it's lighter weight and higher horsepower (with both cars having equally good drivers). Of course modification can change this.

For example, my stock powertrain FD running on the same Toyo RA1 compound tires as a stock powertrain E36 M3 laps about 5 seconds a lap faster at Laguna Seca (1:45 vs 1:50). Both cars are modified in the suspenion and brake department and stock weight. The M3 driver is a good driver/instructor with a lot of experience.

I'm actually interested in getting an E36 M3 because it's such a great street/track car.
John,

What are you mods and weight? 1:45 is a fast time at LS.
For a 3.2l Stock classed car (stock diff, no coilover, no camber plates, stock sized wheels, stock brakes, only motor mods being intake, exhaust and software) 220rwhp at the most with around 3200lbs to boot. Here is what Richard ran during a race at Laguna Seca.
1:45.671 Richard Biscevic E36 M3 2001-11-03


James Sofranos ran 1:37 in a Normally Aspirated M3 at Laguna Seca in a C Mod class.

Dont take it for a fact that just because a person is an instructor, he is fast. He may know his lines, techniques but that is it. Being an instructor myself, I have passed a few much more modified M3s at the track; doesnt mean much. Unless its racing and its not a DE

I wanted to compare official times to get a feel for what the FD guys are running at various tracks.

I only met one guy at Road Atlanta with an RX7 running DE with NASA. His name was Raj and he was from AL. I begged him to drive his car out and we were clocking under 1:40s. I miss my 7 at times. Turbo is addictive I guess back in the days we didnt have development (single turbo, Power FC etc.) and after 3 blown motors, I traded it in. If any of you guys are planning on coming to tracks down south, shoot me a PM. I met Brad Barber and John Levy at Barber Motorsports. I think Brad had just sold his car then and was driving a SM.

Lutfy
Old 04-28-06, 09:57 AM
  #29  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone knows what happened to Jeff Iafrati? Did he sell his car?
Old 04-28-06, 10:12 AM
  #30  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (9)
 
ptrhahn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 9,023
Received 498 Likes on 272 Posts
Wow, back from the dead!

Last summer, I ran a 2:16 at Watkins Glen in a true street RX7. Touring model, full interior, no harnesses and stock leather seats. 300 rwhp. Koni/GC Coilovers, StopTech brakes w/ mild street/track pads on, 275/70/17 Khumo Victoracers. My 4th trip to the Glen, and I can see on video that there's still places I can go quicker.

Slap on Hoosiers, real track pads, and some harnesses to hold me in the seat, and some more seat time and it should run down near 2:12... a REAL track 7, single turbo car like Brad's old killer Bee ought to be easily capable of sub-2:10's
Old 04-28-06, 10:16 AM
  #31  
Lives on the Forum

 
DamonB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Lutfy
I have passed a few much more modified M3s at the track; doesnt mean much. Unless its racing and its not a DE
Yep. I'm a big autocrosser merely because it's competition and DE isn't. DE is just driving around. Doesn't mean it isn't fun but reality is that competition is entirely different mentally. DE isn't competition and there are plenty of really fast guys who don't come off that way because they couldn't care less about impressing you. On the other hand you have the other guys who do want to impress you so everyone tries to avoid driving near them I like competition the most.

Last edited by DamonB; 04-28-06 at 10:18 AM.
Old 04-28-06, 10:51 AM
  #32  
Polishing Fiend

iTrader: (139)
 
CrispyRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MD
Posts: 3,393
Received 42 Likes on 22 Posts
Ha... yes indeed back from the dead.
I'll submit that there are FAR to many variables to make a realistic comparison. The #1 being the driver. I've seen modded to the gills FDs be slow as dirt and I've seen bone stock FD's on street tires drive amazing laps in the hands of a skilled driver.

Similarly the definition of "streetable" is very loose. To some streetable could mean as much as a full on race car that just happens to have a current registration and a license plate. I recently watched the Rolex Sports car series on the speed channel and saw some pro E36 cars in action running, IIRC, high 1:50's to around 2:00 flat on the VIR full circuit. Damn fast! I've also seen FD running low 2:00's but they also weren't necessarily "streetable." I've also seen some fast E36 "street" cars pulled in on a trailer to DE's but I'd doubt they were ever really driven on the street. Similarly I too trailer my FD to the track but then again I also drive it to work regularly as well with the A/C running and the stereo playing

Bench racing is fun but the realism is lost when trying to compare apples to oranges.
Crispy
- happy to be slow
Old 04-28-06, 11:13 AM
  #33  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
John Magnuson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Lutfy
John,

What are you mods and weight? 1:45 is a fast time at LS.
Nothing removed from the car ~2800 pounds (the roll bar and harness probably makes is heavier than stock). Stock engine and turbos. All emissions equipment in place (except downpipe replacing precat). Cat back exhaust, larger intercooler, higher flow air box. Stock rims with 225/60-16 unshaved Toyo RA1 tires all around. Double adjustable shocks with higher rate springs. Larger Wilwood brakes with ducting (braking for turn 2 at Seca kills brakes).

My 1:45 was timed with a hotlap. The last time I was there I was not quite as fast and did a high 1:46 (see class 6)

http://www.speedventures.com/event_results_db.asp?

Edit: ugh... above link doesn't show result. You have to click on the "event results" at the left and then Select the January Laguna Seca Results
Old 04-28-06, 11:59 AM
  #34  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by John Magnuson
Nothing removed from the car ~2800 pounds (the roll bar and harness probably makes is heavier than stock). Stock engine and turbos. All emissions equipment in place (except downpipe replacing precat). Cat back exhaust, larger intercooler, higher flow air box. Stock rims with 225/60-16 unshaved Toyo RA1 tires all around. Double adjustable shocks with higher rate springs. Larger Wilwood brakes with ducting (braking for turn 2 at Seca kills brakes).

My 1:45 was timed with a hotlap. The last time I was there I was not quite as fast and did a high 1:46 (see class 6)

http://www.speedventures.com/event_results_db.asp?

Edit: ugh... above link doesn't show result. You have to click on the "event results" at the left and then Select the January Laguna Seca Results
John,

Thats flying! I think the good 7 drivers (Andy Bettencourts of the world etc.) have moved on to some other competitive series. DEs get old fast. There are some time trials where you can have the 7 shine but that too gets mundane after a while. Wheel to wheel where you have the components of time trails plus traffic management, strategy etc. is much more fun (IMHO); costly too.

There are more venues to play around with your BMW than there are for the Sevens or Evos or STI for that matter. BMW DE's, autox, Club Racing. Then there is NASA series you can run a 325i in ITS in SCCA (popular) and still go for Time Trials.

It would be nice to have a spec RX7 3rd gen series. That would get my blood flowing. I am particularly concerned about the reliability during Enduros. I think with the new ECUs and single turbos, it takes care of a lot of heat and detonation. God I hated that nasty hose nest on the twin turbo setup with came with my car.
Where are all the big RX7 boys these days (East coast) in wheel to wheel?

Like I said again, hit me up if you guys want to come down to Road Atlanta, Barber or Roebling Road (www.trackschedule.com) and it would be fun to see a 7 again

Lutfy
Old 04-28-06, 12:04 PM
  #35  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
John Magnuson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Lutfy
John,

I think the good 7 drivers (Andy Bettencourts of the world etc.) have moved on to some other competitive series. DEs get old fast. There are some time trials where you can have the 7 shine but that too gets mundane after a while. Wheel to wheel where you have the components of time trails plus traffic management, strategy etc. is much more fun (IMHO); costly too.
I do some time trials. A little competition is always fun. I used to do some SCCA Club Rally in a BMW 325IX years ago. That was a blast.

But I've never done head to head racing on a track (other than carts) and I'm sure it would be a blast. But you need a full race car, trailer etc... plus the expense. I just don't have the space for the equipment... or that much time either.

Someday!

I would LOVE to do an enduro. I think the FD would be up to it if you stay conservative on the boost and do some cooling modifications.

Last edited by John Magnuson; 04-28-06 at 12:06 PM.
Old 04-28-06, 12:38 PM
  #36  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Jack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, MA 02130
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Lutfy
Wohao. Late to the party. I guess CCarlisi was refering to me as the friend with the E36 M3. Well I had owned an RX7 for almost 3 years and enjoyed every moment of it. Quite nostalgic. I then moved to an E36 M3 and its been almost 6.5 years now. Time flies.

Anyways, getting back to the topic (I know Jack Lambert, John Levy, John Eppley, Brad Barber, Jeff Iafrati all personally). Regarding Jeff's times, I was also there at WGI and his official time was actually: 2:13 (http://www.comscc.org/results/wgi_0701.htm

With that setup, he was producing around 300ish to the wheels. Downpipe, M2 Monster IC, PFC exhaust, Ground Control Race suspension, race gas and 285/18 Hoosiers with a Wilwood BB kit. Car must be weighing around 2900lbs.

This setup can be compared to an I Prepared BMWCCA car with the following mods (as per the rule books):

Car weight 2850~ w/o driver, and around 270~HP to the wheels. The wides tires you can fit in those are 255s all the way around. Very comparable cars. Randy Mueller running an IP car ran a 2:10 recorded time. This was on Hoosiers and not slicks and the motor was NA. (www.clubracingstats.org) login: demo password: demo

And for the record, a stock classed M3 with a full interior, 3175lbs and 220hp to the wheels ran a 2:15 at the Glen (Scott Simon). The M3 compared to the RX7 here has a weight and power disadvantage however the fastest stock 7 running on R Comps and track pads get around 2:18s at the Glen.

A fully tricked out M3 with 330hp to the wheels and 2800~lb running slicks runs a 2:04 at the Glen. This again was on a Euro 3.2 NA motor driven by Hyman.

Going back and forth, the RX7 gave you more of a race car fell. When I went to the M3, the E36 benefits from a longer wheelbase, more torque down below (3.2l), stiffer chassis and a solid brake setup.

SleepR1, do you know what Jeff (for times) ran at Road Atlanta?

Hope this helps.

A.L.

I Stock E36 M3 with R Comps, Turner I Stock suspension, intake, exhaust, chip, camber, HT 10s: 1:44 at Road Atlanta
Bone Stock M3 on street tires and stock pads: 2:23 at the glen.
Bone stock M3 with street tires and stock pads: 1:04 at Lime Rock time trial with CARTCT back in 2002.

Ahmad

The only reason Jeff ran a 2:13 when he time trialed, was due to a intercooler hose cominng loose. I clocked him in the grand stand at 2:10 while practicing.

Jack
Old 04-28-06, 12:40 PM
  #37  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
John, racing makes you 1-2 seconds that much faster period. I would never take T12 at Road Atlanta flat out. But when there is a car right on my bumper, believe it or not, I will not lift. Same with T1 and T6 at Road Atlanta. I was amazed how much speed I was leaving on the table.

Regarding the cost. If you can afford to do time trails. You can afford to go racing. My car is NOT a race car. Far from it. Here are the only mods (mostly safety):

1) Kirk racing 6 point cage
2) 6 point harness
3) Bilstein/H&R
4) Intake
5) Exhaust
6) Software
7) Sparco seats
8) Xenon lights (this mod was only done to increase my probability of attracting Southern Beau)

I have extra wheels which I load up to the track and change it there. Throw the track pads from home. Its not my daily driver, but I do drive it a lot on the streets

I run RA1 srubs which I pick up from my tire guy (he changes a lot of track tires on site. Most guys throw away tires after qualifying and a race) and the tires last me 2 solid events. $120 for the set shipped.

Lutfy "racer on a budget"
Old 04-28-06, 03:11 PM
  #38  
Darkside FD

 
cozmo kraemer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I came from an E36 track car to this FD RX7....one thing is for sure, I really HOPE the FD is faster. I have put so much more time/money into building it that I really could have gone out and got a pretty nice C5 Z06, and those are monsters on the road course.

I really dont think it is fair to compare Stickley's car and his times to a non-factory backed guy racing an RX7 out of his garage. Even if the RX7 is plenty fast and the driver is capable. The RX7 could be faster and more capable, just not setup 'quite' right for the conditions/track that day. Hence turning slightly slower lap times.

Taking a car and going racing is SOOO expensive. I can't imagine doing it with the RX7. Parts costs and availability are what kill you when racing, and everything is pretty dang expensive for the FD. I was generally VERY impressed by how cheap parts were for my M3 ordering through one of the BMW dealers who would send parts through the mail....pacificBMW and Black Forest BMW...bfbmw.com.

Anyway back to my point. Prepping, financing and then racing a racecar is a whole nother leauge, requires tons of time and money...far above what you plan. I am adicted though too, and so I try to race on a budget. However, if you are RACING on a budget...the RX7 is not the car, at least not the FD.

The E36 M3 was an awesome car, very easy to drive to the limit and a blast in lapping events. NA it would never be capable of keeping up with Z06s and so I moved on to the RX7, which is a much more capable platform. Getting the FD to reach its potential on a track though, will prove to be a difficult task.

Last edited by cozmo kraemer; 04-28-06 at 03:14 PM.
Old 04-28-06, 03:32 PM
  #39  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,184
Received 507 Likes on 349 Posts
Originally Posted by Lutfy
Thats flying! I think the good 7 drivers (Andy Bettencourts of the world etc.) have moved on to some other competitive series.
Lutfy

fwiw, you can find Andy Bettencourt on the improvedtouring.com forums and iirc on NASA's forums. I think he runs an FC in ITS and/or possibly SM.
Old 04-28-06, 03:57 PM
  #40  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cozmo kraemer
I came from an E36 track car to this FD RX7....one thing is for sure, I really HOPE the FD is faster. I have put so much more time/money into building it that I really could have gone out and got a pretty nice C5 Z06, and those are monsters on the road course.

I really dont think it is fair to compare Stickley's car and his times to a non-factory backed guy racing an RX7 out of his garage. Even if the RX7 is plenty fast and the driver is capable. The RX7 could be faster and more capable, just not setup 'quite' right for the conditions/track that day. Hence turning slightly slower lap times.

Taking a car and going racing is SOOO expensive. I can't imagine doing it with the RX7. Parts costs and availability are what kill you when racing, and everything is pretty dang expensive for the FD. I was generally VERY impressed by how cheap parts were for my M3 ordering through one of the BMW dealers who would send parts through the mail....pacificBMW and Black Forest BMW...bfbmw.com.

Anyway back to my point. Prepping, financing and then racing a racecar is a whole nother leauge, requires tons of time and money...far above what you plan. I am adicted though too, and so I try to race on a budget. However, if you are RACING on a budget...the RX7 is not the car, at least not the FD.

The E36 M3 was an awesome car, very easy to drive to the limit and a blast in lapping events. NA it would never be capable of keeping up with Z06s and so I moved on to the RX7, which is a much more capable platform. Getting the FD to reach its potential on a track though, will prove to be a difficult task.
Cozmo,

I agree with you on the fact that the M3s are Mustangs of BMW. Parts everywhere and interchangable between other E36s (which by the way, if you pick up a cat by its tail and swing it, I promise you will knock at least 2 E36s out of the way) which are dime a dozen. Calipers are $55 from Autozone (E39 chassis used the same calipers), door, hood etc. No problem most junkyard has them. NA reliability is great. During Sebring, a friend of mine, Chuck Smith drove his car for 6 hours on an Enduro and then drove it back.

FD was expensive when I had it. Even with the Mazdaspeed discount.

The times I compared at the Glen, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca were NOT Turner's times. These are club racers and none of them are pros. Infact most of the guys tune their cars out of their garage as well. I had a conversation with my then roomate Chris Carlisi way back in 2002 and we did some research on E36 M3s and RX7 lap times (comparable classes, hp/weight).

I would be curious how your car turns out to be. Keep us posted.

Lutfy
Old 04-28-06, 08:13 PM
  #41  
Full Member

iTrader: (3)
 
jimmacsrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: upton, MA
Posts: 139
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
track

Hi Lufty, I have a 3rd gen and run with COM. Our first event was a few weeks ago and i was talking to a friend,John Bradshaw, who is friends with Jeff Iafrati and he said he is building his motor after a few blown ones. He may be at the track this year??, Hope that helps. Jim
Old 04-30-06, 12:50 AM
  #42  
.

iTrader: (1)
 
eastcoastbumps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Central MA
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd be on cloud nine if I could keep pace with Greg Reid in his M3 this year. He's the M3 to beat in my class. But thats a very lofty goal that I won't be able to attain unless I eat my wheaties and go all out with my track prep. Greg had FTD with COM at NHIS C/C with a 1:14 For reference, I ran a 1:22.6 in my brothers WRX, which would have put me .5 away from second place in his class of 10 drivers. I know I left a lot of time out there and my FD will be faster, but there is no way I'll be able to shave off 8 seconds. All I can do is hope for second and enjoy the season. Or we could all do a rain dance and I'll borrow the WRX again.

Pete
Old 04-30-06, 11:12 AM
  #43  
Junior Member

 
Lutfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jimmacsrx7
Hi Lufty, I have a 3rd gen and run with COM. Our first event was a few weeks ago and i was talking to a friend,John Bradshaw, who is friends with Jeff Iafrati and he said he is building his motor after a few blown ones. He may be at the track this year??, Hope that helps. Jim
Jim, gosh the good ole days. I know John back from the autox days. Tell him I said hi. It would be nice to see some of the fast FDs guys return back to the field. Hopefully I can do a Summit Point with COM in ST1 next year.

Ahmad
Old 05-01-06, 07:55 PM
  #44  
Senior Member

 
EProdRx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not a FD but I spent enough money on it that it makes me feel better to brag...
Glen 2:11
LRP 59.004 (almost a 58 ERRRRRR)
Car is a FC EProd full out race car. This is what $60k+ will get you.
Old 05-05-06, 03:57 PM
  #45  
Darkside FD

 
cozmo kraemer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any info on the new twin screw M3 setups that have been making a debut? A guy ran his MRoadster (coupe) in the one lap and finished first in his class. If I would have stayed with the M3 I was going to go with the twinscrew supercharger setup and about 330whp reliably.

I subsequently decided to bite the bullet and buy my long time love, the FD. I really hope I can beat those DAMN M3s especially because I was the guy in the busted E36 with 240whp, hanging with the Porsches but not enough power to get around them. I dont want some FI M3 passing me, when that could have been me! And for a whole lot less money than I have put down so far...

Time will tell.

Lufty: I will try to keep you updated, but once I get this thing out on the track there will be a learning curve. I have been driving my E30 325is out on the track and having a blast. Makes me think twice about all the money I dumped on the RX7 to make it 'just so.' I mean I bought the E30 with $3000 put some tires on it, and I swear it is just as much fun! Try to momentum race and stay with H4/H3 Honda Challenge cars. It's a good time!!

Of course I haven't driven the 400+whp RX7 out there yet.

Once again,

Time will tell!!
Old 05-05-06, 04:02 PM
  #46  
Darkside FD

 
cozmo kraemer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
EProdRX7

I guess you know exactly what I was talking about when I said how expensive a full fledged racecar is! $60K+ WOW!!

I dont have that much in the FD....YET............ .......... ...... getting there ..... ..... almost .... have to stop spending money!!!

No, all kidding aside, I am not even close. Those final few seconds, and tenths of a second come at a tall price!
Old 05-05-06, 06:45 PM
  #47  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Jack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, MA 02130
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by EProdRx7
Not a FD but I spent enough money on it that it makes me feel better to brag...
Glen 2:11
LRP 59.004 (almost a 58 ERRRRRR)
Car is a FC EProd full out race car. This is what $60k+ will get you.
Very quick...my best in my FD was 101.2 at Lime Rock, COM Sports Car Club 11/01.
Old 06-08-06, 03:59 PM
  #48  
Full Member

 
No Cones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Sterling, MA
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
WOW!! So much to comment on... I guess I'll go chronologically....this will be kinda long...


Originally Posted by Jack
My best Time Trial run was 2:16 at the Glen and 1:01 at Lime Rock. I was at The Glen when the fastest time I clocked was Jeff Iafradi at 2:10. This was done with stock motor, stock turbos, stock main cat, running 10-11psi.
^^^ Close... 12psi, rest is correct


Originally Posted by Lutfy
Anyone knows what happened to Jeff Iafrati? Did he sell his car?
Worse! I moved to California, moved back, just missed being on Flight 11 on 9/11 (whew!), quit my job, free-lanced, got married, had a kid, got back into corporate world... and finally, getting back to driving. Jeez, pretty busy 5yrs I guess.

Originally Posted by ptrhahn
Slap on Hoosiers, real track pads, and some harnesses to hold me in the seat, and some more seat time and it should run down near 2:12... a REAL track 7, single turbo car like Brad's old killer Bee ought to be easily capable of sub-2:10's
I don't care what you're driving (w/in reason) it isn't easy to get sub 2:10 @ the Glen... You are seriously flying at those times, big-time pucker factor. Certainly not, by any means a herculean feat...just not easy...

Originally Posted by Jack
Ahmad

The only reason Jeff ran a 2:13 when he time trialed, was due to a intercooler hose cominng loose. I clocked him in the grand stand at 2:10 while practicing.
Hose came off coming in turn 12? (last turn before the straight) I had ~5lbs of boost (and had to carefully feather the throttle to avoid toasting the turbos) from that point till the finish-line. Btw, the Finish-line for the timing was the entrance to the Bus Stop!

Originally Posted by jimmacsrx7
Hi Lufty, I have a 3rd gen and run with COM. Our first event was a few weeks ago and i was talking to a friend,John Bradshaw, who is friends with Jeff Iafrati and he said he is building his motor after a few blown ones. He may be at the track this year??, Hope that helps. Jim
Jim, can't wait to get back on the track, period. Even more excited about having another 7 to play with... is it possible to have 3 FDs running w/ COM on the same day? Reminds me of the old days... Jack, care to make it 4??? Ahmed, I'm sure you can pull in some favors and find an FD to borrow for an event ... for a jet setter like you this should be no prob!

Originally Posted by jimmacsrx7
I'd be on cloud nine if I could keep pace with Greg Reid in his M3 this year. He's the M3 to beat in my class. But thats a very lofty goal that I won't be able to attain unless I eat my wheaties and go all out with my track prep. Greg had FTD with COM at NHIS C/C with a 1:14 ...
Pete, there is no comparing when referencing that car...from what I understand he has well over $80k into the powerplant alone! I don't like to spread hearsay but given the times he turns and the $$$ that can be (and is) spent on those powerplants I wouldn't be surprised.
Old 06-09-06, 08:37 AM
  #49  
All out Track Freak!

iTrader: (263)
 
Fritz Flynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Charlottesville VA 22901
Posts: 10,672
Received 412 Likes on 250 Posts
Originally Posted by CCarlisi
ptrhahn wrote:
"With reasonable bolt ons will produce 290-300 rwhp, up to 500 w/ single T."

Is there even one FD owner in the US that is running 500rwhp(hahahaha) or even 400 rwhp on the track? Based on how much trouble my friends have keeping the temps in check at 12psi I doubt it.

A motor a season, which is what most of the people I know that regularly track their modded FDs shoot for is unacceptable in my mind. I'd rather use the 4k a year to buy a much more expensive car. Once you factor reliability into consideration I think the FD's track HP is greatly reduced. I would say 320 at the flywheel is more reasonable(revisions are welcome). Now you only have about 60 more than an E36, but the E36 has low end torque, no boost spike, better fuel economy, better brakes and still a much better chance of being driven home under its own power at the end of the day. I think many of these advantages are true when comparing a stock E36 to an R1 as well.

And regardless of all this nobody has yet to beat the M3 times I posted. I also want to mention that I was told by another M3 owner that stickley's 2:09 was done sans the supercharger.

-Chris (going into the garage to kiss his FD and apologize to it for all the bad things he has been saying.)
I was driving Brad's old car for about 18 months and his car would turn EASY 2:10s at VIR on shitty tires at 10 or 11 psi. With new Dunlop sp racers (hardly a good tire and the size was 265 35 18) it ran 2:07s and 8s on the full course and I was lifting at 165 (indicated) back straight and 155 front straight. The corvette t1 record at VIR is a 2:08 and at Watkins Glen it's a 2:04. IOW a competent driver in Brad's FD just breezing around should go by Chuck's m3 at full speed. BTW I paid about 20k for his FD. Finding an M3 that runs 2:10s in it's sleep at VIR for 20k would be very difficult and when you do you'd be happy to get 5k track miles from the engine. Basically it's all about power weight etc.... When you get to a certain point it takes lots of power to run lower times and this comes at a great cost. AFIK 3rd gens are still extremely fast and reliable.

I've run 2:16s 17s at VIR in a stock FD with used victo racers on stock wheels and tires.

Currently I'm driving Gene Felbers old FD that runs 2:09s on old Hoosiers. You'll pay a lot for any track car running this time and be happy if you spend 5 to 10k on maintenance in a season (15 to 20 weekends of use). Speed is very VERY expensive no matter what you're driving and rotaries have proven to be reliable if set up correctly. Now gas mileage is another thing all together lol
Old 06-09-06, 10:03 AM
  #50  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (9)
 
ptrhahn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 9,023
Received 498 Likes on 272 Posts
I think the important thing to recognize too, is that if you're a club racer or track guy, you can buy an M3 track or race car that has benefited from a HELL of a lot of factory and professional race car development, and/or buy those parts in abundance.

I thumbed through some Porsche mags, and it's staggering the amount of mods and racecar parts you can get for 911's, and how much info there is out there in terms of set-up and development info and experience from those cars having been raced by tons of people over 20-30 years.

The FD wasn't raced much, and only by a couple relatively small teams for a couple years... Even RE Amamiya in Japan is a relatively small privateer team in the scope of the JGTC.

There's really only a handfull of hardcore track guys out there w/ FD's with the money, resources and know how to match even the average/below average Porsche or BMW tracker. Those guys show up w/ 18-wheeler rigs for club events, and have crew people for gods sake.


Quick Reply: Fastest lap times in a 3rd gen (need results to one up M3 owner)



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:04 PM.