97 M3/4/5 running in STU

[Fair!]

Re: 97 M3/4/5 running in STU

There was more we could have done to win with an E36 M3, if we had continued in STU with this car, including:

• Started with a 1995 M3, no sunroof car. The 1995 doesn't have the ASC 2nd throttle body restriction
• Maximized the weight with aftermarket braking system, seats (ours was 31 pounds), and exhaust
• Built a pro-built motor to the limit of the rules
• Had a custom header built that maximized power over a wider RPM range, then ECM tuned the car to within an inch of its life
• Built a front splitter and maximized the aero rules for STU
• Ditched the radio and speakers
• Made the 265/35/18 tires and 10" wheels fit better
• Fought for a rules change to allow the 285s to fit legally!
• Cheated, a lot. j/k!

[Fair!]

Re: 97 M3/4/5 running in STU

First, what in the world is an "M3/4/5".... Wait, don't answer - I don't wanna know.

What are your goals - fast at local events, an STU National Championship, or somewhere in between?


We ended our last season with 265/35/18 on 18x10 wheels

OK, so your wheels are way too narrow for the highest level of competition... you need to be pushing 9" or 9.5", or maybe even 10" wide wheels, and 255/40/17s or 265/35/18" tires, at the very least. With only 8.5" wheels and 245s you won't have any tire advantage over the AWD Subarus (that's their tire width limit, but yours is 285mm!).



Single Adjustable twin tube shocks probably will not get it done, but who knows. We've placed higher than most BMWs in STU and we did it in 2005-6 with TCKline double adjustables and in 2007 with AST doubles/triples. Still, you need to do a LOT of testing to even learn how to use shocks with this many adjustments before that helps your times. For a first year effort, those SA's will probably be fine.



Have you done a lightweight battery? Upper the RPM limit? Built a custom header and super light exhaust? Racing seats that weigh 25 pounds each? Racing harness for the driver?

What are your spring rates, swaybar sizes, and engine mods? Alignment settings? Lightweight brake system components?

What does the engine dyno at? Post the dyno plot.

What does the car weight? Has it been corner balanced?

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET, skill level with respect to mechanical work, driving accomplishments in the past, and racing schedule commitment? Are you willing to put in more than a couple of years of effort, and at least 2 events every month? Do you plan to street drive the car, and if so, how often? Do you have a truck and trailer?



How legal do you want the car to be? I'm not advocating anything, just need to know where you stand on legality. There is no protesting in STU at Nationals, as evidenced by the past 5 years of competition. Just saying...

Answering those things will help us point you in the right direction(s). You could end up with a trailer queen if you maximize every rule in STU and maybe still not win. Just don't expect this to be an easy fight when using a non-Turbo, non-AWD car for this class.



I'm not trying to dampen your spirits, just know that Hanchey, Amy and I had put in a LOT of time, work, testing, money and sweat into making an STU winning E36 M3. With 25-28 events + 3 dedicated practice sessions (where we rented a track and tested till we were sunburned and dead) each season. We made our own shocks and suspension bits, trailered the car to events, and probably spent more than most M3 competitors in the class - and only took home 2nd and 6th place trophies in 4 years of competition in STU (but we did bring home two consecutive 1st places at Nationals in STU-L). We strove to be 100% legal and to still street drive the car, and those two factors probably hurt our results in the end.