E30 not performing over 400m stretch... HELP

[fannyj]

Hi Guys,

I live in South Africa, huge fan of your website!
Anyways, i have attending the local drags for the past couple of months. I drive an e30 325i shadowline, 276 billet cam and vernier, branch and free-flow exhaust system. My best time over the 400m was a 16.4sec.

Is this normal?
I get my ass handed to me when i go heat to head with the honda civic VTec and Toyota 20v Corolla as they manage 15.5sec.

I really need to represent my brand of car, any advice will hugely anticipated....


Ciao!

[fannyj]

thanks for the help.

[320Touring]

Drag racing is all about accelleration!

to go fast you need 3 things

low weight

Lots of Power

The Right Gears

to reduce weight on the "strip" you could remove all the interior apart from the drivers seat, and make sure the boot is empty

Sounds like you're sorting the power out as funds allow-6branch and 276 cam should help at the top end.

Also practice your starts- dont want much wheelspin-just a smooth launch (probably about 4000rpm is good)

With regards to the gearing-see what ratio your Diff is (tag usually to be found on the casing) first 3 numbers are the ratio. (eg 3 64= 3.64 diff)

the higher the number, the faster the diff will allow you to acellerate (IE 4.10 is faster acellerating than a 3.64 if all other factors are equal)

for Dragging the 1/4 mile-a 3.91 LSD (Limited Slip Diff) is an ideal diff. Over here they cost about Ԛ£250 (2500 rands roughly)

Hope this helps, and sorry you havent had many replies but its only 9.50am over here and most folks are at work, and not on the zone

[fannyj]

Mr. 320.... you da man!

i currently have a 3.64 diff... so maybe that's part of the problem!

[Moofles]

Change the engine, the m20's don't tend to get huge power unless you turbo them (ok, so maybe do that)

[e30_Turbo]

TURBO'ing it will def help

I'm aiming for 13's when I get to the strip, maybe 12's if I have big enough balls

[320Touring]

TURBO'ing it will def help

I'm aiming for 13's when I get to the strip, maybe 12's if I have big enough balls

as in ball bearing turbo?

lol!

[fannyj]

so what d'you guys run 1/4mile over there.... just with cams ????

[320Touring]

so what d'you guys run 1/4mile over there.... just with cams ????

I've got a 320i, so mine will be pitifully slow-sure someone with similar specs to yours will be along soon!

[Moofles]

325i with cams? i think you'd have to be happy with high 15s.

[Jimbob]

Adam's 2.8 back in 2.5 form did 1/4 mile in 15.75 with only a few mods i believe!
change that 3.64!!!

[koos]

I wanna swop my 4.1 for a 3.64, i'm coming home in Dec to get married but I think it's a bit heavy for luggage !!

[Moofles]

jimbob how modded was adam's though? you kinda just agreed with me

adam's 2.5 with some mods: 15.75
325i with some mods: i guessed high 15's and you're happy

i've got the feeling adam is good enough to put in a half decent respectable time so the above makes sense to me

[Jimbob]

Oh yea, didn't spot your post mate! hehe

I'm not sure if he had gone to the extent of a cam at that time, that was before my E30 ownership.

Like you said though he's quite capable of gettin the power down!

[jonbuoy]

This all sound's very good and i know the 325i is most favoured E30........Bbbbuuuuuuuuttttttttt...............Why at Donny South did my car read mid 17's for 1/4 mile, with a M40 lump and mod's.....no engine work.

I understand zoner's will turn round and say, "Yer right, whatever", that's why i done it at Donny and TOURINGDADDY was with me.
I would suppose the 4.11 diff helps acceleration??

[E30BeemerLad]

I ran my car at the drag strip earlier in the year and was disappointed to se 15.9 on 3 runs.

Next time I will be junking the interior and lowering the rear tyre pressures. I just have a 3.64 open diff so it was spinning off the line,

Here's a vid clip of one of the races, against a E36 328i, could not beat him

Wait until the 6 branch goes on and a head rebuild with some porting

http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.asp ... &kw=13&p=1

[Kos]

my old early type 325i sport used to run about 14.5sec 1/4mile with a 50shot os NOS, and a 3.64 diff, i wouldn't go for a shorter diff are you will probably be changing to fourth and loose a few split seconds. i use to cross the line just smacking the rev limiter in 3rd.
it take lots of practice at the drag strips here as they can be so sticky that launch is vastly different to the roads where we normaly practice and play!!! tyre presures and weight of the car are the 2 main variables you can play with,and affecting how you launch it!!!
good luck

[E30Mark]

Your performance could also be compromised by the air temperature and altitude, don't know how high you are above see level, but it can make a marked effect on some engines...

[fannyj]

I did notice no matter how i launch, i get wheel spin off the line, and that's whe i lose those valuable seconds. The advantage the 4cylinders have is that they are quick off the line due to gearing etc.
What advantage would a 3.91 diff be on the 400m ?

[m-dtech]

its the wrong car for the quarter, save your money and buy a civic.