How much gas should I have in the tank for my drivers school? I would like to save as much weight as possible. Seeing as I'm a little down on power. 1/2 tank ok? I've heard of fuel starvation issues with the 6 cylinders. Am I just thinking too much?

Ted

Your doing WAY to much thinking, it took me 15 DE's to feel the weight difference of not having an instructor in the car (180lbs). Make sure you have atleast half a tank, I was getting fuel starvation issues last event when I had a little more than a 1/4 left.

Figured. Thanks! I feel the weight a little more with my 4 banger though.

Ted

I get fuel starvation at 5/8ths tank! You probably wouldn't have a problem with your first school, but the weight difference isn't worth the hassle.

Bob

Fill it up before you get there each morning. Even with a 318 you'll be getting really low gas mileage(I get 8-9mpg). So plan accordingly.

Much better to have a few lbs of weight in the back than to get fuel starvation in the middle of a corner and lose control!

Sorry to hijack, but Def you have some of the freakiest avatars ever! That fat monster is mesmerizing! And not in a good way either....

Well, I learned the hard way. First day I went with half a tank. Had to refill before last run. 2nd day I went with the gauge between 1/2 and 3/4. I have 5 runs today though. 2nd to last lap it cut out on me in a hard right hander. So I had to pull off, enter the pits when clear and put 2 gallons of that liquid gold they sell at the track in. I hope it runs nice on 106 octane, for $5 a gallon it damn well better.

Ted

Originally posted by bmw325iman
Sorry to hijack, but Def you have some of the freakiest avatars ever! That fat monster is mesmerizing! And not in a good way either....

Glad you approve! But I'm a little hurt you don't like the picture someone took of me at my last track event. :(



:biglaughb


Theodore,

Well, if you had read this thread beforehand I think you would have known we were telling you this.

You use up gas so quickly at the track that the ~20lbs you save is simply NOT worth running out. I mean, heck - it's not like it's a race anyway. So who cares if you are 0.00041 mph faster at the end of the straight?

True dat. Life goes on and lesson learned. Next time I take at least 3/4 of a tank per day. Still fun, no harm done and a decent story/ learning experience.

Ted

Originally posted by Theodore
True dat. Life goes on and lesson learned. Next time I take at least 3/4 of a tank per day. Still fun, no harm done and a decent story/ learning experience.

Ted

DON'T TEMPT FATE! Fill that sucker up at the beginning of the day.

The faster you get, the easier it will be for you to slosh the fuel around enough to get starvation. So it will happen with more and more fuel in the tank. Like I've been saying, the couple of lbs you save just isn't worth it.

When autocrosing, I start out with 1/4 tank. But for drivers schools, I'll go with a full tank.

Mid-turn fuel starvation is unsettling and, at 6 - 8 mpg, the tank empties quickly. Plus, buying gas at track is EXPENSIVE!

Yup, yup and YUP!

Ted

All that is said here is good advice. The faster you go, the more continuous G's you'll pull, and the greater the chance of starvation. Prolonged starvation through a long sweeper can end up leaning out the motor and burning things up. No need to tempt fate. If things get really bad, call up Bimmerworld and ask them about their solutions to the fuel starvation problem!

I just installed the Bimmerworld kit Sat. on my car. Took about an hour. I hope it solves my prblem. I was getting fuel starvation at a little less thatn a half a tank on some long right handers. I guess i'll find out in a couple of weeks at Roebling Road if it was money well spent.

Originally posted by qwickm3
I guess i'll find out in a couple of weeks at Roebling Road if it was money well spent.

Yup. Roebling T9 and VIR T2 are always good for checking out starvation problems.