I did one small run against a co-worker on our way to lunch. I got a bone stock 325i and he has a bone stock '03 svt focus.

Our run was on I470 south during lunch so really we couldn't do much of a run but this is what happened.

We both got on the interstate and slowed down to roughly 50 mph or so. I tried to get him to go on a 3 count but he took off and got maybe 1 car length jump on me and then it was on (sorta). I was quickly into 4th gear and watched my revvs climb. Since he got a head start I think it helped him pull on me a little better. We got up to about 85 mph or so and had to shut it down because of traffic. He probably had about 3 car lengths on me.

I got a couple of questions.

1. from 60-120 do you think I'd have him? I know the m50 does pulls well at the higher speeds.

2. what would i need to totally walk him? I think a chip would do. I also think we would be pretty dead even if we got an even jump.

Sorry my kill story isn't written real great bought thought i'd share my first "death" well sorta.... not much of a race really.

Sorry my kill story isn't written real great bought thought i'd share my first "death" well sorta.... not much of a race really.

I don't have the answers to your questions, but hopefully this is your last death as well. I mean, I just don't think the E36 325i is meant for racing. It's just a step above racing an I4 Camry vs. an I4 Accord, or a Civic vs. a Mazda3.

I don't know how fast your car is, but I imagine it's pretty similar to my E30 with M20b25 engine 5sp, and that's not very fast at all. The only cars I could beat in a race are cars that I'd be embarrassed to tell people I was racing. :shifty

GET A BIG A$$ TURBO WITH A SHOT OF JUICE, THAT WILL TEACH HIM..:alright

Yah those SVT focuses can be nasty....they are evenly matched with the new Celica Gt-Ss and the Matrix XRSs

4th at 50 probably didnt help...

uhh, i can blow past a svt. 328's are a little quicker than 325's, not insanely so, and my car's pretty close to stock

4th at 50 probably didnt help...

+1.

I think a downshift would have changed the results drastically.

yea, 3rd gear is a better choice

and as far as the 325i not really being a race car, sure it's not a fast car, but does that mean it shouldn't be enjoyed either?

Agreed with the above... I think an even start, and better gear choice/driving on your part ought to make this a closer race. SVT Focuses have some pep but are really quite pathetic on the highway. I'd give you even money if you drove a better race.

nitrous...:evil2

S50 cams, cam specific chip, intake and exhaust, you will be suprised and most certainly suprising others.

4th at 50 probably didnt help...

Yea...Also to share my experience my friend has the same SVT focus lightly modded and I pull on him after 4th but its suprising to see that little 2.0 liter keep up shift for shift until then. My car is stock.

To the OP:

Zetec's (the SVTF engine) have much less power than a 325(170hp, 140torque). No governor. Considering they have 6 gears, weigh less than an E36 (~2700lbs for a hatch). They pull strong up to whatever top speed there is (no governor). I'd consider exhaust/ mani/ fan delete.

and as far as the 325i not really being a race car, sure it's not a fast car, but does that mean it shouldn't be enjoyed either?

You don't need to race (and lose) your car to enjoy it. BMWs are widely considered "drivers' cars", and that implies that you get joy from simply driving it, not necessarily running against someone.

You don't need to race (and lose) your car to enjoy it. BMWs are widely considered "drivers' cars", and that implies that you get joy from simply driving it, not necessarily running against someone.

Agreed.

I was called an elitist the last time I made that comment.

the 4th at 50 was a typo. i started out in 2rd and ran it until about 6k or so. then i ran 3rd up pretty high to. just as i made it out of 3rd the race was pretty much over.

i do wonder what would happen straight off the line with an even jump. according to motor trend and other magazine sources, the e36 325i and the svt focus are pretty much dead even 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. (7.5 and 15.5 roughly)

I don't know how fast your car is, but I imagine it's pretty similar to my E30 with M20b25 engine 5sp, and that's not very fast at all. The only cars I could beat in a race are cars that I'd be embarrassed to tell people I was racing. :shifty

Back when I had my E30 with m20b25 5sp I raced and beat a nice audi (too dark to catch model number, but it was newer) up to bout 65-70 by .5 cl, and I raced and beat a late 80s caprice with a 350, headers, and NIIICE sounding glasspacks. Every race I beat that kid, and he just couldn't beleive it. Nearly shat himself when I showed him it was only a little 2.5L inline 6.... LOL.

swap in an m42, bye bye focus