Hi everybody, I am having a hard time deciding on getting a SMG or manual tranny. I will be doing a lot of 1/4 mile runs against some of my friends along w/ SOME track racing. If somebody has done a 1/4 from a complete stop with both trannys, could you let me know if there were any differance in you times.

-thanks:mdrbig

Oh, we have had this discussion so much already, here are a few threads already referencing that topic.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46565&highlight=roundel

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59111&highlight=manual

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49362&highlight=manual

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39735&highlight=manual

Very generally speaking, at the 1/4 mile track, the stick will be a tad quicker than the SMG in most people's hands, with the potential to be a lot quicker in a skilled driver's hands...

If your serious about racing the 1320, go get yourself a Z06, or even a SVT Mustang. Both are much better suited for this, including being able to modify these cars to high HP levels at a reasonable cost.

The M3 will be prohibitively expensive to modify and maintain for the 1320.

I am currently contemplating switching to a Z06 myself for the spring, b/c of this. :devillook

Anything can be modded to do drag duty... :pimpflash

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Anything can be modded to do drag duty... :pimpflash

Yes... there is a 1968 Jaguar XK8 around here. Every now and then he'll bring it out to the shows. And what is impressive is he's got the back of the thing tubbed running something like 12inch wide drag racing slicks

The thing is, if drag racing is of interest to you, you'll likely be happier with the stick vs the SMG in the M3...

That sounds wicked, Kev! :)

I am sorry, but does he mean the strip or the street 1/4 mile runs? If he plans on doing it on the street primarily, SMG may not be a bad choice.

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Anything can be modded to do drag duty... :pimpflash

EXACTLY!! Trust me, I spent many months contemplating what car to get, from a z06 to an 03 cobra, to even a lightning (which I still think im going to get :) ), and I settled on the m3. What is the fun of drag racing if you go to the track and everyone has a z06, viper, or 03 cobra? I intend to modify my m3 so that they will never know what hit them. Sure it takes more money, but in the end, I will be in the car I always wanted from the beginning, have superior build quality and handling, and still be handing them their ass, even if my wallet is lighter.

Originally posted by SilverStreak
The thing is, if drag racing is of interest to you, you'll likely be happier with the stick vs the SMG in the M3...

That sounds wicked, Kev! :)

Generally you are correct, however, smg can not be beat for consistency. Also, on the street, it is a godsend. Remember, smg will only get faster as bmw revises the software :clap:

Originally posted by sticky2
Remember, smg will only get faster as bmw revises the software :clap:

The software isn't the limiting factor, the hardware is. At this point, the SMG system is very likely shifting the gearbox as quickly as it can be shifted given that the gearbox is designed for the street and incorporates synchros.

The only way to make it faster would be to use a race gearbox with straight cut gears and dogrings, which isn't going to happen.

For the record, SMG is not suited for drag racing in its current state as it doesn't allow for an optimal start. If it incorporated a high RPM start function with automatic traction control by clutch modulation like the F1 cars, we'd be in business. I beleive PTG is working on developing the software to do just that so they can use the transmission in World Challenge GT standing start races in 2004.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
The software isn't the limiting factor, the hardware is. At this point, the SMG system is very likely shifting the gearbox as quickly as it can be shifted given that the gearbox is designed for the street and incorporates synchros.

The only way to make it faster would be to use a race gearbox with straight cut gears and dogrings, which isn't going to happen.

For the record, SMG is not suited for drag racing in its current state as it doesn't allow for an optimal start. If it incorporated a high RPM start function with automatic traction control by clutch modulation like the F1 cars, we'd be in business. I beleive PTG is working on developing the software to do just that so they can use the transmission in World Challenge GT standing start races in 2004.

According to bmw the hardware is not being used to its full potential due to the software. In the CSL version they tuned the software to better use the hardware to get faster shifts.

Well, that's the thing- get what car you want, and make it do what you want it to do- be unique, and have fun!

The SMG may provide consistency- but so does an automatic at the track. Guys with high power f-bodies often beef up their autos, stall convertors, shift kits, etc, and get very consistent times, out of them- can't debate that.

In target shooting there is a thing called "grouping"- where all the shots are consistently grouped well together... you can miss the bullseye and still be very consistent... ;)

Originally posted by sticky2
According to bmw the hardware is not being used to its full potential due to the software. In the CSL version they tuned the software to better use the hardware to get faster shifts.

You have a link to an article that says that? Because, honestly, I haven't heard anything of the sort, and from an engineering standpoint, it sounds almost unbelievable.

The dang thing already shifts in what, 80 milliseconds? Getting synchros to line up any faster than that is next to impossible. Besides, say they make it twice as fast...raise your hand if you can feel the difference between 40 and 80 milliseconds.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
You have a link to an article that says that? Because, honestly, I haven't heard anything of the sort, and from an engineering standpoint, it sounds almost unbelievable.

The dang thing already shifts in what, 80 milliseconds? Getting synchros to line up any faster than that is next to impossible. Besides, say they make it twice as fast...raise your hand if you can feel the difference between 40 and 80 milliseconds.

You haven't read any of the articles on the csl? Bimmer had a big article on the csl where they talked about the smg software being improved to allow quicker shifts. I dont have a link to it, but ill find out the issue for you. Pretty much any article on the csl will tell you about it.

I think I have read that aricle too. They were able to tweak the software to get quicker shifts.

Originally posted by MDriver315
I think I have read that aricle too. They were able to tweak the software to get quicker shifts.

How much quicker?

I think it was 15% but I cannot be sure.

Originally posted by MDriver315
I think it was 15% but I cannot be sure.

So this is all about 12 milliseconds? That's more of a marketing ploy than any sort of noticeable, much less usable, improvement. :confused: