So my read of the new rules book is that forced induction over 3.0 litres is now legal in SM with a new min. weight formula? Previously a 96+ E36 M3
3.2L with supercharger would go direct into SM2.

New limitations on wings as well.


Since the spoilers now can't extend beyond the widest part of the car, I wonder if we'll see lots of non functional fender flares added to increase width.

the idea on the wings was to keep it at the doors. anticipating this, this is what pretty much all of the sm guys at nationals did last year width wise.

Wings, and any component thereof, may not extend beyond the vehicle
width, as defined by the outermost portion of the vehicle doors, less mirrors, door handles, rub strips, and trim.

same thing with the splitter. i built mine anticipating the 6" limit and right back to the front wheel line. it's right at 6". i think vic's is the same way going back but doesn't quite stick out as far as the one on my car. bob's i think is about 4". also, as far as body work "interpretations" are concerned, you really don't want to extend the bodywork forward of the front wheels out any more than it has to. that's some really important cone-clearance dimensions up there...

A splitter may be used. It may extend maximum of six inches (6") forward of the front bodywork when viewed from above and not past the centerline of the front wheels. The width of the splitter may extend one inch (1") beyond the widest portion of the front bodywork forward of the wheels.

also if you do the weight formulas, there are advantages in going smaller displacement bigger boost, particularly if you consider what weights we are achieving now and what weights you have to go to with 3.2L boost motors. in my car's particular case, the 2.8L aluminum boost motor works perfectly. ie: i can still lose weight, and i would take the 80lb difference (see below) over a 3.2 boost car any day. the other consideration is that an aluminum block can really only go to about 3.0L when using an available BMW crank (S52/S50) and a twinscrew e36 is going to have a hard time getting under 2750 without an aluminum block.

2. Turbocharged or supercharged versions of the above engine will be classified on a basis of adding 1.4 liters to the actual piston displacement.

B. SM Minimum Weight Calculations
All listed weights are without driver.
FWD: 1550 lbs + 125 lbs/liter
RWD: 1800 lbs + 200 lbs/liter
AWD: 1800 lbs + 275 lbs/liter
Cars with engine located behind driver: +25 lbs/liter

IIRC... Current weights from 06 nationals of the top SM E36s right now are Tunnell (3.0 screw - 2770), Carag (2.8 aluminum screw 2720), Sias (3.2 s54 NA, 2620), Richardson (3.0L aluminum turbo, 2580)

Then if you look at where the weights would have to go:
Boost Motors
2.8L 2640
3.0L 2680
3.2L 2720

All Motor
3.2L 2440

All that aside, its great that one can take a 3.2 twinscrew E36 into SM now! Should open up the number of people showing up with big power. :D

Nice! I'm glad I got out of SM while I still had some sort of pocket change...

Ryan, are you & Gary running the stock 2.8L Z3 displacement or modded to 3.0L?

How's Gary' turbo running compared to his centrifugal setup?

Its awesome that running in a Prepared class is now cheaper and easier than SM...hehehehehehehehe

Ryan, are you & Gary running the stock 2.8L Z3 displacement or modded to 3.0L?

How's Gary' turbo running compared to his centrifugal setup?

gary is at 3.0L. my motor is 2.8L. his setup makes insane torque and power. not sure about lag - althought it looks pretty good in that respect. maybe gary will chime in.

How is it Gary 's car is 140lbs lighter than yours Ryan?

I don't know about the lag, but it seems to run up pretty well on the dyno and then WHAM!!, the turbo hits and it sounds like an explosion. Scared me the first time on our dyno!
I would imagine that boost hit would make it pretty tricky to drive

How is it Gary 's car is 140lbs lighter than yours Ryan?

turbo versus screw (screw itself is heavier than the entire turbo setup, then add lines, reserviors and water) and his car also has some lighter suspension components and a lightweight mashaw bodykit which helps in the body department. also as of nationals, no wing. there was also a box of aluminum fastners in gary's garage space at nationals. :eyecrazy edit: i forget exactly, but maybe even titanium... :eyecrazy :eyecrazy

the idea on the wings was to keep it at the doors. anticipating this, this is what pretty much all of the sm guys at nationals did last year width wise.



same thing with the splitter. i built mine anticipating the 6" limit and right back to the front wheel line. it's right at 6". i think vic's is the same way going back but doesn't quite stick out as far as the one on my car. bob's i think is about 4". also, as far as body work "interpretations" are concerned, you really don't want to extend the bodywork forward of the front wheels out any more than it has to. that's some really important cone-clearance dimensions up there...



also if you do the weight formulas, there are advantages in going smaller displacement bigger boost, particularly if you consider what weights we are achieving now and what weights you have to go to with 3.2L boost motors. in my car's particular case, the 2.8L aluminum boost motor works perfectly. ie: i can still lose weight, and i would take the 80lb difference (see below) over a 3.2 boost car any day. the other consideration is that an aluminum block can really only go to about 3.0L when using an available BMW crank (S52/S50) and a twinscrew e36 is going to have a hard time getting under 2750 without an aluminum block.



IIRC... Current weights from 06 nationals of the top SM E36s right now are Tunnell (3.0 screw - 2770), Carag (2.8 aluminum screw 2720), Sias (3.2 s54 NA, 2620), Richardson (3.0L aluminum turbo, 2580)

Then if you look at where the weights would have to go:
Boost Motors
2.8L 2640
3.0L 2680
3.2L 2720

All Motor
3.2L 2440

All that aside, its great that one can take a 3.2 twinscrew E36 into SM now! Should open up the number of people showing up with big power. :D

My car was 2580 as well. I have been toying with the idea of a SC on the S54, but with the crappy nationals site it would only be fun for Atwater. But over 500 whp would REALLY fun. :devillook

Its awesome that running in a Prepared class is now cheaper and easier than SM...hehehehehehehehe


That is what every one liked about SM at first. It won't be long before people start complaining about XP too.

that's right i forgot about that extra weight reduction you did prior to nats. man you guys are LIGHT. oh also wanted to add to the answer to hotshu's question on the lightness. i forgot to mention the fuel cells. that one is actually not insignificant in terms of weight.

That is what every one liked about SM at first. It won't be long before people start complaining about XP too.

agreed on that one vic. it's hard to imagine a class with even more open rules will end up costing less once the cars progress to the nth level.

vic, i heard you guys got atwater for another year at the least? that's awesome!

sias, that is a hot car!

Nice! I'm glad I got out of SM while I still had some sort of pocket change...


No shit John. Me too.

My car was 2580 as well. I have been toying with the idea of a SC on the S54, but with the crappy nationals site it would only be fun for Atwater. But over 500 whp would REALLY fun. :devillook


Yeah right Vic. That's all you need is more power! :devillook

Yeah right Vic. That's all you need is more power! :devillook

to be honest, the 360+ whp or so we're all cranking out right now is like totally easy to stick to the ground even at heartland's asphalt. 500+ whp would make these cars sorta more man-against-beast again. :D and to think that these 1.7 autorotors can go to like 15psi or so and more. :eyecrazy

to be honest, the 360+ whp or so we're all cranking out right now is like totally easy to stick to the ground even at heartland's asphalt. 500+ whp would make these cars sorta more man-against-beast again. :D and to think that these 1.7 autorotors can go to like 15psi or so and more. :eyecrazy

More power and shiny doors. :buttrock

Ryan, you should crank the boost and see what kinda power that thing can really make! We were flat in numerous places the second day. It could have used an extra 100 hp...:buttrock

Scott Fraser

Ryan, you should crank the boost and see what kinda power that thing can really make! We were flat in numerous places the second day. It could have used an extra 100 hp...:buttrock

Scott Fraser

500whp street mod cars, here we come... :redspot