Here's what it looks like today.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/2-2-07030.jpg?t=1171672913

Here's the Jaffster/TC Designs knob on the B&M Race SSK:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/2-2-07031.jpg?t=1171672807

Lots of work to do this weekend, should look pretty different by Sunday night. It ran for the first time last Sunday.

Damn, that car is too clean! Very nice!

How do you like those jack stands?

THATS a proper SE36! If I could see 20 of those on the track, that's going to be an awesome class!

Looks awesome Scott!

very nice. wasn't that red before?

what's a "proper" SE36?

very nice. wasn't that red before?

what's a "proper" SE36?

Look above ;) Just a very clean, fresh built, nicely caged, straight car ready to race...but it is a bit too clean, it needs some racing rubbin marks.

look very nice...cant wait to see more photos...

that looks awesome! keep updating the thread.

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to making it all dirty. Gotta thank those who've helped me on the way, Brad and Dale at evosport, Will at Turner, Mickey at Bullet Performance, and Scott at SCTS Racing.

Very Nice Scott!!! Looking forward to taking a closer look at it tomorrow!

The car looks AWESOME Scott!! I love brand new racecars!
-Ted

sano!

VERY sano.. between him and Holder.. makes my IP build look like a junkyard project...

Looks awesome Scott!

Thanks Mike, how is your build coming along?

:D ;) ;) Wouldn't you like to know? ;) ;) :D

j/k - car is being assembled now - just getting the last pieces. Finally got the suspension so everything should be going back on this week or next. Then the REAL work starts! ha ha ha. This is a big project and the guys at Landshark are doing a great job. And the car at least looks amazing -Phil did a tremendous job with the paint.

-Mike

That cagebar running under your dashboard how safe is that? Seems to me that you can hurt your legs pretty ugly when you hit it.

Scott-

That is so clean............!!!! I agree with the sentiment above...makes my build look like a junk yard dog!!!!!!! Very nice!!!

-CKKrause

S.Lang - wasn't your car red before?

CK - your car looks good. just slap a uniform color on the interior and it will look nice. i'm painting mine right now.

Yeah, the car was red before. White's cleaner, cooler temp-wise, and easier to do things with graphically. The old paint was shot and the car was a bare shell, so I took the opportunity for a color change.

Re: the dash bar....others have questioned it too in other threads, but after the seat mock up it really is a lot higher than it looks in the photos. I was concerned about it too but after the mock up, those concerns are completely gone from my mind. The seat mounts and belt anchors really would have to fail in order for my legs to contact it...and if that happens, I'm guessing I'm going to have other problems than a couple of busted kneecaps/broken legs.

Very Clean! I agree that a white car is a good choice!

I like it, looks very clean.

Did you do the cage or was it done? If done by someone else, what did it cost?

Nearly there!

Things do to:

Corner weight, ride height, alignment, fire system, kill switch wiring, net, data acquisition, exhaust, tune, brake ducts, hold down, interior door latches, general once-over, bleed everything that can be bled, and about a million other small things....I'd say we're 90% there.

Pics as of Monday night:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0006.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0010.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0011.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0013.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/PICT0014.jpg

Looks great!

I have one question, though. How do you keep your shop looking so clean when building a race car?!? :eek:

WOW.....just WOW :eek: :eek:

gotta say, i've NEVER been a fan of white cars, just not my cup of tea

now i know how good a white race car is for finding leaks and such, but that body just looks great ;) good job man, good job


....Im not worthy, Im not worthy.....

Why did you not put an X in the main hoop? I considered a single diagonal in my Spec E30 but when I look at places the car can get hit and where the load would go I always end up with a X. Mayby I over analyze stuff. With the A pillar excluded, if you get hit at the B pillar there is nothing to keep the bottom of the cage from comming in except the chassis. For roll over the single diagonal is fine.

Am I over designing? Reducing weight would be great if I can.

Comments?

Michael

Why did you not put an X in the main hoop? I considered a single diagonal in my Spec E30 but when I look at places the car can get hit and where the load would go I always end up with a X. Mayby I over analyze stuff. With the A pillar excluded, if you get hit at the B pillar there is nothing to keep the bottom of the cage from comming in except the chassis. For roll over the single diagonal is fine.

From an overall chassis rigidity standpoint and a preservation of the chassis during a light crash standpoint, I think you were good to go with the X in the main hoop. That said, I wouldn't feel unsafe at all in a car with a single diagonal.

Scott - The car looks great! I'm starting to get jealous of the fun all the SE36 guys are going to have.

I can remember our car looking that new twice while we've owned it...racing always has a way of ruining a nice clean car. :)

Why did you not put an X in the main hoop? I considered a single diagonal in my Spec E30 but when I look at places the car can get hit and where the load would go I always end up with a X. Mayby I over analyze stuff. With the A pillar excluded, if you get hit at the B pillar there is nothing to keep the bottom of the cage from comming in except the chassis. For roll over the single diagonal is fine.

Am I over designing? Reducing weight would be great if I can.

Comments?

Michael

I can't recall ever seeing any cage with a full X....except my own and a few that that customers have done on my recommendation. In fact, I'd say my JS E30 M3 from years ago was arguably the first BMW CR car to have one. But then I was probably the first stock class car to not mount the rear tubes to the thin sheet metal wheel wells too. I've seen a lot of cages at this point too. Well, maybe there was one or 2 out there but I really can't think of them. Why do I like the full X? Well for one symmetry. We turn both left and right so I like the cage to not be a factor from one side to the other. Now there are likely to be chassis differences side to side which may negate the symmetry of the cage but part of that, as always in every case, depends partly on the chassis generation you're starting with. E46...maybe it does not matter so much, E30, certainly it does.

Not that a diagonal only is inferior, I happen to think it's perfectly fine as proven throughout the world in professional motorsports, I just like the fully supported main hoop. It is the "main" hoop, it's the primary portion of the cage to prevent intrusion in many different impact scenarios. Course WRC, among other series, typically use full X's in the main hoop. There is merit to it no doubt.

the car looks great. are you doing all the work yourself? i've built my car myself and the small things add up to a whole bunch of time!!

Yep, I and a buddy are doing it ourselves, but with great help from others, such as evosport. They did the cage, and as with anything else that has multiple methods of design, this is the way evosport chooses to do it. I've got no reason so far to question it. No matter what cage design you choose, someone is going to say "why didn't you....?", which is fine.

The build has been fun and enlightening. I've been racing a long time, but had never built a car myself, so that's the challenge I took on. The worst part was the motor. It was easy to build, with the assistance of a very good BMW engine builder, and I had every reason to expect it to turn out good....but still....waiting for it to get its first oil pressure on initial start up was a little nerve-wracking! :) I kept telling myself...remember, these motors are cheap and plentiful!

When's the first test day planned?

I'm going to try to test next Tuesday.

Oh, and I forgot to mention Dan at Diffsonline as part of the team that helped with this!

I'm going to try to test next Tuesday.

Oh, and I forgot to mention Dan at Diffsonline as part of the team that helped with this!

Amen! Dan is great!!!

No chance the car will be ready this weekend? I'm planning on a day at Buttonwillow this Saturday and I'd love to see the first SE36 in action on the West coast, as well as help out as needed.

"...team that helped with this!" In my case, I'm the team, w/ocassional help from a neighbor!! LOL... ALthough TC did the cage...

Nice to hear your build is going well...!! We're waiting to hear how the suspension feels on the road....

-CKKrause

Man, drove the car for the first time last night, to send it to the shop for alignment and a general overview.

Let's just say I need to make an appointment at the dentist for filling reinforcements before I race this thing. :eek:

Man, drove the car for the first time last night, to send it to the shop for alignment and a general overview.

Let's just say I need to make an appointment at the dentist for filling reinforcements before I race this thing. :eek:

HAHAHA, looks sweet though.

Dale

Man, drove the car for the first time last night, to send it to the shop for alignment and a general overview.

Let's just say I need to make an appointment at the dentist for filling reinforcements before I race this thing. :eek:

Leave 'em out..... less weight up high!

Jay

Man, drove the car for the first time last night, to send it to the shop for alignment and a general overview.

Let's just say I need to make an appointment at the dentist for filling reinforcements before I race this thing. :eek:

Let's see pics!!!!

Let's see pics!!!!
Of his teeth?? Whatever, dude. :nuts :conf :)

Of his teeth?? Whatever, dude. :nuts :conf :)

:lol :lol :lol

Of his teeth?? Whatever, dude. :nuts :conf :)

Alright... Say adios to that beer I was buying you next Friday. :stickoutt

Alright... Say adios to that beer I was buying you next Friday. :stickoutt
**.

It's OK, I was going to be at home Fri, drinking my own damn beer :stickoutt

I love white racecars. I really wanted to paint mine white. But it's got a great black exterior paint job, so I don't really want to repaint it yet. I'm thinking I may paint the interior silver though. Don't want to contrast it too much, but want the interior lighter than black. I'll try to get pics up soon.

About 70% of the labor is done and 98% of the parts are bought. All-in-all I have about $20k so far into the build. This is without complete engine rebuild yet. I just replaced the gaskets, plugs, seals, etc... on the current one. But will have separate one built while waiting for this one to blow.

Should hopefully be ready by mid April. Hopefully.

Thanks for bringing this back to the top. Your build sounds a lot like mine, but there's a fresh motor in mine now, with another waiting in the workshop for the start of another build.

My latest: The car moves around on it's own now, everything is pretty much complete except exhaust and chip, which will happen at evosport over the next couple weeks if Holder quits hogging all their time!

The car will be at CA Speedway this weekend with NASA GTS - it's a good opportunity for a shakedown run close to home.

AiM dash/data acq. in:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-5-07028.jpg

Exteriors:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-5-07025.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-5-07022.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-5-07018.jpg

I hope the majority of the SE36 cars look as clean and professional as that...Awesome job, I want one!

Dang. You make me feel embarrased about all the wiring I have left. I have a lot more cleaning to do on the interior. :(

Scott, good luck and may your season be as "clean" as your car is now.

If you go w/ a right side net, please share the pix. The install isn't rocket science but I'm challenged to find a decent hook up for the rear straps.

(BTW, the cage/driver door bars and the shift knob look vaguely familiar. :) )

Scott your build looks very clean and professional. Nice job. I hope it goes as good as it looks.

Looks really nice....congrats!!!

Scott-

I think QuickM3 had it right...Clean and Professional!!

-CKKrause

that is such a clean racecar. i almost would call it a sleeper but that doesnt apply here

very nice. what kind of graphics are you going to have?

i would be interested in seeing your fire system as I'm installing one now.

Wow! Will you be at Cal Speedway (NASA event right?) all weekend (16 - 18)? I'd like to come by to watch, now that I read you and jdholder will be out there. Which day would you recommend going to check it out?

Scott - great job!!!! Looking forward to seeing it in person at Cal. Also, if I play my cards right, looking forward to seeing it about 3 times a race!! ;)

Dang. You make me feel embarrased about all the wiring I have left. I have a lot more cleaning to do on the interior. :(

+1 I have alot of cleanup to do!

Wow! Will you be at Cal Speedway (NASA event right?) all weekend (16 - 18)? I'd like to come by to watch, now that I read you and jdholder will be out there. Which day would you recommend going to check it out?

The best day to come would be Saturday. New race cars have a nasty habit of not showing up for work on Sunday!

Jon, if you lap me 3 times, and I'm still running at the end, I will buy in for you once at the next poker game (offer does NOT include re-buys)!

Are you sure? Next Poker game is a $500 buy in!! ;)

Very nice car Scott. Looks a lot like one we are building here! We are not quite as far along as you, but we are hoping to be done in another week.

http://www.bavarianperformancegroup.com/images/fred/fred2.JPG

Someone requested fire system pics. It just went in last night. THanks, Sparco!

Driver nozzle 1
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07012.jpg
Driver nozzle 2
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07009.jpg
bottle and nozzle over fuel tank
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07007.jpg
control box
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07008.jpg
engine nozzle
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07004.jpg

[QUOTE=S.Lang;8967740]Someone requested fire system pics. It just went in last night. THanks, Sparco!

[/IMG]
Driver nozzle 2
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/SRL_photo/3-16-07009.jpg
QUOTE]

Clever, you kept the stock gauges and mounted this CF panel in front of them to meet the rules. Well done (I think). :D

Carlos.

Yes, I am easily distracted (:) ) so I wanted the gauges behind the AiM dash blocked off. I still wanted the oil/abs/CE/alt lights so just tapped into their respective wires and installed lights on the dash. The hole in the CF cluster panel looks kind of funny from the angle of the photo, but it's in the perfect spot to view the fuel gauge from the driver's seat, and backlights perfectly when the lights are on. We'll be using this car a lot for night enduros, so that was important.

why are your fire nozzles pointed right at your chest and face. if there is a fire would it not come from the foot well? I have been told many times before by those far more experienced than me to point the in-cabin nozzles away from the drivers upper body as it can easily hurt your exit time when something is spraying you or blinding you yet doing nothing for the flames coming from the firewall.
just an idea.

We've discussed that and may be changing it. While they're really not pointed at the driver's face, they certainly ARE pointed at the driver's body. I'm also a little concerned about the extinguishant causing egress issues....i.e. coating the area around the driver with a slippery substance that can slow his exit from the car. I think we will be making adjustments, basically turning the nozzles down toward the floor. The vast majority of cars I've seen are pointing the nozzles toward the driver, so any input is appreciated.

The very few cars where I looked for nozzles, they essentialy had one on the legs and feet (as fire can come from behind the dash due to an electrical problem) and over the driver's shoulder (as fire can come from the fuel cell area). Both locations also prevent suppressant from hitting the driver's hands and face and impacting dexterity, vision and breathing.

I'd call up a builder and/or maker of the systems and see what they say.

I don't know if it's correct or not, but we have one nozzle on the fuel rail, one in the rear on the fuel cell, and one at the driver's lower body.

Hmm, since we have 2 nozzles to work with under the steering, maybe one pointed up into the dash itself (although I'm not sure an electrical fire there would really justify setting off the entire in-car fire system, since those types of fires aren't "conflagrations") and one turned toward the firewall would be a better configuration. We've already got the one in the rear aimed to shoot across the whole "back seat" area, about 6" off the chassis.

I think with those changes and the engine nozzle, we'll have covered every potential fire source.

Scott I love the Sparco fire system super clean, is it a dip tube or a bladder type bottle? Who sells those in the U.S.?

On mine I have 2 nozzles on me (foot and crotch/leg area), 2 on the engine (fuel rail and header area). I also have an automatic 10lbs halon system for the fuel cell.

i really wanta do that to my car when i get a new one in about 6 years. its super clean very well done!

i really wanta do that to my car when i get a new one in about 6 years. its super clean very well done!

You can plan 6 years ahead? I can't decide what I'm going to do next week, let alone 6 years from now.

i really wanta do that to my car when i get a new one in about 6 years. its super clean very well done!

6 years from now, we may be talking about Spec E46 or even Spec E90. :D

I don't know if it's correct or not, but we have one nozzle on the fuel rail, one in the rear on the fuel cell, and one at the driver's lower body.

Hmmm - too bad it doesn't work when you're holding the fuel rail and cranking the engine!! :) :eyecrazy :help

Although I defy you to find anyone that would jump into a burning car to hit the fire system...

Agree, Mike. The Sparco electric system is nice in that it comes with a second actuator button to be installed on the exterior of the car. I'm just trying to figure out the best place to mount it, to minimize the "ooooohh looky there a button" types accidentally actuating the system....

Hmmm - too bad it doesn't work when you're holding the fuel rail and cranking the engine!! :) :eyecrazy :help

Wouldn't have done us much good anyway...most of the fuel was on the ground from where it had leaked out of the intake. :stickoutt

We have an electric system, but we only have one button mounted.

Although I defy you to find anyone that would jump into a burning car to hit the fire system...

I seem to remember Liz Halliday doing this at an ALMS race last year. I think it was Liz anyway. I just remember SPEED showing the co-driver of the car mouthing, "What are you DOING!", while the driver ran back over to a flaming car to hit the extinguisher. I guess the idea of burning a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of car to the ground can make you do silly things!

- Bret

Just wondering how much an entire project like this costs?

Man, you are all over the projects costs tonight :)

Again, same as I said in the other thread, depends who builds it, who you know (like what deals you can get), etc.

To build a SpecE36 to these standards with oe replacements where needed for all new parts, upgrading everything thats allowed, I would budget $30k to do it right, with a couple bucks left over for spares. Then tack on $XXXXX for a full season costs.

You can do a baseline (read as non competitive) Se36 for 15k that would be fun to drive, but doubtful it would win races.

Sticker tires will be important and a decent cost.

Agree, Mike. The Sparco electric system is nice in that it comes with a second actuator button to be installed on the exterior of the car. I'm just trying to figure out the best place to mount it, to minimize the "ooooohh looky there a button" types accidentally actuating the system....

Can you put one on one end of the dash near the window and the other at the opposite end?

Man, you are all over the projects costs tonight :)

Again, same as I said in the other thread, depends who builds it, who you know (like what deals you can get), etc.

To build a SpecE36 to these standards with oe replacements where needed for all new parts, upgrading everything thats allowed, I would budget $30k to do it right, with a couple bucks left over for spares. Then tack on $XXXXX for a full season costs.

You can do a baseline (read as non competitive) Se36 for 15k that would be fun to drive, but doubtful it would win races.

Sticker tires will be important and a decent cost.

I recently went to Willow Springs for the very first time in my life (never been on any track ever) and I am hooked. That's why I wonder how much it would run to build a totally fun race car.

Nice, welcome to the terribly addictive club :)

You can have fun in anything really, you will have more fun if you can drive fast, rather than being slow in a fast car.

You canhave fun for $10k or $100k, just depends on what fits your budget the best.

Where'd you get the CF dash piece?

Nice, welcome to the terribly addictive club :)

You can have fun in anything really, you will have more fun if you can drive fast, rather than being slow in a fast car.

You canhave fun for $10k or $100k, just depends on what fits your budget the best.

Yeah man tell me about it. Believe me I can drive fast. My instructor did NOT believe me when I told him that was my first time at the track. He even said I had big cojones!! :buttrock I am already thinking of what other mods to get to make me go faster around the turns (don't mean engine mods either) I'm thinking some coil overs, sways, front strut brace, and some 17" light wheels with some R compounds should calm my addiction for a while.

Believe me I can drive fast.
Lord help us all. Wait a minute, is this GR?

Man, you should start campaigning for some pro seats!

He even said I had big cojones!!
That's generally a euphemism for poor judgement.

-tammer

Man, you should start campaigning for some pro seats!

he and andrew ball should just form an F1 team together.

Yeah man tell me about it. Believe me I can drive fast. My instructor did NOT believe me when I told him that was my first time at the track. He even said I had big cojones!! :buttrock

Just curious, what were your fast times at Willow?

Scott,

Good luck tomorrow at Cal Speedway! Have a fun and safe shakedown run.

I can't bring myself to go out there without a completed racecar - I fear my head would explode if all my friends were lining up on a grid and I couldn't race. It would be like a bad nightmare, oh where have I parked my car!?!?!?!!?!

Jon, thanks, man, I'm all packed up and ready to go. First session at 9:20AM.

If all goes well I'll post the first vid of a SE36 in action! Barring chasing any big problems, we're all going to finally find out what exactly a Spec E36 is faster than, and slower than....or at least we'll have a better guess! I heard 65 cars started the race today (won, overall, again, by our buddy Mickey Miller in his DM E30 M3).

Greg S - we just cut the CF cluster panel from a sheet of bulk CF.

I heard 65 cars started the race today (won, overall, again, by our buddy Mickey Miller in his DM E30 M3).



Heard the same. Unfortunatley Lagoni was leading and 8 seconds ahead when he lost left rear tire. Clipped a corner and blew it out. I heard he was smiling ear to ear with his new motor though! I know how he felt though, since it's at least as strong as my S54 was.

Heard the same. Unfortunatley Lagoni was leading and 8 seconds ahead when he lost left rear tire. Clipped a corner and blew it out. I heard he was smiling ear to ear with his new motor though! I know how he felt though, since it's at least as strong as my S54 was.

Ohh, I was wondering what happened to it. I stopped by to watch the action for a bit, and that race was the only one I saw... That thing was flying until it stopped!

I fear my head would explode if all my friends were lining up on a grid and I couldn't race. It would be like a bad nightmare, oh where have I parked my car!?!?!?!!?!

I can relate :( Sux.

Jay

Lord help us all. Wait a minute, is this GR?
GR???
Man, you should start campaigning for some pro seats!
Where do I sign up?
That's generally a euphemism for poor judgement.

-tammer
Sure buddy, this is comming from a guy who does 1:28's in a old 250HP 72' P-Car.
he and andrew ball should just form an F1 team together.
I wish.
Just curious, what were your fast times at Willow?
I didn't get a timer, but my buddy on the side lines guesstimated 1:49 with his stop watch.

I didn't get a timer, but my buddy on the side lines guesstimated 1:49 with his stop watch.
So judging by MyLaps.com you're only 15 seconds away from an IP time :confused . Beginner fast and truly fast are a lot different.

So judging by MyLaps.com you're only 15 seconds away from an IP time :confused . Beginner fast and truly fast are a lot different.

What's IP? why would you be confused? My buddy in his e46 M3 was doing 1:45's and it was his second time out there. Why would beginner fast and truly fast be different, times are times no matter who does them or in what.

IP is I Prepared, its a BMWCCA Club Racing Class.

What he is implying is that what you consider "fast" is actually "not fast."

back on topic though...from what i hear so far, the SE36 is looking to be a quick setup with a fast driver :)

I didn't get a timer, but my buddy on the side lines guesstimated 1:49 with his stop watch.

Congrats...you've only gotta drop 13 more seconds to be competitive with I-Stock times (i.e. less modified M3's than yours). :lol

Why would beginner fast and truly fast be different, times are times no matter who does them or in what.

The difference is that most of the folks posting on this thread could get in your car and go 10-12 seconds faster than you. You seem a little high on yourself.

Lets get this thread back on topic! Just got back from Cal Speedway. Watched Scott run his car in a big field and talked to him about it. I am sure he will comment but here are my observations:

1) The E36 has better aero than an E30 M3 JS car - duh! Scott was able to catch the evosport JS Car on the long front straight and the banking
2) The JS Car is better under braking than the SPE36
3) Otherwise the SPE36 and the JS car look pretty similar.

Scott still hasn't tuned the motor, nor has he dumped the stock exhaust for a better one - so there is more to gain.

Just my short report! Looked like fun racing - my head was about to explode cause my car is not done yet, and I had to leave directly after the race, or fear that I would have stolen a racecar at gun point and raced in the next race - or done something rash and offered someone big money for theirs on the spot.

Just my little addiction - sorry for the transgression.

What he is implying is that what you consider "fast" is actually "not fast."

Bahahahaha. :rofl

Back on topic: Scott, your car looks great. Hope it drives as well as it looks... :buttrock

Awesome. Sounds like races with a big showing of SE36 should an awesome race to be in!

Scott, how was the Shift Knob? DId it fit your driving style?

I didn't get a timer, but my buddy on the side lines guesstimated 1:49 with his stop watch.

Willow Springs is a fast track, and its easy to "feel" like you're going fast.

Some words of advice...

Do not add anymore mods, stay on street tires, and attend more track days.

Be humble. Some of the fastest guys are the quiet ones, some of the slowest ones are the shameless self-promoters.

Keep practicing, you've got a ways to go.

Does CA Speedway have curbing on the infield? The last time I raced there was the first weekend they opened the infield (sometime in 2000 I think?), and since they didn't have any elevation changes or curbing, they used stacks of tires cabled together at each corner. You wouldn't believe how many of the racers nailed those damn stacks of tires because they were cutting the corners too close :)

Does CA Speedway have curbing on the infield? The last time I raced there was the first weekend they opened the infield (sometime in 2000 I think?), and since they didn't have any elevation changes or curbing, they used stacks of tires cabled together at each corner. You wouldn't believe how many of the racers nailed those damn stacks of tires because they were cutting the corners too close :)

Cal Speedway uses temporary gator strips. Not tied down to the ground in anyway. And YES they use stacks of tires in a couple of the corners.

Its one of the reasons I never compare Cal Speedway times to other people, because the track can be a second faster or slower depending who has hit the tires, or kicked out the gator strips before you. It can make the difference on turn 13 whether its a true corner, or a flat extension of the straight.

Scott I love the Sparco fire system super clean, is it a dip tube or a bladder type bottle? Who sells those in the U.S.?
From your friendly neighborhood board sponsor EVOSPORT of course!

Cal Speedway uses temporary gator strips. Not tied down to the ground in anyway. And YES they use stacks of tires in a couple of the corners.

Its one of the reasons I never compare Cal Speedway times to other people, because the track can be a second faster or slower depending who has hit the tires, or kicked out the gator strips before you. It can make the difference on turn 13 whether its a true corner, or a flat extension of the straight.
Was super impressed with the SE36. Faster then I thought it would be. Scott and Simon had a lot of fun battling today in the JS and SE36. Fun to watch! Like Jon said, Scott has a lot of time to find too. They did not turn one wrench today - just drove! Car did great!

It was a fun weekend, I split driving duties with Dale in our new DM e90 (managed to fit the 280 yoko slicks on the car too). Simon drove the JS and Lagoni had a blast in the CM. We all missed Holder, but at least Carl had a chance to be fastest with Jon not there!

BTW, ask me if I like those Gator strips! lol

Fun day!

Thanks
Brad

Well, I have to say, after all the bickering about the way the package was put together by the series, how it was tested, blah blah blah, the reality is that CCA has legislated a really fun little racecar. It's not going to win overalls, but it is really going to put the driver into the thick of the battle during a race, even if there aren't other Spec E36 cars there.

Our plan for today was to test, and to make adjustments. You know, in/out of the pits quite a bit to sort things out. I went out and ran two laps, with a plan to come in and just do a general lookover....check for leaks, etc. In those two laps, I could already tell the car felt really good. So I came in, and the crew looked over the car, giving a thumbs up. Tim stuck his head in the window, and asked how it felt. I said "really, suprisingly, good. What should we do?"...he just looked at me and said, "drive the ** out of it". So I did.

For qualifying, 2 seconds came off our best practice time, as I was more comfortable that the motor (which was the first I'd ever built) wasn't going to pop and stick me in the safer barrier on the big oval. So most of that time was found just being flat all the way through the oval.

For the race, it was pretty much just me and Simon in the evosport JS car. I had him easily on speed on the oval, but like Holder said, he was a little better on the tighter stuff and considerably better under braking. We swapped positions a few times, then he got in front. I was able to run up on him, but nearly every time a lapper or a faster car from behind split us, so I kept having to make up a deficit. Finally, after numerous close calls, I was able to get him into 3 on the next-to-last lap and hold him off to the end.

I think it would have been easy to run away if we'd done the exhaust, intake and custom tune, which will come in the next few weeks. I ran this race with the stock exhaust and chip, and ran 91 octane street gas. The cats are still in as well, and the car's a bit overweight with that stuff on it.

The Yokohamas are just ok. They get greasy about 2/3 into the race and you have to manage them quite a bit. I was encouraged to see that I only lost 0.3 seconds off my qualifying time during the race, and it was considerably hotter. So I'd say on speed, they're pretty consistent so far.

The suspension worked great. A little understeer that we pretty much dialed out with pressures. It would be nice to do a real test day that doesn't have a race going on. You know, in, out, in out, all day long. Takes away the temptation to throw it all away and just RACE (which is pretty much what happened today, I'll admit).

Overall, I was really impressed with this little car, and I do think there's quite a bit of time left to be had.

Simon and I had a good fight. I'll try to get some vid up tomorrow night.

I was going to take out the "in progress" from my profile above, but forget it, the reality is these things are always "in progress" :).

Awesome! Its all about seat time :)

Now all that needs to be done is getting 10-12 SE36's to each race.

Thanks for the posting Scott - great to hear. When is the first BMW CCA race that you'll be doing in it? Will you be doing Laguna Seca?

I'm planning on having the car finished for VIR on 4/14. Looking at the entry list for VIR, I'm the only Spec E36 car that has registered so far...

Jon is right about the removable Gators at Cali Speedway. When we did the redline time attack there a few months ago we had the same problem. I was the one doing most of the repairing during the event since I do race control for Redline. it wasn't very much fun.:( .. Glad to see the SE36 project worked out sooo well. I am really considering building one now. Overall it seems cheaper then if I finshed my e36 m3 and ran IP with it.

Overall it seems cheaper then if I finshed my e36 m3 and ran IP with it.[/quote]

My guess is that to run near the top in IP you'd spend, a) more on the motor than Scott did on the entire car, and more importanly, b) and nearly half that every year, or at least every other year "keeping up" with latest/greatest gizmos and bits. So say the three guys I know pretty well who, up until recently, ran in IP....

+1 on the "thanks to Scott" thread. It's been a long road getting this thing ready, so it's nice to live vicariously for a few more weeks...can't wait to see the vid! We just got 8" of snow last weekend, so they'll be a game-delay at least locally for the "woopin'" Mike Gilbert has in store for us!

Attaboy Scott! :buttrock

The satisfaction from a day like that after all the hard work is hard to beat. You should be very proud. Car is awesome.

Now........ let me explain to you about the shiny side :D

Jay

Steve J - about the shift knob.....I did not notice it, nor think about it once the entire time. Don't take that the wrong way, as it's really the ultimate compliment a racer can pay....because it means it works!

If you're racing with e30 M3 J-Stock cars, that sounds like a candidate for the E1 class in the NASA WERC Enduros. I'll send Jerry an e-mail.

Glad to hear the car did well. :alright

Yes Scott, thanks for your help!! :)

The suspension worked great. A little understeer that we pretty much dialed out with pressures. It would be nice to do a real test day that doesn't have a race going on. You know, in, out, in out, all day long. Takes away the temptation to throw it all away and just RACE (which is pretty much what happened today, I'll admit).
Wednesday at Willow - Come with us!

Jon is right about the removable Gators at Cali Speedway. When we did the redline time attack there a few months ago we had the same problem. I was the one doing most of the repairing during the event since I do race control for Redline. it wasn't very much fun.:( .. Glad to see the SE36 project worked out sooo well. I am really considering building one now. Overall it seems cheaper then if I finshed my e36 m3 and ran IP with it.
Yes, one of those gators + my over aggressive driving for the conditions = crashed e46. :(

Thanks
Brad

Steve J - about the shift knob.....I did not notice it, nor think about it once the entire time. Don't take that the wrong way, as it's really the ultimate compliment a racer can pay....because it means it works!

[Borat] "Very niiice" :D

IP is I Prepared, its a BMWCCA Club Racing Class.

What he is implying is that what you consider "fast" is actually "not fast."

back on topic though...from what i hear so far, the SE36 is looking to be a quick setup with a fast driver :)
I don't understand I was doing 120mph+ that's pretty fast comming out of turn 8.
Congrats...you've only gotta drop 13 more seconds to be competitive with I-Stock times (i.e. less modified M3's than yours). :lol
Dude you guys are super harsh. This was my very FIRST time out on any track. I had NO experience driving a road course. Why is that LOL?
The difference is that most of the folks posting on this thread could get in your car and go 10-12 seconds faster than you. You seem a little high on yourself. Yeah dude, guys with years of track experience. Give a beginner a break for crying out loud. I am deff not high on myself just very excited to finally join the racing community but even here as in other bimmerforums sections there are sarcastic people.

Bahahahaha. :rofl

Back on topic: Scott, your car looks great. Hope it drives as well as it looks... :buttrock
:nono What? Once again I'm a beginner man.

Willow Springs is a fast track, and its easy to "feel" like you're going fast.

Some words of advice...

Do not add anymore mods, stay on street tires, and attend more track days.

Be humble. Some of the fastest guys are the quiet ones, some of the slowest ones are the shameless self-promoters.

Keep practicing, you've got a ways to go.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah it is deff a very fast track. I am humble man, I didn't even want to post any estimated times for fear of people moking and look what happened. I posted a estimated time because you asked. One big thing to consider is that my car was sputtering a little on turn 2 and comming out of the last turn 9. They are big right hand sweepers and I think I was getting fuel starvation.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah it is deff a very fast track. I am humble man, I didn't even want to post any estimated times for fear of people moking and look what happened. I posted a estimated time because you asked. One big thing to consider is that my car was sputtering a little on turn 2 and comming out of the last turn 9. They are big right hand sweepers and I think I was getting fuel starvation.
Don't sweat it and congrats on catching the bug!

In a BMW, sputtering in 2 and 9 is 100% fuel starvation. What level was the tank at?

We are going again on Wednesday if you want lesson #2 we have great instructors. If not, good luck next time out and just keep your motivation - don't let people get you down!

BTW, my fast time coming out of 8 is about 160 in a Diablo GTR racer. :D And yes, I have about 100+ days at Willow.

Thanks
brad

This was your reply before, maybe reread it, and see how it sounds.

Believe me I can drive fast. My instructor did NOT believe me when I told him that was my first time at the track. He even said I had big cojones!! :buttrock I am already thinking of what other mods to get to make me go faster around the turns (don't mean engine mods either) I'm thinking some coil overs, sways, front strut brace, and some 17" light wheels with some R compounds should calm my addiction for a while.

dude...........this forum is made up of many types....... many of which are hardcore amateur (and pro) racers...some of which very well may be the best in the country in their given classes. You came on a wee bit strong..........altho Im sure you didnt realize it. Perhaps if you posted in a different section or ya know, were a bit softer about your prowess. They are a great bunch......and will end up helping you out tremendously.....but you will have to earn it... But beware, they are a harsh, sarcastic group.....and often quite funny and honest. Youll end up loving this forum.:alright

Don't sweat it and congrats on catching the bug!

In a BMW, sputtering in 2 and 9 is 100% fuel starvation. What level was the tank at?

We are going again on Wednesday if you want lesson #2 we have great instructors. If not, good luck next time out and just keep your motivation - don't let people get you down!

BTW, my fast time coming out of 8 is about 160 in a Diablo GTR racer. :D And yes, I have about 100+ days at Willow.

Thanks
brad

Thank you very much Brad. I am deff addicted now. Yeah I had less than half a tank of gas. I know the gas pick up pump is on the right side and the gas was sloshing to the left. Dude 160:eyecrazy that is insane my man, but hey in a race car pushing the limit is alot higher than a fully stock car. Once again thank you for your kind words, maybe we will run into each other some time and you can give me some pointers.

This was your reply before, maybe reread it, and see how it sounds.
I don't see anything wrong with my post but I see what you mean, but you can't show your enthusiasm over the net. I am soooo excited about my new found hobby that I sound over confident.
dude...........this forum is made up of many types....... many of which are hardcore amateur (and pro) racers...some of which very well may be the best in the country in their given classes. You came on a wee bit strong..........altho Im sure you didnt realize it. Perhaps if you posted in a different section or ya know, were a bit softer about your prowess. They are a great bunch......and will end up helping you out tremendously.....but you will have to earn it... But beware, they are a harsh, sarcastic group.....and often quite funny and honest. Youll end up loving this forum.:alright
I hear you man. Like I said I see what you guys are talking about. I deff didn't realize that in my post but geez dude, i'm super excited and I didn't want to post any times until I was asked to. It's just that people need to realize that not everyone on this board is a pro racer. Thanks for the warning.

It's just that people need to realize that not everyone on this board is a pro racer.

The key is that you realize that you aren't...you first posts didn't exactly make that clear. I like the enthusiasm, but the post that Steve linked above make you sound like a typical "I've been to one DE, now I'm the greatest driver in the world" type. In the future, avoiding phrases such as "Believe me, I can drive fast" after attending only one DE would be advisable. ;)

The key is that you realize that you aren't...you first posts didn't exactly make that clear. I like the enthusiasm, but the post that Steve linked above make you sound like a typical "I've been to one DE, now I'm the greatest driver in the world" type. In the future, avoiding phrases such as "Believe me, I can drive fast" after attending only one DE would be advisable. ;)

OH believe me man, I know there are hell of a lot faster guys out there than me. But for me to say I am fast is just my own opinion towards myself comparing to the other drivers on the track that day. I honestly do believe I am a decent driver that can drive fast and push the envelope. I didn't know I had to watch my use of words just because I was excited. Even after the fact that I have only attended one DE I am fast for a beginner, I was passing dudes that had been there twice and three times before me.:redspot I guess I'm just stoked that I found such a fun, adrenalin filled and addicting hobby.

and you forgot the most appropriate adjective - EXPENSIVE! lol

and you forgot the most appropriate adjective - EXPENSIVE! lol

lol yeah man I am slowly starting to realize that. Oh and by the way Gino sends his regards.

LOL - cool, say hello Gino! Great guy.

BTW, one word of advice - It is ALWAYS cheaper to do it right the first time then to do it cheap multiple times.

Thanks
brad

Anxiously awaiting the videos! :)

LOL - cool, say hello Gino! Great guy.

BTW, one word of advice - It is ALWAYS cheaper to do it right the first time then to do it cheap multiple times.

Thanks
brad

or the best of both worlds, cheap multiple times followed by doing it right. :mad

Anxiously awaiting the videos! :)

I'll work on it tonight. I'm always amazed at how absolutely useless I am the Monday after a race. Although my co-workers probably don't notice me being any different than any other day....

LOL - cool, say hello Gino! Great guy.

BTW, one word of advice - It is ALWAYS cheaper to do it right the first time then to do it cheap multiple times.

Thanks
brad

Thanks for the heads up bro, I will deff try and do everything the right way the first time. Hey Brad just wondering what is your best lap time at Willow Springs and with what car/hp?

Remember to keep me in mind for one of those shift knobs please..
Thanks !

Scotty L, TC Design is the manufacturer/distributor. Please contact Tony @ www.tcdesignfab.com for purchasing.

If you are interested in a smaller/street version, it should be reayd for production shortly, just finalizing the design based on some public feedback/suggestions.

Guys, I posted the video in a new thread.

Yeah man tell me about it. Believe me I can drive fast. My instructor did NOT believe me when I told him that was my first time at the track. He even said I had big cojones!! :buttrock I am already thinking of what other mods to get to make me go faster around the turns (don't mean engine mods either) I'm thinking some coil overs, sways, front strut brace, and some 17" light wheels with some R compounds should calm my addiction for a while.

i noticed your running 19 inch wheels. yea- ditch them for koseis or LTW5's and you will be amazed at how different the car is.

the wheels you have are junk- you will be satisfied for a while with just that simply upgrade.