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I guess it's time to start this so I can stop spamming the Daily thread with it. The Camaro is slowly coming along but in the mean time this is what I'll be running this season. A very early 2002 M3, built in 8/2001 which was one month too early to get the factory strut tower bar (relevant). I've decided to run this in F Street against all Mustangs, Camarobirds, E9X M3s, and a few other cars.
E9X M3 - about 150 lbs heavier than an E46 if optioned correctly and can run 18x9 and 18x10 wheels with more camber instead of the E46s with 18x8 and 18x9.5 and -1.0 to -1.5 up front. 70 hp more as well. Downside is it is much bigger
1LE Camaro - more grip, more weight, more power, but wider
Mustang GT - good power, weight, and grip, newer cars have IRS
Last year a full weight E46 coned away a title winning run over a 1LE, so the speed is there. Locally I've been 1.2-1.5 seconds off the fastest cars in class while running worn out old no-name all seasons. The only time I drove on a good tire was an RX-8 I've never sat in before which I put 3rd of 163 cars, running the fastest time with John Heinricy in the car.
This year I will be going to a real tire, either the BFG Rival-S or Bridgestone RE-71R. I will be going up 20mm in width both front and rear which should be worth around 2 seconds by itself. In addition I've replaced my 100k mile suspension with new Koni Yellows primarily for their adjustability. That process revealed that I've been running with a completely blown left front strut which may have led to the slight mushrooming of that tower. That will be fixed along with a new strut bar which should help minimize camber loss while cornering.
I am also installing a Ground Control 32mm hollow front sway bar that is infinitely adjustable within it's range for both stiffness and preload. After seeing it in person the cost is 100% justified being a chromoly bar with rod-ended links adjustable for length. If I really want to toy around I can play with the preload to adjust the crossweight of the suspension using the bar, obviously with some side effects you wouldn't normally see just from corner weighting. The last part I'm waiting on is the new exhaust which should be shedding over 60lbs from the car while freeing up some power.
So this will be the new running diary for my progress.
First day with it
Stock tires and suspension
Last years wheels and stock tires
New strut bar
Reinforcement plates
Old vs new exhaust
E9X M3 - about 150 lbs heavier than an E46 if optioned correctly and can run 18x9 and 18x10 wheels with more camber instead of the E46s with 18x8 and 18x9.5 and -1.0 to -1.5 up front. 70 hp more as well. Downside is it is much bigger
1LE Camaro - more grip, more weight, more power, but wider
Mustang GT - good power, weight, and grip, newer cars have IRS
Last year a full weight E46 coned away a title winning run over a 1LE, so the speed is there. Locally I've been 1.2-1.5 seconds off the fastest cars in class while running worn out old no-name all seasons. The only time I drove on a good tire was an RX-8 I've never sat in before which I put 3rd of 163 cars, running the fastest time with John Heinricy in the car.
This year I will be going to a real tire, either the BFG Rival-S or Bridgestone RE-71R. I will be going up 20mm in width both front and rear which should be worth around 2 seconds by itself. In addition I've replaced my 100k mile suspension with new Koni Yellows primarily for their adjustability. That process revealed that I've been running with a completely blown left front strut which may have led to the slight mushrooming of that tower. That will be fixed along with a new strut bar which should help minimize camber loss while cornering.
I am also installing a Ground Control 32mm hollow front sway bar that is infinitely adjustable within it's range for both stiffness and preload. After seeing it in person the cost is 100% justified being a chromoly bar with rod-ended links adjustable for length. If I really want to toy around I can play with the preload to adjust the crossweight of the suspension using the bar, obviously with some side effects you wouldn't normally see just from corner weighting. The last part I'm waiting on is the new exhaust which should be shedding over 60lbs from the car while freeing up some power.
So this will be the new running diary for my progress.
First day with it
Stock tires and suspension
Last years wheels and stock tires
New strut bar
Reinforcement plates
Old vs new exhaust
Just when I thought I was versed in EU cars..
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