[swamp2]

In a true apples to apples comparison a Dinan Stage 3 and a M3 will be extremely close in straight line performance. Why? Because they both have almost exactly the same power to weight ratio. The DCT will give the M3 a slight edge but with either tranny it will be a drivers race. In the twisties forget about it...

I can post up some simulations showing the results in gory detail but then we would probably also have the argument that physics is wrong and cars can not be simulated...

Also forget about engine torque as others have stated. Well don't forget about it entirely it can be fun but it does not buy you real results. Once you graduate to torque to the wheels instead of engine torque you will start to "get it". Then you can take one more step and realize that this is basically long hand for peak power.