E92 M3 ZCP in SCCA Solo F Street

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by dnoble37

Would you do it again or is 275 a better fit?

I am going to test 285F/275R at the Peru Tour but have had very little seat time this year due to knee surgery. This is the same setup Cashmore had when he won -- obviously a faster driver than I. I dragged the rev limiter on both courses which really cost me but felt the time lost on the shift would have offset the gains. I also think you lose a little compliance esp. in the rear on hard accel with the shorter aspect. I would not do 285 square unless I was running on locally smaller lots since you lose about 3 mph. I will say 2nd at lower speed corners has much more grunt with the 285's.

[dnoble37]

Originally Posted by z3papa

I am going to test 285F/275R at the Peru Tour but have had very little seat time this year due to knee surgery. This is the same setup Cashmore had when he won -- obviously a faster driver than I. I dragged the rev limiter on both courses which really cost me but felt the time lost on the shift would have offset the gains. I also think you lose a little compliance esp. in the rear on hard accel with the shorter aspect. I would not do 285 square unless I was running on locally smaller lots since you lose about 3 mph. I will say 2nd at lower speed corners has much more grunt with the 285's.

If the rear is the concern why would you drop size in the front?

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by dnoble37

If the rear is the concern why would you drop size in the front?

Without getting to technical, the wider/shorter front should reduce understeer both by having a wider contact patch and by inducing forward rake so the car takes a more pronounced set. The taller rears, while giving up some cornering grip, will have more top speed in 2nd at rev limiter. That 2.5-3 mph can make quite a difference. Put it this way, I've got another pair of 275's sitting in my office which will go on the front if this doesn't work out.

[Richbot]

285 on the DCT = no penalty, assuming you don’t mind the car potentially deciding it doesn’t want to downshift

[dnoble37]

I just realized I misread your post. You said 285 f and 275 r. I read that backwards

Interesting approach

[SkysTheLimit]

Sorry guys, I've been crazy busy with things since the pro and haven't gotten time to process much or even post up here.

I had Daddio co drive my car last weekend at a local NNJR event. We used 2 year old RE71Rs on the front and he was able to get 1st in index. He seemed to love the car, said it is not an overdog but rather 1 of 3 cars that can get the job done.

He said the two main differences for him compared to the Mustang were that the M3 is fun to drive, and it rewards you when you drive well. He said he knew very well when a run was fast vs not whereas in the Mustang it was somewhat of a guess. Fast didn't feel good, compared to the M3.

As for me, I tend to underdrive local events, and definitely did not drive well like I did at the pro.
I have a video of Mark from last weekend that I will post up here when I get a moment.

Thanks to everyone who was rooting for me at the Pro (Clark!). I'm heading up this morning to the Finger Lakes champ tour.

As for the other question asked in the thread, Chris Dressler is running 285 square on his car. He's not sure how he likes it. I'll see him up at Finger Lakes this weekend.

[z3papa]

Good luck this weekend Austin. I'll be following on Sololive as we're having a garage sale. May do a local to knock some cobwebs off before the Peru Tour next weekend. Ido and I ran against each other early this year with me on some less than optimal RE71R's and he nipped me.

[SkysTheLimit]

I'm sure you guys already saw, but Toledo was cancelled

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by SkysTheLimit

I'm sure you guys already saw, but Toledo was cancelled

Yup. That's too bad as you could have gotten tier 2 points and had a chance to run with Jeff C.

[SkysTheLimit]

Good luck Clark and Jason!

[SkysTheLimit]

What are you guys using for brake pads?

[The Nebulizer]

Originally Posted by SkysTheLimit

What are you guys using for brake pads?

Probably stock but I've never looked at them.
I've never felt the need for different brakes on either M3 - but, my driving style is rather undramatic (except my common sideways finishes).

[SkysTheLimit]

Originally Posted by The Nebulizer

Probably stock but I've never looked at them.
I've never felt the need for different brakes on either M3 - but, my driving style is rather undramatic (except my common sideways finishes).

Yeah, I'd agree. Was more curious than anything.

Mine came with Hawk HPS (no bueno, do not recommend) but I haven't gotten enough of a kick to swap them out. TBH, they feel worse than OE. Congrats on the trophy spot btw!

Clark - did you try the 285F,275R? Any feedback?

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by SkysTheLimit

Yeah, I'd agree. Was more curious than anything.

Mine came with Hawk HPS (no bueno, do not recommend) but I haven't gotten enough of a kick to swap them out. TBH, they feel worse than OE. Congrats on the trophy spot btw!

Clark - did you try the 285F,275R? Any feedback?

I did try 285F/275R. I'm not sure if it was my terrible, rusty driving, my car having recurrent CEL issues causing it to go into limp mode or what. Result was poor. My feeling on the setup was it made the car more front biased than I liked, and as such, the tires are off the fronts (going to someone in here) and I now have 275's on F/R.

[Richbot]

Clark did ysaid y make any bar changes or just bolt them on

I would contemplate full stiff with that setup were I contemplating such a setup

[sgreer78]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Clark did ysaid y make any bar changes or just bolt them on

I would contemplate full stiff with that setup were I contemplating such a setup

I will be using that setup in a couple weeks and will start with my bar as-is, on full soft. I'll try to report back with my findings.

[Tommysalami]

Hey guys! What spec is Jeff Cashmores car? I'm starting to look into E92s to replace my STR prepped NC and I'm wondering what extra weight I can get away with to still run at a national level. I'm guessing a few extra pounds don't make as much of a difference with this vs a miata but still..

Also has anyone had issues with a dct overheating during a prosolo? The vast majority of cars seem to have dct, nav, and power seats and I'm wondering if that's a viable option

[sgreer78]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

Hey guys! What spec is Jeff Cashmores car? I'm starting to look into E92s to replace my STR prepped NC and I'm wondering what extra weight I can get away with to still run at a national level. I'm guessing a few extra pounds don't make as much of a difference with this vs a miata but still..

Also has anyone had issues with a dct overheating during a prosolo? The vast majority of cars seem to have dct, nav, and power seats and I'm wondering if that's a viable option

There is nothing special about his car. Basic ZCP 6 speed with what looks like all the common options. ie: Not a stripper.

I've not had any issues with the DCT at pros other than it being a DCT and not very straight forward as far as launching goes. Takes a bit of practice, and then a bit more.

[Richbot]

The only big weight adders on a ZCP E92 are Nav+Enhanced Sound (that's like 15-20lb distributed throughout the car, additional amp speakers and of course the hump and idrive stuff isn't free), moonroof (40+lb on the roof, just say no) and DCT (20kg heavier, but low and central and you get consequence-free shifting on course).

Manual seats are surpringly not significantly lighter than power seats, manual seats still have the adjustable bolsters, airbags, etc. and even speed cloth is partial leather. E92 has the folding rear seats standard so you can't lose any weight looking for one without those.

All the other options like extended leather etc. are measured in ounces. or single-digit pounds.

[Tommysalami]

Thanks guys. I know moonroof is the big one so I'll definitely be avoiding that. Sounds like I don't have to worry too much about the other options.

This one is pretty much what I'll be looking for:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1505109

Seems like a good deal but I've got to sell the Miata before I pick up an M3.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Clark did ysaid y make any bar changes or just bolt them on

I would contemplate full stiff with that setup were I contemplating such a setup

I ran with the bar in the medium setting. When I've run full stiff, the car understeers like a pig. When I've run full soft, it really improved turn in but may the back fairly loose and less predictable than I like.

[kyoo]

looks like i will be joining the FS fun for the latter half of this year. I found a 2011.5 ZCP stripper, still has power leather seats but that's about it. Picking up in about a week. I'm going to leave everything alone/stock except pads but it sounds like if I want to run in any kind of competitive capacity I need to pick up at least some Apex Arc8's in 18x9 +30 & 18x10 +25 F/R, and something like 275/35-18s all around, that sound about right? Otherwise anything wide enough for the 19s will end up rubbing due to height?

I was hoping not to burn a hole in my wallet but it seems that's what I'll be doing... coming from an HS mini & STU evo that is now going full track prep.