E92 M3 ZCP in SCCA Solo F Street

[JustAWhisper]

Hey all, I finally caved and I'm shopping for an e92 to replace the e46.

I think I've found a theoretically optimal car with literally no options except DCT and ZCP (I'm aware of the challenges associated with DCT and ProSolos). One potential issue though is it has carbon fiber dive plates, side mirror covers, and spoiler installed. I'm trying to find some documentation that proves that those are legal for F-Street. I'm sure this has been covered but I can't seem to find it.

I've seen forum posts indicating that BMW sold all of those parts as port-installed options under the BMW Performance label, but I'm trying to find something that definitively proves that. If that's true, then I think the parts are legal. and I know LRP versions all came with that stuff automatically.

Just trying to make sure before I potentially fly across the country.

[CSBM5]

Without question those type of parts are order-able and window-stickered on the F80/F82, but I don't recall that being the case with the E9x unless it came in the 2012, 2013 model years. Someone here has to know...

[Tommysalami]

Ido's Nationals-winning car had those carbon fiber parts on there. Nobody is gonna protest you over it, regardless of whether its technically legal or not

[PedalFaster]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

Nobody is gonna protest you over it, regardless of whether its technically legal or not

I wouldn't protest, but I feel obliged to point out that someone could and might. I don't want to use the W-word, but there have been protests successfully filed against some pretty innocuous-looking stuff in the past.

Having said that, I have no idea if the carbon parts are actually legal, which would render my point above moot.

[Kelse92]

No clue if they’re legal... been kind of wondering this myself. Technically they were a factory installed item on the Lime Rock Edition cars. So hard to say. Granted, I wouldn’t let it stop me from looking at a car for sale. They’re pretty easy parts to remove if they haven’t been stuck on with too much 3M tape.
The only talk of stuff like this is in the ST* section of the rulebook (14.2.F)

F. Addition of spoilers, splitters, rear wings, bumper covers, valances, side skirts, and non-functional scoops/vents is allowed provided that either:
1. It is a production part which is standard or optional equipment of a US model of the vehicle. (“Model” is defined in Section 12.)
2. It is listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s US accessory catalog for that vehicle for normal highway use. This does not allow for parts sold through a manufacturer’s performance catalog (e.g., Ford Racing, HPD, Mazdaspeed, Mopar Performance, Mugen, NISMO, SPT, TRD, etc).
Parts must be installed as directed by the manufacturer. Exact replicas, including weight, from alternate sources are also permitted.

[PedalFaster]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

Technically they were a factory option on the Lime Rock Edition cars.

That unfortunately only means they're legal if you have a Lime Rock Edition car, or perform a full package conversion to LRE.

Again, you're probably safe one way or another, but once every couple of years, some small item like this gets protested.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by PedalFaster

That unfortunately only means they're legal if you have a Lime Rock Edition car, or perform a full package conversion to LRE.

I don’t know much about the LRE cars other than they’re just 2013 Comp package cars painted in orange with a titanium muffler, alcantara steering wheel, and the CF pieces. I think that’s where it gets really grey.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Does launch control attempt to mimic a really good driver? By that I mean does it use enough engagement to accomplish that first good weight transfer to the rear before it really adds full engagement and throttle? Does it manage throttle to prevent excessive wheelspin? I'm so used to driving a manual and launching with that feel for weight transfer vs clutch engagement vs throttle vs just enough but not too much tire spin, that I'm just wondering how well it works compared to a really good 6MT driver.

Sorry for the further aside, but why does it creep forward? (i.e. I guess they all do that) Can you hold it with the handbrake?

In theory, LC should be able to get the car moving better than an experienced driver because it can react much more quickly and slow down an individual wheel if it detects a grip difference on the rear axle. The reality of it seems to be that the programming is only so-so and YMMV.

As others have pointed out, in some instances it just results in a huge burnout. I always treated it as a party trick in the M3.

Try and it and decide for yourself.

[Type_Yarr]

Originally Posted by JustAWhisper

Hey all, I finally caved and I'm shopping for an e92 to replace the e46.

I think I've found a theoretically optimal car with literally no options except DCT and ZCP (I'm aware of the challenges associated with DCT and ProSolos). One potential issue though is it has carbon fiber dive plates, side mirror covers, and spoiler installed. I'm trying to find some documentation that proves that those are legal for F-Street. I'm sure this has been covered but I can't seem to find it.

I've seen forum posts indicating that BMW sold all of those parts as port-installed options under the BMW Performance label, but I'm trying to find something that definitively proves that. If that's true, then I think the parts are legal. and I know LRP versions all came with that stuff automatically.

Just trying to make sure before I potentially fly across the country.

A few years ago I spent some time gathering some documentation that the Carbon Fiber Performance accessories were available for port-installation, and therefore legal in Street for all MY '11-13 M3s.

Exhibit A: BMW release of the accessories, dated June 2010.
http://www.bmwusanews.com/newsreleas...=&searchresult

Exhibit B: An email from BMW USA confirming that the following P/Ns were available for Port Installation for MY 2011 to 2013. The email also confirms that, if the accessories were port-installed, that they would be listed on the window sticker. I'm not going to post the email, but you can contact BMW USA easily through their website/BMW Genius yourself.

51112160271, 51112160272 (Front Splitters)
511162157813, 51162157880 (Mirror Caps)
51622159805 (Rear Spoiler)

Exhibit C: Window Sticker from a 2013 listing some of the CF accessories. There's a few threads on this forum where people were debating whether to port-install these accessories. Unfortunately, when I followed up with those who posted, no one with a 2011 had a copy of their window sticker.

View post on imgur.com

I'm not aware of it ever being tested through a protest, but at the very least, I feel confident that there is more evidence to say they are legal than not.

[JustAWhisper]

Originally Posted by Type_Yarr

A few years ago I spent some time gathering some documentation that the Carbon Fiber Performance accessories were available for port-installation, and therefore legal in Street for all MY '11-13 M3s.

Exhibit A: BMW release of the accessories, dated June 2010.
http://www.bmwusanews.com/newsreleas...=&searchresult

Exhibit B: An email from BMW USA confirming that the following P/Ns were available for Port Installation for MY 2011 to 2013. The email also confirms that, if the accessories were port-installed, that they would be listed on the window sticker. I'm not going to post the email, but you can contact BMW USA easily through their website/BMW Genius yourself.

51112160271, 51112160272 (Front Splitters)
511162157813, 51162157880 (Mirror Caps)
51622159805 (Rear Spoiler)

Exhibit C: Window Sticker from a 2013 listing some of the CF accessories. There's a few threads on this forum where people were debating whether to port-install these accessories. Unfortunately, when I followed up with those who posted, no one with a 2011 had a copy of their window sticker.

View post on imgur.com

I'm not aware of it ever being tested through a protest, but at the very least, I feel confident that there is more evidence to say they are legal than not.

That's awesome. Great info! I am quite doubtful of it ever being an issue, but it's good to prepared. Of course, I also would have to do well enough at an event for someone to even notice

[Richbot]

I still think the 265/295 Yoke setup could be made to work with some toe changes. If it truly puts down power better than any other tire (even as some have reported, in suboptimal sizes on other cars) it would make sense that it might turn the car's balance to crap without some drastic setup changes

Somebody dewit

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by Richbot

I still think the 265/295 Yoke setup could be made to work with some toe changes. If it truly puts down power better than any other tire (even as some have reported, in suboptimal sizes on other cars) it would make sense that it might turn the car's balance to crap without some drastic setup changes

Somebody dewit

My car is not in FS but I'm planning on testing a taller rear tire. That 275/40 could be a good compromise if the 295 is truly too much rear grip. It might be too tall though its roughly the same height as a 275/35/19 PS4S which is a popular rear setup for street people. So we'll see.
If it were me in FS though right now running the 265/295 I'd be throwing some massive spacers in the front and seeing if that improves the front end at all.

[Kelse92]

Anybody in here have SoloStorm with RaceCapture Track MK2?
Got one as a gift for Christmas and wondering if there's anything I need to know about it setup wise for pulling data. Anybody know what I can get out of the OBDII or if it might be better off wired into the CANBUS? I'm planning on testing the setup at the first event of the season in a couple weeks.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

My car is not in FS but I'm planning on testing a taller rear tire. That 275/40 could be a good compromise if the 295 is truly too much rear grip. It might be too tall though its roughly the same height as a 275/35/19 PS4S which is a popular rear setup for street people. So we'll see.
If it were me in FS though right now running the 265/295 I'd be throwing some massive spacers in the front and seeing if that improves the front end at all.

You can only space out 25 offset since the fronts are 32 offset. Not really massive but I get your point.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by z3papa

You can only space out 25 offset since the fronts are 32 offset. Not really massive but I get your point.

Haha I should have rephrased “the biggest spacers I could fit.”

[Tommysalami]

Well, my letter got the rules amended to be more clear about allowing the power steering fluid catch tank arrangement. It's in the Feb fastrack. All our problems are solved fellas!

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

Well, my letter got the rules amended to be more clear about allowing the power steering fluid catch tank arrangement. It's in the Feb fastrack. All our problems are solved fellas!

Glad to hear. While I don't have my car, I thought it was a no brainer resolution to an issue.

[Type_Yarr]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

Well, my letter got the rules amended to be more clear about allowing the power steering fluid catch tank arrangement. It's in the Feb fastrack. All our problems are solved fellas!

Awesome, thanks for doing that! So what's the most preferred option? Bimmerworld aluminum tank or the OEM F series retrofit?

[Tommysalami]

Originally Posted by Type_Yarr

Awesome, thanks for doing that! So what's the most preferred option? Bimmerworld aluminum tank or the OEM F series retrofit?

The method from this thread with the small catch tank and hose. Replacing the reservoir as I see it would still be illegal

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=830878&page=2

[sgreer78]

I bought that little reservoir and never used it before selling my M3. If anyone is interested I'll sell it. It was hard for me to find and had to be special ordered from some BMW motorcycle dealer. Not very expensive though.

SOLD

[808M]

Super useful info in this thread. I’ve done about 5 events on the yokos and like them. Running 265 / 275 on stock suspension and 8.5 / 9.5 width rims. Not an ideal setup but have been able to finish top 5 PAX across the whole field (~90 cars) consistently.

I actually like the balance of the yokos on my setup and they do put the power down very well! They also work well in the wet!

What kind of hot tire pressures have folks found success with? I’ve tried between 34-38 front and 32-36 rear. On the low end the sidewall is really rolling over so I stopped there, but I’m curious if folks are going lower. On the high end the grip drops off.

-Ken

[808M]

Just found the GRM test. Looks like it was just posted. 😀
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...ake-favorites/

They went as low as 24-27 but this was on a Miata ND running 255s on a 9” rim.

Anyone run below 30 on our heavy, stock-suspended car? I’m worried about shredding the shoulders like I’ve seen some people experience.

In my last post I forgot to mention I have a ZCP coupe with the camber pins pulled, but stock front sway.

-Ken