AAN + GT3071 -- Anybody? (long)
03-24-2007, 08:47 PM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was dismayed at losing a 4000ft. long uphill 140+mph drag race to a E36 M3.
The "drag race" was along the entire length of the 4000+ft. front straight at Road America. I was running it to redline in 3rd, then 4th gear, braking at the 4 marker going into turn 1 on stock G60 brakes with Hawk HP+ pads. It was a decisive pass, it wasn't even close, I just got outmuscled. Braking & cornering speeds, not in the same league--it was embarassing. Yes, I am quite aware how much of a track beast a well setup E36 M3 is. 
An E36 M3 makes up for it's deficiencies in horsepower with relative light weight, sophisticated suspension, wide tires, and superb balance.
An urS4/S6 makes up for it's great heft and relatively primitive suspension with gobs of horsepower, torque, and quattro.
Of course once you add a few pounds of boost to the S52 engine, it's no contest vs. a Stage I AAN.
The blurry pic of this E36 is the guy who passed me, unfortunately it's the best pic I have. Never talked to the owner about what he had under the hood, but it's got a full cage, two Recaro race seats, and probably alot of other stuff.
<img src="http://www.anyboard.net/gov/mil/anyboard/uploads/E36_M3_Paddock_blur.jpg">
A genuine LTW.
<img src="http://www.anyboard.net/gov/mil/anyboard/uploads/E36_M3_LTW_Front_Straight.jpg">
An S2000 is a long shot. I've never driven one but I've sat in one, I don't think it'll be comfortable to drive as my leg hits the steering wheel.
Z3 M Roadster... Great engine, weak point is the floppy chassis. Not a fan of M Coupe looks.
2006+ Miata. Nice car, not fast but still fun to drive. Geared terribly short though, this is not an Autobahn burner by any stretch.
E36 M3. The obvious choice. It's not as sexy looking as a 968 although it's alot easier to live with maintenence wise. I already have one boring 3 box sedan, do I really need another?
An E36 M3 makes up for it's deficiencies in horsepower with relative light weight, sophisticated suspension, wide tires, and superb balance.
An urS4/S6 makes up for it's great heft and relatively primitive suspension with gobs of horsepower, torque, and quattro.
Of course once you add a few pounds of boost to the S52 engine, it's no contest vs. a Stage I AAN.
The blurry pic of this E36 is the guy who passed me, unfortunately it's the best pic I have. Never talked to the owner about what he had under the hood, but it's got a full cage, two Recaro race seats, and probably alot of other stuff.
<img src="http://www.anyboard.net/gov/mil/anyboard/uploads/E36_M3_Paddock_blur.jpg">
A genuine LTW.
<img src="http://www.anyboard.net/gov/mil/anyboard/uploads/E36_M3_LTW_Front_Straight.jpg">
An S2000 is a long shot. I've never driven one but I've sat in one, I don't think it'll be comfortable to drive as my leg hits the steering wheel.
Z3 M Roadster... Great engine, weak point is the floppy chassis. Not a fan of M Coupe looks.
2006+ Miata. Nice car, not fast but still fun to drive. Geared terribly short though, this is not an Autobahn burner by any stretch.
E36 M3. The obvious choice. It's not as sexy looking as a 968 although it's alot easier to live with maintenence wise. I already have one boring 3 box sedan, do I really need another?
03-25-2007, 05:46 AM
#17
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 3,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not get something else for the track....
Just don't get an M Roadster or S2000, as most clubs (including the Audi Club) nowadays are very stringent on running convertibles on the track.
An M Coupe, E36 M3, or Miata would make for an excellent trackslut. But, keep in mind, the Miata will still have issues with getting blown away on the straights.
Funny thing is I think due to the hp wars of recent years, the speed differentials on the track are worse than they've ever been... And, a lot of those cars aren't near as fast in the turns. This all makes for a lot of upset drivers.
A properly prepped Miata with a decent driver will DESTROY most cars in the turns!!!! Part of the fun!
I'd say, get a trackslut and keep the S6 for the daily car. Just my $0.02.
Oh, on another subject, can you post a picture of your brakes?? I'm interested in 996 monoblocks, but never heard of anyone running 996tt 2-piece rotors on these cars. Thx.
An M Coupe, E36 M3, or Miata would make for an excellent trackslut. But, keep in mind, the Miata will still have issues with getting blown away on the straights.
Funny thing is I think due to the hp wars of recent years, the speed differentials on the track are worse than they've ever been... And, a lot of those cars aren't near as fast in the turns. This all makes for a lot of upset drivers.
A properly prepped Miata with a decent driver will DESTROY most cars in the turns!!!! Part of the fun!
I'd say, get a trackslut and keep the S6 for the daily car. Just my $0.02.
Oh, on another subject, can you post a picture of your brakes?? I'm interested in 996 monoblocks, but never heard of anyone running 996tt 2-piece rotors on these cars. Thx.
03-25-2007, 05:47 AM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good topic
As I would like to go in that direction , turbo wise too. I would be happy with around 400 hp at the crank.
The important stuff first: suspension (Eibach springs) , BBK and maintenance for me this year.
Might be ready next year for the turbo. Hopefully someone will have visited EPL with a GT3071 by then . ;-)
The important stuff first: suspension (Eibach springs) , BBK and maintenance for me this year.
Might be ready next year for the turbo. Hopefully someone will have visited EPL with a GT3071 by then . ;-)
03-25-2007, 05:54 AM
#19
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 3,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definately cooler, but not cost savvy....
An E36 M3 is a great car out of the box. Also, most aftermarket parts (even from reputable sources) for these cars are absolute $hit!!! BMW aftermarket turners suck so bad it makes me want to puke. Ask me how I know.
Anyways, stick with BMW Motorsport parts (expensive, but you get what you pay for) or Dinan stuff. Yeah, I'm a snob, but there's a reason the factory stands behind Dinan engineered parts.
I wouldn't go near Ireland Engineering with a 10-foot pole and Turner has pissed me off one too many times.
Anyways, stick with BMW Motorsport parts (expensive, but you get what you pay for) or Dinan stuff. Yeah, I'm a snob, but there's a reason the factory stands behind Dinan engineered parts.
I wouldn't go near Ireland Engineering with a 10-foot pole and Turner has pissed me off one too many times.
03-25-2007, 08:20 AM
#20
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
News flash: Put all the horses you want in an S4, an E36 M3 will still kill it around a track.
The C4 S4 was never intended to be a race car - the M3 was. Hard to overcome weight and balance.
As an Audi instructor, I'd suggest that you'd get more out of driving your car -as is- to the limit, rather than feeling that because you're moving up a group, your car must be faster. I felt the same thing, and found myself surprised that by driving better in my GT, I was able to run with E36 M3s and S4s in both BMW and Audi advanced run groups. The same thing happened when I switched to instructing - I was concerned that my (now) 21 year old, one wheel drive 130ish horse GT would be horribly outclassed. Do Z06's romp by me? Sure do, but honestly, I can make a lot of other cars work pretty hard to keep up with me, and I've passed some seriously quick cars. Your driving should be what you're concerned about improving long before your car.
The best thing you could do is take the money you'd spend on the turbo, and buy a Miata, RX-7, E30 or E36 325i, or a 944 S2. Buy a decent set of tires, and learn much more about car control than the S4 will ever teach you.
By the way, on a dry track, you'd be hard pressed to prove that quattro was really any benefit short of 500 horsepower. Quattro, or specifically, Audi's drivetrain layout, makes the cars understeer horribly compared to their rivals.
Carter
As an Audi instructor, I'd suggest that you'd get more out of driving your car -as is- to the limit, rather than feeling that because you're moving up a group, your car must be faster. I felt the same thing, and found myself surprised that by driving better in my GT, I was able to run with E36 M3s and S4s in both BMW and Audi advanced run groups. The same thing happened when I switched to instructing - I was concerned that my (now) 21 year old, one wheel drive 130ish horse GT would be horribly outclassed. Do Z06's romp by me? Sure do, but honestly, I can make a lot of other cars work pretty hard to keep up with me, and I've passed some seriously quick cars. Your driving should be what you're concerned about improving long before your car.
The best thing you could do is take the money you'd spend on the turbo, and buy a Miata, RX-7, E30 or E36 325i, or a 944 S2. Buy a decent set of tires, and learn much more about car control than the S4 will ever teach you.
By the way, on a dry track, you'd be hard pressed to prove that quattro was really any benefit short of 500 horsepower. Quattro, or specifically, Audi's drivetrain layout, makes the cars understeer horribly compared to their rivals.
Carter