BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-14-2020, 11:57 PM   #1
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Dragstrip pointers....

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
So no more excuses.... The local dragstrip has finally resumed mostly normal operations despite the zombie apocalypse. I've never run an official quarter mile in my life and don't want to dissapoint. My local track offers a variety of race fuels to include E30. For DD, I run a stage 2 (high flow cat) BM3 tune for 93 octane fuel. What do you reccomend for the track? Air pressure for my stock PS4s with 15mm spacers ? I have draggy too. Please place your requests for logging as well. I've never logged before but have seen others interested in them. Trying to maximize data for the forum. Help me out.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 06:03 AM   #2
Max Well
Colonel
Max Well's Avatar
4691
Rep
2,511
Posts

Drives: '22 BG X3MC, '20 BSM X3MC
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Southeast USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrItaly View Post
So no more excuses.... The local dragstrip has finally resumed mostly normal operations despite the zombie apocalypse. I've never run an official quarter mile in my life and don't want to dissapoint. ... Air pressure for my stock PS4s with 15mm spacers ? I have draggy too. ... Trying to maximize data for the forum. Help me out.
If your track is upper echelon (like Bandimere and GNV) with pristine surface, would lower psi to 32F/32R or suspect you'll have trouble grabbing at the line. My next chance out I'm def going that route, and may need to try 32F/30R in the future - will have to see how the 0-60' times look and go from there. Will leave the logging and fuel mixture questions to others.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 06:46 AM   #3
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
If your track is upper echelon (like Bandimere and GNV) with pristine surface, would lower psi to 32F/32R or suspect you'll have trouble grabbing at the line. My next chance out I'm def going that route, and may need to try 32F/30R in the future - will have to see how the 0-60' times look and go from there. Will leave the logging and fuel mixture questions to others.
Thanks for the tire tips, Max. Cecil County speedway is supposed to be pretty nice.

Last edited by MrItaly; 06-15-2020 at 08:28 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 07:44 AM   #4
AlexFL
Brigadier General
7833
Rep
4,607
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrItaly View Post
So no more excuses.... The local dragstrip has finally resumed mostly normal operations despite the zombie apocalypse. I've never run an official quarter mile in my life and don't want to dissapoint. My local track offers a variety of race fuels to include E30. For DD, I run a stage 2 (high flow cat) BM3 tune for 93 octane fuel. What do you reccomend for the track? Air pressure for my stock PS4s with 15mm spacers ? I have draggy too. Please place your requests for logging as well. I've never logged before but have seen others interested in them. Trying to maximize data for the forum. Help me out.
Based on what other bm3 people here posted, I think you may need E20 or more to get proper timing with your tune. But impossible to tell without logging. Definitely log and find the best fuel mix before going to the drag strip.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 10:15 AM   #5
GT500R
Major
798
Rep
1,219
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NE

iTrader: (0)

1. Are you on 21's or 20's? If you are on 21's, I would recommend lowering the PSI only after the first run just to understand if you need a smidge more grip.
2. Get behind the car that has the thickest drag radials and run in the same lane after them, this ensures you have the stickest portion of the track due to the extra heat and effectively removing any water, debris, etc. in the lane.
3. Line the tires up within the grooves of the lane, you want to make sure you are not outside of the grooves as you will loose grip more often then not.
4. Keep the car straight, every foot or two you go outside the lane and have to come in looses your ET
5. Keep the gas below your 1/2 mark (I keep it around 1/4 tank) to loose any weight.
6. Stage a bit deeper... aka you should be barely turning on the second yellow light when staging so you maximize the 1ft roll out.
7. Hold that LC for at least 3 seconds
8. Run it all the way til the track pavement changes, then you'll know you are past the finish line
9. Run E20 on the 93 tune, you will be getting some pretty good timing based on my logs, you could run E25 if you want but try not to go too high as you will get a lean code.

Have fun.
__________________
X3M Alpine White - SOLD
Fastest Tune Only Record - Mission Performance
10.84@127.43 / +1912 DA NH Dragway |
10.6@130 Dragy / +820 DA The Streets |
NOW: Tesla Model Y Performance
Appreciate 2
AlexFL7833.00
bulwhip117.00
      06-15-2020, 01:09 PM   #6
robopp
Major
robopp's Avatar
1640
Rep
1,338
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
My drag strip opens up next Wednesday. Can't wait! I've had success (in my RS3) slowly lowering the tire pressure on subsequent laps. It's interesting to see the times improve. Good luck!
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 02:27 PM   #7
forza1976
Major General
forza1976's Avatar
United_States
3391
Rep
6,585
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: 49417 and 60610

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3X  [10.00]
My advice:

1: Enjoy yourself, first time I hit up Bandimere was a test and tune night in 1994 with my 1966 Mustang. Man it was fun. Oh how things have changed!
2: Don't worry about the lights (unless you are actually racing someone), You could sit at the line for 2 minutes and until you break the start line beam, your time doesn't start. Also, if you Red Light keep going as your ET will still be valid and accurate.
3: Don't drive through the water box, if you aren't on slicks no need to get your tires wet if you aren't doing a smoky burnout
4: Hold LC for at least 3 seconds... (haha, see what I did there )
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 08:24 PM   #8
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by forza1976 View Post
My advice:

1: Enjoy yourself, first time I hit up Bandimere was a test and tune night in 1994 with my 1966 Mustang. Man it was fun. Oh how things have changed!
2: Don't worry about the lights (unless you are actually racing someone), You could sit at the line for 2 minutes and until you break the start line beam, your time doesn't start. Also, if you Red Light keep going as your ET will still be valid and accurate.
3: Don't drive through the water box, if you aren't on slicks no need to get your tires wet if you aren't doing a smoky burnout
4: Hold LC for at least 3 seconds... (haha, see what I did there )
Niiiiiiice... Yeah, tip number 3. That's it! But seriously, thanks. I never heard of a water box. I just found out I need a helmet with this car if I break 11s, which should be pretty easy to do with my mods and tune. Had the from windshield tinted today, and turns out the kid laying that tint has a car that won top car at my local strip, Cecil County speedway. Anyways, he was giving me some pointers too. Apparently it is quite a nice track. He runs an older Lexus, the one that has the supra underpinnings, and he swapped out the engine. The car wasn't much to look at but he says it runs the quarter in the 8s. I thought we were fast just breaking into the 10s. He also recommended running E85 which is locally available. He said he's tested it at the pump, and it's usually around 80 percent ethanol. Sounds like jet fuel from the royal farms gas station.
Appreciate 1
forza19763391.00
      06-15-2020, 08:35 PM   #9
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GT500R View Post
1. Are you on 21's or 20's? If you are on 21's, I would recommend lowering the PSI only after the first run just to understand if you need a smidge more grip.
2. Get behind the car that has the thickest drag radials and run in the same lane after them, this ensures you have the stickest portion of the track due to the extra heat and effectively removing any water, debris, etc. in the lane.
3. Line the tires up within the grooves of the lane, you want to make sure you are not outside of the grooves as you will loose grip more often then not.
4. Keep the car straight, every foot or two you go outside the lane and have to come in looses your ET
5. Keep the gas below your 1/2 mark (I keep it around 1/4 tank) to loose any weight.
6. Stage a bit deeper... aka you should be barely turning on the second yellow light when staging so you maximize the 1ft roll out.
7. Hold that LC for at least 3 seconds
8. Run it all the way til the track pavement changes, then you'll know you are past the finish line
9. Run E20 on the 93 tune, you will be getting some pretty good timing based on my logs, you could run E25 if you want but try not to go too high as you will get a lean code.

Have fun.
Factory 21s FTW! Thanks for all the great tips. What if I run E85. I know I should log first but might not have time before the track.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2020, 08:55 PM   #10
GT500R
Major
798
Rep
1,219
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrItaly View Post
Factory 21s FTW! Thanks for all the great tips. What if I run E85. I know I should log first but might not have time before the track.
Can’t run full E85 on 93 tune, you will throw a lean code And car won’t run right. If you don’t want to measure E content for exact measurements, put 3 gallons of E85 and rest 93 and that will get you a good mix.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 09:07 AM   #11
suby01
Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire
suby01's Avatar
United_States
2254
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: CT, USA

iTrader: (0)

OP also since youre in MD I assume it will be a hot day but all of the drag strips I was in do not let you race in shorts. So might be beneficial to plan accordingly or check on the actual attire requirements, I forgot this several times and our track is 1hr away from home and its a bummer you cant race.

Also make sure you turn off all of your accessories to minimize the load on the motor should hopefully give you a ~.0001 faster time.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 09:27 AM   #12
robopp
Major
robopp's Avatar
1640
Rep
1,338
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by suby01 View Post
OP also since youre in MD I assume it will be a hot day but all of the drag strips I was in do not let you race in shorts. So might be beneficial to plan accordingly or check on the actual attire requirements, I forgot this several times and our track is 1hr away from home and its a bummer you cant race.

Also make sure you turn off all of your accessories to minimize the load on the motor should hopefully give you a ~.0001 faster time.
Good point. No shorts around here and you must wear a helmet for anything quicker than 13. Fire jacket for anything quicker than 11.5. Not sure if it's the same where you are, but you should check in advance so you don't get booted after one run.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 10:17 AM   #13
suby01
Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire
suby01's Avatar
United_States
2254
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: CT, USA

iTrader: (0)

Question for all the members that said to use LC. Have you had better ET #s from LC rather than using brake boost to launch?
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 10:41 AM   #14
AlexFL
Brigadier General
7833
Rep
4,607
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by suby01 View Post
Question for all the members that said to use LC. Have you had better ET #s from LC rather than using brake boost to launch?
In my experience, you lose around 0.5 sec over 1/4 mile if you brake boost instead of properly engaging the LC.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 08:25 PM   #15
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by suby01 View Post
OP also since youre in MD I assume it will be a hot day but all of the drag strips I was in do not let you race in shorts. So might be beneficial to plan accordingly or check on the actual attire requirements, I forgot this several times and our track is 1hr away from home and its a bummer you cant race.

Also make sure you turn off all of your accessories to minimize the load on the motor should hopefully give you a ~.0001 faster time.
Thanks. I had no clue they required long pants. It's still relatively cool here for summer. I'm hoping for some good times. I need a hookup on a fair helmet dealer. I unboxed my old motorcycle from my ducati days that hasn't been on my head in 20 years. Dry rot was not kind to me. I need an upgrade. Any hookups?
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 08:27 PM   #16
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GT500R View Post
Can’t run full E85 on 93 tune, you will throw a lean code And car won’t run right. If you don’t want to measure E content for exact measurements, put 3 gallons of E85 and rest 93 and that will get you a good mix.
I have the tune pack but haven't fired up the laptop to review all the different fuel options. BM3 doesn't have an E85 tune?
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 08:29 PM   #17
MrItaly
Major
MrItaly's Avatar
1305
Rep
1,221
Posts

Drives: X5M Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vicenza, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GT500R View Post
Can’t run full E85 on 93 tune, you will throw a lean code And car won’t run right. If you don’t want to measure E content for exact measurements, put 3 gallons of E85 and rest 93 and that will get you a good mix.
Rest meaning from empty to a quarter tank?
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2020, 09:43 PM   #18
GT500R
Major
798
Rep
1,219
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrItaly View Post
Rest meaning from empty to a quarter tank?
The ratio is approx 1 gallon of E85 to 4.5 gallons of 93 and that will get you a third of a tank.
Appreciate 1
AlexFL7833.00
      06-16-2020, 09:46 PM   #19
GT500R
Major
798
Rep
1,219
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrItaly View Post
I have the tune pack but haven't fired up the laptop to review all the different fuel options. BM3 doesn't have an E85 tune?
No, E30 is the highest E content tune u less you go custom.
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2020, 03:15 PM   #20
robopp
Major
robopp's Avatar
1640
Rep
1,338
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Heading to New England Dragway tonight. Excited to see what she can do even with horrible DAs.
Appreciate 1
Max Well4690.50
      06-24-2020, 03:22 PM   #21
Max Well
Colonel
Max Well's Avatar
4691
Rep
2,511
Posts

Drives: '22 BG X3MC, '20 BSM X3MC
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Southeast USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robopp View Post
Heading to New England Dragway tonight. Excited to see what she can do even with horrible DAs.
Slips please - lots of slips and pics!

That's GT500R's hunting grounds as well - track altitude 90'. Haven't seen any formal slips from him since his G01 days, but suspect he'll be making it out there sometime soon, too.

Last edited by Max Well; 06-24-2020 at 03:27 PM.. Reason: Added comment about GT500R
Appreciate 1
robopp1640.00
      06-24-2020, 03:36 PM   #22
GT500R
Major
798
Rep
1,219
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
Slips please - lots of slips and pics!

That's GT500R's hunting grounds as well - track altitude 90'. Haven't seen any formal slips from him since his G01 days, but suspect he'll be making it out there sometime soon, too.
HAHA hunting grounds indeed!

I will be back, won't be able to tonight but probably later this year.

Plenty of kills on my youtube -
__________________
X3M Alpine White - SOLD
Fastest Tune Only Record - Mission Performance
10.84@127.43 / +1912 DA NH Dragway |
10.6@130 Dragy / +820 DA The Streets |
NOW: Tesla Model Y Performance
Appreciate 1
Max Well4690.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:07 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST