(2009) Autocross Classing Question

[Scany]

I would think your car is still classed as a 325e, but since modifications go beyond a CAI, and not limited to a manifold change, which seems allowed in Tuner, you seem to me to end up in Group 4 Modified. If by "top" you mean the entire head, I would for sure think you're in Modified.

[phenryiv1]

I would think your car is still classed as a 325e, but since modifications go beyond a CAI, and not limited to a manifold change, which seems allowed in Tuner, you seem to me to end up in Group 4 Modified. If by "top" you mean the entire head, I would for sure think you're in Modified.

The head is actually the same. In both cases, it is an 885 head. The super eta cars in 88 got the same head as the "I" cars, but got a more restrictive intake.

I want to swap in the less restrictive intake parts.

[Scany]

The head is actually the same. In both cases, it is an 885 head. The super eta cars in 88 got the same head as the "I" cars, but got a more restrictive intake.

I want to swap in the less restrictive intake parts.

I see. With a new throttle body you would end up in Modified however. I would maybe make a point of this because the rules seems to allow a M50 manifold onto an M52 and stay in Tuner, as well as a Weber carb, but a throttlebody swap in your case bumps you to Modified. Join the classing discussion Jonathan hosts and give your input for the 2010 season.

Plenty of room in M4 though I'm not running my 318is anymore, but it would have been fun to have a bigger M4 group.

[phenryiv1]

I see. With a new throttle body you would end up in Modified however. I would maybe make a point of this because the rules seems to allow a M50 manifold onto an M52 and stay in Tuner, as well as a Weber carb, but a throttlebody swap in your case bumps you to Modified. Join the classing discussion Jonathan hosts and give your input for the 2010 season.

Plenty of room in M4 though I'm not running my 318is anymore, but it would have been fun to have a bigger M4 group.

It is kind of a wash, M4 or T3, I'd think.

Iddly, the swap if the parts is still all stock BMW stuff that was offered as stock equipment on a Class 3 vehicle. I could swap the whole motor in and just be in C3 Stock (or C3 Tuner, at worst), but putting PART of a C3 motor in a C4 makes me C4 Modified.

I know the system isn't perfect, but all of the frankenstein cars and builds have to get classed somehow.

Maybe there could be a case-by-case for oddballs. Then again, maybe just an appel process for oddballs. The rules cover 95% of what shows up at the events...

[woodym3]

This head swap sounds like a "Modified" car to me. Remember the 325i has a 2.5-liter engine whereas the 325 e / eta / no letter has 2.7-liters. Back in the day, lots of guys were making this swap and the result was a very fast 3-series IF they also swapped for a higher numerically diff ratio. As I recall, the eta cars have a 2.93.

[phenryiv1]

This head swap sounds like a "Modified" car to me. Remember the 325i has a 2.5-liter engine whereas the 325 e / eta / no letter has 2.7-liters. Back in the day, lots of guys were making this swap and the result was a very fast 3-series IF they also swapped for a higher numerically diff ratio. As I recall, the eta cars have a 2.93.

I want the car to be as fun as possible, but I also don't want to get outclassed based on vehicle alone. My skills will put me at enough of a disadvantage as it is.

I can see where the M4 would probably be the most appropriate from a powerplant standpoint, but the lack of any other mod that would otherwise throw me in modified is going to kill me if I drive the car before it is "finished." (EDIT: Also, as noted above, it isn't really a head swap (as you mentioned) because both my car and the donor come stock with an 885 head. My 88 S-eta is uniquie in that "eta" cars in 88 got the same head as the "i" cars received- just for that one year. I AM, however, swapping in the "i" cam and valve springs. End Edit)

While the engine may be done in the next few months, there will be a lot of other things that remain incomplete for quite some time!

And you are correct: my eta has a 2.93- but it is the LSD version!