MadMaxSC400

I know this should probably be in the racing story section but I thought it'd be a good point of interest for SC owners. Today coming home from a class at UCB I happened to see a black M3.. probably a 1997. Being one of the cars I finally turned down when I decided to buy a car, I know the M3 is a nice car. This guy had exhaust, lowering, the stock spoiler and I dunno what else. I blew by him on the freeway going around a big group of cars, and he gave chase, but even up to about 130 couldn't close the gap. In a reversed role about 5 miles later we both took off, me behind him this time and again neither of us could change the distance. The last run we probably hit 135 or so but I was watching the road. He might have a stick shift, but damnit my car's more reliable than his!

Bean

iTrader: (1)

SWEET

yeah, the racing board is dominated by GS400 owners who are very elitist and talk out of their *** on many occasions... bunch of magazine racers

MadMaxSC400

I looked up the dyno charts for the last gen M3 (most of which had basic upgrades) and the place I take my car has dyno'ed them at an avg of 208hp 208tq at the wheels (several cars dynoed almost identically). My hp numbers are around 15 more, more or less depending on where in the powerband it is, but my torque numbers (especially in the low range) are 25-30 more. That pretty much accounts for the weight difference, though the SC has a more aerodynamically correct figure and this was at high speed. I'm really itching to get to Sears Point, I wish they didn't wait so long to start up the Wed. night drags.

lex400sc

MadMax, so how much hp do you get at the wheels according to your dynos? I remember someone giving a figure of like 125whp for a stock 1st-gen SC400, which was pretty disappointing. You have some mods that I'm considering doing myself is why I ask.

MadMaxSC400

125 if it's got 2 spark plugs unplugged A healthy SC400 should make 180 whp. With intake and exhaust my car made 186.9, and with the chip it made 224. Another important thing is the torque numbers, they get upped to 230 ft-lbs from about 200. Another important number is those across the power band, at 3500 RPM my motor is still making 30 ft-lbs more torque than stock, and the horsepower separation is a little over 20. That makes a big difference with low end power and as a result improves shifting, because the transmission is quicker about the shifts.

SupraCoup3

Hey max, would a torque converter upgrade be helpful along witha ECU upgrade, or is that just redundant?

MadMaxSC400

From what I've heard, yes, but I don't personally plan on replacing mine unless it breaks.

lex400sc

Okay that sounds about right. whewww:eek:

SCV8

Now that's just got to feel good!

JAC JZS

MadMax, I think it's very impressive that you gained 37 rwhp from just the chip. What do have about 280 (20% drivetrain loss) - 298 hp (25% drivetrain loss) at the flywheel? What are your 1/4 mile times? Nice setup.

MadMaxSC400

The engine's rated at 250 and puts 180 to the ground, so figure an extra 70 puts it at 294. It's a shame drivetrain loss is that high, a little tuning on the V8 with a nice 6 speed would really make a difference. Drags start April 3rd at sears point, so I'll find out then or the following week.

JAC JZS

Cool keep me posted. I just had a great race last night on the highway with a manual V-8 firebird. We were going back and forth doing speeds of 145+ consistently for long periods of time. When we got off at our exit we couldn't believe how much smoke was coming off our tires. He complimented me on my car and was surprised that it was an automatic. When I got home there was still alot of smoke coming from my tires and I drove slow the whole way home:eek: .

XTC

i remember back in the day long ago i was driving my mom's infiniti Q45 ( a 1990 with the huge engine) out around plantation FL near the Billiard Club. This little snot kid comes up to me and says "hey, want to race?". of course i said **** ya, and we went out to old sr84 that runs along side of 595 between pine island and (knobhill or hiatus, i never rememebr which). Well anyways, he pulls up in an M3, which looks to have some slight modifications. We take off, i have him off the line, but at about 80, he is passing me and then poof he is gone. I lost needless to say, but to qoute the fast and furious... "damn i almost had you"....


XTC

(the 1990 Infiniti Q45 was one hell of a mean machine)