[ace996]

Originally Posted by Lutfy

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Tom,

You are certainly on the right track, if you can hunt down the likes of (BTW they are all up in the North East) Tony Funicello (chief instructor for Trackmasters), Blake Smith (Chief instructor for NJ Chapter BMWCCA), David Foote (COMSCC) his son Kevin works for Turnermotorsports, there are a few other folks out there (Jack Lambert, Bruce Allen and John Levy) and have them drive your car while you are in as passenger, they will blow your mind away. Then have them out with you while you are driving and have them coach you (also compare data which you have access to- a bonus). That is how I learnt. I know the above mentioned folks personally (they are EXTREMELY friendly and quite helpful) and they helped me out BIG TIME especially David/Dave Foote.

I started off running high 1:07s, 1:08s in a stock E36 M3 (my name is Ahmad Lutfeali)

Lime Rock Park - November, 2000

Kept running those times again and again without much gains.

With help from John Levy (sat with him for ONE session and saw how he drove), the same weekend with plenty of feedback, I finally broke into the 1:04s without doing additional mods.

http://www.vilece.tv/vr/cartct/june2002/results.html (same year I become an instructor after attending Trackmaster's/NJ BMWCCA Instructor Training School).

Vilece is very fast at LRP and check out some of his videos as well: http://www.vilece.tv/vr/generatelist.asp?SearchBox=30000019

For benchmark on STi times, check out COMSCC. The guys there are brutally fast and competitive.

After reading the rules, in cold November, an STi with a turbo back (cats in place), ECU flash, coilovers, camber plates, swaybars, R Comps, track pads (stock brakes) factory weight and approx 300~whp (?) is good for 1:01s (http://www.comscc.org/results/lrp_1106.htm) ( I want to find out who Ryan Catucci and Joseph Lu are myself and speak to them about their setup, videos if possible etc.). The same Mr. Lu seems to be running 2:13s at the Glen (HOLY mother of GOD). http://www.comscc.org/results/wgi_0407.htm
Looks like a stock STi running stock width wheels, "as delivered from the factory" tires (I am assuming those would be the RE070s), stock camber etc. (with cat back, shocks and brake pads being the only mod) in Super Stock Unlimited is good for 1:02s (driven by Patrick McParland see times listed above) at LRP.

Best of luck and again with your planned approach and meeting the right mentor/teacher you should be able to modify the nut behind the wheel by leaps in bounds Keep posting those data, its been quite helpful.

Regards,

Lutfy

PS: Next year I too plan on having a pro-driver coach me for my club racing program.

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, I really do appreciate them.
Looking at the results from the above links, funny that I know several of the drivers, I wouldn't fare too bad. Obviously, there's much to learn and I will certainly keep an eye out for those you've recommended.
Be good,
TomK

[ace996]

Originally Posted by slim9300

Tom, I have to say that you dealt with that situation very well. You must be a good guy.

I'm trying, Ringo, I'm trying real hard....
-Jules from Pulp Fiction

Thanks,
TomK

[ace996]

Originally Posted by GTWORX.com

I would love to see the match between M3Fanatic and ace996 on PPV. UFC85 at Madison Square Gardens. LOL!!!!

PPV at the Garden??? I'd give my left nut to fight on PPV at the Garden... $hit, I've given just about every joint in my body fighting for free.

But it has been great to see friends, who chose to make a living of it, go on to the UFC. Matt Sera, who was a mat partner 10 years ago at Renzo Gracie's school in NYC, will be defending his title in December against Matt Hughes. I'd love to see him win again...he certainly deserves it. That life is a real gamble, and 8 years ago (at 29) I chose to keep the suit and tie on. My joints still hurt every day, but I can't completely leave it and two Aleve go a long way.

And my son, who's known how to arm-bar since he's 2yrs old, is really developing. We'll see...

Be good,
TomK

[CenCali07STI]

Hey tom could you or someone explain what those two smaller graphs are. I beleive you said they are from a pbox. whats that?

[Dirty Bird 15]

Originally Posted by GTWORX.com

I would love to see the match between M3Fanatic and ace996 on PPV. UFC85 at Madison Square Gardens. LOL!!!!

Im There.

haha.

Enjoyed the videos Tom.

[M3 Fanatic]

Hey dudes! noone fights in my weight class! 145# is the tip for me. Sorry it wouldn't be a sanctioned bout.

Maybe a demo and a video clip would be fun Tom! we did one once that was at speed then slowed down like the matrix at certain points to show the techniques in slow motion. really was entertaining. clinch here, arm vbar there, reverse to side guard........

thanks for the props Lutfy. learned from Frank DelVechio, been racing since 1969 and had 9 appearances in the rolex 24. he taught me quite a bit.

I am HUGELY looking forward to getting an STI. in stock trim I am sure its pretty friggin quick in the right hands.

And lets face it slim, being nice helps me avoid Tom's trunk! LOL

Eric

[ace996]

Originally Posted by M3 Fanatic

I am HUGELY looking forward to getting an STI. in stock trim I am sure its pretty friggin quick in the right hands.
Eric

Eric,
If someone told me, even 5 years ago, that a Japanese four door/AWD/struts/225tired car would be able to do the things I've seen the STI do...I would have laughed and asked what they were smoking...

Coming from an MRSpyder (best handling car I've ever driven...my old CSP weapon), then a CTS-V (awesome car but bad diffs and was lemoned), then a Magnacharged Vette (2002 C5Z06), to the STI...I can say that it is a beautiful blend of all four. Fantastic handling, good feedback (much better than the Vette or CTS-V), sufficient room as a four door, and a pretty nice powerband...all in a relatively light(ish) package.
The STI does so many things better than it ever has a right to do... and it is very reasonably priced. Don't get me wrong...it's a $20K Japanese sedan with $15K of "race" blended in the right spots and it's a very potent blend.

I've driven a dozen or so of each E30/E36/E46 M3s to have really grown a fondness for them..don't tell anyone but I lust for an E30M, always have. I co-drove a 95 E36M3 two summers ago until the owner kicked me out for fear of losing his trophy....it has a certain purity in it's feel/handling that is rare to find - it is an amazing car, and can be lethal in the right hands. But if you are really considering the switch, then you can look forward to some good power, good handling, and an ability to rock and roll in the dry, wet, and...a super bonus for us Winter people...SNOW. With proper tires the STI is the big swinging tool in the snow and the year-round utility really sealed the deal for me.

Try and find an opportunity to drive one, if you haven't done so already, and just know that with a little mix of some track-mods, well... it's unbelieveable, truly unbelieveable.

Be good,
TomK

[ace996]

Originally Posted by CenCali07STI

Hey tom could you or someone explain what those two smaller graphs are. I beleive you said they are from a pbox. whats that?

They are logs of certain laps from my track sessions - from my performance meter/data logger/ track timer...the Performance Box by Racelogic...
PerformanceBox and DriftBox from VBOX USA

I mostly use it for a lap timer and to log the lateral g-forces of the car. I used to use a Gtech for autox, but it was very basic and didn't really give me what I wanted. I can use the PBox data to see if shock settings actually helped...by lap times and by logged readings of lateral Gs.
Take a few minutes and check it out...no, I don't sell them or own stock in the company... as I think it is a great tool too see what the real story is on upgrades and settings. Something may "feel" faster but not actually "be" faster....with my PBox, I can "know" if something helped or hurt.

It does the usual things the Gtech does...1/4 mile, 0-60, HP/Tq numbers, but it allows more than that. Funny, it's caught on with the PorscheTurbo guys and they test the 60-130mph times...even have a listing of the results of cars posted. Again, funny that I"ve never even used that part of the programming.

I think it's a great tool that anyone, with the desire and energy, can use to their benefit on their quest to improve. As my car sits now, even with over-cooked stock tires, it's pulling over 1G in the turns...that's "real sports-car" levels. Not bad for a little sedan.

Be good,
TomK

[M3 Fanatic]

Tom,

Got to have that test drive this morning. theres a little independent dealer here in my small town who happened to have a 05 in white.

mods were AEM long intake/through the fender/ aftermarket cat back and a greddy blow off valve. Toyo tires and thats it.

Not a long test drive @ 2 miles but I was able to row a couple of gears at 6,000 and was impressed to say the least. The suspension is FIRM but not horrible when I hit manhole covers. Cornering is solid and it had that beautiful pssssshhhhhht sound off throttle.

This car is surely a weapon at speed in the right hands. Mine! LOL

the engiine has nice power and torque too! Not used to a turbo car as I have never owned one and it sure Ain't a 911 Turbo which is it for my experience driving w/ a hair dryer under the hood.

Bttom line. I am excited about this car!

BTW that E30 M3 thingy you long for? its one of the best driving cars you could get. That blend of all good things you spoke of in the STI? can be found one step up in the E30. But the costs are expensive for parts and maintenance is regularly needed in a 20 year old chassis. and when you bend it up, oh man body parts etc. are hard to find!

so I am on the hunt for an obsidian black STI. preferably bone stock but would entertain a light/ intelligently modded car owned by a person over 26 years old! call me if you see one in the Northeast!

Eric

[ace996]

Originally Posted by M3 Fanatic

Tom,

Got to have that test drive this morning. theres a little independent dealer here in my small town who happened to have a 05 in white.


Not used to a turbo car as I have never owned one and it sure Ain't a 911 Turbo which is it for my experience driving w/ a hair dryer under the hood.
No it's not, but with some carefully picked mods...it can come closer than one would think...

BTW that E30 M3 thingy you long for? its one of the best driving cars you could get. That blend of all good things you spoke of in the STI? can be found one step up in the E30. But the costs are expensive for parts and maintenance is regularly needed in a 20 year old chassis. and when you bend it up, oh man body parts etc. are hard to find! -No doubt, they've been climbing in value the past few years and good examples are hard to find, too. I would love to get one and turn it into a dedicated track-car, though.

so I am on the hunt for an obsidian black STI. preferably bone stock but would entertain a light/ intelligently modded car owned by a person over 26 years old! call me if you see one in the Northeast!
I'll keep an eye out for one, good luck with the search.
Eric

Be good,
TomK

[evilSTi7]

Originally Posted by M3 Fanatic

Tom,

Got to have that test drive this morning. theres a little independent dealer here in my small town who happened to have a 05 in white.

mods were AEM long intake/through the fender/ aftermarket cat back and a greddy blow off valve. Toyo tires and thats it.

Not a long test drive @ 2 miles but I was able to row a couple of gears at 6,000 and was impressed to say the least. The suspension is FIRM but not horrible when I hit manhole covers. Cornering is solid and it had that beautiful pssssshhhhhht sound off throttle.

This car is surely a weapon at speed in the right hands. Mine! LOL

the engiine has nice power and torque too! Not used to a turbo car as I have never owned one and it sure Ain't a 911 Turbo which is it for my experience driving w/ a hair dryer under the hood.

Bttom line. I am excited about this car!

BTW that E30 M3 thingy you long for? its one of the best driving cars you could get. That blend of all good things you spoke of in the STI? can be found one step up in the E30. But the costs are expensive for parts and maintenance is regularly needed in a 20 year old chassis. and when you bend it up, oh man body parts etc. are hard to find!

so I am on the hunt for an obsidian black STI. preferably bone stock but would entertain a light/ intelligently modded car owned by a person over 26 years old! call me if you see one in the Northeast!

Eric

sounds like a great test drive, but i would be slightly weary of those mods. It sounds like the previous owner didn't do much research with his parts. The AEM intake isn't a very popular choice and a search on bov's will show everyone's (negative) opinions on them. Just thought i'd throw that out there as i'm a fellow Limerock track day guy. Take care!

[slim9300]

Originally Posted by evilSTi7

sounds like a great test drive, but i would be slightly weary of those mods. It sounds like the previous owner didn't do much research with his parts. The AEM intake isn't a very popular choice and a search on bov's will show everyone's (negative) opinions on them. Just thought i'd throw that out there as i'm a fellow Limerock track day guy. Take care!

Yeah... I was very patient when I was looking for an STi. I wanted a White 05 that was 100% stock, in mint condition and had less than 15-20K miles. It took awhile but I found one with 15K and it even had the extended warranty (which will allow me to drive for a few months stock to make sure all is well ) I got it for $24,500 just two weeks ago. I feel like I got a good deal.

You will quickly learn that basically all performance mods for the STi require a tune to not be doing damage. Non-recirculating BOVs and intakes are two of the least effective and most harmful mods you can do. (Intake is ok with a tune)

[scrmblr2]

OK, i did not read the whole thread.

I have 3 questions:

#1 - what do you have done to your car? You seem yo be pullin pretty damn hard on those porsches?

#2 - I liked watching u "walk" by the evo

#3 - watching your vide reminded me of a skip barber video I watched recently.

[M3 Fanatic]

I ended up w/ exactly the car I wanted for a killer price.

Platinum silver 05 BONE STOCK

13,156 miles for 23,000.

You guys were spot on for those silly mods!

this forum is almost TOO FULL of stuff.

[evilSTi7]

Originally Posted by M3 Fanatic

I ended up w/ exactly the car I wanted for a killer price.

Platinum silver 05 BONE STOCK

13,156 miles for 23,000.

You guys were spot on for those silly mods!

this forum is almost TOO FULL of stuff.

Thats awesome! i'm glad you were able to find something good. You taking it to the track this upcoming season (which is sooooooo far away )