Originally Posted by vegastrashed

As some of you might know EBMCS03 has both a 545 SMG and IS350. He's
taken the IS350 to a few launch meets and always had the best times from
a dig. I was curious how the IS350 would do from a roll. I remember at
the first launch meet TBlax545i (Step) lined up against EBMCS03 in his
IS350. I was the trailer and watched as the two matched speeds and
launched from a roll. Each time the IS350 jumped the 545 Step. It happened
twice. The rolls were cut short without a clear winner. We had surmised
that approaching speed past 80 - 90 mph the V8 would begin to close the
gap and eventually start pulling the IS350.

About a two months ago, EBMCS03 brought the IS350 up against
brian1225's 550i. They went heads up from a dig and were about even up to 80 - 90
mph. Not a clear winner there either. The road was just a 1/4 mile
long. I believe that if the road was a mile long the 550 would have pulled
away.

Finally, the opportunity arose to pit my 545 SMG vs the IS350. I
believe we ran twice. First run, was a tie. The run was cut short. The second
time around I immediately pulled on him and maintained it. Was a little
bit scary for a moment because he gained slightly and then suddenly
stopped and I began to pull on him again.

So, we talked about it afterwards. I let him in on a few things. First,
I had mixed in some race gas with the regular premium. That put my
octane number at 95.5. Second, I was in second gear while @60 whereas he
was in third @60. When we started the run, I was already at my peak
torque and he wasn't. I believe the reason we were tied the first run was
that we both started in third gear. The assumption that many of us had
that the V8 will pull up high was indeed true. Yes, I had him by a 1/4
length of a car initially but as we approached "go straight to jail"
speeds I was pulling away.

So, EBMCS03 did I miss anything? Please discount that you forgot to
press the SPORT button b/c I forgot to turn off the A/C so it's a wash
there.

Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='358695' date='Nov 20 2006, 09:27 PM

Hummm I got this post that Vegas Trashed posed in the e-mail but I cant seem to find it.
But to respond to that.

Yes you're right vegastrashed... I agree with what you said. from a stand still the IS 350 is quicker but from a roll once you hit 80+ the 545's V8 will pull on the IS. not by much but it'll pull on it and as the speeds climb the more distance the 545 will put on the IS.

From what I've observed the IS 350s 2nd and 3rd gear gearing is VERY strong... it's quick. but once it reaches the higher end of 3rd and into 4th gear it starts to lose its pull.

All Hail BMW.

Originally Posted by Znod' post='358929' date='Nov 21 2006, 12:17 PM

That's all interesting guys. I would net be surprised if the IS stayed with the others pretty much all the way up the speedos. The Weight/Power ratios of the 545i and the IS are about the same. And, the 545's don't seem to be taking much of a back seat to the 550i's.

Originally Posted by Znod' post='358929' date='Nov 21 2006, 12:17 PM

And, the 545's don't seem to be taking much of a back seat to the 550i's.

Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='358985' date='Nov 21 2006, 02:17 PM

Since I know hollywoodtrash pretty well, he and I will have to go heads up again even before the next Socal Launch Meet. We both have the same tranny (SMG) and our driving skills are about even so let's find out just how much of a pull the 4.8 V8 has on the 4.4 V8. Last time it wasn't by much i.e. my front bumper to his driver's side door.

Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='358985' date='Nov 21 2006, 04:17 PM

Since I know hollywoodtrash pretty well, he and I will have to go heads up again even before the next Socal Launch Meet. We both have the same tranny (SMG) and our driving skills are about even so let's find out just how much of a pull the 4.8 V8 has on the 4.4 V8. Last time it wasn't by much i.e. my front bumper to his driver's side door.