Going Drag Racing Tomorrow
07-14-2009, 08:05 PM
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Heading up to the track after work, a friend of mine just bought a Pontiac G8 and wants to see what it will run. I figured why not see what the Beemer will do. 
Any guesses? Its an all stock 2004 545i with a Manual 6 speed. I have been drag racing for 15 years so I tend to think I know what I'm doing.
I'll be happy if I can pull off a 13.9, I hope the clutch holds. Its all stock with 53K on it.
Any guesses? Its an all stock 2004 545i with a Manual 6 speed. I have been drag racing for 15 years so I tend to think I know what I'm doing.
I'll be happy if I can pull off a 13.9, I hope the clutch holds. Its all stock with 53K on it.
07-14-2009, 10:21 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545iA
If you have a "peg-leg" diff, its really hard to get the power down, and for warmup you need to burn both tires separately, so you need to do 2 burns. Manual 545 is extremely tricky to start because of the monsterious torque to one rear wheel, the rear diff is 3,77:-P If you have a special track (glue or rubber startoff area) and a diff, that uses both tires (LSD, torsen, etc.), it should be possible to hit even under 13,5 sec time with manual transmission.
With automatic the stall speed is really low, around 1500-1700RPM and that cripples the start a bit, but still under 14 sec should be possible. I plan to participate in some drag events later this year, and maybe yet another one mile top speed challenge (current record is 229kmh on a mile long stretch with automatic and 255/295 tire setup:-))
With automatic the stall speed is really low, around 1500-1700RPM and that cripples the start a bit, but still under 14 sec should be possible. I plan to participate in some drag events later this year, and maybe yet another one mile top speed challenge (current record is 229kmh on a mile long stretch with automatic and 255/295 tire setup:-))
07-14-2009, 10:38 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Have lots of fun, and take LOTS of pictures! 
07-14-2009, 11:10 PM
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Sounds Very fun! you'll have a blast
You have an LSD. it will only go "peg leg" on you if you get sideways. on a straightaway you should be fine. there is no way the final drive is 3.77 in that car. i could be wrong, but that seems extremely low (high numerically)
yes, bring back pics or BAN.
If you have a "peg-leg" diff, its really hard to get the power down, and for warmup you need to burn both tires separately, so you need to do 2 burns. Manual 545 is extremely tricky to start because of the monsterious torque to one rear wheel, the rear diff is 3,77:-P If you have a special track (glue or rubber startoff area) and a diff, that uses both tires (LSD, torsen, etc.), it should be possible to hit even under 13,5 sec time with manual transmission.
With automatic the stall speed is really low, around 1500-1700RPM and that cripples the start a bit, but still under 14 sec should be possible. I plan to participate in some drag events later this year, and maybe yet another one mile top speed challenge (current record is 229kmh on a mile long stretch with automatic and 255/295 tire setup:-))
With automatic the stall speed is really low, around 1500-1700RPM and that cripples the start a bit, but still under 14 sec should be possible. I plan to participate in some drag events later this year, and maybe yet another one mile top speed challenge (current record is 229kmh on a mile long stretch with automatic and 255/295 tire setup:-))
Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='942633' date='Jul 15 2009, 02:38 AM
Have lots of fun, and take LOTS of pictures!
07-14-2009, 11:54 PM
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='942642' date='Jul 15 2009, 03:10 AM
yes, bring back pics or BAN.
Have fun, OP!
07-15-2009, 12:33 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545iA
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='942642' date='Jul 15 2009, 10:10 AM
You have an LSD. it will only go "peg leg" on you if you get sideways. on a straightaway you should be fine. there is no way the final drive is 3.77 in that car. i could be wrong, but that seems extremely low (high numerically)
And yes, the 545 manual definitely has 3,77 rear diff (545i spec), the 545i was before the M5 hit the market, and needed to be somewhat a replacement for the E39 M5 (wich it was not, but still pretty close). The 550i had the diff replaced for 2,93! Both automatics have a 3,77.
So, the car has power, and theoretically is a very fast one, but to get good time the start needs to be really good (0-60ft should be around 2,1-2,2 to hit under 14 sec time).
07-15-2009, 01:59 AM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i Sport Package, Titanium Gray II Metallic, Wheel Style 124
i got smoked by a Pontiac G8 oops i mean GTO . ugly piece of shit took off
07-15-2009, 02:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Alfonze' post='942656' date='Jul 15 2009, 04:33 AM
You got it all wrong, the open diff only spins both wheels if the traction is exactly the same (wich practically never occures, and if it happens, then for only about a second or so, wich is not enough to warm up tires). If you try to warm up the tires with burnout, one wheel gets the warmup, and if you start the "cold" tire starts to spin away and you get a terrible start. Been there, done that, with open diff it is a disaster if you dont have special sticky track.
And yes, the 545 manual definitely has 3,77 rear diff (545i spec), the 545i was before the M5 hit the market, and needed to be somewhat a replacement for the E39 M5 (wich it was not, but still pretty close). The 550i had the diff replaced for 2,93! Both automatics have a 3,77.
So, the car has power, and theoretically is a very fast one, but to get good time the start needs to be really good (0-60ft should be around 2,1-2,2 to hit under 14 sec time).
And yes, the 545 manual definitely has 3,77 rear diff (545i spec), the 545i was before the M5 hit the market, and needed to be somewhat a replacement for the E39 M5 (wich it was not, but still pretty close). The 550i had the diff replaced for 2,93! Both automatics have a 3,77.
So, the car has power, and theoretically is a very fast one, but to get good time the start needs to be really good (0-60ft should be around 2,1-2,2 to hit under 14 sec time).
Region: USA
Version: Left-hand drive
Date: '04
final drive ----#33 10 7 516 923----- I=2.93 - That is the factory final drive for a car equipped with a manual transmission
I have in fact done burnouts with my car, leaving about 30-40 feet of rubber on the street. both tires. anytime i do this, when the car begins to get sideways, the rear drivers side (i believe) stops getting power.