[Redline10000]

Originally Posted by khcoaching

Having driven both on the track -

1) The ZLE will destroy the M3 on track
2) A tuned M3 comes off slower corners worse than the ZLE
3) The ZLE has better track electronics, hands down.
4) Finding the limit on the ZLE is quite a bit harder. I would say the ZLE is much more forgiving as you approach the limit. When the M3 breaks away, it is earlier and breaks away more.
5) Depending on your on track pace, the ZLE will go through more tires, but the M3 will go through more brakes.

Ken

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

1. The F80 has a lot of issues putting its power down either in a straight line or at corner exit on the track, especially with my tune. While test driving the ZLE on the street it seemed to put power down well but that could just be traction control and my not noticing it kicking in. How well does the ZLE put the power down when going 9/10ths at the track? How does it compare to the F80 in terms of traction?

What kind of power was the M putting down? Are we talking stock 1LE vs tuned M?
Here is a video of my tuned 1LE at the track.(I am new to tracking)



2. How difficult is it to achieve the track times that you tend to see in the magazines? I know some cars are easier than others to reach their limits. Im a pretty good driver but I'm no Randy.

It all DRIVER car is just the tool, if you can’t stay on the line and figure out what the car is telling you; you will be slow

3. Given that this car has aero, do you have to drive it differently than a non aero car? I read that with big aero you have to try and maintain more speed to keep it effective. Not sure if that's the case here.

It has the power to back up the aero. I won’t go into the nuances of racing because we are all at different levels. (I am still new)

4. Will the ZLE have a harder time on smaller tracks like Club motorsport or Thompson speedway? My M3 tends to do very well there and I don't want to take a step back.

Not sure.

5. Can the ZLE hold its own at Autox? I run with local clubs and tend to run top of the pack. I'm not looking for FTD, just don't want to drop out of the top. The only classing we have is based on tire type, nothing really competitive.

Not sure

I run a basic tune making around 450hp. Anything more and the power is a bit hard to handle at the limit.

I agree that a lot of it is the driver. But some cars can be more of a handful than others and require a lot more skill to drive fast. From the sounds of it I will be able to manage this beast no problem.

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by Redline10000

I'm coming from a F80 M3 that I track regularly

Did you do the crank hub upgrade?

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

1. The F80 has a lot of issues putting its power down either in a straight line or at corner exit on the track, especially with my tune. While test driving the ZLE on the street it seemed to put power down well but that could just be traction control and my not noticing it kicking in. How well does the ZLE put the power down when going 9/10ths at the track? How does it compare to the F80 in terms of traction?

What kind of power was the M putting down? Are we talking stock 1LE vs tuned M?
Here is a video of my tuned 1LE at the track.(I am new to tracking)



2. How difficult is it to achieve the track times that you tend to see in the magazines? I know some cars are easier than others to reach their limits. Im a pretty good driver but I'm no Randy.

It all DRIVER car is just the tool, if you can’t stay on the line and figure out what the car is telling you; you will be slow

3. Given that this car has aero, do you have to drive it differently than a non aero car? I read that with big aero you have to try and maintain more speed to keep it effective. Not sure if that's the case here.

It has the power to back up the aero. I won’t go into the nuances of racing because we are all at different levels. (I am still new)

4. Will the ZLE have a harder time on smaller tracks like Club motorsport or Thompson speedway? My M3 tends to do very well there and I don't want to take a step back.

Not sure.

5. Can the ZLE hold its own at Autox? I run with local clubs and tend to run top of the pack. I'm not looking for FTD, just don't want to drop out of the top. The only classing we have is based on tire type, nothing really competitive.

Not sure

What's been done to the ZL1 in this video?

[Redline10000]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

Did you do the crank hub upgrade?

No the car is pretty stock other than tune and tires.

[Evansa22]

We have a f80 m3 and zl1 1le. M3 has the jb4 so I can turn up the power a little but not as much as your making. Their is no comparison between the two in terms of handling, and power. Even if the zle is heavier, its maybe 250lbs? Depending on transmissions. It seems to turn in much quicker and easier. Our m3 has the dct and think It would take the camaro off the line because its m6. But after 60mph Zle would be full traction and pull hard on the bmw.
I think you will like the camaro more hands down

[SoCal Smith]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

What's been done to the ZL1 in this video?

Nothing wild... I actually can't even use most of the power modes because of the TCM pulling the power past 5950rpm. Waiting for TCM to get off backorder and get it unlocked. Also, the tires were at their end of life, had blistering when I checked after session 2.

ARH 2in, Corsa axle-back
DSX flex-fuel
DSX low-side (future mods coming)
2.30 pulley
Running E25-30 at this point, no E stations near the track. Tuned for E45
Weaponx HX
Cordes Expansion tank
Apr front splitter
MFR rear diffuser
SPL suspension parts

Edit: It does sound like a flipping monster at the track tho! Downshifts going into turn 1, I was fighting off a stiffy each lap. X.X

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

Nothing wild... I actually can't even use most of the power modes because of the TCM pulling the power past 5950rpm. Waiting for TCM to get off backorder and get it unlocked. Also, the tires were at their end of life, had blistering when I checked after session 2.

ARH 2in, Corsa axle-back
DSX flex-fuel
DSX low-side (future mods coming)
2.30 pulley
Running E25-30 at this point, no E stations near the track. Tuned for E45
Weaponx HX
Cordes Expansion tank
Apr front splitter
MFR rear diffuser
SPL suspension parts

Edit: It does sound like a flipping monster at the track tho! Downshifts going into turn 1, I was fighting off a stiffy each lap. X.X

Sounds great and it looks like you were reeling everyone in on the straights. Have you dyno'd the car? Looking at your mods, I would assume you're around 640whp on E30?

[ZX-10R]

That exhaust sounds wicked - love it

[SoCal Smith]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

That exhaust sounds wicked - love it

tyty!

[SoCal Smith]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Sounds great and it looks like you were reeling everyone in on the straights. Have you dyno'd the car? Looking at your mods, I would assume you're around 640whp on E30?

I am not totally sure. Here is the dyno sheet!

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

I am not totally sure. Here is the dyno sheet!

It would appear 694whp but I don't know what the baseline run was when it showed 636whp because that's a good bit more than stock.

[Redline10000]

Wow thats a lot of power. I can't wait until next summer when my ZLE arrives. Anyone have problems passing sound with the Corsa exhaust? I'm thinking of getting the NPP exhaust, nothing crazy.

[SoCal Smith]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

It would appear 694whp but I don't know what the baseline run was when it showed 636whp because that's a good bit more than stock.

ya, I take dyno numbers with a grain of salt

[Checkmate1]

Originally Posted by Redline10000

Thanks for the input. Do you find this car easier to drive at the limit than the M3?

Absolutely. The ZL1/1LE is tied down with the perfect blend of electronic and mechanical calibration. There is absolutely no comparison with respect to handling and lap times, the ZL1/1LE is on another level.

If you have to go by Nurburgring lap times alone, the ZL1/1LE (Manual) time of 7:16 is still on a elite level compared to 90% of sports car out there.