LS Swapped BMW M3 Embarrasses Supercharged Mustang on Track
Driver mod backs up this wicked fast 7.1 liter LS swapped E36 M3.
We love drag racing as much as anyone else here at LS1Tech, but we love road course racing, too. Just like a drag race is won or lost mostly in the launch, a time attack race is won by the driver, though sometimes the equipment is helpful too.
Paired up are two V8 racers, one with a precision approach, one with a sledgehammer approach, and both will be taking on Chuckwalla Valley Raceway‘s 17 turns. Both cars are ready for the task, too. An LS V8, from a Corvette, bored out to 7.1 liters is installed in the BMW, which we presume was plucked from a C6 Z06 based on the claimed 550 wheel horsepower. With aero and sticky tires, this looks to be a win/win combo. The Ford Mustang isn’t too bad either, with super wide tires measuring 315 on all four corners, it has mechanical grip in spades, plus its small block Ford V8 is supercharged with 12 psi of boost.
However, like any instrument, it must be used correctly to get the most out of it.
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Though the main video at the top shows the specs of the cars and the result of the time attack battle, this less publicized follow-up video just above shows the in-car footage of the fast laps. It’s instantly visible that the driver of the BMW, Amir Bentatou is more prepared than the Ford driver, Joe Ayad.
For those of us familiar with track prep, Bentatou’s safety gear is more thorough. Not only does he wear his neck restraint properly compared to Ayad, but he’s also using a better harness. Safety gear doesn’t show driver mod, however, but lap times do. Roaring in at a 1:58.0, Bentatou’s average speed is 81.76 in the M3. Compare that to a lap time of 2:15.8 and an average speed of 71.2 miles per hour and you can see a gap that large isn’t just from a wing and a diffuser.
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