Dinan "like" ratings for Cayman?

Any value in having a CaymanClub virtual "rating" similar to a Dinan badge? Points are assigned to mods and then a badge/moniker is earned based on point value? If you earn 20pts then Cayman is a "GT3"? Requirement for badge certification is a dyno chart? I am sure this could be made more complicated than it's worth, but it doesn't have to be. Something similar to: 5pts : GT1 10pts : GT2 20pts : GT3 Don't care about the name of "GT*", it is only an example. Jesse

Are you saying that if someone's car has a mod installed it gets a point value for that mod? So as an example: EVO intake: 5 pts AWE exhaust : 7pts Carbon Fiber Door Sill: 2 pts Total = 14 pts? How would we assign points to each mod? Would one exhaust system be the same as the rest, for example a catback chinese exhaust system is worth the same amount of points as a full milltek? Who would keep track of the points for each person? Are you wanting/expecting the website software to track this? Just some questions I have to try and better understand what you are asking for.

Each type of modification would receive a point value, non-performance parts excluded. The algorithm for deciding point values would be based on individual contribution to that performance category. For example, de-snorking might be 1pt where EVO intake would be 5pts based on Cayman Club's consensus view of value. Exhausts in general would receive 7 pts unless there is proven to be a significant variation either negative or positive in terms of hp production or dyno curv consistency. Dinan only tracks by issuing an "honor" badge that can be added to the vehicle once a cumulative point total has been reached. Practically, I don't think it is necessary or valuable to have a running point total. In a similar way, a cool badge can be created and sold on CaymanClub given "proof" of mods or can forgo proof and just trust the community. I prefer the trust route though an end-state dyno would be highly recommended. Just thinking of a way to make the valuable information on performance modifications tangibly "real" to the members and provide an additional channel of visibility for sponsors and encourage new sponsors. Jesse

I'm still a little fuzzy on how all this would work, but it seems only performance parts and while some performance parts can be measured on a dyno, how would you measure a Bilstein PSS9 suspension vs. say Moton or Cross? or suspension vs. intake or wheels and tires vs. exhaust ? I'm not trying to be negative I'm trying to get my head around the concept, how it would be set up, how it would be used, etc. Where do the badges come from btw?

Not interested. I always thought the whole Dinan thing reeked a bit of elitism, and I have no desire to bring that here.

PSS9 is going to be more subjective but in general, coil-overs will have higher value than someone replacing springs only. Wheels are somewhat more unclear since it is largely subjective though an argument could be made around weight. There could be two main categories of suspension and engine mods with total points being a combination of those two categories. This is all thinking out loud so just wondering if there is a germ of an idea here where reviews of products take the next step in value measurement by the community. In other words, be negative! or positive. Just floating the idea. Oh, why badges come from some gifted art cayman member made by some sponsor distributed by some owner of CaymanClub Jesse ps. Below is the quote from dinanbmw about their Signature series signature package intent(Is there a Cayman Club "signature"?): "Dinan offers a broad range of performance products for your E46 330 including Engine, Chassis/Suspension and Driveline tuning products. The products are available separately or as part of several complete Dinan Signature Packages. Dinan Signature Packages take the guesswork out of creating the high performance BMW of your dreams, offering a carefully configured performance system approach to virtually every BMW model. The result is a balanced, predictable and reliable high performance driving experience that is second to none. In addition, each Dinan Signature Series BMW is identified with a serial numbered under-hood plaque, verifying the car's authenticity and making ownership that much more exclusive. You can start driving the high performance 330 of your dreams today by choosing from the collection of Dinan Signature Packages or build your Dinan BMW in phases by choosing from the extensive line of individual performance products available for each model."

We would be much better served by using track times, because this automatically considers suspension and brake mods (and driver skill!) on equal footing with powerplant mods. The trick is to mathematically normalize the tracks so that raw track times can be converted to track scores that can be compared between tracks. We can just look at the recent history of best non-prototype lap times from competitive motorsports on each track, and normalize by dividing that best time by the Cayman time, then multiply by 100, yielding a score where 100 means you've matched the best lap time, and lower numbers mean you're slower. Scores could be by the honor system or, better, would have to be turned in on days where two or more CC.N people arrange to track together. Oh, one more thing: using the Escort GTimer2 gizmo (50% off by using promo keyword "Cayman", for "Cayman Club"!), peak and avg horsepower, peak braking g's, and peak cornering g's, are readily available. One could cook up a simplistic performance score from those numbers. But it's nowhere near as interesting or reliable a measure as actual track times.

5 points : GT3 10 points : GT2 20 points : GT1

I never thought of Dinan that way, just showing that it was a Dinan modified car. I wouldn't think that differentiation would indicate elitism. After all, we have varying categories of membership in Cayman Club depending on number of posts, articles submitted, donations, etc., That would make Ken mega elite and I'm sure he doesn't feel that way... Jesse

I are corrected!

Most enthusiasts mod their cars with no intention of ever consistently tracking them. It is just fun to do on it's own merits. The track is ultimately the best evaluator but that would also exclude a large portion of the community. It would be difficult to subtract out the driver. It does bring up a possible CaymanClub point system though just for tracking. Depending on number of events, placement, etc., there could be standings developed. Interesting...

http://www.planet-9.com/automotive-off-topic/9228-gt-definition.html Go to post #23. We have batted this around. Everyone is free to comment and enjoy. Except for Swancoat. We proposed a Cayman GT designation. Please do not discuss with Swancoat. LOL.

So it proves what? beez has shown us you don't need performance modifications to be quick on the track so what does a badge showing the money spent on trick parts do if it is fun to do on its own merits? I guess I'm missing something too.

Yes, Santa Fe, you are missing a whole world of colors and tastes and smells. But that is because you are obviously a Vulcan.

Secret is out.

go to competition section and post your track times

It isn't the mods but the badges I don't get. But those cub scout merit badges never got me going either but I guess if you like 'em we can design some (evil laugh here..).

I just bought a GT3 badge and didn't use the "3". Plus the Cayman GT deca;. A guy said he loved my "Cayman GT" the other day. So it must be a Cayman GT.

why not use the imf pts rating system used for autox? each model (cayman, cayman s ) have a base pts and pts added on top for each mod. an example is as follows: http://boston-bmwcca.org/EventDescription/2007/imf2007.pdf

I was just looking at that since I registered for my first Autocross this Sunday. It seems like it would be "workable" with the points . We could even have a list of approved vendors that fullfil the categorical requirements.

Adding a GT to the back of your car does not make it any faster....I saw a 996 C4 the othe day with a GT4S badge on the back...I was laughing at the guy, that's just stupid. I'm not into flashy badging or a points system to allow people to gloat that they have dumped more money into their cars. The track is the ultimate equilizer!! Bring it on. I wish guys like Mooty, CraigNYC and other track rats were closer so we could have a track day together.

Next thing you will say is that "yellow" doesn't make it any faster either...