Anyone able to contact Racing Dynamics?

[AriciU]

I've been trying to contact them for about 2 weeks now to ask for prices and stuff but to no avail. On their page they show only the USA email addy's (sales@racdyn.com and genuineornot@racdyn.com). I've tried both but no answer :mad:
For Europe they don't show anything at all... no phone number, no email, no nothing. Just a damn address.
I can't see how they are a good company without providing any form of "answerable" contact information... bleah :thumbdwn:

[SmoothCruise]

I was able to talk to the owner of Racing Dynamics. You are better off calling them and getting information. The owner's name is Federico and he's a very nice guy, helpful, and informative. He also use to work for BMW on their design team (if I remember correctly) so he knows his stuff. Here's a few things he told me, and information that I can gather as corollaries to how and what we spoke about:


1. Racing Dynamics gave exclusive distribution rights to Electrodyne in North America. Elecrodyne started making cheap copies of Racing Dynamics parts and selling them behind the real Racing Dynamics back. Most of the things they copied were non-engine stuff, but not all, and since they were made on the cheap, the quality is worse too. Just like the Racing Dynamics site says, you should ask RD what's real and what isn't.

2. The legal issues with Electrodyne caused the site to go through many changes, and probably owners too. I know, because I use to remember how the old site looked like, and for a period of time, how it was flaky and down alot, and now it's new form, that still keeps evolving. (I'm so glad I kept plugging away with my searches, ever since I read an obscure article about the real Italian company.)

3. Since Electrodyne still has the copyright on "Racing Dynamics" in North America, the real Racing Dynamics choose not to wait for them to relinquish it. So the real Racing Dynamics market their stuff in North America as "RD Sports"

4. Thus things are in flux, so that's probably why the information you see on their site is not complete, and you can't reach anyone effectively by the site... yet.

5. They are quite busy, which is another reason you can't get into contact with them. By the way, Ariciu, I was able to get a response from VF-engineering about their supercharger. (That's another post.)

6. Racing Dynamics are a firm believer in normally aspirated engines. Federico even told me over the phone, he finds force induction as a cop-out. So BMW purists take note!

7. Their engine research and development is done in Italy. I believe some of their other products are done at various RD places.

On to the meaty stuff:

8. Their R54 motor program (they have several) is about $21,000 USD. This includes everything on that page and more: That is, the upgraded motor, the upgraded manifold, the mufflers, the air filter, and engine cover. It also includes front apron, rear apron (aerodynamic kit), the rear differential oil cooler and rear spoiler with the rear apron. This is about everything except for the rims, the brakes, and the suspension, I think it's a pretty darn good deal.

9. The rims, brakes and suspension, and drivetrain upgrades, basically everything else will cost you about $14,000 more. Federico told me that if you do the whole thing, he might even be able to work out some deals.

10. No, you cannot get the muffler and manifold R54 upgrade for your stock engine. It's all meant to work with the R54 engine. It is also recommnded that you don't mix and match performance parts. For instance, the R54 motor + Hamann mufflers is not recommended. However, you can just upgrade your engine, and use the stock parts (but they don't recommend that either.)

11. The R54 program takes about a month to complete. They don't have do-it-yourself kits for the 6. You will have to ship your car to them. (Or just the engine, but they recommend the entire car.)

12. The R54 program requires a minimum of 91 octane rated fuel, which doesn't change from stock BMW requirements. Ariciu, since you live in Europe, and Europe has better octane fuel, RD probably has better performance options for you. You might ask what other programs are, like the V12 engine program. I highly recommend you get the V12 motor... that way I can live vicariously through you. :)

13. The R54 program passes emission tests in the United States.

14. I did not ask about whether they paint the new front and rear apron, so you might ask them specifically for that info. It would probably cost extra.

15. If you race occasionally on the weekends, but for the most part, your 6 is driven under everyday conditions, there is no premature aging of your engine block, or drivetrain. In otherwords, Racing Dynamics produces race quality parts, that are also very durable. I was given the example of one of their cars which was driven over an accumulated 150,000 miles, and it was still going strong.

16. You might have notice that the R54 program requires an additional charge depending on how many miles are on your engine. Racing Dynamics basically replaces certain stock engine parts that have normal wear, before they do their engine upgrade. If I remember correctly, it was things like oil pans and belts mostly.

17. Their R54 program replaces the cams, but it doesn't undo or screw around with BMW valvetronics.

18. The R54 works for manual transmission, SMG, and steptronics.

19. You cannot add boost after the conversion. (Although, I wonder about this. It would be cool to have a 6 with over 700 hp.)


20. Federico has some hesitation installing g RD brake upgrade on 6ers with Ellipsoid rims. He feels that they can fit, but the space would be tight.


Other stuff:

21. They seem pretty advance enough, that they can probably do some individual tuning like some drag race tuning to your engine to give it even more power:
You might want to ask if their crank is polished and aerodynamically honed. That is something I forgot toask. You might also ask if they could make you a vacuum pump to evacuate the air out of your crank chamber (both option is worth about 8 hp each at very high revs.)

22. You can sign up to test their products before they are available to the public at large. In doing so, you get a discount on them. (I don't know, and I doubt they had/have such a program for their engine upgrade.) Anyways, it's not like they use you as a guinea pig. They design and test their products themselves, just like Hamann, Alpina, or Hartge, but they go an extra mile to test them in 'real world' conditions before wider release.

23. They do not have a high performance throttle body for the 6er. I don't think it's legal in California, and that's probably why they don't do it -yet. But, having such a thing would make your car go faster. Dinan makes them: www.dinanbmw.com



For those of you who have read this post and haven't seen my other posts for Racing Dynamics here's their link:

http://www.racdyn.com/Default.asp

You can find their R54 program in their international section.

http://www.racdyn.com/Localized/International/RD_Int_Intro.htm


Anyways, if you have any other questions, let me know. I might know them. This is just all the information I can recall off the top of my head. I hope it helps.


SmoothCruise.

[AriciU]

Damn, you sure know your stuff :) I tried registering for their forums myself and contacting Frederico but they're email smtp server is out so you can activate your membership so you can post, PM... lol

The VF kit is kinda out of the question since i'm a firm believer BMW's should be high revving NA myself :)

You're right, 21k USD is a very good price considering they throw in the full body kit, headers and exhaust.

Anyway you can give me Frederico's email or find it out for me? Not thinking about doing this this year as snow is gonna come soon, next spring would be possible if some things work out for me. I just want to get all the details, final price, time it takes and stuff in my head so i have something to think about 'till then.

Thanks for your help!

[SmoothCruise]

Ariciu.

Go read my lengthy post again. I just edited it, and added more information. Federico did give me another email address, but I didn't ask if I could give it out... so I wouldn't feel right giving it out. (It's like if you gave me your cell phone number, and I gave it out.)

I find the best way to get any information out of these tuners is to call them directly. In your case, I'd recommend to say something like "I am interested in getting my 6 tuned by you. And I am planning to do it this spring. However, I do have some questions for you, and I would like to discuss arrangements for the performance tuning."

As happy as they are to give you information about what they do, I think they are even happier if you actually go do the tuning.

I'm gonna do it, but after getting 6+ flats, I'm paranoid and I'll wait out my warranty.


Anyways, the best time to call him is around 4:30-5:00PM California time. I caught Federico driving home from work. Their number is on their site. Here's the one I've used: 949-325-2100. Leave a message. I did, and he called me back.

If he asks who referred you, my name is Godfrey Degamo.

[AriciU]

Umm, Frederico isn't from their italian office? I need the Italy contact info cause that's where i would be bringing my car to.

[SmoothCruise]

Well, he flies to and from Italy and California.

Just give him a call in Cali, and I'm sure he can arrange something.

[AriciU]

Holy cr@p! Just got a reply from their distributor in Germany with the prices :yikes: No idea on the 21000 USD you mentioned but here's what they gave me...

142 62 54 631 B Engine conversion R54 à EUR 29.050,00
for BMW 645Ci, 650i
365 kW ( 496 bhp), 554 Nm (408 lb-ft) at 3,800 rpm
incl. RACING DYNAMICS 'RS' header set and 'RS' metal matric sport catalysts
additional charge EUR 1.020,00 for automobiles with mileage of more than 30,000 km
in combination with RACING DYNAMICS X-flow downpipe (P/N 130 13 62 631) and rear silencer set (P/N 130 14 62 631) only

07 77 7777 N Fitting à EUR 1.200,00



130 13 62 631 E X-flow down pipe à EUR 1.280,00
completely made of stainless steel


130 14 62 631 E Rear silencer set à EUR 2.780,00
completely made of stainless steel
chromed double oval tailpipes, ø 92 x 85 mm
with embossed RACING DYNAMICS logo



21 12 63 100 F Front apron 'Typhoon' à EUR 1.710,00
completely made of carbon fibre/Kevlar™-composite material
with integrated front spoiler and DE fog lights

08 88 8888 N Painting à EUR 360,00

07 77 7777 N Fitting à EUR 210,00



121 52 63 100 F Rear apron 'Typhoon' à EUR 1.410,00
completely made of carbon fibre/Kevlar™-composite material

08 88 8888 N Painting à EUR 360,00

07 77 7777 N Fitting à EUR 210,00



125 63 20 286 E Wheel set, Design RS-2 Ultra Light (forged) à EUR 14.000,00 :yikes: (2.5 sets of HRE's for that price :))
Front axle: 9,0J x 20" OS 14 with 245/35 ZR 20" Pirelli P Zero Nero
Rear axle: 10,0J x 20" OS 21 with 275/30 ZR 20" Pirelli P Zero Nero

07 77 7777 N Fitting à EUR 650,00
to allow adequate clearance of the wheel-/tyre combination




180 01 63 101 C High performance brake system 'RS', version II à UR 10.900,00
consisting of:
2 Six-piston-aluminium-front brake callipers, 2 ventilated and slotted
two-piece front brake discs (ø 380 mm),
2 Four-piston-aluminium-rear brake callipers, 2 ventilated and slotted
two-piece rear brake discs (ø 330 mm), stainless steel braided
hoses, brake pads and fitting kit

07 77 7777 N Fitting à EUR 590,00




196 06 63 000 E Sport suspension à EUR 2.100,00
with suspension lowering 30 mm
for Coupé
fits automobiles with option Dynamic Drive




Damn!

So engine conversion + exhausts + front/rear bumpers = 38570 EURO's ~ 45,995.53 USD

Full KIT incl. brakes, wheels and suspension (they forgot to send me price for the LSD, flywheel and diff final drive ratios but i don't even want to think how much they charge for those...) = 66.810 EURO's ~ 79,665.86 USD

So next step will be M6 in 1 or 2 years. Oh well... Bye bye RD54 :bawling:

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8076/racingdynamicsr54coupheckansic.th.jpg (http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=racingdynamicsr54coupheckansic.jpg)ht tp://img55.imageshack.us/img55/2779/racingdynamicsr54coupfrontansi.th.jpg (http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=racingdynamicsr54coupfrontansi.jpg)
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8404/racingdynamicsr54coupseitenans.th.jpg (http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=racingdynamicsr54coupseitenans.jpg)ht tp://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4354/racingdynamicsr54triebwerk8th.th.jpg (http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=racingdynamicsr54triebwerk8th.jpg)

[SmoothCruise]

Yeah, actually, I don't know what numbers he gave me. Perhaps he was quoting them in Euros for me, but I misheard him.

Yeah, it doesn't seem worth it for that kind of money. The M6 is coming out, so I guess you can trade up. However, I thought the M6 was already selling in Germany?

[SmoothCruise]

By the way, did you ask him how much that V12 was going for? Or the numbers on that car? I'm just curious.

[AriciU]

Forgot to ask about it but it should be somewhere in the 70-80k euro range IMO.