Noob to the Track world.. Need help with setting up car

wh1te370z · 06-23-2011, 02:04 PM

Ok going to my first track experiance in about a month up at Watkins Glen. Im trying to get a parts list together from what ive gathered from the forum and want to make sure i dont miss anything.

GTM Oil cooler (obv a must)
brake pads (swap them for the track day)
High temp brake and clutch fluid
Sway bars (Stillen?)
Tires (BFgoodrich gForce TA KDW - not the best for the track but they'll do)
Spacers

My big question is would putting lowering springs in be a bad idea.. I think it might be bc the shocks and springs arnt matched for each other (not ideal for racing) and im not looking to put coil overs in at this moment. i want to learn how the car handles first. Also is their anything that i should add or subtract? Looking at around $2000 limit to get started. minus the tires bc i have those.

Thanks in advance fellas

ChrisSlicks · 06-23-2011, 03:02 PM

Looks like a sound start. Just make sure the oil is relatively fresh (changed within 1000 miles).

I would also forgo the spacers for the track, I haven't had good luck with those under track conditions. Although given that your tires aren't that sticky they may hold up. Some clubs don't even allow spacers that are larger than 6mm.

The lowering springs will help lower your center of gravity and if they only have a marginally stiffer spring rate they will still match up to the OEM shocks fairly well. A lot of the aftermarket lowering springs are variable rate so it is possible that you may end up with more body roll. If I were you I would try it once without them so that you have a comparative reference.

For the sway bars the Stillen will do fine and matches up to the stock suspension a little better. Given your tires I would probably run on the low or middle setting for the rear.

wh1te370z · 06-23-2011, 03:41 PM

i plan on chaging the oil about a week before the even bc sat the 30th im going to a drag strip with some friends. Im kinda upset about the tire choice but ill have to live with it for now unless my buddy lets me use his stock GTR rims and tires. Ill hold off on the spacers bc i dont see anything about that in the rules. Anything else i should look into? also would a 19 row oil cooler be big enough for a 3.4 mile track? they do 15 min sessions. I dont plan on tracking the car very often but you never know.

ChrisSlicks · 06-23-2011, 03:55 PM

It is a big track with a lot of fast full throttle sections, the car will get hot. With the 19 row I think you will okay for 15 min, but if you haven't bought it yet I would definitely consider the 25.

wh1te370z · 06-23-2011, 04:19 PM

I havnt pulled the trigger on anything. Ive been researching a lot about everything and it seemed people could get away w a 19row but only for daily driving in hot places. Most people that track their car go for the 25 and 32. So ill just go for the 24 and play it safe

wstar · 06-23-2011, 05:10 PM

You also do the velcro+aluminum block off plate thing, if the 25-row ends up being too cold for daily driving in the winter up there in the northeast (e.g.: DIY: Oil Cooler Block Off Plate). Whereas if you go too small, you've gotta buy another core and replace it, etc. If I were you I'd just go larger right off the bat.

cossie1600 · 06-23-2011, 07:04 PM

I was hitting 260F at the Glen in 70 degree weather after 15-20 minutes, I would get for the 25R minimum. Instead of wasting money on crappy tires and sway bar, just get some good tires and call it a day. The car will handle fine with the stock springs, tires make more of a difference anyday.

wh1te370z · 06-24-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

You also do the velcro+aluminum block off plate thing, if the 25-row ends up being too cold for daily driving in the winter up there in the northeast (e.g.: DIY: Oil Cooler Block Off Plate). Whereas if you go too small, you've gotta buy another core and replace it, etc. If I were you I'd just go larger right off the bat.

I plan on getting a Thermostatic sandwich plate so i shouldnt have a problem with that. But i do think ill be getting the 24 row.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

I was hitting 260F at the Glen in 70 degree weather after 15-20 minutes, I would get for the 25R minimum. Instead of wasting money on crappy tires and sway bar, just get some good tires and call it a day. The car will handle fine with the stock springs, tires make more of a difference anyday.

Unfortunately im stuck w the crap BFgoodrich tires bc i bought them before we decided to go to the Glen. Unless i do just the cooler and tires.

wstar · 06-24-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wh1te370z

I plan on getting a Thermostatic sandwich plate so i shouldnt have a problem with that. But i do think ill be getting the 24 row.

With the 25+ row setrabs and cold (as in, freezing or close to it) weather, even the thermo plate won't protect you from running too cold. The block-off plates are easy to make though. (and of course, you most definitely should use a thermo plate).

cossie1600 · 06-24-2011, 09:44 AM

agree

i made the mistake of not building one when i had the bbumper off. now its nearly impossible to sneak my hand in it. i used painters tape last winter

sig11 · 06-24-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

With the 25+ row setrabs and cold (as in, freezing or close to it) weather, even the thermo plate won't protect you from running too cold. The block-off plates are easy to make though. (and of course, you most definitely should use a thermo plate).

Heck I have to start blocking air flow at 50F or so on the highway. I just tape cardboard or plastic on the front fascia. Easier than having to fish something inside.

I would recommend the 200F thermostatic plate if that's an option as well.

wh1te370z · 06-24-2011, 01:38 PM

Ok 25 row oil cooler and make a block off plate. got it

As for tires. I know the ones i have arnt great. cossie1600 you meantoned to go for tires rather than sway bars. Any suggestion on tires? I did a driving school for firestone a while back and we had RE-11s on 3 series BMW's and those tires were awesome. Any other suggestions? Comments? Should i just go their on these tires and see what its like?

sig11 · 06-24-2011, 01:49 PM

I think that the Yokohama Neova AD08s are just as good as RE-11s if those are hard to find. They may be a little bit more unsteady in the wet but in dry they stick like glue. I ran my RE050As until they were scary in the rain and switched after that point. You might consider that as well.

cossie1600 · 06-24-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wh1te370z

Ok 25 row oil cooler and make a block off plate. got it

As for tires. I know the ones i have arnt great. cossie1600 you meantoned to go for tires rather than sway bars. Any suggestion on tires? I did a driving school for firestone a while back and we had RE-11s on 3 series BMW's and those tires were awesome. Any other suggestions? Comments? Should i just go their on these tires and see what its like?

You can't go wrong with the AD08s, RE11, XS or the Direzza Z1 or even NT05. It all depends on how much you want to spend and what level you are at. It's an expensive set of tires regardless, freaking sucks.

wh1te370z · 06-24-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

I think that the Yokohama Neova AD08s are just as good as RE-11s if those are hard to find. They may be a little bit more unsteady in the wet but in dry they stick like glue. I ran my RE050As until they were scary in the rain and switched after that point. You might consider that as well.

I loved the RE050's on the car, I went through the rears in 12k and the front in 16K. I like to drive hard lol. I have the Goodrichs on now but if they wont perform well on the track id rather put the money into tires rather than other susp parts that wont make a difference bc my tires suck

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

You can't go wrong with the AD08s, RE11, XS or the Direzza Z1 or even NT05. It all depends on how much you want to spend and what level you are at. It's an expensive set of tires regardless, freaking sucks.

Yea i noticed that when i got the tires on my car now. How are the NT05's I had the 555R's on my old muscle car and thought they were a pretty good tire. i know the RE-11 are a lot, along w the rest of the tires for our cars

I Dont plan on tracking my car ALL the time but im def going to a couple track days with some buddies every now and again. Maybe like 3 times this summer. Not looking to go pro.. yet lol

06-23-2011, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 16	Noob to the Track world.. Need help with setting up car Ok going to my first track experiance in about a month up at Watkins Glen. Im trying to get a parts list together from what ive gathered from the forum and want to make sure i dont miss anything. GTM Oil cooler (obv a must) brake pads (swap them for the track day) High temp brake and clutch fluid Sway bars (Stillen?) Tires (BFgoodrich gForce TA KDW - not the best for the track but they'll do) Spacers My big question is would putting lowering springs in be a bad idea.. I think it might be bc the shocks and springs arnt matched for each other (not ideal for racing) and im not looking to put coil overs in at this moment. i want to learn how the car handles first. Also is their anything that i should add or subtract? Looking at around $2000 limit to get started. minus the tires bc i have those. Thanks in advance fellas __________________ 1998 BMW 328is... Track Build 2010 White 370z.... sold

06-23-2011, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Looks like a sound start. Just make sure the oil is relatively fresh (changed within 1000 miles). I would also forgo the spacers for the track, I haven't had good luck with those under track conditions. Although given that your tires aren't that sticky they may hold up. Some clubs don't even allow spacers that are larger than 6mm. The lowering springs will help lower your center of gravity and if they only have a marginally stiffer spring rate they will still match up to the OEM shocks fairly well. A lot of the aftermarket lowering springs are variable rate so it is possible that you may end up with more body roll. If I were you I would try it once without them so that you have a comparative reference. For the sway bars the Stillen will do fine and matches up to the stock suspension a little better. Given your tires I would probably run on the low or middle setting for the rear. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

06-23-2011, 03:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 16	i plan on chaging the oil about a week before the even bc sat the 30th im going to a drag strip with some friends. Im kinda upset about the tire choice but ill have to live with it for now unless my buddy lets me use his stock GTR rims and tires. Ill hold off on the spacers bc i dont see anything about that in the rules. Anything else i should look into? also would a 19 row oil cooler be big enough for a 3.4 mile track? they do 15 min sessions. I dont plan on tracking the car very often but you never know. __________________ 1998 BMW 328is... Track Build 2010 White 370z.... sold

06-23-2011, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	It is a big track with a lot of fast full throttle sections, the car will get hot. With the 19 row I think you will okay for 15 min, but if you haven't bought it yet I would definitely consider the 25. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

06-23-2011, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 16	I havnt pulled the trigger on anything. Ive been researching a lot about everything and it seemed people could get away w a 19row but only for daily driving in hot places. Most people that track their car go for the 25 and 32. So ill just go for the 24 and play it safe __________________ 1998 BMW 328is... Track Build 2010 White 370z.... sold

06-23-2011, 05:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	You also do the velcro+aluminum block off plate thing, if the 25-row ends up being too cold for daily driving in the winter up there in the northeast (e.g.: DIY: Oil Cooler Block Off Plate). Whereas if you go too small, you've gotta buy another core and replace it, etc. If I were you I'd just go larger right off the bat. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

06-23-2011, 07:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I was hitting 260F at the Glen in 70 degree weather after 15-20 minutes, I would get for the 25R minimum. Instead of wasting money on crappy tires and sway bar, just get some good tires and call it a day. The car will handle fine with the stock springs, tires make more of a difference anyday.

06-24-2011, 09:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	agree i made the mistake of not building one when i had the bbumper off. now its nearly impossible to sneak my hand in it. i used painters tape last winter

06-24-2011, 01:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 16	Ok 25 row oil cooler and make a block off plate. got it As for tires. I know the ones i have arnt great. cossie1600 you meantoned to go for tires rather than sway bars. Any suggestion on tires? I did a driving school for firestone a while back and we had RE-11s on 3 series BMW's and those tires were awesome. Any other suggestions? Comments? Should i just go their on these tires and see what its like? __________________ 1998 BMW 328is... Track Build 2010 White 370z.... sold

06-24-2011, 01:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	I think that the Yokohama Neova AD08s are just as good as RE-11s if those are hard to find. They may be a little bit more unsteady in the wet but in dry they stick like glue. I ran my RE050As until they were scary in the rain and switched after that point. You might consider that as well.

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