Track Day Best Practices - MUST READ

Mike · 05-30-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

That's assuming you dont put your car into a wall, first...

you going to VIR with NASA in July? I'm registered

MightyBobo · 05-30-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

you going to VIR with NASA in July? I'm registered

Ah, I wish. Sadly, I have a few things I'd like to pay off before I hit the track again. I MAY hit up Summit Main later this year, but we'll see...

Also, as my friend StangerGT REALLY wants to hit VIR, I may just wait until he's back from deployment to go there next (read: next year).

sig11 · 05-31-2013, 08:33 AM

I think I may go down to VIR this fall. My friends are planning on going to the Santa's Toy Run at Road Atlanta again too. Just need to lock down a new job. :P

GSS138 · 06-02-2013, 12:38 PM

Wish my Z could fly, I would meet you at VIR. I want to race my Dad in his 911 on that track. He usually goes with Porsche club, but he probably attends some of the same events you guys do. I think he does summit point as well.

Tigger · 06-02-2013, 01:33 PM

Ok. So since nearly everyone here has a sport package (except me) please give me some pointers here. I've read many of the threads involving brakes but it seems everyone that is even mildly serious about tracking has the sport package! So given that I have standard brakes, other than brake fluid exchange (Castrol SRF going in this week) What more can I really do? Swapping to slotted rotors and aggressive pads doesn't really do a whole lot. I did that on my last car and all I really gained was noise. I'd rather just swap the pads at a minimum, leave everything else and then eventually upgrade the entire brake system to the AP Racing brakes.

But for now, on stock rotors and two pot, cast iron calipers, what pads can anyone recommend that will at least get me through a session or two at the track? I'm quite literally just starting out and now that I'm moving in two months I've lost a lot of my play funds for the near future. I just need to get through a few introductory sessions before I really start spitting money at this thing (not like I haven't already). I keep seeing carbotech XP8 but I'm sure everyone recommending them has the sport package! :/

wstar · 06-02-2013, 04:21 PM

If you're gonna stick with the Base brake setup until an eventual AP upgrade, Carbotech isn't a bad bet. XP10 front and XP8 rear worked out pretty well for a few of us on the stock Sport brakes, and I imagine it would be a reasonable solution on the Base brakes as well. Getting some cooling to the front rotors will help as well, either Stillen's brake duct kit or roll your own. Either way it's something you can put on now and will continue to work with the AP kit later. SS lines would be a nice help too, it gives you more-direct pressure feedback in the pedal, because you're not dealing with the "slack" of the expanding/contracting rubber lines.

MightyBobo · 06-02-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigger

Ok. So since nearly everyone here has a sport package (except me) please give me some pointers here. I've read many of the threads involving brakes but it seems everyone that is even mildly serious about tracking has the sport package! So given that I have standard brakes, other than brake fluid exchange (Castrol SRF going in this week) What more can I really do? Swapping to slotted rotors and aggressive pads doesn't really do a whole lot. I did that on my last car and all I really gained was noise. I'd rather just swap the pads at a minimum, leave everything else and then eventually upgrade the entire brake system to the AP Racing brakes.

But for now, on stock rotors and two pot, cast iron calipers, what pads can anyone recommend that will at least get me through a session or two at the track? I'm quite literally just starting out and now that I'm moving in two months I've lost a lot of my play funds for the near future. I just need to get through a few introductory sessions before I really start spitting money at this thing (not like I haven't already). I keep seeing carbotech XP8 but I'm sure everyone recommending them has the sport package! :/

Shahid tracks on base brakes w/ Carbotech XP8/8 combo. But, I'd recommend going XP10/8, as long as you have good tires.

sig11 · 06-02-2013, 07:20 PM

Pads and fluid are all you really need need. I'll side with Bobbo and wstar and say that XP10f/XP8r will be great. Big calipers just mean you'll be able to run longer really. My buddy won TTB in the Great Lakes/Midwest region with the stock 350Z calipers and good pads on his 350 if that's any comfort. He had the Brembo calipers but preferred to spend those points on aero.

Start with what you have and upgrade things as you start to see problems. I wish I had taken that approach.

Tigger · 06-02-2013, 07:48 PM

Carbotech XP10/8 it is. I appreciate the honesty and feedback! Stainless line will jist be done with the new kit so I'll live with stock lines for now.

Eighties Meta · 06-02-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigger

Carbotech XP10/8 it is. I appreciate the honesty and feedback! Stainless line will jist be done with the new kit so I'll live with stock lines for now.

as someone who was in your position. I had purchased mine used a 2009 with only 5k miles on it. Touring, no sport package, it's beefed a bit now but the BIGGEST change was going from an open differential to AAM installing the Quaife Limited slip differential. If you can spare the 1200-1300 (if automatic) cheaper for manual then that made a huge difference for me. Its confidence inspiring knowing that LSD is working for you. The sport package has an LSD by default, drive someone's with an lsd vs yours with the open diff, you'll want it especially if you plan of doing a lot of track days. I knew once I did one track day I would be hooked.

I'll be doing a track day once a month probably for the next 4-5 months or as long as they have them. I knew this would be the case which I why I got the LSD. Good luck, btw if you're still on the stock tire size I went with 245/45/18 in front and 275/40/18 in the rear to replace the stock sizes and it has felt great ever since.

MightyBobo · 06-02-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eighties Meta

as someone who was in your position. I had purchased mine used a 2009 with only 5k miles on it. Touring, no sport package, it's beefed a bit now but the BIGGEST change was going from an open differential to AAM installing the Quaife Limited slip differential. If you can spare the 1200-1300 (if automatic) cheaper for manual then that made a huge difference for me. Its confidence inspiring knowing that LSD is working for you. The sport package has an LSD by default, drive someone's with an lsd vs yours with the open diff, you'll want it especially if you plan of doing a lot of track days. I knew once I did one track day I would be hooked.

I'll be doing a track day once a month probably for the next 4-5 months or as long as they have them. I knew this would be the case which I why I got the LSD. Good luck, btw if you're still on the stock tire size I went with 245/45/18 in front and 275/40/18 in the rear to replace the stock sizes and it has felt great ever since.

The sport package doesn't really have an LSD - it has a VLSD. Quite a big difference.

MightyBobo · 06-02-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigger

Carbotech XP10/8 it is. I appreciate the honesty and feedback! Stainless line will jist be done with the new kit so I'll live with stock lines for now.

Stainless lines are fine for older cars, anyway. Yours is still very new, and very unlikely to fail.

mdxj · 06-03-2013, 02:13 PM

Another base model here too. I autox'd my 350 with base brakes and pads and dot4 fluid let me run all day with zero fade. I have AP's on my 370 now and I love carbotech pads. Heat is your main enemy so good pads, dot4 fluid and ducting will allow you to run for a while on the base brakes. A LSD was going to be next on my list but aero will be more likely. Car does not feel stable at highway speeds

BG370z · 06-03-2013, 02:36 PM

My car was hot when I was tracking this weekend. Now the outside air temperature was 35C=95F so you would expect some heating issues.
My car has a GTM stage II turbo kit and a serab 34 row oil cooler also.
My water temps went up to 255 and my oil was up to 130 which put my defi oil temp gauge into a blinking mode. Perhaps I need a vented hood or only run on cooler days?

wstar · 06-03-2013, 02:47 PM

Surely 130 is a typo?

06-02-2013, 12:38 PM	#79 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 13	Wish my Z could fly, I would meet you at VIR. I want to race my Dad in his 911 on that track. He usually goes with Porsche club, but he probably attends some of the same events you guys do. I think he does summit point as well. __________________ Current Mods: Vorpal Weapon +5.

06-02-2013, 04:21 PM	#81 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	If you're gonna stick with the Base brake setup until an eventual AP upgrade, Carbotech isn't a bad bet. XP10 front and XP8 rear worked out pretty well for a few of us on the stock Sport brakes, and I imagine it would be a reasonable solution on the Base brakes as well. Getting some cooling to the front rotors will help as well, either Stillen's brake duct kit or roll your own. Either way it's something you can put on now and will continue to work with the AP kit later. SS lines would be a nice help too, it gives you more-direct pressure feedback in the pedal, because you're not dealing with the "slack" of the expanding/contracting rubber lines. Rusty and Tigger like this. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

06-02-2013, 07:20 PM	#83 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	Pads and fluid are all you really need need. I'll side with Bobbo and wstar and say that XP10f/XP8r will be great. Big calipers just mean you'll be able to run longer really. My buddy won TTB in the Great Lakes/Midwest region with the stock 350Z calipers and good pads on his 350 if that's any comfort. He had the Brembo calipers but preferred to spend those points on aero. Start with what you have and upgrade things as you start to see problems. I wish I had taken that approach. Tigger likes this.

06-03-2013, 02:13 PM	#88 (permalink)
mdxj Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: OKC Posts: 290 Drives: 09 Nismo, 98 Jeep XJ Rep Power: 14	Another base model here too. I autox'd my 350 with base brakes and pads and dot4 fluid let me run all day with zero fade. I have AP's on my 370 now and I love carbotech pads. Heat is your main enemy so good pads, dot4 fluid and ducting will allow you to run for a while on the base brakes. A LSD was going to be next on my list but aero will be more likely. Car does not feel stable at highway speeds __________________ '09 370 base - RIP '09 370 Nismo - New track car

06-03-2013, 02:47 PM	#90 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Surely 130 is a typo? __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-31-2013, 08:33 AM	#78 (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 I may go down to VIR this fall. My friends are planning on going to the Santa's Toy Run at Road Atlanta again too. Just need to lock down a new job. :P

06-02-2013, 01:33 PM	#80 (permalink)
Tigger A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NM Posts: 8,063 Drives: Awedeeeeee Rep Power: 602	Ok. So since nearly everyone here has a sport package (except me) please give me some pointers here. I've read many of the threads involving brakes but it seems everyone that is even mildly serious about tracking has the sport package! So given that I have standard brakes, other than brake fluid exchange (Castrol SRF going in this week) What more can I really do? Swapping to slotted rotors and aggressive pads doesn't really do a whole lot. I did that on my last car and all I really gained was noise. I'd rather just swap the pads at a minimum, leave everything else and then eventually upgrade the entire brake system to the AP Racing brakes. But for now, on stock rotors and two pot, cast iron calipers, what pads can anyone recommend that will at least get me through a session or two at the track? I'm quite literally just starting out and now that I'm moving in two months I've lost a lot of my play funds for the near future. I just need to get through a few introductory sessions before I really start spitting money at this thing (not like I haven't already). I keep seeing carbotech XP8 but I'm sure everyone recommending them has the sport package! :/

06-02-2013, 07:48 PM	#84 (permalink)
Tigger A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NM Posts: 8,063 Drives: Awedeeeeee Rep Power: 602	Carbotech XP10/8 it is. I appreciate the honesty and feedback! Stainless line will jist be done with the new kit so I'll live with stock lines for now.

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