makes me think my next mod would be vortech but i know if i add power im just going to wind up getting slower corner entry speeds over time. Ill get used to going in slow and useing a rush of power to exit fast. (or crooked). Stock power is great for practicing. I did cheat on my rear camber arms i bought intense motorsport but i figured they have got to be stronger than stock

 

Drift Corners-Where do you AutoX in CT?I'm in New Haven and lookingfor something more local than Jersey.

 

There is sick team autocross and single at devens airbase in ayre mass with scca solo. I love that its so wide open u feel like your on a small track. I run with cart ct too. They just lost there location though. I hear they have all new locations this year smaller but very smooth. With is good with the new coilovers. I like that group. I have a good freind older guy with a lotus that teaches me alot there he is an instructer. And there is one that if you PM me i will tell you when i go. I have not been there yet. It is at giant stadium i here it is good.

 

Go to www.cartct.com or www.fcscc.com if you are looking to autox in CT.

Drift_corners, I believe I met you at a CART event before. I remember the 2006 Z, I have the 2004 silver one. Just before you go get all the mods, let me just remind you my car is still 100% stock. The only thing I changed is tires. For the track, the only extra thing I do is a set of race pads and brake fluid. I think my car held its own despite being in "slow stock" form. If you don't believe me, go look at the lap record and points page.

Let me just add that the car is probably faster if you feel like you are on rails. You will find that out once you get on race rubber.

Stan is awesome, I drove his Elise. It was very interesting

 

What ?!?

Feeling on rails = zero tire slip = not maximum grip is being extracted/used = slow

 

My definition of "feeling on rails" is the way the car feels before it gets into a slide, that's max grip before it breaks away.

 

I'm might come as a surprise that there exists a zone between full grip and full slide where the tire is partially slipping but still generating more grip dispite the contact patch getting smaller.

Within that zone (relatively wide on street tires and much smaller on r-comps), the car will be traveling the fastest. And it feels anything but "on rails"...

 

Yes, that is the true "4 wheel drift". I know what it feels like and I have done plenty of them. If you nail it perfect, the car just glides over the track. Even before the "4 wheel drift", the car should be stuck to the road like glue.

 

Tom mak i mentioned you your the guy i run with thats stock and spanks me. Stans car is great. I know i just read that quote in secrets to speed, and loved it. It was some race book. I know what race rubber feels like. And yes ohh yes its good. I just cant afford it, i allready put in all thoes mods you see on the list though

 

Ps. Your car did more than hold its own. Your a legend at Cart. For everyone else this guy is fast. Stock z spanking tuned lotuses.


I still stand by my quote, as it is not mine and comes from a top instructer who chose to write a book and make that one of the chapters. SO many people dont reach the limit with there cars.

 

I don't do that well in autox, I am much better at the track events. If you want to see fast Z, come watch Nick and I go at it. I was 3rd at LRP last year behind two 450HP+ EVOs.

 

doesn't surprise me
Ill hopefully see you around this summer, any pointers you can give me would be great. You will have to ride with me in a auto cross and vis versa.

 

Just look for me, i am always available. #63

You did miss me in the GT3, now that was a real ride

 

yeah i bet

 

MUST HAVE STICKERS before going on track

 

i started absolutely stock on my first track season. Had no idea what i was gonna need/want.

after a couple events, first thing I got was Eibach kit. I could tell right away by the cars handling that the stock suspension was not going to cut it. *** end would get light while braking, body roll, pushing thru the turns. after that is brakes. i was told by a couple other Z drivers that stock brake system works well, but upgrade the pads. So Hawk pads it is. Only problem I have now is they overheat badly. This past Friday at VIR has probably been the worst. We were on the south course which is more turns and hills then it is straight and fast. Not much speed over 120mph however a lot of tight turns. Now I have pad deposit melted all over the front rotors. I now am researching BBK's. Like the sound of the StopTechs but they are all expensive. After brakes, prolly sway kits and most definatley TIRES!! I have a set of track wheels in the garage, but not sure on tires yet. Looking at the Hoosier R6's, Avons, and the Kuhmo V710's.

Good Luck!

 

By the way, I have seen a lot of Stan this year. He mentioned about getting you to more seat time too. I raced him in 4 events this year if i recall correctly.

I started out stock, car remained stock with the exception of tires and springs. A nice set of tires can be as good as a set of springs or other suspension pieces.

 

yeah when i get the money ill put on RA-1's probly 275/35/18 295/30/18 I feel that will give me the grip monster i have allways dreamed about.

 

The Toyo just makes your car fast, it doesnt feel grippy like the 710. I still havent beenable to pick up tons of rocks with them. THey just work amazingly

 

Bill sounds like you have a couple things going on, none of which I think warrant a big brake kit. 1st... South Course is very hard on brakes because of the lack of cool-down time on track. Any short course with the kinds of elevation changes that track has will be that way. When you say the pads are over heating, why exactly are you saying that? Are they fading on you? Is the braking performance being degraded to where you feel unsafe?

2nd... Pad deposits will happen with or without a big brake kit. It usually happens when you don't give the brakes enough time to cool off after your session. Even if you don't use the parking brake, or hold the brakes after you come in, just sitting still, if the brakes are hot, will cause uneven pad deposits. Sure a BBK will help, simply because its a bigger heat sink... but just plopping down a couple thousand dollars for pad deposits on South Course doesn't seem worth it to me.

Upgrading your tires will only make the problem worse because you'll end up working the brakes that much harder. You'll spend more money on pads too (to equal the performance of the tires).

Spend the money on brake ducting, ask your instructors to pay special attention to your braking, find out if you can be more efficient at it, get a better pad before getting a better tire, and you'll be a much better driver for it.