Share Your Track Day & Autox Experiences

[Sleeper_08]

Originally Posted by Argonaut Yeah - this was a great thread. Colin should start a new one on Jan 1st, just in case any of our southern brethern begin the new year with a little track day fun. Mods...where do I start: cage, brakes, trany cooler, bushings, another set of rims, $, $$. Yikes. At least I already have one set of tires for next year - picked up some brand new 275x18 Nitto NT-01s the other day for half price. A guy on another forum getting rid of his stuff. Good idea about starting a new thread for 2010 - I'll try to remember! My car now has the winter tires on and street pads and I have to remember to throw the sand bags into the trunk. Did you get the 275/35/18 or 275/40/18 Nitto's. I'm thinking of moving up to them for next season and am leaning towards the 40s. Other than thinking about swithching to R comps the only other changes I'm thinking about are moving to HT-10 F and HT Plus R.

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[Philostang]

Well, I thought a separate post for 2010 mods was the way to go, but since we’re all sharing here, what the hey. This summer, the ole’ girl went into retirement from daily-driver duty, so now we really get to start the mods in earnest. She’ll see very limited street duty. Here’s a brief rundown:

Aesthetic:
Stinger Extractor Hood
Pypes mid-muffler system
Rear seat delete (custom)

Performance:
Dedicated track tire/wheel combo, likely 18x9.5” Enkei RPF-1 shod with Nitto NT01 275/35/18
Fay’s Watt’s Link

Safety/Control:
MM Roll bar w/fixed harness bar and diagonal brace
Harnesses (likely Schroth)
Kirkey Deluxe Road Race seats
ARP Wheel Studs

If the money holds up, I may look seriously at Stoptech brakes later in the summer; we’ll see. I have a fresh set of rotors and pads for the track, so I’m in no hurry. Funding more track days is taking a higher priority anyway.

There’s also my “super-secret modification” that I’d like to do if I can find the time for the amount of fabrication it will take…it’s going to be soooo cool (he says with a maniacal laugh…). I’m currently in the process of setting up for a small trailer for the wheel/tire combo and some more track supplies. So that’s absorbing a bit of my time now.

Best,
-j

[Argonaut]

Originally Posted by Sleeper_08

Did you get the 275/35/18 or 275/40/18 Nitto's. I'm thinking of moving up to them for next season and am leaning towards the 40s.

Other than thinking about swithching to R comps the only other changes I'm thinking about are moving to HT-10 F and HT Plus R.

I got the 274/40/18. The koni challenge hoosiers I've been using are 275/35/18, a little shorter sidewall. Honestly I don't know that I could tell the difference when driving between the two aspect ratios.

Why not go HT-10 front and rear? Or, send me a PM. I got a set of front DTC60s sitting in my basement looking for a car to go on.

[Sam Strano]

Originally Posted by Philostang

Well, I thought a separate post for 2010 mods was the way to go, but since we’re all sharing here, what the hey. This summer, the ole’ girl went into retirement from daily-driver duty, so now we really get to start the mods in earnest. She’ll see very limited street duty. Here’s a brief rundown:

Aesthetic:
Stinger Extractor Hood
Pypes mid-muffler system
Rear seat delete (custom)

Performance:
Dedicated track tire/wheel combo, likely 18x9.5” Enkei RPF-1 shod with Nitto NT01 275/35/18
Fay’s Watt’s Link

Safety/Control:
MM Roll bar w/fixed harness bar and diagonal brace
Harnesses (likely Schroth)
Kirkey Deluxe Road Race seats
ARP Wheel Studs

If the money holds up, I may look seriously at Stoptech brakes later in the summer; we’ll see. I have a fresh set of rotors and pads for the track, so I’m in no hurry. Funding more track days is taking a higher priority anyway.

There’s also my “super-secret modification” that I’d like to do if I can find the time for the amount of fabrication it will take…it’s going to be soooo cool (he says with a maniacal laugh…). I’m currently in the process of setting up for a small trailer for the wheel/tire combo and some more track supplies. So that’s absorbing a bit of my time now.

Best,
-j

FWIW, while I can't help with the hood or exhaust stuff, I can help on the MM roll-bar, seats, Belts, ARP studs and of course the Fays2 Watts..... I know it's a long winter, just thought I'd mention it since I can't possibly get all those parts on the website and wanted to let you know I have them.

[Sleeper_08]

Originally Posted by Argonaut

I got the 274/40/18. The koni challenge hoosiers I've been using are 275/35/18, a little shorter sidewall. Honestly I don't know that I could tell the difference when driving between the two aspect ratios.

Why not go HT-10 front and rear? Or, send me a PM. I got a set of front DTC60s sitting in my basement looking for a car to go on.

Because I've been experiencing some rear end "wiggle" braking from 135 + MPH and am running GT500 front calipers with a stock GT master cylinder I am wondering if there may be too much rear brake bias. By running more agressive pads on the front then this may balance it out a bit.

The Nitto NT01 tires are 779 revs per mile (26.55 dia) and 813 revs per mile (25.55 dia) and my KDWs are 771 revs per mile (27.00 dia). At Mosport I've pulled 137 MPH which is close to the limit of 4 th gear (6250 RPM). By switching to R-comps I'm hoping my corner exit speed onto the straight will be higher and thus am concerned it will be necessary to shift to 5th (which sucks) or run on the rev limiter at the end of the straight.

[Sleeper_08]

Originally Posted by Philostang

Well, I thought a separate post for 2010 mods was the way to go, but since we’re all sharing here, what the hey. This summer, the ole’ girl went into retirement from daily-driver duty, so now we really get to start the mods in earnest. She’ll see very limited street duty.
Best,
-j

I wish I could also run a near dedicated track car but unfortunately the budget won't allow it. After seeing the pictures of the Hallet flip a good roll bar is something I'd like to add but so far the decision hasn't been made.

Sounds like yours will be quite a car next year.

[Philostang]

Originally Posted by Sam Strano

FWIW, while I can't help with the hood or exhaust stuff, I can help on the MM roll-bar, seats, Belts, ARP studs and of course the Fays2 Watts..... I know it's a long winter, just thought I'd mention it since I can't possibly get all those parts on the website and wanted to let you know I have them.

Well of course silly! The hood, seats, and exhaust are already purchased and waiting for install. The first call I was going to make for the rest was to you; that was never in doubt. Still, it's good to know you have more available than on the website. After all, I like being treated like a human being...rather than a number.

Sleeper,

For what it's worth, the only good off-the-shelf roll bars for the S197 that I've seen are the MM and Griggs bars. Stay away from the Autopower offering (the mounts will have to be modified to prevent them from doing what they did at Hallett...or at least give them a fighting chance).

Best,
-j