Track Related Mods
9/17/16, 10:00 PM
#441
Bullitt Member
So today I changed it up a bit and did a track event which was an autocross. I have only done two prior to this. The event was put on by Vista Ford racing A subsidiary of the Ford dealership I purchased my car from.
There was a great turnout 45-50 cars. Some autocross regulars as well as race prepped cars. Cobras, Shelby's, GT 350s, modified S550s, The Borla cup car and the Willwood modified vintage Mustang.
This was my first outing with my new wheels and tires...
What a fantastic tire. I felt like I was cheating. Of all the cars all day I posted the fastest time. They awarded first second and third place trophies and prizes. Although due to a technicality of clipping a cone, I was bumped from first place to second. Most everyone thought it was BS because it was not noted until the very end. Even the guy they awarded first place to said I was the fastest all day and that I should be awarded first.
No worries though I was just happy to place.
BTW First place was a Shelby GT 350
There was a great turnout 45-50 cars. Some autocross regulars as well as race prepped cars. Cobras, Shelby's, GT 350s, modified S550s, The Borla cup car and the Willwood modified vintage Mustang.
This was my first outing with my new wheels and tires...
What a fantastic tire. I felt like I was cheating. Of all the cars all day I posted the fastest time. They awarded first second and third place trophies and prizes. Although due to a technicality of clipping a cone, I was bumped from first place to second. Most everyone thought it was BS because it was not noted until the very end. Even the guy they awarded first place to said I was the fastest all day and that I should be awarded first.
No worries though I was just happy to place.
BTW First place was a Shelby GT 350
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SGwick (9/18/16)
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redonblackpony (9/17/16)
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SGwick (9/18/16)
9/18/16, 05:10 AM
#449
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So today I changed it up a bit and did a track event which was an autocross. . . .
This was my first outing with my new wheels and tires...
What a fantastic tire. I felt like I was cheating. Of all the cars all day I posted the fastest time. . . .
BTW First place was a Shelby GT 350
This was my first outing with my new wheels and tires...
What a fantastic tire. I felt like I was cheating. Of all the cars all day I posted the fastest time. . . .
BTW First place was a Shelby GT 350
I keep thinking I should try some autocross but I think the waiting around all day, to drive for 30 seconds or so, would drive me nuts.
Can you remind us what wheels you are running? You mention the tires (NT01) a page back, but the wheels are way back there somewhere . . . are they 19" or 18"? And the NT01's are NOT street legal, correct?
I am at the point with this track thing that I need to either go in deeper, or get out. I am at a plateau now which I think is mostly limited by the car (no doubt there is some room for improvement with the driver also) but it's frustrating to be not improving. I think wheels/tires is probably the biggest thing I can do (short of a whole new car) so trying to decide if I will make that money commitment or not. I have 19x9.5 wheels now, but they are fairly heavy (about 30 pounds?).
Last edited by Bert; 9/18/16 at 05:11 AM.
9/18/16, 08:20 AM
#450
Mach 1 Member
Ready for trackday towing (decals = 5mph+) :-)
9/18/16, 08:59 AM
#452
Bullitt Member
Wow, that's an awesome prize! Sponsor must have deep pockets. Too bad, maybe next time. I keep thinking I should try some autocross but I think the waiting around all day, to drive for 30 seconds or so, would drive me nuts. Can you remind us what wheels you are running? You mention the tires (NT01) a page back, but the wheels are way back there somewhere . . . are they 19" or 18"? And the NT01's are NOT street legal, correct? I am at the point with this track thing that I need to either go in deeper, or get out. I am at a plateau now which I think is competition mostly limited by the car (no doubt there is some room for improvement with the driver also) but it's frustrating to be not improving. I think wheels/tires is probably the biggest thing I can do (short of a whole new car) so trying to decide if I will make that money commitment or not. I have 19x9.5 wheels now, but they are fairly heavy (about 30 pounds?).
I keep thinking I should try some autocross but I think the waiting around all day, to drive for 30 seconds or so, would drive me nuts. Can you remind us what wheels you are running? You mention the tires (NT01) a page back, but the wheels are way back there somewhere . . . are they 19" or 18"? And the NT01's are NOT street legal, correct? I am at the point with this track thing that I need to either go in deeper, or get out. I am at a plateau now which I think is competition mostly limited by the car (no doubt there is some room for improvement with the driver also) but it's frustrating to be not improving. I think wheels/tires is probably the biggest thing I can do (short of a whole new car) so trying to decide if I will make that money commitment or not. I have 19x9.5 wheels now, but they are fairly heavy (about 30 pounds?).My car is definitely not set up for autocross but I was certainly surprised when I beat the competition.
The tires are NItto NT01 275x40x18 and the wheels are TSW InterLagos 9.5" (19.9lbs ea). Most stock 9" wheels weigh in at 30 pounds +.
Do used tires are recommended for road racing and autocross only. They are street legal, but they are quite noisy because they do not have tread beads.
I have been doing HPDE events for almost 5 years now. During that time, I have always used high-performance summer only street tires.
Like you, I had reached a plateau or the cars potential. This modification brought me to the next level. I could not be happier! Like I quoted before, I felt like I was cheating somehow. Wheels and tires make that much of a difference.
9/18/16, 10:27 AM
#453
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That's awesome redonblack! Good work man! 10lbs/corner and sticky rummer makes a ton of difference.
I only did autocross as part of driver's training for my job. But I never participated in one of these events in my own car. Is there any kind of opportunity to warm up times and brakes (and brain) before the runs?
I think key to posting good times in auto-x is to be able to get to 90-95% of what you fast HPDE laps almost immediately. The trick is to go from 0 to fast laps type performance in 1 lap. Do you agree?
Great driving, I'm sure you were in a class with similarly moded cars, so your podium finish and fastest lap are a testament to your skill.
I only did autocross as part of driver's training for my job. But I never participated in one of these events in my own car. Is there any kind of opportunity to warm up times and brakes (and brain) before the runs?
I think key to posting good times in auto-x is to be able to get to 90-95% of what you fast HPDE laps almost immediately. The trick is to go from 0 to fast laps type performance in 1 lap. Do you agree?
Great driving, I'm sure you were in a class with similarly moded cars, so your podium finish and fastest lap are a testament to your skill.
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redonblackpony (9/18/16)
9/18/16, 11:26 AM
#455
Bullitt Member
That's awesome redonblack! Good work man! 10lbs/corner and sticky rummer makes a ton of difference. I only did autocross as part of driver's training for my job. But I never participated in one of these events in my own car. Is there any kind of opportunity to warm up times and brakes (and brain) before the runs? I think key to posting good times in auto-x is to be able to get to 90-95% of what you fast HPDE laps almost immediately. The trick is to go from 0 to fast laps type performance in 1 lap. Do you agree? Great driving, I'm sure you were in a class with similarly moded cars, so your podium finish and fastest lap are a testament to your skill.
So yes, you are right in that you have to hit it extremely hard like getting your best lap time during HPDE event on your outgoing or 2nd lap.
During the final session the competition was getting extremely tight. I thought it might be necessary to check\deflate cold tire pressures to get maximum grip. Unfamiliar with this particular tire I set them the same as my street tires 33F 32R Cold psi. At the starting line during my final two runs the professional drivers ask what I had my tire pressure set at. They snickered and said oh wow that's way too high should be more like 26 cold. Moral of the story… Tires had way more in them. This is good to know
9/22/16, 04:19 PM
#456
Mach 1 Member
Guys, silly me got the car emissions test with the tune = failed test (see photos). Question: can I just put stock tune and retest or do I have to replace the Steeda CAI to stock w/stock tune?
Last edited by SGwick; 9/22/16 at 04:26 PM.
9/22/16, 05:51 PM
#457
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If you use the factory tune with the Steeda CAI, the car will not run right. It will run lean because the MAF section in that CAI is larger than stock; so the computer will think there is less air coming in than there really is; it will command fuel for the lesser amount of air; and it will run lean. Hope that makes sense!
If it is Bama tune, they should be able to fix it for you, but you might need to talk to a "lead tuner" who knows what you are talking about.
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SGwick (9/22/16)
9/22/16, 06:33 PM
#458
Mach 1 Member
Thx Bert. I have all the original O2 sensors and cats. Just changed to Steeda CAI and tune. I'll contact Steeda.
9/22/16, 07:11 PM
#459
Mach 1 Member
tj@steeda do you know if Steeda has an "emissions" tune?
9/22/16, 10:03 PM
#460
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Originally Posted by SGwick
tj@steeda do you know if Steeda has an "emissions" tune?