Remember When an LS1tech Member Set A Nurburgring Lap Record?
LS1tech forum legend runs 8:07 lap around famous Nurburgring in F-Body Firebird Formula.
It’s no surprise that we here at LS1tech love ourselves some F-Body content. In particular, fourth-gen Camaro and Firebirds are a real soft spot for us. To that end, there is always talk in the office about F-Bodies built to handle. There are the Sam Stranos of the world, dominating the autocross and road racing world, just as there are weekend warriors building F-Body drift cars. However, remember that time when an LS1tech forum member took their Firebird to the Nurburgring? Let’s talk about user Phoenix64 and his Firebird Formula.
Although his thread begins May, 2012, forum member Phoenix64 and his Nurburgring chronicles actually begins in early 2011. Stationed in Germany, Phoenix64 had his Firebird Formula shipped over to him. Being 21st century car enthusiast living in Germany, he naturally ended up going to the famed Nurburgring during the touristenfahrten (public lapping days). His goal was to run a sub-10:00 lap around the 12.9-mile Nordschleife (North Course), a feat popularized by British motoring program, Top Gear.
His first attempt was a 12:30, which is, being kind, way off pace. But, hey, second times the charm, right?
Well, sort of. Phoenix64 ended up taking advantage of several circumstances unique to the Nurburgring, including renting several track-prepped race cars for additional seat time and riding along with a more experienced driver in another fourth-gen Camaro. It was through these experiences that he was able to get back into his car and knock off more than two minutes of time. He ended the event running a very respectable 10:03 lap.
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What follows is a large gap as forum members chime in with accolades for running the famed circuit, and advice on car setup to go faster. Phoenix64 chimes in periodically with updates on the car, as well as the other cars he has been driving in the interim at the Nurburgring. Despite jumping around between half a dozen different cars, the seat time and increased familiarity with the track results in progressively quicker lap times.
In short, our OP ends up toggling between two different wheel and tire packages, trying to discern if increased grip is worth added rotational mass. Ultimately, the dropping lap times continue to point towards seat time being the real answer. Though, that said, the car does end up getting an an aftermarket intake and exhaust setup, for a touch more power. Then, from there, aftermarket lowering springs, adjustable shocks, sway bars and a Brembo big brake kit cribbed from a CTS-V, are also added to the car.
Page 5 of this excellent thread, which is filled with some valuable autocross and road racing setup tips, culminates in Phoenix64 reporting back with his latest lap times. He manages to run an astonishingly quick 8:07 lap around the ‘Ring in his F-body. Check out this thread, it’s an awesome ride, from start to finish. Once you’re done checking that out, maybe it’s time to sign up for a track day experience of your own? Drop a comment below with your latest track day plans.
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