aside from shocks - what is the #1 suspension upgrade for road racing?
#21
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I was pedalling as hard as I could lap after lap. Finally I got close enough to see four helmets bobbing around in the Mini.
It's a hard concept to grasp, but horsepower isn't king on a road course.
In Florida, you might look at http://www.drivenasafl.com/speed/hpde
#22
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My own opinion, in order of importance:
Seat Time
Tires & Tire settings
Brake Pads
Shocks/Springs & settings (adjustable shocks)
Rotors
Brake Fluid
Sway Bars
Seat/harness
(FYI, I have yet to address the last 2 myself)
Seat Time
Tires & Tire settings
Brake Pads
Shocks/Springs & settings (adjustable shocks)
Rotors
Brake Fluid
Sway Bars
Seat/harness
(FYI, I have yet to address the last 2 myself)
Last edited by 01 ss vert; 11-08-2010 at 08:44 AM.
#23
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For engine insurance, I also run an extra quart of oil before each session due to the cornering and increased potential for oil starvation. I tend to bring 3-4 quarts just in case.
Last HPDE I was really hard on the brakes so I'm now looking into cooling ducts. I burnt the piston boots off in the 1st session. Cooling ducts are subjective, in that some ppl feel you need them, others don't. I tend to brake late and kick in ABS several times per lap, so I'm not easy on the pad by any means. Also, I think total weight of the car (I'm a heavy convertible), pad/rotor selection, and wheel design (some wheels allow more airflow - I'm 17x 9.5 in the front), and driving style all play a part on whether you need ducts or not. A lighter car on a course without high speed brake zones might not need them, especially with a good pad selection.
Last HPDE I was really hard on the brakes so I'm now looking into cooling ducts. I burnt the piston boots off in the 1st session. Cooling ducts are subjective, in that some ppl feel you need them, others don't. I tend to brake late and kick in ABS several times per lap, so I'm not easy on the pad by any means. Also, I think total weight of the car (I'm a heavy convertible), pad/rotor selection, and wheel design (some wheels allow more airflow - I'm 17x 9.5 in the front), and driving style all play a part on whether you need ducts or not. A lighter car on a course without high speed brake zones might not need them, especially with a good pad selection.
#24
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For engine insurance, I also run an extra quart of oil before each session due to the cornering and increased potential for oil starvation. I tend to bring 3-4 quarts just in case.
Last HPDE I was really hard on the brakes so I'm now looking into cooling ducts. I burnt the piston boots off in the 1st session. Cooling ducts are subjective, in that some ppl feel you need them, others don't. I tend to brake late and kick in ABS several times per lap, so I'm not easy on the pad by any means. Also, I think total weight of the car (I'm a heavy convertible), pad/rotor selection, and wheel design (some wheels allow more airflow - I'm 17x 9.5 in the front), and driving style all play a part on whether you need ducts or not. A lighter car on a course without high speed brake zones might not need them, especially with a good pad selection.
Last HPDE I was really hard on the brakes so I'm now looking into cooling ducts. I burnt the piston boots off in the 1st session. Cooling ducts are subjective, in that some ppl feel you need them, others don't. I tend to brake late and kick in ABS several times per lap, so I'm not easy on the pad by any means. Also, I think total weight of the car (I'm a heavy convertible), pad/rotor selection, and wheel design (some wheels allow more airflow - I'm 17x 9.5 in the front), and driving style all play a part on whether you need ducts or not. A lighter car on a course without high speed brake zones might not need them, especially with a good pad selection.
Thanks to all for the greet feedback & direction !
#25
That almost had to be Ian Stewart at Sebring several years ago. He and I instructed for an SVTOA event down there and I think he brought his showroom stock Civic for that event. I rode with him in a friends GT3 and considered myself a good driver until I watched what he could do. Simply amazing driver.
#26
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Ian? Yet another autocrosser turned road-racer.
To address the point about learn to drive first. Certainly a sucky driver in a good car isn't ideal. Of course many mods not only make the car faster, but easier to drive and more enjoyable to drive--even when not on the track.
As for mods vs. drivers. I get myself in trouble a lot with folks, since being one who instructs drivers... I tend to find myself asking if the problem isn't something they are doing (and ask them to think about it), before changing parts.
To address the point about learn to drive first. Certainly a sucky driver in a good car isn't ideal. Of course many mods not only make the car faster, but easier to drive and more enjoyable to drive--even when not on the track.
As for mods vs. drivers. I get myself in trouble a lot with folks, since being one who instructs drivers... I tend to find myself asking if the problem isn't something they are doing (and ask them to think about it), before changing parts.
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Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
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www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
#27
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That almost had to be Ian Stewart at Sebring several years ago. He and I instructed for an SVTOA event down there and I think he brought his showroom stock Civic for that event. I rode with him in a friends GT3 and considered myself a good driver until I watched what he could do. Simply amazing driver.
Sorry for the highjack.
My novice opinion is that decent brakes and tires are the top concern, as well as ensuring the fluids and cooling systems are squared away.