I went to Summit Point yesterday and I have to get my car on that track! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I know seat time is the best thing, but I also have 'be safe as possible' thoughts.

I need good advice about brakes and whatever else may help me be safe and keep the car planted.

Ok, at this point my mods are:

98 M6 Z28
BMR Weld in SFC's
1 LE Front Sway bar (stock rear)
Hotchkis LCA's and Panhard bar
Poly bushings - Front and rear endlinks
Energy Suspension Tranny mount. I may take this out and use 1LE
Front control arm bushing are waiting with LCA relocation brackets for install

I still have stock brakes and really want suggestions that are affordable. I also am still stock 16" rims, but will be borrowing Z06 17" and 18" for the track (thanks, you know who you are) so I will need to have them fit 16". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Should I install a bigger rear sway bar?

Please help me get to Summit and feel safe! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

Thanks for any advice!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Beth

 

https://ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ulti...c;f=6;t=000101

 

Beth, I will assume that you've never been on a road course before.

Be prepared ... do it once and it's like crack cocaine. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

My suggestion to you is not to worry about suspension stuff just yet. Because you don't have a lot of seat time, you really don't have a feel for what your car will do on a road course.

I've logged over 1000 miles on a local course and am jsut now getting to the point where I need more from my car. So, be patient.

I suggest you install new Carbotech Panther Plus pads and get a set of Autozone rotors. Do a good flush of your brake fluid. That should set you up for a decent weekend without any brake woes.

Next, find a run group who has a similar philosophy about safety that you do. If everyone is out to have fun and be safe, then chances are nill that you will go home with a ding or dent.

Road coursing is a blast. Welcome to my world!

 

Mitch, I know that seat time is the most important thing I can do and can't wait.

I sat in on a drivers meeting and went for a ride with an instructor in his Z06, and man, there is nothing like it!! I am a little curious as to why it did not scare the heck outta me and I have to do this.

Now, I know I will never be at a level like that, but the way that Z06 handled at those speeds made me wonder about the mods I already have.

For instance, I have the 32mm front sway bar. Is it safer to install the 21mm in the rear also? I also have a strut tower brace up front so I wonder if the rear may be less stable.

There were 5 guys who spun out on Friday and they were not with the fast crowd, so it made me wonder about my current mods complimenting each other. I don't want to be a spin out star in a video. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> I'm also thinking, I should leave the LCA relocation brackets off?

I know I may never reach the limits of my car, but I also don't want to worry about losing traction around anyone.

Thanks for the advice about brakes! This is going to be soooo much fun!!

Beth

 

Yessiree ... it's a lot of fun.

Beth, you are gonna make mistakes and some mistakes might cause you to spin. No amount of suspension is gonna preclude that.

It's just plain familiarity with your car's characteristics and the track on which you are running.

You will not hurt anything by putting on that sway bar. But it's kinda like salting your food prior to tasting ... you really just don't know if it's necessary.

Looking over your mod list, I see no springs or shocks listed. You should probably look there first ... Get the CG lower and get some shocks, like Bilstiens, to keep the tires planted.

Have fun!

 

Ok, after checking out pricing and things, now I am more confused. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> If Ed McMahon would just send his posse to the door things would be fine!

I need to do this on a tight budget for now, and I am considering this:

G2 springs
Bilsteins or Hals (leaning towards hals...)
I really want Baer Eradispeeds but price wise they are out of the question, so that leaves me with the Atuozone rotors I keep hearing about. Do they have them for the rear? or Power Slots.
I want the Hawk HPS pads.

Is this going to work? This World Wide Wishbook is drivingme crazy!! I really dislike window shopping! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Beth

 

The AZ rotors are just fine.

They are cheap and brakes are easily replaced.

Now, HP Plus pads are an aggressive pad. So, it will damage your rotors. But that comes with the territory. Rear rotors are not necessary until later on in your "racing" cycle. I've just replaced my rear pads and am still on my original rear rotors.

The set-up you've outlined is close to mine, less the G2 poly/rod LCAs.

 

Beth, the best thing I can suggest is to run it for a while before plunking down the cash. The susprension upgrades you will need will be dictated by your driving style. After you've logged some seat time, then think of where it can be improved. You'll know just where the car's sweet spots are. Then you can buy your upgrades with confidence, whether you need them for cornering, braking, burnouts, etc.

Look for me at the 75-80 Raceway. Ask for Mike. I've got the white Z.