Track Day Preparation

[NickS]

Thought I would start a little thread here for 2 reasons, firstly, to see if I am smart enough to link to a picture from the gallery (highly doubt it, but you never know) and also to give a review of the changes I have made to my car in the Brakes / Tyres / Suspension area to prepare it for track use.

For those that don't know my stock HSV brakes lasted two track days. The car had a grand total of 7500kms on it and the calipers were so warped that I could put the brake pedal clean on the floor, even after a fluid flush and bleed. So to cope with the weight of the Coupe 4 I invested in a set of Harrop Ultimates.

Fronts ... 6 piston calipers with 381mm x 32mm ventilated + cross grooved rotors
Rears ... 4 piston calipers with 356mm x 28mm ventilated + cross grooved rotors

and now for the pics, fingers crossed ...

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/2/medium/DSC02263.JPG

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/2/medium/DSC02264.JPG

SUCCESS !!!

Next I will put up some info & pics about the tyres I have for the track and then when it has been installed (hopefully very soon) info on the suspension modifications for track use.

[NickS]

Just as comparison ... front brakes before & after :D

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/10_HSV_Brakes.JPG http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/2/medium/11_Harrop_Ultimates.JPG

[35R]

Nick, have you had to replace the pads as yet? I am led to believe the harrop calipers take porsche pads?

[NickS]

Nick, have you had to replace the pads as yet? I am led to believe the harrop calipers take porsche pads?

:eek: :eek: :eek: ... not yet, and I don't like the sounds of that ( mucho $$$ )

Have done about 7000kms on the street performers in the SS, checked the pads last service, the look like they haven't even been used !!! That's all street driving of course, but I think the Harrop gear takes a fair beating without wearing out real quick.

[lautray]

:eek: :eek: :eek: ... not yet, and I don't the sounds of that ( mucho $$$ )

Have done about 7000kms on the street performers in the SS, checked the pads last service, the look like they haven't even been used !!! That's all street driving of course, but I think the Harrop gear takes a fair beating without wearing out real quick.

I hope so for your sake ;) .

[NickS]

OK guys ... part II of the track preparation, tyres !!!

I considered getting a set of track tyres put on the car and then just leaving them there full time. However, after speaking with many different people, I decided that the car would be undriveable on a wet road with track tyres on. So I purchased a second set of wheels and put some brand new tyres on the car for road use.

I then took the original wheels and threw out the tyres as after 4 track days, a drag day, 2 skidpan days and 7500kms they were well and truely dead. I then spent ages trying to source some 19 inch semi comps as I need the 19 inch wheels to fit over the brakes !!!

Finally I found some, Dunlop SP Super Sport, supposed to be fantastic on the track and horrible in the wet. You will notice the distinct lack of grooves around the centre of the tyre, these are the primary method for tyres to disperse standing water ... I have none in the middle at all. Any moisture has to go through the small grooves to the outside of the tyre. So basically, I won't be using them on a wet road ... ever.

In the 1st pic you can see the extra width of the rear tyres as opposed to the fronts. The rears are officially 255 wide but they measure 275 wide, the fronts are officially 225 wide but measure 245 wide ??? Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying them out.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/501/medium/DSC03825.JPG

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/501/medium/DSC03823.JPG

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/501/medium/DSC03827.JPG

Suspension should be going on in the next two weeks ... I'll take lots of pics and update on that when it is finished.

:D

[35R]

Looking good Nick; so you bought another set of Coupe 4 Wheels?

I has a little present this arvo, waiting for me inside the front gate..

http://trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/re55.jpg

Funny thing is, looks like they have changed the tread pattern on the RE55, hmmm...

[DaveHAT]

Terrific write up (& pics :D ) Nick.

I too am on the same road as your good self with not much left to do...

Only have to get the following minor things done and we're ready to rock:
1 tyres
2 wheels
3 brakes
4 suspension
5 driver ability

:o

[lautray]

I has a little present this arvo, waiting for me inside the front gate..

http://trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/re55.jpg

Funny thing is, looks like they have changed the tread pattern on the RE55, hmmm...
The cuts look a bit more curved?