Best way I can describe it is SENSORY OVERLOAD!. Wow, what an absolute blast. Next best thing to sex IMO.
Spent the day at Sebring w/ Chin Motorsports yesterday. Had a great instructor, Paul, who drives a spec Miata. Learned soooo much, but its like golf in the sense that you need to try and remember so many different things all at the same time in the heat of the moment. I wasn't the fastest by any stretch of the imagination, even got passed by a full race Neon (oh, the shame! ), but I wasn't there to be Mario Andretti, I was there to learn and learn I did. Paul said I was progressing very well, so that made me feel good. Sebring is a pretty tough course for a first time, but I felt myself getting smoother and faster as the day progressed. Toward the end, my brain couldn't take much more and I caught myself making stupid mistakes, early apexing, etc., so I opted to call it day about 45 min early.
The Z06 held up pretty well. Plenty of power in the straights, good cornering, good braking. Car is bone stock, except for Motul 600 fluid and Hawk HP+ pads. Some brake fade after a few laps when trying to go from 130 to 30, but I guess that's to be expected. At the end of the day, I started to see some small cracks in the front rotors (stock ones) and showed them to a tech just to be safe. He said its to be expected and not to really worry but plan on changing rotors after the event (had another set with me just in case). I will probably get the Doug Rippie brake ducts in hopes of getting a little more life out of my fronts. The only other problem was the DIC flashing high trans temps so there is likely a trans cooler in my future. Maybe I'll give the new LG diff-driven pump setup a try. Also confirmed that the stock seats suck for the track and am researching which race seats to buy. Not too many options that will fit the car and my fat arse (I'm 6'1", 235 lbs). Looking at the Sparco Evo2 and asked about seat height in the Pit Road forum.
Some serious cars there, Ferrari (360 I think), badass Viper, lots of Porsche's, a Lingenfelter stage II twin turbo vette. A 2002 M3 blew up his motor on the course and sent a couple of people for a spin from oil on the track . Apparently there is a bearing problem with some of these and the motor sent a rod through the side of the case! Felt bad for the guy, hopefully BMW will replace his motor under warranty.
I'm hooked! When I called my wife, I told her I had good news and bad news - the good news was I loved it, the bad news was that I loved it ($$$), lol.
I started with DEs in 02 and it didn't take me long to fall completely off the deep end.
You can get rid of some of the fade with higher temp pads such as Carbotech XP8 or 9s, but they will be even harder on your rotors. The DRM brake ducts are a good idea and will help reduce rotor temps and will slightly extend rotor life. FYI, I get about three race weekends out of a set of rotors before I start to get uncomfortable with the heat stress cracking and throw them away.
How did your oil temp hold up? I'd recommend you change your oil after each DE.
I'd also suggest you bleed your brakes when you get a chance. Your fluid is likely to be pretty dirty.
Originally posted by Subdriver I started with DEs in 02 and it didn't take me long to fall completely off the deep end.
I can definitely see how easy it is to go nuts. Only limiting factor is going to be my wallet.
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You can get rid of some of the fade with higher temp pads such as Carbotech XP8 or 9s, but they will be even harder on your rotors. The DRM brake ducts are a good idea and will help reduce rotor temps and will slightly extend rotor life. FYI, I get about three race weekends out of a set of rotors before I start to get uncomfortable with the heat stress cracking and throw them away.
I will likely step up to the Carbontech's, but wanted to try a midrange pad for starters. I don't drive the car much on the street so the downsides (dust, squeal) aren't an issue. I have a set of NAPA rotors ($25.99 ea!!) that I'm going to try at the next event and see how they hold up.
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How did your oil temp hold up? I'd recommend you change your oil after each DE.
Couldn't figure out how to leave the oil temp on the DIC in competition driving mode. I remembered to check it a few times but it was a few minutes after pulling off the track and saw 250-265. Coolant temps were as high as 225. Will be getting a 170 t-stat and LS1 Edit to change fan temps. These should help with oil temps, right? I want to address the trans temp issue first.
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I'd also suggest you bleed your brakes when you get a chance. Your fluid is likely to be pretty dirty.
Couldn't figure out how to leave the oil temp on the DIC in competition driving mode.
After you put it in Comp Mode, hit reset and the Comp Mode message on the DIC will clear, allowing you to return to monitoring what you want... which is normally oil temp.
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Will be getting a 170 t-stat and LS1 Edit to change fan temps. These should help with oil temps, right?
These should not have much impact on oil temp at speed, but it probably won't hurt either. Two factors here. One, oil temp doesn't follow coolant temp very well. I have DRM racing radiator, part number 30-695, and coolant temps are normally around 220, even on a very hot day. But oil temps can still climb upwards of 300 without an oil cooler. Even with an oil cooler, I am seeing 265-275 oil temps, but that is cooler return temp. Hot oil temp for me is probably in the 280s to 290s.
I change my oil a lot...
The other factor is that on a track, you should have lots of air flow through the radiator, so the fans won't help as much as they do sitting in traffic.
I have a ITB Rabbit I run in florida SCCA running 275 oil temps with a cooler. I have run that way for years and no problems never had to tear the engine down yet. I just read an article that Nascar engine builder has discovered to run thinner synthetic oil the better, thicker oil has more oil pressure cause its harder to push thru the engine thus more heat. Old theory was to use heavy oil 20w50. Heavy oil is also harder to throw off the gears and bearings, robs power. They are also coating bearings and trans. gears and ring and pinion gears with teflon which helps oil slide off reducing friction less HP loss. One Nascar builder ran a 500 mile race and the engine bearings showed no wear. The teflon coating of bearings was told to the engine builder by AJ Foyt who was doing it in indy engines. Also put synthetic in your transmission it should help with wear with the high temps. I have run 10,000 miles in the Z that way no problems. I do not remember if it was valvoline or mobil 1 but it was the type of oil the manual says to use.
I am heading out to Sebring in the morning to run with NASA on Saturday. Chateau Elan is becoming a second home... ;-) Hope to see you out there eventually. I have run a couple of Chin events... Nice guys, a well run and conservative organization.
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2002 Z06 "Christine"- TR/Black, Lots of stuff for the track ....
2001 Z06 - QS/BK -Sold-
2007 Escalade BK/Tan
Originally posted by JOEZ06 I am heading out to Sebring in the morning to run with NASA on Saturday. Chateau Elan is becoming a second home... ;-) Hope to see you out there eventually. I have run a couple of Chin events... Nice guys, a well run and conservative organization.
I'll be out there on 3/27 running the short course with Chin. I just joined NASA as well and will likely be at Moroso in April. I'm sure we'll run into each other at one event or another.
Joe, by the time you read this hope you had fun, you are going to have so much time at sebring by the time I get back there in April you are going to lay some serious smack down!
dmtnt, FWIW my advice is just keep driving your stock z06, it is more than enough to beat up on 99.9 percent of the cars out there at de's. The first mod I would make would be new wheels with race tires. Besides this, I don't think much will matter for your first 15 events or so. I finally got a vararam after a bout 10 events, but didn't have any problem putting a few seconds a lap on other z06's with mods, with my stock paper filter. Mainly, it comes down to the driving, so try to get that down first, worry about the rest later!
Originally posted by timz06 FWIW my advice is just keep driving your stock z06, it is more than enough to beat up on 99.9 percent of the cars out there at de's.
This is not advice but fact! An awesome car but when you go fast things will heat up. Engine oil, brakes, transmission oil , .....
Congratulations and welcome to the club. Now say to yourself you are going to do at least 5 more and by that time you should really know just how fast this car is.
Remember to be fast you need track experience. I guarantee in a few events you will look at the novices on the track and you will say to yourself man they look slow.
Pick up Skip Barber's book and see what the professional racers have to say.
I read my Skip Barbar book before every track day... Every time I read it, I find something new, something I can relate to in a different way. It has become my track bible. This time I read over the pages on rain driving many times... Every time we stopped for food or gas.. that book came out. I like to think that no matter how much seat time I get, I am ALWAYS LEARNING... From the books, folks on the forums, other drivers, experience, trial and error.... Tip for the weekend was a section on Hydroplaning speed... Increase pressure in a tire and as a square function, you increase the planing speed... What the heck.. I left my tires 3-4 psi higher than normal.
The most important 2 classes of modification you can do to a stock Z06, if you want to DE/Hot lap,time trials, etc.
1.) SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY: Harnesses, fire ext, etc. Tires. Take care of yourself. It is the only part of the car not replaceable.
2.) Things that take care of the car: oil coolers, accusumps, improved fluids, SS lines, etc.
Let me give you some examples...
There was a 550HP Z up for sale on Ebay not long ago-- heavily modded, driven by a great driver. It had documented Sebring lap times of 2:21... FAST. I have seen guys with 500+ HP, vipers, 360 Modenas, etc.on the same track... I don't think some could crack 2:50. Not the cars fault, but novice or bad drivers. John Heinricy a few weeks ago took a SCCA (stock powered) Z06 (T-1 suspension, tires, etc.)... down to a phenomenal.. 2:19.x !!!!!
TIM-- Hey what's up ? No smack for talk by me. I figure if it is dry... You will be in the 29s with new rubber, and I will be happy passing meat for you, 5 seconds slower... Now if we get a rain storm blowing through, maybe different if you can't pull that race rubber in time...... ;-) See my other post for details on my fun !
I was so looking forward to April with SV. Tonight I got a call from a buddy who is getting married that weekend... Asked me to be BM, so I might be hosed. Instead of prepping the car that week, I need to get a bimbo to jump out of a cake.
Going Faster presents the theories which are translated into practice in the Barber Three Day Racing School, the Two Day Advanced School, the Car Control Clinic, and Lapping Sessions. I've been running with Barber for years, and I'm always keenly aware of how much faster my Z06 is after I've invested money in my track skills.
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PCA National Instructor
GVC-BMWCCA Certified Instructor
Trackmasters Certified Instructor
Skip Barber Racing School Multi-year Participant
Originally posted by Doc V. [u]I'm always keenly aware of how much faster my Z06 is after I've invested money in my track skills.
Joe and Doc you have given the very best advice possible. (Hell it aligns with my advise, you have made my day!!!!). I wish the moderator of this section would leave this quote at the top of this section or some where for all to see. Requiring all that is interested in this section to read it.
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), but I wasn't there to be Mario Andretti, I was there to learn and learn I did. Paul said I was progressing very well, so that made me feel good. Sebring is a pretty tough course for a first time, but I felt myself getting smoother and faster as the day progressed. Toward the end, my brain couldn't take much more and I caught myself making stupid mistakes, early apexing, etc., so I opted to call it day about 45 min early.
. Apparently there is a bearing problem with some of these and the motor sent a rod through the side of the case! Felt bad for the guy, hopefully BMW will replace his motor under warranty.
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