This weekend was my first time running since getting the Z06, first time at VIR, and first time with NASA. I loved VIR, it's an amazing track with tons of elevation changes and two massive straights to take full advantage of the car's power. Down the back straight I bumped the rev limiter in fourth... really flying. In the front straight I'd come just short of maxing out fourth. The car performed great, but my front brakes are shot and my SS lines threw codes twice. I ended up turning AH off so I could rotate the car in some of the turns.
NASA runs a great program hopefully next time I can get an instructor who drives a hight horse RWD car. My dude drove a Typer-R integra and I flat out scared him. He kept telling me to slow down in certain areas and was telling me the line for a FWD car. Finally he shut up and let me drive and he had a blast riding with me. In between sessions he'd go talk to vette/viper drivers and come back with better advice on the line and where to rotate the car and setup better etc... so it wasn't all bad. Also, I'm not saying I know everything, but I knew more about driving a Corvette that this guy. There's so much I could have learned from a good instructor but oh well I had a blast.
The Kumho's did fantastically and the car did great. I scared the crap out of myself in the fourth run yesterday comming through "hog pen" onto the front straight. I was pulling some serious G's and the car started cutting out. I then realized I WAS OUT OF GAS! All the G's in rt. turns was making the fuel move away from the pickup. I had filled it up that morning in Greensboro and used the whole tank, I was surprised.
Running really makes you get a new perspective on mods. I don't want a H/C anymore... I need front brake cooling, better pads, a GOOD seat w/ harnesses and maybe a rollbar
Good write up and it sounds like you had fun. The "new" mods you mentioned sounds like you have become a devotee of the circuit capabilities of our cars. Good choices. Good luck.
Nice writeup. Glad to hear you had such a great time. One of these years I'll get out to VIR. Got to get myself stationed in Norfolk again...
On the front brakes...
I can run a full 40 minute SCCA race without noticible brake fade with the following minor mods to stock calipers and rotors:
- Carbotech XP9 pads front, XP8 rear
- Motul RBF 600 fluid
- DRM brake ducts
- Goodridge SS lines
Note: I'll be using Carbotech's newest pad, the XP10 front, and upgrading to XP9 rear at my first race this year.
wow what an awsome wknd you had-reading your notes I felt like I was there!!! geez, I miss the track, I was going to try to go to VIR that wknd but couldn't make the 9 hr drive.
You have described EXACTLY what I have learned from only one season of hitting the tracks--hp is not what I need more of----it's braking power and learning how to handle what GM gave me already
Great write-up. I have been hitting the track for about a year and have been able to enter HPDE events about once a month. I am just about to do a brake upgrade but have found the car to be fantastic on the track. I read everything Subdriver recommends and have not been steered wrong yet! Sounds like a great weekend! Our next event will be at Phoenix International Raceway in early March and I cannot wait!
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ZEOH6
2002 TR, Blackwing and air bridge, oversized radiator w/oil cooler, harness bar and 6 point harnesses, shortened shifter, Heads,Cam, headers, Borla exhaust, Xtreme Motorsports Built and tuned 383 stroker, Stoptech brakes, DRM Coilovers.....
Originally posted by Cobra4B
Running really makes you get a new perspective on mods. I don't want a H/C anymore... I need front brake cooling, better pads, a GOOD seat w/ harnesses and maybe a rollbar
that's my exact thoughts - i'm not alone hehehe
great to hear you had fun.
After very lengthy research and asking knowledgeable people i decided about the brakes:
frozenrotors.com - frozen rotors - i'm getting Brembos (that's what they sell (other rotors too), super nice guys to talk to), since the car will see more street than race track i decided to go with non-slotted/non-drilled rotors, so i don't eat my pads that much.
PFC-1 race pads, has be great on the track and OK for the street. Ordered them from a local speed shop: speedtoys.com, guy's name is Geoff, price was good too!
SS caliper pistons
SS lines (from mallet)
Motul 600 (clutch and brakes)
I should be set for some crazy braking
Car has Plenty of power (cam , LTs, tuning), so now it's all about handling mods, tires is the best mod i guess and i must say car out handles me so far, but i don't have that much track time under my belt.
Nice write up cobrab! I've had the same type of instructor at Summit Point. They race miatas and integra or rx7's. The first statement out of their mouths is usually:"you can't learn how to drive with this much horsepower". I asked for another instructor. Got a better one also. All he said was...stay away from your buddies in the other Z06's. I did tend to get a little crazy. But it's way cool to have three Z06's come out of turn 10 and blast down the straight!
Good write-up. It's amazing what you learn the first time out in these cars. My first experience was just like yours, except I had a great Mustang driver for an instructor- Gary Tolbert. We had a ball.
Ditto on the mods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Handling and braking is everything. These cars already have the rest.
I'm going to VIR April 26 and 27 with the Audi Club. Maybe I'll see you.
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"ROSSO Z"
02 TR/Blk Z06, '04 shocks, CAGS Defeat, JETTCO Cup Holder
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oh well, will catch VIR another time hopefully!
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