Track Preparation

[stevethe6th]

I'm getting close to putting the Z06 on the track for some DE events. All the safety stuff is done (harness bar, harnesses), but I need some opinions on the following items:

1. Frozen Rotors - I have heard that stock GM rotors don't live long at the track. My P-car buddies swore by these rotors. At just over $100/ea for the vette, it seems like a pretty good idea. Opinions?

2. Best pads for track-only use (I'll swap to stockers when I get home)?

3. Anyone tried Redline MTL Shockproof gear oil? It worked great in my 944TS, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for the vette tranny.

4. I bought a new set of rims and some Toyos for the street. I plan to use the 75%-gone F1's for my first track event. What kind of (hot) pressures do they like?

5. Has anyone tried extending the air dam below the radiator for track use? It would seem like an additional inch or so would provide improved cooling. I doubt it would get torn-up unless things get agricultural.

Any input is appreciated. I had my previous ride pretty wel sorted for track use, but I'm starting over with the Z06. BTW, I have searched the forums and already found a wealth of knowledge on many subjects.

Thanks in advance.

[ryan0]

Originally posted by stevethe6th

1. Frozen Rotors - I have heard that stock GM rotors don't live long at the track. My P-car buddies swore by these rotors. At just over $100/ea for the vette, it seems like a pretty good idea. Opinions?

you can replace all 4 rotors for about $100.. stick with em.. you can put 4 new ones on, and chew through 2 sets of fronts for the cost of most other rotors..

Originally posted by stevethe6th

2. Best pads for track-only use (I'll swap to stockers when I get home)?

youll find all sorts of opinions on this on.. i guess it depends on the track and driving style.. PFC 01s seem to be a good starting point

Originally posted by stevethe6th

4. I bought a new set of rims and some Toyos for the street. I plan to use the 75%-gone F1's for my first track event. What kind of (hot) pressures do they like?

i thought they seemed pretty happy at around 45 or so

Originally posted by stevethe6th

5. Has anyone tried extending the air dam below the radiator for track use? It would seem like an additional inch or so would provide improved cooling. I doubt it would get torn-up unless things get agricultural.

mine was always set up that way since the s/c went in.. but if it does get ripped up you can replace all 3 plastic pieces for under $100

[Redshift]

For rotors, at the same price, you can get Powerslots. Or just do what ryan0 says and buy stockers. I hate changing them out frequently, so I opt for better quality rotors that cost more, but save me time in changing.

Pads, I prefer Carbotech Panther Plus for a beginning/intermediate track driver and XP for advanced/instructor. Or SBS makes a good compound if you can ever get your hands on them. Hawk HP+ is decent and cheap for intermediate or lower as well. Stockers will fade. Make sure to use good fluid or the pad is a waste.

I use Mobil 1 or Valvoline synthetic gear oil with the GM additive. Never heard of the other one, but the ones I use conform to GM standards just in case I need warranty work

I find street tires tend to start getting that "greasy" feeling when they are in the mid 40psi range. I try to keep mine around 42 or so when hot.

I wouldn't mess with the air dam. If you do, you may get better coolant cooling, but you may find transmission and gear cooling get worse. Those are the ones that need the help - the coolant is under control even on the hottest days and when driving as hard as you can. The brakes and transmission are the key cooling points to concentrate on.

[gmblack3]

Originally posted by stevethe6th
I'm getting close to putting the Z06 on the track for some DE events. All the safety stuff is done (harness bar, harnesses), but I need some opinions on the following items:

1. Frozen Rotors - I have heard that stock GM rotors don't live long at the track. My P-car buddies swore by these rotors. At just over $100/ea for the vette, it seems like a pretty good idea. Opinions?

You can get raybestos rotors for $100 shipped for all 4 now. They are the same as the NAPA rotors which I ran for 7 track days last year.

2. Best pads for track-only use (I'll swap to stockers when I get home)?

I hear the carbotech XPs are very good. Bit less then the PRC 01s. One of the T1 guys here seems to think they are very close. Your stock pads are not bad, they will taper a bit though.

3. Anyone tried Redline MTL Shockproof gear oil? It worked great in my 944TS, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for the vette tranny.

You only want to run ATF in the Z06 6sp tranny. Amsoil, redline or mobil 1 synthetic will work fine.

4. I bought a new set of rims and some Toyos for the street. I plan to use the 75%-gone F1's for my first track event. What kind of (hot) pressures do they like?

I like to start out at 30psi cold with the stock F1 SCs. Watch the wear arrows on the sides. If the tire does not roll over to the arrow let a lb or two out. If they are rolling past the tip of the arrows add a lb. Mine are usually about 35-37 when hot.

This is what will happen if you run too much air, I started this day with 35 cold. You can see where the tire was not rolling over to the arrow that day. I showed this to the panoz instructor who drives a Z06. He told me about letting the tire roll over to the arrow.

5. Has anyone tried extending the air dam below the radiator for track use? It would seem like an additional inch or so would provide improved cooling. I doubt it would get torn-up unless things get agricultural.

Never have seen that done. I use a fan controller and my water does not go over 210* with the stock stat.

If you get the "high trans temp"warning on the DIC hit the reset button to get your actual tranny temp. The warning comes on at 270*f. This is the only time that you will see the tranny temp displayed. You should then do a cool down lap and let her sit till the next session. You may need to carry more speed thru the turns and downshift less.

Don't forget to run 1 quart over the full mark during track events as GM says to.

Have Fun!!!

[Porsche Killer]

Originally posted by silverz06vette
I like to start out at 30psi cold with the stock F1 SCs. Watch the wear arrows on the sides. If the tire does not roll over to the arrow let a lb or two out. If they are rolling past the tip of the arrows add a lb. Mine are usually about 35-37 when hot.

I agree with the above. Give these F1 SC's 30 PSI cold, and I think you will find that they will perform to your expectations of what street tires should do on a track. (Assuming the track is dry.)

As others have told you - add the quart of oil, and watch the tranny temperature. Make sure you change the tranny fluid when you get home from the track. Mine has smelt burnt without getting a warning light at the track.

Enjoy yourself - you gonna love this car on the track. Its real easy to drive fast.

[Bobcfr]

When I ran at Justin Bell they ran 34 in front 33 in rear.

[touring2]

Trans cooler or heder wrap the intermediate pipes. to direct the heat out the back of the car/. Engine oil cooler, too. then ask subdriver what happened to his motor even with full T-1 prep. Be Prepare$$$d.

[corvette dave]

I congratulate you on your car prep for the track. Most people do not do much, if any, prep.
The stock rotors are very good and inexpensive.
Ideally you would have a set of rotors for your stock pads and a different set of rotors for your track pads. This will keep the mating surfaces close when you swap things after an event.
Dave

[stevethe6th]

Thanks to everyone. I'm trying to make my first trip to the track (with this car) as productive as possible. Each of your suggestions will help to improve my seat time/thrash time ratio. Thanks again....more stupid questions to follow...