71 replies to this topic

[Andy_VX]

Yeah i bet, weather was just crap everywhere i think! The annoying thing was we could have done some more running once the car had stopped having a funny five minutes but it was so wet and miserable we knocked it on the head. Did you do much running today? 

 

The car is on standard VX tubby wheels so not much choice with tyres, i'm using Goodyear Eagle F1's after reading some good things about them on here. They're impressive in the wet and seem to lose grip gradually which makes it all much more controllable. had some great slides out of slow speed corners, car just felt really hooked up today, all thanks to the great work Plans did. 

 

I was thinking about getting TD's as i think part of the reason my braking feels so bad is down to the heavy VX wheels. (unsprung weight?) What do you reckon? 

[Acidpopstar]

I would have been better off on my standard wheels and bridgstones today tbf. Brakes - did you have the antilock turned off? I know it sounds crazy in the wet but mine is undriveable with it turned on on track. Also, change your fluid to high boiling point dot 4. I just use halfords. I used their 5.1 on my first track day and changed it immediately afterward cos it boiled. Also, change your pads. Pagid RS14 or Carbone Lorraine CL5+ are perfect for track use and fine on the road. No need for brake cooling if the rest of your set up is sorted. Wheels - in the warm and dry on track you will def benefit from another wheel with track day tyres. But don't rush, get the rest sorted first and you'll have lots more fun!

[Andy_VX]

cool thanks for the advice.

 

I must admit i had planned on fitting an ABS switch prior to today but it was so wet i didn't think it was worth bothering with, wish i had now! I did wonder if the fluid was a bit naff as it was just boiling straight away! i'll get it changed and give it a good bleed and look at changing the pads once these have worn down. 

 

Can't afford new wheels atm anyway so will just focus on improving my skills first! 

[Acidpopstar]

Good fluid, good pads. You'll be laughing

[Captain Vimes]

Good fluid, good pads. You'll be laughing

This. I wouldn't worry about using up the current pads if they're standard ones. For the time and cost of a track day, you want the brakes to work properly so it's worth investing in pads and fluid.

[Zoobeef]

Well, the car was absolutely incredible on track! I was very apprehensive about how it would handle in the rain but it was awesome. So much grip even in low gears. The only thing letting it down were the brakes, they were ocerheating after about 5 laps and giving me a long pedal. I have Mintex 1155 pads, 5.1 fluid and braided pipes so I think it's just a cooling issue or maybe moisture in the fluid. Unfortunately we had to pack up early, my dad had a drive and was pushing on harder than I was, then all of a sudden we lost all power. We limped back to the pit and read the fault codes. The engine was in a safe mode. I let it stand for a while and it was fine but we noticed the pipe going from the cc to the intake manifold was collapsing under revs. I thought that was a bit odd considering that air is being pushed through it not sacked. Hopefully it's just pipe getting too hot and I can upgrade to the Courtney one. (already have the Courteney intake pipe) Still really happy with the VX though, it's performance way outshines my talent. It was quicker than everything on track apart from a very well driven e36 M3.

Check the pipe from the turbo to the cc and the cc to the tb are still attached. If one has popped off it would explain your symptoms.

[Zoobeef]

cool thanks for the advice.   I must admit i had planned on fitting an ABS switch prior to today but it was so wet i didn't think it was worth bothering with, wish i had now! I did wonder if the fluid was a bit naff as it was just boiling straight away! i'll get it changed and give it a good bleed and look at changing the pads once these have worn down.    Can't afford new wheels atm anyway so will just focus on improving my skills first! 

You don't need a switch. Just unplug one of the front sensors and cable tie it out the way.

[Andy_VX]

Captain Vimes - The pads i have in there atm are Mintex 1155's and they have loads left on them so i won't replace them just yet. I think i'll just start with putting standard fluid in over the winter and then try some Pagid RS14 pads for my next TD. 

 

Zoobeef - yeah i'm going to get the car up on the ramps, take the trays off and have a good look at all the pipe work. 

 

If you disconnect that sensor don't you lose the speedo? i have the switch so won't take long to do. 

[Zoobeef]

Nearside rear does the speedo so unplugging one of the other 3 is fine. I run my track car with one unplugged.

[Andy_VX]

oh right cool, thanks! 

[Rosssco]

Good to hear the Goodyear's (Assymetric 2's)went well on a wet track. I've just fitted some and so far been very impressed with wet / cold performance compared to all the other tyres I've previously had (road and semi-slick).

 

Not driven to the limit on them (not been on track), but they seem quick communicative and progressive when one end starts to lose of a little grip..

[Andy_VX]

Yeah completely agree, I think the grip is much more progressive than the Bridgestones. They seemed to come up to temp really quickly and offer lots of grip straight away, they've lasted well too!