Track Prep Euro

[acura_ek1]

Trying to get my euro ready for the next track day. I've been hit so many choices when it comes down to brake and rotor choice.

Budget around 600ish any recommendations for both and where to buy?

And also i was thinking about running wider wheels for the fronts (18x9FF and 18x8RR) purely just for track duties and to stop understeer. Just wondering is that bad for the drivetrain?

[jyh888]

Theres this guy selling mugen rotors from WA, check the parts for sale section and going for quite cheap! Otherwise DBA rotors are also very good and ive heard that endless pads give a very strong and deep bite in.

[aaronng]

Trying to get my euro ready for the next track day. I've been hit so many choices when it comes down to brake and rotor choice.

Budget around 600ish any recommendations for both and where to buy?
Good pads alone cost $300 and the rotors like DBA4000 blanks are $500-600.



And also i was thinking about running wider wheels for the fronts (18x9FF and 18x8RR) purely just for track duties and to stop understeer. Just wondering is that bad for the drivetrain?
What tyre size will you run front and rear? You're better off getting semi-slicks on 17" rims in my opinion. You just need to make sure that the offset is suitable so you don't rub the suspension or the fender, nor put angled stress on the hub bearings (using too low offset rims).

[acura_ek1]

Thanks aarong...in regards to brake pads do we share the same size pads as CL7 and TSX?

[power_of_dreams]

tsx yes, not sure about cl7

[jyh888]

Hey aaron in regards to your comment on using 17s, does diameter of the wheel greatly affect performance? Generally larger rims have more diameter therefore more grip? is that true. Another reason i could think of people using 16s and 17s around track is because of cheaper availability of tyres. Some also say wider rims on a FF give more understeer...can someone comment on that. What sizes should we be running for best performance around track?

[HondaRacer]

Hey aaron in regards to your comment on using 17s, does diameter of the wheel greatly affect performance? Generally larger rims have more diameter therefore more grip? is that true. Another reason i could think of people using 16s and 17s around track is because of cheaper availability of tyres. Some also say wider rims on a FF give more understeer...can someone comment on that. What sizes should we be running for best performance around track?

don't understand how wider rims can give more understeer if they have more grip. If wider rims weight more then you can get more understeer. If you have adjustable shocks make them softer. Use good tires, for example semi-slicks Federal 595RS-R ;)

[acura_ek1]

maybe an LSD will do the job......im just having trouble sourcing one.

[Cooker]

You want the smallest diameter rim that will fit over your brakes = less rolling diameter = quicker acceleration.
As far as width goes I would try get an 8" on the front minimum and run a 235 semi slick. No real need to go wider then an 8" on the rear.

Brakes,
Fronts, DBA 4000 and EBC Yellows
Rears, machined OEM discs and EBC Yellows
Brake Fluid PBR BF 600
This will be an excellent package.

Allow brakes to cool down after each stint (don't just go straight into the pits and don't pull the handbrake when in pits) and keep it to around 4-6 laps a stint to be on the safe side.

I don't know what your car has mod wise but with a 235 semi slick I can't see you having mega traction issues if the engine and vehicle weight is standardish so I'd spend the LSD $$ on some good quality semi's.
I assume you already have coilovers?

Hey, your in Perth!!! Just noticed. Very rare to meet another W.A Honda track person on the forum haha.

[acura_ek1]

Thanks Cooker...This will be my second time on the track @ barbs for no limits event series. Last time i ran a 64.xxx on shitty toyo P4's and that was over 2 yrs ago. And this time the bug has hit me hard and i want to give it a decent go. The next event wont be til September so i go a bit of time to get the car ready. The car is on buddyclubs +N with RSB, Gruppe M and just waiting on a set of lightweight rims which are staggard but not to sure which tyres to buy. Im not after a full semi slick cuz ill be these wheels daily. So atm im pretty keen on the Dunlop Starspecs.

[raffyboy]

nice another track junky - will tune on this one -

[aaronng]

Thanks aarong...in regards to brake pads do we share the same size pads as CL7 and TSX?

Yes and Yes. I have used both TSX pads (Hawk Ceramics) and CL7 pads (Project Mu NR). However, I found that i had to bend the anti-squeal shims a little bit to fit onto the Project Mu pads. The pads themselves fit the caliper perfectly.

[aaronng]

Hey aaron in regards to your comment on using 17s, does diameter of the wheel greatly affect performance? Generally larger rims have more diameter therefore more grip? is that true. Another reason i could think of people using 16s and 17s around track is because of cheaper availability of tyres. Some also say wider rims on a FF give more understeer...can someone comment on that. What sizes should we be running for best performance around track?
The rim diameter itself if just one factor. The tyre size, rim & tyre weight distribution (it is like a giant flywheel essentially) and the type of tyre are all important. What tyre size do you want to use?

You get understeer if your front grip gives way before the rear. Wider rims don't give you understeer. It is the tyre geometry (sidewall profile with wider rims, width of rims vs width of tyre) and the amount of shoulder roll (which is in turn also a factor of sidewall stiffness and tyre pressure) that influences the amount of grip that you can get.

I reckon it is better to go to track as is or with whatever mods you know you will do anyway and take the opportunity to find out the handling characteristics that you need to improve. Then you know what parts to replace, instead of relying on everyone's advice which might or might not be correct.

[aaronng]

nice another track junky - will tune on this one -

We need an Euro track day. :p

[acura_ek1]

hrmm....the situation i have have now. Ive got a set of stock 17"EP3 wheels and a set of weds sport (FR 18x9 +35 and RR 18x8 +35) coming in soon. Im just comtemplating which set would be better for the track. So far my tyre choices would be either Re001 or Dunlop star specs Z1. Just in a bit of a cunumdrum lol.

[aaronng]

hrmm....the situation i have have now. Ive got a set of stock 17"EP3 wheels and a set of weds sport (FR 18x9 +35 and RR 18x8 +35) coming in soon. Im just comtemplating which set would be better for the track. So far my tyre choices would be either Re001 or Dunlop star specs Z1. Just in a bit of a cunumdrum lol.

Which set of rims do you like the look of better? Use that as your daily. For track, use the 2nd set. RE001 is a good street tyre, but it is nothing special on the track with a heavy car like the Euro.

[mocchi]

You want the smallest diameter rim that will fit over your brakes = less rolling diameter = quicker acceleration.
As far as width goes I would try get an 8" on the front minimum and run a 235 semi slick. No real need to go wider then an 8" on the rear.

Brakes,
Fronts, DBA 4000 and EBC Yellows
Rears, machined OEM discs and EBC Yellows
Brake Fluid PBR BF 600
This will be an excellent package.

Allow brakes to cool down after each stint (don't just go straight into the pits and don't pull the handbrake when in pits) and keep it to around 4-6 laps a stint to be on the safe side.

I don't know what your car has mod wise but with a 235 semi slick I can't see you having mega traction issues if the engine and vehicle weight is standardish so I'd spend the LSD $$ on some good quality semi's.
I assume you already have coilovers?

Hey, your in Perth!!! Just noticed. Very rare to meet another W.A Honda track person on the forum haha.

+ braided brake lines. :D

[Cooker]

You could also try the RE001 replacement, the RE11.

[aaronng]

You could also try the RE001 replacement, the RE11.

You mean the RE-01R replacement?

[HondaRacer]

+ braided brake lines. :D

no need for stock calipers ;) Won't be better.

[kitbkk]

Try RT615's. Mine were cheaper than RE001 and Dunlop Star specs in the same size. They are very grippy but loud.
Pads I have never tried EBC yellow but I had green stuff in my wilwood calipers they were crappy.

[jyh888]

aaron, ive got 17 x 7.5 +43 offset front and rear. What size tyres should i run for track to give me best grip? Can 235s fit on these?

[aaronng]

aaron, ive got 17 x 7.5 +43 offset front and rear. What size tyres should i run for track to give me best grip? Can 235s fit on these?

You can run 235 with no problem. You want to keep the rolling the diameter similar to stock. So that would be 235/40 R17 or similar. Otherwise, go 225/45 R17. The type of tyre will affect the grip more than the tyre size. Semi slicks in 205/55 R16 (standard size) will have more grip than a street tyre in 235/40 R17.

[aaronng]

aaron, ive got 17 x 7.5 +43 offset front and rear. What size tyres should i run for track to give me best grip? Can 235s fit on these?

You can run 235 with no problem. You want to keep the rolling the diameter similar to stock. So that would be 235/40 R17 or similar. Otherwise, go 225/45 R17. The type of tyre will affect the grip more than the tyre size. Semi slicks in 205/55 R16 (standard size) will have more grip than a street tyre in 235/40 R17.

[jyh888]

Thanks for your advice. Would there be much difference between 225 and 235s of the same tyre?

[aaronng]

Thanks for your advice. Would there be much difference between 225 and 235s of the same tyre?

I reckon there should be, but for the price difference, I'd rather get a higher grip tyre. If not semi slick, then RE01R or RE11 or one of the cheaper Toyo R compound street tyres.

[acura_ek1]

Thanks for your advice. Would there be much difference between 225 and 235s of the same tyre?

Dont quote me on this but wouldnt 235s on 7.5 rim make the tyre wall less stiff? over 225...

[aaronng]

Dont quote me on this but wouldnt 235s on 7.5 rim make the tyre wall less stiff? over 225...

Yes, I just checked ri sizes for 235/40 R17 tyres. He will need a rim size between 17x8 and 17x9.5

[jyh888]

Oh ok that clears things up, thanks for that :) i shall stick to 225s then