Track preparation advice

[jyh888]

Im going to wakefield park on the 30th June for the first time and I am really excitied, hoping to get some advice from experienced people on the following:

PS => will be tracking a FN2R with 31 XXXkms

* My last oil change was done 4000-5000kms ago using Honda oil, can I still go to track with this oil or should I do an oil change before? My next service is due soon so I was hoping I could get away with doing the service after....

* IF i do change oil, is using Castrol Edge 5W30 suitable?

* How do street tyres hold up in track? I have Potenza RE001's atm

* Still using stock brake pads, is it necessary to bleed and change brake fluid & MTF?

Or should I just go as is and do a service after the track?

* I don't have an oil temp gauge, how many laps can i safely run without overheating.

Thanks guys, any help will be greatly appreciated, it would also be good if you could add in some tips as this is my first time, but i look forward to it :)

[aaronng]

Im going to wakefield park on the 30th June for the first time and I am really excitied, hoping to get some advice from experienced people on the following:

PS => will be tracking a FN2R with 31 XXXkms

* My last oil change was done 4000-5000kms ago using Honda oil, can I still go to track with this oil or should I do an oil change before? My next service is due soon so I was hoping I could get away with doing the service after....
Since it is Honda FEO, I'd change it before the track day and then get the car serviced after the track day.



* IF i do change oil, is using Castrol Edge 5W30 suitable?
Yes, it is suitable.


* How do street tyres hold up in track? I have Potenza RE001's atm
Depends on how you drive on track. If you overspeed into corners and understeer because you entered too fast, then you will wear out the shoulders. I recommend you pump up to about 40psi before you go on the track.


* Still using stock brake pads, is it necessary to bleed and change brake fluid & MTF?
Change the brake fluid and MTF after the track day. Not sure how the stock pads will hold up. My stock ones were roasted after one track day.



Or should I just go as is and do a service after the track?
Service after, but get the engine oil changed before trackday, because you have only FEO.



* I don't have an oil temp gauge, how many laps can i safely run without overheating.
I recommend you do one warm up lap, then 2-3 hot laps before a cool down lap. Repeat if desired. Don't keep pushing the car on hot laps non stop throughout one session. To cool the coolant/oil quicker, turn on the heater at full blast and full heat. When stopped, don't use the handbrake because the rotors will be hot! Place a brick behind a wheel to stop the car from rolling instead.

[jyh888]

Thanks aaron, isnt running 40psi too high? Doesn't the air pressure expand as heat rises? And should I be running more psi in the front or rears for a FWD?

[fatboyz39]

* My last oil change was done 4000-5000kms ago using Honda oil, can I still go to track with this oil or should I do an oil change before? My next service is due soon so I was hoping I could get away with doing the service after....

I would change it prior heading out to the track.

* IF i do change oil, is using Castrol Edge 5W30 suitable?

Full synthetic range? if so more then fine.

* How do street tyres hold up in track? I have Potenza RE001's atm

Street tyres are more then fine for track. They tend to like higher pressure to reduce tyre wall roll. ~38-40psi HOT

* Still using stock brake pads, is it necessary to bleed and change brake fluid & MTF?

Most likely to cook the brakes. Be careful later in the day for brake fade. If you boil the fluid you'll need to bleed the system. I recommend Castrol DOT 4 (silver bottles) about $10 for 250ml bottle. I used it on the time attack civic.

Or should I just go as is and do a service after the track?

* I don't have an oil temp gauge, how many laps can i safely run without overheating.

Do 3 hot laps then followed by 1-2 cool down laps(60-80% pace). I generally like to turn the heater on max when on the track. Helps cool down the system quicker.

Thanks guys, any help will be greatly appreciated, it would also be good if you could add in some tips as this is my first time, but i look forward to it :)

Go out and have fun. Drive to your limits, and remember you have to drive it home. Towing cost about $500-$600 from Wakefield to Sydney metro.


^^^^^^^

[jyh888]

Thx jimmy appreciate your advice! I'll give it a shot.

When you guys refer to turning the heater on, is this while driving or only on cool down lap?

[aaronng]

Thanks aaron, isnt running 40psi too high? Doesn't the air pressure expand as heat rises? And should I be running more psi in the front or rears for a FWD?
I've tried 33-35 psi and that wore the shoulders out. Going with 40psi reduces the grip a little bit but doesn't wear the shoulders out in 1-2 sessions.

I used 40 psi all round when the tyre was warm. It is up to you depending on your car's handling characteristics on the track to decide whether you want more pressure in the front or the rear. I'd just go out with 40 psi and adjust it for the second session based on what you found in the first session.

BTW, when you come down the hill, there is a quick right turn before the sweeping left into the fish hook. At the start of that quick right turn, be careful of the left shoulder. It is about a 10cm drop from the ripple strip to the ground. If you let your tyre go down to the ground there, you can flip your car. It's at just about 0:42-0:43 in this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlBnevchfGg

[jyh888]

I've tried 33-35 psi and that wore the shoulders out. Going with 40psi reduces the grip a little bit but doesn't wear the shoulders out in 1-2 sessions.

I used 40 psi all round when the tyre was warm. It is up to you depending on your car's handling characteristics on the track to decide whether you want more pressure in the front or the rear. I'd just go out with 40 psi and adjust it for the second session based on what you found in the first session.

BTW, when you come down the hill, there is a quick right turn before the sweeping left into the fish hook. At the start of that quick right turn, be careful of the left shoulder. It is about a 10cm drop from the ripple strip to the ground. If you let your tyre go down to the ground there, you can flip your car. It's at just about 0:42-0:43 in this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlBnevchfGg

Yea i guess ill bring a tyre pressure gauge and see how i go. Nevertheless, thanks for the tips! Another question about braking....i know my stock brakes are most likely going to fade...as i have already orded some pads but wont be delivered in time for track...if i just upgrade brake fluid like the one fatboyz recommended will that improve my braking ability?

[fatboyz39]

Thx jimmy appreciate your advice! I'll give it a shot.

When you guys refer to turning the heater on, is this while driving or only on cool down lap?

Just keep it on at all times. Extra aid in cooling is better then noting.

[jyh888]

Just keep it on at all times. Extra aid in cooling is better then noting.

LOL u guys must be boiling then!

[r3ckless]

Wow, good read so far, me and a few guys are planning on hitting wakefield mid July, will also be our first time. Any more reccomendations in regards to not having any issues and being able to actaully drive the car safely home?

[jyh888]

How often do you guys change MTF when you track your car? My gearbox feels very notchy at times ao far have nearly 32,000kms. Should I be changing fluid before or after?

[Limbo]

you don't notice it once your out there, wind down the windows.
depending who you are going out with see if you can get someone who's driven the track to get in the passanger seat to give u a few tips.



LOL u guys must be boiling then!

[Limbo]

been doing mine every 10k.
use geniune OEM, i've heard too many issues with honda gboxes when u start using other items


How often do you guys change MTF when you track your car? My gearbox feels very notchy at times ao far have nearly 32,000kms. Should I be changing fluid before or after?

P.S Try watching some vids on youtube, there are alot of upped in car cams that will give you some idea of track lines etc.

[moo moo nel]

Im going to wakefield park on the 30th June for the first time and I am really excitied...

so you are going with the AUSCA boys and the Odysessy/Elgrand group

I might see you on that day but I won't be driving though

If you want I will bring the tools/tyre pressure gauge and pump

my advice is...get enough sleep the night before :p

[aaronng]

Yea i guess ill bring a tyre pressure gauge and see how i go. Nevertheless, thanks for the tips! Another question about braking....i know my stock brakes are most likely going to fade...as i have already orded some pads but wont be delivered in time for track...if i just upgrade brake fluid like the one fatboyz recommended will that improve my braking ability?
Replacing brake fluid will only prevent/delay the brake fluid boiling. It will not improve braking ability nor will it prevent brake fade. My advice is to not ride the brakes. Brake hard when you need to and then off the brake when not required. Try to reduce trail braking.


LOL u guys must be boiling then!
Open the driver's side window.


Wow, good read so far, me and a few guys are planning on hitting wakefield mid July, will also be our first time. Any more reccomendations in regards to not having any issues and being able to actaully drive the car safely home?
Change the required fluids before and then change everything after (except for coolant).


How often do you guys change MTF when you track your car? My gearbox feels very notchy at times ao far have nearly 32,000kms. Should I be changing fluid before or after?
If you have never changed it in the 32000km, then change it before. You will have to change it again after the trackday.

[r3ckless]

Yeah im due for my service at honda in a couple weeks. Sso i want to get that one done before thee track... So u reckon from a stock engine except for i h e, just 2 hot , 2 cool laps?

[aaronng]

Yeah im due for my service at honda in a couple weeks. Sso i want to get that one done before thee track... So u reckon from a stock engine except for i h e, just 2 hot , 2 cool laps?

1 warm up lap, 2 hot laps and then 1 cool down lap. Then you can go for another 2 hot laps and alternate. Be careful when you are on your cool down lap because the cars will be coming up from behind very very quickly. For the cooldown lap, I'm still going pretty quick, but the engine RPM is at about 3000-4000 rpm.

[damienm]

let me know when youre gonna go r3ckless i might come too

[SpoonS]

You should go to the SAU trackday on the 17th :)

[r3ckless]

let me know when youre gonna go r3ckless i might come too

July 15th. its a thursday PM me if your itnerested.

[jyh888]

Thanks for everyones advice in this thread, much appreciated! Another question, will VSA be beneficial during track or should i turn it off?? (i have a 2007 fn2r, so no LSD)

[moo moo nel]

turn it off
VSA will make the car acting funny on track

[aaronng]

Thanks for everyones advice in this thread, much appreciated! Another question, will VSA be beneficial during track or should i turn it off?? (i have a 2007 fn2r, so no LSD)

I'd turn it off. But it is up to you.

[r3ckless]

What thigns should you change in regards to fluids besides engine oil/filter?

How often should u change gearbox fluid?

[aaronng]

What thigns should you change in regards to fluids besides engine oil/filter?

How often should u change gearbox fluid?

Engine oil, oil filter, transmission fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid. After a trackday, you want to change the first 3, and bleed the brake and clutch fluids.

Even without trackdays, it is best to replace gearbox fluid every 2-3 years for a manual.

[jyh888]

Thanks again for all the input and advice from everyone who contributed. Took the car out the track today for the first time, i worte up a summary of the day in my thread on page 2:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?134326-FN2R-Build

[jyh888]

I'm going to use advan a048 semi slicks (medium compound) for next track day, and wanting to know if I use the same air pressure that I would for street tyres? I.e appox 38-40 psi hot?

And how man laps should I run to warm them up? Atm they haven't been used for a few months an they feel very hard...

[Riced_Civic]

no, u dont want to do that.

u use a lower Psi on semis say like 30psi hot or lower if needed.

one warn up lap should be fine. just when u go of ur 1st flyer take it a bit easy and find where the grip is.

[damienm]

i usually go 36psi hot with my r888s n they seems to wear evenly.
takes about 2 laps to warm them up on a cold day and 1 lap for a hot day

[SpoonS]

32psi hot works well for me. Used that on both my advan a050 and bridgestone re55's

[jyh888]

thanks guys!

[jyh888]

Who wants to come to wakefield park on the 2nd Sept - its an open day on a thursday!

Its only my 2nd time and my lines are still a bit messy, hope i can follow someone

[SlobberGoat]

Take all the loose crap out from the car.

[jyh888]

How much fuel do you guys usually carry in your tank around track??

[damienm]

come on the 9th instead ill be going with a mate driving an FN2R
a full tank and bring a 20L jerry can with you as well

[moo moo nel]

hey damiean wanna do the private day on 21 Sep?

[jyh888]

I cant do 9th...got a flight to singpore at 6am the next day lol

Anymore spots left on the 21st?

[DC2-PWR]

i always thought people fill up to half tank for races, or is that for drag races?

[moo moo nel]

I cant do 9th...got a flight to singpore at 6am the next day lol

Anymore spots left on the 21st?

yeah a few left

http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthread.php?t=27338

[jyh888]

yeah a few left

http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthread.php?t=27338

Thanks, i might come depending on arrangements.

Btw anybody care to share what wheel alignment's they are running for track? Im just curious to see, Please post up!
Ill start with mine:

Front: -2degrees camber and 0.2mm toe out
Rear: -1 degree camber and inconsistent toe aligments (due to torsion bar, cannot adjust)

Does the rear alignment matter much for a FWD? And ideally, what is a good set up for the rear?

[damienm]

front 2.5 degree camber 2mm toe out
rear 1.5 degree camber and 0 toe.
next time i go track ill prob try out 3 degree camber at the front and maybe 3mm toe out for better turn in

the rear doesnt do much so dont need crazy alignments for it so just around 1-2 degrees camber and 0 toe is good

i think yonas in his eg is running 3.5 camber and moo moo nel dc2, byp and flicks egs have around 4 degrees at the front

[damienm]

hey damiean wanna do the private day on 21 Sep?

yeh ill come as well! its nice that you can take passengers

[AE092]

Here's another one: Never pull up your hand brake after a session, the pad would still be extremely hot and when you pull the lever up, the pad will have a tendency to 'stick' to the rotor causing a heat spot. This heat spot can warp your rotors due to distortion. After a run, just stick a pole behind a wheel (or leave it in gear).