Track Dayz

Hi Guys.I'm Psyching up to track my car next February but,well,I got this fear (since my car is a daily) that something will f**k up and I'll be stranded at the track.I'm obviously doing everything I possibly can to eliminate the chance of something going wrong.Chances are something will go wrong so I'm asking if you could tell me what sort of thing should I be prepared for i.e. common things that go wrong.This way I can try to learn how to fix them before next february.
My car 96 EK1 Civic Sedan D16y4 SOHC Non-Vtec.

P.S. I have lists of things to do on how to prepare for track days so more after things that go wrong :D

Given that is seems like your car is barely modded, and that its your first time.... IMO a general replacement of fluids is all you will need.

Only thing I would probably suggest to splurge on would be some good brake fluid... even if you are using stock'ish pads, and change engine oil again once you get back home.

Don't bother spending dickloads when its a DD just for the track is my moto

:) Have fun BTW :)

Man i have been racing my street driven civic and crx for 6-7 years now. I drove them to the track every time. All i take down there is a jack, some tools (spanners mainly), a set of tyres (so you don't f@#k the ones you drove down on), some extra coolant, extra engine oil, and rags. thats about it i think.
I have never scratched or crashed the car on a track day. The only little problem that i have had down there was the car started to over heat a little because the coolant was leaking out. I missed one run but after a little stuffing around i got out for the next one.

The only thing that i will suggest to you is that you drive within your limits and your cars limits. If you go out there thinking that you are going to be the fastest thing out there you WILL make a mistake.

I was watching a hill climb at Mt Cotton recently, and a guy driving a Evo 8 lancer (who was a unreal driver, he had won the Datton rally in the same car) worth around $120,000 i've since been told. Went out on the track having never driven there before thinking he was the shit and that you could drive fast there straight away, second corner he got wide and put the power down trying to get the car back into line, ended up lossing it, just missed a tree head on, hit a ripple strip and rolled the car 2 times (completely wrote the car off). All because he didn't try to get used to the track.

Mate work your way up to it, sus your car out, sus the track out and don't try anything stupid and you will have a great great time. look forward to hear how you go with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by intacivic16v

I was watching a hill climb at Mt Cotton recently, and a guy driving a Evo 8 lancer (who was a unreal driver, he had won the Datton rally in the same car) worth around $120,000 i've since been told. Went out on the track having never driven there before thinking he was the shit and that you could drive fast there straight away, second corner he got wide and put the power down trying to get the car back into line, ended up lossing it, just missed a tree head on, hit a ripple strip and rolled the car 2 times (completely wrote the car off). All because he didn't try to get used to the track.

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I know which Evo your referring to as he is a regular out at QR

On topic

Along with what's been said, just be wary if your engine is old and/or has had a hard life ...

Bringing it to the track and thrashing it is not going to do it any favours.

Getting the best set of tyres you can afford will also help you have a more enjoyable track day, and as with any Honda weight is not your friend. So take out any excess gear that you have in there and even unbolt gear like back seats and passenger seats.

If you are in Brisbane there is a group of us that regularly go out to QR Sprints :thumbsup:

I took my car to track for the first time a few months back. Gave it a good work out, but on the way back i noticed a lot of vibration in the front end. I took it to the mechanic and it turned out that both my drive shaft boots had broke and all the greese had come out, making them dry. Luckily there was no actual damage done, just had them repacked and sealed and back to normal.

Trust me mate, it is the most fun u will have in your car. except maybe sex, actually maybe the track is still better.

Do it!!

Haha,I will I'm so keen.Thanks guys :thumbsup:
I'm on the Gold Coast so I would love to come to the QR with you guys :)
I've been checking out the sprints that you guys have been chatting about.Looks mad fun.With the practice run is it the same track set up as the sprint track?

Mods to my car:
I/H/E
MSD Ignition System
FPR
Grounding Kit
King Springs with stock struts
All 4 strut bars
Energy suspension engine mounts
Cusco brake stopper
Cold air ducting for intake

Soon:
Energy Suspension Master bushing kit
EBC Brake pads
DIY Pod filter cold air box
Front and Rear swaybars
Floor Brace
Trunk (boot) brace
Edit: Braided Brake lines


What brake fluid would you recommend? I'm currently using Honda fluids.Should I upgrade the oil aswell?

Most of the important things have been said...

Check / change fluids.

No loose items in the car (remove everything from the glovebox, boot etc-).

A critical one is tyre pressure... it is better to over inflate them... try atleast 40psi. I heard a story a month back about a guy that rolled an M3 at QR, they found out he only had 12psi in his tyres (may have been tyre). To make it worse it was his mum's car, to make it even worse again he told her he was going to the library to study for uni.

Dont try to go flat out straight away, let the tyres warm up and learn the track, my g/f made the mistake of going into turn one at 140kmh on her first lap... very possible but not when the tyres are cold... she had a spin and ended up in the kitty litter (luckily she was able to get out without any trouble).

Dont expect to get a great time on your first outing... dont try pushing for it cause thats when something will happen.

Keep an eye on your temperature and fluids throughout the day... if you start to overheat on the track, turn your heater on.

Oh and most importantly... HAVE FUN.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by luxobarge

Most of the important things have been said...
A critical one is tyre pressure... it is better to over inflate them... try atleast 40psi. I heard a story a month back about a guy that rolled an M3 at QR, they found out he only had 12psi in his tyres (may have been tyre).

Oh and most importantly... HAVE FUN.

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Well actually you shouldn't over inflate them ...

When the tyres heat up the pressure within them increases.

So it's important to set the cold pressure accordingly so when they reach peak track temperature they are at a pressure which provides optimum grip.

How much would tire pressure increase to if your running a semi-slick. (Ie how much of a gain in PSI)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by intacivic16v

I was watching a hill climb at Mt Cotton recently, and a guy driving a Evo 8 lancer (who was a unreal driver, he had won the Datton rally in the same car) worth around $120,000 i've since been told. Went out on the track having never driven there before thinking he was the shit and that you could drive fast there straight away, second corner he got wide and put the power down trying to get the car back into line, ended up lossing it, just missed a tree head on, hit a ripple strip and rolled the car 2 times (completely wrote the car off). All because he didn't try to get used to the track.

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lol i was there that day and i dont know what you seen but that guy was an idiot he left the track half way down the first hill. The ripple strip did roll him but he was well out of controll by then. Also that wasnt his first run on the track.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

Well actually you shouldn't over inflate them ...

When the tyres heat up the pressure within them increases.

So it's important to set the cold pressure accordingly so when they reach peak track temperature they are at a pressure which provides optimum grip.

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Yeah ofcourse, i agree with all that.

But chances are being new to the track he is not going to know what is an ideal pressure for his rubber/driving style etc- in which case it is far better to over inflate than under inflate.

Sorry bout' da questions but....
1.With the practice run is it the same track set up as the sprint track?
2.What brake fluid would you recommend? I'm currently using Honda fluids.
3.Should I upgrade the oil aswell?
4.Will I need to change the front and rear camber? I'm going from 205/40/17 to 195/55/15.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

Sorry bout' da questions but....
1.With the practice run is it the same track set up as the sprint track?
2.What brake fluid would you recommend? I'm currently using Honda fluids.
3.Should I upgrade the oil aswell?
4.Will I need to change the front and rear camber? I'm going from 205/40/17 to 195/55/15.

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1. Saturday Sprints runs the sprint course exclusively for the afternoon from around 12.30pm - 1pm to the end of the day ...

You'll average 3 session; 4 if there is no stoppages

You have a total of 7 laps:

- 1 warm up lap
- 5 timed laps
- 1 cool down lap

Use your warm up lap to scrub heat into your tyres

http://www.queenslandraceway.com.au/...r_circuits.jpg

2. I currently use MOTUL RBF600 and in a set of EK brakes with CC-X pads and find it's doing it's job

3. Upgrading the oil; if your only using something basic on the street it's a good idea to get something with a bit more lubrication in track conditions

4. You can set up your camber to accommodate the type of track, but this generally is only learn through practice. Remember the camber settings for racing are a lot more aggressive then what you require for the road and will chew your tyres out if you leave the settings on the street.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by macoman69

How much would tire pressure increase to if your running a semi-slick. (Ie how much of a gain in PSI)

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I've got a few figures from last Thursday at WP.

Air Temp 21`
Track temp 32`
Front tyres 28psi
Rear tyres 30psi

After 10 laps
Front tyres 38psi
Rear tyres 38psi

Ran the same all day and ran consistant times. It just comes down to checking as higher temps will mean higher tyre pressure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

4.Will I need to change the front and rear camber? I'm going from 205/40/17 to 195/55/15.

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Your not going to have any real adjustability without getting geometry products....... something I wish I had had back in the day.

Still..... an alignment I find would be valuable.

I still get the urge to tell you to go out there with as little money as possible spent... especially the first few times out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

1. Saturday Sprints runs the sprint course exclusively for the afternoon from around 12.30pm - 1pm to the end of the day ...

You'll average 3 session; 4 if there is no stoppages

You have a total of 7 laps:

- 1 warm up lap
- 5 timed laps
- 1 cool down lap

Use your warm up lap to scrub heat into your tyres

http://www.queenslandraceway.com.au/...r_circuits.jpg

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The sprint course looks like alot more fun than the national. Just from watching V8 Supercars I've gotta say QR looks pretty boring, but that sprint course throws a few left/right combinations into the circuit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m0nty ITR

The sprint course looks like alot more fun than the national. Just from watching V8 Supercars I've gotta say QR looks pretty boring, but that sprint course throws a few left/right combinations into the circuit.

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Indeed ...

I wish we had something like Wakefield Park here in Brissie ...

Went down to Goulburn for the Autosalon Time attack and the track is small but has awesome elevation and corner changes :thumbsup:

Watching an Evo go off the back straight like a break dancer after getting the small kink wrong was spectacular :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by luxobarge

Most of the important things have been said...
A critical one is tyre pressure... it is better to over inflate them... try atleast 40psi. I heard a story a month back about a guy that rolled an M3 at QR, they found out he only had 12psi in his tyres (may have been tyre). To make it worse it was his mum's car, to make it even worse again he told her he was going to the library to study for uni.

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Thats their favourite story at QR, shame it is a different model BMW and excuse as to where he was ment to be taking mummy's car each time they tell it. I think the story is bull :secret: But either way the moral of the story still stands.

i think an upgrade of pads is essential.. nothing worse then trying to brake and you get nothing .....

Wakefield must have picked up its act of late when i first went there around ten years ago it wasn't worth the trip from Sydney

There was a huge pot holes on the insides of the corners and a single row of carports.

Sweeet :thumbsup:
A full synthetic Oil would be better for the track then rather than say a semi synthetic?
I'll get a wheel alignment done and leave the camber kit for the future possibly.

As if I wasn't psyched before... I'm so keen to hit it now!!!!!!

Nobody has talked about anything breaking which is very reassuring.

Remember to have fun.

someone organise the next ozhonda trackday for sydneysiders already LOL

Haha.Thanks mate,will do!
Don't take it too serious right.Fun is number 1.Got it :)

mayb we should organise a ozhonda qld day :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ek4-guy

Wakefield must have picked up its act of late when i first went there around ten years ago it wasn't worth the trip from Sydney

There was a huge pot holes on the insides of the corners and a single row of carports.

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Its actually getting resurfaced.... will be closed from 10/12 to around 14/01.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

Haha,I will I'm so keen.Thanks guys :thumbsup:
I'm on the Gold Coast so I would love to come to the QR with you guys :)
I've been checking out the sprints that you guys have been chatting about.Looks mad fun.With the practice run is it the same track set up as the sprint track?

Mods to my car:
I/H/E
MSD Ignition System
FPR
Grounding Kit
King Springs with stock struts
All 4 strut bars
Energy suspension engine mounts
Cusco brake stopper
Cold air ducting for intake

Soon:
Energy Suspension Master bushing kit
EBC Brake pads
DIY Pod filter cold air box
Front and Rear swaybars
Floor Brace
Trunk (boot) brace


What brake fluid would you recommend? I'm currently using Honda fluids.Should I upgrade the oil aswell?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by EG5[KRT]

i think an upgrade of pads is essential.. nothing worse then trying to brake and you get nothing .....

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He's got a good brake setup for his car already for what it is ...

Just adding some decent brake fluid will be enough for starting out :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EG5[KRT]

mayb we should organise a ozhonda qld day :P

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We get a few cars going from Hipower Racing in Moss St ...

Ivan the boss likes to come out with us to make sure we don't screw up and work on his tan :cool: :p

haha ivan knows me .. once i sort out my shit i will go back out

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EG5[KRT]

mayb we should organise a ozhonda qld day :P

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Forsure :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

He's got a good brake setup for his car already for what it is ...

Just adding some decent brake fluid will be enough for starting out :thumbsup:

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Good to hear :thumbsup:

What brake fluid would you recommend.Obviously a dot 4 but which brand is best?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

Forsure :p
Good to hear :thumbsup:

What brake fluid would you recommend.Obviously a dot 4 but which brand is best?

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As previousily stated ...

I picked up a bottle of MOTUL RBF 600

http://www.motul.com.au/product_line...ges/rbf600.jpg

It worked a treat in mine ...

Anyone else have some recommendations for the lad ?

Sorry mate,I was tired yesterday :o.... Thanks heaps!
I forgot to mention my car is an automatic too.

Edit: Added Braided brake line to my soon to do list :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ek4-guy

lol i was there that day and i dont know what you seen but that guy was an idiot he left the track half way down the first hill. The ripple strip did roll him but he was well out of controll by then. Also that wasnt his first run on the track.

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Yeah we saw the whole thing as well, it was quite funny, I've raced there about 5 years ago and you can get out of control very easily. we went down to the fence to have a better look when it was still laying there and one of his mates was standing next to us. He was the one that said it was worth 120,000. i just assumed he hadn't been there before because he drove like suck a tool on a damp dusty track on his first run of the day

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EG5[KRT]

mayb we should organise a ozhonda qld day :P

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Very much so, i would love to get out there with a heaps of oher honda's. I found out last time i was a Stanthorpe that they hire out the track there as well.. nice little tight track. (there is some fotage on youtube if you want to sus out the track) Carnell raceway

I've posted this on the sticky of track/drag racing section and i will post it again in here. Its a good video from fifth gear about tracking :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrcchCbq_vw


For TRACK WARRIORS!!!

you drive a honda.. nothing will go wrong... just dont crash it. ;)

hehe.

make sure you have good tyres..

and make sure that you dont go too crazy.. i learnt that the hard way >.<

Haha,plz share a story with us all :)

I did some gardening the first time out ...

The old adrenalin was pumping and I pushed my GT-R a tad bit too hard into the dipper ... on the warm up lap :|

Worse thing was I went bush with my windows fully down and came out with what looked like US military issue camo for the Land barge ... in the interior :D ...

Thats how I lost my track virginity LOL !!!

i was being a dickhead and trying to chase down a 180 on turn 1 and my rear tyres let out and i spun into the vip pet food sign :D

so yeah still sorting out my shit

Sweeeet :)

With my car being an automatic is there anything I should watch out for,do or keep an eye on etc.

It would be nice to drive this fast on the track,DAMN!:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-grRKVsOlU

i took my old civic (CVT auto) to the track once... if it cvt, i dont know how long it will last.. it hitting the rev limiter 2 often... :p

auto's are not really so good on the track...

What does CVT mean?

Yeah I was worried about that,hitting the rev limiter too much (6,500rpm).
Between 4,000-6,500rpm my car gets up,so with left foot braking I was hoping to keep it in that bracket but was worried about it hitting the rev limiter.

slow in fast out.

Remember to drive it home!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

What does CVT mean?

Yeah I was worried about that,hitting the rev limiter too much (6,500rpm).
Between 4,000-6,500rpm my car gets up,so with left foot braking I was hoping to keep it in that bracket but was worried about it hitting the rev limiter.

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The rev limiter is there for a reason. It's there to help you. It doesn't damage the car. It's well below the engines threshold of pain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

What does CVT mean?

Yeah I was worried about that,hitting the rev limiter too much (6,500rpm).
Between 4,000-6,500rpm my car gets up,so with left foot braking I was hoping to keep it in that bracket but was worried about it hitting the rev limiter.

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See ...

this is where we peer pressure you into doing a B or K series swap with a manual transmission :angel: ...

MWAHAHAHHAHAAAAHA :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m0nty ITR

The rev limiter is there for a reason. It's there to help you. It doesn't damage the car. It's well below the engines threshold of pain.

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Cheers mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

See ...

this is where we peer pressure you into doing a B or K series swap with a manual transmission :angel: ...

MWAHAHAHHAHAAAAHA :cool:

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Hehehehe,4 sure.When I get monet in the future I will do this OR Turbo the D.

I've been practicing my left foot braking skills into corners but I can't wait to get out on the track to really give it a proper go.

btw did you guys watch that video.How hard is he pushing it.Damn he's taking those corners quick.I can't believe how well that thing corners.

Here's the video you really should be watching if your coming to QR ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YX0hVejmfA

go rob go !!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

It would be nice to drive this fast on the track,DAMN!:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-grRKVsOlU

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Group B FTW!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SuperDave

Group B FTW!

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Group 7 at QR FTW :P !!!

hi power racing sponsorship ftw :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

Here's the video you really should be watching if your coming to QR ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YX0hVejmfA

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Awesome video!!! Makes me wanna go out and do some tracking :p

It looks like there were all CRX in that race?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTRVspec95

Here's the video you really should be watching if your coming to QR ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YX0hVejmfA

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Finially watched the Vid.That was Awesome :thumbsup:

I'm concerned about my automatic transmission because I heard the auto is prone to overheating.Anything I should or could be doing b4 I hit the track?

maybe hook up an oil cooler for the auto.. ? ? ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EG5[KRT]

maybe hook up an oil cooler for the auto.. ? ? ?

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That's the option huh?
The oil temp guage in the car reads the engine oil temp.How about the transmission oil temp.Can a guage be hooked up to that or....?

Can always put one inline with the tranny cooler.
But directly measuring the tranny case, I would imagine, would yield similar temps to the tranny oil as a crude way to see if you need a cooler.

That's a sweet idea.With manuals,is it not an issue with the transmission oil overheating?

I have never looked into adding a cooler to my manual transmission mainly because I'd have the minor hassel of having to add a pump. Auto transmissions, generally, already come with a crude cooler from the factory. Again, I have never looked into how effective they are. It will just look like a metal loop. If you trace it back to the transmission you just remove the factory one and replace it with a larger, finned cooler and run the hoses to the front of the car. But make sure it isn't one of those 'tube and fin' (aka snake, s) coolers as they do nothing. 'Plate and fin' is where the results are.

Thanks mate! I'll look into it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SuperDave

I have never looked into adding a cooler to my manual transmission mainly because I'd have the minor hassel of having to add a pump. Auto transmissions, generally, already come with a crude cooler from the factory. Again, I have never looked into how effective they are. It will just look like a metal loop. If you trace it back to the transmission you just remove the factory one and replace it with a larger, finned cooler and run the hoses to the front of the car. But make sure it isn't one of those 'tube and fin' (aka snake, s) coolers as they do nothing. 'Plate and fin' is where the results are.

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So I just replace the factory cooler (metal loop) with a 'plate and fin' cooler?
Is that correct? :confused: Where can I source this from plz?

Started a new thread about this as it should benefit others:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...39#post1466039

Ok so what is a good engine oil and Automatic Transmission Oil to use for the track in my 96 EK1 Civic Sedan plz.

Is there a floor jack at the track to swap ya wheels or is it DIY'er?
And if you took your backseat,sub out at the track + wheels.Is there a place to store them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beeza

Ok so what is a good engine oil and Automatic Transmission Oil to use for the track in my 96 EK1 Civic Sedan plz.

Is there a floor jack at the track to swap ya wheels or is it DIY'er?
And if you took your backseat,sub out at the track + wheels.Is there a place to store them?

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damn... just have a set of semis... the night before, wack them on, rip out your seats and just drive down in the morning.. its heaps easier than changing the wheels.

I have heard stories at wakie where wheels went missing... scares me:thumbdwn:

Are semi's Ok to drive on the road for 4-5hrs (2-2.5hrs there and back)?
The back seat will only be there if friends come up.I'll leave the sub at home,don't want it gettin' stolen if there no where secure to leave it.

^^^yes they will

ive drivin to winton with friends and the tyres on his car look like they still new.

thats a 4hr drive there, tracked, 4 hrs drive home. still looks in good condition

^^ as above.... helll sometimes i get too lazy to change wheels and end up driving with semis for a few weeks ahahah

Oh sweet,thanks guys :)

just remember to pump them to recommended PSI and they should be fine for street driving. Remember to buy semi's slick that are DOT approved.

Thanks Benson!

can anyone comment on over inflating the tires for track days?, ive never been to the track but wud think over inflating (ie above recommended psi) would be distorting the contact patch and just adding pressure to the sidewalls, then when the tires heat up the air in them expands increasing the pressure >_<. so im wondering if anyone can comment on noticeable traction improving when theyve over inflated?
on FWD it myt be alryt over inflating the rear a little but as for the front id say let em warm up? but im no race engineer ;) comments?

If you're using street tyres, get them up to around 38 - 40psi - Cold.
If you're using semi, you'd want around 34psi~36psi Hot, so you could start around 30 psi.

The side walls on a street tyre isn't as rigid as a semi, so you'd want more air in to minimise flexing.

The main thing you need to make sure of is having enough air in the tyre to prevent it peeling off while cornering, spinning or coming off the track. It does happen. As for the pressures you want to use, only testing will find that out. I run 38-40psi hot in my tyres all round, but I turn up with 38psi cold to avoid any chances of peeling in the first session and drop it down once I get back in the pits. I do lose a bit of front end grip as the tyres warm up. I did try 36psi hot once and the sidewall flexed too much and the wear on the sidewall is showing me not to try it again. But things will be slightly different for different cars. I probably should point out that all this is on street tyres.

If your running semis/slicks, just ring up the company and ask them what their thoughts are.

If you are new to the track days, running too much tyre pressure could be a help since it will slow you down a bit and give you some extra time to think.