Winter 07/08 Projects and Plans?

[talonTSIDriver]

Originally Posted by Slow old poop

I had an instructor that gave me my epiphany. He kept yelling, "It will stick! It will stick!" I braked, turned in, nailed the throttle flat to the floor and bigawd, it stuck! Holy macaroni!

Hoo boy! I don't know how anybody can possibly learn this by themselves, because the first time you dive into a turn 20 mph faster than before, it is one scary sumbitch. A good instructor--somebody who knows AWD cars--is essential. It might be worth it to go off to a pro school just to learn this.

I know this is a winter mod thread, but i think seat time should be considered a winter mod. I learned by riding with a few instructors. At first it scared the living CRAP out of me, you think "oh no, he's not hitting the brakes yet," and then at the last second, its HARD braking and a quick turn and that’s it. Seat time will be the best mod to make you faster, especially for your first few years.

[Slow old poop]

Originally Posted by talonTSIDriver

I know this is a winter mod thread, but i think seat time should be considered a winter mod. I learned by riding with a few instructors. At first it scared the living CRAP out of me, you think "oh no, he's not hitting the brakes yet," and then at the last second, its HARD braking and a quick turn and that’s it. Seat time will be the best mod to make you faster, especially for your first few years.

Hear hear! Seat time is worth ten times more than a new turbo in terms of return on investment.

[tsiboosted]

Originally Posted by Slow old poop

Hear hear! Seat time is worth ten times more than a new turbo in terms of return on investment.

Couldnt agree with you more there. On your brake talk in an earlier post. I think people, espeically new to road course racing, would HIGHLY benefit from HPDE's in this category. They teach a lot about braking properly, turn in points, getting back on the throttle etc. Threshold braking and what not as well. I cant tell you how much I learned from going to and still going to HPDE events. Even if you are a solo driver, it still wouldn't hurt you to have an instructor ride along with you at some of the events.

[chavez408]

I have so much to learn guys, I cannot wait to learn even more at the track! I am in the habit of breaking too much and have me rev the car way to much because of the lost of speed before the turn. It comes and goes, I just need practice.

[Slow old poop]

Originally Posted by chavez408

I have so much to learn guys, I cannot wait to learn even more at the track! I am in the habit of breaking too much and have me rev the car way to much because of the lost of speed before the turn. It comes and goes, I just need practice.

The best way to learn by yourself is to run in high gears. This will force you to maintain momentum through the turn because otherwise you will have to shift down. Eliminate first and second gear completely from your repertoire (except when starting off, of course).

For braking, always brake in a straight line, and get all your downshifting done BEFORE the turn. Don't worry about heel and toe. That's why God invented synchronizers.

Brake as hard as you can for a short a time as you can-this is called threshold braking. Never hit the brakes at any speed over 100mph (you'll eat up your brakes if you do). Just coast on down until you are under 100, then hit them hard. DO NOT eeeeease down on the brakes and hold them on for a long time, like you do on the street. This heats them up worse than hitting them hard. Get on, get off!

It's brake/downshift, lift off the brakes, turn in, ease down on the throttle, and accelerate through the apex all the way to corner out. In third or fourth gear, of course.

Also, learn the difference between fade and boiled fluid: If you have a hard pedal, but the car doesn't want to stop, you have fade. Most likely your pads are wore down. Change the pads. If your pedal goes to the floor, but pumps back up, you have boiled the fluid. Bleed the brakes at the next opportunity.

Good luck. Get instruction, too.

[tsiboosted]

Originally Posted by Slow old poop

The best way to learn by yourself is to run in high gears. This will force you to maintain momentum through the turn because otherwise you will have to shift down. Eliminate first and second gear completely from your repertoire (except when starting off, of course).

For braking, always brake in a straight line, and get all your downshifting done BEFORE the turn. Don't worry about heel and toe. That's why God invented synchronizers.

Brake as hard as you can for a short a time as you can-this is called threshold braking. Never hit the brakes at any speed over 100mph (you'll eat up your brakes if you do). Just coast on down until you are under 100, then hit them hard. DO NOT eeeeease down on the brakes and hold them on for a long time, like you do on the street. This heats them up worse than hitting them hard. Get on, get off!

It's brake/downshift, lift off the brakes, turn in, ease down on the throttle, and accelerate through the apex all the way to corner out. In third or fourth gear, of course.

Also, learn the difference between fade and boiled fluid: If you have a hard pedal, but the car doesn't want to stop, you have fade. Most likely your pads are wore down. Change the pads. If your pedal goes to the floor, but pumps back up, you have boiled the fluid. Bleed the brakes at the next opportunity.

Good luck. Get instruction, too.

Good post Rich. ALWAYS brake in a straight line ALWAYS. I cannot express that enough. As just to ditto what he said, also get those downshifts done in this same time frame as your braking.

Also, I know the old drivers ed rule of 10 and 2 rains through some peoples minds. But to me and ALL of the instructors I have had over the years. A more prone hand positioning on the wheel is actually 3 and 9 o'clock. (for me) It feels as I have better control over the steering thus over the car and where I want it to go. Just something else to think about as well.

[chavez408]

cool guys, thanks! I really, really find all this helpful.
i need to start working on my suspension a little, since i get a little bit too much 'hop' as i am turning. I don't know if my shocks are blown or if i need to stiffen 'em up a little.

[kittay]

I'd like to change out my rear struts/ springs. Unfortunately the current ones are fighting for their life to stay on

Good information Mr. Poop
I'd like to grow some balls and give a try at autocrossing.

[Slow old poop]

Originally Posted by kittay

I'd like to grow some balls and give a try at autocrossing.

I cannot help you there. In my few experiences at it, I found it to be an extremely violent activity, with the car being thrown this way and that, lots of 1st gear running (yuk), being forced to run a meaningless "slalom" through a series of cones, and trying to get a good time on cold tires and cold brakes. Also, you waste a huge amount of time waiting for the 5,000 other cars to make their runs. Essentially, in autocrossing you spend all fooking day waiting to get three 30 second runs.

I did learn that you want to run with the local Corvette club, because they do not stage events on postage-stamp parking lots, and they design their courses for real cars, not Hondashitboxes. On a Corvette Club autocross, you might actually get out of 1st gear once in a while.

Finally, when you get experienced at it, you discover that there is always some SERIOUS DUDE in your class who has spent a fortune on mods and tires, and is impossible to beat.

Some of the folks on this list take autocrossing seriously, and are very good at it. I am not one of those people, but I salute anyone who is good at what they do behind the wheel.

I would much rather take a cornr at 100+ than 10+, but different strokes for different folks.

[kittay]

I was always scared of turns until I got the Yoko's on the car. That made it fun. I've gone out a few years ago, but just as passenger.

[talonTSIDriver]

Originally Posted by Slow old poop

I cannot help you there. In my few experiences at it, I found it to be an extremely violent activity, with the car being thrown this way and that, lots of 1st gear running (yuk), being forced to run a meaningless "slalom" through a series of cones, and trying to get a good time on cold tires and cold brakes. Also, you waste a huge amount of time waiting for the 5,000 other cars to make their runs. Essentially, in autocrossing you spend all fooking day waiting to get three 30 second runs.

I did learn that you want to run with the local Corvette club, because they do not stage events on postage-stamp parking lots, and they design their courses for real cars, not Hondashitboxes. On a Corvette Club autocross, you might actually get out of 1st gear once in a while.

Finally, when you get experienced at it, you discover that there is always some SERIOUS DUDE in your class who has spent a fortune on mods and tires, and is impossible to beat.

Some of the folks on this list take autocrossing seriously, and are very good at it. I am not one of those people, but I salute anyone who is good at what they do behind the wheel.

I would much rather take a cornr at 100+ than 10+, but different strokes for different folks.

Auto-X is a GREAT way to start off and learn the basics of car control. I would HIGHLY recommend attending a few auto-x's before hitting up bigger track days.

[tsiboosted]

I find myself agreeing with both Rich and talonTSIDriver. For someone on a tight budget who wants to get out and run their cars without getting tickets on the street and learn soem car control. Autocross events are the place for them. But I would also say I would rather be on a road course any day of the week. But for some, budgeting does not allow that to happen for them. So autocross is their salvation until they can get on the big tracks.

I say go for some autocrosses and see how you like that experience first before you totally toss it off the list. I have done some in the past and enjoyed them. But also as Rich said, try to find one that is hosted by the Vette guys. Their tracks tend to be longer and "faster".

[D_Eclipse9916]

Winter Project plans into reality....

[chavez408]

What kind of turbo is that? Nice stuff

[xtreme-elements]

well ill get in on this. i plan on changing the timing belt. it had a hard season.. then im upgrading to a bigger turbo (s16g now) and then turbo timer, thermostatic fan controls, 660cc injectors and of course, "slicks"... (fwd).. after that i may get an afc (gm maft setup now) and a wideband setup so i can further tune the ride..

[xtreme-elements]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

[tsiboosted]

Thanks extreme-elements. Merry Christmas to you as well. Everyone have a safe and Happy New Years !!!!

Looking good D_Eclipse. Get some pics up when you get it all buttoned up and done.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Got a few hours in last night...oh and its a Frank 4 turbocharger. Garret internals (e60 compressor wheel, td06 exhaust wheel)