Improving car for track

[LegacyDan]

So my legacy is my daily driver, yesterday i had my first track day ever, and i learned a few things about myself and my car. Im looking ahead to the next track day and how i can better the car to knock a few seconds off my lap times and overtake more of those impreza bitches!

 

so im thinking a few minor mods to the suspension/handling should help me out

 

1. anti lift kit

2. Uprated anti roll bars

3. spare 17" stock rims with track tires.

 

Most of the above should still keep it comfy as a daily driver and improve things on track. What would be the ideal size of 17" tires to go for?

 

Anything else i should be considering ?I'm addicted now to track days so must try get in on them every few months!

[bnguyenbb6]

What size wheels do you have? What do you have so far suspension/brake related?

[LegacyDan]

currently on the car:

wheels: 18 x 8 with 235/40/18 Vredstein Ultrac sessanta's(popular over here!)

suspension: jdm Bilsteins with Sti pinks

brakes: AP racing 335mm BBK with 2 piece grooved rotors front,stock rears Ferrodo DS2500 pads and braided lines all round

[xero287]

sway.bars.

 

end.links.

 

period.

[Saul_Good]

Sounds like you got a decent setup so far. Just keep adding seattime. Once you've maxed out your current set, then upgrade. It's always more fun when you're faster than the guy with more mods.

[jamal]

yes to everything and as much front camber as you can get. I went so far as to widen out the holes in my struts to get an extra degree or so.

[LegacyDan]

sway.bars.

 

end.links.

 

period.

 

 

are the solid endlinks or adjustable ones a better choice?

[xero287]

Well the adjustable ones are better for the track but really dont last long. That's why I chose the Kartboy solids. Honestly, my brother has the whiteline spherical adjustable ones and I really cant tell the difference. It maybe 2% stiffer, but endlinks alone will stiffen up your whole steering.

 

I recommend Solid Kartboys.

[trackhore]

Sways were a nice addition over stock, but spend more money on more track time. Seat time is where you're primed for the most improvement.

[AZP Installs]

Sounds like you got a decent setup so far. Just keep adding seattime. Once you've maxed out your current set, then upgrade. It's always more fun when you're faster than the guy with more mods.

 

 

I quoted this one but more have said it. Seat time is the most important thing with any car. You already have some good mods there and should be well set. If you are looking for some set up changes, also look up Icy/Phoenix Racing. They ran a very nice Spec. B a few years back and were doing very well. That car was pretty much de-catted, with a race suspension.

 

The car showed you don't always need the most power to be the fastest.

 

-Jake

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg

AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Dealer

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[LegacyDan]

its pretty hard to get more track time as there is only one track open to the public that we have access to and its pretty expensive to do, at least 200 dollars per session. and always booked out for club track days or race events. Im happy with my mods power wise. just need to get the handling up to scratch.

 

Drop links are gone so they need to be replaced anyway. ARB's will be beneficial on both road and track, same with ALK.

 

Still need to keep it daily driver friendly as best i can!

 

Here's the first in car video, didnt know the track or how to handle my car properly, i learned a lot of good tips from some local track day veterans, so the final few laps i recorded are a bit better, still a long way to go!

 

http://youtu.be/NnUF1HYEyjQ

[Th3Franz]

You're going to want wider rims than stock with track tires. If you are thinking r-comps, I would not recommend it. R-comps are less forgiving than street tires, and if you are still learning a lot, stick with street tires. 245/40/17 is a nice size for the LGT and daily driving.

[LegacyDan]

my daily driver rims are a set of Rota Gravels 18 x 8. I was told a set of something like 225/35/17 would be good for track and help with acceleration, i can put them on my old stockers. Ideally i get a set of good tires and only put them on when i get to track

[AZP Installs]

From the video you posted the major thing I saw was hand placement. You have your right hand at 12 on the wheel and your left shift/assisting steering when needed. Use both hands on the wheel even when going straight. And the little grip things on the wheel are perfect placement.

 

I couldn't see the track well but one thing I tell all drivers is look ahead. Even after years of autocross/track driving I repeat it in my head to look up, look ahead, where is the next corner etc. The car seems pretty well set up. I didn't notice you falling out of the seat due to body roll, so that is good.

 

Definitely stick with street tires for now. The Dunlop Star Spec is a good tire for track use. Although I would up the side wall profile to 225/45/17 as 35 will be stretching the tire. There are numerous options there so cost really becomes the determining factor. Otherwise you seem to be off to a great start. Wish we had more tracks as well around here.

 

-Jake

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg

AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Dealer

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[LegacyDan]

thanks for the tips, hand placement was terrible, i know! I did get a bit better on that towards the end of the session. I need to get a better camera mount so it can be mounted higher in the car and give a better view of car interior and track

 

2nd video here:

 

 

I have never seen that dunlop tire sold here locally maybe its called something else over here.

 

This is the track layout:

 

http://www.trackdays.co.uk/images/tracks/mondello_park/main/mondello_park.jpg

[05COLEGGT]

#1 mod for taking your car to a track is attend a HPDE level 1 class. Having a pro driver sit with you all day will be the best money spent. You already have a good start with the sway bars. One thing that I did that really helped my high mileage LGT was fill in the lower control arm bushings with 3M window weld.

[AZP Installs]

 

I have never seen that dunlop tire sold here locally maybe its called something else over here.

 

It definitely looks like you are getting the hang of things pretty fast. Of course seat time will be your best bet.

 

If they don't sell the Dunlop over there any good performance street tire will do the job while you are learning. I used to use a very weak summer tire to race because I was a broke college student and they were cheap. With better driving and learning how to push a car that has lower limits I found how to improve my lines. I was able to beat a car with pretty much the same set up and on better tires by close to 1 second. So driver skill is really 90% of it.

 

-Jake

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg

AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Dealer

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[Th3Franz]

I used to run the Star Specs until the inner tread blocks chunked off on my car and a couple other Subarus. Very strange. I now run the Hankook RS3 and like them more to boot.