Track Prep Suggestions

[GlobalWarmer]

Hi All,

Looking for suggestions for prepping my car for the track this summer. Bubbles offered to provide some suggestions in another thread but I didn't want to hijack the OPs topic so I'm starting a new one..

Here's the important bits:

- 2014 Camaro SS/RS/1LE
- it's my daily driver
- I'm a total noob at the track so I can't imagine I'll be doing anything too amazing in the driving department (this year at least!)
- only have 5 track days (laps Inc at ABCC) so this isn't an every weekend thing
- Would like to avoid warranty issues so keeping mods mild
- as far as performance upgrades I've only added a CAI intake
- Tires / wheels are stock (20x10 front, 20x11 rear, 285/35-20 Goodyear eagle supercar f2s all around - practically new)
- 6k miles
- replaced brake fluid with Motul 660
- some minor appearance mods here and there
- I could spend a bit too better prep but am hoping to avoid anything major (for example : brake pads? OK. Whole new brake system - not so much)

I'm assuming check/top off fluids, maybe check alignment (just done a week ago though), make sure you're pressure is good, make sure I have my go fast dome-light installed and my head is freshly shaven (grin)...

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-gw

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[Bubbles]

Track Prep Suggestions

Are you looking to stay at ABCC? Or do different tracks?

I will be at ABCC with NASA April 26 & 27, Road America May 3 & 4 with MFBA, then back to ABCC May 5 with HOD....

So I have a few questions.
Is going to be your only track day?

Any other tracks in mind for this year?

Current mileage on your car?

Do you daily drive her?

Do you have a skip shift harness yet?

What run group?

Instructor in car or no?

Will you allow your instructor to drive your car at any point?

[NicKey]

1le

The 1LE is a very track capable Camaro. It is better than most of the drivers/ owners capabilities, just as it is from GM.

While you can just about never have too much brake in a road course car, the stock Brembos are very capable.

The next upgrade I would recommend would be pads and CTSV or ZL1 6 pots/rotors on the front and custom pads all the way around.

Get some seat time and have some fun with the car as is before you start any mods.

[Bubbles]

He is talking prep not mods yet very very different.

[GlobalWarmer]

Thanks, NicKey :-) Bubbles is right BUT the suggestions and comments are very much appreciated. I love learning from the C5G crew.

-gw (Dave)

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[NicKey]

"Hi All,

Looking for suggestions for prepping my car for the track this summer. Bubbles offered to provide some suggestions in another thread but I didn't want to hijack the OPs topic so I'm starting a new one..

Here's the important bits:

- 2014 Camaro SS/RS/1LE
- it's my daily driver
- I'm a total noob at the track so I can't imagine I'll be doing anything too amazing in the driving department (this year at least!)
- only have 5 track days (laps Inc at ABCC) so this isn't an every weekend thing
- Would like to avoid warranty issues so keeping mods mild
- as far as performance upgrades I've only added a CAI intake
- Tires / wheels are stock (20x10 front, 20x11 rear, 285/35-20 Goodyear eagle supercar f2s all around - practically new)
- 6k miles
- replaced brake fluid with Motul 660
- some minor appearance mods here and there
- I could spend a bit too better prep but am hoping to avoid anything major (for example : brake pads? OK. Whole new brake system - not so much)
I'm assuming check/top off fluids, maybe check alignment (just done a week ago though), make sure you're pressure is good, make sure I have my go fast dome-light installed and my head is freshly shaven (grin)...

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks"

No problem guys.......but I was referencing the OP's post directly.

[Bubbles]

Track Prep Suggestions

Here are my suggestions...

Rear diff fluid change. This is a MUST.
I recommend Redline Shockproof Heavy-duty (it has a red label & can be purchased on Amazon for about $17) and the GM additive, this fluid is awesome keeps temps down and doesn't give up the ghost after a track day or 10.

Manual transmission fluid change.
I recommend Royal Purple Syncromesh (it helps keep trans temps down and helps stop the 2-3 grind at higher RPM shifts)

Separate the brake and clutch reservoirs. This is also a MUST.
You can find kits with brackets and such to do this on cam5 but you can also just do what I did far cheaper if you aren't too concerned with appearance. I just bought the 2 reservoirs drilled it into the shock tower.

Brake hard wear.
Pads:
Carbotech XP10 front & XP8 rear pads are what I run all the time track or not... But be mindful they are LOUD (brake squeak always) & very dusty. If you are bothered by noise & dust you can easily swap them in and out before each track day.
Rotors:
I run DBA 4000 SLOTTED ONLY. Do not do not do not run drilled rotors. They will shatter, crack, & break when you don't want them to.
Brake lines.
Get braided lines. Period. You will thank me for this. I have Racing Brake lines. They are inexpensive and worth the $100.

Coolant.
Get water wetter or the like. This will help keep engine temps down.

Engine.
If you don't have the catch can setup from GM or an aftermarket set up, you need one. I actually run BOTH the GM 1LE set up & an RX catch can. If you go with an aftermarket one get a breather cap.

Alignment.
Get a "track" style alignment.
I have camber caster plates and recently had my car set up (alignment rake & corner weighting)by Blackdog Speed Shop. If you can swing the $$ it's worth it. If not a good alignment can be had, message me for places to go to get that style alignment.

Last but not least. Join me at ABCC or RA at the end of this month to go for a ride in either my car or the Forum Ninja's car to see, hear, & feel what a well prepped car brings to the track.

[WarWolfX0]

Rear diff fluid change. This is a MUST.
When I got my 3.91 rear gear I had the dealer put in "Royal Purple Max Gear 75w-90 with friction modifier additive" this comes all in one bottle(you will need 2 bottles), which I supplied. and they said it was fine and the warranty should be OK.

Manual transmission fluid change.
I read that if you put in any thing else beside GM fluid (Part No. 88861800) it void the warranty on the transmission. But I am not sure if the Manual transmission has a warranty since it maybe considered a wear item, kind of like brake pads.
But I have been hearing that Redline D4 ATF is good in Manual transmissions.
Since my car has 50,000 mile I am looking to change it soon, I am really leaning to RP

Get a "track" style alignment.
The 1LE has a track style alignment
FE6
Front chamber -1
Front caster: 5.6
Front total toe .2
Total toe tolerance .2
Rear chamber -.75
Rear total toe .2
Rear thrust angle 0
To aggressive and you start burning thought tires while daily driving
What kind of number are you using that is OK for daily driving too.

You must get a skip shift eliminator
unless you like getting block from going into 2nd gear

[BlackdogSpeedShop]

There a lot of great advice here! Keep in mind that everyone advises based on their own experience and level and as such it's important to consider that you're new to the hobby whereas they may be more experienced.

We certainly would recommend changing out your fluids as has been recommended by everyone above. Additionally, a more aggressive track pad will substantially improve your braking abilities in addition to having a higher tolerance for heat.

Any important thing to consider is that mods beget mods. On stock tires (especially the not so great ones they put on the 1LE ***8211; we know, we have one) you're only going to be able to push the car to the limits of traction. Once you upgrade tires you'll go faster, faster requires better stopping power, better fluid retention solutions like catch cans and separating reservoirs, etc. As you make changes and modifications to each weak point, you will create a new one. Go at your own pace, Rome wasn't built in a day! You'll also find that many of the modifications that help on the track detract from your experience on the street. Racing pads stop much better than OEM but are louder and dustier, etc.

We believe the most important thing is a proper track set-up and alignment. This includes corner balancing as well as setting camber, caster, and toe. It's not the same type of alignment as you'd get at the dealer or Just Tires, it's a whole different ball of wax entirely.

In addition to our speed shop Blackdog is a full professional racing team. Last December we made the decision to switch to Camaro after 10 years of racing Corvettes. In our first season, we won the 2013 Pirelli World Challenge GTS Drivers', Manufacturers', and Team Championships in addition to crew chief of the year. We just returned last weekend from a win and Top-10 finish at the first race of the 2014 season at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

When I say race set-up, I mean the technicians working on your car are the same techs that work on our championship race cars. We will position you to get the most out of your car and help you make decisions about modifications that are appropriate for your budget and level of experience. Have a helmet yet? That's another good place to start and we'd be happy to help!

Stories are always better when they're illustrated:

[SCOTCH MAN]

Very we'll said. And congrats on the super win!


Jim
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[GlobalWarmer]

I can't thank each of you all enough for the excellent responses. really top notch and very much appreciated. Also, grats on the win, Jeremy!

So much excellent information it's fun to read and re-read and digest..and research..

If I comment on everything / ask all the questions on my mind I"ll be here all day.. I"ll keep it simple for now:

Thoughts:

- Catch can - done
- Skip Shift eliminator - done
- Tires - Sticking with stock until either they're toast or I"m good enough to use/appreciate something more effective (and keeping in mind the mods beget mods mantra which I'm painfully familiar with from other hobbies)

Questions:

- Rear Diff Fluid - Who can actually do this for me and what's a reasonable cost to have it done? Is this a dealership trip or should I be looking somewhere else? No, I can't do it myself. Not sure how to get my hands on the 'GM Additive' that Bubbles mentioned.. have a part number Bubbles? Or maybe what Wolf used which sounds like it comes with a modifier? Sounds like 2 quarts should do it..
- Brake pads - Can I use the stock ones for my first few track days or am I asking for trouble? I wonder if it's even possible to balance some improvement in performance and still avoid squeaking/dust (it's my daily driver and I want to keep things simple). Probably can't have my cake and eat it too...isn't that always the way?!
- Brake Lines - Will this require a complete flush of the brake fluid to install? I ask because I JUST had the fluid replaced. I thought I could get by with stock for a seadon since it's a new car but it sounds like maybe I should just replace them.. Is this something that anyone who can bleed brakes can do or is it more specialized? Jeremy, can Blackdog help with stuff like this / diff fluid or is that too small/minor for you guys to deal with? Just askin'!

Next Steps:
- Helmet - I'll be heading to Blackdog in the near future for one
- Ride along with Bubbles if scheduled allow - Seems like a -great- idea (and totally fun). Thanks so much for the invite Bubbles. PM incoming!
- Diff and trans fluids or sure (and maybe brake lines) when I can figure out exactly what to use and where to get it done. I'm a little nervous about the warranty thing on the trans fluid swap though..

Thanks again for the assist everyone. Sorry to come back with even MORE questions.. just trying to get enough detail to actually get some of this DONE!

-gw

[BlackdogSpeedShop]

Very we'll said. And congrats on the super win!


Jim
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Thanks Jim!

GW -

At Blackdog we do everything from normal maintenance items to performance part sales / installation, full race car builds, and everything in between so of course we'd be happy to help!

Regarding your question about brakes, we'd recommend swapping out the pads. It's a heavy car and odds are you would end up overheating the brakes and greasing the pads which won't do you any favors on the street or the track.

We'd be happy to help sort you out with the right differential and transmission fluids to suit your application and can certainly perform a flush of all three in addition to installing new pads, braided brake lines, and if you need them a catch can and skip shift eliminator (not sure if you meant you had already done them or you're agreeing they need to be).

Thanks for the opportunity to earn your business,

Jeremy

[Bubbles]

Track Prep Suggestions

Changing the trans fluid to a different brand WILL NOT, CAN NOT void your warranty as long as it has the same specification as the stock fluid. Anyone who says different is ill-informed. It is not legal per mag-moss to negate a warranty based on replacement of maintenance items (fluids & filters) if they perform and meet the criteria set forth by the manufacturer, UNLESS said manufacturer provides the items at no charge or the item replaced causes the failure.

I have run both redline shockproof heavy duty, & RP synromesh in my rear diff & trans for over 2 years now. They meet & exceed the specifications set forth in GM SI.

GM rear diff additive part # 88900330

I think the braided lines can be done with only minor bleeding needed

[GlobalWarmer]

Awesome! Thanks Bubbles!

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