Mazdarian

September will probably be my first real outing on a proper track - ever. I'm trying to run down the list of stuff to check/prep before then, currently sitting at:

- Oil change: before and after
- Clutch fluid: check
- Brake fluid: replace, bleed brakes
- Coolant: check
- Trans & Diff oil: both replaced recently
- Premix 100/1 (I run 200/1 on the streets)
- Brake pads: Hawk HPS, plenty of life left
- Keep tank above 1/4 full

Am I missing anything? Also; is it worth while to up the oil pressure with like a RB 105psi regulator?

lemme know!

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that's fine. No need for the pressure reg, the less you mess with the car at this stage, the happier you'll both be. Focus on learning to drive, the car will be OK. Change the oil before if it's old, no need to change it again immediately after. What oil are you running? What climate are you in? What year is the car?

What tires are you running? Make sure you have a way to inflate them and start at the base pressures written on the door jamb label.

Check all suspension components for play - wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints, swaybar links. Does your club do inspections and/or do they provide a checklist? If not, look for another club soon. You don't want to be on track with people who haven't done any of the above.

Mazdarian

@Loki Thanks for the reply!

Cool, I'm all for trusting the car's engineering to a point and not mess with things if they're good enough as-is.

I've put some serious hours in on the sim with a good RX8 model on the track I'll be driving on IRL, so I hope that'll give me at least a little head start on what to expect, but I'm definitely not under the assumption that'll magically make me a great driver right off the bat.

I'm from the EU, september is usually around 58 - 70 F over here. Car's an 04 6-port. Currently running a 10W40 full mineral API SF/CD grade due to the more frequent oil changes and quality/price-point, but I'm contemplating switching to a pricier synth oil even though I'm not sure which one yet. There's just so much info...

I'll be on 255/40/17 Nankang NS2R's aiming for ~30psi when hot.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

That all sounds good except API SF. That oil standard is from the 80s, SJ was around when the RX8 was designed, and is still considered current but SN or SM would generally be better since they're designed to burn cleaner in modern slightly leaky cars, so as not to damage catalytic converters

Mazdarian

@Loki Thanks again. Good thing I was looking at a replacement oil then.. Besides that I can't wait to finally open her up on a proper stretch of track!