RotaryZZ

What and where is the power plant frame??

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

power plant frame is a chassis reinforcement that connects from the transmission to the rear differential, basically a 'frame' that contains the driveshaft, providing extra chassis stiffness. miata have had this design since the very beginning, as well as quite a few sports cars past and present, IIRC

mike0615

Another question. This time i'm gonna run the track stock, but after the event i'm gonna upgrade my suspension for sure. what kind of coilovers should i get for the most performance gain. 1 more day! :D :D :D

Spin9k

That's like saying what kind of woman should I marry....it all depends. There are many models available (coilovers, not girls), the board is full of recommendations and ideas for you, still I have never seen any comparison other than anecdotal experience.

People just buy something after due consideration, then either like it or not.

Obviously the problem in comparison of various brands/types that makes it a nearly statistically impossible task to produce a 'most performance gain' is that most coilovers are tuneable in many steps, in various aspects of their performance, Then you combine that with the various wheel and tire weights/sizes/combinations, plus sway bar alternatives, track alternatives, intended use, driver style and skill, not to mention driving conditions vary constantly...there is no 'best one'.....you get the idea why I'm sure!

Bottom line, research, listen, take your best shot, spend you wad, then enjoy whatever it does for you.

mike0615

Just got back from event, OMG! the MOST FUN SPORT MAN EVER INVENTED! I will never look at my car the same way again. with stock everything, my car felt like it belonged out on the track. My best time was 1.47 at willowsprings. map looks like this. http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/...ation/maps.asp
Crazy stuff happened today. I learned one thing today, EVO's own on the track, period. I saw a La Manz poche out there today. It placed 8th in 1992. Also witnessed a crazy "NASCAR" type accident, silver EVO flipped like 10 feet up in air. It had like 80 grand worth of mods in it. feel sorry for the owner, but at least he came out with minor injuires. can't wait for my next event. any rx8 trackers out in the LA area? lets meet up. I'm already getting withdrawl for more autocrossing! I was the only RX8 out there today. fastest driver today was red EVO, fastest car? prolly a porche 911 turbo. this is from my point of view, i gotta wait for the times to get posted on the site to find out for sure. my top speed on this track was only 110mph. Man, this is too much fun, guys we need to gather up some more rx8's to get out and represent.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i see another 8 owner got his first taste of the addiction for speed.... muahahhaha

*waiting for my fix in June* :D

Spin9k

"Ahh Grasshopper... you have started down the path...and it is full of twists and turns" :D

expo1

And higher balances on your credit cards for mods

Jay Goldfarb

Mike0615

I decided on this thread to just sit back and watch what others input would be for your first HPDE (high performance driving event). First of all, I am a senior instructor with NASA in South Florida. 15 years of road racing and and over 25 doing drivers schools.

Things to do first:

1. Dot 4 or 5 brake fluid a must
2. Upgrade brake pads (going fast is really fun if you don't have to worry about stopping)
3. Racing type drivers shoes. Sneakers don't do it. You lose all feel of the pedals with a thick sole and heal.
4. Learn on the street to heel and toe downshift. You will never progress to smoothness without this technique
5. Learn to look far ahead. ie braking point way before you get there, while braking look at apex and than track out point. Good advise was given to you about slow in - fast out. Keep the speeds down to learn.
6. You may find that coil overs are overkill. It is easy to make a lousy street car and track car compo. Try the Eibach pro springs, stock shocks, racing beat sway bars front and rear without the add on links. This will give good body lean control, but not hurt street ability to bad.
7. If you put a rear wing on the car similar to the MS, you will need to change the nose also. Take that from me and my experience at three different tracks. The wing created more understeer.

Most important - keep your head in the right direction. This is not about times and who is fastest. It's about learning about car control and what to do when........**** happens. I drill my students on wheel off sitituations and it paid off Sunday a week ago at Moroso in West Palm Beach. Student at 80 mph set what he thought was one wheel off, but it was both. His reaction was perfect. Slowed down - no brake and drove back onto the track. Pm me is you have any questions. After several events you may want to have someone time you to look for consistancy. Just remember that as speed increases your need for better brakes will become a necessity. I run slotted rotors and Hawk Blue pads. Even with that, I used up a set after 4 days of track use. One cracked. One more session on that rotor and I could have been toast. Which brings me to inspection after each session. Look over your car carefully. Check before next session your torque on wheel nuts, brake pads and tire tread. Tracks can eat up rubber. Permanent solution to nose chipping is the 3M clear bra. Costly, but works great.

Enough of this BS. Welcome to the track experience. You will know that the bug has really bitten after your next few events.

Keep the shady side down and the sunny side up.

Jay Goldfarb

mike0615

Thanks allot Jay, good advice. I'm gonna study it up. I feel like after driving on a track, I really learned allot about driving. In general, on or off the track I feel like a better driver now. Thank everyone else for their help and advise as well.

Matt RX8

Hey guys, sorry to bump an old thread. You guys have any recommendations for brake fluid and brake pads for track use? I'll be doing my first DE in the spring at Road America. Lots of braking there. We'll be running 25 minute sessions so brake fade might not be an issue.

How are the stock brakes?

Do your dealers know you are taking the cars to the track? Any concerns about invalidating warranties due to track use?

Mikelikes2drive

im supposed to go to willow street in may with a frnd and his buddies who all have m3's and evo's and such. its my first time tracking and theyre all experienced so ill be finding myself in last. hahaha glad you had fun and cant wait for my day! but dang gotta purchase a helmet :/

expo1

Did 45 minutes at Watkins Glen, Stock brakes are GREAT.

So long as the event is not timed / for money this is a driving school. In fact I threw a CEL doing 100 at the Glen, told the Dealer and had no problems. Also be sure you test fit the Helmet in your 8 and it's SNELL 1995 or Higher.

124Spider

If this is your first event, you probably will be fine with your stock pads and fluid. Once you learn how to carry your speed deep into a braking zone, you'll want to switch to DOT 4 fluid (I use ATE Super Blue/Gold), and at least hybrid brakes (I use Cobalt GT Sport, but I don't know if they make them for the RX-8). The RX-8 has great brakes; you only will need to change the pads and fluid to keep you for a long time.


A larger concern might by your insurance company. You should check your insurance for what kind of coverage there is for this sort of thing. It is pretty common for "driver education" to be covered, but any timing or competition will be an exception.

Matt RX8

My autocross helmet will work well. It's a closed face SA2000 helmet (although i've removed the visor but the clubs don't require one anyway. I know it's not as safe that way due to airbags popping in your eye holes but I have to breathe and see).

I made sure to get a non Touring/GT package to avoid the sunroof so I had enough helmet room (I'm only 6 foot tall but still felt the sunroof was too tight). Actually, I'm buying the car tomorrow.

Thanks for the brake tips. Look like I'll stay stock for the first few DEs. This will be my first event. I did drive for about 45 minutes on the track at Road America but that was just touring with a 70 mph speed limit.

Ed8756

Use the DSC until you comfortable after a few laps. I would then do some skidpad work with the DSC off.. learn your limits... then apply to track. IMO

Zaku-8

I would also recommend getting magnet numbers, preferably a sheet to further protect from rock damage. The most noticeable damage (scratches and dings) I had after one weekend was specifically on the doors around the tape numbers for some reason. Tape the magnet if it falls off. Front nose damage I couldnt tell, I already had lots of scratches and rock marks from the highway. Someone already recommended it, but the 3M clearbra would definitely have helped. Get it. I think I'm going to use my mazda bra next time if I can figure out how to get the damn thing on.

EDIT: Are the doors aluminum or steel? maybe the magnet isnt a good idea

Anyway, the painters tape on the headlights is a good idea. remember to take it off if there is inclement weather. It rained the last session of my weekend in Nov just as I was about to try it w/o DSC.

I find it impossible to learn how to heel-toe in this car... I think my only bet is to learn how to Left ball of foot- right arch it. Is this a bad idea?

Also, does anyone know how to best go about painting helmets? I'm getting bored of Snell White Glossy.

Matt RX8

In June, I'll take the RX8 to a one day car control/safety school with my BMW club. It will be about one hour of classroom followed by several hours of driving with instructors on several exercises:
skidpad
figure 8
high speed lane changing
slaloms
and lots of high speed breaking

All of the exercises are done on wet pavement. Loads of fun to see what RWD cars do without the DSC. Last fall I spun my BMW several times but now I'm better at avoiding those sorts of things.

I'll also do 10-15 autocrosses in the RX8 and some of those might be in the rain if mother nature is not cooperative.

BlueRenesis82

Machan were u at teh MRR at Road America last year?

mike0615

Well, this is my follow up. next saturday is gonna be my second time on the tracks. gonna try this time with DSC and traction control off. well, lemme know if u think shutting traction control is a good idea or not. gonna be using same tires as last time, still got more then 50% tread. same brakes. i ordered HKS coilovers but it doesn't look like they will make it in time. gonna record my runs on cam corder so if anybody in the cali LA area know how to get it up on internet and is willing to help, i'll post it. anyway, i'll post a update after i come back.

Jay Goldfarb

Best Heal and Toe technique is to put the ball of your foot on the brake and roll the side of your foot onto the accelerator. You will never be able to get your heel onto the accelerator or be able to do the opposite (heel on brake and toe on accel.

I have the 3M bra on my entire nose and 1/3 way up hood. Expensive but works great.

Numbers - contact Solotime 316-683-3803 and buy removable and reusable vinyl numbers. I use a 8" circle (in the removable material) with numbers on that. Great material and I use each cirlce for 4 or 5 events.

Hope this helps you newbee's to the track.

Jay

Matt RX8

Nope, I did the touring during the Brian Redman historic race weekend. Loads of fun and a great time.

I also attended two days in August during the weekend where they had the ChampCar races. The previous day was the Trans Am race which was fun because my father knew one of the drivers so we had a nice paddock tour and watched them tear down and set up the car for the race.

BlueRenesis82

Thats funny, I was there too. Winning Blue RX-8, younger very pale guy.

Matt RX8

Wait a second. Did you do the touring on the track during the Brian Redman races? Because some young pale guy nearly clipped my bumper coming out of turn 3. And it was winning blue colored car.

I was in a Silver Grey BMW 325 Convertible and had an Asian woman in my passenger seat. Early into the touring session I rounded turn 3 with a lot of speed and there was an RX8 caught behind a slower vehicle. I was passing on the left and he suddenly pulled out (to get around the slower car) in front of me causing me to go into full braking and he barely missed my bumper.

Was that you? If so, check your blind spot next time :p .

BlueRenesis82

It was me. Sorry for the close encounter, I was just so pissed that we had people with no desire to drive more than 45 mph on the track.