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Competed in my first event after the new Z06 build. Went out to MSR Cresson and participated in Apex Lap Attack. This was only my second time ever driving this course, but I did set a new PB. Plenty of time left on the table to find in future events. Overall, I had a great time and the car came through in one piece. Couldn't ask for much more than that.
I'm building this car to compete in entry level time trial/time attack events as well as a HPDE car. Currently building it to the Gridlife Street GT class rules. I hope to get out to a couple Gridlife events next year. Let me know what you think of the build and what you would do.
Current mod list:
GSpeed Penske 8300 single adjustable shock package
Gspeed spherical control arm bushings
Gspeed solid engine/trans mounts
JOC front and rear sway bars
AMT Camber kit
Apex SM-10 wheels - 18x11 front 18x12.5 rear
OMP HTE-R seat
OMP Steering wheel
AMT seat brackets
AP racing CP9660 BBK
Future planned mods:
Rebuild heads
ARH Headers
Vararam CAI
I'd look into a vented hood and possibly a larger oil cooler and radiator in addition to your current and planned mods. As you get faster the temps will get higher, especially when it is hotter outside.
DO NOT install a Vararam intake. You will cause overheating problems and chase your tail on those for years. My car came with it and it took me going to the GSpeed laydown radiator to fix it.
If you're going to be serious about track times, I highly recommend getting fresh tires in the correct size for your rims. I followed your build series and the Yoko's you're using are old...even if store in perfect conditions they will still dry out. Nothing can stop tire degradation, it is just the chemical make up of rubber tires. Also, getting a tire that fits the rear wheel width better will make a huge difference in putting down the power coming out of the corners. You'd have no problems with a 335 rear tire on that rim. I do feel that the 315's are way too stretched on that rim and will make the car unpredictable.
Until you get the correct size and fresh tires on the car, you'll be chasing set up issues forever and wasting money and track time.
Save your money on the headers and air intake at this time.....you have more power than you can use right now. Get the best front AP calipers and rotors you can afford. Call Essex and they can give you your options to reach your goals. Get the heads done. Then corner weight and racing alignment from somebody that knows these cars.
Good luck with your build, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
If you're going to be serious about track times, I highly recommend getting fresh tires in the correct size for your rims. I followed your build series and the Yoko's you're using are old...even if store in perfect conditions they will still dry out. Nothing can stop tire degradation, it is just the chemical make up of rubber tires. Also, getting a tire that fits the rear wheel width better will make a huge difference in putting down the power coming out of the corners. You'd have no problems with a 335 rear tire on that rim. I do feel that the 315's are way too stretched on that rim and will make the car unpredictable.
Until you get the correct size and fresh tires on the car, you'll be chasing set up issues forever and wasting money and track time.
Save your money on the headers and air intake at this time.....you have more power than you can use right now. Get the best front AP calipers and rotors you can afford. Call Essex and they can give you your options to reach your goals. Get the heads done. Then corner weight and racing alignment from somebody that knows these cars.
Good luck with your build, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
Yeah, these Yokos were free and just laying around. Was using them to shake down the car. A lot of the series/classes I want to run in limit tires to 200TW, and there aren't many fast choices out there that are wider than a 315. I'm actually super surprised just how well those take-offs did. Didn't have any issues with snap oversteer or putting power down, but fresh tires will be better of course.
I'm not rushing to add power any time soon, just have headers/intake listed on the road-map of eventually. Alignment is already set, just waiting for a good time to spend a couple hours with me in the car to corner balance.
I'm super pumped with how well the car did out of the gate like that. Can't wait to get it dialed in even more.
Nice setup so far and looking forward to seeing what the future has to hold! I watched the first view videos earlier on, you've started with essentially the same basic suspension mods that I've done. Nice wheel choice as well I just got the 9668/372mm kit up front, you'll love it.
Congrats on the PB as well! Sorry I couldn’t join you on the podium popping champagne, but after I finished instructing my student I went home to spend time with the family.
315 are pretty much the widest the fast 200TW tires come in (the wide Conti’s are pretty new so not much data yet). The 315 A052’s work just fine on the 12.5” SM10
I’ve tried both 315 and 295 A052 on the front with the 11” SM10’s. I’d go with the 295 since they’re cheaper, lighter, and feels faster responding in transition while not giving up any noticeable cornering grip to the 315. The 315’s are pinched on the 11” wheel and the A052 have a soft sidewall in my opinion, so there’s nothing to really gain. Here’s the 295 A052 on the 11” SM10.
315 are pretty much the widest the fast 200TW tires come in (the wide Conti’s are pretty new so not much data yet). The 315 A052’s work just fine on the 12.5” SM10
I’ve tried both 315 and 295 A052 on the front with the 11” SM10’s. I’d go with the 295 since they’re cheaper, lighter, and feels faster responding in transition while not giving up any noticeable cornering grip to the 315. The 315’s are pinched on the 11” wheel and the A052 have a soft sidewall in my opinion, so there’s nothing to really gain. Here’s the 295 A052 on the 11” SM10.
Looks good, my 315 A052s are on 12” square though I like the staggered feel better honestly. What side skirts are those?
Yeah, these Yokos were free and just laying around. Was using them to shake down the car. A lot of the series/classes I want to run in limit tires to 200TW, and there aren't many fast choices out there that are wider than a 315. I'm actually super surprised just how well those take-offs did. Didn't have any issues with snap oversteer or putting power down, but fresh tires will be better of course.
I'm not rushing to add power any time soon, just have headers/intake listed on the road-map of eventually. Alignment is already set, just waiting for a good time to spend a couple hours with me in the car to corner balance.
I'm super pumped with how well the car did out of the gate like that. Can't wait to get it dialed in even more.
With your wheel specs, I would really look at BF Goodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5 in 315 front and 335 rear.....perfect for your wheel widths. IIRC, these are still TW200. They are pretty darn good for all out hero laps and then a cool down lap or two. Perfect for time trails.
Next time attack event is this Sunday at a little track called The Driveway Austin. It's more of a glorified autocross than a time attack, but has been one of my favorite events since moving to Austin. Unfortunately, the owner is retiring and selling the track to the city, so this is probably the last event ever out there. Since this is probably the end, I wanted to do a proper send off, and try and smash my previous bests out there. Weather this Sunday looks like it's going to be perfect.
Next time attack event is this Sunday at a little track called The Driveway Austin. It's more of a glorified autocross than a time attack, but has been one of my favorite events since moving to Austin. Unfortunately, the owner is retiring and selling the track to the city, so this is probably the last event ever out there. Since this is probably the end, I wanted to do a proper send off, and try and smash my previous bests out there. Weather this Sunday looks like it's going to be perfect.
Hoosier A7's
315/30/18 front
345/35/18 rear
Good luck! Never heard of that track before, but looked it up and looks fun. Was it a go kart track?
Good luck! Never heard of that track before, but looked it up and looks fun. Was it a go kart track?
Yes. They would run go karts out there along with cars. Was a great facility, no membership required and the track was open almost daily. Could show up for a practice session and pay $50 for 20 minutes. Was a super convenient way to get out on track.
Yes. They would run go karts out there along with cars. Was a great facility, no membership required and the track was open almost daily. Could show up for a practice session and pay $50 for 20 minutes. Was a super convenient way to get out on track.
Went out to the Driveway Austin for one of their very last events before shutting down. Managed to set a new PB, a new track record, and beat the owner in his Radical SR3. Was a great day all around. Below is the video.
Well, after talking things over with Mark Petronis at AMT Motorsport, I decided to go with the AP 9660 kit. So, 18mm pads and a 355mm rotor. The thicker pads and larger rotors on the 9668 wouldn't provide much of an extra benefit for my use case, but would cost substantially more to run. I am pairing the new kit with Pagid's RST1 pads up front and RSL29 pads in the rear. I've also upgraded the rear rotors to a DBA T3 4000 while keeping the stock calipers. I've already been running Spiegler brake lines all around for a while now. Going to try and get these installed as soon as I can. I will get to test them out at CotA on Dec 3rd. Super excited to try these out!
Corvette Time Attack
I just got the 9668/372mm kit up front, you'll love it. 
