[Z06] Autocross - which driving mode?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 47
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Autocross - which driving mode?
Just had my 01 Z out this last weekend for auto-x
I ran one lap with active handling off, one touch of button, ran the rest in comp driving mode.
For those of you who auto-x a c5 what mode do you run in? At the END of each run i got a DIC message saying active handling mode warmup complete...
You can't really drive much in the staging lanes to "warm it up" so should i leave the car running after each lap so ot stays warmed up?
The car just idling in the staging lanes put my temps at about 230 deg?
Any other suggestions for the best lap times? I'm a newbie to vettes and auto-x!!!
Ps....i also run the car stock with nitto NT-05 tires
Thanks in advance
Matt
I ran one lap with active handling off, one touch of button, ran the rest in comp driving mode.
For those of you who auto-x a c5 what mode do you run in? At the END of each run i got a DIC message saying active handling mode warmup complete...
You can't really drive much in the staging lanes to "warm it up" so should i leave the car running after each lap so ot stays warmed up?
The car just idling in the staging lanes put my temps at about 230 deg?
Any other suggestions for the best lap times? I'm a newbie to vettes and auto-x!!!
Ps....i also run the car stock with nitto NT-05 tires
Thanks in advance
Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
The probelm with comp mode is that tends to come on when you are exiting corners and are trying to accelerate. It is pretty restrictive in that it cuts the power just about the time you are unwinding the wheel and squeezing the gas. If you slow down enough not to get into it, you aren't using the car to its full potential.
The second thing that it does is that it brakes the inside rear wheel to help you turn if you are pushing on corner exit. This is really hard on the clutches in the limited slip. The limited slip is trying to keep the wheels turning at the same speed and the rear brake is trying to drag the inside wheel. I know people that used it a lot and had issues with differential life.
Turn the nannies off and learn to smoothly apply power to where you are getting some (very small amount) of drift on corner exit and you will be fine. If you are getting lurid slides in powering out of corners, you are doing it all wrong.
The second thing that it does is that it brakes the inside rear wheel to help you turn if you are pushing on corner exit. This is really hard on the clutches in the limited slip. The limited slip is trying to keep the wheels turning at the same speed and the rear brake is trying to drag the inside wheel. I know people that used it a lot and had issues with differential life.
Turn the nannies off and learn to smoothly apply power to where you are getting some (very small amount) of drift on corner exit and you will be fine. If you are getting lurid slides in powering out of corners, you are doing it all wrong.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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Ok, so you are saying just one quick push of the button? The traction ctl logo comes on in the dash? I would like to have full control but doesn't even the first push of the button allow it to brake for you or does it 100% turn off all but the ABS?
Also, what do you do about the active handling warming up at the END of the run? Just keep the car running in the staging lanes? Im pretty sure i should run a lower t-stat? What is stock? 210?
What stat should i run? Car is 01Z with just fipk i take and mufflers, don't plan on too much for power adds other than a tune, diablo sport or EFI live?
Suggestions please
Matt
Also, what do you do about the active handling warming up at the END of the run? Just keep the car running in the staging lanes? Im pretty sure i should run a lower t-stat? What is stock? 210?
What stat should i run? Car is 01Z with just fipk i take and mufflers, don't plan on too much for power adds other than a tune, diablo sport or EFI live?
Suggestions please
Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Yes, it will say "tract off" (or something like that) on the DIC, I forget exactly what it says, but it tells you the traction control is off.
I haven't had the "warming up" warning ever, but I wouldn't worry about it.
Best to run the car in a stock class until you have some seat time.
I haven't had the "warming up" warning ever, but I wouldn't worry about it.
Best to run the car in a stock class until you have some seat time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
I'm with Solofast. Everything off. Learn to drive without the assist, in an autocross environment.
Although I do run in Competition Mode if there's standing water on the surface.
Although I do run in Competition Mode if there's standing water on the surface.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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I agree too! I wanted to push it as hard as I felt comfortable, it just doesn't make sense, usually the tap is light freedom and the long hold is ***** out, plus if my active handling dadn't warmed up i prob had no brake or throttle intervention. It was a avg 39 sec course, best ran by open wheel mini formula at 36 sec and i was able to pull 41 sec in one near last lap (got 7 runs!)
Matt
Matt
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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I actually wanted the car to drift some so I know its threshold on grip which by the way i run nitto NT-05, they are new....the track was cool, air temp was in 50's....first auto-x in this car, 2nd ever! Its f'in fun exec the waiting around to drive 1-2 min
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
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When you're at your first few autox events you're really there to build your driving skill set as much as you're there to set Fastest time of the day. Turn the traction control off and use the closed autox course as an opportunity to really explore the limits of your car and driving ability. Competition mode isn't a bad idea for folks new to HPDE on the road course because of the much higher speeds seen on track, but typically at autox speeds you don't have much to worry about other than a spin or taking out some cones.
Turn the electronics off and have a blast!
Turn the electronics off and have a blast!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
First autox with my C5Z I graduated from TC, to CM and then off. I have to admit that I was glad I did it that way as I had some lessons to learn before I was ready to go "solo" (no pun intended) without some TC assist keeping me out of trouble.
The course had a "pivot" cone at one end, and I did manage to do a quite spectacular spin first time around without any TC...but that's the learning curve
The course had a "pivot" cone at one end, and I did manage to do a quite spectacular spin first time around without any TC...but that's the learning curve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 37
From: Burbank. CA.
Even with TC off, you can still get the message "active handling mode warmup complete". I think the car needs to go straight for a certain amount when first starting it. Also when you come in, pop the hood and turn on the A/C. Your coolant temp. will come down.
Steve A.
Steve A.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,201
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From: SoCal
As you get more comfortable you can start to charge the corners a bit more and then power out and learn what it's like to get some slip out of the turns.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 194
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba
All off.
To cool. Leave car running and turn on A/C to max heat. Leave windows open or you will get hot. Don't forget to turn off A/C as you approach start line. Doing this I don't have to open hood except on really hot days, which is a good thing as it is often windy here.
To cool. Leave car running and turn on A/C to max heat. Leave windows open or you will get hot. Don't forget to turn off A/C as you approach start line. Doing this I don't have to open hood except on really hot days, which is a good thing as it is often windy here.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,335
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From: Truckee CA
Good advice about cooling down between runs: Justkickin & Mountainbiker2 , just to add one more tip; If you can, point the nose into the wind also. This has two effects: Its flowing air thru the engine bay, and it's also keeping tire temps (from under car heat) equal. As you do more AutoCrossing (and become really Hooked) you'll be trying more and more tricks and folklore to improve times. But just set your car up the same each time and learn it's capabilities and yours.
Mark.
PS: Just Have Fun...
Mark.
PS: Just Have Fun...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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All good advice, thanks! I am upgrading to 160 Tstat and turning fans on sooner once next season comes. I am thinking about using my diablosport trinity or doing the $149 mailorder tune advertised on the forum....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 23
From: Carlisle PA
I agree with no nannies for A-X - learn the limits of the car and learn to drive the car. Also, if you're seeing high water temps, try running your air conditioner while waiting in staging (just remember to turn it off before you run) and immediately after the run in the pits - this engages the fan and helps drop water temps. Good luck 
Last edited by PaConehead; Dec 19, 2011 at 03:59 PM. Reason: typos
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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What do you guys run for tire pressures? I would assume each tire req. Diff. Pressure? I run nitto NT-05 with stock front and rear wheels, I am looking everywhere for a set of rears to run up front but the alcoas seem to be very hard to find!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 2
I run the same tires. On the street I run mine at 28spi cold all around. For autox on the grippy concrete at Lincoln Air Park (same place SCCA solo nats is) I’m 30-32 hot for the front and 28-30 hot for the rear. The roll over wear is a tad above the wear triangle.