Getting C5 Track Ready
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 15
From: darnestown md
Getting C5 Track Ready
I just bought a 2004 C5 as a dedicated HPDE track car, although I will be driving to and from the track in the car, at least for now. I plan to put in new racing brake pads, put in an oil cooler, change out the oil and replace current brake fluid with Motul 660 fluid before I get the car on the track for the first time in a few weeks. I will eventually put on R-888 tires and put in a racing seat/harness, but I want to see how the car does on the track first before I do this. I know I may need transmission and diff coolers, but I will also wait on these.
Any special recommendations on Oil Coolers? Just go with a Ron Davis? Any special concerns about putting in a oil cooler now and putting in a bigger radiator at a later date? I guess I should replace the clutch and differential fluids as well?
How about front brake cooling ducts? Should I just get these installed at the same time I put in the oil cooler or wait to see how the car behaves? I will mainly be at SP and VIR and 90-100 degree heat in the summer is common.
I saw a thread where some were suggesting heater tape to cover the exhaust lines that are near the transmission. Is this something I should just do at this point? Is there a light/code that comes on to warn about excessive transmission fluid temps on the C5? How do you know when the diff fluid temp is too high?
Anything else I need to do before I get the car on the track for the first time?
Any special recommendations on Oil Coolers? Just go with a Ron Davis? Any special concerns about putting in a oil cooler now and putting in a bigger radiator at a later date? I guess I should replace the clutch and differential fluids as well?
How about front brake cooling ducts? Should I just get these installed at the same time I put in the oil cooler or wait to see how the car behaves? I will mainly be at SP and VIR and 90-100 degree heat in the summer is common.
I saw a thread where some were suggesting heater tape to cover the exhaust lines that are near the transmission. Is this something I should just do at this point? Is there a light/code that comes on to warn about excessive transmission fluid temps on the C5? How do you know when the diff fluid temp is too high?
Anything else I need to do before I get the car on the track for the first time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
this should help if you ain't already seen it:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-learned.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-learned.html
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Try this link. Not sure I have copied it correctly since computer stuff escapes me now and then.
Lot of information on getting track ready.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-learned.html
Lot of information on getting track ready.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-learned.html
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
I just bought a 2004 C5 as a dedicated HPDE track car, although I will be driving to and from the track in the car, at least for now. I plan to put in new racing brake pads, put in an oil cooler, change out the oil and replace current brake fluid with Motul 660 fluid before I get the car on the track for the first time in a few weeks. I will eventually put on R-888 tires and put in a racing seat/harness, but I want to see how the car does on the track first before I do this. I know I may need transmission and diff coolers, but I will also wait on these.
Any special recommendations on Oil Coolers? Just go with a Ron Davis? Any special concerns about putting in a oil cooler now and putting in a bigger radiator at a later date? I guess I should replace the clutch and differential fluids as well?
Put in a separate oil cooler. It makes future maintenance easier and it cools better than a combined unit. Replace all your fluids and you might want to try Redline's High Temp tranny fluid
How about front brake cooling ducts? Should I just get these installed at the same time I put in the oil cooler or wait to see how the car behaves? I will mainly be at SP and VIR and 90-100 degree heat in the summer is common.
Put the cooling ducts in as soon as possible. Your stock brakes are going to need all the help they can get and if you change to a BB kit later you'll need the ducts even more
I saw a thread where some were suggesting heater tape to cover the exhaust lines that are near the transmission. Is this something I should just do at this point? Is there a light/code that comes on to warn about excessive transmission fluid temps on the C5? How do you know when the diff fluid temp is too high?
Yes, there's a light (actually a warning message that comes up) telling you you're overheating the tranny. I've tried header pipe tape on the over the axle pipes and it helps, but ceramic coating the pipes works better.
Anything else I need to do before I get the car on the track for the first time?
Any special recommendations on Oil Coolers? Just go with a Ron Davis? Any special concerns about putting in a oil cooler now and putting in a bigger radiator at a later date? I guess I should replace the clutch and differential fluids as well?
Put in a separate oil cooler. It makes future maintenance easier and it cools better than a combined unit. Replace all your fluids and you might want to try Redline's High Temp tranny fluid
How about front brake cooling ducts? Should I just get these installed at the same time I put in the oil cooler or wait to see how the car behaves? I will mainly be at SP and VIR and 90-100 degree heat in the summer is common.
Put the cooling ducts in as soon as possible. Your stock brakes are going to need all the help they can get and if you change to a BB kit later you'll need the ducts even more
I saw a thread where some were suggesting heater tape to cover the exhaust lines that are near the transmission. Is this something I should just do at this point? Is there a light/code that comes on to warn about excessive transmission fluid temps on the C5? How do you know when the diff fluid temp is too high?
Yes, there's a light (actually a warning message that comes up) telling you you're overheating the tranny. I've tried header pipe tape on the over the axle pipes and it helps, but ceramic coating the pipes works better.
Anything else I need to do before I get the car on the track for the first time?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 15
From: darnestown md
I do plan to put in some Evo II USA seats. I was thinking of putting them in after the first track weekend, but after the seat suggestion, it really may make sense to do this sooner since the Corvette stock seats do not seem like they will be too great on the track. Are there bolt in roll bars for the C5 base that will work fairly well or will I need to go with a welded unit. Aternatively, I guess I could put in a harness bar for Hans since this is for HPDE. Thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Is removal of windshield washer fluid because of weight or sloshing around? I had heard where oil can get into the intake manifold and some "tubing" was installed at the top of the engine. Are these the catch cans? Is the need for catch cans common?
Under heavy Gs "some" Corvettes will spray the windshield if the reservoir has been topped off. Catch cans are installed via tubing between the valley and the throttle body to minimize oiling the intake manifold. This isn't much of a problem on a street car, but the high revs of the track can oil a manifold in a hurry. Look at the Elite cans.
I do plan to put in some Evo II USA seats. I was thinking of putting them in after the first track weekend, but after the seat suggestion, it really may make sense to do this sooner since the Corvette stock seats do not seem like they will be too great on the track. Are there bolt in roll bars for the C5 base that will work fairly well or will I need to go with a welded unit. Aternatively, I guess I could put in a harness bar for Hans since this is for HPDE. Thoughts?
Under heavy Gs "some" Corvettes will spray the windshield if the reservoir has been topped off. Catch cans are installed via tubing between the valley and the throttle body to minimize oiling the intake manifold. This isn't much of a problem on a street car, but the high revs of the track can oil a manifold in a hurry. Look at the Elite cans.
I do plan to put in some Evo II USA seats. I was thinking of putting them in after the first track weekend, but after the seat suggestion, it really may make sense to do this sooner since the Corvette stock seats do not seem like they will be too great on the track. Are there bolt in roll bars for the C5 base that will work fairly well or will I need to go with a welded unit. Aternatively, I guess I could put in a harness bar for Hans since this is for HPDE. Thoughts?
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