Hi all,
I'm a newbie here and just purchased my first C5, a 2000 mag red 6 spd coupe. I've been lurking here for a while, so I've noticed that it looks like a great bunch of folks here. I'm an ex-911 guy and track junkie (road courses). So, I'm looking for advice on the mods needed to go to the track. If I hurry, I can get in a couple of events before the snow flies here in Michigan.

So far, I know I'll want track wheels & tires, track pads & probably slotted rotors and I'll need to upgrade the oil cooling. The tentative plan is to use rear wagon wheels at all four corners. Any problems w/ that idea? I'd like input on which tires to buy. I'll be putting the track wheels on & driving to the track, so having some wet-traction capability is a good idea. For the brakes, what pads are recommended? If I need to, I can swap pads between road & track use, but if there's a good compromise, that would work, too.

Any advice is welcome.
thanks,
Greg

 

Any good road race tire is going to have next to nothing for rain traction. Kumho Victoracers are a pretty good tire, Yokohama has the AO32R but more limited tire selection.

I'd recommend swapping pads. Use stock/stockish pads for the street for less dust/squealing and use race pads on the track. It's so easy to swap pads it's not even funny. Especially if you have to swap wheels already, it's 2 bolts to get the calipers off, that's it!

Can't tell ya about running rear tires on the fronts, they should fit though. Most people recommend wider tires in the back, than in the front though. Personally I'd get some used or replica Z06 wheels, they are lightweight, strong, and fairly large - 18x10.5 and 17x9.5. Some 275/285s on the front and 315s on the rear. You can get them for under a grand for the set of 4. Or if you want to spend money, get some CCWs.

Dope

 

I've been doing a lot of track days for a couple of years and here is where I have gotten to with a lot of trial and error.
I decided to keep everything intact form street to track as I wanted to run in the rain and not have to make a lot of switches back and forth.

Beofre you worry about engine oil cooling I would address the brakes as they are the, IMO, weakest part of the car. I used to switch pads until someone suggested EBC reds (www.tirerack.com) I found they have OEM level response when cold and have very good high temperature response when running hard laps. They also are quite durable since they went to version II. (The warning on the Tirerack site is still there from Version I) I would also change brake fluid to Superblue ASAP as the dot 3 has a lot of moisture by now and doesn't have a high enough temp rating anyway. Superblue is so good I have stopped bleeding it between track seesions as I never see any discoloration or bubbles. http://www.autotechnic.net/store/asp...asp?product=70

I also added stainlees brake lines (from Tirerack) and, IMO, the best $200.00 you can spend DRM brake ducts. http://www.dougrippie.com/drm/new_products.htm
These are wonderful. They will save you a ton of money in protecting everything from pads to caliper boots and really improve the brakes on track performance and safety. With what I know now it would be my first and most important add on. Finally, unless you are planning to spend big bucks I would stick with stock rotors. They are tough as nails and are cheap.

For tires I decided to use use street tires and also you use them as my everyday drivers. I can't say enough about Kumho MX tires. They are are ane excellent value at around $600.00 for the set. They have very good traction and are quite forgiving at at their traction limit. I buy them at Tire Rack.

Also you might want to get a harness and harness bar ASAP.It will keep you behind the wheel and enable you to you use smooth steering and pedal inputs. I like the RD Racing bar for it's easy no mod mounting and stability.
http://www.r-dracing.com/.
Also an excellent value if you buy it through the forum here (cheaper than at his website). Dave is the guy there and is very good answering any questions.

Finally, it's great that you have a 6 spped as the A4s will give you an overtemp fluid alarm after only a few hot laps!

P.S. pull your fuel rail covers before an event as it allows more cooling to the engine and makes it easier to see if you develop any engine leaks.




[Modified by Richin Chicago, 12:42 PM 9/17/2003]

 

Thanks, guys. That's very helpful. I knew most of these answers for 911s, which is where I have all of my track time, but not C5s. I'm a big fan of the Superblue; I buy it by the case! The brake advice is extremely useful. I'll get on that project right away. I need new rotors anyway.

I do need to get the harness bar. I run in the Blue group (just behind instructors) and definitely need that mod.

Thanks tons for the vendor links, too!!
Greg

 

Any of you going to Gingerman before the end of the season? I'm thinking about trying out one of their Wednesday nights...

 

Air-head,

Have you been going to Tracquest events? You stated "blue" group.

I also agree that the brakes are the first thing to address. Brake pads are the quickest way out and when combined with the blue (ATE) fliud and S/S lines will provide major improvement to braking. I have been using a set of the Khumo tires which brought the track event to a whole new level!

As far as the oil cooler is concerned.....don't both unless the car is heavily modified. I have run several head/cam setups at the track with oil temps no greater then 225. My new stroker motor is another story! That thing approached temperature in the 290's and is getting a oil cooler installed before my next event.

Also before the event have your alignment tuned up to the "aggressive" Z06 spec. Run a search as it's floating around here somewhere.

 

:thumbs:

 

I haven't run w/ Todd's group yet. Every time there was one fairly close, I had a conflict. I've been running w/ Porsche Club for a few years, so it's their blue group, which I think is about the same as w/ Tracquest. I ran a semi-vintage 911 Targa that was frankly too nice to have too many mods made to it. Then I decided I'd sell it this summer & look for a Boxster since those prices came down so much. Then I realized that for the same money, I could get a C5, which I also liked a lot, get more horses to play with...and that brings us to today w/ a C5 in the garage! Hey, if Porsche can build a minivan, I can look at other sports cars, right?

For those of you running track tires - are you running 18" rears, or 17s? It seems that 18s are limited in tire availability and prices are scary. What wheels are you using for track days?

 

You should consider the http://www.speedseekers.com event coming up on October 18/19 at Elkhart Lake (Road America). This is a great 4 mile long track. Only $375 for the weekend, including a Driving seminar. Slots are filling up fast.
Brakes will also be a premium there.

We have a new Aluminum radiator with a built in oil cooler coming available in the next couple of weeks. Plus we carry DBA slotted only brake rotors for $499 for a set of 4.

Give us a call if we can help.

Thanks
Lou Gigliotti LGM

 

I would highly recommend the ZR1 style (in a GrandSport offset) wheels. 17x9.5" front and 17x11" rear. Mount 275/40s on the front adn 315/35s on the rears. Either Kumho Victoracers or the Nitto 555R IIs will work great. I personally prefer the Nittos, but they are very close in performance and cost. This setup hooks up much better than even the Z06 wheels with the GY Supercar tires. Like others have said, get some good track pads, I use the Performance Friction Z rated pads, but then I run them for street and track use. For track only I've heard lots of people that really love the Performance Friction 01 pads. Don't bother with aftermarket rotors, the stock units are fine, and are much cheaper to replace than aftermarket units. There is a thread in the Autocross & Roadracing section with a source for OEM replacement rotors for around $20 each.

 

Last night, I ordered those $20 rotors. That's a great deal. I need to get the pads ordered, too. I think I have a harness setup arranged now. So, it's all coming together.

thanks for the advice on wheels. I'm familiar w/ the Kumhos - good value for the $. I'll see if I can find some 17" wheels as my next project.

I'm planning to go to Grattan next month; the RA event sounds fun, too. I ran on that track w/ PCA last year and it was a BLAST!. I'd love to do it in a C5.