Prepping a base A6 for the track
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
Prepping a base A6 for the track
Ok, for now, I'm kind of over the straight line track. I have a base model 2006 A6 with z sways. What would I need to make it track ready( to survive the abuse)? Not in terms of suspension improvements but oil cooler, tranny cooler etc.. Does a base tranny have the capability of adding a cooler?
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Last edited by SgtRod; Dec 31, 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
much more info in the road race & autocross section!
However I do road race a A6.
so here your are as to survivability mods.
1. brake cooling ducts C6Z06 stock from the dealer
Quantum hose holders and duct to keep the end focused on the rotors.
2. maybe #1 Engine oiler cooler, I use the C6Z06 cooler & lines from Chevrolet
3. trans cooler inserted in series with the one in the radaitor.
you can simply replace the stock radiator with one from Dewitts with both coolers built in. Tom has a kit which includes all the stuff needed!
The brake cooling is a must to keep from eating up pads, rotors & fading the brakes!
However I do road race a A6.
so here your are as to survivability mods.
1. brake cooling ducts C6Z06 stock from the dealer
Quantum hose holders and duct to keep the end focused on the rotors.
2. maybe #1 Engine oiler cooler, I use the C6Z06 cooler & lines from Chevrolet
3. trans cooler inserted in series with the one in the radaitor.
you can simply replace the stock radiator with one from Dewitts with both coolers built in. Tom has a kit which includes all the stuff needed!
The brake cooling is a must to keep from eating up pads, rotors & fading the brakes!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Inn SC
with the above upgrades you car will be very competitive for track days despite CMY SIX's ignorance on the subject. 
Some of the fastest lap times posted at Spring Mountain were made using the A6 cars by the instructors and the students.
Some of the fastest lap times posted at Spring Mountain were made using the A6 cars by the instructors and the students.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 35
From: Turlock CA
much more info in the road race & autocross section!
However I do road race a A6.
so here your are as to survivability mods.
1. brake cooling ducts C6Z06 stock from the dealer
Quantum hose holders and duct to keep the end focused on the rotors.
2. maybe #1 Engine oiler cooler, I use the C6Z06 cooler & lines from Chevrolet
3. trans cooler inserted in series with the one in the radaitor.
you can simply replace the stock radiator with one from Dewitts with both coolers built in. Tom has a kit which includes all the stuff needed!
The brake cooling is a must to keep from eating up pads, rotors & fading the brakes!
However I do road race a A6.
so here your are as to survivability mods.
1. brake cooling ducts C6Z06 stock from the dealer
Quantum hose holders and duct to keep the end focused on the rotors.
2. maybe #1 Engine oiler cooler, I use the C6Z06 cooler & lines from Chevrolet
3. trans cooler inserted in series with the one in the radaitor.
you can simply replace the stock radiator with one from Dewitts with both coolers built in. Tom has a kit which includes all the stuff needed!
The brake cooling is a must to keep from eating up pads, rotors & fading the brakes!
I also added the Dewitts and the EOC. I'm only running with the TOC for now. If you're not running race rubber and pushing hard the OEM radiator and built-in trans cooler will be fine depending on where you live and how hot and humid it gets. Go out a couple of times and see if you need extra cooling before you spend the money.You'll want brake cooling as well. You'll likely fade your brakes well before the trans gets hot. Don't forget to change pads as the OEM pads will fade even with ducting. I run $22 13" rotors on track from Kragen with Carbotech XP10 pads. If you don't want to be bothered with changing pads (and rotors) you can go with C5 Z06 pads as an upgrade to the C6 pads. They aren't as good as a race pad but will suffice depending on how hard you're driving. They will be dusty though but not as bad a a race pad.
Contrary to what some will say the A6 won't give you any problems and when driven with the paddles will be as fast as a manual.
--Dan
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 18
From: Montgomery Il.
what are your thoughts on the stock paddle set-up [+ up, - down] or are any of you using the Zip paddle conversion set-up?
btw the LS3 has so much torque are any of you just leaving the trans in "D" and basically driving with your right foot?
btw the LS3 has so much torque are any of you just leaving the trans in "D" and basically driving with your right foot?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 35
From: Turlock CA
You could leave it is D but the benefit of using the paddles is that they give you the same control over shifting as a manual trans does. When using the paddles it will stay in gear even bumping off the rev-limiter if you don't want to shift say during a short straight. You'll also be able to down-shift going into a corner to be in the gear you need rather than stomping on the gas peddle to get it to downshift for you on exit -- which isn't always smooth and controlled. The same applies for street driving.
--Dan
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
I would go with the car as it is at least once. Then you can decide how often you want to go, and consider mods if you plan to go alot. If temps get too high for comfort you can always cut the session a few minutes short and cool down.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert California
A6 HPDE temps
If you take the A6 to the track here in Southern California you will find that you will need to make some changes to get the temps down. The A6 puts additional loads on the radiator, I would recommend you do the following:
Change the radiator to a Ron Davis or Dewitts
Add the Z06 engine oil cooler
Add an external trans oil cooler
With these changes you will see temps like these in a 20 minute session
engine oil 280
trans 240
radiator 210
Then just go out and have a blast!
Change the radiator to a Ron Davis or Dewitts
Add the Z06 engine oil cooler
Add an external trans oil cooler
With these changes you will see temps like these in a 20 minute session
engine oil 280
trans 240
radiator 210
Then just go out and have a blast!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
so before i hit the track I added a small cooler, the bigger one isn't necessary as my temps stayed under 240 at Vir when it was hotter! I will be putting a bigger one in if I can make it fit 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
I called Dewitts and they have a unit with tranny cooler and engine oil cooler for about 725 plus the hose kit for 225. Thats 1000 bucks. I would rather run an outside tranny cooler cuz I heard that the radiator one runs a bit hotter.
I'll probably go to see what happens before I spend the money for zero HP gains.
Thanks to all and Happy new year!!
I'll probably go to see what happens before I spend the money for zero HP gains.
Thanks to all and Happy new year!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
there's no ignorance on my part, only yours! this happens to be my opinion which the last time I checked, I'm entitled too, which is backed up by the fact that they don't use auto's in a race car! lets see a driving school use'es auto cars at their school to get the people who can't drive a stick, and the fact that that there people drive that track EVERYDAY I would EXPECT that driver to be faster, but if you take identical cars {except for the tranny} and drivers that drive that track EVERY DAY, the manual will eat the auto alive! FACT!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
That said I got an A6 this time and I'm fairly sure it's not worth worring about one way or the other (unless you are a pro)
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
Forget about adding H.P. at this time, I have the same setup and am on the track every time I can. Only thing that needs to be done before your first day is this: Change brake fluid out to a good DOT 4, you do not need to spend $75.00 a quart at this time. And change out your pads to a better set, Carboteck 10 in front, and 8 on rear. Go out and have a ball. You will spend countless hours learning the line, honing your skill, and trying to do the same time after time. It is a very humbleing experience, you will learn that all the years of driving on the street bear no resemblance to track operation. DO NOT leave the car in D, use S with the paddles to shift, the last thing you need is the car downshifting 2 of 3 gears each time you press on the gas, you will have no control. Remember, the car has much more more ability than you have, learning how to drive your car properly is the most rewarding thing! Do not worry about coolers, it will take you a while to drive the car anywhere near needing them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 42
From: California
there's no ignorance on my part, only yours! this happens to be my opinion which the last time I checked, I'm entitled too, which is backed up by the fact that they don't use auto's in a race car! lets see a driving school use'es auto cars at their school to get the people who can't drive a stick, and the fact that that there people drive that track EVERYDAY I would EXPECT that driver to be faster, but if you take identical cars {except for the tranny} and drivers that drive that track EVERY DAY, the manual will eat the auto alive! FACT!
You need to ease up on the other forum members here, and stop making your fellow Marines look like inconsiderate fools...or maybe you should consider another forum
