I read through the track preparation guide and it is truly a long list. I have 0 mechanical skill, so I probably need to spend some labor cost on all those things, like installing brake cooling ring, replacing fluid etc.

The problem is, do I need to spend the same money to revert all those changes after the track day? And before next track day, I need to do this again??

"After driving your Corvette Stingray (with the Z51 Performance Package) on the track, it is important to return the vehicle
back to the original factory settings with the proper fluids before normal street driving.
•Remove the brake rotor cooling rings
•Return the tire pressure settings to factory
(see the Tire and Loading Information label located below the door latch with the door open)
•Return the wheel alignment settings to factory
•Replace oil (use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade)
•Replace brake fluid (DOT3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid)
•Replace rear axle fluid (Dexron® LS Gear Oil)
•Rotate the Driver Mode Selector out of Track mode
For full details and information, see the vehicle Owner’s Manual."

Do I have to do all these when driving on the street? I mean, racing fluids are not cheap

 

Yes, you need to pay to play.... The assumption is you revert to stock after, obviously you are free to do what you want, but according to GM you need to revert back to stock

 

In my opinion some yes, and some no.
Track days do have a cost and wear on your car's components; however I do not think that all the steps are needed for practical daily use in between days.
If you do not plan on any more track days in the future, then returning to stock trim makes sense.
Here's my thoughts:

Tire pressure - yes.
No brainer and no skills needed, better fuel economy and tire wear

Brake fluid - no
DOT 4 is not too much (maybe change if cold wether driving) or dirty after track days

Engine oil - no
15W/50 is thick like diesel oil, allow longer warm up before driving

Brake cooling rings - yes
Removed easily and not needed for daily use

Alignment - no
But expect faster wear on tires and reduced drivability as car will catch road grooves more. With tire wear the cost of re-aligning the car is offset with tire wear expenses

Rear axle fluid - no
Don't think the change is needed
Track mode - yes
Nannies are good for street use

Most of these take little to no mechanical skills are are just general care to revert to daily street use.


Just my thoghts....

 

Canadian V is mostly right-it really depends on how many track days, the temperatures your car oil has seen, and how hard you drive the car. I typically change my car from street to track in the spring and back to street in the fall. Both include full fluid changes and realignments.
I would at least invest in some track brake pads. Plus be aware-your calipers WILL change color, if you are using your brakes to the full extent.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply, this is really helpful!!

I live in SF bay area, so we don't actually have "cold weather" here

 

BS. I almost froze my butt off in SF in July once.

 

yeah, SF city would be a different thing, too windy at night.

 

Here is what I think is required and not required, but GM's opinion might be different:


•Remove the brake rotor cooling rings
Not required. Might only cause some slight rusting of the rings. Mine have been on since spring 2014 and no issues

•Return the tire pressure settings to factory
(see the Tire and Loading Information label located below the door latch with the door open)
Required for proper handling

•Return the wheel alignment settings to factory
Required if you do a lot of street driving between events to minimize tire wear. Not required if you don't drive a whole lot on the street. I have mine set to track alignment at all times. This causes car to dart from side to side a little on cambered pavement. Not an issue for me, as tire wear on track is incredibly higher than on the road.

•Replace oil (use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade)
Not required if you don't drive in cold climates. Required if you start the car in cold weather. I just leave the 15W50 in all summer.

•Replace brake fluid (DOT3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid)
Not required. Just leave in the racing brake fluid like Castrol SRF and replace every 18 months at a minimum.

•Replace rear axle fluid (Dexron® LS Gear Oil)
Required after first track day per the 2015 manual. Then replace after every 24 hours of track time. My fluid after 1 track day and about 3000 miles was dark and full of silvery material. Looked terrible. I would absolutely change it and not drive car on track until 1500 miles have elapsed per the manual.

•Rotate the Driver Mode Selector out of Track mode
Use mode you like

 

thx for the input, this is really comforting since I don't need to waste the pricey track-use brake fluid and engine oil anymore