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I've got a 99 SS that I'm taking to some Track-Time events this year so I was hoping for some input on ugrading (not radical, this is still mostly for the street) tires, wheels, subframe connectors, brakes, etc.
Posts: 3 | From: Livonia, MI | Registered: May 2002
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Sorry, I don't have any advice for you for the Track Time events, but be patient, there are plenty of folks who can and will reply with good info! I will tell you welcome to the board!
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The former owner of: 2000 Onyx Black SS #2,778 A4, T-Tops, ASR, 12 Disc CD Changer, grey cloth, no SLP options Mods: Loudmouth exhaust, SLP Strut Tower Brace, SLP Bolt-on Sub-frame Connectors, SLP air lid w/Powershot filter, SLP smooth bellows, 35th LE wheels, SS floormats, tinted windows, and painted calipers Posts: 322 | From: Fort Polk, LA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Be happy to help if we can. Need details. Drag or road racing? Autocross? Have you done anything yet? Do you have any SLP options like Bilstein? 1LE? What do you want your car to do?
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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If you're talking the road race type of track days, I've put my car through a couple driver tranings and can tell you the weakest areas I've discovered so far.
1) Tires - Goodyear F1s just don't have enough grip.
2) Suspension - The stock SS suspension is a good compromise between everyday driving and handling but it could be better. One thing that helped me from one track day to the next was a shock tower brace (the subframe connectors may have helped too). I really want some lower springs to bring down the center of gravity a little. New springs should also help reduce the nose dive under hard braking.
3) Brakes - The stock rotors are notorious for warping. I might have a good set since mine haven't warped yet but many others haven't been so lucky. I have a set of Eradispeeds on the way and will see how they do.
-------------------- M01-5810 '01 Onyx/Ebony Leather SS #5810 M6 Hurst, SLP grill, every factory option 325rwhp/345tq ·SLP air lid / Holley Powershot filter / SLP CAI ·SLP Y-pipe ·BMR STB / SLP bolt-on SFCs ·Eradispeed rotors
Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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I'm going to 5 (Gingerman twice, VIR, MIS, Watkins Glen) events this year. I went to two (Road America, MIS) last year. Road America was my first track and... WHOA!! what a track! I like drags but I love the road course stuff! It took 2 weeks to get the smile of my face! I don't delude myself, I'm not the next Schumacher, but I had a BLAST! I've got the Bilstien suspension package from the factory, but otherwise it's stock. The brakes are something I'd like to do. They're in good shape now, which probably means I wasn't pushing hard enough(120 on RA's two straights, 130 on the oval at MIS), but I know they could use an upgrade. I've got the F1's on it but am looking at a set of those Nitto 555 II's on a spare set of wheels (lighter?) for the track. I have T-tops so I've heard it's a little more important to have the strut tower brace and subframe connectors not only for the track, but to keep out rattles later. I have the SLP air box with a K/N, dual-dual, and the skip shift eliminator. I'd also like to get a different shift knob (factory Hurst short-throw), the leather gets a little greasy when the palms sweat.
Posts: 3 | From: Livonia, MI | Registered: May 2002
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Are you a member of NASA? Just curious. You are on the right track. No pun intended. I have cryongenically treated rotors and a set of pads that I use for track only. They are really easy to change.
I would suggest that for a road course you really need sub frame connectors, they really tighten up the chassis. You also want a strut tower brace. Those two things help a lot. After that, it is all in how much you want to spend. Lowering springs, adjustable a-arms for neg camber, rear lower control arms, panhard rod, bigger anti sway bars, end links, bushings are all candidates. I am trying to take mine a little at a time.
I know what you mean about road racing. It is a blast!!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Wow...I'm lucky to have done 2 in the past year...and they're both on a track with a total elevation change of only 5 feet. I'd love to try some different tracks like that but it's so far to drive compared to the 10 miles to PIR. Steve da Wrench and I have talked about doing a couple days at Thunder Hill but it's an 8 hour drive.
Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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