decodeddiesel
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Wes
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2021
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 795
- Reaction score
- 1,058
- Location
- Southern New England
- Car(s)
- 2020 Supra, 2016 VW Tiguan, 2007 Cayman
- Thread starter
- #1
Hello,
I own a 2020 3.0 Premium, and I live within ~1 hour of three great tracks (Lime Rock, Palmer, Thompson). I have been daily driving my car for just about 2 years, and I am going to be retiring the car from those duties soon. I'm not looking to ruin the car for street driving as I want to be able to occasionally drive the car to work (30 mile commute, shitty New England roads), and I really enjoy road tripping in the car.
Last season I participated in several novice level HPDEs with an instructor at Thompson and Palmer with the car in more or less stock form on stock tires. I also participated in Auto-X for a few seasons years ago on other platforms (2005 STi, 2007 Cayman) and have done the SCCA Starting Line Driving School. This year I would like to make some modifications to my car to improve track performance and move to 200tw tires. I am still very much a novice, but I am interested in getting better. I would like to keep the costs below $10k. I will be doing all of the work myself.
Mods so far:
ETA 3/26/23
I posted this update further into the thread, but I figured I'd put it up front.
So here's a rundown of what I've decided to go with:
Driver Upgrades (Purchased):
I own a 2020 3.0 Premium, and I live within ~1 hour of three great tracks (Lime Rock, Palmer, Thompson). I have been daily driving my car for just about 2 years, and I am going to be retiring the car from those duties soon. I'm not looking to ruin the car for street driving as I want to be able to occasionally drive the car to work (30 mile commute, shitty New England roads), and I really enjoy road tripping in the car.
Last season I participated in several novice level HPDEs with an instructor at Thompson and Palmer with the car in more or less stock form on stock tires. I also participated in Auto-X for a few seasons years ago on other platforms (2005 STi, 2007 Cayman) and have done the SCCA Starting Line Driving School. This year I would like to make some modifications to my car to improve track performance and move to 200tw tires. I am still very much a novice, but I am interested in getting better. I would like to keep the costs below $10k. I will be doing all of the work myself.
Mods so far:
- OEM brake fluid swapped for for RBF600
- Changed to LiquidMoly Special Tec for BMWs engine oil (5W-30)
- Stage 1 ECUTEK tune from Mike Botti (mainly done to eliminate the burbles)
- Currently I have Continental DWS-06+ tires on my stock wheels and plan to keep it this way for road driving. I will need to purchase new tires and wheels.
- Helmet, gloves, shoes, fireproof socks, underwear, and shirts.
- After reviewing Apex's Tire and Wheel Guide and based on my experience, I would like to go to a square 18x10" setup running 275-35R18 tires. I'll probably get the SM-10s in 18x10 ET30. The ability to rotate tires being the main reason, the handling benefits and reduction in understeer are also enticing. I'm not sure what I'll need for spacers to use 10" wheels on the stock struts, but I assume I'll need at least 10mm.
- For tires I'm looking into some decent 200tw tires that won't overheat during a 30+ minute lapping session, and will last for a few events. Been considering A052, RE71RS (loved the original RE-71R for Auto-X), and the Continental Extreme Contact Force 200tws.
- Jackie Ding's PhD Racing Level 1 and Level 2 handling packages are very interesting. The stock pads seem to work well enough with the stock tires, but I know stickier tires will put a lot more heat into the pads on track. The CSG pads hopefully will solve this issue. It's always bothered me that the suspension is so limited in it's alignment capabilities. Not being able to adjust camber out of the box is a real PITA, and I realize that most of the tires I am interested in will benefit from a -2° to -3° of camber. The Level 2 package will fix that and will reduce body roll with the Eibach Swaybars. This kit is $3.5k, but it solves a lot of problems.
- I would like to upgrade the seats and be able to use at least a Schroth 4-point with ASM and a HANS device for my helmet. I am strongly considering the Recaro Sportster CS. I would like to be able to keep the seat heating functionality if possible. I'm about 6'2" tall and have a 38" waist. I have a bad back from my time in the service, and fixed back seats are not fun for longer drives. I'm not sure what I'll need for bases and sliders, but something that would let me sit a little lower and gain more clearance for my helmet would be awesome.
- Given that I would like to use a harness, I am looking at the Cusco harness bar although it has some mixed reviews from what I've read. I may be interested in a roll bar and the Studio RSR Version 2 Roll Bar is very interesting although it's pricey.
- I know I'll need cooling upgrades. I'm looking at the CSF kit. Should this be a higher priority? I haven't experienced overheating at the track yet and I want to keep it that way.
- MCS 2-way coilovers (or equivalent) and 18x11 wheels will probably go in next year with some aero. Looking at 295 square setup.
- Verus Engineering full aero probably the year after that.
- Turbo Upgrade at some point. I'll probably go Pure 800 with supporting mods and tune for race gas and 93+ methanol for street use. I don't want to kill my transmission or driveshafts so 600 hp is plenty.
ETA 3/26/23
I posted this update further into the thread, but I figured I'd put it up front.
So here's a rundown of what I've decided to go with:
Driver Upgrades (Purchased):
- 3-pack of SCDA Car Control Clinic at Lime Rock park. This includes a wet skidpad and a ~1 mile permanent AutoX course. First day scheduled for March 25th.
- 3-pack of SCDA track days with in-car instruction. Planning on doing 1 at Palmer, Lime Rock (full course), and Thompson.
- Still need to buy track insurance, but my CC needs a little break!
- Project-µ Club Racer F+R Pads
- Castrol SRF (I'll try the Endless fluid next)
- Goodrich SS lines
- Verus MC Brace
- Kumho Ecsta V730 275/35R18 (square)
- Titan 7 T-R10 18"x10.7"
- 15mm spacers front and rear (temporary until I upgrade to MCS 2-ways)
- Cusco Sway Bars
- Jackie Ding's Level 2 Handling Kit
- SPL Front Lower Control Arms
- SPL Adjustable Front Caster Rod Monoball Bushings
- SPL Rear Toe Links + Eccentric Lockouts
- SPL F&R Adjustable Swaybar links
- PhD Racing Lab Setup Guide and Support
- Wheel Stud Conversion with 90mm studs
- TPMS for all 4 wheels
Sponsored
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