Count Blah

Hey Everyone

I wanted to start a log of my track experiences to help others find settings that may work for them. Any input is welcome!

6/15/12 - ThunderHill Raceway - Willows, CA. Track config CCW, no cyclone.

Car: 2008 FA5

Relevant Mods on date of track day:
Engine: Injen CAI, CT header
Suspension: Koni Yellows, Neuspeed Sport, 4 Ingalls front bolts, Skunk2 rear camber arms, CT-E rear anti sway bar at full stiff
Wheels: BBS RC 331 17x8 et42
Tires: Nitto NT05 235/40/17
Brakes: F - Stoptech ST41 BBK w/ Stoptech Street Perf pads, R: Centric blanks w/ Hawk HPS, Motul RBF 600, Goodridge rear stainless lines, Stoptech Front.

Camber: F -2 deg each side, R -2.5 deg each side
Toe: 0 deg all the way around
Suspension settings: F - full stiff, r: 1/4 turn from full stiff
Tire pressures (cold) : 32 F, 28R. After each session I would bleed the temps down to these settings

Track notes: Temp was around 101 on the surface (per instrument cluster)

Experience notes: Car felt really good this time out, felt balanced. Hints of understeer, could have used more stiffness in the rear to induce a bit more oversteer. The springs are definitely more of a street spring, but as this is a street car its a compromise that I've chosen to make for comfort. Next time out I would like to experiment with higher pressures in the rear. Brakes were super consistent throughout the day, no fade as I expected.

I also ran with a CG-Lock reversed to fit the double loop seatbelt and while it was definitely an improvement over the "twist method", its not a harness. Ill be looking into a dedicated track seat and harness/harness bar (for the track only) for upcoming events. This car has so much more in it if you are able to better brace yourself in the seat and get a "butt" feel on track.

Artistic at-track pic

j13

iTrader: (2)

Car looks good! I wanna go to that track someday

JW racing

Awesome stuff! Yeah next time try balancing the front and rear tire pressure more, it will rotate better as well as help get more heat in the rear tires.

HRsi-dan

You might want less camber and more rebound in the rear than the front. At least that's what has been recommended before.

Sounds like you're working your way there. I can't wait to get out on the track someday as well.

JW racing

Less camber will hurt. For a track car, 2 degrees is not much camber, I personally don't think it's enough especially later when you get into R comp tires. The real way to dial in camber however is with a pyrometer and alignment tools at the track. Since this is a daily driver I would say the setup is fine for what he wants to do for now. I would wait till I actually got on track before suggesting track setups to people.

m_shake

Needs more flushness JP, good to see people putting these cars to work!

Count Blah

I helped Charleston prototype the ASR coilover kit (hence the number plates) and I was running very aggressive camber settings during that time frame. As my car is for DD duties, on my current suspension setup I've chosen a balance of streetability as well as light track duty. I agree that on a race setup, more camber = better.

JW racing

Right on, Charleston is cool! I love all of my ASR stuff, and for my race car.. I can't leave home without my 32mm.

HRsi-dan

I just figured you'd want less camber in the rear than front to help with rotation/ to cancel out some of the understeer.

I do understand the reasonings for wanting the most camber in regards to tire wear.

Count Blah

Something fun I'm working on for upcoming track sessions.

I've hated the leather wheel on this car for sometime, it seems abnormally slippery. Maybe its just me, dunno.

Since "not racecar", I wanted the grip that Alcantara provides but at the same time I refuse to lose the airbag. Solution? Re-upholster!

I had a place online take a oem wheel, rip the leather off and add 1/8" padding underneath and redo it in Alcantara with some super JDM red stitching to match the rest of the interior. Never understood why Honda chose to do everything in red stitch except the steering wheel (obvious answer is cheaping out...). Anyway, finished product below - super happy with the results.




Todd

DaveSi677

That is pretty sick... did you send them your wheel or you purchased another wheel?

Also can we have the link?

Count Blah

I found a OEM wheel on eBay for about $100 shipped since I didn't want to fully commit to only having the alcantara. The business is www.dallassteeringwheel.com and the owner Don was great through the whole process.

Todd

K5^

Good stuff. Subscribed.