well I took your advice the last time I posted in this forum and I "de-tuned" the car from 400/390 down to 300whp/300ft lbs. I got a smaller turbo that is MUCH more responsive. (srt-4 turbo @ 20+psi)

I also got a new set of Falken RT-615's (195/65/14's), Koni Adjustable struts, bigger sway bars (22mm front and rear), swapped to rear discs, got new brembo rotors in the front with Hawk HP+ pads, camber crash bolts, new Motul fluid, and braided brake lines(stock rubber ones HAD IT)

so...I think this combination will be a better all around car. It wont be vette killing power, but I think I'll sacrifice that for being able to stop and turn....until I get enough money to get a real turbo again lol.

I really want to pick up the Energy Suspension Urethane bushing kit for my suspension joints(all the stock stuff is 10 years old, cracked, and squished.) but Im going to wait...and see how the car does with all the changes I've made.

I should be at a PIR(PDX) HPDE event with in a month. Hope to see some of you out there. I'll be in the 96 2dr red "gay" Neon thanks for the help guys, I thought I'd update you on my progress and that I DID take your advice.

 

I might try an HPDE event in the future but am kinda hesitant because my car is my daily driver. I am not entirely sure how they do it at PIR, because thats where I wanna do it. As of how the car is suppose to be setup are you required to have a roll cage and fuel cell and all that stuff for an HPDE at PIR. If so I am far from it but I am setup with better tires, and suspension. Also the Rose Cup is coming up, is anyone on here gonna go or compete.

 

Yes, "real" tracks, but passing is typically not allowed in corners.

 

Rose cup eh? More information pleeeaaase :D

 

PIR is a REAL track. I think all the pro racing series (NASCAR, ROLEX, INDY?, SPEED GT, GRAND-AM, ETC.) race there. PIR is far from Oregon..no??

What are 'camber crash bolts'?

Last time I checked I do not believe you need a roll cage, roll bar, or fuel cell for HPDE since your not really wheel 2 wheel racing....although those items would be nice if you were to roll your car at high-speed. Of course to be sure you should contact the event director to be sure about the details.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so all the focus is on getting a good run in the straights.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, its on learning the proper line, becoming a smooth (= fast) driver, being safe and having a total blast while out on the track. But yeah, as with all cars, corner speeds are very important.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ISteerBMWs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">seriously?

so all the focus is on getting a good run in the straights. in that case you need almost no motor and just a great handler. as long as you can keep up your power through the corners without scrubbing off too much speed you should be money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, there's no way to "win" an HPDE.

it's not a race, you're just out there to improve your driving. If anything, you'd use someone in a similar car to guage how you're doing, but you're not out there to beat anyone--just yourself.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91 HONDAsaurus rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I might try an HPDE event in the future but am kinda hesitant because my car is my daily driver. I am not entirely sure how they do it at PIR, because thats where I wanna do it. As of how the car is suppose to be setup are you required to have a roll cage and fuel cell and all that stuff for an HPDE at PIR. If so I am far from it but I am setup with better tires, and suspension. Also the Rose Cup is coming up, is anyone on here gonna go or compete. </TD></TR></TABLE>

For an hpde you don't need a cage or fuel cell. And the only parts you need to change imo are some of the brake components: new pads, good fluid.

Otherwise, run what you brung, get some instruction, and have a great time.

 

hhhmmm....HPDE is for those that are just getting into road course racing (much different from going to the drag strip or autoX or even driving on the street for that matter) ...and you can bring a road car which is cheaper than a full blown race car Classes are usually based on driver skills and not the car (Level 1 for novices with instructors on-board to Level 4 for people who are almost wheel 2 wheel rdy or are rdy but just lapping for testing or whatever)

http://www.nasaproracing.com
http://www.scca.org

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ISteerBMWs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow that seems like the ****. why have i never heard of this. so are there classes or is it just alot of open track time? what are the restrictions on the cars? where can i get some more info?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's a GREAT time. Most HPDE's will have in-car instruction available for a small fee. If you've been on track and know the basics, you can get out there and just get TONS of seat time.

There are no restrictions on cars--they should be in good/safe working condition, have the upgraded brake components i mentioned earlier, and it's a good idea not to have stuff like a shoddy oil line rupture on track.

More important is that you bring an OPEN mind. Listen to your instructors and leave your ego at home. A lot of instructors get really nervous when some douche shows up in a high hp car or KiLLa StrEEt RacEr, with a big ego and proceeds to hack it up around the track. These are the kinds of guys that are most often involved in accidents and they definitely kill good vibes that naturally arise from this kind of activity.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ISteerBMWs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow thanks for all the info guys. i have been itching to get back on the track for a few years now. i dont care about going wheel to wheel with people right now. i dont have the funds to fix **** when we touch and i dont have the time to chase people in a race/championship format anyways. do they have many of these events in socal, and do you think i would be able to track my truck or am i going to have to buy a car again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

there are tons of these events in socal.

http://www.redlinetrackevents.com &lt;&lt;&lt;my favorite guys to drive with. there is also Speed Ventures and SRT motorsports, and of course the NASA HPDE system.

pretty sure you can drive the truck out there--it's not lifted on 33" mudders right?

 

PIR: Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon.

Safety ish...
I have a 6 pt cage...which I'll work into a 10 pt before I go (saw a neon after getting T-boned ), roll bar padding, scatter shield, Firesuit, shoes, gloves, neck roll, Helmet, Fire extinguisher system, Simpson 5pts, Momo seats, etc.

I need to get get a window net, make a belly pan for the underside of the car (contains oil/coolant when you scatter your engine) typically required in SFWD drag racing, and I really want to get a Hahns device.

Suspension setup
Koni adjustable struts, H&R Race springs and 450/350lb adjustable springs, 24mm front sway, 22 rear sway, 1.5 degrees of negative camber in the front, 0 in the rear. And for gription Falken RT-615's on stock R/T Neon wheels.

brakes
brembo rotors, Hawk HP+ pads, Motul 600, SS lines, 4 wheel disc(yay!), and a tilton proportioning valve.

Engine, drivetrain, fuel system, turbo sytem....

did I say I was into drag racing before?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ~RTErnie~ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">PIR: Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon.

Safety ish...
I have a 6 pt cage...which I'll work into a 10 pt before I go (saw a neon after getting T-boned ), roll bar padding, scatter shield, Firesuit, shoes, gloves, neck roll, Helmet, Fire extinguisher system, Simpson 5pts, Momo seats, etc.

I need to get get a window net, make a belly pan for the underside of the car (contains oil/coolant when you scatter your engine) typically required in SFWD drag racing, and I really want to get a Hahns device.

Suspension setup
Koni adjustable struts, H&R Race springs and 450/350lb adjustable springs, 24mm front sway, 22 rear sway, 1.5 degrees of negative camber in the front, 0 in the rear. And for gription Falken RT-615's on stock R/T Neon wheels.

brakes
brembo rotors, Hawk HP+ pads, Motul 600, SS lines, 4 wheel disc(yay!), and a tilton proportioning valve.

Engine, drivetrain, fuel system, turbo sytem....

did I say I was into drag racing before? </TD></TR></TABLE>

The setup looks like alot of fun, but i'd suggest you rethink the hp+ pads.

i doubt their ability to survive open lapping w/ a 300 whp turbo car. Might wanna give the good folks at carbotech a call.

also, you're a little soft in the rear of the car, i'd bump that rear 350 to 550 and work from there. , but that's just my own preference.

 

there is literally NO weight in the back of the car. Its stripped from the seats back...and neons dont carry any weight back there. car weighs 2250 wet and 2400 with me in it.

HP+ pads not cutting it well I guess I'll laern that lesson the hard way.

Is it they cant take the heat? if so I could fab up some brake cooling ducts to cool that **** down. The car ran a 11.8@124 last time I went to Woodburn... now its a bit slower I would say 12.2-12.5ish slicked down. And I changed my transmission out for a closer gear trans. (3.55 to 3.95) basically a going from an LS trans to GSR trans.

i have a PG lsd :-P not a quaife or even an obx haha...it works better than an open diff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ~RTErnie~ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">there is literally NO weight in the back of the car. Its stripped from the seats back...and neons dont carry any weight back there. car weighs 2250 wet and 2400 with me in it.

HP+ pads not cutting it well I guess I'll laern that lesson the hard way.

Is it they cant take the heat? if so I could fab up some brake cooling ducts to cool that **** down. The car ran a 11.8@124 last time I went to Woodburn... now its a bit slower I would say 12.2-12.5ish slicked down. And I changed my transmission out for a closer gear trans. (3.55 to 3.95) basically a going from an LS trans to GSR trans.

i have a PG lsd :-P not a quaife or even an obx haha...it works better than an open diff </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, i doubt the hp+'s can handle the heat that the brakes will be generating. Even with it's light weight, i'm guessing the power and the high speeds at the end of the straights will probably lead to pad fade and some sessions cut short. Ducting the rotors will definitely help, if they will help enough, i'm not sure. Just in case, i'd bring an extra set of pads.

as far as the spring rates, it's a personal preference, and the neon chassis is much different from the honda chassis i've driven--so the spring rate convention could be different. but even with a gutted front heavy honda, higher rear rates make it much easier to rotate and drive fast for most drivers. But it boils down to how you drive the car and what you prefer. For reference, the prelude i used to track was on 450/550 (in a much heavier car) and the DA i'm building will be on 700/900 to start. Granted, i'm sure i'll collect a few softer and harder springs to mess around with and use depending on what track i'm on, but it's always a good idea to have some extra springs lying around, just so you can experiment.

all in all, the car looks like a lot of fun. I'm jealous because it seems like your car is pretty well prepped in the safety dept, and i'm really far away from having the important stuff like a cage, fire suppression, etc and a HANS (which is def. worth buying) for the race car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ~RTErnie~ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rose cup eh? More information pleeeaaase :D</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its on the weekend of June 10. I will be autocrossing in the pro pits and get a pit pass and entry fee stuff for the whole weekend. It's said to be one of the biggest weekend events at PIR and there will be a lot of road racing going on for all kinds of classes and cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

For an hpde you don't need a cage or fuel cell. </TD></TR></TABLE>

True... though there've been a few incidents where a few drivers would disagree. Unless you can afford to ball up your car you should think long and hard about being there. Is this the same car that gets you to work or school?

Have you read this? https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=972109

 

yeah i read that thread...saw the video... It is my DD and I dont plan to be mr race car driver with it lol. take it easy around the track and enjoy it. Like spirited driving on the street, but being able to go 140+ and not get in trouble lol.

 

really, the HP+'s arent up for the task? if they aren't on his car, then the HP+ pads I have in the garage for my (soon to be) 400 hp 2700-2800 pd car won't do to well either.

 

i was running on mopar CHEAP-O pads and rotors before...i mean the cheapest **** you can buy. Had no problem stopping from 130 mph bursts, but when I was pushing it through the corners on Wilsonville highway (oregon peeps know what Im talking about) i had my brakes go to the floor while setting up for a corner....no dice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eyal 951 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">really, the HP+'s arent up for the task? if they aren't on his car, then the HP+ pads I have in the garage for my (soon to be) 400 hp 2700-2800 pd car won't do to well either. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I utterly destroyed a set of CF GT-Sports at SOWS one day in the lude. Granted the lude is heavier, it's also much slower, and i'm not really tough on my brakes. It is also my opinion that the GT-S are a better pad than the HP+, but YMMV.

The one thing that may change things is ambient temps. As the temperature climbs here in socal, i can't imagine the hp+ working too well for a 300 whp car. but it may stay cooler in portland? (doesn't portland have some crazy weather?).

 

usually overcast and dry in between raining spells.

 

I have had very good experience with the hawk hp+ pads.

Especially if this is your first time out the you will probably be no where near the limit of the car.

I have run many many track days with hp+ pads, never had a problem with them.

But I have faith in them mainly b/c my friend w/ a 97 cobra w/ 450 whp has been using them for years now, never with any issues. Granted he has brake ducts but that mustang wieghs a tad more than the neon.

you'll be fine

 

RTErnie-

Let me know when you are planning on attending an HPDE at PIR. I have been wanting to participate in one but haven't done one yet. Let me know when you are going and I might show up!

 

For sure man I will definitely let you know a good time before hand. There's a good chance I'll be working at Unnatural Inc this summer (dont want to count my eggs before they hatch) and after I get **** handled with the job I'll be out there for sure. Should be bringing a few friends with me too... 2002 wrx...semi built. 2004STi...WAY ******* built and an Audi TT. The STi isnt going to be NUTZ

My friend who owns the STi has EVERYTHING for it. it really is rediculous.