A general consensus on this. I'm interested in hearing people's opinions here, as there are so many modified cars on this board.

So, if you are going to do a race track( not quarter mile straights! ), what do people think will have the biggest impact on lap times,

a) Changing to fully adjustable suspension( presupposing you know how to set it up!!!) AND running say slicks, OR:

b) Keeping stock suspension and tyres, but modifying the engine etc, say with exhaust, header, high compression gasket and cams.

So, we now have two fictional cars, one with uprated, lowered suspension and slicks, the other with seriously uprated power but standard supension and tyres.

And our fictional track is a combination of fast and slow corners, with the odd longer straight thrown in.

Opinions please, ladies, gentlemen, and Australians

 

we dunno what your fictional racetrack looks like ....how long it is..how many turns....are there any elevation changes?

chances are, the car with the properly setup suspension will dominate over one with stock tires/brakes.

The other thing we don't know is how long the car is out there running? 2 laps? 5 laps? 20mins?

I certainly prefer a car with a footwork setup that "overpowers" the motor

 

especially with engine modded cars, straight away's would be a big difference.

 

If you have no driving skills, power will benefit you more than suspension. Otherwise, suspension for sure. It also depends on the road course too. If the road course has a few straight .5 km, then probably power is more important given you have a stock R suspension

 

An inexperienced track driver (<10 track events) will not be using anywhere near the full capabilities of his car.

You will achieve far greater reductions in your lap times by additional driver experience than you will from any mods to your car.

For the experienced track driver, mods to tires and brakes will have far more impact than mods to suspension or power.

 

I disagree with the first statement. Inexperienced drivers need good handling cars more than "overpowered" car. The reason, with overpowered car, you'll likely plow through every single turn. Time save in the corners is a lot of time vs. short straight-aways.

Also, in an imaginary world, the fastest way around a course is to drive @ maximum speed of car. (i.e. no need to brake 'cuz your suspension holds you through the turn... just like roller coasters.) Hence, I vote for good suspension over any power items.

 

I like to think I don't fit into the "no skills" category. So, I would say that the biggest improvement to my R has been tires, no question. I cut more time off with V700s than with any other power or suspension mod. A fully stock R on good race tires is a monster, and then you can save the rest of your money for driving school.

 

Good tires.

No matter how much bicept, tricept, chest, leg, shoulder and ab muscle you have, if you wear leather sole dress shoes, you're not gonna run fast.

 

Haha good analogy

 

Interesting opinions. Here in the UK most people who do track days are in Lotus Elises( often with cut slicks ), Caterhams, Westfields and similar monsters, so keeping up can be difficult.

I'd personally be inclined to look to tyres first, then suspension and breaks unless the track in question has very long straights, in which case I'd take the EVO 6!!

Cheers chaps!

 

Well... at least you will be comfortable while on track.

Self improvement
Brakes
Tires
Suspension
Power
Just my view of the stages of improvement.

And you want to drive the ITR... why?

Will

 

Do first events STOCK!!!

The ITR is a very well balanced and potent competitor STOCK! Of course a nice set of Sticky track only R compound tires or really good road tires are worth the investment But, The Stock RE010's are pretty good dual purpose for someone with a stock R that is learning or driving their first track events.

Drive it awhile and get used to the car in all its glories and misfortunes First. And that doesn't mean 1 event or 2, try like at least 3 to 5 and then assess your evaluation.

I believe that if you keep an open mind, that you will likely not decide to mod the same mods as what you first thought you'd want to do.

HP/TQ are intriguing and always a pleaser, "You can never have too much HP!" especially at the track but, The ITR's claim to fame is it's pureness and true Balance straight from JDM land

Suspension is a little trickier especially with a new R and OR a new unacquainted driver. The stock suspension is very good,"not perfect," But, well balanced and predictable. Cockpit/Driving time while under extreme and or racing conditions is the only thing I can think that will let you really get a sense of what you have or are capeable of with it stock.

This is all IMHO of course but, I too had been sucked into the Mod this and Mod that. The commercialization of our sport and hobby tends to promote Modding any and all imports Before you really know what you have.

When this pertains to the Integra Type R, I feel that a good driving class/school and a multiple amount of track/Auto-X events are needed beofre deciding what exactly to change on a Very well made Car. I was also in this dilemma but have since reassessed my plan and am satisfied with some major mods but, not all what you'd expect. My car will end up a well designed, flexible Daily, Auto-x, and Road course car. Alot to ask for but it seems to fit the bill currently and since I'm taking the steps slowly and driving while contemplating I think I'll get a better overall package when it's all said and done.

Unless you are already a Really good driver, "Race, Professional, Pro-Am" I think it would take some time and testing to decide what to do first. Schools and track time are the key here.

So my vote is for good sticky track Tires and Lots of Track time!

Good luck,

A.

 

Good post and good advice, thanks...

 

Att. Pillesnoppen!!

I just gotta ask you totally off topic where you got the idea for that username?!

I assume you know what it means in Swedish… (for those that don’t know, it’s a word kids here in Sweden uses for the male genital) I’ve also seen another UK guy on this board with the username Kussimurran, (which is a word kids here in Sweden uses for the female genital…)

I laughed my *** off the first time I saw you guys post!
/Tom

 

Firstly, good post 1GreyTeg. Makes a lot of sense. And I'm definitely not a budding Schumacher...

To Swedish ITR: I was born and bred in Southern Sweden, but have been in the UK for 15 years now. Didn't think the ITR was imported into Sweden? Good to see the disease has reached Scandinavia as well!