986 Boxster trackday prep
Discussion
I have a soon-to-expire voucher for a trackday to use up. My last day was in my old turbo MX-5 where 'prep' meant check the oil, and the tyre wear over a day was naff all.
Not had my Boxster long but it seems overall sound enough for its 126k miles - I have refurbed the calipers, and rebuilt with cheap discs and Brembo sport pads, fluid is ATE superblue (or whatever they call the new non-blue version).
Car has H&R coilovers, suspension seems ok other than one slight noise which I think is front ARB bushes, should be able to sort first. Droplinks and track rod ends new, rest of bushes seemed ok when I had it all apart, well used but not knackered.
No overheating, fans seem to work and come on ok, hasn't burnt any oil etc.
Tyres are Pilot sport 2s, nearly half worn on front - fronts do seem to be scrubbing the insides a little though, rears wearing flat.
Is there anything obvious I've missed, specific to the Boxster, that wants looking at before it goes on track? Note I'm talking about a beginners mess about at Blyton or Mallory, not an 8 hour thrash round Spa by a race driver.
(Also, given my last MX-5 would barely touch its tyres all day, is this new big heavy Porsche going to cost me fortunes in tyres by wearing them out in minutes on track?)
Not had my Boxster long but it seems overall sound enough for its 126k miles - I have refurbed the calipers, and rebuilt with cheap discs and Brembo sport pads, fluid is ATE superblue (or whatever they call the new non-blue version).
Car has H&R coilovers, suspension seems ok other than one slight noise which I think is front ARB bushes, should be able to sort first. Droplinks and track rod ends new, rest of bushes seemed ok when I had it all apart, well used but not knackered.
No overheating, fans seem to work and come on ok, hasn't burnt any oil etc.
Tyres are Pilot sport 2s, nearly half worn on front - fronts do seem to be scrubbing the insides a little though, rears wearing flat.
Is there anything obvious I've missed, specific to the Boxster, that wants looking at before it goes on track? Note I'm talking about a beginners mess about at Blyton or Mallory, not an 8 hour thrash round Spa by a race driver.
(Also, given my last MX-5 would barely touch its tyres all day, is this new big heavy Porsche going to cost me fortunes in tyres by wearing them out in minutes on track?)
I'll reply in the capacity of a total noob who has only done a couple of trackdays. My comments below might be complete twaddle and I'll happily be corrected by people who know what they are on about.
I did a PH trackday in my own 986 (other days have been in other cars) and the thing that really took a beating was brakes. Bad brake fade after just a few laps, but it sounds like you have that under control. The other thing I noticed was tyres...not so much wear, but differing grip levels due to axle sets rather than four matching ones. Basically my rears were PS3s and my front Dunlops, and as I started to lean harder on them I started to notice a bit more understeer which was annoying. If there is anything wrong with wheel bearings it will highlight it...presumably because on the road you are never leaning on them as hard or as long. I had a slightly grumbly one, and I couldn't actually 100% identify which one it was, however after the PH track day at Silverstone it was FUBAR'd, and fixed.
Lastly although my 986 feels fairly firm on the road, it felt like a bucket of blancmange on the track. I was amazed at the difference, it suddenly seemed to have the body roll of my Defender! Again, looks like you have this sorted.
Don't forget noise regs, crash helmet, go-pro and a sensible attitude and have fun! I loved my track day experience and it just underlined what a great car the 986 is and what a total bargain it is too. I'd love to see how yours goes with some tweaks...I have some cross drilled discs ready to go on mine, but as it's 99.99% a road car, I won't be doing much else to it.
Video from the day...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awr6yDrP59E
I did a PH trackday in my own 986 (other days have been in other cars) and the thing that really took a beating was brakes. Bad brake fade after just a few laps, but it sounds like you have that under control. The other thing I noticed was tyres...not so much wear, but differing grip levels due to axle sets rather than four matching ones. Basically my rears were PS3s and my front Dunlops, and as I started to lean harder on them I started to notice a bit more understeer which was annoying. If there is anything wrong with wheel bearings it will highlight it...presumably because on the road you are never leaning on them as hard or as long. I had a slightly grumbly one, and I couldn't actually 100% identify which one it was, however after the PH track day at Silverstone it was FUBAR'd, and fixed.
Lastly although my 986 feels fairly firm on the road, it felt like a bucket of blancmange on the track. I was amazed at the difference, it suddenly seemed to have the body roll of my Defender! Again, looks like you have this sorted.
Don't forget noise regs, crash helmet, go-pro and a sensible attitude and have fun! I loved my track day experience and it just underlined what a great car the 986 is and what a total bargain it is too. I'd love to see how yours goes with some tweaks...I have some cross drilled discs ready to go on mine, but as it's 99.99% a road car, I won't be doing much else to it.
Video from the day...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awr6yDrP59E
Sounds like you'll be fine. The Boxster makes a great track car
FWIW the standard seats don't really give you any lateral support. Maybe a CG-lock would help, but fitting a bucket seat makes a huge difference.
2.5 has smaller brakes than the 3.2 S, which are great for track use, but Porsche brakes are usually excellent. The GT3 brake deflectors are only a few quid.
FWIW the standard seats don't really give you any lateral support. Maybe a CG-lock would help, but fitting a bucket seat makes a huge difference.
2.5 has smaller brakes than the 3.2 S, which are great for track use, but Porsche brakes are usually excellent. The GT3 brake deflectors are only a few quid.
Just took my 986 on track for the 1st time.
My observations:
1) brakes! Higher boiling fluid and decent pads are a must.
2) standard seats are rubbish. I was holding on for dear life in the corners. A bucket seat or maybe CG Lock device is also a must.
3) come in and lower your tyre pressures after the first few laps.
Otherwise the car was superb. It certainly surprised a few people (a new Exige on track tyres spun off trying to follow through a tightening fast left hander)
Mind you that could be a case of the blind leading the blind...
Have fun!
My observations:
1) brakes! Higher boiling fluid and decent pads are a must.
2) standard seats are rubbish. I was holding on for dear life in the corners. A bucket seat or maybe CG Lock device is also a must.
3) come in and lower your tyre pressures after the first few laps.
Otherwise the car was superb. It certainly surprised a few people (a new Exige on track tyres spun off trying to follow through a tightening fast left hander)
Mind you that could be a case of the blind leading the blind...
Have fun!
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