Trackday queries
Discussion
Did a trackday back in Feb in my S-Special Mk1 and had a few questions about its performance...
Firstly, the suspension on the road = solid. Suspension on track = so much lean I could have touched the floor with my elbows. I'm wondering if a) something on my car is old and knackered (presumably original bilsteins at 72k miles) and/or b) this is completely normal and the precise reason that people change the bilsteins as soon as they can?
Secondly, I managed to cause the much discussed HLA issue by hard cornering and was initially worried I'd ruined the car as the noise has to be heard to be believed! I was wondering how this issue can be avoided - different oil, better suspension to reduce the amount of roll?
Here's a pic of the type of roll I'm talking about - is this too much?!
Firstly, the suspension on the road = solid. Suspension on track = so much lean I could have touched the floor with my elbows. I'm wondering if a) something on my car is old and knackered (presumably original bilsteins at 72k miles) and/or b) this is completely normal and the precise reason that people change the bilsteins as soon as they can?
Secondly, I managed to cause the much discussed HLA issue by hard cornering and was initially worried I'd ruined the car as the noise has to be heard to be believed! I was wondering how this issue can be avoided - different oil, better suspension to reduce the amount of roll?
Here's a pic of the type of roll I'm talking about - is this too much?!
Had exactly the same experience. Felt rock solid on the road, on track - jelly!
That was at Brands back end of last year. Changed the suspension early part this year(mine was 120k miles old)to some adjustable coilovers, feels even firmer on the road, but absolutely transforms it on track.
Went for 2nd trackday @ Silverstone last Thursday, main changes new suspension & uprated Yellowstuff track pads = sorted! Later braking, no fade, and minimal body roll - it made the invested ££s so worthwhile.
I managed to buy the coilovers 2nd hand off Nutz from a guy who was breaking his '5. The coilovers were circa £600 new, I got them for £240.
So if you plan to get out on track on a fairly regular basis I would thoroughly recommend the suspension upgrade.
That was at Brands back end of last year. Changed the suspension early part this year(mine was 120k miles old)to some adjustable coilovers, feels even firmer on the road, but absolutely transforms it on track.
Went for 2nd trackday @ Silverstone last Thursday, main changes new suspension & uprated Yellowstuff track pads = sorted! Later braking, no fade, and minimal body roll - it made the invested ££s so worthwhile.
I managed to buy the coilovers 2nd hand off Nutz from a guy who was breaking his '5. The coilovers were circa £600 new, I got them for £240.
So if you plan to get out on track on a fairly regular basis I would thoroughly recommend the suspension upgrade.
MonkeyArmDealer said:
Mr MXT said:
p.s. I like you, get a roll bar!
Don't worry matey, I won't be heading out on track again without one - that and kevlar underpants.
Anyway, doesn't look too much roll?
And if thats too much I'm worried about our N'Ring trip and how bouncy my car is..
p.s. How was Austrailia?
I think the hard road ride/ roll on track thing must be a characteristic of the bilsteins because that's what mine is like.
Been thinking about changing them for ages but having a real hard time deciding what to buy.
BTW, Mobil 1 full synthetic 0/40 did wonders for my HLA rattle although I still get it a bit on warm track days.
Been thinking about changing them for ages but having a real hard time deciding what to buy.
BTW, Mobil 1 full synthetic 0/40 did wonders for my HLA rattle although I still get it a bit on warm track days.
That and one eye/ headlight open does make it look funny in a post drunken punch-up kind of way.Monumental said:
I think the hard road ride/ roll on track thing must be a characteristic of the bilsteins because that's what mine is like.
Been thinking about changing them for ages but having a real hard time deciding what to buy.
BTW, Mobil 1 full synthetic 0/40 did wonders for my HLA rattle although I still get it a bit on warm track days.
Cheers for info on oil - might give it a go next oil change. I can't describe my relief when I found out my engine wasn't about to explode.Been thinking about changing them for ages but having a real hard time deciding what to buy.
BTW, Mobil 1 full synthetic 0/40 did wonders for my HLA rattle although I still get it a bit on warm track days.
VeeFour said:
Couple of questions.... how 'safe' did you feel without roll protection?
And what's the 'HLA' issue?
How safe did I feel? Fine actually, it wasn't like we managed to get up on two wheels or anything (like I managed in my Panda once!!) although I guess with all these things you don't really think of the risks until afterwards. I decided not to get a roll bar before a trackday because it would have delayed me getting the car on track by months and I really wanted to have a go! "Impatience vs doing it properly" strikes again. I'll definitely get a roll bar for the next outing though, as I intend to be somewhat less relaxed in my driving style...And what's the 'HLA' issue?
HLA issue - your best bet is to google it! Suffice to say it's oil starvation at the top end and it makes a hell of a rattle.
Salgar said:
Ah, I'm going on my very first track day on Monday, woohoo.
I suspect after that I'm also going to have a think about new suspension and a roll bar. I had a geo setup done last week, but I'm still running crazy high with lots of roll.
How much is a typical roll bar?
Mr MXT got one for ~£300 from TR Lane - that's the kind of money I'm budgeting. Hard Dog bars appear to be very well regarded too.I suspect after that I'm also going to have a think about new suspension and a roll bar. I had a geo setup done last week, but I'm still running crazy high with lots of roll.
How much is a typical roll bar?
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