VXR8 Track day experience
Discussion
Finally took the now run in beastie to Bedford yesterday and thought I would share some thoughts. Actually the car suprised me and a few others there too. Very quick indeed considering its size. I have had a 350Z and Impreza STi (05) previous to this car and have to say the R8 is the my fave so far. Anyway.....
Good points:
- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
- Great straight line speed too. Got 135mph before running out of straight, (and balls!). My 350z could manage 120mph and my mates GT3 145. Not bad really.
- Noise. Wortec exhaust was best sounding there. I thought so anyway. More about this later.
- Handlig was good but needs improving
- Attention. Nobody has ever seen one before and it is by far the largest car there. Petrolheads love them. Snobs still ignore you though.
- Sideways action. OK maybe thats not good but bloody good fun!
Bad points:
- Gearbox. Maybe it cos its quite new but the box is hard work and fifth was always a bugger to engage
- Handling. Rolls too much. Reaches its limit too quickly
- Blind spots are even worse on a track at speed
- Only managed 8.2mpg!! Chap there with a Saleen Mustang was getting 6!!!
- Noise. OK, when I arrived at the circuit the noise test they do at 4000rpm was right on the limit of 101db. (Wortec loud setting btw). On the wortec graph it claims just over 90db's at 4000rpm. I was told atmospheric conditions can effect the reading. Anyway he passed the car but advised to lift off whenever passing the noise meters around the circuit. Managed to fool them until 2pm but eventually got banned! I had the quiet filters with me but to be honest there was only another hour of daylight left so didn't bother changing. Shame really, the exhaust is apparently "road legal" yet the one place you are encouraged to drive the car to its limit your simply not allowed to. Daft really.
Anyway, anyone thinking of tracking their car just do it, you wont regret it. Obviously cannot comment on Monaro's but I'm sure they will be just as good if not better. Just make your car is quiet enough!
BTW, what can be done with the suspension. Any advice appreciated. Thanks
Good points:
- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
- Great straight line speed too. Got 135mph before running out of straight, (and balls!). My 350z could manage 120mph and my mates GT3 145. Not bad really.
- Noise. Wortec exhaust was best sounding there. I thought so anyway. More about this later.
- Handlig was good but needs improving
- Attention. Nobody has ever seen one before and it is by far the largest car there. Petrolheads love them. Snobs still ignore you though.
- Sideways action. OK maybe thats not good but bloody good fun!
Bad points:
- Gearbox. Maybe it cos its quite new but the box is hard work and fifth was always a bugger to engage
- Handling. Rolls too much. Reaches its limit too quickly
- Blind spots are even worse on a track at speed
- Only managed 8.2mpg!! Chap there with a Saleen Mustang was getting 6!!!
- Noise. OK, when I arrived at the circuit the noise test they do at 4000rpm was right on the limit of 101db. (Wortec loud setting btw). On the wortec graph it claims just over 90db's at 4000rpm. I was told atmospheric conditions can effect the reading. Anyway he passed the car but advised to lift off whenever passing the noise meters around the circuit. Managed to fool them until 2pm but eventually got banned! I had the quiet filters with me but to be honest there was only another hour of daylight left so didn't bother changing. Shame really, the exhaust is apparently "road legal" yet the one place you are encouraged to drive the car to its limit your simply not allowed to. Daft really.
Anyway, anyone thinking of tracking their car just do it, you wont regret it. Obviously cannot comment on Monaro's but I'm sure they will be just as good if not better. Just make your car is quiet enough!
BTW, what can be done with the suspension. Any advice appreciated. Thanks
Good to see you using the car to its full!!!
As for sound readings it is interesting as we consulted Bedford and others about how they take their readings and ours were comparable.
As for "drive by sound" that is a whole new world of confusion, as it stands not one track has a standard that is the same as another!!!!!!
I always put the quiet plates in(or push the button) when at the track....
Uprated springs are in stock and are good step forward without upsetting the on road feel but I think the biggest handling improvement came from better tyres........
Edit to add........
Might be worth upgrading to a new gear shifter.
As for sound readings it is interesting as we consulted Bedford and others about how they take their readings and ours were comparable.
As for "drive by sound" that is a whole new world of confusion, as it stands not one track has a standard that is the same as another!!!!!!
I always put the quiet plates in(or push the button) when at the track....
Uprated springs are in stock and are good step forward without upsetting the on road feel but I think the biggest handling improvement came from better tyres........
Edit to add........
Might be worth upgrading to a new gear shifter.
Edited by wortec1 on Sunday 25th November 10:24
wortec1 said:
Good to see you using the car to its full!!!
As for sound readings it is interesting as we consulted Bedford and others about how they take their readings and ours were comparable.
As for "drive by sound" that is a whole new world of confusion, as it stands not one track has a standard that is the same as another!!!!!!
I always put the quiet plates in(or push the button) when at the track....
Uprated springs are in stock and are good step forward without upsetting the on road feel but I think the biggest handling improvement came from better tyres........
Edit to add........
Might be worth upgrading to a new gear shifter.
As for sound readings it is interesting as we consulted Bedford and others about how they take their readings and ours were comparable.
As for "drive by sound" that is a whole new world of confusion, as it stands not one track has a standard that is the same as another!!!!!!
I always put the quiet plates in(or push the button) when at the track....
Uprated springs are in stock and are good step forward without upsetting the on road feel but I think the biggest handling improvement came from better tyres........
Edit to add........
Might be worth upgrading to a new gear shifter.
Edited by wortec1 on Sunday 25th November 10:24
I might actually look into getting the electric switching incorporated. Nice to know the quiet setting is ok. Thanks for your advice. With regard the springs, will the car be lowered at all and if so by how much? Finally, I take it your talking about the rip shifter. Is it available for the VXR8 yet? Thanks again.
Edited by bmad on Sunday 25th November 12:12
maverick964_uk said:
how was oil temp ?
Took mine on a track recently. Just a few laps.... and it would hit 135/140. Was told by WP that a different oil would make things better.
Took mine on a track recently. Just a few laps.... and it would hit 135/140. Was told by WP that a different oil would make things better.
Absolutely right the oil temp was peaking around 135 and I was only ever doing 4 lap stints. Really not sure if different oil would make a difference. Suppose it makes sense.
If its anything like the old car you need to make sure the oil is at the top of the fill mark at a minimum as the pick is at the front and can get starved. I imagine having a larger pool of oil to work from will keep it a tad cooler too.
Short throw shifters are a good accessory for sure. Plenty of Oz blokes drive straight from the dealer to a shop to get their suspension changed. Apparently there are some adjustable AVO coilover replacements so you can dial in your choice of ride.
Short throw shifters are a good accessory for sure. Plenty of Oz blokes drive straight from the dealer to a shop to get their suspension changed. Apparently there are some adjustable AVO coilover replacements so you can dial in your choice of ride.
Always good to keep a close eye on the levels BUT the revised LS2 has a new sump which is less prone to oil starvation.
The springs are about 30mm lower (pic attached)and about 25% stiffer.
There are two types of shifter on the market and they do improve the feel and speed of changes, best to try before you buy though as they are more mechanical sounding.
The springs are about 30mm lower (pic attached)and about 25% stiffer.
There are two types of shifter on the market and they do improve the feel and speed of changes, best to try before you buy though as they are more mechanical sounding.
bmad said:
the exhaust is apparently "road legal" yet the one place you are encouraged to drive the car to its limit your simply not allowed to.
Positive spin - be grateful that you can get away with the loud exhaust on the road 
Limits are understandable, given the potential for a track full of loud-exhaust cars going round and round in one place all day. On the public road, you risk annoying people only momentarily.
Track day noise limits are well documented and haven't changed much for years. I wouldn't buy a car (or exhaust) for even occasional track use unless I'd had confidence that it would pass. In this case, seems you've done some due diligence by relying on mfrs static figures (although drive-by is a bit trickier). Maybe your exhaust isn't to spec?
I'd buy a noise meter (they're not expensive) and do your own checks, if you plan to do more trackdays.
John
the standard oil in the vxr8 is something like 0w40 which is fine for normal use but pretty much useless for any significant track work.
you should go for a fully synth oil (BTW - the term 'fully synthetic' does not mean its 'fully synthetic' - only that a reasonable percentage is)
thicker oil will sap a small amount of power. also, it won't reduce temps by much but will continue to be effective at higher temps. 130 is pretty much the absolute safe max for a 0w40 oil
really though it would be far better if the temps didn't get that high in the first place. i'm not 100% but I think the LS2 has a water to oil cooler but i'm thinking for track work an additional thermostat based oil/air cooler would be useful
you should go for a fully synth oil (BTW - the term 'fully synthetic' does not mean its 'fully synthetic' - only that a reasonable percentage is)
thicker oil will sap a small amount of power. also, it won't reduce temps by much but will continue to be effective at higher temps. 130 is pretty much the absolute safe max for a 0w40 oil
really though it would be far better if the temps didn't get that high in the first place. i'm not 100% but I think the LS2 has a water to oil cooler but i'm thinking for track work an additional thermostat based oil/air cooler would be useful
Edited by ads_green on Monday 26th November 08:32
LathamJohnP said:
bmad said:
the exhaust is apparently "road legal" yet the one place you are encouraged to drive the car to its limit your simply not allowed to.
Positive spin - be grateful that you can get away with the loud exhaust on the road
Limits are understandable, given the potential for a track full of loud-exhaust cars going round and round in one place all day. On the public road, you risk annoying people only momentarily.
Track day noise limits are well documented and haven't changed much for years. I wouldn't buy a car (or exhaust) for even occasional track use unless I'd had confidence that it would pass. In this case, seems you've done some due diligence by relying on mfrs static figures (although drive-by is a bit trickier). Maybe your exhaust isn't to spec?
I'd buy a noise meter (they're not expensive) and do your own checks, if you plan to do more trackdays.
John
Point taken. To be honest since this was my first time with the wortec I was curious to see if the loud setting was ok. I knew it would be close to the limit but really I should have just put it to quiet. Next time!! Thanks for the advice.
crisisjez said:
How did you organise the day, was it a group of you and what was the cost.
Am itching to give my `ro` some beans.
Ta!
easiest is to try any of the regular organisers (I've used these guys before). Am itching to give my `ro` some beans.
Ta!
www.goldtrack.co.uk
www.rma-limited.com
www.bookatrack.co.uk
www.easytrack.co.uk
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/trackdays/msv-tr...
I dont usually bother with Bedford as it has the toughest noise restrictions. Great circuit, but most of my cars have always been too loud!
Let us know when you're going out, I'm sure a few will be keen to join you.
From the last outing the Monaro had at Brands...told off for too much noise (from the tyres!)
Cheers
Harry
Edited by Harryoz on Monday 26th November 11:07
You think Bedford is bad then try good wood! (95db usually!)
I would strongly recommend an airfield based trackday if it is you first time on track. They are generally considerably cheaper with no noise restrictions but also have nothing to hit (apart from the odd cone) so you can really get used to the car in a very safe environment. The only down side is that the surface is usually alot rougher so you will have considerably more tyre wear.
Circuits are more fun and have camber and elevation changes which add a whole new dimension. They can be quite confined so you must drive within yours and the cars limits.
Runway based days usually around 100-120 quid for the day.
Circuits are usually 150-200 - the "premium" circuits like Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP will be 200+.
There's a few other costs:
Also, figure in a MPG of under 10 so you will need to fill up once maybe twice.
I would say to change the oil after as trackwork is hard going on the oil.
Insurance is also available and some road policies offer trackday cover but there are companies that offer one off cover. Be warned, it's not cheap at rates around £10 per £1000 cover and 10% excesses.
Easytrack and bookatrack are both very good and offer additional services (oil change, tyres, instructors etc).
Oh - I would strongly recommend *not* offering passenger rides to people. There have been cases where a passenger has been injured and sued the driver.
www.uktrackdays.co.uk/ is good for finding dates and venues.
I would strongly recommend an airfield based trackday if it is you first time on track. They are generally considerably cheaper with no noise restrictions but also have nothing to hit (apart from the odd cone) so you can really get used to the car in a very safe environment. The only down side is that the surface is usually alot rougher so you will have considerably more tyre wear.
Circuits are more fun and have camber and elevation changes which add a whole new dimension. They can be quite confined so you must drive within yours and the cars limits.
Runway based days usually around 100-120 quid for the day.
Circuits are usually 150-200 - the "premium" circuits like Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP will be 200+.
There's a few other costs:
Also, figure in a MPG of under 10 so you will need to fill up once maybe twice.
I would say to change the oil after as trackwork is hard going on the oil.
Insurance is also available and some road policies offer trackday cover but there are companies that offer one off cover. Be warned, it's not cheap at rates around £10 per £1000 cover and 10% excesses.
Easytrack and bookatrack are both very good and offer additional services (oil change, tyres, instructors etc).
Oh - I would strongly recommend *not* offering passenger rides to people. There have been cases where a passenger has been injured and sued the driver.
www.uktrackdays.co.uk/ is good for finding dates and venues.
bmad said:
Good points:
- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
did you get brake fade, or did the brakes hold up to the generally high temps of tracking, I know they are big beasties, but is the fluid up to it ???
trescoman said:
bmad said:
Good points:
- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
did you get brake fade, or did the brakes hold up to the generally high temps of tracking, I know they are big beasties, but is the fluid up to it ???- Amazing brakes - toward the end I was stamping on the anchors just prior to the 100m boards and you just hung on the seat belt! Very controlled.
Also for those interested I booked the day through RMA. It cost £135 though they are cheap at the mo because its winter. In summer they can reach £200 but obviously there is more daylight. Motorsport Vision are good too.
wortec1 said:
As for sound readings it is interesting as we consulted Bedford and others about how they take their readings and ours were comparable.
[/footnote]
wortec1, as a matter of interest what reading would you expect from a 6.0VXR with Wortec Performance Pack. I glanced at the table and it said 'quiet' should be 90's db, but when I was at Bedford (just driving a friends car not the 'ro) I asked them to check the 'ro as well and it came out at 108db, which was exactly the same as my mates soundmeter reading, so it has been confirmed twice at this.[/footnote]
That means there is no UK track day I know of that would allow the car on the circuit (most are between 101 and 105 db).
I don't want to track it often, but it would be nice to try it.
Is this noise reading usual ? Any quick (& cheap) way of quietening it temporarily ?
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