S's on Track

S's on Track

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Discussion

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Having just returned from my first track day at Zolder I would wholly suggest you get your cars on track.

I am a comiited driver on the road but to be able to really chuck the car around on track showed me how much fun you can really have in an S.

My car is not that far from standard, just better shocks and poly bushes really but the the fun of having enough space to properly drift it around and understand where the edge of adhesion really is was fantastic fun.

Get 'em on track boys and girls as it teaches you a whole lot about your car and yours and its limitations.

I did the Intro to the circuit which gave me an opportunity to see some of the lines and just get to know my way around it. If I get the opportunity of instruction I will take that aswell.

Only problem is that now I want more horses so that I can get to and from the corners quicker

Cheers

Mark

chin up

159 posts

274 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
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Sounds like you had a blast, Johno! Certainly a Birthday to remember.....

I fancy heading up to the inaugral Bassingbourne track day on July 27th, but the noise limit is 103db at 0.5m at 3/4 max revs (strictly enforced, apparently!) Will my S3C manage that? It has a stainless exhaust on it...... Also, if it doesn't make the noise limit, will I get a refund, or is it hard rules.....

Other than that, I'm up for it!

Chin up.

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
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Nice one Mark..

..what suspension mods have you got, cos you're obviously lower than mine.. ..also how much did it cost

Cheers
Matt

shpub

8,507 posts

273 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

..what suspension mods have you got, cos you're obviously lower than mine.. ..also how much did it cost


They are not mods... the stuff is just worn and sagging

Steve

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

quote:

..what suspension mods have you got, cos you're obviously lower than mine.. ..also how much did it cost


They are not mods... the stuff is just worn and sagging

Steve



Very true (not) !

Cheeky bugger !!



johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Sounds like you had a blast, Johno! Certainly a Birthday to remember.....

I fancy heading up to the inaugral Bassingbourne track day on July 27th, but the noise limit is 103db at 0.5m at 3/4 max revs (strictly enforced, apparently!) Will my S3C manage that? It has a stainless exhaust on it...... Also, if it doesn't make the noise limit, will I get a refund, or is it hard rules.....

Other than that, I'm up for it!

Chin up.



Standard systems on S's vary between 100 and 105Dba generally. These are widely quoted figures and vary according to atmospheric condition, condition of the car, the exhaust the uttounding environment etc etc etc etc.

Most S's would meet 103Dba and it would depend on whether the Cats were still in place and the system was sports or standard.

If you are really concerned then get it checked. I had my old system checked at a track day when I was taking part (114 Dba at 4,500 rpm @ 1m ) I have not had the new system checked but have had a track day silencer built specicfically to fit my system. Its bulky and looks hilarious but it will ensure total copmpliance !!

Tower View do some new nifty little inserts for the S which I may also try out. Its worth a word in their ear. One of the Track day firms hires out its noise tester but I can't remember who ! Sorry !

Genrally track days are non refundable and if you don't comply then you don't get your money back !

Cheers

Mark

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Nice one Mark..

..what suspension mods have you got, cos you're obviously lower than mine.. ..also how much did it cost

Cheers
Matt



Matt,

How are ya ??

As for Mod's.....they're not really mods. I have Gaz dampers all round with uprated springs from Tower View. They are in fact the original prototype ones that were on Peter Humphries car.

All the suspension bushes have been replaced with poly ones including the ARB mounts.

I would happily uprate the springs from the current levels (400 front and 300 rear) and lower the car further but have a couple of issues.....

The rear damper barrels are too long to lower the car any further as I am nearly on the bumpstops now.

Too uprate the springs any more would knacker the ride quality as it is still my everyday car.

I have been impressed with the Gaz dampers after some early problems and they need looking after. They are good value for money.

I am currently debating what to do though as I enjoyed the car so much I want to properly sort the suspension and that will probably involve changing the dampers specced accordingly to get a lower ride height with stiffer springs.

I wil either do this with Nitrons or with Leda's. Been in S's with both types driven by competition drivers and have been impressed with both cars. Their turn in and reduced roll through corners was extremely impressive. You do have to factor in the driver ability into this though and driving the car show the real advantages.

The other issue I haven't mentioned yet is the famed "Early S ride height" which we pratically have none of to start with is further reduced on mine although it does improve the handling.

I also run the car lower to get more -neg camber on the rear wheels which is otherwise unadjustable (except for shimming)

As for cost you are looking with springs at around £150 a corner, but Tower View will be able to quote exactly. For your own specced Leda's for an S you are looking at £750 ish with springs and for Nitron you are looking £1000 !! You gets what you pay for and there are plenty of people who will testify to that with dampers.

I woul seriously spend a great deal of time (saving) and working out all the options and speak to, drive with, drive their car and speak to the experts about what you want from the car and therefor which dampers would suit you best.

Cheers

Mark

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Cheers Mark. I suppose the best thing is to give it a fling about an a track first and see how good/bad it is... then think about the investment side... thanks for the guide prices though

..how did your photo's of the twins come out.. any good ??

Cheers
Matt

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Yeh ! The pictures my Dad took were good.

You definitely need to get into another car with uprated springs to notice the difference though. If we get together again soon then you can have a drive of mine.

Cheers

Mark

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Also to go any stiffer with the front springs I would have to uprate the front ARB as mine is the thinner diameter one and would need to be the thicker (later cars) type.

Just though of that.

Oh and get th money together....

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
always the way isn't it... mind you if we all had pots of cash we'd have cerberas

johno

Original Poster:

8,427 posts

283 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

always the way isn't it... mind you if we all had pots of cash we'd have cerberas




No I'd have a 4.3 Big Valve pre cat Griffith with Hi Spec Billet 4 pot front calipres and uprated rotors. It would be running Nitrons all round specced to the car and the the bushes would all be poly. The ARB's would be Rose Jointed.

The engine would have an ACT induction kit with full carbon fibre trumpets and plenum chamber with cold air induction. The cam woyuld be a fast road/track cam aswell with high rev lifters and tappets.

The ECU would have been rechipped by Mark Adams and it would have roll bar and full harnesses.

The interior would have all the ally bits and the Oil Pressure gauge would be mechanical rather than electronic. There would be a Data Logger on board aswell.

The wheels would be the the original 5 spoke ones although these may get uprated for large ones according to handling requirements.

The exhaust would capitalise on performance first and then the sound of that engine !!

Would like it in Black with a Black/White and Ally interior. Bit of a buggy to make it look good though.

Any further suggestions much appreciated as I work towards my dream car

chin up

159 posts

274 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Cheers for the info Johno, I think I would be taking a risk with my current exhaust....I'll get it checked out before parting with the cash methinks.

Regarding the cerbie; a mate has a 4.5. It's lovely but all he does is leave it in the garage and storm around on his T595. Oh, decisions-decisions. It's alright for some......

Paceracing

729 posts

267 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Johno,

Good to hear that you had a good time at Zolder! So you've got the bug now have you? Ah well a sprint licence is only £25'ish', race suits from around £150'ish', helmets from £150'ish'!!!!!!!
Get yourself along to North Weald, Debden or even the Lotus test track at Hethel for a good ole sprint. Airfields are good starting points as there is usually nothing to hit if you overcook it! (And they are usually cheaper).
As you know TVRCC have a sprint championship or you could join one of the local motor clubs, i.e. Borough 19, who really are a bunch of pirates and a damn good hoot!!
Just a thought,

Jas.

>> Edited by Paceracing on Tuesday 2nd July 18:21

HarryW

15,151 posts

270 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Good to hear you enjoyed the experieince at Zolder, you seem to know what car you want next then what was it again.....
I'll keep an eye out for you at the years sprinting events, which I take you'll be active in

Harry

LeeBee

773 posts

285 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
Talking of Nitrons, I have a brand new set here (375lb front 300lb rear) for sale at an absolute bargain of £850, first come first served!

Cheers

LeeBee

GreenV8S

30,210 posts

285 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Any further suggestions much appreciated as I work towards my dream car



Like your spec, just a couple of comments. Think you would be better off look-wise going for the timeless class of one of the earlier models - maybe an M. Thinking about it, you would get similar classic good looks with better mechanicals if you move up to the more modern S. Have to be a V8, of course. And are you sure about that black and white colour combo? I think a more traditional colour might age better - maybe British Racing Green or one of the metalic variants?

Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

PetrolTed

34,428 posts

304 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:
I fancy heading up to the inaugral Bassingbourne track day on July 27th, but the noise limit is 103db at 0.5m at 3/4 max revs (strictly enforced, apparently!) Will my S3C manage that?
Chin up.


103 is very loud. My S4C (standard exhaust) was last measured at Goodwood at 94db.

gary judd

2,675 posts

266 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
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hi mark glad you had a good time in zolder so dissapointed i could not go. my cerb is back from joolz with lowered rear, 400 springs on front 300 on rear redline ajustable shocks and bg developement disc and some work done on the engine . joolz says it goes like shit off a shovel now but handles great. do not know if you know but tim is driving my car up to donnington on thursday 18th of july for a evening session fancy comming and also hethal witch is next to the lotus factory on 17th august a saturday. i booked both through bookatrack. can,t wait to try out new set up, why not try and come along to one . gary loraine and cerbera

JSG

2,238 posts

284 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Think you would be better off look-wise going for the timeless class of one of the earlier models - maybe an M. Thinking about it, you would get similar classic good looks with better mechanicals if you move up to the more modern S. Have to be a V8, of course. And are you sure about that black and white colour combo? I think a more traditional colour might age better - maybe British Racing Green or one of the metalic variants


Sounds like the perfect car to me - wish I had one, oh I do

Just need to get its visit to Tower View out of the way, then swap a child for some new shocks, then...