Preparing the Puma for track - what parts?

[lou556]

Morning,

I am going to be running my Puma on track on a more regular basis after a successful outing at Lydden Hill. Going to pick up a set of Fiesta ST calipers to accommodate 280mm disks; what recommendations can you guys make in regards to brake disks/pads, brake fluid & braided lines.

I am also servicing the car shortly before the next track outing, so...

Which engine oil, oil/fuel filter, air filter & spark plugs would you recommend?

Last but not least, I am looking at changing the suspension for performance shocks/springs, I was thinking Bilstein B6 shocks with eibach springs or maybe B12 Pro Kit Suspension Kit. What do you guys think? I'm not looking to go down the coilover route as I will be using the car every day.

Thanks for your help in advance. Will be great to hear your thoughts!!

Regards,

Lew

[Tyrewrecker]

lou556 said:

Morning,

I am going to be running my Puma on track on a more regular basis after a successful outing at Lydden Hill. Going to pick up a set of Fiesta ST calipers to accommodate 280mm disks; what recommendations can you guys make in regards to brake disks/pads, brake fluid & braided lines.

I am also servicing the car shortly before the next track outing, so...

Which engine oil, oil/fuel filter, air filter & spark plugs would you recommend?

Last but not least, I am looking at changing the suspension for performance shocks/springs, I was thinking Bilstein B6 shocks with eibach springs or maybe B12 Pro Kit Suspension Kit. What do you guys think? I'm not looking to go down the coilover route as I will be using the car every day.

Thanks for your help in advance. Will be great to hear your thoughts!!

Regards,

Lew

I used spax suspension which was fine.

[lou556]

Tyrewrecker said:

I used spax suspension which was fine.

Which setup coilovers or performance springs+shocks? How did you find them on the road?

[Tyrewrecker]

lou556 said:

Which setup coilovers or performance springs+shocks? How did you find them on the road?

Shocks and springs, <£300, good for road and track.

[lou556]

Were did you pick them up from?

[HustleRussell]

Tyres would the the most significant single modification. Do not neglect!
Don't forget lightness
As for brakes, if your system is up to scratch normal dot 4 fluid should do it.

[mrtwisty]

OP - FYI:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[lou556]

HustleRussell said:

Tyres would the the most significant single modification. Do not neglect!
Don't forget lightness
As for brakes, if your system is up to scratch normal dot 4 fluid should do it.

Totally agree, I am currently looking at Yokohama Prada Spec2's as the car will only be used for an average of 1-2 track days a month, I'm still learning the cars ability's so won't be pushing it to hard just yet.

[Tyrewrecker]

lou556 said:

Totally agree, I am currently looking at Yokohama Prada Spec2's as the car will only be used for an average of 1-2 track days a month, I'm still learning the cars ability's so won't be pushing it to hard just yet.

Just drive it as fast as you can, limits are quite easy to find.

[_Neal_]

Personally I wouldn't be modifying suspension until I was getting the most out of the car "as is". I'd spend the cash on driver training myself, after you're happy the brakes are up to the job and tyres are decent.

[lou556]

Not happy with the brakes for track use so they will be changed, driver training is something I will be looking into. I planned to do this is stages starting with a full service + brakes + tyres followed by chassis mods at a later date.

[Tyrewrecker]

lou556 said:

Not happy with the brakes for track use so they will be changed, driver training is something I will be looking into. I planned to do this is stages starting with a full service + brakes + tyres followed by chassis mods at a later date.

front pads and fluid is sufficient in my experience

[HustleRussell]

Tyrewrecker said:

front pads and fluid is sufficient in my experience

Agree especially once you start lightening the car. I definitely wouldn't bother upgrading rears. A well serviced system with sporty pads at the front should do the job just fine.
It is often said that if you are able to lock up the tyres under braking then you have sufficient braking power. This generally holds true unless your upgrading to improve a brake fade problem, improve braking 'feel', or reduce the amount of pedal effort required to lock the tyres.

[Rollcage]

HustleRussell said:

Agree especially once you start lightening the car. I definitely wouldn't bother upgrading rears. A well serviced system with sporty pads at the front should do the job just fine.
It is often said that if you are able to lock up the tyres under braking then you have sufficient braking power. This generally holds true unless your upgrading to improve a brake fade problem, improve braking 'feel', or reduce the amount of pedal effort required to lock the tyres.

Many moons ago, I had a Manta that had a 3 litre Monza engine in it. Before it was modified, I could lock the fronts fairly easily, and as part of the conversion I fitted HiSpec 330mm discs and 4 pot calipers. I know which I considered to be more "Sufficient", and the same held true when I fitted them to my old trackday 16V Manta!

[MH82]

I would also look at baffling the sump, as those engines are sensitive to running dry

[Tyrewrecker]

MH82 said:

I would also look at baffling the sump, as those engines are sensitive to running dry

Really? Just keep an eye on it

[Rollcage]

Tyrewrecker said:

Really? Just keep an eye on it

Sump baffling can help with all sorts of things - the above mentioned Manta got me black flagged at Brands once because of oil surge . Blowing out huge clouds of smoke coming through Mclaren/Clark!

[MH82]

They are not known for needing a baffled sump, but with any road based car it's the first thing I would (and have) done. The 1.7 like any engine doesn't like oil starvation, but whereas with other engines you can rebuild the bottom end, the Zetec-se is more difficult to find parts for.

The baffles don't have to be anything fancy, I have a 1.8 zetec-e and I just welded some plates to the windage tray that seems to have done the trick

[lou556]

Will certainly look into the baffled sump, seeing as the Prada Spec2's will be generating rather high levels of grip once hot, I may just go with performance brake pads for know combined with braided lines and a brake fluid with a higher boiling point. Any recommendations on the brake pad/fluid front? They will be combined with standard disks that were fitted a few thousand miles ago.

Lew

[Tyrewrecker]

lou556 said:

Will certainly look into the baffled sump, seeing as the Prada Spec2's will be generating rather high levels of grip once hot, I may just go with performance brake pads for know combined with braided lines and a brake fluid with a higher boiling point. Any recommendations on the brake pad/fluid front? They will be combined with standard disks that were fitted a few thousand miles ago.

Lew

Carbotech xp8
dot 5.1