Discussion
Picking my car (2005/6 s.2 Exige (NA obviously) Touring) up from its service this week, (where to my delight the only unplanned work was new front pads, and cleaning and drilling out all the discs, although the cost of that still smarted), I had a long chat with the engineer who'd done the work on the car.
First of all, he was recommending setting tyre pressures for a trackday after the first hot laps, so the tyres were at track temperature (which sounds obvious now I say it) - he was suggesting 28PSI.
My factory Yokohamas are also on their last legs (middle third over-worn, probably from setting track pressures while still cold!)- possibly a main dealer thing, but I was strongly advised against either Toyos or non-LTS badged Yokos. I know this topic has been done to death - my insurance policy (Adrian Flux) doesn't seem to have a clause insisting on manufacturer recommended tyres only, so I've got the option of trying other tyres, but since the car only really does minimal road miles and spends most of its driving time on circuit, it would probably be a false economy?
As for mods we discussed, his top suggestions were an adjustable ARB and then a good geo setup for handling, an accusump to protect against the admitted issue of oil starvation (he didn't think a baffled sump would protect that much) and maybe stainless braided hoses if I wanted more stop without uprating the whole brake system. If I wanted more go, he suggested maybe a freer breathing induction kit and a quicksilver (or similar freer-but-not-noise-limit-busting) exhaust.
He had quite an interesting take on adding lots of 'adjustables' such as the suspension upgrades to the car - the more you have to tweak, the more time you spend tweaking, and the more of your day and actual enjoyment you lose. (I'm probably just about an intermediate trackday driver, nowhere near racing, and don't want to spend vast amounts or make my insurance silly, so that sounded sensible to me).
Having next to no mechanical knowledge, I was quite persuaded by all that, but as always I'd value any knowledgeable input, particularly on tyre pressures - the handbook recommends 29psi cold, so setting 28psi when hot for track use, is that right?
My budget isn't thousands (although I still dream of S/C power), I don't want the engine to go bang during hard circuit cornering, and the car is way better than I am a driver - and yes, I've read the Seloc wiki on the subject of mods, but I'd still like to read the debate of the knowledgeable, opinionated (and the rude!
on here...
Cheers in advance,
Tol
First of all, he was recommending setting tyre pressures for a trackday after the first hot laps, so the tyres were at track temperature (which sounds obvious now I say it) - he was suggesting 28PSI.
My factory Yokohamas are also on their last legs (middle third over-worn, probably from setting track pressures while still cold!)- possibly a main dealer thing, but I was strongly advised against either Toyos or non-LTS badged Yokos. I know this topic has been done to death - my insurance policy (Adrian Flux) doesn't seem to have a clause insisting on manufacturer recommended tyres only, so I've got the option of trying other tyres, but since the car only really does minimal road miles and spends most of its driving time on circuit, it would probably be a false economy?
As for mods we discussed, his top suggestions were an adjustable ARB and then a good geo setup for handling, an accusump to protect against the admitted issue of oil starvation (he didn't think a baffled sump would protect that much) and maybe stainless braided hoses if I wanted more stop without uprating the whole brake system. If I wanted more go, he suggested maybe a freer breathing induction kit and a quicksilver (or similar freer-but-not-noise-limit-busting) exhaust.
He had quite an interesting take on adding lots of 'adjustables' such as the suspension upgrades to the car - the more you have to tweak, the more time you spend tweaking, and the more of your day and actual enjoyment you lose. (I'm probably just about an intermediate trackday driver, nowhere near racing, and don't want to spend vast amounts or make my insurance silly, so that sounded sensible to me).
Having next to no mechanical knowledge, I was quite persuaded by all that, but as always I'd value any knowledgeable input, particularly on tyre pressures - the handbook recommends 29psi cold, so setting 28psi when hot for track use, is that right?
My budget isn't thousands (although I still dream of S/C power), I don't want the engine to go bang during hard circuit cornering, and the car is way better than I am a driver - and yes, I've read the Seloc wiki on the subject of mods, but I'd still like to read the debate of the knowledgeable, opinionated (and the rude!
on here...Cheers in advance,
Tol
Stop using that dealer would be a good start, seems to me the only recommendations they're making are the ones they sell.
Join lotusontrack!
The guide on seloc is pretty good! http://wiki.seloc.org/a/S2_Track_Modifications
If you do a search on the various forums (seloc/exiges.com) you'll find that most people run about 23F/25R tyre pressures hot on the track. I use the same cold on the road as I never get the tyres up to temp in normal driving.
I'd make sure your car has a rear toe link brace then for your first few trackdays at least i'd just stick with what you've got as the standard car can go faster than you'd think. You can then ask other owners on the day and see/feel the difference the mods make in person.
After that i'd change the pads to RS-42's when you wear the others out. I wouldn't change the hoses unless you were taking the front clam off for something else as it makes less difference on an S2 due to the servo. You should change the pads yourself, it's easy!
Be wary of exhausts as the noise limits on some tracks are very small. I've gone for an induction kit so it's only loud on the inside, after market exhausts tend to be much lighter though.
As for the accusump, it's a bit pricey for me and i'm guessing would make changing the oil a bit more complicated. I'm just keeping the oil topped up between sessions for the time being, but i'll prob fit the moroso sump soon for peace of mind.
Join lotusontrack!
The guide on seloc is pretty good! http://wiki.seloc.org/a/S2_Track_Modifications
If you do a search on the various forums (seloc/exiges.com) you'll find that most people run about 23F/25R tyre pressures hot on the track. I use the same cold on the road as I never get the tyres up to temp in normal driving.
I'd make sure your car has a rear toe link brace then for your first few trackdays at least i'd just stick with what you've got as the standard car can go faster than you'd think. You can then ask other owners on the day and see/feel the difference the mods make in person.
After that i'd change the pads to RS-42's when you wear the others out. I wouldn't change the hoses unless you were taking the front clam off for something else as it makes less difference on an S2 due to the servo. You should change the pads yourself, it's easy!
Be wary of exhausts as the noise limits on some tracks are very small. I've gone for an induction kit so it's only loud on the inside, after market exhausts tend to be much lighter though.
As for the accusump, it's a bit pricey for me and i'm guessing would make changing the oil a bit more complicated. I'm just keeping the oil topped up between sessions for the time being, but i'll prob fit the moroso sump soon for peace of mind.
Anatol said:
First of all, he was recommending setting tyre pressures for a trackday after the first hot laps, so the tyres were at track temperature (which sounds obvious now I say it) - he was suggesting 28PSI.
Yes, set them when hot (go out, do a warm up session, come back and set them). But that's very high for stickies. 22-24 is more like it. Don't forget to pump them up when cooler at the end of the day.Anatol said:
My factory Yokohamas are also on their last legs (middle third over-worn, probably from setting track pressures while still cold!)- possibly a main dealer thing, but I was strongly advised against either Toyos or non-LTS badged Yokos. I know this topic has been done to death - my insurance policy (Adrian Flux) doesn't seem to have a clause insisting on manufacturer recommended tyres only, so I've got the option of trying other tyres, but since the car only really does minimal road miles and spends most of its driving time on circuit, it would probably be a false economy?
Try Toyo R888's if you want to avoid the expense of Yoko's, but get similar levels of grip. They're better in the wet too. I used them on my Honda'd Elise for 18 months and plenty of track time, and they're an excellent tyre.Anatol said:
As for mods we discussed, his top suggestions were an adjustable ARB and then a good geo setup for handling, an accusump to protect against the admitted issue of oil starvation (he didn't think a baffled sump would protect that much) and maybe stainless braided hoses if I wanted more stop without uprating the whole brake system. If I wanted more go, he suggested maybe a freer breathing induction kit and a quicksilver (or similar freer-but-not-noise-limit-busting) exhaust.
I'd agree on some of the bits upto the induction/exhaust bit, but I'd put decent pads on first if you've not already. Pagid RS42's or RS14's, or SBS have been recommended on SELOC as being a good alternative. The exhaust/induction'll give you minimal extra 'go', but it'll sound more sporty than the hairdryer sounding standard stuff. Lighter too.Harnesses are a welcome addition for tracking too, keeps you nicely set in the seat and I find tracktime without them a bit of a PITA as you're sliding around all over the place, rather than just 'feeling' the car.
Anatol said:
He had quite an interesting take on adding lots of 'adjustables' such as the suspension upgrades to the car - the more you have to tweak, the more time you spend tweaking, and the more of your day and actual enjoyment you lose. (I'm probably just about an intermediate trackday driver, nowhere near racing, and don't want to spend vast amounts or make my insurance silly, so that sounded sensible to me).
Getting decent 1-way adjustable suspension is (IMvHO), a good mod if you intend to track it - Nitrons or Ohlins are ~£1500 fitted and geo'd. Once you've got the car set-up by a decent place, all you have to do before a trackday is lie-down next to it, turn the adjusters a few clicks to harden it up, and away you go. Reverse the procedure at the end of the day. Sure you can tweak it a bit if you like, but plenty of people will have similar set-ups and will be able to suggest settings for you to try. LoT is a good source of info on that, and everyone's really friendly.Anatol said:
My budget isn't thousands (although I still dream of S/C power), I don't want the engine to go bang during hard circuit cornering, and the car is way better than I am a driver
Well, you're like many of us on here then fella! The most important thing to prevent *bang* is to check the oil levels regularly, and ensure the car's in tip-top shape before every trackday. Use top quality oil, and have it changed every 3-4 trackdays. With an accusump, or a baffle, you'll minimise the likelihood of starvation, and should be fine. 00's of cars go out with LoT and other companies week-in, week-out, so as long as you take care of the essentials, you've no reason to be too concerned.Enjoy!
I'd go with improving the brakes and then look at improving the suspension in line with SWorks suggestions.
With regards tyres: any Lotus dealer is going to tell you to stick with the Yoko LTS tyres. In the real world quiet a few owners are using the Toyo 888s though: I think tyres are, to an extent, subjective: you may prefer 888s, others the Yokos.
Definately join LoT. I've done three days with them since November and the friendliness, helpfulness etc of members has to be experienced: great track days (and you also might get an ex F1 driver instrucing you!).
With regards tyres: any Lotus dealer is going to tell you to stick with the Yoko LTS tyres. In the real world quiet a few owners are using the Toyo 888s though: I think tyres are, to an extent, subjective: you may prefer 888s, others the Yokos.
Definately join LoT. I've done three days with them since November and the friendliness, helpfulness etc of members has to be experienced: great track days (and you also might get an ex F1 driver instrucing you!).
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