Track prep.?

[JxT]

I'm planning to track the Sag a bit from March / April onwards next year, and so want to get any required prep. done on the car before then in 2010. So, the question is, what other upgrades or changes have others done, and what's generally the recommended stuff?

Particularly interested in:

(i) Brake upgrades / options?

(ii) Suspension

(iii) Diff changes (does this really help track work that much?)

... but any other suggestions appreciated.

Cheers in advance,
J

[Targarama]

I'm not sure you need to make any changes unless you're already an experienced track meister. Most owners just turn up and spend a day trashing around the circuit then drive home. These cars are designed for it. The Sagaris has plenty of capability. Step 1 is check the car is fit (fluids, tyres), Step 2 is enjoy, Step 3 is tuition on the respective tracks to learn the lines etc.

Once you've done that then try some other bits.

Edited by Targarama on Saturday 19th December 08:59

[VARLEYHYD]

Targarama said:

I'm not sure you need to make any changes unless you're already an experienced track meister. Most owners just turn up and spend a day trashing around the circuit then drive home. These cars are designed for it. The Sagaris has plenty of capability. Step 1 is check the car is fit (fluids, tyres), Step 2 is enjoy, Step 3 is tuition on the respective tracks to learn the lines etc.

Once you've done that then try some other bits.

Exactly.

No special prep.

As long as it has it's service stamps upto date, keep an eye on fluids and tyre pressures throughout the day.

See you next season then?

G

[JxT]

Thanks for the responses guys.. I thought I had read somewhere that brake fade was a problem, but sounds like that's not the case, that'll save me some cash.

Hope to see you both on some track days next year!

[kcc]

VARLEYHYD said:

Targarama said:

I'm not sure you need to make any changes unless you're already an experienced track meister. Most owners just turn up and spend a day trashing around the circuit then drive home. These cars are designed for it. The Sagaris has plenty of capability. Step 1 is check the car is fit (fluids, tyres), Step 2 is enjoy, Step 3 is tuition on the respective tracks to learn the lines etc.

Once you've done that then try some other bits.

Exactly.

No special prep.

As long as it has it's service stamps upto date, keep an eye on fluids and tyre pressures throughout the day.

See you next season then?

G

Just to add not too much oil eh Graham .

[TVR_owner]

JxT said:

I'm planning to track the Sag a bit from March / April onwards next year, and so want to get any required prep. done on the car before then in 2010. So, the question is, what other upgrades or changes have others done, and what's generally the recommended stuff?

Particularly interested in:

(i) Brake upgrades / options?

(ii) Suspension

(iii) Diff changes (does this really help track work that much?)

... but any other suggestions appreciated.

Cheers in advance,
J

Pads and fluid change is a must if you are going to be trying on track.
Fluid - Castrol SRF or similar. Mintex F4R or a good AP pad, some suggest DS2500.

[kcc]

TVR_owner said:

JxT said:

I'm planning to track the Sag a bit from March / April onwards next year, and so want to get any required prep. done on the car before then in 2010. So, the question is, what other upgrades or changes have others done, and what's generally the recommended stuff?

Particularly interested in:

(i) Brake upgrades / options?

(ii) Suspension

(iii) Diff changes (does this really help track work that much?)

... but any other suggestions appreciated.

Cheers in advance,
J

Pads and fluid change is a must if you are going to be trying on track.
Fluid - Castrol SRF or similar. Mintex F4R or a good AP pad, some suggest DS2500.

You not a fan of DS2500 John.

[Mark UB]

JxT said:

Thanks for the responses guys.. I thought I had read somewhere that brake fade was a problem, but sounds like that's not the case, that'll save me some cash.

Hope to see you both on some track days next year!

The Standard brakes on the Sag are fantastic, light years ahead of the standard Cerbera/Griff 500 brakes.

Though I find the standard brakes on the Griff 500 very good the Sags brakes are in a different league.

Edited by Mark UB on Monday 4th January 18:52

[Gazzab]

What brakes do they have - I thought the Sag brakes were the same as the Cerb (post 00) brakes ?

[Mark UB]

Gazzab said:

What brakes do they have - I thought the Sag brakes were the same as the Cerb (post 00) brakes ?

Not sure, though under heavy braking the sag has more stability/balance with loads more feel(especially in wet conditions) even though the cerb has the longer wheelbase but that may be down to the better Sag chassis, but the sag does brake far better than any other TVR I have ever driven and with no drama.

I wasn't that impressed with the brakes on my 99 Cerb(the standard brakes with mintex pads on my 98 Griff 500 are far better)

though that may be down to set up (pads/fluid) and my Griff only weighs around 970kg but the brakes on my cerb were poor and they had just been serviced with braided hoses fitted.

The standard brakes on the Sag are fantastic.

I've driven a few Sags and lot's of Cerbs and the Sag is by far the better/easier car to drive.

The Cerb 4.5s might be quicker in a straight line but show it some corners and it will have no chance against a Sag(same driver/standard cars)

Top Gears Stig did a lap in a Factory Red Rose 4.5 cerbera around the top gear track and his best time was a 1.31 (good conditions)

that's 7 seconds off the Sags time,

Edited by Mark UB on Tuesday 5th January 12:33

[Gazzab]

Mark UB said:

The Cerb 4.5s might be quicker in a straight line but show it some corners and it will have no chance against a Sag(same driver/standard cars)

Top Gears Stig did a lap in a Factory Red Rose 4.5 cerbera around the top gear track and his best time was a 1.31 (good conditions)

that's 7 seconds off the Sags time,

Wow - thats quite some margin. I didnt know that a time had been posted. Is that a recent time?

[Targarama]

Gazzab said:

Mark UB said:

The Cerb 4.5s might be quicker in a straight line but show it some corners and it will have no chance against a Sag(same driver/standard cars)

Top Gears Stig did a lap in a Factory Red Rose 4.5 cerbera around the top gear track and his best time was a 1.31 (good conditions)

that's 7 seconds off the Sags time,

Wow - thats quite some margin. I didnt know that a time had been posted. Is that a recent time?

Different Stigs probably.

The T350 was 127.5 in an earlier series of TG in cold weather. The Tuscan II was around the same time as the Sagaris, can't recall the weather.

[Mark UB]

Gazzab said:

Mark UB said:

The Cerb 4.5s might be quicker in a straight line but show it some corners and it will have no chance against a Sag(same driver/standard cars)

Top Gears Stig did a lap in a Factory Red Rose 4.5 cerbera around the top gear track and his best time was a 1.31 (good conditions)

that's 7 seconds off the Sags time,

Wow - thats quite some margin. I didnt know that a time had been posted. Is that a recent time?

It was when they lauched the last of the factory red rose 4.5 Cerbs, it was up against a porker turbo, vanquish ,murcielago, zonda and a few other supercars.

It was the old black stig and article printed in the top gear mag not TV.

I remember the article saying the Cerb was as quick as the murcielago in a straight line and was fantastic value for money considering the performance but was let down by it's handling (it was factory spec)

And if you take a look at the vid of the Sags 1.24.6 around the TG track the track was cold and damp in places.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbO_CaGJXZ4

Edited by Mark UB on Tuesday 5th January 14:19

[Gazzab]

Aha - I have a copy of that mag , I will take a look!

[TVR_owner]

Mark UB said:

JxT said:

Thanks for the responses guys.. I thought I had read somewhere that brake fade was a problem, but sounds like that's not the case, that'll save me some cash.

Hope to see you both on some track days next year!

The Standard brakes on the Sag are fantastic, light years ahead of the standard Cerbera/Griff 500 brakes.

Mark,
I'm sure you'll find out, but the standard components will not stand hard track use, they will fade, fluid will get too hot, and the rear pads will not last very long at all...

I had a set of new standard rear pads last an afternoon of open pit fun at Oulton a few years ago. The morning consumed best part of a good set...

Brakes are cheaper than GRP and paint in the relative quantities you consume in the event of a failure of the braking system caused by sustained enthusiaism.

[shaunsmith]

My experience tracking a Sagaris, a decent race type brake fluid & Mintex F4's are necessary, which are sensational on standard AP Sagaris discs for track days but F4 the pads squeal a bit like the poor bugger on the film Deliverance...

Standard TVR brake pads & brake fluid are inadequate for track days in a car as quick as a Sagaris or even borderline crap & unsafe.

Edited by shaunsmith on Thursday 7th January 18:45

[Mark UB]

shaunsmith said:

A decent race type brake fluid & Mintex F4's, which are sensational on standard Sagaris discs for track days but they squeal a bit like the poor bugger on the film Deliverance...

well that goes without saying plus R888 Plus maybe Nitrons then it will have the same spec as my Griff 500.

How is the new beast big fella, let us know when you are off to the ring.

And how did you find the Nitrons on your Sag? I find the Sags i've driven on standard factory set up a little on the soft side (for me) and they understeer quite alot, did you up the spring rates?

Edited by Mark UB on Thursday 7th January 18:54

[shaunsmith]

Mark UB said:

shaunsmith said:

A decent race type brake fluid & Mintex F4's, which are sensational on standard Sagaris discs for track days but they squeal a bit like the poor bugger on the film Deliverance...

well that goes without saying plus R888 Plus maybe Nitrons then it will have the same spec as my Griff 500.

How is the new beast big fella, let us know when you are off to the ring.

And how did you find the Nitrons on your Sag? I find the Sags i've driven on standard factory set up a little on the soft side and they understeer quite alot, did you up the spring rates?

Nitrons were truly fabulous & they too are going on the GTR including F4's onto the standard AP set up not to dissimilar to the Sagaris. With 888's as well on the Sagaris would make the car an even more formidable track weapon.

The spring rates were 600lbs on the front & 450lbs on the back (Eibach's) & they were 3 ways also had them correctly set up by Charlie Kemp at Silverstone GP. The original Bilsteins were too soft & very 'Pink' made even worse with Pirelli Corsa's on which have extreme limpit grip & the F4's have incredible stopping power. With all them bit's on the car, was transformed for heavy or minimal track use.

Beast is nearly complete going to get the engine mapped at Power shortly. I will let you know when going to the Ring & Spa which is tremendous too.

Good luck with your toys & catch up soon...

[Mark UB]

shaunsmith said:

Mark UB said:

shaunsmith said:

A decent race type brake fluid & Mintex F4's, which are sensational on standard Sagaris discs for track days but they squeal a bit like the poor bugger on the film Deliverance...

well that goes without saying plus R888 Plus maybe Nitrons then it will have the same spec as my Griff 500.

How is the new beast big fella, let us know when you are off to the ring.

And how did you find the Nitrons on your Sag? I find the Sags i've driven on standard factory set up a little on the soft side and they understeer quite alot, did you up the spring rates?

Nitrons were truly fabulous & they too are going on the GTR including F4's onto the standard AP set up not to dissimilar to the Sagaris. With 888's as well on the Sagaris would make the car an even more formidable track weapon.

The spring rates were 600lbs on the front & 450lbs on the back (Eibach's) & they were 3 ways also had them correctly set up by Charlie Kemp at Silverstone GP. The original Bilsteins were too soft & very 'Pink' made even worse with Pirelli Corsa's on which have extreme limpit grip & the F4's have incredible stopping power. With all them bit's on the car, was transformed for heavy or minimal track use.

Beast is nearly complete going to get the engine mapped at Power shortly. I will let you know when going to the Ring & Spa which is tremendous too.

Good luck with your toys & catch up soon...

Thats the same set up I have on my Griff (600 f 450 r) fantastic on track but a bit much on todays British roads. Did you use the Sag just for TDs or was that set up still ok for British roads?

Speaking to Andy Race and he is talking about doing a closed track day at Ring soon and that will include a trip to Spa as well.
Will let you know if it goes ahead.

[shaunsmith]

Mark UB said:

shaunsmith said:

Mark UB said:

shaunsmith said:

A decent race type brake fluid & Mintex F4's, which are sensational on standard Sagaris discs for track days but they squeal a bit like the poor bugger on the film Deliverance...

well that goes without saying plus R888 Plus maybe Nitrons then it will have the same spec as my Griff 500.

How is the new beast big fella, let us know when you are off to the ring.

And how did you find the Nitrons on your Sag? I find the Sags i've driven on standard factory set up a little on the soft side and they understeer quite alot, did you up the spring rates?

Nitrons were truly fabulous & they too are going on the GTR including F4's onto the standard AP set up not to dissimilar to the Sagaris. With 888's as well on the Sagaris would make the car an even more formidable track weapon.

The spring rates were 600lbs on the front & 450lbs on the back (Eibach's) & they were 3 ways also had them correctly set up by Charlie Kemp at Silverstone GP. The original Bilsteins were too soft & very 'Pink' made even worse with Pirelli Corsa's on which have extreme limpit grip & the F4's have incredible stopping power. With all them bit's on the car, was transformed for heavy or minimal track use.

Beast is nearly complete going to get the engine mapped at Power shortly. I will let you know when going to the Ring & Spa which is tremendous too.

Good luck with your toys & catch up soon...

Thats the same set up I have on my Griff (600 f 450 r) fantastic on track but a bit much on todays British roads. Did you use the Sag just for TDs or was that set up still ok for British roads?

Speaking to Andy Race and he is talking about doing a closed track day at Ring soon and that will include a trip to Spa as well.
Will let you know if it goes ahead.

Yeah, just track days dont get much time to drive on road but didn't bother me when driven on road though as I was brought up on Xr's & Rs's with near granite suspension...

In regards to Ring & Spa, I would be definetly be up for that without question. I have booked a two dayer with Goldtrack for June at Spa. Went there last year & was an amazing track which runs the Ring close. However, the Ring is still the King for me but is getting ridiculous on tourist days unless your in a silver flooring Van of course...

Cheers