Evenly matched - NSX & Cayman S

[CL65 Captain]

Ryneen, I just watched your video again - per the other post re cameras - on your second lap you indeed seem to have hit less than 1:43 measuing from the flag station, third lap was 1:46, fourth lap was 1:47, fifth lap was 1:45 (measuring from a reference in the paddock). Track was pretty empty as far as your traffic was concerned so these are clean laps. Five laps on the video; kind of short for a normal 20-25 minutes session - unless the video ran out of time?

Curious, was this video taken in the middle of the day after a few sessions already otherwise how were you able to get heat into R compound tires that quickly within the first lap that your second lap was the fastest?!

My Nitto NT01s use to come up to temp in 1/2 a lap (as long as the OAT was 70+).

So.... a stock Cayman S (295hp version) is comparable to a slightly modded NSX. :wink:

I instruct for KYPCA, CIRPCA, MOPCA, and OVRPCA and have run with A LOT of them.... the only one that walks away from me is Randy Faust and that's when he's on R6s. He was on PS2s one day and he and I ran for an hour straight and I was keeping pace.

 

[ryneen]

If I recall correctly this session was after lunch on the first day of a two day event. I usually try to go 8/10's on my first lap to get the tires up to temp therefore my second lap is usually fine to start pushing it 9/10's. From my experience, Nitto NT01's are great tires that can be driven hard quickly. My car setup is pretty good which helps. I'll be going back to Laguna Seca Aug 20-22 with Speedventures with a new set of NTO1's. My personal goal is to hopefully break into the 1:41's... Is anyone else going to make it to the event?

 

[ryneen]

I'm now running in the 1:40's the last two years without any additional mods to the car (here's the time sheet under name Ryan Rush: http://www.speedventures.com/results/Default.aspx). My current 2 way adjustable suspension is nice, but I honestly think it's not much (if any) quicker than when I was running the Type R suspension. I'm just getting more comfortable at Laguna. That being said Billy is probably still 2-5 seconds quicker than me in my own car. I know I'm leaving time on the table in turn 5, 6 and 9. This is a fairly new video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH6Baye-fuk

Ryneen, I just watched your video again - per the other post re cameras - on your second lap you indeed seem to have hit less than 1:43 measuing from the flag station, third lap was 1:46, fourth lap was 1:47, fifth lap was 1:45 (measuring from a reference in the paddock). Track was pretty empty as far as your traffic was concerned so these are clean laps. Five laps on the video; kind of short for a normal 20-25 minutes session - unless the video ran out of time?

Curious, was this video taken in the middle of the day after a few sessions already otherwise how were you able to get heat into R compound tires that quickly within the first lap that your second lap was the fastest?!

 

[CB72]

That's some driving!
Apart from the suspension changes, what did you do to the engine?
Is the car much lighter than stock?
Clearly one at least of the Porsche's was more powerfull than your NSX.
If Billy can beat you by 2 to 5 seconds it must be unreal!
I've been lapping my turbocharged NSX at Le Mans here in France in 1'57s
The Sport Auto magazine uses the same track to test standard cars with a professional racer.
Boxster spyder: 1'55"45
Audi R8 V10: 1'53"51
Porsche 911 Carrera S: 1'51"97
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3.8 with Cup tires: 1'49"25
Lamborghini Aventado: 1'47"30
The question is: am I such a slow driver or could a suspension upgrade make a difference?
I'm running with R 888 tires but clearly not enough camber ( 2.5°) as there are significant wear marks on the outside of the tires both front and rear.

 

[ryneen]

The engine is bone stock with a cold air intake, headers and Taitec GTLW exhaust. It has about 115,000 miles on it and is in great shape. Newer cars like the Porsche's are definitely quicker down the straights because of their extra power. However, my corner exit speeds are usually higher which helps negate that a bit.
I have no idea about your driving skills, but the best investment would be getting professional instruction by a true expert. If you have a turbocharged NSX with the right mods, I would imagine your car should be as least as quick as the Audi R8 and Carrera S especially if you put a good wing and splitter on it. The NSX really benefits by having the right suspension setup. I have all of the non compliance suspension parts as well as Penske double adjustable dampers that were setup by a person whom is a true specialist and is very experienced in making NSX's quick. My setup is close to perfect which makes the car really easy to drive at it's limit.

I just noticed your mods. A lovefab turbo and OS Giken diff should make a huge difference. Did you updgrade the suspension components with the non compliance parts? You should also get the front camber plates. Mine are maxed out at a little under 3 degrees.

I used R88's for about 2 years and switched to Nitto NT01's. This was good for almost 2 seconds alone. R888's are terrible R compounds. I've ran the Kumho V710 and Toyo RA1's as well. All of these tires are far quicker and easier to drive than the R888's.

That's some driving!
Apart from the suspension changes, what did you do to the engine?
Is the car much lighter than stock?
Clearly one at least of the Porsche's was more powerfull than your NSX.
If Billy can beat you by 2 to 5 seconds it must be unreal!
I've been lapping my turbocharged NSX at Le Mans here in France in 1'57s
The Sport Auto magazine uses the same track to test standard cars with a professional racer.
Boxster spyder: 1'55"45
Audi R8 V10: 1'53"51
Porsche 911 Carrera S: 1'51"97
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3.8 with Cup tires: 1'49"25
Lamborghini Aventado: 1'47"30
The question is: am I such a slow driver or could a suspension upgrade make a difference?
I'm running with R 888 tires but clearly not enough camber ( 2.5°) as there are significant wear marks on the outside of the tires both front and rear.

 

[integrals]

Just spent last Saturday on track with DOZENS of caymans and other Porche Variant (was invited out for the Porche Club invitational) and my lightly modified NSX had no issues keeping up with the vast majority of the cars. Granted, again, this was on my home track. Just goes to prove how much seat time and knowing where your going matters!

Bang for buck, the NSX still packs a punch!

 

[CB72]

The NSX really benefits by having the right suspension setup. I have all of the non compliance suspension parts as well as Penske double adjustable dampers that were setup by a person whom is a true specialist and is very experienced in making NSX's quick. My setup is close to perfect which makes the car really easy to drive at it's limit.

I just noticed your mods. A lovefab turbo and OS Giken diff should make a huge difference. Did you updgrade the suspension components with the non compliance parts? You should also get the front camber plates. Mine are maxed out at a little under 3 degrees.

I used R88's for about 2 years and switched to Nitto NT01's. This was good for almost 2 seconds alone. R888's are terrible R compounds. I've ran the Kumho V710 and Toyo RA1's as well. All of these tires are far quicker and easier to drive than the R888's.

Thanks for the feedback:wink:
I have the front camber plates installed but I'm currently only at 2'30" of camber.
I will go further out before my next outing.
I don't have any of the non-compliance stuff? Is it really usefull?
What's the rate of your springs front an rear?
With respect to my times, I'm still bothered by my engine overheating and while I'm not looking for excuses it does detract me from going 100%:frown:
Running a turbocharged car is great fun but you must not think about what could happen to your wallet in case a problem occurs!
Good input on the tires!
I'm not sure the Nitto's are available here but I'll check.
I once went to Laguna Seca to watch a motorbike race but I would love to go there with my NSX

 

[g3driver]

The engine is bone stock with a cold air intake, headers and Taitec GTLW exhaust. It has about 115,000 miles on it and is in great shape. Newer cars like the Porsche's are definitely quicker down the straights because of their extra power. However, my corner exit speeds are usually higher which helps negate that a bit.
I have no idea about your driving skills, but the best investment would be getting professional instruction by a true expert. If you have a turbocharged NSX with the right mods, I would imagine your car should be as least as quick as the Audi R8 and Carrera S especially if you put a good wing and splitter on it. The NSX really benefits by having the right suspension setup. I have all of the non compliance suspension parts as well as Penske double adjustable dampers that were setup by a person whom is a true specialist and is very experienced in making NSX's quick. My setup is close to perfect which makes the car really easy to drive at it's limit.

I just noticed your mods. A lovefab turbo and OS Giken diff should make a huge difference. Did you updgrade the suspension components with the non compliance parts? You should also get the front camber plates. Mine are maxed out at a little under 3 degrees.

I used R88's for about 2 years and switched to Nitto NT01's. This was good for almost 2 seconds alone. R888's are terrible R compounds. I've ran the Kumho V710 and Toyo RA1's as well. All of these tires are far quicker and easier to drive than the R888's.

How do you keep the car quite for seca? I have the same set up and it seems to loud for laguna seca.

 

[docjohn]

How do you keep the car quite for seca? I have the same set up and it seems to loud for laguna seca.

do you have your cats on?

 

[ryneen]

How do you keep the car quite for seca? I have the same set up and it seems to loud for laguna seca.

For Laguna Seca I always have to put my stock exhaust on the car.

- - - Updated - - -

do you have your cats on?

I run high flow cats primarily because I don't want exhaust soot on my bumper. I does make it much quieter as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the feedback:wink:
I have the front camber plates installed but I'm currently only at 2'30" of camber.
I will go further out before my next outing.
I don't have any of the non-compliance stuff? Is it really usefull?
What's the rate of your springs front an rear?
With respect to my times, I'm still bothered by my engine overheating and while I'm not looking for excuses it does detract me from going 100%:frown:
Running a turbocharged car is great fun but you must not think about what could happen to your wallet in case a problem occurs!
Good input on the tires!
I'm not sure the Nitto's are available here but I'll check.
I once went to Laguna Seca to watch a motorbike race but I would love to go there with my NSX

Sorry, but I don't know my spring rates.

Yes, the non compliance parts make a serious difference, primarily if you are running R Compound tires and you are driving at 9/10's or more.

 

[SlipAngle79]

Awesome vid CL! Just had a cup of coffee and I wish my car was all ready to track and I lived on a road course! Don't you you think stock vs stock an NA2 type R would make work of a Coxster S? Not that we ever will have one in the states to do a comparo, but... Well anyway I cant wait to follow you around at Putnam, or anywhere for that matter

 

[R13]

Note: I read the title and skimmed the thread.

-I agree with the general assessment that a lightly modded NSX (suspension/tires) is REALLY close to a stock-ish Cayman S. I made a couple of PCA events last year and even running 215/255 Star Specs was able to keep pace with, slowly overtake, or slowly lose ground to (depending on tires/driver) several CS....also, the power/weight math works out.

-You always have to factor in the "driver mod", but that said, after you've been to the track enough, you get a sense for who's on your level, and who's WAY above.

-To that last point, I'd be morbidly curious to let Billy or someone who is known-fast drive my car on a track I know well (CMP for instance) just to see how slow I actually am. I figure if I can watch my own video and spot where I'm leaving plural seconds on the track, then you could probably double that gap for a legit pro.