Input Fellow Primers!! Really want to Track my NA1

[NSXGT-R]

Hi guys, just wondering what your thoughts are on taking my NSX and using it for a track weekend to finally try to obtain an amateur racing license. The car will be bone stock other than Downforce AIS, Gruppe M ver.3, and most likely I will have my Cantrell header and ECU tune by then. I am planning on a new set of stock brake pads, and factory solaris silver wheels. The car has 110 000 miles with updated scheduled maintenance (TB and WP done at 95000 miles). TCS is not working at all. I also have a set of 17 and 18 staggered BBS LM wheels. Should I use these wheels with thicker rubber rather than the OEM solaris wheels??

Should I take the plunge?? Any other pieces of advice?? Is it difficult to drive our cars on a track?? Should I get anything else that would make a huge difference (excluding anything tranny related)?? There will be driving instructors in the passenger seat with me, teaching me how to drive as well as in class tutorials. It's a 3 day event and supposedly it is supposed to be a great way to learn how to performance drive.

I really want to do this, I just want some advice from those who are knowledgable. Thanks so much everyone and I wish everyone a great holiday season for you and your families.

Tom

 

[CL65 Captain]

Hi guys, just wondering what your thoughts are on taking my NSX and using it for a track weekend to finally try to obtain an amateur racing license. The car will be bone stock other than Downforce AIS, Gruppe M ver.3, and most likely I will have my Cantrell header and ECU tune by then. I am planning on a new set of stock brake pads, and factory solaris silver wheels. The car has 110 000 miles with updated scheduled maintenance (TB and WP done at 95000 miles). TCS is not working at all. I also have a set of 17 and 18 staggered BBS LM wheels. Should I use these wheels with thicker rubber rather than the OEM solaris wheels??

Should I take the plunge?? Any other pieces of advice?? Is it difficult to drive our cars on a track?? Should I get anything else that would make a huge difference (excluding anything tranny related)?? There will be driving instructors in the passenger seat with me, teaching me how to drive as well as in class tutorials. It's a 3 day event and supposedly it is supposed to be a great way to learn how to performance drive.

I really want to do this, I just want some advice from those who are knowledgable. Thanks so much everyone and I wish everyone a great holiday season for you and your families.

Tom

If you have OEM wheels, use them. You will coat the wheels with brake dust in one day and I'm sure the LMs are a PITA to clean. I'm guessing the LMs are also heavier.

If you haven't ordered your brake pads yet, I suggest getting Hawk HP+ front and rear instead of the OEMs. OEMs suck on the track and will fade if you use them hard in 3-4 laps. The last thing you want to be worrying about on the track is your brakes. :tongue:

I hear people say, "but I'm a novice". It's the novices that tend to over brake and over heat pads more so than an advanced driver who knows how to get on and off the brakes and not threshold brake for EVERY turn. To be honest, I'm a strong advocate of track pads for the track and street pads for the street. If you are comfortable changing your own pads, then skip the combo pads like the HP+ and get a set of Carbotech XP10 front & XP8s rear or Cobalt Friction XR2/3. Both of which you can drive to/from the track safely, etc. They dust a lot, so even though they are OK to drive on the street they will dust and squeal. So swap back to street pads when you get home.

Otherwise, don't worry about modifying your car. There are drivers who can run laps around novices in high $$$ sports cars in Grandma's bone stock 1997 Toyota Camry, which goes to show you that the most important mod is the nut behind the wheel.

Have fun!

Jim

 

[FXMDBilly]

I HIGHLY recommend baffling your oil pan. The STMPO oil pan baffle from Ross seems to be working very well and we are undergoing further testing of this baffle.

The LMs are pretty heavy, but i'm sure they are wider (better). For the future, the Enkei RPF1 is a great bang/buck. 17x8 and 18x9.5 is a very popular size. Similarly tire sizes: either 215/40-17 front or 235/40-17 with 265/35-18 or 275/35-18 rears. The Dunlop Star Spec is one of the highest performing street tires out there and are at a great price point.

A good set of suspension is a good investment later down the line. A good alignment is also very important and can greatly affect how well (or poorly) your car handles and how easy it is to drive.

Other than the baffle, I would say get as much seat time with a well respected instructor as possible. I will also caution you to beware of all of the "instructors" -since it seems everyone and their mom feel they are good enough to instruct and more often than not, there is a lot of bad advice from inexperienced 'instructors' out there.

Don't worry, don't be scared, but be selective and find a good person to work with you, let alone drive your car. The NSX is a GREAT track car, very responsive, fun to drive, and rewarding driving experience.


Billy

 

[CL65 Captain]

I HIGHLY recommend baffling your oil pan. The STMPO oil pan baffle from Ross seems to be working very well and we are undergoing further testing of this baffle.

The LMs are pretty heavy, but i'm sure they are wider (better). For the future, the Enkei RPF1 is a great bang/buck. 17x8 and 18x9.5 is a very popular size. Similarly tire sizes: either 215/40-17 front or 235/40-17 with 265/35-18 or 275/35-18 rears. The Dunlop Star Spec is one of the highest performing street tires out there and are at a great price point.

A good set of suspension is a good investment later down the line. A good alignment is also very important and can greatly affect how well (or poorly) your car handles and how easy it is to drive.

Other than the baffle, I would say get as much seat time with a well respected instructor as possible. I will also caution you to beware of all of the "instructors" -since it seems everyone and their mom feel they are good enough to instruct and more often than not, there is a lot of bad advice from inexperienced 'instructors' out there.

Don't worry, don't be scared, but be selective and find a good person to work with you, let alone drive your car. The NSX is a GREAT track car, very responsive, fun to drive, and rewarding driving experience.


Billy

I'll second Billy's idea of a baffled oil pan. Cheap insurance.

On the subject of instructors.... there are a lot of guys that are good drivers but can't instruct and also a lot of good instructors that can't drive. :tongue: The most important thing is to find someone who you feel comfortable with and have good CRM (Crew Resource Management :wink: ie you play well together).

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Go for it! It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Get a feel for your car in its current form, then add mods as your skills increase. I just wished I took a 3 day track course prior to hitting the track for the first time. You will surely have a blast:biggrin: