Solo Spec Coupe (SCCA SSC) on track?

[dstrout]

Has anyone tried the SSC setup on a track circuit? I know autox and track are different, but the SSC parts from TireRack seem fairly generic, so I’m curious if an SSC car can do double duty.

[200hp/tonne]

Short answer: yes
In 2015 I basically had the same setup as an SSC: stock dampers, RCE yellows, Alignment bolts, 225 MPSS tires. Car was surprisingly quick at PittRace, I was in the beginner group for SCCA Track Night in America and kept up with pretty much everyone

[Shark_Bait88]

It should make for a pretty solid track setup. 17x8 w/ 225s is ideal for near stock power, the dampers and springs will stiffen things up a bit, camber is where it should be if you can run something like F -3 to -2.5 / R -2.5 to -2, and the oil cooler will let you manage temps. It's one of the reasons I wrote my letter to add the oil cooler allowance. It'd make for a great occasional track day car too.

[dstrout]

Cool - tyvm!

[Open Loop]

Hi everyone. My car is set up for SSC, and I have started doing track events and I am really liking it. I'd like to get better wheels / tires than what I am using now.


I am planning on getting RPF1's with RE71R's, but I have no idea what are the best sizes. 17x8 vs 17x9? 225/45 vs 245/40?


I am interested in what your thoughts are on the ideal wheel/tire size for track use in a Twin that is otherwise on the SSC kit.


Thanks!

[14stu]

I've got a friend who runs his SSC FRS at the track, it works great. Oil cooler is a must here in Texas, and I even run the Falken Azenis 615k+ on my STX BRZ at the track (I use the 255/40-17 because they're cheaper than the narrower tires). RE71r's are definitely faster, but the Falkens wear better and are fun on track (they don't overheat and are very communicative and progressive at the limits).

The Falkens are 1-2s slower than the RE71r's but last about twice as long on the track (if not more).

The SSC modifications are more than enough to have fun at the track (even a stock twin with brakes and tires is a hoot). I do recommend an oil cooler and if your track has long lefts, you might want to get a fuel flapper door (not technically legal, but you have to open the fuel tank to check for it and it would be a ridiculous thing to protest).

[Open Loop]

Originally Posted by 14stu

I've got a friend who runs his SSC FRS at the track, it works great. Oil cooler is a must here in Texas, and I even run the Falken Azenis 615k+ on my STX BRZ at the track (I use the 255/40-17 because they're cheaper than the narrower tires). RE71r's are definitely faster, but the Falkens wear better and are fun on track (they don't overheat and are very communicative and progressive at the limits).

The Falkens are 1-2s slower than the RE71r's but last about twice as long on the track (if not more).

The SSC modifications are more than enough to have fun at the track (even a stock twin with brakes and tires is a hoot). I do recommend an oil cooler and if your track has long lefts, you might want to get a fuel flapper door (not technically legal, but you have to open the fuel tank to check for it and it would be a ridiculous thing to protest).

Thanks - I agree that the ssc kit works well on the track. I have my heart set on cheater tires after having run them. I agree that they wear twice as fast as the Azinis.

I am interested in what size is best for such a setup.

[14stu]

225-235 on a 7", 225-245 on an 8", and 235-255 on a 9"

The wider sizes are better for tracks where you need max cornering g's and the narrower work better on tracks with longer straights and fewer hard corners/high speed sweepers.

I ruined a new set of RE71r's at a single trackday (I did set a PB that will be nearly impossible to beat on the Falkens though).

[Open Loop]

Originally Posted by 14stu

225-235 on a 7", 225-245 on an 8", and 235-255 on a 9"

The wider sizes are better for tracks where you need max cornering g's and the narrower work better on tracks with longer straights and fewer hard corners/high speed sweepers.

I ruined a new set of RE71r's at a single trackday (I did set a PB that will be nearly impossible to beat on the Falkens though).

It would mostly be for use at Pitt Race.

[14stu]

Originally Posted by Open Loop

It would mostly be for use at Pitt Race.

Looks like the sizing will be a wash, the straights and curves should pretty much balance each other out (at least on the full circuit).

Costs are about the same for 17x8 and 17x9 and you're looking at tire prices within $100 per set from the smallest to largest sizes. But you'll already have a set of 17x8 for SSC, and the 17x9 are more desirable if you need to sell them.

Personally, I'd go with a 17x9 and either a 245/40 or 255/40 for the RE71's (on the Falkens, there isn't a 245/40 and the 255 is actually cheaper than the spec 235 size). If you aren't competing for times, you won't notice the difference between the Falkens and the RE71r's as long as you don't run them back to back.

255/40-17 Falkens are $138 ($554 for the set) and the RS4 is $161 ($644) with the RE71r's coming in at $184 ($735) with free shipping. The Hankook RS4 should be in between the RE71r's and the Falkens for times, but closer to the Falkens in lifespan (I'm trying them out next set, but from what I've seen from others this info should hold up).

If you drop down to 245/40-17 the RE71r's are $170 ($677) with free shipping (usually about $60), and the RS4 $160 ($642) + shipping (all prices are from TireRack, the RE71r's are rarely discounted, and if they are it's from the manufacturer).

I'd go with the Falkens if you are still learning (not an instructor), the 255 RS4's if you are trying to impress someone, and the 245 RE71r's if you just have to run the Bridgestones (or if you are going to autox with a group that doesn't have the SSC class).

I've decided that the RE71r's wear too quickly for me at the track (I'd probably get better life out of the 100tw track tires). As far as fun goes, I do not have any more fun on the RE71r's than on the Falkens. Now, I run in Texas and it's hot here (not uncommon to be over 80F at sunrise this time of year and we get well into the triple digits). The RE71r's will overheat and get greasy here after a few laps at speed (3-4 and they start to fall off), while the Falkens will last nearly a full session (6-8 laps on a 1.5min course) before starting to get greasy (if I hit traffic, they cool down enough to last the whole session).

Everyone knows that the RE71r is a fast tire, so no one is surprised when you put down good laps with them. The RS4 and Falkens are 'real' 200TW tires, so when you turn a good lap with them you get more respect (plus it's cheaper). Now, if you are going for a PB or are in a Time Trial and you need that second, it might be worth double the tire cost to you (at that point, you might just want to step up to NT01's or Maxxis RC-1's).

In the end, it's your money and track time. I just know that I can do more events by going with the Falkens or RS4's and that's where my priorities are.

[conehead]

Hi all, first post!


I am looking to start an SSC build that is also used for HPDE, TT, and TA. I was really happy to see the final ruling included an oil cooler option and some more durable tires. But, I am concerned that the stock brakes will not be able to keep up with track duty. It seems that most track focused twins go for a pretty major brake upgrade, and the new ones even have the option from the factory. I have no real world info to make a decision. Thanks!

[14stu]

Originally Posted by conehead

Hi all, first post!


I am looking to start an SSC build that is also used for HPDE, TT, and TA. I was really happy to see the final ruling included an oil cooler option and some more durable tires. But, I am concerned that the stock brakes will not be able to keep up with track duty. It seems that most track focused twins go for a pretty major brake upgrade, and the new ones even have the option from the factory. I have no real world info to make a decision. Thanks!

Pads and fluids are sufficient, ducts are probably more beneficial than a bbk.

The stock brakes are actually quite good.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[conehead]

Originally Posted by 14stu

Pads and fluids are sufficient, ducts are probably more beneficial than a bbk.

The stock brakes are actually quite good.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Thanks, has anyone tried removable ducts like these from Rooducts?

[randyzimmer]

Hi. Testing so far has been really positive. There have been two updates to the design since the site's pictures. One thing that's been hard to fix is getting fresh air to the offside pistons on 4/6/8 pot calipers. All I've been able to do is churn the air while moving but sitting in the paddock, even with brushless fans, the fluid temp starts rising and the pedal needs a pump once moving again. What I'm trying to say is that having a slider with all the pistons toward the fresh air seems to be a plus for cooling.