How to get faster

[Racecomp Engineering]

The question is: Do you want to go around the track faster or do you want to be a better driver?

They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but you can go boatloads faster without actually improving your skills. It depends on your goals. I do think a (properly) modified car is more fun and can help you focus on driving more than dealing with the car's limitations, but you're only going to get better incrementally without coaching.

- Andrew

[Apelsin]

Thanks for your replies. It sounds like almost everyone recommends coaching before mods or in addition to mods. But do you mean instructors, which are basically available for free or pro coaches, which are like $1000 a day? instructors are great, they helped me a lot to a certain point. They also understandably didnt sign up to seat in a passenger seat and see how far you can push the car

[Apelsin]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

The question is: Do you want to go around the track faster or do you want to be a better driver?

They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but you can go boatloads faster without actually improving your skills. It depends on your goals. I do think a (properly) modified car is more fun and can help you focus on driving more than dealing with the car's limitations, but you're only going to get better incrementally without coaching.

- Andrew

I'd like that, a car which is more fun and helps focus on driving. But can you be more specific as to what exactly is a properly modified car?

[i8ur911]

Originally Posted by Apelsin

I'd like that, a car which is more fun and helps focus on driving. But can you be more specific as to what exactly is a properly modified car?

In my opinion the 2 biggest (best) upgrades to this chassis is proper suspension and proper tires. Those 2 alone can make big difference in not only lap times, but driver enjoyment.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[HaXx]

i hired a private racing instructor when i did a scda event at limerock in ct. the instructor came from monticello (private track in ny). he knows all the scda guys and the owner had no problem w me bringing a private coach. be careful who you get coaching from. during instructor laps, we watched from a hill, some of them made a mess of there driving, going off, etc. my private coach said if any instructor did that at monticello theyd be asked to go home for the day lol, theyre supposed to set an example of what TO do, not what NOT to do.

my friends scda instructor for the day was a guy in a white brz. he was one of the exceptional instructors that was terrific. his brz had hood vents, on coils/slicks, normal aspiration/header and tune. not sure if hes on here.

[TommyW]

One thing to consider is until you have great car control with the nannies off don't put sticky tires on. They break away at much higher speeds and it's better to have breakaway while going slower. Sticky tires mean body roll then that means changing suspension to some degree

The 86 platform is just so balanced out of the box

[iLuveKetchup]

"Pro" coaching seems silly (unless this is for a 5yr old on karts with aspirations to be in F1). Just have a more experience driver ride along and/or become a passenger for a session. Watch a ton of videos. Keep it simple and fun.

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

"Pro" coaching seems silly (unless this is for a 5yr old on karts with aspirations to be in F1). Just have a more experience driver ride along and/or become a passenger for a session. Watch a ton of videos. Keep it simple and fun.

You don't need a "pro" all you need is a dude/chick that has way more track time and fast times just teach you some tips.

[TommyW]

Most track days offer free coaching

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Most track days offer free coaching

Depends on where you are from. I haven't seen any free coaching up here. When I went down to NorCal it was a much different experience then all the track day organizations up here.

[Apelsin]

Originally Posted by HaXx

i hired a private racing instructor when i did a scda event at limerock in ct. the instructor came from monticello (private track in ny).

How much did you pay? How did the experience compare to driving with an imstructor?

[strat61caster]

I've had some brilliant volunteer instructors, I've had some where I got what I paid for. Check out driving schools, on the East coast I'm only aware of Team O'Neil but I'm sure there's more. If you like autox at all there's likely an Evo school nearby sometime next year.

imho change it up, I feel like every time I change the car and I adapt I become a better driver, even if I'm slower because of the change I learned something and carry it with me. Alignment is the biggest thing for me playing with street cars, who cares what suspension you have if the tires are pointed in crap directions? You can make cheap tweaks, tire pressures, try 5lbs different at one end, go out for a session, adapt, toe changes are free, an adjustable swaybar is pretty affordable, try different tires when you wear out old ones instead of just buying the same thing over and over, hell a pair of wheel spacers could transform the car into a different animal. You do you, have fun.

[cjd]

Coaching never gets old.

That said, get some negative camber up front. Camber bolts are cheap, and even a little helps a ton...

It'll be a different car, almost.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Apelsin

So, i got an 86 this year and did a bunch of track days. I enjoyed it and improved a lot with practice but eventually hit a plateau. The car is currently 100% stock (except race pads and 200 tw tires). I am wondering if it is time to get some pro coaching? Or shoukd i try to modify the car first? In your experience, how much difference in lap times should i expect from tire and suspension mods (not interested in power mods)
1. 215 vs 225 vs 245 tire
2. how about 200 tw vs r compound
3. Stock suspension vs $1,500 coilovers vs $3,000 coilovers
Also, how effective is pro coaching and who would you recommend on east coast.

Coaching is a major part of my income. I woudn't be able to do it for a living, if I did not consistently deliver results whether I'm coaching pros racing in IMSA/WEC, or weekend warriors doing track days.

Driver mod will ALWAYS pay off, whereas modding the car to "buy time" is literally just that: buying a faster time. If you're going to mod, do it to address shortcomings, or alter behaviors of the car you disilke. I think we'd both agree, you can drop time almost instantly by just throwing slicks on your car, but I don't think that's what you're looking for.

PM me and we can discuss your coaching needs, and see if I'm a potential good fit.

Do you already have data acquisition and video?