T(h)or's GT86 hammer (Europe) - essential track setup

[Tor]

Thanks for the tips @Rich196!

With instruction, I meant more like a guided lap from a pro that knows the track and can tell me dos and don'ts and what de/compressions to be extra careful with. Not so much to be faster, but to be safer. I do subscribe to Dale both on youtube and facebook and saw a lot of his videos already and follow his Milltek GT86 ventures with great interest.

It's really different to watch YouTube videos now that I've driven there myself. I can much better relate to what I see. Also, I found a great old game (I don't have a console or a new gaming PC). "rFactor" from 2006. So hopefully that will help me find my way next time. I would have gone today, but it's raining.

Found this website too, for those who read german:
http://www.nordschleife-erfahren.de/...antoniusbuche/

Originally Posted by Rich196

Also BBK wise. I have coming next week a AP kit:
AP9200 calliper
330x28mm disc, fully floating
Only a very small brake bias change.

£1600 GBP. Link is below. I will give you some feedback when I get it if you are interested:

http://www.reyland.co.uk/subaru-impreza/

Sorry if I have taken over your thread!

That's a good price! Yes please, on the feedback.

No worries, all good info and this is what discussion forums are for.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Tor

I guess I didn't express myself accurately. I hope to make a low 2:30 because I improve as a driver. Hence, with "next year" I meant over the next season. And it just started, so let's see in October if I made it or not.

Originally Posted by Tor

Also, I think my priorities for 2017 may have changed. I probably won't be going that much on the GP circuit anymore.

Too bad you won't be going that much anymore in the GP circuit . I was waiting if you could improve your times with the different changes and dyno improvements . Personally, I was thinking that it would not be easy. Anyway, I hope to you all the best in the Nordschleife.

My only remark is the following. I believe that you'll need to change your driving technique. The difficulty of this track is much higher and it is much more complex trying to turn fast and at the same time heel-toe correctly. Check here another technique where the driver is downshifting sooner, when the steering wheel is still straight. In this case the balance of the car is not lost and you can downshift without heel-toe. This helps you to focus more on braking correctly and having on each corner a good speed and line.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2To_5XjIaMk&t=4s"]Subaru WRX STI sedan Nurburgring record lap with Tommi Mäkinen - on-board footage - YouTube[/ame]

[Tor]

I don't have any updates on my car and wasn't on track since the last posts. Well, not in real life....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Iuvsgy_K8&feature"]Assetto Corsa / Oculus Rift VR - GT86 vs. real life GT86 comparison - YouTube[/ame]

[Tor]

Upgrade to my gas pedal. Raises it up to be level with the brake pedal.

I'm a bit unsure if it's too much, but I wanted to try it out:

[Edit: the mod was installed for 20 mins and then sold again]

[Tor]

I finally got on the track again.

Otherwise, I've been pretty busy the last few months and didn't do any activities or modifications to the car. Except continuing to tune the ECU and I'm now very pleased with the result and feel it's pretty much squared off.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEju0bLhKCw"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEju0bLhKCw[/ame]

[BayBRZ]

How are the ST XTA's on track? For that price point, would you consider any other coilover or damper/spring combo?

[Tor]

Originally Posted by BayBRZ

How are the ST XTA's on track? For that price point, would you consider any other coilover or damper/spring combo?

I only have experience with the XTAs. As far as the 6/5 spring rates go, I actually like them. For what it's worth, the Australian GT86 series runs the same spring rates too but of course with a lot better dampers (MCA).

I think the dampers could be better. The rebound adjustability is quite good, with a noticeable difference between soft and hard. Also in the harder range, there is a lot of difference between each click. But they are rather uncomfortable on bad roads anyway. I suppose this is because of how the compression dampening is preset. Someone posted some shock dynos of the Greddy coilovers (same as the XTA), and I find it a bit disappointing that the compression dampening seems to be linear.

At some point, I would like to exchange the dampers for the dual adjustable KW V3 dampers, with the fronts revalved to fit the 6 kg springs.

[BayBRZ]

Seems like the Greddy's and the newer XTAs have 6/7 FR rather than 6/5 FR - they must've revamped it

[Tor]

Originally Posted by BayBRZ

Seems like the Greddy's and the newer XTAs have 6/7 FR rather than 6/5 FR - they must've revamped it

According to they guy who made the dyno chart, Greddy delivered his set with 6/5 spring and sent him 6/7 afterward. Something to be aware off, don't know if they changed that since. The XTAs are still 6/5 as they always were as far as I know.

[Tor]

I'm still alive, and so is my car.

I didn't do a lot of the things I wanted to in 2017. But a few day ago I finally managed to get around to washing my car (had been several months!). After washing it, I wasn't too happy with how the paint looked. So one thing led to another and I ended up claying, compounding, polishing and waxing it. So at least I managed that goal which is something I wanted to do for a long time!

So why is he posting blurred selfies, you might ask?

Well, this is actually the hood:



And drivers door:



A few more:

Think I only did until the mirror in this photo, or it's just some camera effect after it.


There where soooo many swirls at this place before that almost drove me nuts to look at it.


This was after compounding only... It looks terrible in this picture compared to now:



Praying for sunshine the next days so I can get some good shots outside. The iPhone photos in my dark garage don't do it justice.

[DustinS]

Originally Posted by Tor

So one thing led to another and I ended up claying, compounding, polishing and waxing it.

Looks amazing! Quick Question. Is the paint a one stage?

[Tor]

Originally Posted by DustinS

Looks amazing! Quick Question. Is the paint a one stage?

The paint is clearcoat on top of a basecoat. I'm not a paint expert, but I think single stage automotive paint hasn't been widely used for a lot of years.

All paint corrections are done in the clearcoat. There is no paint transfer to the buffing pads while compounding or polishing.

iPhone pictures in a darkish garage don't really show just how good it looks. I have to go into my garage several times per day just to look at it.

This was my first try with a machine polisher and I am thrilled about the result and how easy it was. If one is willing to put the time into it by gaining the required theoretical knowledge, anyone can do it.

[DustinS]

Originally Posted by Tor

The paint is clearcoat on top of a basecoat. I'm not a paint expert, but I think single stage automotive paint hasn't been widely used for a lot of years.

That is what I thought. I was told it was a one stage and I couldn't believe it haha. Thanks!

[Tor]

As promised, some outside shots of my results:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvnde_0X6Ic"]Freshly detailed GT86... :-) - YouTube[/ame]