How to get faster - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Apelsin · 11-05-2019, 07:04 AM

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.

i8ur911 · 11-05-2019, 07:12 AM

How fast are you compared to your local hot shoe Miatas guys?......and other similar power to weight ratio vehicles?

IMO there is no reason to starting spending a bunch on upgrades until you are as fast as (or close) others who are driving similar cars.

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i8ur911 · 11-05-2019, 07:29 AM

Another good gauge is if you have an 86Cup Series near you, you can see those lap times compared to yours.

If you're going to do any upgrades, my recommendation would be tires and then more seat time.

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BigTuna · 11-05-2019, 07:47 AM

There is NEVER a bad time to get a professional, or even more experienced driver, to coach you.

SCCA has the Track Night in America program and they go to Charlotte for a track day every year. I know that's a great place to get coaching. I have a cousin who participated last year and loved it. I also have a buddy who instructs with them.

Most other organizations have instructors that may or may not be included in the track day price, you just have to ask!

TunaNoCrust · 11-05-2019, 08:09 AM

coaching > than absolutely ANY vehicle modifications!

Where are you located? There are lots of great clubs in New England that have exceptional coaches. COMSCCC.ORG would be my number 1, and then probably SCDA.

You want an instructor in the car with you. It will be a night and day difference.

Mr.ac · 11-05-2019, 09:20 AM

The best money spent is coaching.
Till you have someone next to you to telling your fualts you never knew you where doing, that pays for itself right there.

NoHaveMSG · 11-05-2019, 09:37 AM

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNAF5pAQENI[/ame]

Takumi788 · 11-05-2019, 10:29 AM

I raced dirt cars very successfully for 10 years since I was 14 years old. Sometimes winning multiple track championships at different tracks in the same year. I thought I was a great driver.

When I started getting a little busier with work and family life I gave it up and started doing NASA track days with my FRS. I got slapped in the face with so much reality. My instructor (required with NASA for HPDE 1) was in his late 60s. He taught me so much in three days and I quickly realized I knew nothing about performance driving.

I have now been tracking for 6 years and am an instructor/coach myself. I still take other instructors out on track with me as much as I can for feedback. Never stop learning.

i8ur911 · 11-05-2019, 10:37 AM

On top of "coaching", I'd recommend getting something like an AiM Solo and reviewing your data. Also, ask other drivers that your friends with to overlay their data with yours. This can be very eye opening (data in general).

Takumi788 · 11-05-2019, 10:38 AM

Other info for OP.

If you replace your tires. Just get a good 200 tw tire. R-comps require a lot of attention. Starting with a 200 tw tire in oem size on your oem tire is a good foot in the door and guarantees no rubbing issues.

If you must replace your suspension buy the best you can afford. RCE Tarmac II is a great option as well as the new 949 racing Xidas.

How many track days have you been to? If you want send me a video of you driving. I would be happy to critique what I can.

Takumi788 · 11-05-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i8ur911

On top of "coaching", I'd recommend getting something like an AiM Solo and reviewing your data. Also, ask other drivers that your friends with to overlay their data with yours. This can be very eye opening (data in general).

Good one! Have the coach show you how to read data properly.

Also, there is a bunch of literature out there. Speed Secrets Ultimate by Ross Bently is my favorite. I read is every off-season.

Icecreamtruk · 11-05-2019, 10:42 AM

Coaching is good, not all coaches are good coaches, not all of them are focused on making you faster, some only know how to make you safer.

Mods are great as well, I believe improving the car along with the driver is a more effective way than to try and squeeze every ounce of performance of an otherwise stock car before changing anything.

TommyW · 11-05-2019, 10:59 AM

Driver mod> everything else (Brake fluid aside)

steverife · 11-05-2019, 11:44 AM

I'm going to go a bit against the grain and encourage anyone that wants to mod to do so.

Mods are fun and that is why we do this stuff. And learning to set up and adjust a car is a big part of being as fast as you can be.

Just be realistic about what you want to ultimately accomplish and made sure that you are buying good parts that will help you achieve that goal.

11-05-2019, 07:04 AM	#1
Apelsin Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Drives: Jeep Location: Mid atlantic Posts: 34 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How to get faster 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.

11-05-2019, 07:47 AM	#4
BigTuna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Location: Ohio Posts: 672 Thanks: 258 Thanked 477 Times in 275 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	There is NEVER a bad time to get a professional, or even more experienced driver, to coach you. SCCA has the Track Night in America program and they go to Charlotte for a track day every year. I know that's a great place to get coaching. I have a cousin who participated last year and loved it. I also have a buddy who instructs with them. Most other organizations have instructors that may or may not be included in the track day price, you just have to ask! __________________ 2013 WRB "Build" Thread

11-05-2019, 09:20 AM	#6
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The best money spent is coaching. Till you have someone next to you to telling your fualts you never knew you where doing, that pays for itself right there. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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11-05-2019, 08:09 AM	#5
TunaNoCrust Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Drives: 86, 981S, RX8, 2500HD, GenesisV8 Location: Palmer Motorsports Posts: 119 Thanks: 82 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	coaching > than absolutely ANY vehicle modifications! Where are you located? There are lots of great clubs in New England that have exceptional coaches. COMSCCC.ORG would be my number 1, and then probably SCDA. You want an instructor in the car with you. It will be a night and day difference.

11-05-2019, 10:42 AM	#12
Icecreamtruk Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Drives: Track preped NA FRS Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 987 Thanks: 1,056 Thanked 680 Times in 405 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Coaching is good, not all coaches are good coaches, not all of them are focused on making you faster, some only know how to make you safer. Mods are great as well, I believe improving the car along with the driver is a more effective way than to try and squeeze every ounce of performance of an otherwise stock car before changing anything.

11-05-2019, 10:59 AM	#13
TommyW Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: '13 Whiteout Location: San Clemente Posts: 1,491 Thanks: 496 Thanked 1,242 Times in 673 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Driver mod> everything else (Brake fluid aside)

11-05-2019, 11:44 AM	#14
steverife Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Drives: 2016 Scion FRS Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 457 Thanks: 52 Thanked 275 Times in 181 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm going to go a bit against the grain and encourage anyone that wants to mod to do so. Mods are fun and that is why we do this stuff. And learning to set up and adjust a car is a big part of being as fast as you can be. Just be realistic about what you want to ultimately accomplish and made sure that you are buying good parts that will help you achieve that goal.

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