Prepping an Automatic 86 for 86Cup
 

Looking to get involved in the SoCal 86 Cup Stock Class, but I'm worried about doing some mods in preparation for hot track days with an automatic transmission. The main tracks in the series are: Buttonwillow, Streets of Willow, and Chuckwalla (all hot desert tracks).

I only want to do whats necessary to get started and make more decisions as I get more experience driving the car.

I think this is my shortlist of things I need:
- GT Radial SX2 tires (on stock rims)
- Brake pads (open to suggestions)
- Stark Automatic Trans cooler + thermostat (worried about overcooling during daily driving)
- Oil Cooler (Greddy vs. Jackson racing radiator/oil cooler two-in-one, or open to suggestions)

I'm open to suggestions regarding all the above options. I just want to maintain proper cooling, get decent beginner tires, and brake pads that can hold up to track days.

I do not plan to autocross. Thanks!

How much prior track experience do you have?

While you're doing the brake pads some better brake fluid wouldn't hurt either.

The cooling mods seem like a no-brainer unless you're going to be taking a ton of breaks and closely monitoring oil/coolant temps.

Brake pads: Winmax W5
Brake fluid: Pmu GFour-355 or Endless RF-650
Camber bolts: Whiteline or SPC
Oil Cooler: Majority run the Jackson Racing Oil Cooler. The Greddy will work well too. No need for the dual oil/radiator cooler.

I have seen boosted AT's without ATF cooler run 86cup with no issues.

Contact Counterspace Garage. They are a series sponsor and will be able to guide you and give you a great deal on what you need for your first 86Cup. Message CSG_Mike or CSG_David :)

Pretty much everything mixxxx said. See you out there :thumbup:

What year is your car?

Its a 2017.

I also had some other questions regarding the Socal 86 Cup Stock series. Am I allowed to run an aftermarket seat? Or does that count against me as weight reduction?

Can I run a coolshirt system? I believe that would be classed under driver safety and cost me 0 pts. It would add to my overall car weight.

What does a typical race day itinerary look like? For example, when there is a race at Buttonwillow, what should I expect, from beginning to end? Driver safety course... how much track time, how much time between, etc.

You should be okay without a trans cooler in stock class

- Aftermarket seat is not allowed unless you also have a proper harness and roll bar.

- Cool suit is 100% permissible!

- "typical" schedule

-- Track gates open at 6AM
-- Registration open by 7AM
-- Driver's meeting advanced at 7:30AM
-- Driver's meeting everyone else at 8AM
-- Track hot for Advanced groups at 8AM
-- Typically 4-6 different groups (by skill), varies by organizer and venue
-- 4-6 sessions on track, 20-30 minutes each varies by organizer and venue) 60-100 minutes between sessions
-- Typically, sessions 2-3-4 (sometimes 5 on a 6 session day) count toward results.
-- Results are fastest time of the day in qualifying sessions
-- 86CUP awards between 4:30 and 5:30PM (exact time varies with venue)

How hot should I expect to get in the cabin during a session? Trying to piece together whether or not I need a coolsuit. I know there are a lot of factors in play, but I run mostly desert tracks as stated in my OP. Would hate myself sitting in 120 degrees for 20-30 minutes at a time.

I've heard that 86Cup Socal Stock is a very competitive segment. Is it the right segment for a beginner to start in? 0 track experience, unless you count Mario Kart.

None, this would be my introduction to track events. I don't want to unnecessarily mod my car in excess of my skill level, just want to cover the basics in order to keep my components safe (oil cooler, brakes, tires, etc.).

In-cabin temps will vary depending on where you measure, particularly at speed. The trans tunnel will get pretty warm in the summer months.

Depending on the time of the year, as you know, 115F+ ambient isn't unheard of, but even then, the stock cooling system is more than sufficient (with an oil cooler of course).

It's competitive, because the cars are virtually identical! It is, IMO, the optimal place for a beginner to start, because you 100% know that your car can do what the front runner's cars can do!

This thread is why I'm worried about the ATF temps. I don't want to damage my auto transmission as this is my daily driver. I'm hoping to get 100-200k miles out of this car as a daily and 1x/month track car.

Is there any data for ATF temps running stock coolers under load (track days). @Sithspawn posted his temps from some of his runs, and pre-cooler he was getting quite hot. Your take on this?

The only data I can give you is that the few AT cars we've seen have mostly been double dutied, and have not had issue.

Getting an external cooler with a thermostatic provision isn't a bad idea, but it just may be cheaper to replace transmissions if you have a failure; used transmissions are very cheap.

-you are on the right track (pun intended) in running stock class and improve driver mod. there is no better way to learn than to run with people who have been tracking the platform for years :)

-with regards to transmission, we have seen MT failures. we have NOT seen AT fail (we have members running Stock and Modified AT cars and daily the car as well no issues).