Track car question
 

Hello and thanks in advance for your help and input.

Looking at a new GR86 for a track day/HPDE car to learn and develop my skills. It won’t be a daily driver for me. There is a track near me in Texas that offers a membership so have relatively easy access.

I’m curious what mods will be required to the car. At first maybe just coilovers/camber adjustment and perhaps brake pads or brake kit? What about oil/engine cooling? Brake cooling? It’s obviously very hot here in the summer. Trying to evaluate how much I will have to put into the car so that it is reliable and fun. I understand over time I may want some mods that are more about speed but for now what would I need for reliability, consistency and safety on the track?

Also trying to see how much I will have to invest up front. I’ve tried looking at other options and keep coming back to this car. I’m too tall for a Miata with roll bar I believe without some serious mods. I love cars but I’m not a mechanic or that handy so I also do not want or couldn’t handle a project. Thanks for the help!!!

Brake pads and good fluid. Camber bolts or camber plates for the front. An
Oil cooler can’t hurt even though there are some that would disagree. Leave the stock tires on for awhile and learn car control before putting on stickier tires. If they have a skid pad use that as much as possible. The car is pretty damn good out of the box.

Brake pads, brake fluid.
SPC 81305 bolts into the bottom strut holes, and replace the OEM top bolts with the OEM bottom bolts you pulled out.

Primacy HP's are pretty good to learn car control on, if you get the base GR86. Use them till they are shredded!

what's your experience/skill level?

sounds more like you need the driver mod before you'll need any vehicle mods.

Interesting about the bolts how much - camber can you get?

Re: experience level
 

I have maybe half a dozen track days. I know I don’t need speed enhancements because I’m the limiting factor. That’s why I was mainly asking about camber to help with tire wear/cost and brakes and oil overheating so I could spend time learning without worrying about overheating in the Texas summer. Want to be able to drive and practice and learn without too much worry about damaging the car or losing brakes if that makes sense. I don’t mind spending some money to make sure I can enjoy and make the most of the time I have on track.

Just do what was suggested and you'll be fine.

-2.0 to -2.3

Pretty decent for a couple of dollars invested.

100% agree. Got same range.

Later I added pedders top hat for $150.
Finished with -3.0 with an affordable solution

Agree with most of the comments. Pad, fluid, camber bolts, ARP wheel studs bolts.

I am driving in Texas summer as well.
We are tracking with some days near 100F . I got an Oil Cooler since my oil temperature readings were around 270F and 4psi idle oil pressure. I decided for that investment, just in case.
I put around 7500 track miles with no issues.

PM me if you want more details. Happy to help.

Just in case this wasn't clear to others, you were talking about a gen.1 car.

Yes, gen 1 car.