Preparing for my First Track Day/autocross in October, I want to spend some money
 

It occurred to me after my first canyon run why this car is so much fun to drive. (Not going fast just fades away) Prior to this its been mostly DD duties and straight open roads of CA. I admit, I am one of those people who think this car needs more power, but rather waste 3000-5000$ now on FI, I rather spend money on the car that will help me on the track. This way I can enjoy the car for what it is and what its designed to do. My daily commute got cut to down to 5 miles daily now that I have moved and take the train into work.

I know I am going to suck for a while and there is no need to get more power when in the beginning I will not be able to harness the power. So here are a few ideas that I think would help me while providing a good bang for your buck. I should have about 1000-1500$ to spend

-Keeping stock rims or finding a used set to be used as a dedicated track rim add Pilot Super Sport tires 225/17/45
-replace trans and diff fluid(had the car 18,000 miles and have not done so yet)
-brake pads(will switch out for track events and keep stock for daily)
-Replace brake fluids
-Replace brake lines with steel braided ones
-Oil Cooler maybe.

Anything else you guys can think of? Again I am looking for best bang for my buck that wont break the bank.

EDIT** I forgot to mention this is for fun and I am not looking to spend crazy amounts of money to squeeze every little bit. Rather save that $$$ for my track time.

take the money and use it for seat time! that is the best investment for you. if have never tracked before you will not push the limits of the car for while. at that time you would most likely be ready for tires and breaks.

^^^ I can't agree more. This car is just fine on the track stock if you are doing an HPDE event. Getting to push your car on the track will also help you identify what mods you want to make on your car first. Do you want more stopping power or do you want more grip in the turns first? Do you want better handling? Driving your car nearer it's limits will help you figure out the mods that are most important to you and your style.

Plus - the more seat time you have the better! Events are far and few between in the late fall and winter ... best to get some time in while you can!

Oh yeah - get a helmet! A decent one is going to run you 200 to 500 bucks!

What made you pick super sports for track?

Brake pads, brake fluid, brake lines, camber bolts.

And, a new set of tires when your current ones wear out. RS3's are what I'd recommend.

That'll bring your total to just about $1200. PM me for the brake and maintenance stuff.


@ the other posters: these are not performance adders. Rather, the purpose of my recommended mods is to prevent performance degradation on track. The last thing you want is for your brakes to fade when you're trying to slow down.

Yep, I agree with Mike. For a track day, you'll definitely want brake pads and fluid at the minimum, especially if you think you'll be pushing the car even close to its limits. I remember one of my first track days, I boiled the brake fluid and it was quite an experience not being able to brake when going 100+. Then the disappointment of having to cut your expensive track day short because you didn't prepare. (That was a different car, but universal concept). Better to be safe and prepared.

For autocross, you can run stock and be fine. It's not nearly as taxing on your brakes.

Also I run 100 octane at the track bc of the DI seal issue. If you're going to use CA 91 octane, I would get the latest TIR table fix and an oil cooler.

I guess I dont follow the question

I have an ecu tune which has the fix for the di seal

You said

-Keeping stock rims or finding a used set to be used as a dedicated track rim add Pilot Super Sport tires 225/17/45

Was curious why is all.

Because I am cheap and you can get good deals on a stock set without tires. But I may just save up for a lighter track dedicated wheel.

Light and cheap? RPF1.

Get fi

Yea I was thinking that. I think that will need to wait for spring time. My current tires should last through to the spring. This way I can do tires, rims, and springs together to save on labor :)

Why? That would just mask my mistakes. Driving principals are the same on the track in a slow car or fast car. Speed makes no difference.