Quote:
Originally Posted by jamestown
CSG Mike!
I've read a lot of your posts and you have probably answered this somewhere already but here goes:
I currently have a camaro 1le that is very satisfying to drive on track. Unfortunately I've been having some reliability issues with the engine that are making me not want to own the car anymore. What is the point of having a capable car if it doesn't work??
I'm considering getting an frs to do say 5 track days a year over the next 5 years. My experience level and speed is somewhere between medium and high. Mods will be kept to a minimum and no power mods at all. I value reliability going forward and would plan to get 17x9 rpf1 +35, some 255 re-71r's, carbotech xp12/xp10 or equivalent, an oil cooler/oil temp and pressure gauges and whatever decent alignment I can get on the factory suspension.
Is this a good plan? Anything I'm missing? Is this car going to hold up for my needs? It's either that or maybe it is time for me to get out of tracking entirely.
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I'm 'a' Mike, does that count?
So everything Strat & Doc said with one caveat. What exactly are you looking to get out of the car? If you're just out to have fun, slap a set of 245/40-17's on 17x8 RPF1's (only 3oz heavier per corner than stock 215's), stainless lines, a good set of pads/fluid and have at it. You can still have ear to ear grins.
If you're really going to push and set out to do lots of very fast laps, yes, you're going to need to look into upgrades. You WILL kill the factory rotors in about 4k miles. I did it 3x like clockwork. You will also burn through even an endurance compound (like the PFC 08's) pad relatively quickly due to lack of adequate cooling. Look into the AP Racing Sprint Kit. The pads are roughly half the price as the ones for factory calipers, you save 20lbs of unsprung weight, get better braking and longevity.
These factors will depend greatly on the tracks you're driving too. Something like Poconos or the Glen have high speeds to bring it down from, but there's decent time between to cool. Conversely, Palmer or Thompson don't have much reprieve before you're on the binders again.
Also, what is your car background? Have you driven a momentum car on track? Coming from the 1LE, unless you go Forced Induction, don't get discouraged when (not if) people walk you on the straights. This car is all about the corners. It's an excellent platform to enhance any driver's skills because it is immediately apparent when you get something wrong or right and when you get it right, the reward is worth the price of admission!
Looks like you might be in my area. PM me if you're doing any local events. If I'm there I'll see about arranging a ride along so you can judge for yourself if it's what you're looking for. Personally, I couldn't be happier. You can't beat the
/$ ratio.