Upgrades and lap times

[Angrypuppy]

Tons of variables but do lap times improve with upgrades. Thinking about BBK, coilovers, and header/tune.

Is there any way to quantify the benefit? Does anyone have any personal experience with examples?

Just trying to get it all sorted in my head and build a priority list.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

Tons of variables but do lap times improve with upgrades. Thinking about BBK, coilovers, and header/tune.

BBK: No.
Coilovers: depends, but yeah, could be big gains here but obvi depends on *what* coilovers.
Header/tune: not much...

[strat61caster]

#1 tires
#2 alignment
#3 power
#4 suspension
#5 aero

[NoHaveMSG]

You stand to gain the most for the least cost with good tires and a decent alignment. Well, that and seat time.

BBK will reduce consumable cost over the long term. Performance wise, They didn't feel like they contributed anything more then confidence to me.

I can't really quantify the difference that coilovers made. I was improving too when I put them on, but they do help. That being said, you learn a lot driving stock suspension when it comes to managing weight transfer.

Power adders may add a few tenths here or there depending on the track.

[RhythmAddict0]

#1 driver mod
#2 tires

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[SlowCarFast]

Something no one has specifically talked about is brake performance, which will improve lap times. Performance (defined as stopping power and resistance to fade) is very important as long as your tires are optimal. You will need good fluid and pads at least to not be seeing fade that will destroy your lap times.

Obviously, tires are the limit to stopping power usually. But if OP is rocking the stock brakes, then tires will only get him so far.

BBK definitely helps with thermal mass and running costs, but these benefits should be marginal compared to just fluid, pads, and maybe rotors AFTER you get the best tires for you class or whatever.

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[Re_Invention]

I'm going to give you a BS forum answer. It isn't wrong, but probably not what you were fishing for.

Assuming your operating window is consistent (no overheating during the session, no brake fade during the session, etc.), you aren't fighting your car (e.g. wonky alignment, bad balance) - the only benefits to faster lap times I've found;

1) Ergonomics: doesn't matter your size or shape; everyone can benefit from being more comfortable. Get the right size and form fitted shoes, gloves, suit, helmet, HANS, seat, harness, belt lock, seat cushion, fire suppression, etc. etc. etc. Whatever you need to be comfortable physically and mentally and less distracted or distressed. Keep going granular down to where you know yourself in the car and can think freely about your breathing. Get the adrenaline to stop influencing you so much, get in the zone, and operate proactively instead of reactively (now you're looking 3 turns ahead). You'll get fast in a short of amount of time - at which point it isn't about if you'll have an off, but when, and how much it is going to hurt. Safety gear starts to take a more critical role in your budget now. As does #3 on the list.

2) Video/data gathering: get a view of yourself (hands/feet/head/wheel) and the track. Run two cameras if ya can. Overlay it with times and whatever analytics you can come up with. Watch yourself, compare, analyze. You'll be amazed how much you f*** up on each lap, let alone for the day. Start picking your track apart and focus on a couple of turns at a time.

In between runs I like to lay in my pop-up sun shade (part of #1) and run through a few laps with my eyes closed imaging my points. I've always turned faster lap times in the following session. Which is great.. and also lame (means there's more in the bag that I gotta pull out consistently!).

Not an upgrade but still a hit on your wallet:
3) Redundancies. You're going quick now; your consumables are going to go up and fast. Soon you'll be spending $750+ (amortized) every time you go out and start to wonder... what happened... How did you get here... WHY are you here...

Well... From there I'd say go bigger and stickier on the tires. But I hate to open that can of worms - expanding capacity in one category typically has a knock on effect to others; stickier tires means you could use more power means you could use larger brakes means you could also use more aero means you could run different suspension setup means etc. etc. etc. Before you know it you're $20k in mods in a $30k car that's now hacked to s*** and should've just started with a faster car to begin with. Although I hear ripping out the charcoal pre-filter in the airbox is good for 1 whp, so we got that going for us.

But seriously, don't look at performance parts to compensate for your driving craft. And definitely, absolutely, never take an internet strangers advice to heart.

Cheers!


The forum answer;
(1) comfortable helmet
(2) track pads w/RBF
(3) camber bolts/alignment
(4) catback/axelback [extra noise helps driving with your ears]
(5) tune [power on the straight can mask some issues everywhere else]

[Fletch]

Not sure why anyone hasn't suggested weight reduction? Tires and weight.

With a '22 I think the BBK probably depends on your speed. I managed to cook the 'recommended' pad/fluid/lines upgrade pretty easily. I wish I had gone straight for a BBK in the first place.

Also I think the '22 stock suspension is pretty damn good. Coilovers are low on my list.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

Tons of variables but do lap times improve with upgrades. Thinking about BBK, coilovers, and header/tune.

Is there any way to quantify the benefit? Does anyone have any personal experience with examples?

Just trying to get it all sorted in my head and build a priority list.

Yes, there is. Have a qualified individual quantify it for you.

I'm a dev driver for quite a few brands/companies, and am always available for hire.


The best mod is always driver mod.

[Icecreamtruk]

If you are asking this you arent in any position to benefit much from any of those upgrades. So start working on the best mod there is, driver mod.