Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[raul]

Originally Posted by nyfries

I see ppl using a seperate lap belt in autocross in addition to the 3 point seatbelts what are those call?

Those are called whatever strap with a buckle you can find that fits around you and the seat lol.

[fatalelement]

Originally Posted by troek

yeah, i agree, OEM seat belts are designed for your torso to move forward to some extent to prevent your hips from sliding under the lap belt. Just jam your left foot into the floor and push back more . The takata street belt with ASM tech. is also very appealing and not a horrible price.

I have Schroth's Rallye Cross belts in mine on a harness bar; they come in red and match the interior. Nice harnesses. DOT approved and also ASM. Dunno if I'd actually want to be in a street crash wearing one but on the track it's 800x better than stabilizing with your knees.

[troek]

Well it sounds like you have a propper set up from my understanding, you go all out or stick with oem set up, safety in mind that is. I cant wait to get the takata street belt so i can stop jamming my knees in the dash lol.

[THEmailman]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

Please don't do this; it keeps the lap belt from preventing submarining.

How so?

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by THEmailman

How so?

In a crash the belt is designed with the expectation that your torso will start forward first. This motion locks the ratchet on the belt at which point all your torso's forward motion is pulling the lap belt tighter. As the lap belt cinches down it pulls your butt into the seat; you end up with a very tight belt (tighter than you can get it normally) holding the hinge of your body into the seat. Additionally, the pre-tensioner will fire before you start moving in a wreck. This doesn't change the dynamics of your torso/hip hinge being yanked into the seat; it simply reduces the amount of movement that your body does.

By twisting the belt you are changing a couple of things. First and foremost, the lap belt will no longer be tightening to let your torso move. Your torso will not move as much and can much more easily start to slide under the lap belt. Add onto that that your torso will now be taking the full brunt of the pre-tensioner pyro technics and you are more likely to have secondary injuries to your chest such as broken ribs and such (assuming you even get to the point of caring about that after your liver and kidneys are mashed going under the seat belt).

[BRZ-One]

Thanks for the excellent thread..
Spent way too many hours reading through it...

@ some point there was a small conversation about vented hoods.
The hood scoops, I understand that it does not apply to our applications, except for those of us with blowers ...

I've been looking at hoods for several weeks now & can't really make a decision. Was hoping that someone had some experience with the available options on the market.

Looking the Seibon DV - seems like it would vent heat more efficiently than the other available options..
www.ft86speedfactory.com/seibon-carbon-fiber-hood-dv-509.html

The VS is the 2nd option I had my eyes on, I actually like the style more than the DV - but then again the DV appears more efficient..
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/seib...od-vs-510.html

Then there's the TS, the styling is interesting..
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/seib...od-ts-512.html

Probably anyone of the options would be an improvement, just looking for a little insight before making a final decision.

[redlined600]

Hour many hours should I expect track pads to last (dtc-60 or like) assuming 140-200 tread wear tire, other wise stock.

Are there any other wheels more budget friendly than rpf1s that can handle track duty?

Just trying to budget for the year

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by redlined600

Hour many hours should I expect track pads to last (dtc-60 or like) assuming 140-200 tread wear tire, other wise stock.

Are there any other wheels more budget friendly than rpf1s that can handle track duty?

Just trying to budget for the year

Sprint races or just HPDE sessions?

[redlined600]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Sprint races or just HPDE sessions?

Hpde

[juliog]

Originally Posted by BRZ-One

I've been looking at hoods for several weeks now & can't really make a decision. Was hoping that someone had some experience with the available options on the market.

At the track, on NA cars, the data I've collected suggests slightly lower engine coolant temps (5-7F). No obvious impact on oil temps (though probably quicker to cool off).

The fitment of Seibon hoods is very hit or miss. I have the DV, and fitment is far from perfect, you can tell it's not perfectly symmetric with the naked eye. But others have got nearly perfect hoods. IDK about other brands.

Also, if you are going to track the car you will want hood pins for safety. Before I installed the aero catch pins, my hood was visibly trying to lift when going over ~85 MPH.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by redlined600

Hpde

It depends on driver skill, but if you're getting less than 4 hours out of your pads, you should probably upgrade.

[swarb]

how do I preload a sway bar? or endlink adjustment advice? preload coilovers? toe arms needed front and rear for 1.5inch drop? recommend some brands?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by swarb

how do I preload a sway bar? or endlink adjustment advice? preload coilovers? toe arms needed front and rear for 1.5inch drop? recommend some brands?

Google... those are a lot of highly technical topics that you can write books about. I need more specific questions if you want specific answers.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Are these cars really as delicate as I'm being lead to believe when used for Auto-X/HPDE work? This is my DD since ditching the dedicated track car, so I want to use this to do the occasional HPDE/Auto-X.


Being in OK with our super hot summers, I'll definitely put on a big oil cooler and run something like Amsoil Dominator 5w-30, duct the radiator/front brakes.


Are there other real weak spots like sway bar tabs/mounting points? Front hubs? Etc?


I come from the BMW/Miata world previously so I'm familiar with the what to strengthen when track those cars, but I'm still trying to learn about these, from guys that actually use them hard vs hard parking in the local parking lot on Friday night.


Previous track rat (on ASTs/Wilwoods/etc):