ban25's Track Journal

ban25

Update 7/9/2020: SOLD!

The Z has a happy new owner who will take care of her for years to come!

Update 1/25/2020: FOR SALE!

The car is back up for sale by the current owner, located on the east coast in Florida.

Asking: $15,000
Mileage: 77,697

The car has been kept in excellent condition and the following changes have been made:

- New OEM Fuel Pump installed in 2017
- OS Giken clutch replaced with South Bend Stage 2 for smoother street operation
- Currently has street tires mounted, 2 spare RE-71Rs are included

If interested, PM me and I'll put you in touch with the current owner!

2017 Events:

• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 2/20/2017
• Thunderhill 3 Mile - OnGrid - 2/4/2017 - Missed due to rain
• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 1/15/2017

2016 Events:

• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 12/26/2016
• Buttonwillow CW13 - Speed Ventures - 12/17/2016 - 12/18/2016 (Video)
• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 10/14/2016 (Video)
• Buttonwillow CW13 - SpeedDistrict - 1/24/2016 (Video) (BOOM) (Post)
• Buttonwillow CW13 - SpeedDistrict - 1/23/2016 (Video)

2015 Events:

• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 12/27/2015
• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 12/26/2015 (Video)
• Thunderhill 3 Mile - Private Track Day - 12/13/2015 (Video)
• Buttonwillow CW13 - SpeedSF - 11/27/2015 (Video)
• Big Willow at WSIR - SpeedDistrict - 11/22/2015 - Missed due to mechanical failure
• Chuckwalla - Speed Ventures - 11/21/2015 - Missed due to mechanical failure
• Buttonwillow CW13 - SpeedDistrict - 11/20/2015 - Missed due to mechanical failure
• Auto Club Speedway - Speed Ventures - 11/07/2015 (Video)
• Big Willow at WSIR - SpeedDistrict - 10/18/2015 (Video)
• Laguna Seca - SpeedSF - 10/10/2015 (Video)
• Sonoma Raceway - SpeedSF - 10/5/2025 (Video)
• Thunderhill 5 Mile /w Bypass - Hooked on Driving - 9/26/2015 (Video)
• Big Willow at WSIR - SpeedDistict - 9/20/2015 (Video)
• Buttonwillow CW13 - SpeedDistict - 8/22/2015 (Video) (Bloopers) (Thread)
• Thunderhill 5 Mile - Hooked on Driving - 7/24/2015

Modifications:

• Rebello Racing VQ37VHR
• - 11.5:1 Compression
• - JE Pistons, K1 Rods, Forged Bottom-end, HR Bolts
• - New Bare Block, Core Engine
• Fast Intentions Long Tube Headers
• Jim Wolf Technologies Exhaust Cams and Springs
• - 263 Degrees, .446" Lift
• CJ Motorsports Active Baffled Oil Pan
• Z1 Motorsports 34-row Setrab Oil Cooler
• Stillen Gen3 Intake
• Bassani Exhaust
• OS Giken Twin-Plate Clutch
• - External Slave Mod
• - NISMO Finned Differential Cover
• OS Giken 1.5-way SuperLock LSD
• - 3.9 Final Drive Gears
• - SPL Solid Differential Bushing
• NISMO S-Tune Springs and Struts
• Full SPL Suspension (Excluding Mid-Links)
• - Front Upper Camber Arms
• - Rear Camber Arms
• - Eccentric Lockout Kit
• - Front Outer Tie Rod Ends
• - Front Lower Arm Bushings
• - Front Impact Bushings
• - Solid Rear Subframe Bushings
• Hotchkis Front Sway Bar
• - SPL End Links
• CJ Motorsports Road Race Pump
• Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R - (245 Front, 285 Rear)
• HardBrakes 0.5mm Titanium Heat Shields
• StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• EcuTek RaceRom Tune
• NISMO Shift Knob

Previous Mods (For Sale):

• South Bend Stage 3 Clutch
• South Bend Lightweight 19lb Full Billet Steel Flywheel
• ZSpeed HD CSC
• ZSpeed Insulated SS Clutch Hose
• Z1 Motorsports Premium Stainless Steel Brake Lines

TODO:

• RJM Billet Oil Pump Gears + NISMO Pump
• 100+ RON Tune

Thinking About It...

• 18" TE37SL Wheels
• APR Wing
• Half-Cage
• Sparco Ergo Seats + 6-point Harnesses
• AP Racing Calipers
• More Power Mods: Intake Manifold, Throttle Bodies?

Consumables:

• Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R Tires (Staggered, 245, 285 19")
• Carbotech XP10/XP8 Brake Pads
• StopTech Rotors - Slotted
• Castrol SRF Brake Fluid (Clutch/Brakes)
• Motul 300V Trophy 0w40 (Previously: German Castrol EDGE 0w30)
• K&N HP-1008 Oil Filter

Update 1/25/2020: FOR SALE!

The car is back up for sale by the current owner, located on the east coast in Florida.

Asking: $15,000
Mileage: 77,697

The car has been kept in excellent condition and the following changes have been made:

- New OEM Fuel Pump installed in 2017
- OS Giken clutch replaced with South Bend Stage 2 for smoother street operation
- Currently has street tires mounted, 2 spare RE-71Rs are included

If interested, PM me and I'll put you in touch with the current owner!

Update 7/1/2017:

Well I've made the difficult decision to move on from my Z. I've listed it up for sale on the Corner3 Motorsports FB Group and I'll add a post in the cars for sale section here shortly.

Asking: $18,000
Mileage: 61409

Update 12/26/2016:

Merry Christmas! Well, 2016 is in the bag and I still managed to squeeze in 6 track days despite the car spending the better part of the year being rebuilt. I did a weekend at Buttonwillow without incident and then today, an event at Laguna Seca. Unfortunately, it was a 90 db day and I blew 92.9 db even while really sandbagging it up the hill, thus cutting the day short. It's a shame and I don't know when I'll get back to Laguna -- maybe if they run a 92 db event...

Update 10/30/2016:

I completed my first event since the rebuild two weeks ago at Laguna Seca. Conclusion: The car's fast, but I'm rusty after so many months off the track that I will need more practice to get back into the groove. One big relief: no sound issues at Laguna, even on a 90db day!

So, why did it take so long to get back on track? Well, it turns out the 3500 rpm/limp mode issue I was seeing was the result of a slipped cam encoder ring: http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/wol...derslipped.pdf

Something to keep in mind if anyone else has similar symptoms.

Update 8/7/2016:

Long Live the Z - She's back and badder than ever! Click for full post!

Update 1/28/2016:

Had a two day event last weekend at Buttonwillow with SpeedDistrict. I managed 2:10 on Saturday before improving that to 2:09.52 (Video). Unfortunately, this happened. The engine threw a rod. 220 miles and 6 hours later, the car arrived at Z Car Garage, where it remains while we draw up a repair plan. More photos and details...

Update 12/27/2015:

The final event of the year is in the can at Laguna Seca (Video). Next comes 2016, with probably three events in January: Laguna Seca, Buttonwillow, and Thunderhill! I'm also hoping to get my suspension installed in January.

Update 12/14/2015:

Just completed another event at Thunderhill yesterday. Despite initial hurricane-like conditions, the wind and rain died down enough such that we were allowed on track yesterday around 10 AM. The first few sessions were very wet (video later, when I get a chance to go through all of it)! However, the RE-71Rs performed reasonably wet -- the key was to be gentle with the inputs as even moderate amounts of throttle and/or steering could induce the rear-end to slide out.

Once things dried up a bit, I was able to put down increasingly better lap times, finally hitting a lap time of 2:16.54. Still lots of areas I can improve, especially Turn 8, and better suspension (and drier pavement) will help as well.

Next track event is up in the air at the moment due to holiday schedule and a desire to get some of the parts on my TODO list actually on the car. I'm considering an event later this month at Laguna Seca, otherwise a weekend at Buttonwillow in January will be on the agenda.

Update 12/4/2015:

The car is back up and running and I successfully completed a track day at Buttonwillow (Video)! A bad wheel bearing put the car out of commission after my previous event at ACS. I'm planning to make several upgrades to the suspension -- I have pretty much a full SPL suspension all ready to go on the car, along with NISMO shocks and springs.

I'm back on the track next weekend, this time at Thunderhill.

Update 11/15/2015:

Just posted the video from Auto Club Speedway. Track was a blast, but there was an issue: my front-left wheel locked when braking before Turn 3, burning all the tread off my tire in one spot (Photo). I also have the ABS, VDC Off, and Wheel Slip lights on solid and I'm not sure why...research online indicates it could be a wheel sensor, brake fuse, or low brake fluid. The car will be going into the shop Monday for diagnosis.

Update 10/21/2015:

Lots of new stuff for this week! My friends over at SpeedElement got me set up with fresh rotors, pads, and fluids for this past Sunday's event at Willow Springs. No improvement on my previous best time of 1:45.71, but more on that in a minute... We discovered that the seals on my left front caliper have cracked from heat damage, but it still performed well on the track with no sign of leaks. A rebuild kit is on the way.

I spent some extra time in SoCal and made it over to SpecialtyZ for an EcuTek tune. The full details are available here. It feels like a new car now and I can't wait to get out for another track day to see what it can do. I have a sway bar install to do still, but I'm intending to find another event within the next two weeks!

Update 10/10/2015:

Had a blast at Laguna Seca with SpeedSF. Here's the video. Sorry about the wind noise, I was trying out a new camera angle and I forgot that I had left my GoPro in the skeleton case. In any event, it was a blast! Only issue was the brakes, I'm getting severe vibration when braking that can clearly be seen in the video, due to uneven deposits of pad material. Fresh rotors, pads, and fluid will be going in Friday, just in time for Willow Springs!

I'm also at 2600 miles since my last oil change, including lots of track miles, so I'll be doing that as well. No complaints about the Belgian Castrol 0w30, but my shop recommended I try Motul 300V 0w40, so that's what will be going in Friday. I'll do a UOA on both and post up the results here as soon as I get them. The full inventory of work for this Friday:

- Fresh Rotors: StopTech Slotted (previously OEM)
- Fresh Pads: Carbotech XP10/XP8 (same as current)
- Fresh Fluid: Castrol SRF
- Oil Change: Motul 300V 0w40
- Install: Z1 Motorsports Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Update 10/5/2015:

Finished a track day at Sonoma Raceway with SpeedSF. Video is here. I can feel my brakes are starting to get weaker, and it's been 5 track days on this set of pads/fluid. I'll be getting fresh pads, rotors, and fluid next week. Next up, Laguna Seca this Saturday.

Update 9/28/2015:

Just completed a weekend at Thunderhill running the 5 mile bypass configuration. Video available here. All in all, it's a fun track, but I was unhappy with how little time I was able to get in. In total, I maybe had 16 laps for the weekend, mostly due to the event organizer's inability to get me into a different run group. If this had been a SpeedDistrict event, I would have easily run 50 laps, if not more. In two weeks, I'll be running with SpeedSF for the first time at Laguna Seca -- I'm hopeful it will be a better experience.

As far as consumables go, I am still in good shape. I have 6/32" of tread on the front tires (almost new!) and 4/32" on the rears. This is after 5 track days (maybe more like 4 track days if you consider the limited time at Thunderhill). Pads are at roughly 75%, so lots of life left there. I expect I'll probably get at least three more track days out of these.

Update 9/20/2015:

I've just returned from WSIR where I put in 54 laps with SpeedDistrict and I decided to consolidate my track journal here rather than spam that section with tons of threads. Following my prior experience at Thunderhill and Buttonwillow (Link), I decided to knock out several bugs in this car to improve reliability and track-worthiness.

I'm happy to report that yesterday at Willow Springs, it felt like a brand new car! Oil temperatures, which had buried the needle at 300F at BW, never exceeded 240F at WSIR -- despite 100F ambient temps! Additionally, the new clutch, with insulated heavy duty hydraulics from ZSpeed, performed flawlessly on the track with crisp shifts and no loss of pedal. Late in the day, I managed to run 20 consecutive laps in a single session without any issues beyond the expected fuel cut as gas started to run low.

I'm thrilled with how the car performed and I'd like to thank SpeedElement in San Jose for the install -- these guys did a fantastic job getting the car ready in time for WSIR and I have a 5-star Yelp review coming their way.

Thanks to this, I was able to run 1:45.71, which I'm quite pleased with given my first outing at Big Willow. I've been watching martin82's videos and I have a good idea of how I can improve my performance further and shave off several more seconds, especially in Turns 3-4-5.

I've got two more track days booked so far, including this weekend at Thunderhill. I'm expecting my tires will last me through these two events, and my brake pads should last a good deal longer (Tread Wear Photos). Fuel starvation is an issue, but one I can mitigate by topping off for now, at least until phunk's RoadRacePump becomes available again. Beyond that, I'd like to get a few more track days in before evaluating what the car needs next. I'll definitely be back down to WSIR soon, if not October, then November for sure.

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2017 Corvette Z06 7MT | 1LE | Stage 3 | DSCSport