My First Track Day ...

SPOHN · 05-02-2012, 07:58 PM

^ I have friends that spend that on golf. lol

MightyBobo · 05-02-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

^ I have friends that spend that on golf. lol

Rofl, nice. Could never get into it...

cossie1600 · 05-02-2012, 09:48 PM

I used to run the RBF, good stuff, but I get pretty much the same thing from Amsoil for about 30% cheaper in cost

nabenson · 05-02-2012, 10:10 PM

I did an event in Houston in July without an oil cooler last year. The car managed but I had one installed after that. Oil temps hit the mid-hi 250's. Not terrible with synthetic oil, but it isn't something you want to do for an extended period of time.

For short sessions and lower temps you can get away without a cooler, but I personally wouldn't do it again.

I would also upgrade brake fluid and pads, but wouldn't bother with anything else until you have at least burned through one fluid change and the pads. You will be learning the car still, and thy will probably last a season. I have used the non-nismo pads as well as EBC Yellow. I prefer the yellows due to price and better performance. The OEM pads have a weak bit and fade pretty quickly. That said, they will work fine and you can wait until they a worn out.

Stainless lines are great (I have upgraded to them) but aren't really necessary. They were the last of my brake upgrades and they certainly instill more confidence, but seat time cod the same thing.

Mike · 05-03-2012, 12:07 PM

they do, but these calipers get really hot

b1adesofcha0s · 05-03-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

they do, but these calipers get really hot

So probably no point in painting them

MightyBobo · 05-03-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

So probably no point in painting them

Newp. Or you can just do a safe color like black/grey/silver. Either way the paint will likely crack and flake off a bit.

b1adesofcha0s · 05-03-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Newp. Or you can just do a safe color like black/grey/silver. Either way the paint will likely crack and flake off a bit.

Meh I think I'll try painting it red for now. Won't be tracking it too much yet so maybe I can get it to last longer for now. I can always repaint it silver (which is the original color) whenever I change my brake pads again.

_ace_ · 05-03-2012, 09:14 PM

As a beginner at the track, I needed an oil cooler long before brake pads, but I have the nismo pads and brake a lot less vigorously than I could--I leave a little on the table in case I screw up. While braking late takes more confidence than I've developed, using the go pedal is easy, so I would overheat my oil at 1-2 laps before I bought the cooler.

But I do have to ask, does the oem fluid give clear signals before boiling? If not I may want to upgrade the fluid for peace of mind.

MightyBobo · 05-03-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _ace_

As a beginner at the track, I needed an oil cooler long before brake pads, but I have the nismo pads and brake a lot less vigorously than I could--I leave a little on the table in case I screw up. While braking late takes more confidence than I've developed, using the go pedal is easy, so I would overheat my oil at 1-2 laps before I bought the cooler.

But I do have to ask, does the oem fluid give clear signals before boiling? If not I may want to upgrade the fluid for peace of mind.

All you'll need to know, for the most part:

Z Meets Wall: We Investigate Why the NISMO Z's Brakes Failed at Lightning Lap - Feature - Car and Driver

And, that all depends on how aggressive you are I believe - they MAY show warning signs, but they will come very quickly. An oil cooler will let you continue a session longer. Your LIFE could depend on your brakes not failing. Not worth gambling.

JB1 · 05-03-2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

An oil cooler will let you continue a session longer. Your LIFE could depend on your brakes not failing. Not worth gambling.

Well put! For my first track day I only had RBF600 fluid and Carbotech pads, but no oil cooler yet. Having to take it easy on the main straight to let the engine cool down a bit was anoying, but beeing able to fully rely on the brakes in the twisty part made up for it. Would not have wanted it the other way around, i.e. Woriyng about the brakes, every time you approach a turn... Now I have an oil cooler, I'm taking turns faster and using the brakes harder, resulting in fuel starvation and melted dust boots on the calipers. So, brake cooling kit is ordered and I'm eagerly awayting the fuel starvation fix a couple people here are working on.

Long story short: 1. Fluid and pads are the first, must have upgrades for track work. 2. Track days are addictive and will empty your wallet quicker then a mistress...

MightyBobo · 05-03-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

Well put! For my first track day I only had RBF600 fluid and Carbotech pads, but no oil cooler yet. Having to take it easy on the main straight to let the engine cool down a bit was anoying, but beeing able to fully rely on the brakes in the twisty part made up for it. Would not have wanted it the other way around, i.e. Woriyng about the brakes, every time you approach a turn... Now I have an oil cooler, I'm taking turns faster and using the brakes harder, resulting in fuel starvation and melted dust boots on the calipers. So, brake cooling kit is ordered and I'm eagerly awayting the fuel starvation fix a couple people here are working on.

Long story short: 1. Fluid and pads are the first, must have upgrades for track work. 2. Track days are addictive and will empty your wallet quicker then a mistress...

I see you're in Chicago, so I can only assume you've been to Autobahn? I went there 2 years ago w/ the Integra Type-R group. Fun track - a little flat, though.

JB1 · 05-03-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

I see you're in Chicago, so I can only assume you've been to Autobahn? I went there 2 years ago w/ the Integra Type-R group. Fun track - a little flat, though.

My first trackday (with the Z) was Road America in '10. Last year I indeed did Autobahn, full course and Road America again. I really liked Autobahn, lots of different types of turns. RA is a blast as well, fast... Going to Gingerman this month.

ResIpsa · 05-04-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _ace_

But I do have to ask, does the oem fluid give clear signals before boiling? If not I may want to upgrade the fluid for peace of mind.

Nope. Just goes away.

JB1 · 05-03-2012, 10:54 PM

Yep, still the stock rotors! But I'll be needing new ones later this season. Im planning on doing a couple more track days this year then last and a season with the local Autox club of course. $50 a pop for rotors? Sounds like a good deal, I'll have to look I to that!

05-02-2012, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 222	^ I have friends that spend that on golf. lol __________________

05-03-2012, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	they do, but these calipers get really hot __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

05-03-2012, 10:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 18	Yep, still the stock rotors! But I'll be needing new ones later this season. Im planning on doing a couple more track days this year then last and a season with the local Autox club of course. $50 a pop for rotors? Sounds like a good deal, I'll have to look I to that! __________________ Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar //

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05-02-2012, 09:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I used to run the RBF, good stuff, but I get pretty much the same thing from Amsoil for about 30% cheaper in cost

05-02-2012, 10:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
nabenson Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 103 Drives: 10 370z Nismo PW M6 Rep Power: 15	I did an event in Houston in July without an oil cooler last year. The car managed but I had one installed after that. Oil temps hit the mid-hi 250's. Not terrible with synthetic oil, but it isn't something you want to do for an extended period of time. For short sessions and lower temps you can get away without a cooler, but I personally wouldn't do it again. I would also upgrade brake fluid and pads, but wouldn't bother with anything else until you have at least burned through one fluid change and the pads. You will be learning the car still, and thy will probably last a season. I have used the non-nismo pads as well as EBC Yellow. I prefer the yellows due to price and better performance. The OEM pads have a weak bit and fade pretty quickly. That said, they will work fine and you can wait until they a worn out. Stainless lines are great (I have upgraded to them) but aren't really necessary. They were the last of my brake upgrades and they certainly instill more confidence, but seat time cod the same thing.

05-03-2012, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
_ace_ Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA Posts: 140 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 14	As a beginner at the track, I needed an oil cooler long before brake pads, but I have the nismo pads and brake a lot less vigorously than I could--I leave a little on the table in case I screw up. While braking late takes more confidence than I've developed, using the go pedal is easy, so I would overheat my oil at 1-2 laps before I bought the cooler. But I do have to ask, does the oem fluid give clear signals before boiling? If not I may want to upgrade the fluid for peace of mind.