Track prepping a GP?
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
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Track prepping a GP?
So I'm looking to do some track days out at ThunderHill, Sears Point, Laguna, etc. I used to race motorcycles out there and I thought it'd be a hoot to see how #907 does.
I'd like to get a set of track rims/tires which I'd intend to drive to events on, run the events, drive home and swap back to the stock wheels/tires.
Anyone else tracked their GP's? Any recommendations?
I'd like to get a set of track rims/tires which I'd intend to drive to events on, run the events, drive home and swap back to the stock wheels/tires.
Anyone else tracked their GP's? Any recommendations?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 7
From: Orcutt, CA
I have not yet tracked my GP but I did track my 03 MCS multiple times in California (Laguna Seca, Thunderhill, and California Speedway). I found the stock MCS brakes to be inadequate for high speed tracks such as CA Speedway. After two track days with stock brakes, I upgraded to a Wilwood BBK. At Laguna Seca I saw a lot of smoking stock brakes. At Seca, I also went for a ride with my instructor in another participant's MCS and the brake fade was very bad which caused the instructor to take it easy. I agree with the rear bar, tires, and fluid. If going to use the JCW brakes, I would also suggest you also change the pads to more a track oriented pad. But I know there are minimal choices for the JCW caliper.
Also be careful with the Schroth Harness because some organizations are now not allowing the usual 4-point quick-connect harness.
Also be careful with the Schroth Harness because some organizations are now not allowing the usual 4-point quick-connect harness.
So I'm looking to do some track days out at ThunderHill, Sears Point, Laguna, etc. I used to race motorcycles out there and I thought it'd be a hoot to see how #907 does.
I'd like to get a set of track rims/tires which I'd intend to drive to events on, run the events, drive home and swap back to the stock wheels/tires.
Anyone else tracked their GP's? Any recommendations?
I'd like to get a set of track rims/tires which I'd intend to drive to events on, run the events, drive home and swap back to the stock wheels/tires.
Anyone else tracked their GP's? Any recommendations?
Here is what I have in my GP
Cross Coilovers........ STOCK swaybars.....
Motegi Track Light 2.0s 17"x8 with Hoosiers 225/40/17s
custom 7mm spacers
1 Well tuned RMW 2.0L stroker engine= sub 1:30 time at Streets of Willow with only 3 total track days
Email if you want pics of the setup
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
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What I'm really curious about is the wheels and tires. I've read some things about some wheels not clearing and/or spacers needed. Honestly I'm not sure what I'm looking at. I'd love to get a decent set of track wheels and tires that I can swap out when I do these events, that way i can conserve track rubber from my daily use driving...
Anyone know specifics about ideal wheel size and tire recommendations?
Is there anything specific about the GP that makes the wheel size different than a normal JCW?
Anyone know specifics about ideal wheel size and tire recommendations?
Is there anything specific about the GP that makes the wheel size different than a normal JCW?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 201
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From: NJ
The best most economical upgrade for the track that I did was the brake cooling ducts, even when I had stock brakes there was no brake fade, however no rear pads left though on the 2nd day. (Since then I upgraded to Stoptecs.)
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 7
From: Orcutt, CA
There are a few things to think about with wheels and tires.
- Main issue is weight. You want as light as possible. Many people go with the 17" x 7.5" wheel (usually around 40mm offset) so they can use a wider tire such as 225. Depending on how much street driving you will be doing, you can go with a DOT Type R tire and be careful or to be a little safer on the street you could go with an extreme performance tire. Something like the Kumho Ecsta MX would be a good choice. Tire Rack and Edge Racing are good places to search for wheels and tires.
- The stock GP wheel is 18" x 7" with 52 mm offset. That is a lot of offset. You probably want to go with around 40 mm offset to push the tires to the outside edge of the wheel wells. I had 17x7 with 38 offset and 215/40 tires with a lowered MCS. I had slight rubbing in the rear inner wheel well that I fixed with a little trimming.
- The GP uses 14 mm diameter lug bolts instead of 12 mm. Some wheels do not have big enough holes for the 14 mm lug bolts.
- Need to decide if you want to stay with 18" diameter wheels or go to 17" wheels. There is a larger wheel and tire selection of 17" wheels in Mini size range (7 or 7.5" wide wheel and 205, 215, or 225 wide tire).
- Main issue is weight. You want as light as possible. Many people go with the 17" x 7.5" wheel (usually around 40mm offset) so they can use a wider tire such as 225. Depending on how much street driving you will be doing, you can go with a DOT Type R tire and be careful or to be a little safer on the street you could go with an extreme performance tire. Something like the Kumho Ecsta MX would be a good choice. Tire Rack and Edge Racing are good places to search for wheels and tires.
- The stock GP wheel is 18" x 7" with 52 mm offset. That is a lot of offset. You probably want to go with around 40 mm offset to push the tires to the outside edge of the wheel wells. I had 17x7 with 38 offset and 215/40 tires with a lowered MCS. I had slight rubbing in the rear inner wheel well that I fixed with a little trimming.
- The GP uses 14 mm diameter lug bolts instead of 12 mm. Some wheels do not have big enough holes for the 14 mm lug bolts.
- Need to decide if you want to stay with 18" diameter wheels or go to 17" wheels. There is a larger wheel and tire selection of 17" wheels in Mini size range (7 or 7.5" wide wheel and 205, 215, or 225 wide tire).
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
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Thanks so much! That's exactly the info I was looking for. Now I can go shoppin'..
There are a few things to think about with wheels and tires.
- Main issue is weight. You want as light as possible. Many people go with the 17" x 7.5" wheel (usually around 40mm offset) so they can use a wider tire such as 225. Depending on how much street driving you will be doing, you can go with a DOT Type R tire and be careful or to be a little safer on the street you could go with an extreme performance tire. Something like the Kumho Ecsta MX would be a good choice. Tire Rack and Edge Racing are good places to search for wheels and tires.
- The stock GP wheel is 18" x 7" with 52 mm offset. That is a lot of offset. You probably want to go with around 40 mm offset to push the tires to the outside edge of the wheel wells. I had 17x7 with 38 offset and 215/40 tires with a lowered MCS. I had slight rubbing in the rear inner wheel well that I fixed with a little trimming.
- The GP uses 14 mm diameter lug bolts instead of 12 mm. Some wheels do not have big enough holes for the 14 mm lug bolts.
- Need to decide if you want to stay with 18" diameter wheels or go to 17" wheels. There is a larger wheel and tire selection of 17" wheels in Mini size range (7 or 7.5" wide wheel and 205, 215, or 225 wide tire).
- Main issue is weight. You want as light as possible. Many people go with the 17" x 7.5" wheel (usually around 40mm offset) so they can use a wider tire such as 225. Depending on how much street driving you will be doing, you can go with a DOT Type R tire and be careful or to be a little safer on the street you could go with an extreme performance tire. Something like the Kumho Ecsta MX would be a good choice. Tire Rack and Edge Racing are good places to search for wheels and tires.
- The stock GP wheel is 18" x 7" with 52 mm offset. That is a lot of offset. You probably want to go with around 40 mm offset to push the tires to the outside edge of the wheel wells. I had 17x7 with 38 offset and 215/40 tires with a lowered MCS. I had slight rubbing in the rear inner wheel well that I fixed with a little trimming.
- The GP uses 14 mm diameter lug bolts instead of 12 mm. Some wheels do not have big enough holes for the 14 mm lug bolts.
- Need to decide if you want to stay with 18" diameter wheels or go to 17" wheels. There is a larger wheel and tire selection of 17" wheels in Mini size range (7 or 7.5" wide wheel and 205, 215, or 225 wide tire).
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2002
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