Hi

I want to compete in Nasa TTC next year.

I'm consistently about 5 seconds/lap slower than the class leader (about 75 second laps). It used to be about 12 seconds - I got it down to 5 through lots of practice&instruction, and a few choice mods.

I'm afraid it's an exponential decay graph - I'll have to work much much harder for every fraction of a second from here on forward -> not that I'm against doing this, but I think I'll only be able to get another second...not enough to be competitive.

OK, my car:
04 MCS JCW - with JCW brakes and suspension.
Fixed IE camber plates
Whiteline 20mm rear swaybar
OS Giken LSD
Carbotech brake pads
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 tires (stock size)

So, except for the LSD it's pretty much vanilla.

Any suggestions on what I can do to chew off a big chunk? I know it will all still require a lot of work from my side (except for the LSD and rear swaybar I don't think there are any "silver bullets" left).

The car doubles as my daily driver - but I'm a sucker for punishment, so as long as it's street legal I'll live with it (R-compounds will obviously be on dedicated track wheels).

I was thinking (I'm pretty sure this will keep me in TTC):
1. R Compounds on 15'' wheels.
Does anyone have a rule of thumb/guestimate on how much this knocks off a typical 75 second lap?

2. Upgraded coilovers
KW's, PSS9's, AST/Vorshlag...any obvious winners?
Or can I go Koni Yellow with some aftermarket springs?

3. Adjustable camber plates.

4. HSport competition rear swaybar.

I'm not interested in power-upgrades at this time. I'm still losing most of my time in the corners.

I'm looking for stuff that will make a big difference.

 

Remove the rear wing / spoiler. Check-out Vortekz Generators. Tape some yarn on your hood ' have soeone else drive while YOU observe~~VERY interesting OBEY

 

Forgot <<<>>> Address the "parachute" effect created by the rear bumper etc. Consider sub-frame air diffusers. A very easy way to "slicken" the underside is to start w /a protection plate as a base 'then cover IT & continue rearward. Make SURE ALL incoming air HAS an "escape route". This type of thought WILL gain you GREAT results. Just the wing alone will show you. OBEY

 

Thanks Fishead - much appreciated. You obviously put a lot of thought into these suggestions.

Once I have my handling sorted I will give your ideas the attention they deserve.

 

I run a GTech Pro (or used to anyway - not so much last year) to collect data when evaluating tires, and when autocrossing

I run H&R Coil Overs, Webb Camber plates, adjustable rear lower control arms from Hotchkis with a stiffer bar. Stock front bar. -2.5 front and -1.0 rear with stock alignment. A Quaife as well of course.

The car is low - down at least 1.5" - although still streetable once one learns to be a bit careful. When corner weighted, with 180 lbs in the driver's seat, the numbers were:

Total: 2,737 (so 2,557 sans driver - now I've gone to the Odyssey PC680 battery so the car is more like 2,530).

Left Front: 874
Right Front: 806
Left Rear: 547
Right Rear: 512.

L/R: 51.88%
F/R: 61.29%
Cross: 49.40%

The data below was collected running Hoosiers, but before the car was fully sorted.

This is my daily driver, and now that I run a Street Tire class I vary the balance from street to competition with the tire pressures alone.

You should be able to get consistant lateral numbers in excess of 1.2 with good balance. I saw that as a transient, as you can see from the trace, but in an HPDE setting and with a bit more fine adjustment I'd say that's a good number.

Anyone else running R compounds on the track care to offer data?

 

Hello Bruce,
What region are you in?

With the modifications you have, you may classify in TTD.
Check out this unoffical NASA TT classifier:
click here

A dyno tune on a a stock engine could get you a little more HP.

Coilovers can help. You can change spring rates and ride height.
Coilovers alone won't necessarly change your lap times, but getting more comfortable to drive the car faster will.

Try to get different instructors to help "coach" you.

Mickey

 

Thanks guys

Charlie - good info. I have a pretty good timing setup (highly recommended to anyone): Ipod touch + tomtom car kit + Harry's Lap Timer...Cost me just over $250 in total...and gives very nice GPS timing, dash etc.

Mickey - I'm in AZ. Thanks for the advice on TTD.

B

 

Race tires will be a huge help.

But give us a call at the shop on Monday and we can discuss options and budget to get you there.

WAY
317.201.8670
info@waymotorworks.com

 

Those last few seconds are the most expensive !

 

KW, Bilstein, AST are all quite good. I would prefer the ASTs, followed by Bilsteins (must use linear customized spring rates) and then the TSW/WMW KW coilovers.

Revalved H&R coilovers with custom linear spring rates would be fantastic. They are non-adjustable Bilsteins, so the technology is good.

There is a lot of time to be picked up with a quality suspension....key word is quality.

I think your current rear swaybar is fine.

Adjustable camber plates will be a good thing. With coilovers the Vorshlag plates are quite good (low stack height for more travel and a nice beefy bearing).

Yes tires will make a massive difference.

I do not think you will gain anything by switching to a different lowering spring....JCW springs in my opinion are as good or better than any of the aftermarket stuff out there.

Then again my experience with the Mini platform specifically is limited but I've learned a few things. Check with Way, call AST, and also do your own research too.

On that note, please sell me your red JCW springs when you get coilovers.

- Andrew