UPDATENow that the car is mostly sorted out and I am getting into doing actual driving events with it, I will start updating this thread with results, videos, photos, etc. from my adventures in the track day/hpde stuff. So far, 2 events in the bag, second one more successful than the first, but still lots of improvement to be made.
Hooked on Driving NJMP Thunderbolt 3-27-16First event was at NJMP Thunderbolt track, where a good friend of mine who instructs for Hooked on Driving helped me a ton. Unfortunately it was on Easter and I had a family function to be at so I only did half the day, but learned a lot on the track and in the classroom. I learned enough not to do everything right, but to be able to spot some of my mistakes.
Now lets get into the issues the car encountered that day.
1. The breather filter which was touching the valve cover began to melt (and more the next event)
2. All 4 turbo to manifold studs had come loose, and one fell out. I found it, re-installed, and found it missing again after my second run
3. Due to a lack of Heatshielding, the turbo has started cooking things. The GarageStar brake master brace with delrin bushing began melting
4. Hawk HPS brake pads could not withstand repeated 140mph stops so they cooked, and my instructor took the car off-road where nothing broke but we lost one of the adjusters for the XIDA
There was a track-side photographer out at NJMP that day, but since I did not buy any photos, I will simply leave 2 links below to the albums on his side. I'm wearing the white open-face helmet and you can clearly see me cheesing hard in some of the photos, it was an amazing time!
Running with Group A (novice) -
http://www.windshadowstudios.net/hooked-on-driving-march-2016-sunday-group-aRunning with Group B (intermediate) -
http://www.windshadowstudios.net/hooked-on-driving-march-2016-sunday-group-bTurbo studs were replaced with the TSE Inconel studs and Stage 8 locks, breather filter was wrapped in metal foil to keep it from melting, brakes were changed to G-Loc R12/R10 pads and Centric rotors (and ducts still to be installed), and we began working on a heat shield
Track Night in America NJMP Lightning 4-27-16This was my second time on a track ever, and it would be a challenge since I had to rely on what i had learned from the event a month ago, YouTube videos watching people's lines, and would have no coach with me that day. It turned out to be successful, but I do admit there are things I could have done better. I had one instance where I got a little ahead of myself, hit the brakes half a second too late, panicked, and was suddenly approaching a Porsche 911 too quickly in the hardest braking zone of the whole track.
The car still had a few issues, but overall she ran good.
1. The breather filter completely fell off, and began melting. Since it smelled like rubber (tires) I didn't think anything of it on track, but it fell on the exhaust manifold and began smoldering and dripping on the block. When I pulled in, I was shiny black stuff all over the engine, and soot on the exhaust manifold, and thought I was going to need a tow home. After some inspecting, I realized everything was OK. I do need to build a second catch-can for the exhaust side of the valve cover, just a simple hose, can, and breather on it, since I was shooting a little oil mist out of there after the filter fell off.
2. The GarageStar Brake Master brace bushing melted some more.
3. Since I don't have a real Oil Pressure gauge but just the TDR sender kit, I can't see what my actual pressures are, but they are a good bit lower when I come in from a 15-20 minute session than they get on the street. 5-10 mins of cool down later, I can start the car and pressure is back to "street" area. I need to invest into Oil Pressure, Temp, and possibly another gauge soon.
4. Turbo continued to melt things. The whole exhaust side of the valve cover is seeping because I think the radiant heat dried the gasket out.
I did manage to score an amazing deal on a GoPro 3+ Silver and a roll-bar mount which I was able to position perfectly, so here are some videos from the day. Heat 2 at the 15:25 mark is where I had the close call with the Porsche. My fault for trying to chase the guy and not focusing on my driving as much, and I hit the brakes about 50 feet late.
Heat 1 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omXy5FqEVTYHeat 2 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6peF--6D-SkHeat 3 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ggda7kpKMFast Lap -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVmzTyP8T4cMy biggest mistake still is not looking through the corner, but at the entry, then apex, then exit. I tried to correct this a little in the last heat and it did help with times, but I am still focusing on getting a feel for the car and the limits of the tires. Things will keep improving.