Autocrossing - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Alrighty Then · 05-24-2012, 10:30 AM

Lining up my first autocross event next month and wondering if I should think about doing anything to my car beforehand? I have a v6 manual transmission Camaro. I'm not worried about adding any power or even changing up the tires since its only my first time trying this out, but what I am worried about are the stock brakes. I've read on here that the stock v6 brakes start to fade out pretty quickly and I've even experienced first hand my brakes start to get unresponsive after some brisk driving where I have to consecutively get on the brakes hard. What are some things I could do to diminish this problem, short of switching to SS Brembos or a big brake upgrade? And anything else I should be conscious of? Thanks guys.

Lil' Nasty · 05-24-2012, 10:37 AM

I've never auto crossed but for paint care, painters tape on the gills and rear bumper is what I'd do

Cynthius · 05-24-2012, 11:21 AM

A break fluid flush may help your fade issue. If you've got any moisture in there, it's possible that the fluid's boiling point be altered which can drastically impact performance under stress.

Never auto crossed mind you, but it was a tip I recieved from the organiser before I did my first lapping day because: "Trust me, you don't want to have any unexpected fade when you're barrelling down on Porshe entering a turn!" as he said. I could be wrong 'cause I'm passing on 3rd party info, but it was from a pro driver...

600hp-lpe · 05-24-2012, 11:59 AM

add a few extra LBS of air to each tire beforehand, and bring a helmet.

Check the lugnuts to make sure all are torque'd equally. Remove anything loose in the car (also, remove the floor mats).

You don't need to do much of anything to your car.

RoachDad · 06-04-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthius

Never auto crossed mind you, but it was a tip I recieved from the organiser before I did my first lapping day because: ...

Excuse my ignorance. What is a "Lapping Day"?

Cynthius · 06-05-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoachDad

Excuse my ignorance. What is a "Lapping Day"?

Hey RoachDad... Lapping day was a day at the track where drivers were split into groups based on skill/experience and for a fee, get to run laps in their cars. In this case they were not timed but there was traffic to keep things interesting, about 26-28 cars per group.

Hope that helps

Synner · 06-05-2012, 04:15 PM

Flush the brake/clutch fluid and a new set of pads would be an inexpensive way to at least reduce fade. Finding brembos eventually would be good once you get addicted. For the first time out just have fun, talk to everyone, and get some pointers from others. Skill is far more important than parts. Although sway bars would be a decent initial purchase.

Li0nel1234 · 06-05-2012, 07:04 PM

Your stock car will be fine at an Autocross. As for your brakes, new fluid would probably be all you need to help your fade. Check your club's novice tips page for more tips about things like getting the right air pressures in your tires, etc. Your car will be in GS G-stock. You'll be up against GTIs and such. You're going to have a blast! Ask some of the regulars to ride along in their runs to see how they run the course if you're not working the course or in between your runs. Most people are very hesitant to run their car hard at first, riding with those guys will show you that you can be hard on the gas and the brakes. You're not taking grandma to church. Have fun!

SS_Killer · 06-05-2012, 08:33 PM

No worries about the brakes Alrighty. A 1-minute auto-x run usually requires 2 or three serious stabs and a little in between. SS_Killer's brakes never even notice it. 74,000 miles and they are still like new.

And, ahem, the 2012 Solo rule book puts you in D Stock. Last year your LS would have been in G Stock.

A nice introductory write-up for a Solo Novice is posted on the South Bend Region's web site here. http://www.sbrscca.org/solo/solotour/index.html The author, Lloyd Loring has learned and forgotten things I will never know about Solo. Talk about a veteran.

Alrighty Then · 06-05-2012, 08:56 PM

Thanks for all the info so far guys!

woodside783 · 06-06-2012, 03:03 PM

you are going to love it be ready to start looking at suspension up grades. take it easy your first run really feel the car out. then go for it

Mrs Synergy SATX · 06-11-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Li0nel1234

Your stock car will be fine at an Autocross. As for your brakes, new fluid would probably be all you need to help your fade. Check your club's novice tips page for more tips about things like getting the right air pressures in your tires, etc. Your car will be in GS G-stock. You'll be up against GTIs and such. You're going to have a blast! Ask some of the regulars to ride along in their runs to see how they run the course if you're not working the course or in between your runs. Most people are very hesitant to run their car hard at first, riding with those guys will show you that you can be hard on the gas and the brakes. You're not taking grandma to church. Have fun!

Lionel is our mentor He learnt us good If you flush brake fluid look at DOT 4 fluid FTW. Even that isn't absolutely necessary. If you get hooked ( most likely will) then look at fluid and Hawk brake pads. Then comes suspension wheels a helmet stickers posters national tours....

05-24-2012, 10:30 AM	#1
Alrighty Then Drives: 2010 V6 M6 Camaro Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 72	Autocrossing Lining up my first autocross event next month and wondering if I should think about doing anything to my car beforehand? I have a v6 manual transmission Camaro. I'm not worried about adding any power or even changing up the tires since its only my first time trying this out, but what I am worried about are the stock brakes. I've read on here that the stock v6 brakes start to fade out pretty quickly and I've even experienced first hand my brakes start to get unresponsive after some brisk driving where I have to consecutively get on the brakes hard. What are some things I could do to diminish this problem, short of switching to SS Brembos or a big brake upgrade? And anything else I should be conscious of? Thanks guys.

05-24-2012, 11:21 AM	#3
Cynthius Drives: '11 2LT/RS (M6) & '85 Toyota MR2 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Val-Des-Monts, Qc Posts: 242	A break fluid flush may help your fade issue. If you've got any moisture in there, it's possible that the fluid's boiling point be altered which can drastically impact performance under stress. Never auto crossed mind you, but it was a tip I recieved from the organiser before I did my first lapping day because: "Trust me, you don't want to have any unexpected fade when you're barrelling down on Porshe entering a turn!" as he said. I could be wrong 'cause I'm passing on 3rd party info, but it was from a pro driver... __________________

06-05-2012, 07:04 PM	#8
Li0nel1234 What should I name my car Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS IOM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 786 View My Garage	Your stock car will be fine at an Autocross. As for your brakes, new fluid would probably be all you need to help your fade. Check your club's novice tips page for more tips about things like getting the right air pressures in your tires, etc. Your car will be in GS G-stock. You'll be up against GTIs and such. You're going to have a blast! Ask some of the regulars to ride along in their runs to see how they run the course if you're not working the course or in between your runs. Most people are very hesitant to run their car hard at first, riding with those guys will show you that you can be hard on the gas and the brakes. You're not taking grandma to church. Have fun! __________________ Performance: ARH 2"/"3 headers + ARH 3" HF catback system, SS brake lines, hawk HP+ pads, motul RBF 600 fluid, K&N CAI (w/custom insulation), plug wires, air scoop, Hurst STS, Pedders Track II suspension, 18x10 wheels, 295/45/18 Nitto NT05s Looks: powder coated iom calipers, LED foglights w/ always on harness, custom painted bowties, window tint, smoke tinted tail lights etc, oem gfx w/ custom outlets, painted taillight bezels, all weather trunk mat

06-05-2012, 08:33 PM	#9
SS_Killer Drives: 2010LSM6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 108	No worries about the brakes Alrighty. A 1-minute auto-x run usually requires 2 or three serious stabs and a little in between. SS_Killer's brakes never even notice it. 74,000 miles and they are still like new. And, ahem, the 2012 Solo rule book puts you in D Stock. Last year your LS would have been in G Stock. A nice introductory write-up for a Solo Novice is posted on the South Bend Region's web site here. http://www.sbrscca.org/solo/solotour/index.html The author, Lloyd Loring has learned and forgotten things I will never know about Solo. Talk about a veteran. __________________ K&N Typhoon, Spohn sway bars, Pedders front radius rod bushes, BMR cradle bushing inserts, Enkei Tuning Raijins (20.7 lbs ea.), Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs, -2 front camber, -1 rear.

06-06-2012, 03:03 PM	#11
woodside783 Casey Woodside Drives: a very fun car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tn Posts: 1,906	you are going to love it be ready to start looking at suspension up grades. take it easy your first run really feel the car out. then go for it __________________ Instagram @caseywoodside http://youtu.be/CSc9aPh_X_w

05-24-2012, 10:37 AM	#2
Lil' Nasty [COTW 4/13/15] Drives: Supercharged LLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5,957	I've never auto crossed but for paint care, painters tape on the gills and rear bumper is what I'd do

05-24-2012, 11:59 AM	#4
600hp-lpe Drives: 2010 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NH Posts: 4,788	add a few extra LBS of air to each tire beforehand, and bring a helmet. Check the lugnuts to make sure all are torque'd equally. Remove anything loose in the car (also, remove the floor mats). You don't need to do much of anything to your car.

06-05-2012, 04:15 PM	#7
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Flush the brake/clutch fluid and a new set of pads would be an inexpensive way to at least reduce fade. Finding brembos eventually would be good once you get addicted. For the first time out just have fun, talk to everyone, and get some pointers from others. Skill is far more important than parts. Although sway bars would be a decent initial purchase.

06-05-2012, 08:56 PM	#10
Alrighty Then Drives: 2010 V6 M6 Camaro Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 72	Thanks for all the info so far guys!