'14 AGM 1SS/1LE Track build [COTW 11/17/14]

[X25]

The state of wheels at the end of last track day. I know StopTech has a better quality coating, but even its clear-coat will darken with enough heat. Looks like the ducting and the BBK is working very well, and despite my constant push at 45+ minute sessions, the temps seem to be in check. FYI, I always wash the car the night I return, so I don't leave all that dust on the wheels : )

[X25]

Just finished replacing the wicker bill with the see-through version. It fit and looks great! Sorry for the dirty car; it's been raining today.

This is the original one. It's more reflective than the spoiler, which is why it looks like a bright color here.


The OEM wicker bill from behind the car:


The ZL1Addons.com two-piece wicker bill fit perfect! There was no hole adjustment necessary:


Both pieces installed:


From behind the car:

[X25]

I've been busy with the logistics:

I finally replaced my truck with an SUV (Durango Limited w/ tow package).

Since it's shorter than a full size truck, it will be impacted more by the weight of the trailer at the tongue. I decided this is time to make it bulletproof (i.e. weight is distributed equally among axles, and the fronts have full traction for maneuvering). Enter, weight distribution hitch!


The rear camera's trail is also very helpful in mating with the hitch. It makes it a rather trivial task. I might even consider not using my trailer valet for the mating:


Unfortunately, the shank to adjust for the height of the trailer tongue was too short. I've read on the web that Harbor Freight's brand (Haul Master) does not provide any accessories, so I was out of luck. I did carefully measure every dimension of the shank, and then started comparing with other shanks. To my amazement, I realized that not only the shank, but pretty much the whole kit is almost identical to CURT Manufacturing's weight distribution hitch. Long story short, I ordered their longer shank, which I should get by Wednesday. I have a track day on Saturday, and I need to be ready by then.

CURT Weight Distribution Shank #17121


I'm not sure if I should use the Miata or the Camaro. It will be a tough call this time, since they're both very much ready!

[X25]

Just got the oil test results today. This is from the time when I went to track with my first oil cooler setup, with which I hit 290+ degrees F in just a few laps. Actually, my best lap video shows the oil temp at 297 degrees F! As I've expected, Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 holds up just fine



Since I did not see temps above 270s with the bigger core, I believe I'm all set.

[X25]

I will also be trying this head and neck restraint device for the first time on Saturday:
Z-Tech Sports Head and Neck Restraint


I have been using Simpson's Pro Rage for years, but it's just not a perfect fit for my body. When I tighten the racing harness, it ends up creating pressure points, and I've had enough of it. I spent 1-2 hours just trying to adjust everything with it tonight. Here is hoping it works well and fits well, too!

By the way, I think I will try the Miata at the track this time. I am looking forward to seeing what it will do with the bigger injectors I have (the smaller ones were running out of steam, maxing out at 6800 RPM).

[Demon War Horse]

Originally Posted by X25

Just finished replacing the wicker bill with the see-through version. It fit and looks great! Sorry for the dirty car; it's been raining today.

This is the original one. It's more reflective than the spoiler, which is why it looks like a bright color here.


The OEM wicker bill from behind the car:


The ZL1Addons.com two-piece wicker bill fit perfect! There was no hole adjustment necessary:


Both pieces installed:


From behind the car:

I have the same wicker bill from ZL1addons... do you drive with it on the street? How does it feel? I do not have a front splitter yet, but I want to put my wicker bill on soon.

[X25]

Originally Posted by Demon War Horse

I have the same wicker bill from ZL1addons... do you drive with it on the street? How does it feel? I do not have a front splitter yet, but I want to put my wicker bill on soon.

I always drive with it on.

Well, with all the aeros, the car definitely has more drag. Above 60 MPH, you can easily feel the drag since where it used to speed up by itself on the highway due to high grade downhill, it's now slowing down without throttle : pp since I don't push the car at the street, I don't feel any difference in handling. At the track, it's supposed to give you more confidence, but since I also switched to R-compounds along with the aero, I'm not sure how much of the impact is from the aero

[X25]

I was at the track today with my supercharged Miata. With my large air-to-oil cooler, radiator, thermostat, etc., I was seeing oil temps stabilize around 270-280 degrees F range when the ambient temp was around 85-90 degrees. Today, at 60-65 degrees F ambient, the max oil temp I saw was 250s, and it was usually in 240s or less. I also saw 270s F with my 1LE at hot ambient temps, so I suspect I'd see similar temps if I were driving the Camaro.

Speaking of which, there was a Corvette, ZL1, and a Z/28; it would be nice to attend with the 1LE.

I'll post a video of catching up with the Z/28. In the end, he slowed down more than I expected at a corner, and I did a half spin due to braking hard in the corner. More on that when I post the video

[X25]

From the official track videos thread:

Originally Posted by X25

I was driving my Miata at the track this time, and caught up with a Z/28.

I caught up with him around 1:10, and started following, but I never got a pass-by. In the end, they there were now two cars (traffic), and they were slower than I expected in a corner, forcing me to brake in the corner, doing a little spin I quickly got back on the road, estimating catching back up in 7 laps (To cover 13 seconds of spin penalty at 1.8 seconds/lap), but the other guys left the next lap :( Oh well, it was so much fun!

[Stephen12ZL1]

nice video...your Miata really cooks!

[X25]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

nice video...your Miata really cooks!

Thanks! It was so much fun, trying to catch up after my small spin. I wish I didn't have belt damage later on, I could post better times, too.

[X25]

As we all know, Camaro is quite a big car, but I'd have never thought it would be a snug fit to my trailer!



I left the fine measurements to a professional



I'll be at ORP on Monday; looking forward to it!

[Stephen12ZL1]

this journal is a great read! I went through all 16 pages and enjoyed your progression through the many facets of tires, wheels, suspension bits, performance, oil/water temps, etc., etc. I too had issues fitting the Dewitts radiator in my ZL1 and had to modify the fan assembly plastic dowels to make it fit. The A/C condensor did not bolt up to the radiator and I ended up rigging a metal tie strap in a similar fashion as you rigged your fan assembly. It was good for a 10 degree drop at VIR. Water temps were in the low 240s with the stock radiator and around 230 with the Dewitts unit. Of course, the boosted ZL1 was mostly to blame and ultimately reducing the boost to around 10-11 psi proved to make the most difference in temps. Thanks for this member journal as it provides valuable information that will help many people in the future!

[White_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by X25

As we all know, Camaro is quite a big car, but I'd have never thought it would be a snug fit to my trailer!


I left the fine measurements to a professional


I'll be at ORP on Monday; looking forward to it!

ya mines a tight fit on my trailer as well. I'll be missing you at ORP by a week, I'm headed there next Monday to run it CCW. From what I hear it's supposed to have better flow in that direction. We'll see I guess.