Autocross Adventure w/ the 1LE - Page 5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JRL1LE · 07-08-2016, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilfinite

GGLC posts the course map online before the event. Giving me the opportunity to be a nerd like so.

The Lotus Club certainly likes tight courses. Go figure!

The turnaround near station #5 is much too narrow, planning on pitching the car there.

Probably going to jump into 2nd gear ASAP on the first run. Get a sense of the course speed and go from there. Since top of 1st gear is so high, might not need to shift until the slalom. Any guesses?

Good luck getting your limo through that course

nilfinite · 07-08-2016, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRL1LE

Good luck getting your limo through that course

This is how I drive my limo:

JRL1LE · 07-09-2016, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilfinite

This is how I drive my limo:

nilfinite · 07-10-2016, 12:42 AM

So... ended up not shifting out of 1st gear at all today. The lotus club built a 50 second course on a small patch of concrete lol. The guys that had to shift to 2nd gear complained about bogging since the course exit speed were pretty low. Really fast guys like Praniel heel-toe downshifted to 1st gear 3 or 4 times on the course. Advantage to the Camaro for the tall gearing. Course was tight but not horribly bad. I hit the rev limiter 3 times per run.

nilfinite · 07-10-2016, 02:58 AM

What did I learn today? You don't need hard biting brakes in Autocross. It's better to brake less and earlier in the corner. Ignore the advice to use ABS braking or "brake when you see God" advice.

Braking earlier and less helps you setup the perfect constant speed in a corner. The car is more stable without the hard braking so your constant speed is also faster.

I've heard of people purposely getting shittier brakes to get more pedal travel in the braking zone optimal for Autocross. So I'm going to stick with OEM pads and Ate DOT4 fluid.

nilfinite · 07-10-2016, 12:33 PM

Skipping the Lockheed Martin event today. Getting 14 runs yesterday was more than enough for me. It's time to give the Camaro a deep clean.

On yesterday's results, there unfortunately wasn't a FS hot shoe for me to benchmark against. So I compared against the regional champs in their STS Miata (Manuel) and STR S2000 (Praneil). After applying PAX adjustments, I was about 1 second off Manuel's pace and 1.5 seconds off Praneil.

Never felt so close to catching up to the good regional drivers and I still have the tire mod (worth about 1 second?) and driver mod (managing weight transfer better; left foot braking) to do. On top of that yesterday course was much better suited for smaller cars vs the Camaro tank.

nilfinite · 07-11-2016, 02:35 AM

Woah, was pleasantly surprised on my commute home this morning. I usually have the HUD on the RPM + MPH setting.

For once I tried the MPH + G Force Meter setting for novelty.

Was always wondering why the MPH and Meter was so cramped. Gave the car a quick little down shift and saw shift lights appear?!? It looks a bit like this:

So awesome. Going to be on this screen while autocrossing going forward.

PapaKlutch · 07-11-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilfinite

Woah, was pleasantly surprised on my commute home this morning. I usually have the HUD on the RPM + MPH setting.

For once I tried the MPH + G Force Meter setting for novelty.

Was always wondering why the MPH and Meter was so cramped. Gave the car a quick little down shift and saw shift lights appear?!? It looks a bit like this:

So awesome. Going to be on this screen while autocrossing going forward.

I love the HUD! I hardly look at the Tach or Speedo. Did you get an Owners Manual with the car? If so, see 5-28 for in-depth explanation of the HUD.

I have the owners manual on pdf. It can be dl'ed from Chevy or I can send you the file.

nilfinite · 07-11-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveZ28

I love the HUD! I hardly look at the Tach or Speedo. Did you get an Owners Manual with the car? If so, see 5-28 for in-depth explanation of the HUD.

I have the owners manual on pdf. It can be dl'ed from Chevy or I can send you the file.

Yeah! It's seriously awesome. Totally makes the extra weight of the 2SS package worth it (haven't found data yet on the weight difference between 1SS and 2SS yet; but it must be heavier).

Thanks for the heads up on where to look in the owners manual.

nilfinite · 07-11-2016, 10:10 PM

On the topic of weight. Found some Recaros for sale over the weekend! These weren't brand new like the other ones on the forum.

Took out the scale and weighed the Recaros vs 2SS driver seat.

2SS (Power, Leather, Heated) = 57.5 lbs
Recaro (Power, Heated) = 61.5 lbs

The Recaros are heavier! Must be the extra bolstering?

Doesn't matter, the seats are worth it. The seat cushions are firmer, more support on the rear end and the back. Not tight enough to "lock" you into the seat but definitely better than the normal seat. I also feel like the height setting is a bit lower. The firmer cushions and support transmit more information to your body and gives you a better idea of what the tires are doing. Completely awesome.

I'm doing the opposite of racecar and keep on adding weight:
+ 20lbs from the hitch (didn't notice the extra weight this weekend; easy to take off if I go to Nationals)
+ 8lbs from the Recaros

Worth it!

nilfinite · 07-12-2016, 01:01 AM

Downside of getting the Recaros: blew my mod budget for the next month or two. Decided to wait to use those dang RE-71R tires until the beginning of next year.

PapaKlutch · 07-12-2016, 10:04 PM

No doubt there are weight differences in the 1SS and 2SS models, but I don't care a bit. I love the 2SS extras. To me, this is not a race car, it's a street car that is super fun at the AX or road course track day.

Although many folks turn them into dedicated racecars, I never would. To me, too much weight to consider that route.

Nice move on the seats! I love the Recaro's. I find them to be a nice blend of a street friendly seat and a racier seat. I think that the "the Recaros are too heavy" arguments are silly. Dare I say their benefits OUTWEIGH their negatives!

I can drive on longer trips with fewer aches and pains in the Recaro's, too. Nice score!

nilfinite · 07-13-2016, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveZ28

No doubt there are weight differences in the 1SS and 2SS models, but I don't care a bit. I love the 2SS extras. To me, this is not a race car, it's a street car that is super fun at the AX or road course track day.

Although many folks turn them into dedicated racecars, I never would. To me, too much weight to consider that route.

Nice move on the seats! I love the Recaro's. I find them to be a nice blend of a street friendly seat and a racier seat. I think that the "the Recaros are too heavy" arguments are silly. Dare I say their benefits OUTWEIGH their negatives!

I can drive on longer trips with fewer aches and pains in the Recaro's, too. Nice score!

Haha, completely right. The extra weight is such a small % of the overall weight. In this case, I think the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives.

Surprisingly enough. The weight difference between Power Recaro Seats and Manual Recaro Seats is just 4lb.

PapaKlutch · 07-14-2016, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilfinite

Haha, completely right. The extra weight is such a small % of the overall weight. In this case, I think the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives.

Surprisingly enough. The weight difference between Power Recaro Seats and Manual Recaro Seats is just 4lb.

4 lbs.?! I can't believe people bitch about an extra 4 pounds! Enjoy those seats!

07-10-2016, 12:42 AM	#60
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	Autocrossing Adventure w/ the 1LE So... ended up not shifting out of 1st gear at all today. The lotus club built a 50 second course on a small patch of concrete lol. The guys that had to shift to 2nd gear complained about bogging since the course exit speed were pretty low. Really fast guys like Praniel heel-toe downshifted to 1st gear 3 or 4 times on the course. Advantage to the Camaro for the tall gearing. Course was tight but not horribly bad. I hit the rev limiter 3 times per run.

07-10-2016, 02:58 AM	#61
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	Autocrossing Adventure w/ the 1LE What did I learn today? You don't need hard biting brakes in Autocross. It's better to brake less and earlier in the corner. Ignore the advice to use ABS braking or "brake when you see God" advice. Braking earlier and less helps you setup the perfect constant speed in a corner. The car is more stable without the hard braking so your constant speed is also faster. I've heard of people purposely getting shittier brakes to get more pedal travel in the braking zone optimal for Autocross. So I'm going to stick with OEM pads and Ate DOT4 fluid.

07-12-2016, 10:04 PM	#68
PapaKlutch Drives: 2015 Camaro SS/1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Nevada Posts: 950	No doubt there are weight differences in the 1SS and 2SS models, but I don't care a bit. I love the 2SS extras. To me, this is not a race car, it's a street car that is super fun at the AX or road course track day. Although many folks turn them into dedicated racecars, I never would. To me, too much weight to consider that route. Nice move on the seats! I love the Recaro's. I find them to be a nice blend of a street friendly seat and a racier seat. I think that the "the Recaros are too heavy" arguments are silly. Dare I say their benefits OUTWEIGH their negatives! I can drive on longer trips with fewer aches and pains in the Recaro's, too. Nice score! __________________ 2015 2SS/1LE/RECARO/NPP/RS/NAV Last edited by PapaKlutch; 07-12-2016 at 10:04 PM. Reason: typo

07-10-2016, 12:33 PM	#62
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	Skipping the Lockheed Martin event today. Getting 14 runs yesterday was more than enough for me. It's time to give the Camaro a deep clean. On yesterday's results, there unfortunately wasn't a FS hot shoe for me to benchmark against. So I compared against the regional champs in their STS Miata (Manuel) and STR S2000 (Praneil). After applying PAX adjustments, I was about 1 second off Manuel's pace and 1.5 seconds off Praneil. Never felt so close to catching up to the good regional drivers and I still have the tire mod (worth about 1 second?) and driver mod (managing weight transfer better; left foot braking) to do. On top of that yesterday course was much better suited for smaller cars vs the Camaro tank.

07-11-2016, 02:35 AM	#63
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	Woah, was pleasantly surprised on my commute home this morning. I usually have the HUD on the RPM + MPH setting. For once I tried the MPH + G Force Meter setting for novelty. Was always wondering why the MPH and Meter was so cramped. Gave the car a quick little down shift and saw shift lights appear?!? It looks a bit like this: So awesome. Going to be on this screen while autocrossing going forward.

07-11-2016, 10:10 PM	#66
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	On the topic of weight. Found some Recaros for sale over the weekend! These weren't brand new like the other ones on the forum. Took out the scale and weighed the Recaros vs 2SS driver seat. 2SS (Power, Leather, Heated) = 57.5 lbs Recaro (Power, Heated) = 61.5 lbs The Recaros are heavier! Must be the extra bolstering? Doesn't matter, the seats are worth it. The seat cushions are firmer, more support on the rear end and the back. Not tight enough to "lock" you into the seat but definitely better than the normal seat. I also feel like the height setting is a bit lower. The firmer cushions and support transmit more information to your body and gives you a better idea of what the tires are doing. Completely awesome. I'm doing the opposite of racecar and keep on adding weight: + 20lbs from the hitch (didn't notice the extra weight this weekend; easy to take off if I go to Nationals) + 8lbs from the Recaros Worth it!

07-12-2016, 01:01 AM	#67
nilfinite Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 245	Downside of getting the Recaros: blew my mod budget for the next month or two. Decided to wait to use those dang RE-71R tires until the beginning of next year.