Autocross Help

[morepowerjoe]

Hey guys just wanted to ask a few questions regarding autocross. I'll be attending the Texas LS Festival at Texas Motor Speedway in this coming May and wanted to get a few tips. As far as my set up, it goes like this:


I have an oil cooler, trans cooler, 174* thermostat, ebc crossed and drilled rotors with their blue stuff ndx race pads, bilstein b6 shocks and struts with Chevy Camaro ZL1 2012-2015, Pro-Kit Front and Rear Lowering Coil Springs with 0.5" Front and 0.3" Rear Drop Height by Eibach, bmr rear trailing arms, and goodyear eagle f1 supercar 3 tires 285/30/20 fronts and 305/30/20 rears.

I also have a modified engine (see sig) with a 3600 stall converter. My first question is the stall going to hurt anything?

My next question is I assume that I will want to run in manual mode but not sure. If so what gears will I primarily use?

Any recommendations for tire pressure?

[hawkyV8]

Sounds like your car is set up to be a beast!


My car is a manual so I can only offer a tip on your last question. I would start in the 32-34psi range. Obviously the temps will go up up as you run and being in Texas the ambient air could add more to that. I usually end up adding air to the fronts and leaving the rears lower unless they start rolling over.


Good luck and have fun!

[morepowerjoe]

Thank you sir.

[ariZona28]

Autocrossing the Gen5 Camaro can be fun but there are some challenges involved. It's a rather large, high powered vehicle with difficult sight lines. I dabbled a bit in Auto X with my Z and I could never tell how close I was to the damned cones and while it was fun blasting around the course I just wasn't disciplined enough to hold back on the throttle and I constantly was trying to power (not finesse) my way through. In your case I would begin with the tire press at 30 psi, put the auto trans in second and use left foot breaking. Old school trick is to crayon the tires near the tread wear triangle and when the mark is worn to the top you're in the general vicinity of good pressure for the day. Don't be afraid to ask other guys with similar cars what they're doing. #1 rule: HAVE FUN!

[morepowerjoe]

Thanks for the tips!

[ariZona28]

Just re-read your post and saw your event isn't until May. Find a few local Auto X events and do a fact-finding mission with some of the racers. A car show with cars that GO! You can even practice some of your technique on the street and in empty parking lots, just don't run afoul of the law.

[joelster]

As with a lot of first timers to an autocross you're over-thinking it. A bone-stock car is very well set up. Chevrolet engineers our cars to do everything well. Leave the car in drive and let it shift on its own. I did 1 lap in a '16 SS auto, and it was always in the power.

Don't adjust anything on the suspension unless something is way wrong. The best advice would be to get an instructor to ride shotgun for a few laps, and then let the instructor drive your car for 1 or 2 laps. They will be able to push the car near its limit, and tell you if something needs to be addressed. Most cars will behave perfectly at 8/10ths. It isn't until you push the car near the max (9-10/10ths), that you'll see its flaws.

Check tire pressure after every run, and try to take note on how the tires are behaving. You're running a road race type tire, so they can handle heat really well. A top shelf autocross tire will get up to temp fast, but get too hot after a few runs and need to be sprayed to cool down. I doubt you'll encounter a problem with Supercar tires.

Bring a cooler full of beverages, some snacks, a chair or 2, a gazebo (tie it down so it doesn't fly into a car), a small air compressor, a tire gauge, helmet, comfortable shoes, etc. You'll want to get there early and walk the course at least 4 times. Walk with someone knowledgeable, but also walk it alone once without someone talking in your ear. Too many times I see guys walking the course in groups, and they aren't really focusing on the course, they're just yapping away. Most regions will do a novice walk-through with instructors. Pay attention to what they say.

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by joelster

As with a lot of first timers to an autocross you're over-thinking it. A bone-stock car is very well set up. Chevrolet engineers our cars to do everything well. Leave the car in drive and let it shift on its own. I did 1 lap in a '16 SS auto, and it was always in the power.

Don't adjust anything on the suspension unless something is way wrong. The best advice would be to get an instructor to ride shotgun for a few laps, and then let the instructor drive your car for 1 or 2 laps. They will be able to push the car near its limit, and tell you if something needs to be addressed. Most cars will behave perfectly at 8/10ths. It isn't until you push the car near the max (9-10/10ths), that you'll see its flaws.

Check tire pressure after every run, and try to take note on how the tires are behaving. You're running a road race type tire, so they can handle heat really well. A top shelf autocross tire will get up to temp fast, but get too hot after a few runs and need to be sprayed to cool down. I doubt you'll encounter a problem with Supercar tires.

Bring a cooler full of beverages, some snacks, a chair or 2, a gazebo (tie it down so it doesn't fly into a car), a small air compressor, a tire gauge, helmet, comfortable shoes, etc. You'll want to get there early and walk the course at least 4 times. Walk with someone knowledgeable, but also walk it alone once without someone talking in your ear. Too many times I see guys walking the course in groups, and they aren't really focusing on the course, they're just yapping away. Most regions will do a novice walk-through with instructors. Pay attention to what they say.

Thank you sir.

[FASTFATBOY]

Originally Posted by joelster

As with a lot of first timers to an autocross you're over-thinking it. A bone-stock car is very well set up. Chevrolet engineers our cars to do everything well. Leave the car in drive and let it shift on its own. I did 1 lap in a '16 SS auto, and it was always in the power.

Don't adjust anything on the suspension unless something is way wrong. The best advice would be to get an instructor to ride shotgun for a few laps, and then let the instructor drive your car for 1 or 2 laps. They will be able to push the car near its limit, and tell you if something needs to be addressed. Most cars will behave perfectly at 8/10ths. It isn't until you push the car near the max (9-10/10ths), that you'll see its flaws.

Check tire pressure after every run, and try to take note on how the tires are behaving. You're running a road race type tire, so they can handle heat really well. A top shelf autocross tire will get up to temp fast, but get too hot after a few runs and need to be sprayed to cool down. I doubt you'll encounter a problem with Supercar tires.

Bring a cooler full of beverages, some snacks, a chair or 2, a gazebo (tie it down so it doesn't fly into a car), a small air compressor, a tire gauge, helmet, comfortable shoes, etc. You'll want to get there early and walk the course at least 4 times. Walk with someone knowledgeable, but also walk it alone once without someone talking in your ear. Too many times I see guys walking the course in groups, and they aren't really focusing on the course, they're just yapping away. Most regions will do a novice walk-through with instructors. Pay attention to what they say.

This^^^^

If you have the choice to work or drive the course first always work the course first so you can watch.

You will most likely put the car in 2nd gear and leave it there.

Momentum is king, being smooth is king. Snatching the car around and spinning tires SEEMS fast but isn't. What seems slow is really fast.

Keep your eyes up and look where you want to go, your hands will take you where your eyes are looking.

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

This^^^^

If you have the choice to work or drive the course first always work the course first so you can watch.

You will most likely put the car in 2nd gear and leave it there.

Momentum is king, being smooth is king. Snatching the car around and spinning tires SEEMS fast but isn't. What seems slow is really fast.

Keep your eyes up and look where you want to go, your hands will take you where your eyes are looking.

Thanks

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

Hey guys just wanted to ask a few questions regarding autocross. I'll be attending the Texas LS Festival at Texas Motor Speedway in this coming May and wanted to get a few tips. As far as my set up, it goes like this:


I have an oil cooler, trans cooler, 174* thermostat, ebc crossed and drilled rotors with their blue stuff ndx race pads, bilstein b6 shocks and struts with Chevy Camaro ZL1 2012-2015, Pro-Kit Front and Rear Lowering Coil Springs with 0.5" Front and 0.3" Rear Drop Height by Eibach, bmr rear trailing arms, and goodyear eagle f1 supercar 3 tires 285/30/20 fronts and 305/30/20 rears.

I also have a modified engine (see sig) with a 3600 stall converter. My first question is the stall going to hurt anything?

My next question is I assume that I will want to run in manual mode but not sure. If so what gears will I primarily use?

Any recommendations for tire pressure?

1. Leave the trans in auto mode. If it has a sport mode or something other then regular drive I'd give that a try. It will do better then you manually shifting and it will downshift when needed. The paddles I'm sure have such a large delay in actually performing the shift that it won't shift when you tell it to anyhow.

2. If you are new to autocross leave your ego at the gate. You will likely get beat by many cars that are not even modified or lower HP (like a miata). Don't worry about that. Just have fun and talk to people. You will get tips and tricks and you will learn how to get faster.

3. Try to connect all the turns together with smooth arcs. Don't drive it like point and shoot car. If you just mash the gas pedal from cone to cone and connect them all with straight lines you will be slower then the driver that learn how to connect them all with smooth flowing continuous arcs.

4. For Tire pressures I'd start at 32 psig cold and check after a couple runs. Try to keep them in the 32-34 psig range when they get hot.

5. Don't be shy to ask for ride alongs with other drivers. You can learn so much by riding with faster drivers. Then you don't have to worry about doing any of the driving inputs. You can just observe their driving line, where they brake, where they accelerate, how they connect the cones with smooth arcs, etc... Ride alongs with faster drivers especially in similar cars will be one of the fastest ways for you to learn yourself. So don't be shy! Make some new friends. Ask for ride alongs.

6. Most important tip: HAVE FUN!

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by Nick S

1. Leave the trans in auto mode. If it has a sport mode or something other then regular drive I'd give that a try. It will do better then you manually shifting and it will downshift when needed. The paddles I'm sure have such a large delay in actually performing the shift that it won't shift when you tell it to anyhow.

2. If you are new to autocross leave your ego at the gate. You will likely get beat by many cars that are not even modified or lower HP (like a miata). Don't worry about that. Just have fun and talk to people. You will get tips and tricks and you will learn how to get faster.

3. Try to connect all the turns together with smooth arcs. Don't drive it like point and shoot car. If you just mash the gas pedal from cone to cone and connect them all with straight lines you will be slower then the driver that learn how to connect them all with smooth flowing continuous arcs.

4. For Tire pressures I'd start at 32 psig cold and check after a couple runs. Try to keep them in the 32-34 psig range when they get hot.

5. Don't be shy to ask for ride alongs with other drivers. You can learn so much by riding with faster drivers. Then you don't have to worry about doing any of the driving inputs. You can just observe their driving line, where they brake, where they accelerate, how they connect the cones with smooth arcs, etc... Ride alongs with faster drivers especially in similar cars will be one of the fastest ways for you to learn yourself. So don't be shy! Make some new friends. Ask for ride alongs.

6. Most important tip: HAVE FUN!

Thank you!