A good weekend at Thunderhill... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

brt3 · 03-15-2015, 03:51 PM

Had a blast with CRT, a lot of other good folks, and the good weather at Thunderhill. We were running the 5-Mile circuit with Hooked On Driving.

Had my ups and had my downs. Dinged my front splitter in a brain-fade moment at the cross-over. I decided I shouldn't be on the track if I was going to let that mistake bother me; two offs now in 25 years is a pretty decent record.

Decided on an alternative strategy. Found a guy in a prepped M3 who was running a pace similar to mine, but who clearly knew the correct line. I followed him for a session or two, which really helped. This was my second time at T'hill so it's still new to me.

I then spent most of Saturday chasing a guy in his gorgeous new Z06/7, a.k.a. Superman. He's still getting up to speed, but could NOT believe I could keep up with him in my Z/28. On our last run he gapped me at the start -- I think the Trofeo Rs take longer to warm up than the Pilot Sport Cup 2s -- but then I started reeling him in.

My best lap was a 3:43.77 -- and this was during my last run of the weekend. Given that our fastest laps were typically before lunchtime, because of track temps, I felt great about that. My new goal is to break 3:40, and I think that's realistic. Time to get some coaching and make it happen!

Two observations:

1. The best thing you can do to your Camaro is to install the Brey-Krause harness bar and appropriate harnesses.

2. The second-best thing you can do is to install a proper racing shell. Now that I'm not flying around the car, under cornering and braking, I need to fix the headroom problem. Specifically, my head never moves as it's firmly jammed into the headliner. I'm so far back and up high that my sight-lines are terrible -- I need to be down as low as possible in the car. I'm working hard to find a shell that fits, and will install either a Sparco EVO II, Sparco ERGO, or Racetech seat. Racetech will make a custom shell for me for a $500 up-charge, which is a pretty great deal IMHO. None of the other makers (Recaro, Sparco, etc.) offer this service that I know of...

MARKSTI · 03-16-2015, 12:31 PM

I have a Egro and am having fitment problems with it..even with sparco sliders..to tall and sits a little to upright.

I will have to mount it in a fixed position for it to work

Maybe a Evo or Racetech would be better.

backtotintops · 03-16-2015, 12:47 PM

great read!!! I would like to see some picts of the bk bar setup, how you did the subs, and how easy it is to remove if you have done that. thanks.

brt3 · 03-16-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARKSTI

I have a Egro and am having fitment problems with it..even with sparco sliders..to tall and sits a little to upright.

I will have to mount it in a fixed position for it to work

Maybe a Evo or Racetech would be better.

I have no desire to mount my seat using the sliders, as I need every possible mm to get the headroom I need. Are you 100% positive the Ergo will fit, and is your seat the Ergo Large (there are three sizes)?

If you bought the Large then I should be good; I have the HD Aluminum side-mount seat rails to use for the mounting. The height of the Ergo L is just over 40-inches; this is over 4-inches taller than the EVO II. That, along with the width at the top of the seat, make it a tough install in our cars...

brt3 · 03-16-2015, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtotintops

great read!!! I would like to see some picts of the bk bar setup, how you did the subs, and how easy it is to remove if you have done that. thanks.

No subs yet; I have those but will wait to install them when the racing seats go in. I'm using the Schroth Profi II with ASM; though this doesn't eliminate the need for the sub straps, these are supposed to do a good job, in 4-point configuration, of holding you in and minimizing submarining.

I have attached the installation instructions for the B-K bar; hope this helps!

brahmabull · 03-17-2015, 03:24 AM

Question for you since you tracked this car. I've tracked my E46 M3 that I used to have, and my C6 ZO6, that I used to have..lol..did you have to replace your brake lines for some braided steel ones? I did it on my previous cars, and I know they said the Z/28 is good out of the box, but im asking you since you were there on the track, how did the brakes feel throughout your session. Were they fading or were they good till the last hard drop. If you did replace them, which brand is best for our track monster?

brt3 · 03-17-2015, 10:43 AM

The brakes on this car are killer, and I've changed nothing. You shouldn't go to braided SS lines unless you want to replace the lines every two years. I'm no expert, but I was told by a race shop to keep the standard lines, as you can more easily target a problem if there's any cracking or issues with the lines...

brt3 · 03-17-2015, 12:09 PM

A grab of the B-K site showing the harness bar; the reason I like this bar is that B-K makes the highest quality and best-engineered products on the market. This thing installs perfectly with no cutting or trimming required. Simple, beautifully made, and very strong:

backtotintops · 03-17-2015, 12:15 PM

I have nippers that go in the back seats so this is appealing to me if it comes in and out easily. According to the pdf you leave the brackets on the backseats in. Are they flush or would they push against a nipper under normal driving? I would be interested in your observations and still send a pic when you can.

thanks

brt3 · 03-17-2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtotintops

I have nippers that go in the back seats so this is appealing to me if it comes in and out easily. According to the pdf you leave the brackets on the backseats in. Are they flush or would they push against a nipper under normal driving? I would be interested in your observations and still send a pic when you can.

thanks

I never need to remove the harness bar, but am happy to take more photos if it helps. However, I'm not sure I can do better than the shots on the B-K site and install instructions given that it's a black bar and black interior -- is there something specific you're looking for? I'm pretty sure that after the bar is removed, the remaining brackets won't be an issue for your kidlets. Also, I found the B-K folks really responsive to questions, so you may want to phone them if I can't answer your questions...

Frankdt · 03-17-2015, 10:01 PM

Hey, sounds like you are really enjoying the Z!! Few questions:

What tires are you running at the track?
Are you driving the car to the track as well?
That oil temps are you seeing?

Thanks
Frank Red Z28

brt3 · 03-17-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankdt

Hey, sounds like you are really enjoying the Z!! Few questions:

What tires are you running at the track?
Are you driving the car to the track as well?
That oil temps are you seeing?

Hi Frank -- I love my Z/28 and the only thing I'd change is the weight. Even with that it's a fantastic track-day car.

What tires are you running at the track?
Pirelli Trofeo R OEM tires. I have 8 track days on this set and expect to get at least 10, maybe 12 total, before needing to change them out.

Are you driving the car to the track as well?
Yes; it's a 2-hour drive from my house to Thunderhill

What oil temps are you seeing?
During this event the highest temp I saw was 260 degrees. The ambient temps peaked at 75 to 79 degrees.

Z28-TX · 03-18-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brt3

I have no desire to mount my seat using the sliders, as I need every possible mm to get the headroom I need. Are you 100% positive the Ergo will fit, and is your seat the Ergo Large (there are three sizes)?

If you bought the Large then I should be good; I have the HD Aluminum side-mount seat rails to use for the mounting. The height of the Ergo L is just over 40-inches; this is over 4-inches taller than the EVO II. That, along with the width at the top of the seat, make it a tough install in our cars...

Would also like to know what size Ergo you're running.

THX

brt3 · 03-30-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28-TX

Would also like to know what size Ergo you're running.

THX

UPDATE: I found an Ergo/Large at a local shop. They sold it to me on the provision that I can return it for a refund if it doesn't fit in the car. More to come...

BTW, I'm 6'7" and 235 pounds, with slightly more length in my torso. The ERGO-L fits me like it was made for me, so I'm really hoping it squeezed into the Z/28. It is a MUCH better fit than the EVO II; I could fit in the EVO II but it was a little too short and a touch too tight in spots.

03-15-2015, 03:51 PM	#1
brt3 Runs with scissors... Drives: '14 Z/28s SIM/SW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,439	A good weekend at Thunderhill... Had a blast with CRT, a lot of other good folks, and the good weather at Thunderhill. We were running the 5-Mile circuit with Hooked On Driving. Had my ups and had my downs. Dinged my front splitter in a brain-fade moment at the cross-over. I decided I shouldn't be on the track if I was going to let that mistake bother me; two offs now in 25 years is a pretty decent record. Decided on an alternative strategy. Found a guy in a prepped M3 who was running a pace similar to mine, but who clearly knew the correct line. I followed him for a session or two, which really helped. This was my second time at T'hill so it's still new to me. I then spent most of Saturday chasing a guy in his gorgeous new Z06/7, a.k.a. Superman. He's still getting up to speed, but could NOT believe I could keep up with him in my Z/28. On our last run he gapped me at the start -- I think the Trofeo Rs take longer to warm up than the Pilot Sport Cup 2s -- but then I started reeling him in. My best lap was a 3:43.77 -- and this was during my last run of the weekend. Given that our fastest laps were typically before lunchtime, because of track temps, I felt great about that. My new goal is to break 3:40, and I think that's realistic. Time to get some coaching and make it happen! Two observations: 1. The best thing you can do to your Camaro is to install the Brey-Krause harness bar and appropriate harnesses. 2. The second-best thing you can do is to install a proper racing shell. Now that I'm not flying around the car, under cornering and braking, I need to fix the headroom problem. Specifically, my head never moves as it's firmly jammed into the headliner. I'm so far back and up high that my sight-lines are terrible -- I need to be down as low as possible in the car. I'm working hard to find a shell that fits, and will install either a Sparco EVO II, Sparco ERGO, or Racetech seat. Racetech will make a custom shell for me for a $500 up-charge, which is a pretty great deal IMHO. None of the other makers (Recaro, Sparco, etc.) offer this service that I know of... __________________ Last edited by brt3; 03-15-2015 at 09:40 PM.

03-16-2015, 12:47 PM	#3
backtotintops Drives: 14 Z/28 0# Join Date: May 2013 Location: NY Posts: 773	great read!!! I would like to see some picts of the bk bar setup, how you did the subs, and how easy it is to remove if you have done that. thanks. __________________ "PTM11" Search & Destroy

03-17-2015, 03:24 AM	#6
brahmabull Drives: 2015 Ashen Gray Metallic Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newbury Park, Ca Posts: 40	Question for you since you tracked this car. I've tracked my E46 M3 that I used to have, and my C6 ZO6, that I used to have..lol..did you have to replace your brake lines for some braided steel ones? I did it on my previous cars, and I know they said the Z/28 is good out of the box, but im asking you since you were there on the track, how did the brakes feel throughout your session. Were they fading or were they good till the last hard drop. If you did replace them, which brand is best for our track monster? __________________ 2015 Ashen Gray Metallic Z/28 2014 Merz Benz E350(sold) 2010 Ford Raptor(sold) 2009 Chev C6 ZO6(sold)-beast 2006 BMW E46 M3(sold) 2000 Honda S2000(sold)

03-17-2015, 10:43 AM	#7
brt3 Runs with scissors... Drives: '14 Z/28s SIM/SW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,439	The brakes on this car are killer, and I've changed nothing. You shouldn't go to braided SS lines unless you want to replace the lines every two years. I'm no expert, but I was told by a race shop to keep the standard lines, as you can more easily target a problem if there's any cracking or issues with the lines... __________________

03-17-2015, 12:09 PM	#8
brt3 Runs with scissors... Drives: '14 Z/28s SIM/SW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,439	A grab of the B-K site showing the harness bar; the reason I like this bar is that B-K makes the highest quality and best-engineered products on the market. This thing installs perfectly with no cutting or trimming required. Simple, beautifully made, and very strong: Attached Images __________________

03-16-2015, 12:31 PM	#2
MARKSTI Drives: 2015 z28 sold Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: As Posts: 80	I have a Egro and am having fitment problems with it..even with sparco sliders..to tall and sits a little to upright. I will have to mount it in a fixed position for it to work Maybe a Evo or Racetech would be better.

03-17-2015, 12:15 PM	#9
backtotintops Drives: 14 Z/28 0# Join Date: May 2013 Location: NY Posts: 773	I have nippers that go in the back seats so this is appealing to me if it comes in and out easily. According to the pdf you leave the brackets on the backseats in. Are they flush or would they push against a nipper under normal driving? I would be interested in your observations and still send a pic when you can. thanks __________________ "PTM11" Search & Destroy

03-17-2015, 10:01 PM	#11
Frankdt Drives: VetteZ & Z28 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: COTA Posts: 34	Hey, sounds like you are really enjoying the Z!! Few questions: What tires are you running at the track? Are you driving the car to the track as well? That oil temps are you seeing? Thanks Frank Red Z28