z/28 on track is a beast

[void_kp]

Hey folks, almost clickbait title, but this car really is special on the track.
Yesterday I was at Pacific Raceways for an instructor-led HPDE event. Was my first event after changing cam, putting some camber (-2/-1.5) and putting some decent rubber (Supercar 3R).

This track is quite dangerous for stiff and fast cars due to the massive bumps that are present in some critical areas. This was my 2nd time on this track and my main purpose was to bring the car back home without crashing and work on my lines+braking technique.

Here are a couple of videos from the event, where I was able to get to consistently run around 1:37, with a few laps below it. The car has probably 10 seconds more of margin but I'll get there over time, I'm not in a rush.

before the videos I have a question about the annoying stability/traction control. Even after putting it into race mode it basically entirely prevents the rear tires from slipping under acceleration. The moment your steering wheel is not straight, it will cut power like hell... is that normal? is the only possible setting that is viable for the track to disable everything (holding the 2 leftmost buttons down for few seconds)? Isn't there a setting that allows you to steer with throttle before blocking you?

Thanks, here are the shitty videos , but you will be able to enjoy the sound (although you will notice I never pull all gears and I rarely am at 100% throttle, that track is bad).

https://youtu.be/WmceTo_HCXA?si=2sO9Rt3TNU_m61kd

https://youtu.be/w5_iC9679ao?si=bEhh118n2knG2-_P

funny note: i had people with similar pace as mine letting me pass by so that they could enjoy the sound for the following laps (not on this video)

[Coz3z3]

Sweet videos! Those are awesome! Car sounds amazing! As far as the stability thing, I haven't had the issue too much. I've been running Supercar 3s for the past few years, and I have only encountered that on hairpin turns when I come out throttling too much. I've learned how much I can slam the throttle to be more effective and not have it shut down. I run in the competition mode 5 which is race as well. But I bet yours is a whole different ball game with the cam and everything too lol. I believe if you do hold the traction button for the 7-10 seconds, it turns everything off and turns that mode off too. But it's hold down the traction, not the sport and comfort buttons.

[markstoys]

Originally Posted by void_kp

funny note: i had people with similar pace as mine letting me pass by so that they could enjoy the sound for the following laps (not on this video)

I, too, have had people at a few different track events tell me that they have avoided passing me for a lap or two because they were enjoying the sound of the Z.


Mark

[Supercup]

@Coz3z3 is correct hold button down for 7-10 seconds off to turn all the nannies off - then drive at the limit at your peril. In 5 the car should be pretty free but with a lot of hp you will still encournter some resistance as the power overwhelms the tires, especially on a tight track like that.

Great videos - car sound great.

Attached is a pdf for track set up - if anyone doesn't have it already.

[void_kp]

Originally Posted by Supercup

@Coz3z3 is correct hold button down for 7-10 seconds off to turn all the nannies off - then drive at the limit at your peril. In 5 the car should be pretty free but with a lot of hp you will still encournter some resistance as the power overwhelms the tires, especially on a tight track like that.

the main problem is that it doesn't allow ANY slip at all. It completely stops the car from slipping rear tires if your steering wheel is not straight, which means you can't use power to close your angles... it's too restrictive for track usage.

more model systems (but also most of sport ones on 2014/2015 cars too) are way more permissive, allowing car to slide, up to a certain angle. This doesn't. at all.

[macalot]

There are 5 selectable track modes. Are you sure you toggled to track mode 5? It doesn't sound like it to me. Have fun and stay safe!

[joelster]

Our cars are almost undriveable with any of the "modes" engaged for autocross. It will cut power everywhere on almost every tight section. I could see where race mode would come in handy on a fast road course though. But I will say that if you put a proper tire on the car, our cars are VERY neutral when pushed to the limit. They don't do anything bad, and don't give you any surprises. An intermediate driver should be able to comfortably attack a road course with all of the nannies off. Just go 9/10ths and slowly add speed as the laps click on.

[Icemen125]

What device are you using to capture all your cars data?

[highrevving]

This is great! Thanks for sharing.

I read somewhere that GM left at race mode (5) for track tests including VIR and Ring.

[aris]

Originally Posted by joelster

Our cars are almost undriveable with any of the "modes" engaged for autocross. It will cut power everywhere on almost every tight section. I could see where race mode would come in handy on a fast road course though. But I will say that if you put a proper tire on the car, our cars are VERY neutral when pushed to the limit. They don't do anything bad, and don't give you any surprises. An intermediate driver should be able to comfortably attack a road course with all of the nannies off. Just go 9/10ths and slowly add speed as the laps click on.

This is my experience as well. None of the driving modes allow for any slip angle at all. Turning them off completely is a game changer - car drives much better and is (IMO) more predictable.

[void_kp]

There are 5 selectable track modes. Are you sure you toggled to track mode 5? It doesn't sound like it to me. Have fun and stay safe!

it was/is mode 5 , defined TRACK which is available after SPORT2. and yes, it cuts power A LOT.

Our cars are almost undriveable with any of the "modes" engaged for autocross. It will cut power everywhere on almost every tight section.

I agree with you.

I could see where race mode would come in handy on a fast road course though. But I will say that if you put a proper tire on the car, our cars are VERY neutral when pushed to the limit. They don't do anything bad, and don't give you any surprises. An intermediate driver should be able to comfortably attack a road course with all of the nannies off. Just go 9/10ths and slowly add speed as the laps click on.

Totally agree. The z/28 is very communicative and easy to manage when starts slipping around. My surprise was about how aggressive the traction control is, even in race mode. It feels like it is enabled by steering angle, so unless your steering angle is below a certain value (i.e. 20 degrees) it will completely cut power off. Annoying. I used it in all my past trackdays to get used to the car and track but I plan to remove it everytime now (unless it's wet)

What device are you using to capture all your cars data?

the cheapest decent setup I could find
It's racechrono pro on IOS (app $20) + OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth ($140 , obd2 dongle) + RaceBox Mini ($200, high speed gps)

there's a fantastic page on racechrono website: https://racechrono.com/support

I think a Garmin will be a much better and complete system, but this one was MUCH MUCH cheaper and allows me to "play" with visualizations and data.

I read somewhere that GM left at race mode (5) for track tests including VIR and Ring.

I highly doubt this. any professional (even non professional) drive would never drive a car with this invasive settings. One of the best things about our cars is a good rear LSD and the torque that allows you to "drive with your feet". Having this control makes the car MUCH slower. On the track I've been on I estimate a 1 to 2 seconds loss due to traction control.

[gm5778]

After watching your videos I can't see if the traction control and stabiltrack yellow lights are on in the RPM gauge. If I am not mistaken when you change the PTM modes those yellow lights stay on. I could be wrong but double check you're actually selecting the PTM mode.

[void_kp]

Originally Posted by gm5778

After watching your videos I can't see if the traction control and stabiltrack yellow lights are on in the RPM gauge. If I am not mistaken when you change the PTM modes those yellow lights stay on. I could be wrong but double check you're actually selecting the PTM mode.

I confirm that the lights (2 amber lights) are on all the time when you are in "race" mode

[docwra]

Originally Posted by void_kp

I highly doubt this. any professional (even non professional) drive would never drive a car with this invasive settings.

Its a fact though its in all the literature and reports, I can believe it.

Ive tracked mine a few times and have found the TC to be incredibly good, particularly on Race.
It definitely allows slip angle, not enough for a full drift but enough to assist rotation and will let you go too far as well, Ive spun a few times anyway

I reckon there might be a problem with your car, maybe yaw sensors arent working correctly or an ABS issue, from what yorue saying theres not much difference between 2,3 and 5 which cant be right.