Ring preparation??

[SamSTI]

Hi guys.

After been given the thumbs up from the girlfriend to go to the ring next year (i'm so excited lol).

I'm just wandering what things I should be doing to my car in preparation. I know its a long way off yet but it gives time to plan and save for anything that needs to be done.

Brakes: as the standard brakes and pads are shocking imo, I'm thinking a call to Alyn at AS performance for some fast road/ track discs and pads??

Remap and full service: this will be done last (unless advised different?) but will be getting a remap (which will include sports cat, fuel pump and uprated panel filter fitted) and a full service.

Chassis tuning: this is my main query. Will lowering springs be ok or would it be best to get uprated shocks or coilovers?? Strut brace, ARB, ALK are they worth doing?? anybody recommend anything else??. Obviously a full geo setup if I do any changes??.

Tyres: Have no idea regarding tyres, all I know is that I have Falken 452s on at the moment, these any good??

Bearing in mind with the above, I'm no track expert neither am I looking to break any records and probably won't be doing any overtaking lol. I'm just looking for some mods to make it easier and more enjoyable for me

Thanks in advance
Sam

[Hongkongfooi]

Sam, dont spend too much for your first trip....you aren't going to be setting any records so just the safe basics.

Yes, get lowering springs, yes, get some upgraded pads and discs if can afford it, yes, get some braided brake lines and yes, get some 5.1 brake fluid.

Normal service beforehand as well and you'll be fine. If you really get the bug then spend some more wedge next year.

Tyres will be fine.

[SamSTI]

Lovely thanks Tim, Sounds good to me.

[Hongkongfooi]

forgot to add....whiteline arb's are a good upgrade anyway and relatively cheap so get a rear one at least.

[Scooby_Greg]

Fantastic news - you'll love it!

The key thing is to make sure you're car is reliable. Make sure it's serviced and anything that's not running quite right is put right. The scoob is already a fantastic car and you can have more fun in standard set up that many many other cars. Although we all like to mod them as its part of the fun!

Decent tyres makes a big difference. Unless you're taking 2 sets go for a good allrounder. Have a look on the forum as different people like different tyres. The 888s we're amazing in the dry and damp but in the really wet conditions we had on the Sunday would have been lethal!

The best thing to do is to do some trackdays if you haven't already. Tuition is also well worth it! I'd recommend this above anything else if you haven't done many.

If you do want to spend money on the car and look to keep relatively standard I'd go for brakes first. Alyn at AS may point you in the right direction depending on your budget and whether you go for just pads, pads and discs, or pads discs and calipers. Then next would be suspension set up with ARBs. Then coilovers ( standard shocks are surprisingly good)

Power is last on the list.

Between everyone on the forum there lots of variations we've all tried and I'm sure you'll get some fantastic advice.

You're going to love it...

[majorscooby]

I had 452's and lowering springs on my wagon the very first year I went to the ring, handled fine.

Tim and greg have pretty much summed it up really, just enjoy the sights there, blast a few laps at YOUR pace not the guy in front ( normally BIG E ) and more so enjoy the spirited roads out there!!

[SamSTI]

Thanks guys, I'm not looking to go crazy with mods, the one's you've mentioned above sound good to me. My cars health is the most important thing to me, there will definitely be plenty of checks before hand lol.

Hopefully I will be doing a few trackdays before then for a bit of practice.

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Scooby_Greg

Fantastic news - you'll love it!

The key thing is to make sure you're car is reliable. Make sure it's serviced and anything that's not running quite right is put right. The scoob is already a fantastic car and you can have more fun in standard set up that many many other cars. Although we all like to mod them as its part of the fun!

Decent tyres makes a big difference. Unless you're taking 2 sets go for a good allrounder. Have a look on the forum as different people like different tyres. The 888s we're amazing in the dry and damp but in the really wet conditions we had on the Sunday would have been lethal!

The best thing to do is to do some trackdays if you haven't already. Tuition is also well worth it! I'd recommend this above anything else if you haven't done many.

If you do want to spend money on the car and look to keep relatively standard I'd go for brakes first. Alyn at AS may point you in the right direction depending on your budget and whether you go for just pads, pads and discs, or pads discs and calipers. Then next would be suspension set up with ARBs. Then coilovers ( standard shocks are surprisingly good)

Power is last on the list.

Between everyone on the forum there lots of variations we've all tried and I'm sure you'll get some fantastic advice.

You're going to love it...

Agreed 100% with Greg

Have a word with Alyn @ ASPerformance.

Re pad selection and brake fluid..

my initial list would be:

1. Good quality lubricants, engine, transmission and diff.

2. Pads.

3. Brake Fluid.

4. Anti Roll Bar 24mm

5. Front Strut Brace??

[ScoobyStu]

Alyn sorted me out standardish discs and PF pads for mine. Said I planned going over 400bhp and the odd track day and he said they will be absolutely fine. Can't remember what I paid but they were a very good price and work well.

[BIG"E"]

We have only just got back and we are talking about the ring already

It will be good to have you join us next Sam

[SamSTI]

Thanks Ian.

My apologies! as I know its way too early to be talking about the ring trip next year. I'm a bit ocd when it comes to planning for things, hense the above questions lol.

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by SamSTI

Thanks Ian.

My apologies! as I know its way too early to be talking about the ring trip next year. I'm a bit ocd when it comes to planning for things, hense the above questions lol.

You can ask away as much as you like.

It is better to be prepared than not.

[Steve_PPP]

FK452's will be fine, i managed a 9:12 lap on them a couple of years ago.

Set of lowering springs, some decent discs/pads and a good service and you're pretty much sorted for your first trip. Remap with a sportscat will help a bit, but the Ring is definitely not a power circuit.

But more important than all of the above - do a trackday in the UK so you have a feel for the limits of your car, and learn as much about the layout of the Ring as possible. Watching youtube clips will help, you don't want to go round on your first map needing a map!

[bigemp]

A big jar of ky jelly

And make sure the mrs takes it easy with you to start with and nothing too big

Hope that helps sam with your RING PREPERATION

[Steve_PPP]

Wrong'un!

[SamSTI]

Originally Posted by bigemp

A big jar of ky jelly

And make sure the mrs takes it easy with you to start with and nothing too big

Hope that helps sam with your RING PREPERATION

ROFL

[SamSTI]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

FK452's will be fine, i managed a 9:12 lap on them a couple of years ago.

Set of lowering springs, some decent discs/pads and a good service and you're pretty much sorted for your first trip. Remap with a sportscat will help a bit, but the Ring is definitely not a power circuit.

But more important than all of the above - do a trackday in the UK so you have a feel for the limits of your car, and learn as much about the layout of the Ring as possible. Watching youtube clips will help, you don't want to go round on your first map needing a map!

Thanks steve.

Don't get me wrong the remap is not for the power gains, from what I have read, the better throttle response and smoother ride is what I'm after. It will also be a good time to check everything's running fine afr, det etc.

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by SamSTI

Thanks steve.

Don't get me wrong the remap is not for the power gains, from what I have read, the better throttle response and smoother ride is what I'm after. It will also be a good time to check everything's running fine afr, det etc.

A good map will save you fuel as well, especially on the long drive over to the ring, just ask Bolesroor how many more liters his PPP map 05 car burnt compared to my mapped/modded 05 :O it was a massive saving of at least 4 hole euros

Just make sure the car is serviced properly, that the brakes stop it well, and that it goes round corners ok (get the geometry done)

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by bigemp

A big jar of ky jelly

And make sure the mrs takes it easy with you to start with and nothing too big

Hope that helps sam with your RING PREPERATION

[The Handbrake]

Dont forget saving up for you track insurance . You and your girlfriend will love it so much your girlfriend will start trolling places for mods for the next trip!

[SpecB]

As has been said above really.

My list would be full service with good fluids, make sure you go for a 10-50 oil at least, 5.1 brake fluid etc. (possibly consider oil temp/pressure gauges).

Uprated disks and pads will be fine on the Brembos, PF get a hell of a good press.

Then I'd look at suspension, in this order.
Rear ARB (24mm or equivalent) & drop links
Front Strut brace
Springs
Front ARB (22mm) & drop links

After that you're into cooling mods e.g oil cooler, FMIC etc.

[Lucky]

Thats great news SAm. Everyone has pretty much summed it up. Make sure everything is checked and serviced so its reliable. You will have plenty of fun in as standard, but good tyres,brakes and a bit of handling ,make all the difference.

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by BlueBugEye

As has been said above really.

My list would be full service with good fluids, make sure you go for a 10-50 oil at least, 5.1 brake fluid etc. (possibly consider oil temp/pressure gauges).

Uprated disks and pads will be fine on the Brembos, PF get a hell of a good press.

Then I'd look at suspension, in this order.
Rear ARB (24mm or equivalent) & drop links
Front Strut brace
Springs
Front ARB (22mm) & drop links

After that you're into cooling mods e.g oil cooler, FMIC etc.

Id agree with Nick on the above, with the exception of the droplinks, you cant really improve too much on the widetrack/hawk standard drop links (there rose jointed solid items front and rear) The mounts however can be improved on all our cars

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Ginola

Id agree with Nick on the above, with the exception of the droplinks, you cant really improve too much on the widetrack/hawk standard drop links (there rose jointed solid items front and rear) The mounts however can be improved on all our cars

When I did my ARB I was advised to up rate the mounts,

as you say the standard drop links are fine.

[Bolesroor]

[QUOTE=Ginola;164033] A good map will save you fuel as well, especially on the long drive over to the ring, just ask Bolesroor how many more liters his PPP map 05 car burnt compared to my mapped/modded 05 :O it was a massive saving of at least 4 hole euros

Yes I think a map tweak is in order?

And don`t do what I did and think you can make it back before needing to re-fuel as it was a bit fraught in the car queuing at the tunnel.

Scott where are you?

[555_Si]

on the brake side, PF Z pads in front, replace discs only if yours are no good. rears should be fine as is, PF Z pads if you insist.

Change fluid to something like Pagid Blue racing fluid, cheap at euro car parts, and replace brake hoses for HEL ones or Goodridge.


I used Yoko AD08 tyres i think, which were a good compramise for a long drive and unknown weather.

as others say,, good service, with good oil and make sure everything is tip top. check your turbo water hose from the header tank is ok. Your turbo inlet hose into the turbo from airbox is not knackered at turbo end. And peace of mind i replaced my top and bottom rad hoses.