Track day prep

[Gholdwayne]

Could see the serious compression of the stock springs there

[aza013]

It also looks like you may have been hitting your rims as well
There is not a lot of rubber under them in the last two pics.

[geoffma]

Tyres are very low profile, but were running at 40 psi.

But now you mention it, the "bang" I heard could have been a rim hitting something.

[aza013]

What is the rim size and Tyre size (eg 17x8 rims 215/35/17 ) ?

They look like they are stretched a little bit over the rims.

[geoffma]

Front 225/35 R18
Back 235 /40Z R18

[zuihoujueding]

wow theres lots of grip there....
i was running stock rims with 205/50/r16 at wakefield and was not impressed!

[geoffma]

Didnt seem like lots of grip at the time. I was sliding and squeeling all over the place. ... could be my driving though. lol.

Definately sure the "bang" was the rim hitting something. Same thing happened today when turning off the bitumen. Maybe the fronts are a little too "low profile" for practical purposes.

BTW, these are the wheels/tyres that came with the car when I brought it earlier this year. I suspect 18 inch rims are a little too big for the wheel arches, so the last owner had to put the lowest profile tyre (and maybe a touch too narrow) on the front to get it to fit.

[zuihoujueding]

you are very right.

extra width is good. but good rubbers are important too. what rubber did you use?
too much squealing means loosing traction, going too fast at the corners and thus losing time. dont worry, your driving style is pretty common. im like that too...lol

[geoffma]

Not sure of the rubber.

Sliding around corners was the best part of the day!.

Being my first track day I was amazed how much control you still have while getting a little sideways.

But I could definetly work on my entry lines into the corners I think.

When is the next FTO track day in NSW ?

[aza013]

I want to get one going but I need to do some work on the car first.

[vipfto]

Didnt seem like lots of grip at the time. I was sliding and squeeling all over the place. ... could be my driving though. lol.

Definately sure the "bang" was the rim hitting something. Same thing happened today when turning off the bitumen. Maybe the fronts are a little too "low profile" for practical purposes.

BTW, these are the wheels/tyres that came with the car when I brought it earlier this year. I suspect 18 inch rims are a little too big for the wheel arches, so the last owner had to put the lowest profile tyre (and maybe a touch too narrow) on the front to get it to fit.

na right size however for the track you will find larger profile is better try 225/40R18 Also the quality of rubber is the single biggest factor to a good track car are you running semi-slicks?

[aza013]

Agree ^^^^^
but what is your rim size? 18x .........?

[Bennoz]

18s are too big for FTO track use. Not enough tyre wall even on the bigger profiles. 17's are the go, even 16s.

[Shane001]

Tyres are very low profile, but were running at 40 psi.

=

Didnt seem like lots of grip at the time. I was sliding and squeeling all over the place.

Tyre pressures way too high. Also was that cold or hot?

[geoffma]

I dont think it was the rims hitting something that caused the bang.

Check out this dangling bit of metal near the front right :



What exactly is that ?

[zuihoujueding]

dont know exactly what it is, but the if its a metal bar and from the size of it looks like you have a broken sway bar

[Dras]

Looks very much like the sway bar to me. Mine broke earlier this year.

I got a new one made at Signature Swaybars 02 9525 5619. They have a template ready to go and are reasonably priced.

[Bennoz]

+3 on the busted swaybar. Nicely done!

[geoffma]

How urgent a fix is it?.
Can I drive around my local streets for a week or so before getting fixed ?

[Bennoz]

Yeah it'll keep. Just feel a bit wishy washy.