I need your help MM: Future of the STi

[ScottyB]

i wouldn't sell it just yet, just see if it's the car for you on-track. I'd just take it slow and have some fun. Hurting yourself in HPDE 1 is unlikely if you have a level head about it with an ego that's left in the paddock. I think you've got a good head on your shoulders and i would love to see you on the track! I'll start practicing my point-by's

already said this

LOL, captain obvious. some people are just expanding on your thoughts Feersty.


Lee, enjoy your car man! i can't imagine thinking of selling something that has been the result of months of patience and a good chunk of change. do what makes you happy with it.....be it on the street or track.

that said, DEFINITELY get rides on track. i was floored by the speed a "weak" car can offer -- coming from a point of view that was hugely influenced by "street monsters" up until that point. it's one thing to lay down some power in a straight line, but nothing can prepare you for braking at hold-on-to-your-butt-no-way-we'll-make-this distances and being thrown into a corner where you have trouble holding your head up. nobody here will probably turn you down for a ride. 8)

[WRXtranceformed]

Lol no worries, I'm not going to sell my car, I never said I would! I think someone kind of insinuated it.

Like I said, the only way I would get rid of this car is if someone offered to trade me say a 700rwhp Corvette, a 500whp M3, an eleventy billion whp Supra or something along those lines. Which I don't see happening so ... ^_^

[Scrubber]

an eleventy billion whp Supra

And it would STILL only run 13's :wink:

[BLAIR]

seems like it would make a sick time attack car.

i cant read so i didnt bother seeing what everyone else said.. but word is that car is making sick power. maybe a bit overkill for a beginer track car. maybe someone said that.. maybe you have tons of experience? i dont know?

[Dave]

It is a lot of car for a newB ;-).
Ok, joking aside, I think it is a fantastic idea. Time trials would probably be the best suited for this car in terms of "racing" but that is a long time from now. If I were you and I was really interested in it, I would come out and spectate at the October event. Get a feel for how the events go, visit a couple class sessions, talk to some STi guys and find out what works for them. Then sign up for HPDE 1 at VIR in Feb. Best track evaR, and tons of run-off room "in case shit". I'd also try to find a way to cut some of the power back for your first event and beef up the brakes. I scare myself sometimes with a measly 120hp, I'd shit my pants if I went out my first time with four times that :-).
In terms of selling, trading, etc., run a couple events and then make that decision. Yes, it would suck to wreck, but the chances of that happening at your first event are very slim as long as you keep your head out of your ass. Furthermore, by Feb. you'd probably be much more comfortable with the car too. After a couple events you'll know if you're infected and if you can bring yourself to drive a slower, cheaper car to learn/beat on. I'd love to see you at the track, regardless of whether you are spectating, working, or driving and based on this thread I think it is safe to say you're expected to attend Summit now :-).

[WRXtranceformed]

Yup, looks like I'm headed that way. It sucks I work on the weekends now, it's going to make it a lot harder to get out to events.

As far as detuning, I'll have to see if I can fenagle some detuned maps after the dyno runs. I could always just run at like 1/4 throttle... the power I'm not really worried about because I've adapted fine to spirited driving with 400whp... whatever this thing puts out will be just a bit more of an adjustment. I understand track driving is different than controlled spirited driving, but you see what I mean... I'm used to the torque
You think I'll need more of an upgrade over my current brake setup for the track?:
Powerslot slotted rotors
Goodridge SS lines
Motul 5.1 fluid
Hawk HPS pads

Maybe HP+ pads? Would the HPS's not be good enough for occasional track use?

[ScottyB]

Maybe HP+ pads? Would the HPS's not be good enough for occasional track use?

i'll save everyone else the trouble and say those pads won't cut it. you'll be moving realllll good, i'd say look into a bonafide race pad, then swap back to HPS's for the ride home/everyday use.

[WRXtranceformed]

Maybe HP+ pads? Would the HPS's not be good enough for occasional track use?

i'll save everyone else the trouble and say those pads won't cut it. you'll be moving realllll good, i'd say look into a bonafide race pad, then swap back to HPS's for the ride home/everyday use.

Gotcha heh. Ugh, this is a good example of what I was talking about. It's always going to be another thing that will need to be modified to keep it safe/competitive. I just don't know if I'm willing to invest more into changing parts around and different setups. I guess I'll have to try a few ridealongs and see if I really think it's worth it.

This car wasn't purpose-built to be a competitive track car, so I have a feeling for the most part its home is going to be on the street. AND because I already own three vehicles and have no desire whatsoever to get a fourth, especially one that would require modifications to get it track ready, I don't see a bright future for me in racing :wink:

[.RJ]

You will need a lot more than HP+ once you get going, but for your first few events you might be able to get away with that - you wont be too hard on the brakes your first few days on track.

Call up carbotech and ask for Matt - tell him I sent you. You will probably need something like the carbotech XP12's, and if you're going to make a habit of the track thing then you will want a second set of rotors to swap in along with the pads.

Also, is there any pre-fab brake cooling options available?

[WRXtranceformed]

My front lip sort of directs air to the brakes, and the fender wells have been hacked to allow them to be functional...but there's no kind of ductwork or anything leading to the brakes. I don't know if that counts!

[.RJ]

Nope, gotta get air to the center of the rotor for it to be effective

I figured there would be some JDM bling bling carbon fiber ductwork you could buy that uses the stock foglight holes or some such....

[Nis01]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gtworx.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1113&osCsid=0f2ea13580c9ec397cc0edb698823edd">http://gtworx.com/catalog/product_info. ... b698823edd</a><!-- m -->

:wink: Simple enough to hook up to fog light covers and you are set.

[Evan]

:thumbup:

Lee its good to see you interested in driving that beast how it was meant to be

You dont need expensive brake ducts or anything like that, but chat me up sometime and we can talk about getting that thing track ready. It doesnt need too much.

[Maengelito]

lee, i've got a set of carbotech XP-9's i'd be willing to part with as i probably wont be tracking my STi anytime soon. honestly though, i think for your first event or two, the HPS will be decent as you wont be carrying crazy amounts of speed and threshold braking into turn 1. its just really hard to not get stuck in trains in group 1, so you shouldnt be cooking too much. i think they do sell ducting that uses your fog covers, but worry about the pads before any of that stuff.

[Dave]

Yup, looks like I'm headed that way. It sucks I work on the weekends now, it's going to make it a lot harder to get out to events.

As far as detuning, I'll have to see if I can fenagle some detuned maps after the dyno runs. I could always just run at like 1/4 throttle... the power I'm not really worried about because I've adapted fine to spirited driving with 400whp... whatever this thing puts out will be just a bit more of an adjustment. I understand track driving is different than controlled spirited driving, but you see what I mean... I'm used to the torque
You think I'll need more of an upgrade over my current brake setup for the track?:
Powerslot slotted rotors
Goodridge SS lines
Motul 5.1 fluid
Hawk HPS pads

Maybe HP+ pads? Would the HPS's not be good enough for occasional track use?

As much as I'd like believe that it is possible to restrain yourself on track, I feel like you'd be hurting yourself by saying "I'll only give it xx% throttle". What would happen that one time that you forget, you get some red mist (it happens to everybody), or not having the ability to modulate the throttle precisely and be able to replicate it. I don't know about AWD, but my experience with the 240 and the Sentra have both shown that being able to adjust the throttle in tiny increments is so much more important than I thought. I REALLY suggest a detuned map for the track instead of relying on yourself to pull the right foot off the floorboard :-).
I forgot you recently upgraded your brakes. It all sounds like it will be fine, but personally I'd get some better front pads for just the track. I'm notorious for overkill in the brake dept., so take me with a grain of salt, but I would be paypalling Maeng on his offer so he wouldn't have a chance to take it back :-).

[Maengelito]

feel free to paypal me dave. i wont mind.

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice, awesome input guys... I expected nothing less ^_^

As far as the brake duct things, I doubt they would work for my front bumper, which is different than the stock STi one. I could probably fab something up, although the intercooler piping takes up some of that space so it would be hard to get a good sealed, flush fit:

[Sijray21]

I'm notorious for overkill in the brake dept., so take me with a grain of salt

haha, this coming from the guy who DIVES into T1 at summit braking a 3000 lbs supra at the 2nd brake marker hock: (yeah, i remember )