Track impressions : Techart springs, Gt3 alignment
09-16-2007, 04:54 PM
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Track impressions : Techart springs, Gt3 alignment
I finally got to the track this morning to try out the following mods - Techart lowering springs on the stock dampeners, Gt3 street alignment. Tires used are 18" Hoosier R6 at 40/44 hot front/rear. Temps 75F, and car has stage II GIAC/AWE engine mods, running 100 octane fuel. I have run the same car with the same mods previously but without the springs and alignment, so I have a basis for comparison. Also, car was run in Sport mode with sport PASM on and also PSM left on.
Handling wise, car is tightened up considerably. There is no understeer/push whatsoever. The nose turns in quickly and sharply. The rear end also is much more planted without feeling loose in high speed turns. I have a bad habit of making mid-corner corrections instead of marking the turn and steering with the throttle. The suspension never feels unsettled no matter the surface imperfections. No more pogo over rough transitions. The progressive rate Techart springs also don't feel overly harsh and there is never any bottoming out. This is the most planted and secure feeling car I have ever been on track with, and that includes my dedicated race/track car. There is a tremendous amount of feedback in your butt that is available now that the car feels more settled. The only thing that I would try to improve is the body lean. There is still just a touch much of it, and stiffer sways may help. AWE sells adjustable H&R's for the car, and GMG has adjustable Eibach's coming.
Power wise, I have to say that the GIAC in Race mode with 100 octane is simply a very sick and surreal experience. In street mode sometimes I would get a slight boost tail-off or timing retardation near redline. There is none now. Oil temps never got over 210F, and water temps were dead center. Boost was constantly at 18#, and I am hitting an easy 165mph before the end of the front straight at TWS. Considering that my exit from turn 15 is less than perfect, that the car would be even faster in 50F weather, and that I am too chicken so I brake hard at the end of the straight, downshift to 4th prior to turning into turn #1, I think 170mph at the end is easily possible. As far as I know, even the Cup cars can only hit 160mph at the end of the straight.
Some laps from today:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...31244060&hl=en
Handling wise, car is tightened up considerably. There is no understeer/push whatsoever. The nose turns in quickly and sharply. The rear end also is much more planted without feeling loose in high speed turns. I have a bad habit of making mid-corner corrections instead of marking the turn and steering with the throttle. The suspension never feels unsettled no matter the surface imperfections. No more pogo over rough transitions. The progressive rate Techart springs also don't feel overly harsh and there is never any bottoming out. This is the most planted and secure feeling car I have ever been on track with, and that includes my dedicated race/track car. There is a tremendous amount of feedback in your butt that is available now that the car feels more settled. The only thing that I would try to improve is the body lean. There is still just a touch much of it, and stiffer sways may help. AWE sells adjustable H&R's for the car, and GMG has adjustable Eibach's coming.
Power wise, I have to say that the GIAC in Race mode with 100 octane is simply a very sick and surreal experience. In street mode sometimes I would get a slight boost tail-off or timing retardation near redline. There is none now. Oil temps never got over 210F, and water temps were dead center. Boost was constantly at 18#, and I am hitting an easy 165mph before the end of the front straight at TWS. Considering that my exit from turn 15 is less than perfect, that the car would be even faster in 50F weather, and that I am too chicken so I brake hard at the end of the straight, downshift to 4th prior to turning into turn #1, I think 170mph at the end is easily possible. As far as I know, even the Cup cars can only hit 160mph at the end of the straight.
Some laps from today:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...31244060&hl=en
09-16-2007, 06:23 PM
#3
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crap it turns in well! Awesome dude. I was just at limerock yesterday watching the PCA guys run while i got to tool around on the little mini auto-x track they have.
tell me when your going to a track again maybe ill fly down for a ride
tell me when your going to a track again maybe ill fly down for a ride
09-16-2007, 07:43 PM
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I finally got to the track this morning to try out the following mods - Techart lowering springs on the stock dampeners, Gt3 street alignment. Tires used are 18" Hoosier R6 at 40/44 hot front/rear. Temps 75F, and car has stage II GIAC/AWE engine mods, running 100 octane fuel. I have run the same car with the same mods previously but without the springs and alignment, so I have a basis for comparison. Also, car was run in Sport mode with sport PASM on and also PSM left on.
Handling wise, car is tightened up considerably. There is no understeer/push whatsoever. The nose turns in quickly and sharply. The rear end also is much more planted without feeling loose in high speed turns. I have a bad habit of making mid-corner corrections instead of marking the turn and steering with the throttle. The suspension never feels unsettled no matter the surface imperfections. No more pogo over rough transitions. The progressive rate Techart springs also don't feel overly harsh and there is never any bottoming out. This is the most planted and secure feeling car I have ever been on track with, and that includes my dedicated race/track car. There is a tremendous amount of feedback in your butt that is available now that the car feels more settled. The only thing that I would try to improve is the body lean. There is still just a touch much of it, and stiffer sways may help. AWE sells adjustable H&R's for the car, and GMG has adjustable Eibach's coming.
Power wise, I have to say that the GIAC in Race mode with 100 octane is simply a very sick and surreal experience. In street mode sometimes I would get a slight boost tail-off or timing retardation near redline. There is none now. Oil temps never got over 210F, and water temps were dead center. Boost was constantly at 18#, and I am hitting an easy 165mph before the end of the front straight at TWS. Considering that my exit from turn 15 is less than perfect, that the car would be even faster in 50F weather, and that I am too chicken so I brake hard at the end of the straight, downshift to 4th prior to turning into turn #1, I think 170mph at the end is easily possible. As far as I know, even the Cup cars can only hit 160mph at the end of the straight.
Some laps from today:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...31244060&hl=en
Handling wise, car is tightened up considerably. There is no understeer/push whatsoever. The nose turns in quickly and sharply. The rear end also is much more planted without feeling loose in high speed turns. I have a bad habit of making mid-corner corrections instead of marking the turn and steering with the throttle. The suspension never feels unsettled no matter the surface imperfections. No more pogo over rough transitions. The progressive rate Techart springs also don't feel overly harsh and there is never any bottoming out. This is the most planted and secure feeling car I have ever been on track with, and that includes my dedicated race/track car. There is a tremendous amount of feedback in your butt that is available now that the car feels more settled. The only thing that I would try to improve is the body lean. There is still just a touch much of it, and stiffer sways may help. AWE sells adjustable H&R's for the car, and GMG has adjustable Eibach's coming.
Power wise, I have to say that the GIAC in Race mode with 100 octane is simply a very sick and surreal experience. In street mode sometimes I would get a slight boost tail-off or timing retardation near redline. There is none now. Oil temps never got over 210F, and water temps were dead center. Boost was constantly at 18#, and I am hitting an easy 165mph before the end of the front straight at TWS. Considering that my exit from turn 15 is less than perfect, that the car would be even faster in 50F weather, and that I am too chicken so I brake hard at the end of the straight, downshift to 4th prior to turning into turn #1, I think 170mph at the end is easily possible. As far as I know, even the Cup cars can only hit 160mph at the end of the straight.
Some laps from today:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...31244060&hl=en
great review and video, thanks for sharing eugene. I am surprised you didn't bottom out on those bumps/dips even with the car lowered. good to know.
09-16-2007, 07:44 PM
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"street" Gt3 alignment specs are
front
camber -1.2
caster 7.5
toe 0.04
rear
camber -1.6
toe 0.16
I have to say my previous bad experiences with lowering springs made me very leery of such a mod. On my old E36M3 H&R sport springs dropped the car but were so mismatched to the dampeners that it rode like a jackhammer. This is actually a real improvement in both handling and compliance, which is very rare.
front
camber -1.2
caster 7.5
toe 0.04
rear
camber -1.6
toe 0.16
I have to say my previous bad experiences with lowering springs made me very leery of such a mod. On my old E36M3 H&R sport springs dropped the car but were so mismatched to the dampeners that it rode like a jackhammer. This is actually a real improvement in both handling and compliance, which is very rare.
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09-16-2007, 11:44 PM
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Eugene - how well do you think it would run with 19's or would it be equiv.?
Reason you don't run 19's? I know they make more track tires in the 18's. Just a curious question.
Next time on the video - could you turn down the wind ?
j/k
Reason you don't run 19's? I know they make more track tires in the 18's. Just a curious question.
Next time on the video - could you turn down the wind ?
j/k
09-16-2007, 11:56 PM
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I run 18's because the wheels and tires are cheap. I am tempted in getting some MPSC's or Corsas but they must be woven with platinum belts for the prices they charge. Also, 19's are near impossible for the trackside crews to flip tires. 18's are hard enough as it is. You lose the ability to mount new tires at the track.
09-17-2007, 12:11 AM
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I figured as much. I just thought with more and more 19's coming on track that 19's would come down in price and manufacturers would increase production on the 19's or get more options out in them.
As always very helpful!
As always very helpful!
09-17-2007, 12:06 PM
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Hoosier does make R6's in 19" sizes compatible with our cars. The only problem is that at my track the trackside tire mounting equipment is very antiquated and 19's would be impossible to change out between run sessions.
09-17-2007, 07:21 PM
#12
Eclou, nice video. I have a set of H&R's sitting in my garage that I plan on having installed this comming Saturday (also will get GT3 alignment # dialed in). I hope they are as good as the Techarts and came highly reccomended from several board members that have already made the plundge. Is the ride on the street livable with the new springs? I didn't want to spend a ton of money on the springs in case I am not happy with them (can swap them back to stock in the future). Thanks for all your positive informative posts!
09-17-2007, 07:26 PM
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I bought the Techarts on recommendation by Stephen at IA. He's installed and ridden in both setups. He chose the Techarts as they were more comfortable, though slightly less drop than the H&R's.
12-17-2008, 05:19 PM
#14
