Did my first track day with my new car today

[jpilone]

After two months and 3000 miles I finally got my car on track. Last time was in September with my old Mach 1. I had such a great time! The car did fantastic. I did some minor mods last week in preparation (steeda front swaybar, irs lockout bushings, irs alignment kit, IRS braces.

I ran into a snag, my exhaust got so hot it warped my rear reflectors. And at the end of the last two sessions I got a warning about the rear diff fluid being over temp. I am assuming my exhaust has something to do with it. I'm gonna change the fluid to royal purple and wrap that section of my exhaust to protect the diff.





This was at homestead Miami speedway with performance driving group

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[jpilone]

I also bested my accelerometer!

 

[jpilone]

 

[GManAZ]

Very cool indeed! I went to a couple of races there when I lived in Florida. I would love to do that one day.

 

[Voodooo]

Maybe install a diff cooler like the track pack gt350 and gt350R ?

 

[Zerobar78]

Stock exhaust? I've been hearing about the aftermarket ones melting reflectors before.

Wish I had the temp sensor in the rear diff(15'). May need to put some heat wrap on the exhaust near the diff to help or as mentioned a diff cooler.

 

[jpilone]

Maybe install a diff cooler like the track pack gt350 and gt350R ?

I am definitely going to look into adding a cooler

 

[jpilone]

Stock exhaust? I've been hearing about the aftermarket ones melting reflectors before.

Wish I had the temp sensor in the rear diff(15'). May need to put some heat wrap on the exhaust near the diff to help or as mentioned a diff cooler.

I am running magnaflow quad tip competition cat back.

I am definitely going to wrap the pipes near the diff before next track day. And I am going to look into adding a cooler.

As for the reflectors, I will most likely look at removing them and adding something in that hole to look like nothing (like some dark red vinyl cut to fit in the pocket)

 

[jpilone]

Here are a few shots from yesterday.

 

[jpilone]

BTW, the stock Performance Package brakes were AWESOME! Very grippy all day. No fade. Took my punishment all day long. All I did was change the brake fluid to RBF600 beforehand.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

Stock exhaust? I've been hearing about the aftermarket ones melting reflectors before.

Wish I had the temp sensor in the rear diff(15'). May need to put some heat wrap on the exhaust near the diff to help or as mentioned a diff cooler.

if you adjust the exhaust tips further out than the rear valence wont have issues. People that melted had the exhaust tips flush with the valence

 

[jpilone]

if you adjust the exhaust tips further out than the rear valence wont have issues. People that melted had the exhaust tips flush with the valence

That explains a lot! The right muffler sticks out about 3/8" farther (I've been meaning to adjust it inwards). And the right reflector is hardly warped. The left side is flush with the valance and the reflector is now J-shaped..

 

[daltron]

Other than changing the brake fluid, any tips for someone going to the track for the first time?

 

[jpilone]

Other than changing the brake fluid, any tips for someone going to the track for the first time?

Drive your car at 80%. Shift at 5-5500 RPM

Let off throttle 100 feet before the 300ft markers for turns

Don't be a gas pedal hero exiting turns, smooth pedal inputs when straightening the wheel exiting turns. Do not apply gas in the corners!

Listen to your tires. If you hear light screeching, back it down just a tad. That means you are driving the car at the limits of tire adhesion. I used this method when getting a feel for the first few laps. The next step beyond light screeching is getting loose, and that's not a good thing when you haven't been on track before.

Watch videos on youtube on how to heel/toe shift. Then practice while the car is parked and not running. And then practice when out driving normally

 

[MagnaFlow]

Exhaust is looking nice! We love seeing stangs on a road course!

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