Advice for using 6R80 on road course?

[2015Etrac]

Has anyone used the 6R80 on a road course? If so, is it better to just keep it in automatic and track mode, or use paddles? I'd appreciate any tips or advice. I know the manual is generally the way to go on road course, so how much of a disadvantage will I be at with a 6 speed auto?

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[3star2nr]

Has anyone used the 6R80 on a road course? If so, is it better to just keep it in automatic and track mode, or use paddles? I'd appreciate any tips or advice. I know the manual is generally the way to go on road course, so how much of a disadvantage will I be at with a 6 speed auto?

I dont think you're at a disadvantage at all... I recommend using the paddles so you can keep the revs up.

Your first couple track days you should be focusing on learning the line, learning how to brake and controlling your weight transfer. Actually not having to worry about heel and toe downshifting is an advantage.

Even with a manual most coaches will recommend beginners stay in only one gear as much as possible...

 

[2015Etrac]

I dont think you're at a disadvantage at all... I recommend using the paddles so you can keep the revs up.

Your first couple track days you should be focusing on learning the line, learning how to brake and controlling your weight transfer. Actually not having to worry about heel and toe downshifting is an advantage.

Even with a manual most coaches will recommend beginners stay in only one gear as much as possible...

Thank's for the info. The Track mode on the 6R80 isn't too bad, so I might just use that. I was also trying to find info on any overheating issues when using the 6R80 on road courses but it seems like most guys that track their cars use the MT82.

I notice you have a 2016 GT PP, have you ever run the stock summer Pirellis on the track? I have a set that came on my factory 20" wheels that I'll be running. They're 265/35/20, but I assume they should handle similarly to the PP setup.

 

[3star2nr]

Thank's for the info. The Track mode on the 6R80 isn't too bad, so I might just use that. I was also trying to find info on any overheating issues when using the 6R80 on road courses but it seems like most guys that track their cars use the MT82.

I notice you have a 2016 GT PP, have you ever run the stock summer Pirellis on the track? I have a set that came on my factory 20" wheels that I'll be running. They're 265/35/20, but I assume they should handle similarly to the PP setup.

Yes The stock pirellis are very good on the track but you want to monitor your tire pressures. I dont remember the exact number but around 38psi or so those tires will not turn and just squeal like crazy.

Id recommend going out for the first heat and if you can't turn and all it's doing is screaming pull into the pits and lower the tire pressure by 2psi all around. Then go out again.

Squeling is normal, but squealing and no traction means the pressure is too high. You'll feel the difference for sure.

Also set the front lower than the rear. I've found running 3-5psi lower than the rear makes the car handle a million times better and makes it easier to control.

Last thing plan on buying a new set of tires... The Pirelli degrade very rapidly when you push them so after your track day you will probably wear all 4 down to about 25%.

Monitoring your tire pressures will definitely improve the life of them.

 

[3star2nr]

But yeah man have fun. Another tip about these cars ive found is that you want to be on the gas as much as possible and let the diff and the computers do their job. If u get into a slide your instinct is to lift. With these cars u need to do the opposite, point the wheel where you want to go and nail the throttle. The car will tighten up and rocketship out of the slide, TCS is setup to let the tail slide, but when u press the gas, the car ends the slide almost instantly...It's awesome lol. If youre on the gas you cant crash

 

[EFI]

so how much of a disadvantage will I be at with a 6 speed auto?

0 disadvantage and depending on the other driver you could possibly have quite a bit of an advantage...as long as you keep it cool.

Using sport/paddle shifters, you have just as much command on which gear you are in as any manual driver. But you will be shifting faster than any manual driver, and if they are not good at heel and toe downshifting you will also be downshifting much faster and smoother.

 

[1 old racer]

I have had my 10 speed auto on the track several times now and I personally like to use it in sport manual. I feel I have more overall control of her. Even though I have been a true track whore for longer then most have been alive I still leave the traction control on. Remember it's not a door to door competitive event. I should note that a few times I have had better lap times with the car driven in sport auto mode. I just like it in sport manual.

 

[2015Etrac]

Yes The stock pirellis are very good on the track but you want to monitor your tire pressures. I dont remember the exact number but around 38psi or so those tires will not turn and just squeal like crazy.

Id recommend going out for the first heat and if you can't turn and all it's doing is screaming pull into the pits and lower the tire pressure by 2psi all around. Then go out again.

Squeling is normal, but squealing and no traction means the pressure is too high. You'll feel the difference for sure.

Also set the front lower than the rear. I've found running 3-5psi lower than the rear makes the car handle a million times better and makes it easier to control.

Last thing plan on buying a new set of tires... The Pirelli degrade very rapidly when you push them so after your track day you will probably wear all 4 down to about 25%.

Monitoring your tire pressures will definitely improve the life of them.

Thank's. Good to know. They are my spare set of wheels/tires anyway so I don't mind some wear. I think they only have about 6k miles on them as is. The only down side is the factory wheels weigh about 12lbs more per corner than my R350 wheels, but I doubt that will make any difference on a beginner track day.

 

[2015Etrac]

But yeah man have fun. Another tip about these cars ive found is that you want to be on the gas as much as possible and let the diff and the computers do their job. If u get into a slide your instinct is to lift. With these cars u need to do the opposite, point the wheel where you want to go and nail the throttle. The car will tighten up and rocketship out of the slide, TCS is setup to let the tail slide, but when u press the gas, the car ends the slide almost instantly...It's awesome lol. If youre on the gas you cant crash

Haha nice. It's a beginner group with no passing, so I don't think I will get to push the car too hard, but I'm hoping it's more than just a cruise around the track at 50mph. Do you leave traction control on at the track? I know track mode turns part of it off, and holding down the traction switch will completely turn it off, or most of it anyway.

 

[2015Etrac]

0 disadvantage and depending on the other driver you could possibly have quite a bit of an advantage...as long as you keep it cool.

Using sport/paddle shifters, you have just as much command on which gear you are in as any manual driver. But you will be shifting faster than any manual driver, and if they are not good at heel and toe downshifting you will also be downshifting much faster and smoother.

I know some people say there is a bit of lag when using the paddles, but I'd assume even with some lag it's still faster than manually shifting. How's the cooling system on these transmissions? I've only ever had mine on the street.

 

[2015Etrac]

I have had my 10 speed auto on the track several times now and I personally like to use it in sport manual. I feel I have more overall control of her. Even though I have been a true track whore for longer then most have been alive I still leave the traction control on. Remember it's not a door to door competitive event. I should note that a few times I have had better lap times with the car driven in sport auto mode. I just like it in sport manual.

I wish I had the 10 speed, I've heard the shifts and paddle shifts are a lot quicker.

I never tried it, but I wonder if it's possible to put it in track mode, then click the traction control to turn the traction control on with track mode. I know by default track mode will turn off traction control.

 

[3star2nr]

Thank's. Good to know. They are my spare set of wheels/tires anyway so I don't mind some wear. I think they only have about 6k miles on them as is. The only down side is the factory wheels weigh about 12lbs more per corner than my R350 wheels, but I doubt that will make any difference on a beginner track day.

Yeah track days aren't about winning races but learning. So yeah I wouldn't worry about all that.

The good thing about pirellis is you can drive them down almost to the thread and they will grip with every last bit of rubber on them.

Tires like michellins are dangerous once they get low, they fall off a cliff grip wise and degrade to the point of failure very rapidly.

My buddy flat spotted a tire under braking in the mountains, within 30 mins his michelins started showing chords and the cloth liner beyond the chords!

 

[3star2nr]

Haha nice. It's a beginner group with no passing, so I don't think I will get to push the car too hard, but I'm hoping it's more than just a cruise around the track at 50mph. Do you leave traction control on at the track? I know track mode turns part of it off, and holding down the traction switch will completely turn it off, or most of it anyway.

yes leave TCS on. Most places will insist that you do. And the mustanfs TCS isnt like other cars. It will help you set faster laptimes versus hurt your times.

The computer let's you slide the tail out as much as you want then when you press the gas the TCS blinks and the rear tires pull grip out of thin air...

Also you wont be going 50mph lol they usually stagger you a few car lengths so you get clear track to push it as hard as you want. The only rule is if someone catches up to u they can't pass unless u wave them by and you cant pass them.

But yeah you will get the chance to get the car to the limit and once you get it there in your first corner you're confidence in the car is gonna skyrocket.

These cars talk to you a lot and give you lots of warnings before anything bad happens they arent like the old Mustangs that would snap overseer with no warning.

And it's not about speed so much as learning. I was dogging a corvette ZR1 all day, but everyone kept getting lapped by a miata with an exhaust...

I've seen a couple show up, the husband drove a s2000 the wife a mini Cooper s and she was smacking him around all day...

 

[3star2nr]

I know some people say there is a bit of lag when using the paddles, but I'd assume even with some lag it's still faster than manually shifting. How's the cooling system on these transmissions? I've only ever had mine on the street.

If it starts getting too hot a warning message will come on on the center screen telling you that the trans or diff temps are getting too hot and aak you to slow down.

When that happens just bring it into The pits.

On my day that didnt happen till my last heat where I had alot more confidence in the car and was driving the wheels off it...

 

[1 old racer]

Also, this time of year the rear end over heating should not be a big concern. In 95 deg heat my differential over temp light did come on between 10 and 15 mins of pretty hard driving. By the next track day I had wrapped the exhaust pipes with header wrap. I wrapped them from where the pipes start to separate to go around the diff. to the mounting hooks for the pipes. So far no more light.

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