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S550 track ready?

Shadow277

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What is track ready exactly? I mean you could take any stock car to a track and it will last, right? Whatever the definition is, are the S550s considered track ready straight out of the factory?
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What kind of track are we talking about?
 

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A track car is simply a car that is suited in some way to being used on a race track. For example, a GT500 can be considered a track car, even though they are usually road legal. If a car meets the events or tracks minimum requirements on the safety side, it “could” Be Track-Ready. But that’s all based upon event, series, coarse, objection.
 

Tang

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most cars will eventually overheat if driven at the limit on a track for too long, the S550 is no exception. A few laps (at least here in Florida) before oil overheats and reduced power. For serious track use youll need aftermarket oil/diff coolers
 

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Shadow277

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most cars will eventually overheat if driven at the limit on a track for too long, the S550 is no exception. A few laps (at least here in Florida) before oil overheats and reduced power. For serious track use youll need aftermarket oil/diff coolers
My track options are Litchfield and Wild Horse (pretty much Phoenix). What if I just did one or two laps and let the pony rest, then get more track time? Is that feesable on stock components?
 
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Shadow277

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I'm pretty much stock. Muffle delete, Airaid short ram, and 305mm tires in the back with 255mm in the front.
 

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What is track ready exactly? I mean you could take any stock car to a track and it will last, right? Whatever the definition is, are the S550s considered track ready straight out of the factory?
Some sporty stock cars with low enough weight and power can be driven on track without too many changes - but they are the exception, not the rule. My Porsche 944 didn't get hot on track, but it had 150 something HP when new and it weighs 3,000 lbs. Mustangs are a lot heavier and more powerful. They get hot. AFAIK the rear differential is the first component that will cause a power reduction, but it can also be engine oil temperature. If you do something to keep the engine and diff cool, the transmission is the next in line.

My opinion is only the GT350 and GT500 are ready for road course use off the showroom floor. The PP1 and PP2 are close - depending on which road course and how you drive. For a professional driver they will get hot quickly.
 
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Shadow277

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That is incredibly helpful. I do want to keep my car stock. I guess I need to learn how to use the built in gauges like cylinder head temp appropriately. I am wondering if it can stay cool enough for two or three laps and then let it cool. I think that's how amature laps are done here in Phoenix.
 

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I’m a regular at both Litchfield and Wildhorse Pass. If you are interested in participating in an HPDE send me a pm and I can provide you more info and answer any questions you may have.

Is your car a performance pack? When I first started out the car was perfectly fine for a 20 minute session at a time in stock form. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending For a first timer to just head out to the track in stock form and make sure your fluids are fresh with at least 50% of brake pad left.

As you became more experienced you will start encountering limitations with the car such as brakes, cooling, grip, etc...

The drivers in the magazines are highly experienced drivers so they are able to approach or exceed the limitations of most cars they drive.
 

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That is incredibly helpful. I do want to keep my car stock. I guess I need to learn how to use the built in gauges like cylinder head temp appropriately. I am wondering if it can stay cool enough for two or three laps and then let it cool. I think that's how amature laps are done here in Phoenix.
I can't imagine you will push your car that hard in the beginning for you to overheat in 2-3 laps. Brakes however may be the first thing to give vs. the powertrain, but again you have to drive decently hard to do so.
 

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I had owned my 2018 eocboost for 1 week last year (it had 28000 miles) when I ran it on Watkins Glen taking part in Rally North America. The car did 8 very fast laps following other cars, hitting 110 at the top end, and held up with no problems. When I was stationed in Europe I took my BMW 135i to the Nurburgring one afternoon with a friend and we did a half dozen laps with no problem. Neither of the cars were "track" prepared, both were in perfect working order, but if your car is maintained you could go out to a track for the day. If you wanted to make going to the track a regular thing I agree with many of our colleagues above that you should make some changes.
 

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If your s550 is optioned with the factory performance package and still retains its pirellis( or Michelins) then yes, Randy Pobst can demonstrate its track readiness.
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