Track Day Prep for Mostly Stock 2017 GT350

[Specracer]

stock fluid is plenty capable for track use in the 350. Just make sure it is fresh.

I once had some fade with Motorcraft fluid in a Ford GT, made the change to a race fluid and never looked back. Currently in our race cars, we use Motul RBF, its a good balance of performance to price. We bleed at least once a weekend, and SRF is such a premium price, its not worth it to us.

But agreed, regardless of what fluid it is, it MUST be fresh.

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[The Chairman]

I use the stock Motorcraft brake fluid in both my GT350 and GT500 at COTA. Never had a problem in all my years doing HPDEs there. Both of those cars can handle COTA in stock form.
While all this advice is good, as a newbie, just be careful and enjoy the day. The car will be fine. Fresh fluids are all you should do in a car ~8 years old.

 

[WItoTX]

I use the stock Motorcraft brake fluid in both my GT350 and GT500 at COTA. Never had a problem in all my years doing HPDEs there. Both of those cars can handle COTA in stock form.
While all this advice is good, as a newbie, just be careful and enjoy the day. The car will be fine. Fresh fluids are all you should do in a car ~8 years old.

Total aside...I can't believe the 350s are closing in on 10 years old...

 

[The Chairman]

Total aside...I can't believe the 350s are closing in on 10 years old...

My GT350 is over 9 years old and the GT500 is 5.5. Just replaced the rear bakes for the first time on the GT500 and they were only 10% worn! Was very surprised.

 

[JAJ]

On the brake fluid thing, there's a new kid on the block. It's marketed for daily driver service, not sold as performance brake fluid, but it ticks all the boxes that matter and I've been using it since 2021.

https://www.boschautoparts.com/documents/647135/656981/ESI6 Brake Fluid Flyer.pdf

It's Bosch ESI6. DOT 3/4/5.1 compliant, 520 degree dry boiling point, low moisture avidity and great pedal feel. I bought four one-liter cans last year for $9.99 a can at Rock Auto. It's made in Germany, so I expect the price might be a little higher now.

When I flushed the brakes a couple of weeks ago, I started by checking the moisture level in the reservoir and then, as I went from corner to corner, I checked the moisture level of the fluid coming out of each caliper. Moisture was zero across the board. Zero. Now, I've been using ESI6 for a couple of years but I've never seen an all-zero result on year-old brake fluid before, so I checked the meter against other fluid I have on hand that has a known moisture reading, and the meter read it exactly the way it should. I did a full-flush anyway, but I have to say, I was impressed.

 

[svttim]

All good info. Only thing I'd re: brakes - I've never driven anywhere that punishes brakes like COTA - you have a huge brake zone into T11 and then again into T12 - most cars will sufficiently cool on the big straight, but almost no cars will cool through the T12-T15 complex - all of which have you on the brakes hard enough to keep the rotors glowing.

IME - an inexperience, really heavy braker and a pro-level driver with both push brakes to their limits at COTA like nowhere else. Road America is a real close second, tho.

Good point as well. I also added air deflectors for the brakes. Easy to add and good insurance. I added them after a weekend at spring mountain where I could feel heat off the brakes from 3 feet away.

 

[Ow16gt350]

Two important points not mentioned, you need to secure your oil filter with a clamp. You also need to check your oil pressure sensor to see if it’s loose. I would also bring tools to address both of these at the track just in case. Both of these have been problematic for me.

 

[effektz]

I know this is a bit late but I wanted to thank everyone for all the tips and suggestions! I just completed my track day at Road America this week and it was literally the most fun I’ve ever had driving a car!! Needless to say I am now absolutely hooked and am already looking at adding more track days in the future! @honeybadger was so spot on about the course being very hard on braking….i went through a set of pads already (granted they were about 60% life when I started). I already see the value in getting the caliperflexion kit for brake changes so I’ll order that!

 

[effektz]

COTA is awesome. first track event? or first one at COTA? what's your previous track experience?

Sorry I missed this question! This is my first track experience and Road America was first. COTA comes next in a few weeks

 

[WItoTX]

Sorry I missed this question! This is my first track experience and Road America was first. COTA comes next in a few weeks

When are you doing COTA? And with who?

 

[effektz]

When are you doing COTA? And with who?

September 27 and I think its sponsor is 8Twelve Wheels

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