ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-24-2011, 03:00 AM   #1
chanzs
Private
10
Rep
55
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: HK

iTrader: (0)

Trackday preparation

Hi all,

I have never attended a trackday event ever so pls pardon the newbie questions. I'm seriously thinking of taking my bone stock MC for a trackday session and would like to know if there are some minimum mods that I have to make to ensure a reliable run over a 2 day period. I have heard that upgrades to the braking system (steel hoses, possibly big brake kit) must be made cos the stock system overheats in 2-3 laps. I'm still running the stock contis and I'm not sure if those would be suitable for track work.

Do I need to do a full fluid change (engine oil, brake, transmission, diff) before and/or after the event?

I'm also worried that the car will develop a whole lot of squeaks and rattles after 2 days of intensive driving...

Any input much appreciated! Thanks!
__________________
2006 Interlagos Blue Z4 M Coupe
2011 Starlight Black Exige S
2011 Montego Blue 323i
1996 Repsol Honda NSR250SP
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 07:00 AM   #2
onebluemcm
Captain
onebluemcm's Avatar
40
Rep
631
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4MC
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Richmond, VA

iTrader: (0)

Honest answer, you don't need to do anything at all for the first time out. If it's an experienced driver behind the wheel, pushing it to eh ragged edge every lap then brake fade might be an issue - otherwise, you'll be fine. First time out you'll have so much to pick up that the stock car will not limit the experience in any way. You might get a rattle here or there but you probably won't - if it's a big concern, probably shouldn't be thinking about tracking it though....

Here I am making comments and I have mods and haven't had the car on a track yet. That said, I have made mods for other reasons, not specifically "so I can track it" - I know several people who do track their cars and perhaps speaking out of turn, I'd say that for the first few times out you'll have no problem what so ever running it as stock. In fact, people will say it's better to run it as stock a few times so that when you do make changes, whatever they may be, you can better judge how they help (tires is a great example - run the stock Conti's till their worn out!! - it won't take long...)

Have fun!! What even are you thinking of doing first?
__________________
<img src=http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll30/onebluemcm/RG63_08-1-1.jpg border=0 alt= />
|=.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-.=|
Silbergrau A08 / Sepang Brown LSD6 / Carbon Leather 4MY (1 of 3, this combo)
RAC RG63 | Conti EC-DW | GC/Koni-Dinan | Rogue RSM | Arqray | Autosolutions | BMW brace | Pinnacle tint
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 08:00 AM   #3
Caddyshk
M = Midlife Crisis
Caddyshk's Avatar
Canada
65
Rep
2,006
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chanzs View Post
Hi all,

I have never attended a trackday event ever so pls pardon the newbie questions. I'm seriously thinking of taking my bone stock MC for a trackday session and would like to know if there are some minimum mods that I have to make to ensure a reliable run over a 2 day period. I have heard that upgrades to the braking system (steel hoses, possibly big brake kit) must be made cos the stock system overheats in 2-3 laps. I'm still running the stock contis and I'm not sure if those would be suitable for track work.

Do I need to do a full fluid change (engine oil, brake, transmission, diff) before and/or after the event?

I'm also worried that the car will develop a whole lot of squeaks and rattles after 2 days of intensive driving...

Any input much appreciated! Thanks!
The car will not develop any squeaks or rattles, assuming you keep it on the pavement. Most HPDE organizers publish a list of car preparation requirements and suggestions. Some even require that a licensed Tech inspects and signs off on the track readiness/safety of the car. Depending on your current service intervals you may need to consider Oil and Brake Fluid service, pad thickness etc. Check with the organizers and Google.
__________________
2006 Z4MC - #LL93158
SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 08:08 AM   #4
jragan
Imola Lover
jragan's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
749
Posts

Drives: 2007 Imola Red M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

iTrader: (0)

Bone stock car is fine on the track.

Change your brake fluid to ATE Super Blue (though you're probably just fine performing a bleed).

Check your pads (make sure you have greater than half of the pad thickness left).
__________________
His: RIP-"Ruby" E86 ///M Coupe: Pics Track Pics Short Vids Long Vids
Hers: 997-1 C4S: Pics
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 09:16 AM   #5
onelove
Track Head
onelove's Avatar
United_States
24
Rep
503
Posts

Drives: 07 Z4M
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orlando,FL

iTrader: (0)

+1 on what the others said

First time out the car stock will outperform the driver for probably your first 1-2 track events. For safety I would recommend putting some good brake fluid in the car and then enjoying the hell out of driving the car like it was meant to be driven.
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 09:53 AM   #6
lucid
Major General
lucid's Avatar
United_States
374
Rep
8,033
Posts

Drives: E30 M3; Expedition
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

If you haven't changed brake fluid in over 6 months, do that. You don't need to be an expert driver to boil fluid that has been sitting around and absorbing moisture. As others have said, make sure there is enough pad material (should be at least 7mm but that depends on how you drive and the track). I'd also suggest taking it to a trustworthy shop (not a shop that will take your money and do almost nothing) to let them inspect the suspension and other bits to make sure everything is torqued properly unless you are comfortable doing that yourself. These are just safety items. You don't need any performance improvements for your first track day. Also, take a torque wrench and pressure gauge with you and re-torque your wheels and check tire pressures before each session. Shoot for ~40psi hot.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 10:39 AM   #7
r4gs
Viper Driver
Singapore
36
Rep
1,311
Posts

Drives: F-16
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (2)

i took my m coupe to the track for the first time in aug last year, and it was completely stock (including oem continentals) apart from a zeckhausen cdv swap. did 4 sessions of 22 minutes each on a 1.8 mile road course with 15 turns and relatively moderate speeds (110mph max) with half an hour breaks in-between each session. dsc was on for my first 2 sessions and off thereafter.

as everyone has already said prior, bone stock all oem parts will definitely be sufficient. just have a tech check over ur car to make sure safety-wise it'll hold together fine. obtain a helmet and remove anything not secured in the car before heading out onto the track. u will want to add maybe 1 to 2 psi to the tires, and as reference, i use 32psi front and 30psi rear at cold, completely undriven, temperatures, for non-track use. so maybe 34psi front and 32psi rear for cold tire temperatures as a baseline.

unless ur oem pads and rotors are severely worn or produce vibrations, u will be fine. i experienced brake fade late in my 3rd and 4th sessions as well as the stock continentals losing traction. make sure u have sufficient tread depth remaining on ur tires as well. if u haven't changed oil in the last year, or the last 6000 miles or so, might be a good idea to get ur oil changed prior.
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2011, 10:29 PM   #8
chanzs
Private
10
Rep
55
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: HK

iTrader: (0)

Thanks all for the comments and input.

I will probably just get braided brake lines since these do not cost too much and is something that should go on eventually.

Was also thinking of getting better tyres but I think I'll hold off on these since there is plenty of thread left in the OEM Contis. How do the Contis compare to the more current offerings such as Dunlop star specs?

I was also searching around for a stiffer sway bar but came up with nothing other than the ground control bars which were originally intended for the M3. I've noted that some members here have encountered fitment issues. Are there any other alternatives?
__________________
2006 Interlagos Blue Z4 M Coupe
2011 Starlight Black Exige S
2011 Montego Blue 323i
1996 Repsol Honda NSR250SP

Last edited by chanzs; 01-24-2011 at 10:35 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2011, 07:15 AM   #9
jragan
Imola Lover
jragan's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
749
Posts

Drives: 2007 Imola Red M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

iTrader: (0)

The car is perfectly capable in stock form and I'd suggest you track it as such before you start putting money and time in mods. The car, stock, is well beyond an intermediate driver's abilities.

The Contis are ok but don't compare at all to the star specs.
__________________
His: RIP-"Ruby" E86 ///M Coupe: Pics Track Pics Short Vids Long Vids
Hers: 997-1 C4S: Pics
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2011, 08:52 AM   #10
onelove
Track Head
onelove's Avatar
United_States
24
Rep
503
Posts

Drives: 07 Z4M
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orlando,FL

iTrader: (0)

Don't get ahead of yourself with mods that may or may not help you until you learn the limits of the car with the equipment you have. Brake lines aren't a bad idea, especially if you're going to be in there anyway checking out the pad thickness and doing a fluid flush. Sway bars will likely be completely unnecessary for quite some time.

Star Specs are a great tire with plenty of grip, but the Contis will help show you your mistakes quicker when you're first learning to drive. Once you've got the handling characteristics of the car figured out at the limits, then you can move those limits out with
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST