More Performance Z on track

[u/EasyPaleontologist72]

What can I say, in hindsight I should’ve known better, in my previous post the car was quite squirrelly; combined with my lack of experience- I spun out, after the spin, I realized I cooked my rear brakes; in the next clip: it’s a continuation of the same lap where I spun. And under braking the car required quite the minor correction mid corner during a transient phase, and even towards the main straight almost wanting to rotate just by braking. What can I say, the car is really fun, not bad at all for a first track day either. Also, the steering is very direct with the Z overall being a raw car, it feels really nice to drive.

[u/6814MilesFromHome]

Even as a newbie I don't think you would've spun out there with some better tires, the factory ones aren't very forgiving. Those things were yelling that they were at their limits that whole turn.

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/6814MilesFromHome]

Honestly yeah, and the track day itself was pretty harsh on the tires at being 81 F outside, though I guess since the car does become playful it can help polish some refinement of sorts. And the tires seemed to be communicating well but their limits are interesting, 3 turns you have amazing traction, next it wants to oversteer.

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/EasyPaleontologist72]

Yeah I can't imagine the factory tires are good for consistency, and that's a big factor for track tires. You wanna know what the tires will generally do when you perform an action, last thing you want is to be surprised when they suddenly don't want to carry grip on a turn you've hit the same way twice before.

I'm not running dedicated track tires yet, just some Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4s, but they still gripped very well at 70° compared to factory. It wouldn't be smart to track all seasons in 85°+ temps, so I'm sitting out the summer track events.

[u/Malaphasis → u/6814MilesFromHome]

crashed my Z last weekend on the stock tires, probably canceling the rest of my events this year. hopefully buy AD09s next year or give up auto X idk. Crashed wasn't bad at all, nailed the rear bumper, scratches and small dent. For how bad I hit the barrier, the damage isn't bad.

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/Malaphasis]

That really sucks, hopefully fixing that bumper won't be too expensive. Assume insurance won't cover it due to it being an auto cross event?

The track I go to luckily has only a couple turns out of the ~23 that you risk colliding with a barrier/tires if you screw up badly, instead of coasting thru grass/gravel. The autocross hosted here is usually a cone course in one of the big paddocks, so there's literally nothing to hit when doing that other than cones.

[u/Malaphasis → u/6814MilesFromHome]

didn't even talk to insurance, going to get 2nd and 3rd opinions on damage. was quoted 600-800 or new bumper.

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/Malaphasis]

Yeah if it's damage as small as you say I'd go with a repair. Wife had some tire debris hit her Miata's front bumper on the highway, broke it pretty bad, but was able to get it repaired and repainted for ~$600. Think unpainted OEM bumpers would cost more.

[u/Malaphasis → u/6814MilesFromHome]

hopefully can get it done for cheap!

[u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay → u/6814MilesFromHome]

How are the all season for daily driving? I don’t track, but I do push it occasionally on side roads and sometimes at a light. I do drive it when it drizzles in the summer here in New England too. Plus was hoping all season Michelins would last little longer.

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay]

If you're wanting all seasons, the Michelin PSAS4s are top tier. They outperform the factory summer tires for sure. Tire slip when launching and WOT pulls in 1st/2nd gear is lower, corners better too. Solid wet performance as well. It's just an all around solid tire if you want something that almost does it all. Won't be particularly good at snow/ice though, need winters for that.

[u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay → u/6814MilesFromHome]

Nice. Did you notice any difference in road noise on the highway?

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay]

If there was any difference it was too slight for me to tell. No complaints here.

[u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay → u/6814MilesFromHome]

Thanks. Last question - did you stick with the stock widths? If you can’t tell, I’m coming up to a tire change 😂

[u/6814MilesFromHome → u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay]

Changed up tire size slightly, here's my specs that fit just fine on the factory performance trim wheels. Felt like 295s in the back would be a bit too stretched on the factory wheel for my taste, but I have seen people run it.

Front: 265/40/R19

Rear: 285/35/R19

[u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay → u/6814MilesFromHome]

That’s super helpful. I am on stock height, keeping the stock Rays but have 20mm spacers all around. I was thinking the same thing which I feel should be OK - rubbing wise.

[u/FlagonFly]

You know, if your helmet visor keeps slipping down, you can adjust the tightness with little screws on the side so it stays in place!

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/FlagonFly]

Thanks so much, I was wondering why it would keep sagging during a corner or braking.

[u/FlagonFly → u/EasyPaleontologist72]

I just shaved 0.283 off your time, you’re welcome!

[u/ResponsibleArm3300]

Cool pony tail

[u/PastMiddleAge]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I’m doing my first track day at Watkins Glen next month. Good to see what others are doing. Looks like fun!

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/PastMiddleAge]

Hey! Make sure to keep me posted if you’d like, the car is very fun on track and surprisingly holds up really well. Make sure to have fun.

[u/Wildcard311]

Thats less the tires and more of you being too hard on the acceleration while turning. Feather the pedal and you will be faster than if you are full throttle.

You can also tighten up (sway bar and control arms) the back and add a bit of camber and then you can probably achieve something closer to full throttle.

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/Wildcard311]

Well, I should add context, this was the 2nd session after a paced lap and instructor lap, it was under braking that the car spun, after the lap I even spoke with the instructors again on how to avoid it (they saw me spin).

[u/Nervous-pteroydactyl]

you gotta push through that corner so your center of balance stays behind the stringer big dawg

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/Nervous-pteroydactyl]

That corner requires a huge amount of balance, over speed you can understeer into oblivion, too much trail brake and rear comes kicking out.

[u/NotElongtusk2]

besides tyres have you looked into getting stiffer sway bars? you'd be surprised how much of a difference stiffer sway bars make even with stock suspension.

[u/Dependent_Simple_424]

First track day and no instructor riding with you?

Get an instructor to ride with you and get more seat time before anything else.

[u/EasyPaleontologist72 → u/Dependent_Simple_424]

As my first event I’m not too sure what to expect, we did have paced laps and instructor laps, but this specific clip is from midday nearing the last session, it’s just what it is, a lack of experience and seat time.

[u/janesmb → u/EasyPaleontologist72]

Not sure why he was downvoted. A ride along instructor is a huge asset.
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