I copied this from my #build thread..

Alright, well the track day on Sunday was a blast. I'm pissed because I just went to look at the datalog files and it looks like Racechrono lost my previous settings for recording from my bluetooth gps and bluetooth obd2 reader, so I have shitty/no data (the internal 1hz gps sucks). I'm f'ing pissed. Lesson learned, I'll have to check the settings at the start of every day. I'll post a video or two up later but it won't have the nice data overlays.

So I went into the day with a bunch of new mods. I'm happy to report the oil cooler looks to be working well. It was a cold/cool day, and temps were steadily in the mid 220's F. I think I might've hit 230 once, but for a 50F or so ambient day, that's pretty good. On a hot day, they will be a little warmer, but shouldn't be bad. I haven't checked the catch can but will next time I swap the street pads on. I imagine it's fine though. The intake seems to be sucking in air, and working as well. It makes a lot of noise and probably makes a bit more power. It's hard to say as it's been a while since my last track day, but the 9k rear springs seem to make the car a touch more neutral and understeer less.

Regarding the brakes, I installed the Urge rear rotors and the brakes seemed to be fine. I'm too lazy to measure pad wear before/after events so I'll just have to keep a general eye on them and see how they do. They certainly run cooler than the oem solid discs, so they definitely can't hurt.

I also flashed the latest firmware from Hondata, which allows you to modify another throttle table, and I'll say the throttle pedal now is much more linear and part throttle is much nicer on track. Previously the throttle had a fine window and would got to WOT too easily.

Now to comment on the track day and my driving/etc. I'll say I still have some getting used to with the square setup and BBK. My last track day was a year ago at this event, and it was my first with the sq setup and BBK. I was having trouble last time getting used to the new pads/bbk/square tires and getting the modulation right (the oem brakes w/ dtc60's up front needed more pressure from my foot). This time around I was locking up the tires much less and felt more comfortable with them. I've been trying to focus on having more steady brake pressure when heel toeing (I tended to apply less pressure before when blipping the throttle) and I think I've improved a lot in that regard. I'm not sure if it's 100% smooth, but it's gotten a lot better. The brakes are phenomenal and very consistent which is nice to not have to think about.

The one thing I really struggled with was braking too early/overbraking for turns. I've done shenandoah so many times on the old setup, a couple brake points are ingrained in my head that I tended to overslow for a couple corners and I didn't carry enough speed so I could trailbrake in/through them. I'm losing a lot of time there. It's sort of like a mental block that I need to get past (the grass and oncoming wall sure seem to approach fast ) and more seat time will help. I did manage a couple consistent low 1:43's which is good as I've put in a new best time. I have a recorded 1:42.5 but the track was fast in the morning and I'm not 100% sure I trust the crappy internal gps.

I also met a couple folks skilleds2000, topplayer, and skatebrian. to you guys for letting me try out your seats and a pleasure to meet you. After some test fitting I've come to find out my big girl hips are too big for the bride vios seats, the sparco EVO are VERY snug on me, and a little too tight in the hip area, and the Recaro PP's were the only ones that fit me but I think they might've been a little snug in the shoulders. The harness holes did seem a little low also. My next mod is certainly going to be seat/harness/hans, although probably not till next year. I wish there was a local recaro dealer.. anyway.. that'll be a bridge to cross later on.

I gotta couple fun ridealongs and it's always fun to see how others drive and where I need to improve. Derek's beast with the J35 is sick. Torque is crazy and the thing doesn't sound like a honda anymore. The big downside is he needs taller gearing badly as he was in 6th on the straights and Shenandoah doesn't even have long straights.. Also because of how low things sit he had to baby it in the carousel which was hurting his time. I'm not sure how he can fix this but it's probably only an issue at this track, as the carousel is VERY hard on the car and suspension. It was hilarious seeing some driver's expressions as they were shocked when Derek was literally ON their bumper if they didn't give him the point soon. There may have even been a couple passes without a point, or we got the point as we were already next to them.

I also went for a ride with skatebrian, and damn can he drive. Definitely a humbling experience. I think he was on 225 hoosiers and man it's impressive and fun to sit shotgun. Be warned though, he has a 5 pt harness on the passenger side, and it's called a "nut buster" for a reason. I thought I was secured in pretty well with the harnesses but I guess not. In the carousel he bottomed out a couple times so hard I thought he might've broken something, but he didn't seem to flinch. He rattled off many 1:38x laps with me riding shotgun, and it was impressive to see him consistenly turn fast laps. He transitioned so smoothly from full threshold braking to trail braking effortlessly. I don't know what the track record is for s2000's on Shenandoah but he must've been pretty damn close or beat it with his best of the day.

I might put up some more thoughts later as well as some pictures and video. All in all a fun day for sure. Here's one obligatory track photo:

 

Hey thanks for the writeup Mike and to you for being brave enough to ride along! My wife won't ride along to save her life lol. Also congrats on your time man thats awesome!

Here's video from the weekend. I included what should have been my best lap, then my actual best lap, and plus a good ol' tank slapper coming out of the hook. That was about ten laps into the session so the tires were warmed up, I think I just got on the throttle too hard and too soon, and combined with the rear getting light over the hill, it resulted in the backend coming out. So it is a good lesson in patience.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rl3hiugwho[/media]

 

My seat time with Brian was.... INSANEEEEE.

I was relaxed, but I'm not gonna lie, the G's around the carrousel were so intense, I def felt a little sick. Hahaha!!

I really tried to return the favor when you were in my car, but I probably failed miserably.

I went on a total of 4 ride alongs and they helped me tremendously. I'm really glad trackdaze allows that.

 

Haha, that's most women, so you aren't doing me any favors with that comparison.. On that note I always like riding along with people as there's always something to learn for me. Thanks for riding along with me and pointing out a few things. I'm not sure where I developed that bad habit of on/off throttle through the hook but it's something I shouldn't be doing. I remember you saying you wanted to run spec miata one day and I'm sure you'll do very well if/when you make the jump. Any plans in the near future? Keep your S AND get a spec miata.

 

Glad to see everyone had a good time. Unfortunately I had something come up and had to cancel last minute.

 

For skate Brian
https://youtu.be/kJYYZZdepG8

Damn, skatebrian comming in here like a wrecking ball. Breaking lap records every other weekend.

I'm literally getting r comps just so I can see how well I can keep up with you haha.

Anybody going out July 4th weekend? I'll be there instructing.

 

This is the second v6 S2000 inline pro has up and running. Except this one is a j32. mine is a j35. Both engines made the same 285whp but the j32 made 235tq vs the j35 255tq. Both engines have headers, exhaust, 90mm throttle body and a dyno tune.

https://youtu.be/gKnMb0tebvs

 

Who's going to Hyperfest at VIR this weekend?

 

Haha Larry my bad dude I didn't mean to make you sick. That's good you rode with other people, it definitely helps seeing how other people drive the course.

Yeah Mike I want to do either SpecE30 or spec miata, but I couldn't find a buyer for my car so I'll be caging the car this winter and joining Honda Challenge next season. I hope I'll do alright, there is a lot of good drivers with faster cars. My car is way underpowered at the moment.

Dude I'll have to check out those hydramats Derek. Those look pretty sweet. Are you running those? You should totally get r comps dude, but be warned the extra grip is addictive. After driving on Hoosiers it is difficult going back to anything other than them.

Yeah Steven I'll see you at VIR dude.

 

Brian is building a HC1 car?!?!?! AWWWW YEAH!