Fall finale? Anybody

 

If I can get the new engine installed before then, I'll be there. Picking the new v6 up tomorrow

 

Possibly, if they'll let me instruct. I'll talk to my wife about what we have going on that weekend. If I'm free I'll email NASA. When I tried to go to VIR they wanted me to do their instructor clinic. That would be fine but it's almost impossible for me to take Fridays off.

How many V6 have you gone through?? Any idea why they aren't lasting very long?

 

Because they are super high milage junkyard engines. Inline pro is building me an engine this winter tho.

 

Hey guys! I'm glad to be back in an S2000 and glad to find this thread.

I had an 05 before which I never tracked because it was too mint to tear up and put a roll bar in. I just bought an '06 and I am looking forward to tracking it next year.

I don't have much track experience; I did a few autox in my old s2k and my gti, and finally got on the track this year for the first time at VIR with my mk6 Golf R. I had an absolute blast! And the experience is what pushed me to get back in to an s2000 sooner rather than later.

Here's my question - the s2000 needs a roll bar, obviously, and I am going with the hard dog, double diagonal, lower harness bar. I'm taking out stock hoops but won't put in racing seats or harnesses yet. I also need new tires.

I plan on going to VIR with PCA near the end of November. I'm on the waitlist, but I'm first in line so hopefully I get in. The s2000 may not be ready in time so in that case I'll probably take the R.

My question is - do you guys recommend getting tires on the stock wheels for now, in case I go this year or even for next year? Or should I wait and go for a square setup off the bat. If so I will wait for a good deal on wheels and at that time get the fenders rolled, etc. I know I want to go square setup eventually but should I not rush that and just use the car and stock wheels as is, and for the next season?

The reason for the urgency is because Costco has a great deal on Michelin PSS right now for the stock setup ($530 installed) so I know those tires would be good for a while and I could track them all through next season, probably 4-6 track days hopefully. But if I plan on buying wheels and tires anyway I can just live with the all seasons since the car won't be driven much this winter and wait to get a good deal on some lightweight, square wheels and get tires then.

Also, Costco does the michelin deals pretty frequently so I'm sure I can always get them at a later time. I have PSS now on my R and love them.

Any advice or input would be really appreciated. Thanks!

 

I'll say it's all personal preference, so I'm not much help.

On that note, I do think it's worth tracking the car on the staggered tires so you can see how it feels "stock," and the move to a square setup will be very pronounced. Whether you want to run one weekend on all seasons vs decent tires, or just run a whole season with good tires on the staggered setup vs. square setup is all up to you. Ultimately you can't go wrong imo.

I think the move to a square setup with good tires puts a lot more stress on the front brakes, and you should plan on some sort of "upgrade" (be it a BBK or 2 piece front rotors at some point). If you plan on doing a square setup, definitely think about what brakes you're planning on running down the road and make sure they'll fit.

I haven't run on PSS but hear they're good. One thing to consider if the car is going to be more a track/weekend car, you might want to consider something like RS3's or Z2's as they may handle the heat better on track..? Maybe, maybe not. Just something else to consider.. Hope that helps.

 

I have had hankook RS3s and Dunlop Z2 starspecs in the last year. I can say my lap times were significantly slower at every track when I switched to the z2 starspecs.... I would not buy them again. If you are going with street tires, GET THE RS3s!!! I am on stock suspension and stock brakes running 245 front 255 rear sizes in both tire brands and my VIR full lap times went from 2:17s to 2:19s. My summit times went from mid 1:27s to high 1:28s...

 

Thanks for that info Snowmants. I've been rocking original Z2's (not the star specs) and they definitely get a little greasy after a handful of laps, especially on warm/hot days. With that said some people comparing the tires say the Z2's have a better feel compared to the RS3's. Would you care to comment? I think next go around I'll get some RS3's because I'm ready to try something different and they're obviously solid tires, but just curious if you could compare the two. I've read the Z2's like less slip angle while the rs3's like more.

Regarding the PP's question.. I'd say it simply all depends what your goals are. Having the fastest lap times isn't always #1 for many people. I think the SS's are a solid all around tire (especially for the street) which I read in reviews. I know my Z2's are a little loud on the street, but it doesn't bother me.

 

I have no idea about difference in feel between the 2 tires. What was noticeable to me was the RS3s stayed grippy for many more laps. The Z2 starspecs dropped off very quickly. I also felt initial grip was higher with the RS3s. They just seemed all around better. When I reviewed my video/data it was clear I was carrying more speed through all of the corners with them.

I just bought my first set of slicks, so the Dunlop Z2s will now just be rain tires for me.

 

Thanks guys! Since I'm so new to this, I have no idea how serious I will get into going to the track. The car will be driven most of the time on weekends, nice days, etc with a few HPDE per year. Maybe in a year or two I will decide to change that but not any time soon.

I guess it makes sense to get the tires on the stock setup and worry about changing the setup if/when I decide it's worthwhile. One of the reasons for wanting to go square (besides handling/grip) is for ease of tire rotation. But from what I understand I will likely need to adjust some other things on the car, e.g. getting coilovers or putting different sway bars on, if I go square. Staying stockish and adjusting does make sense.

I'm not sure I can get the roll bar installed in time to run by November but we'll see. I'm also concerned that at 6' and sitting fairly upright, my head with a helmet might not entirely pass a broomstick test. So far I haven't seen any simple ways to lower the seat except to get different rails or get a different seat. I'm hoping I don't need to buy seats just to track the car.