with all things being equal ap1 vs ap2. which car has the gear advantage at thunderhill? in my ap1 i go through most of the track 3rd,4th gear and never really feel out of my power band other then turn 11. my buddy has a ap2 and most the track is in 3rd,4th and 5th. i have never driven a ap2 at the track so i really cant comment but my buddy believes that thunderhill is better geared for a ap1 since i have less gear changes? both of us hit similar times 211s on bypass. what are your guys thoughts on this?

ap1 bone stock power and suspension other then ap2 rear sway bar, ap2 wheels with RElla tires 215,255

ap2 bone stock power and suspension, ap2 wheels rs3 tires , 215,245

 

any info would be greatly appreciated

 

You should go into 5th quite a bit in an ap2. Even ap1 if your fast about the same places

 

I have a AP1, the only time I am in 5th gear is on the front straight and the straight after turn 9 but I'm pretty slow at T Hill and only been there 3 times. Perhaps others who are faster might hit 5th gear after turn 8

 

ap1 4th goes to 118-20 and ap2 4th goes to 99-100. I don't see how na ap1 would need to go into 5th other then maybe front straight but with a ap2 most likely any straight will need a up shift to 5th. anyone's opinion who has tracked both would be greatly appreciated. I am not looking for hard data, just what are your thoughts as I have not seen this discussed before. thanks

 

Not sure about Thunderhill, but in every SoCal track, the AP1 gearing is better simply because there is less shifting to do. Shifting takes time...more time that you may get from the shorter gears of the AP2. Depending on your technique, you can loose two tenths with every exra shift with the time it takes to shift, and the time it takes to "reaccelerate".

 

For the sake of accuracy and splitting some hairs. 4th gear tops at 115mph. 5th 138mph. I am not familiar with Thunder Hill to comment on what gearing works the best there overall. My guess like most tracks, there is a compromise. Where in the track you want to make those compromises can be crucial to getting the best lap times.

 

Exactly. It depends on tires too, e.g. Hoosiers are shorter than Hankooks in the same size.

If you're serious about it, look at your data and make a spreadsheet analyzing every corner.

 

Nevemind, your correct. I only hit 5th in one part of the track and its not the front straight.

 

Of course. I'm just basing off of standard 225/50/16 - 245/40/17 s2k size tires.