GForce147 Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 Hi all I’ve recently been bought a track day at Oulton Park as a gift. The car is currently standard and I’m wondering what mods I’ll need to do before I do it. Car currently has Pretorias with 2 PS4S on the front with very good tread and budgets on the back (on the car when I bought it) so I’m at least going to get some PS4S for the back and swap them over. Rear brakes have had new pads and discs done at VW 1000 miles ago. Haldex was done 10k ago inc gauze. Service was done July but not sure if the break fluid was changed. Potentially open to doing more track days in the future if I enjoy it. Any help and guidance is appreciated. Cheers Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 There’s a huge amount you can do for the long term. For the basics before you go ensure you take a torque wrench to ensure wheel nuts are tight. Id also advise tyre pressure gauge and portable tyre inflation kit from Halfords The R is a heavy (ish) car for lap after lap track work so concentrate on good brake fluid eg Castrol SRF or Motul RB600. A good high heat resistant front pad will help eg Tarox Competition range which is above the Corsa range or Endless pads or Ferrodo DS3000. Engine oil gets hot so keep it topped up and ensure cool down lap at end of session. From there on you can go further with bigger budgets but for now if not the future invest in a Racingline Catch can. These cars breath heavy on track. I run complete suspension package (Ohlins/ Superpro Caster bush set up and 034 Motorsport rear ARB to help with understeer. I run a BBK and semi track tyre MPS Cup 2 tyres and APR Stage 2 as my power upgrade My advice is brakes firstly , decent tyres and handling mods over power until you get used to the car. golf7.5r and mp2811 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 Forgot to mention drop oil after trackday if you’re on it all day and you see oil temps 120-130! Use Nano oil eg Millers CSF Nano. Better for high temps as these engines run hot. Also consider braided brake lines for the future Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregozedobe Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 Consider regular cool down laps to avoid damagingly high oil & brake temps. After you have done a track day you'll have a better idea of how far you want to go with mods (eg big brakes, suspension, catch can, intercooler etc) Msportman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GForce147 Posted September 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2022 Thanks for your replies. I’m going to price a few things up and see what the crack is. Chances are it’s going to be a one off for the time being so don’t want to spend too much. I only do about 5000 miles a year as well. Will new PS4S tyres be ok and how much will they wear roughly? This gift is going to cost me a fortune unless I go with the car standard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 20, 2022 Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 PS4S is a soft fast road tyre that’s good in the wet. On track they’re good for first 2 laps but go off under duress. You can easily wipe out edge especially FNS edge if it’s clockwise circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v7fmp Posted September 21, 2022 Report Share Posted September 21, 2022 @Msportman - what tyre temps do you aim for when on track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 21, 2022 Report Share Posted September 21, 2022 4 hours ago, v7fmp said: @Msportman - what tyre temps do you aim for when on track? I don’t monitor tyre temps just tyre pressures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v7fmp Posted September 22, 2022 Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 14 hours ago, Msportman said: I don’t monitor tyre temps just tyre pressures. apologies, i meant pressures :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GForce147 Posted September 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 On 20/09/2022 at 21:46, Msportman said: PS4S is a soft fast road tyre that’s good in the wet. On track they’re good for first 2 laps but go off under duress. You can easily wipe out edge especially FNS edge if it’s clockwise circuit. Will they be ok for a one off track day? Don’t fancy spending a lot on rubber just for 2-3 hours. I’ve never done one before so I doubt I’ll be going round like Lewis Hamilton! The track is Oulton Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GForce147 Posted September 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 19 hours ago, Msportman said: I don’t monitor tyre temps just tyre pressures. My mate told me to reduce the pressures in my tyres and then reduce them further once I’m into my day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodyboarder81 Posted September 22, 2022 Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 I’d literally just check all the basics .. such as oil level , coolant level , when was the brake fluid last changed , check wheel bolts are torqued to spec and use the car on track as is. As you say you’re not going there to race anyone , so just enjoy the car in standard form and if you get the bug for track days , make a plan of bits and bobs to change that will enhance car for the next track day Msportman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 22, 2022 Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 24 minutes ago, Bodyboarder81 said: I’d literally just check all the basics .. such as oil level , coolant level , when was the brake fluid last changed , check wheel bolts are torqued to spec and use the car on track as is. As you say you’re not going there to race anyone , so just enjoy the car in standard form and if you get the bug for track days , make a plan of bits and bobs to change that will enhance car for the next track day Yeap good advise. As mentioned I would do a few sighting laps, come in and check and reduce tyre pressures accordingly. On a road tyre if you take first stint building pace as you go until comfortable then ensure you measure pressures and re torque bolts. I run both Cup 2’s and Dunlop Direzza’s which are both different in tyre set up. I won’t bore you with these as you point out it’s just a casual easy day not setting lap times etc. You may consider MPSCup 2’s for the future. These are great as you can buy them in 225x40x18 so much cheaper rhann19’s and you can use them as a summer road tyre. Stiffer sidewalls but still a nice road tyre. Not sure how old your oil is but consider dropping it for fresh oil after a track day as these engines run hot and oil can break down. Most good race outfits familiar with the EA88 will advise you accordingly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GForce147 Posted September 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 20 minutes ago, Msportman said: Yeap good advise. As mentioned I would do a few sighting laps, come in and check and reduce tyre pressures accordingly. On a road tyre if you take first stint building pace as you go until comfortable then ensure you measure pressures and re torque bolts. I run both Cup 2’s and Dunlop Direzza’s which are both different in tyre set up. I won’t bore you with these as you point out it’s just a casual easy day not setting lap times etc. You may consider MPSCup 2’s for the future. These are great as you can buy them in 225x40x18 so much cheaper rhann19’s and you can use them as a summer road tyre. Stiffer sidewalls but still a nice road tyre. Not sure how old your oil is but consider dropping it for fresh oil after a track day as these engines run hot and oil can break down. Most good race outfits familiar with the EA88 will advise you accordingly I’m on 19” Prets and the standard pressure is 39 I think. What should I be dropping to? My mate got a track clio so going to borrow a couple of bits off him to take with me like a torque wrench. 54 minutes ago, Bodyboarder81 said: I’d literally just check all the basics .. such as oil level , coolant level , when was the brake fluid last changed , check wheel bolts are torqued to spec and use the car on track as is. As you say you’re not going there to race anyone , so just enjoy the car in standard form and if you get the bug for track days , make a plan of bits and bobs to change that will enhance car for the next track day I’m tempted to do this but I’m just a bit anxious about brakes fading etc. It definitely needs 2 new PS4S anyway so that’s one expense I’m definitely going to pay for at the very least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted September 22, 2022 Report Share Posted September 22, 2022 5 hours ago, GForce147 said: I’m on 19” Prets and the standard pressure is 39 I think. What should I be dropping to? My mate got a track clio so going to borrow a couple of bits off him to take with me like a torque wrench. I’m tempted to do this but I’m just a bit anxious about brakes fading etc. It definitely needs 2 new PS4S anyway so that’s one expense I’m definitely going to pay for at the very least. 36psi is normal pressure. I normally drop to 32-33psi re measure after first sessions. This would be on a MPS4S tyre Keep checking thereafter and run tyres close to that pressure but keep an eye out on FNS sidewall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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