Next week is CMP. Which is also the last track I drove, and where I met the tire wall. :eek6: But it's a great track for MINIs, and mine should be able to haul the mail a bit better in the straights than last time I was there. I had a great instructor/coach last time, who also owns a MINI, so he had me pushing the car as hard as it could go on my old brakes and tires. 100% my responsibility, that I pushed it a little harder than *I* could go, on that particular day. With the track pads in and the new calipers, I had more brake than tire with the StarSpecs, so I'm looking forward to having more longitudinal grip. I was already able to carry good speed around the corners, and will be a little more conservative on how early I get on throttle until I get a feel for the new setup (that's what did me in last time). But now with the LSD and more grip and more torque from the GP ECU/tune and manual.... it's gonna be a bit "different" than the last time I was on-track. Will have 8 sessions over two days, if I stay out of the wall this time. Will be a good chance to get comfortable with the new setup, on a track that's less fast than VIR. Should have the stroker in before VIR in September. Then... watch out. :devil:
I am jelly of the LSD, I got over 100k on my previous mini's oe clutch and this one has taken years of track use without slipping so my logic of waiting till I need a clutch is holding me back lol I have instructed someone with an auto S and it really does hold you back. Once you get used to a manual you will be dropping multiple seconds off of autobox times and have more control over the car (no sudden shifts etc). Sounds like you have the right attitude of shaking down the car with the plethora of changes, good luck! Stoker will be awesome at VIR, I enjoy driving other cars more than my mini there because the straights are so long I end up just sitting there in 6th gear not appreciably accelerating for what feels like ages hahaha with a stroker motor you should be able to avoid that lol
You're going to be much faster by the end of the day, but, take it slow if you haven't been on the Nitto's before, especially if these are brand new. They're going to be slick brand new, until you get a few laps on them and get some heat into them. As you wear them down they get stickier.
Duly noted. I'm going to take them for a lap around my on-street playground next week to ensure I have spacing, etc. worked out, so should have them scrubbed in before my first session on-track. But still DEFINITELY will be taking it a lot slower early next weekend to re-learn how to drive the car with all the changes. I got to shake the car down well in the mountains a few weeks back, so I luckily already have a pretty good feel for the LSD, the manual, etc.
Made a run to Harbor Freight, and, as always, came home with a carload of Chinese Goodness. After a couple of hours of assembly, the track trailer is taking shape. Will try to finish it this weekend, with wheel mounts and toolbox. And wiring that works (need to add hardwired grounds).
Coming together... I found a 37" long diamond plate truck box at Tractor Supply that is PERFECT for this application, fits tightly between the side rails. Like it was made for this. Nice secure dry lockable storage. The open rear works perfectly as a wheel carrier for 4 wheels. Just need to strap them down and run a cable lock through for minimal security.
Seriously... my buddies and I were just discussing how fast this thing could go in the twisties... because the route we did on the way to MOTD this year was as serious as anything we did after we got to MOTD (we did six classic NC destination roads in ONE DAY.. HARD). Discussing putting classic Mini wheels and sticky tires on it, bending the axle to get some camber... we've gone full retard.
Got it sticker bombed for an extra 50 hp. Bolted the box down and loaded it up. Test drove it around the neighborhood looking like full retard. Backed it into the driveway to prove I could. Will have my new wheels back, with tires mounted, tomorrow. Can test fit on the car, then load up the trailer and test drive some more. Illegally, of course, until I receive the title paperwork from Harbor Freight.
You're going to need a TBBK (Trailer Big Brake Kit) to go along with it, I hear Wilwood and Brembro have kits that fit with minimal modification. The do better with proper ducting.
A set of carbon fiber leaf springs and these would go a long way 165-55/12 Yokohama A048r Tire For Mini & Cooper
Yep, I was looking at that exact tire. Which I actually think will fit on the wheels I already have. :devil:
Got wheels mounted, figured out spacing. I only needed 12mm front, and about 3mm rear. Currently on 5mm rear because that's what I had available. And, with the 12mm, I have PLENTY of length on my existing studs - so I don't need to uber long ones that are coming tomorrow. LOL No, I'm not using these nuts. Just spun them on while testing fitment. I'm using good nuts with the stud sticking out. Took them out to my local playground road and scrubbed them in. Got them up to about 75% of track temperature. OMG, they're awesome. And I know I'm not close to their full potential yet. Not only super sticky, but the car is more responsive overall with them, and they spin up much faster than even my light 16's. So the car feels even torquey-er than before. Feels stupid fast, actually. I can tell already, this is gonna be a good thing...
That is real car guy logic right there, along with my if my 15s don't sell maybe I should get an R50 to rallycross with and put them on it :biggrin5: