R34 Gtt On The Track For The First Time

[nuffsaid]

Hi all

I am thinking of throwing my R34 GTT on the track for the very first time! haha

Current mods are:

- full exhaust,

- air filter,

- HKS boost controller (2 settings, 8 and 11),

- heap of suspension changes - coilovers, sway bars, bushes

- formula ferodo pads up front, bendix advance in the rear, decent tyres

I am not going to go at it hard seeing as it is my first, but I was wondering whether if pushed, will my car blow up because:

- i dont have a FMIC

- i dont have an oil cooler

- actually i dont have any cooling mods haha

After watching the HPI video where the guys blew the turbo on the R34 GTT at the track I am a little hesitant.

So here are the questions:

1) is it unsafe to run my car at a track with the current mods?

2) how many laps should I do before i need a cool down lap, assuming i give it a hard time

alternatively, at what oil temp should i start taking it easy?

3) what boost level should i have it set at to run all day every day at the track

4) any other ideas or suggestions you have would be real helpful!

Thanks all!

[Wink]

- Check tyre pressures.

- Check brake pads

- Bleed brakes, or even put new fluid in, then bleed.

- Check all fluid levels, and bring spare engine oil at least - coolant also.

[lanky71]

I think R34 Turbo's come standard with oil coolers??

[Yawn]

1. No, it is not unsafe.

2. Depending on the length of the track, a rough guide would be 1 warm up 3 hot laps and 1 cool down. I would finish my lap and begin my cooldown by around 120 degrees or maybe less if you want to be conservative.

3. 12psi should be fine.

4. Read Wink's post. And just have fun and watch your temperatures

[nuffsaid]

Okay so

- check brakes and fluids, bring spare

- run 11psi on a standard R34 turbo is okay (are you sure? too manyt reports of failed turbos scare me)

- keep oil temps under 120, and make sure water temps dont get crazy

[siddr20]

Just to add..

I only had stock side mount when i went to wakefield..

Only mods- full exhaust, pod filter, and walbro fuel pump.. everything else stock!!

So i can safely say yes to; car not blowing up without a fmic..

why would it anyways?

Check all oils, change brake fluids, check tyre pressure and thats about it really.. I also did an oil change just before it..

Trust me, you wont be just taking it easy coz its your first time!! After a few laps, you will be pushing it..

[scathing]

You should be OK.

Just be aware that you may encounter temperature issues, especially if the ambient is high, and so drive accordingly. Especially since its your first time out I'd run it on low boost. More power isn't going to be that much of an advantage.

People have already told you how to drive it to keep your temps in check.

When you notice your street tyres start to go loose, or if the brakes fade, back it off and do a cooling lap or two. I'll normally pootle around in the second highest gear, and go at a pace where I can brush the brakes when near the corner rather than hammering them, and be off the brakes from turn-in.

When you do this, keep an eye on your mirrors (you should be anyway, at whatever pace) and if someone approaches you, back off more and wave them by. Don't come off the line (its the following car's responsibility to pass safely) but try to give them as good an opportunity as possible to pass cleanly.

[nuffsaid]

Cool stock cooler is fine, now should I run 8spi or will it be okay to run 11psi? mixed arguments on this thread but Im leaning towards 8psi, who really needs the extra power haha

[NISMO]

Cool stock cooler is fine, now should I run 8spi or will it be okay to run 11psi? mixed arguments on this thread but Im leaning towards 8psi, who really needs the extra power haha

I'm no expert, but don't worry about the extra power. Learn the lines and your cars limits. I've been to track days where the right driver in a NA silvia, was running rings around high power GTS-T's and some stockish GTR's.

Upping the boost will more than likely increase your chance of comming off the track when you mash the pedal coming out of a corner.

Once you get comfy, by all means turn it up, but probably not really necessary.

[scathing]

If you're a track n00b, then power isn't what's going to get you around the track the fastest. Your initial question wasn't if it was "better", only if it was "safe". I don't know enough about your car to say if its safe (other people think so), but I know having driven laggy and responsive cars which one I prefer as a "first impression" around the bends.

Go for the less-lag option, and build up your track craft, before you go around chasing that last tenth down the straights.

Edited September 2, 2007 by scathing