FL5 Track-day at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Personal Experience

[Jester04]

Yes, I plan to change to 5w-30 but I’m open to others suggestions…???

5w-30 is fine if you are in a colder climate. Just monitor oil pressure. Should be around 10 psi per 1k rpms.

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[Fresh]

5w-30 is fine if you are in a colder climate. Just monitor oil pressure. Should be around 10 psi per 1k rpms.

Since this is not my DD, it will be garaged all winter and likely come out in the spring with too much money sunk in...

Nevertheless, maybe 5w-40 is better then?

Any reason to keep the stock oil in it (I know it has conditioners...)?

I'm probably at the 550mile range now...

 

[Jester04]

Since this is not my DD, it will be garaged all winter and likely come out in the spring with too much money sunk in...

Nevertheless, maybe 5w-40 is better then?

Any reason to keep the stock oil in it (I know it has conditioners...)?

I'm probably at the 550mile range now...

The stock oil is good for breaking in the engine. I would continue to put miles on it and change it once properly broken in. I changed mine at 1k and went with 5w-30 to start, once I monitor pressures better I will decide if I want to go heavier on the oil. I’m in Central FL, so its hot as balls here I think I will end up with a 10w-30 or a 10w-40 depending on how everything checks out.

 

[PointByPatrol]

Keep at it. You'll be passing Miata's in no time. Yes, the GR86's are extremely quick in the corner's, but that can be overcome by your entry speed, braking technique, and throttle input as you accelerate out of the apex. You'll find in time that you're passing a lot of different cars that you never expected would be possible. When it gets to a certain point it ultimately comes down to the driver, and their comfort behind the wheel.

 

[VarmintCong]

Yup I completely understand. Learning the line more, but really the braking distance/location was my shortfall.

I think learning proper weight transfer will alleviate some of the braking abuse. One of my many instructors was very good at that, he needed to use the brakes a lot less.

 

[Jester04]

I think learning proper weight transfer will alleviate some of the braking abuse. One of my many instructors was very good at that, he needed to use the brakes a lot less.

That comes with seat time! More practice the better you get.

 

[Jester04]

Keep at it. You'll be passing Miata's in no time. Yes, the GR86's are extremely quick in the corner's, but that can be overcome by your entry speed, braking technique, and throttle input as you accelerate out of the apex. You'll find in time that you're passing a lot of different cars that you never expected would be possible. When it gets to a certain point it ultimately comes down to the driver, and their comfort behind the wheel.

Lol this is so true, no replacement for seat time and once you really get a feel for the car you can end up humbling a lot of cars. But like he said, improving as a driver is the best mod. In my S2K back when West palm beach raceway was still a thing I was chasing down and passing corvettes and M3’s like nothing on a low powered car. They would destroy me in the straightaway but in the corners it was no competition.

 

[PointByPatrol]

Lol this is so true, no replacement for seat time and once you really get a feel for the car you can end up humbling a lot of cars. But like he said, improving as a driver is the best mod. In my S2K back when West palm beach raceway was still a thing I was chasing down and passing corvettes and M3’s like nothing on a low powered car. They would destroy me in the straightaway but in the corners it was no competition.

I've had similar situations with GT3's!

 

[Samurai1225]

All this track talk gets me geeked. I've been a car enthusiast all my life but have never really had a sporty car so I have never done any performance type driving. The closest thing to track driving I've done was the Richard Petty Experience @ KY Speedway and I know that is nothing like a true track day on a circuit. I'm 61 and have been driving for the better part of 45 years and l like to think I'm good driver, but I also know when I do get out on the track it will be a humbling experience. Like the OP said I probably should keep my EGO at home.

 

[PointByPatrol]

All this track talk gets me geeked. I've been a car enthusiast all my life but have never really had a sporty car so I have never done any performance type driving. The closest thing to track driving I've done was the Richard Petty Experience @ KY Speedway and I know that is nothing like a true track day on a circuit. I'm 61 and have been driving for the better part of 45 years and l like to think I'm good driver, but I also know when I do get out on the track it will be a humbling experience. Like the OP said I probably should keep my EGO at home.

There are two main things that can hold a newbie back when they're out on track for the first time, and it's usually not straight line speed. One of the most boring parts of any track is long straight-a-ways.

1. Being uncomfortable with uncomfortably high G-force. (you will get used to this)
2. Threshold braking. (The car can stop a lot faster than you think, but most newbies will brake sooner because they are not confident that the car will slow down in time.)

 

[Fresh]

1. Being uncomfortable with uncomfortably high G-force. (you will get used to this)
2. Threshold braking. (The car can stop a lot faster than you think, but most newbies will brake sooner because they are not confident that the car will slow down in time.)

1. Yes, agreed. You get used to this so quickly you think you’re accelerating, decelerating, and turning slower as the day goes on.
2. I’m still not comfortable with this but the Honda Engineers combined with the Brembos make this thing stop very quickly.

 

[PointByPatrol]

1. Yes, agreed. You get used to this so quickly you think you’re accelerating, decelerating, and turning slower as the day goes on.
2. I’m still not comfortable with this but the Honda Engineers combined with the Brembos make this thing stop very quickly.

Important to replace the brake lines with stainless steel and upgrade the brake fluid if you haven't done so already!

 

[Fresh]

I haven’t done this yet but now that the Quickjacks are here, I will be.

Does the car come stock with D3 or D4?

Suggestion on brake line products?

 

[PointByPatrol]

I haven’t done this yet but now that the Quickjacks are here, I will be.

Does the car come stock with D3 or D4?

Suggestion on brake line products?

Could be wrong, but I'd imagine the car comes with Dot 4. I'd highly recommend Motul RBF660 for the brake fluid. On my FK8 I used Goodridge lines. For the FL5 I've ordered lines from Dream Automotive. I haven't received them yet, but expect that they'll be high quality. Don't spend the money on the Spoon lines. They're incredibly expensive, and you're not getting any additional performance for the amount of money that they're asking.

 

[julianobl]

Important to replace the brake lines with stainless steel and upgrade the brake fluid if you haven't done so already!

what’s wrong with OEM lines?

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