Going to the track with my GTS any advice?

GTS Dean

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Whatever, but I just checked Tire Rack and the 305/30/18 and 335/30/18's are in stock....the 335's are actually priced below $200....they must be getting out of making that size.

I ran them on my Viper and had one front and one rear with belt separation, running pretty much optimal alignment and pressures. They stick pretty good, but the belt package is JUNK, IMO. If anyone needs a spare 335-17 V-700 with +/- 50% tread, let me know.
 

Paul Hawker

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Another alternative, since you have 20" tires is to put on a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports. They stick better than BFG or Pilot sports. Wear is predicted to be great on the track, they wear well on the street (30,000 mile warranty if rotated) have good wet weather traction, run smooth and true.

This way you do can just drive to the track, have fun and drive home without needing to switch around tires.

Tires over 3 years old do not belong on a high speed roadcourse.

On Gen II's there is a significant issue with brakes running stock fluids. Under heavy braking, especially in warm weather, the fluid down by the rotors can boil. If you feel your pedal going soft, pull into the pits to let them cool down. Often you get just one warning, then on the next corner the brakes can go totally away.

Also watch your temp gauge. If you get up into the red, you will need to reduce your revs, and lug it a bit down the straights in a higher gear to blow off some temp. Racing in Gen II is as much about temperature control as driving lickety split!


Have fun at the track.
 
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my viper

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Whatever, but I just checked Tire Rack and the 305/30/18 and 335/30/18's are in stock....the 335's are actually priced below $200....they must be getting out of making that size.

Whatever, if you want to get new, but 4 year old tires to race that are part of a "closeout". Yes, check Tire Rack again. They state the production timeline on these tires as well.

I've heard from at least half a dozen good sources including Jon B [who I called to order these tires] that these will not be made in viper sizes [I used 345's in the rear].

Side note: I also heard that a viper owner could be the reason for this. He sued Kumho after wrecking his Viper. Don't know if there is any truth to this.
 

AZTVR

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I can't use wax though because of the Matte finish. Any ideas on what to cover the paint with other than wax?

Tape instead of wax. You CAN use wax, just a lot of cleaning in the end.

Specifically, commonly used is the blue painter's tape because it has lower stickiness than other tapes and comes off easily.

I have also met a Corvette guy at the track a couple of times that uses several layers of clear adhesive shelf liner vinyl from Walmart/Home Depot. Pretty cheap; but kinda redneck looking. (Not as high brow as blue tape, LOL! )
 

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Leslie

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1-Check/change all fluid - Yes
2-Add a quart of oil - Just up to the full line, no more.
3-Make sure not to overfill new brake fluid (use upgraded fluid) - Just up to the full line. Bring extra and add as needed throughout the day.
4-take out some power steering fluid - No. Flush it and fill with new up to the full line. Make sure the cap is tight.
5-Get the Bling front rotors off and throw stocks back on (I kept them) - Probably. I don't know what blingers you have.
6-Good tires on stockies all around. - Yes

7. Fresh brake pads if your current pads are worn too much.

you DO need to make sure your power steering fluid isn't overfilled, it WILL spit out all over your hood if you don't take a little out. Yes, make sure the cap is on tight.

and make sure your brake fluid is ONLY up to the 'fill' line, NO more, because it will bleed out and affect your brake pedal.

Motul 600 or 660 is a GREAT brake fluid, that's the ONLY kind I use, suggested by Archer Racing and I trust their suggestions.
 

Viper4Christ

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Great idea! I can't use wax though because of the Matte finish. Any ideas on what to cover the paint with other than wax?

-Tim

An old school trick drag racers used when hitting the track with their street driven cars is to use some vaseline around the area's where rubber and brake dust form. At the end of the day just wipe it clean and no worries of smears or hourse of washing/scrubbing to get it clean. Obviously, buy the store brand since you're going to want a fair amount of coating around the bumper and lower side of the hood where it meets the wheel well.

As for driving tips, dont nail it out of a turn and make sure to keep your RPM's up to avoid bursts of the Vipers low end TQ when you put your foot in it.


At around 1:40 is when they have the in car clips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjU0MyL10cg
 

DrumrBoy

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Whatever, if you want to get new, but 4 year old tires to race that are part of a "closeout". Yes, check Tire Rack again. They state the production timeline on these tires as well.

I've heard from at least half a dozen good sources including Jon B [who I called to order these tires] that these will not be made in viper sizes [I used 345's in the rear].

Side note: I also heard that a viper owner could be the reason for this. He sued Kumho after wrecking his Viper. Don't know if there is any truth to this.


Your sources are wrong. I bought a set last year that were one year old. That's 2....not 4. Perhaps they're no longer making them but the 4 year old claim simply isn't correct. Never had a problem with them but that doesn't prove they're good. Maybe you spoke with Jon B on a Monday morning or something......
 

my viper

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Your sources are wrong. I bought a set last year that were one year old. That's 2....not 4. Perhaps they're no longer making them but the 4 year old claim simply isn't correct. Never had a problem with them but that doesn't prove they're good. Maybe you spoke with Jon B on a Monday morning or something......

Could it be possible they stopped making them in Viper sizes after you bought them last year? Could it be possible that I tried to buy them earlier this year and could not find them anywhere? The 4 year claim is from the TireRack site. They state "2007 production" and "closeout" on those tires. Why do you think that is?

Yes, it is also possible my sources are wrong. But, I know better to not call Jon on a Monday :)

Anyways...let us not side track Tim's thread anymore. I will leave this with a request to you to please PM me if you find new V700's in 305 front and 345 rear sizes. Thanks.
 
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Timnineside

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Even tho this did get off subject I am still soaking all this in!! Thanks for all the help, and the cool video!

I am doing everything everyone said. The track day is Aug 19th 2011.

I will keep everything posted, and taking video with my GoPro.

Thanks and all/more advice is great. From car prep to driving style technique. I did A LOT of SEARCH here before I did 1/4 miles runs and hit a 12 flat stock so reading up and self educating is great when the knowledge is all right here!

-Tim
 
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Timnineside

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Can anyone let me know how much Brake fluid I will need once I drain the entire system? Also any recomendations for power steering fluid? How much there also?

Any tricks/tips to draining the brake system/power steering system?

Once agian love all the help people!

Anyone have a used set of 18's they are looking to come off? Not looking to spend a ton obviously. 275-335 or whatever for the fronts 305's etc.

Thanks again!

-Tim
 

DrumrBoy

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Brake system doesn't take much. Bleed from furthest spot away from the master.....RR, then LR then RF then LF (at least I think that's the best order to bleed them in). I think a quart will do ya just fine.

I have a couple old R6 take offs....but you're pretty far away.
 

SoCal Rebell

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Can anyone let me know how much Brake fluid I will need once I drain the entire system? Also any recomendations for power steering fluid? How much there also?

Any tricks/tips to draining the brake system/power steering system?

Once agian love all the help people!

Anyone have a used set of 18's they are looking to come off? Not looking to spend a ton obviously. 275-335 or whatever for the fronts 305's etc.

Thanks again!

-Tim

Tim, a liter can should be enough to flush out the brake system and for gods sake if you want the best don't use Motul, spring for the Castrol SRF brake fluid. I call John Purner from CCW Wheels and buy yourself a set of track wheels in the size you want at a good price. With 305s I'd go with a 18x11 or 18x12.
 

GTS Dean

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A Gen 1/2 brake system can be fully flushed with one pint of fluid. Until you've done it several times, it's better to plan on two pints.
 
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Timnineside

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Can anyone let me know how much Brake fluid I will need once I drain the entire system? Also any recomendations for power steering fluid? How much there also?

Any tricks/tips to draining the brake system/power steering system?

Once agian love all the help people!

Anyone have a used set of 18's they are looking to come off? Not looking to spend a ton obviously. 275-335 or whatever for the fronts 305's etc.

Thanks again!

-Tim

Tim, a liter can should be enough to flush out the brake system and for gods sake if you want the best don't use Motul, spring for the Castrol SRF brake fluid. I call John Purner from CCW Wheels and buy yourself a set of track wheels in the size you want at a good price. With 305s I'd go with a 18x11 or 18x12.


I will look this up^^
 
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Timnineside

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Brake system doesn't take much. Bleed from furthest spot away from the master.....RR, then LR then RF then LF (at least I think that's the best order to bleed them in). I think a quart will do ya just fine.

I have a couple old R6 take offs....but you're pretty far away.

Yeah in MI, but how much $$$$ and idea on shipping $$$$???

Thanks!!

-Tim
 

DrumrBoy

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You can have them (as in zero $$$) but I think shipping tires may be more expensive than buying some take-offs locally.
 

MTGTS

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Anyone have a used set of 18's they are looking to come off? Not looking to spend a ton obviously. 275-335 or whatever for the fronts 305's etc.

-Tim

I have a set of 295/335 toyo 888's I'd sell for pretty cheap. I've moved to full Hoosier slicks
 
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Timnineside

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Well I don't mind paying for shipping!!!! Or whatever for that matter!!! I can't NOT find any take off's around here.

I guess MTGTS how much do you want for your 888's? And how much life (estimate) is left on them???

I think shipping is usually about $20 per tire which is COOL with me. Can either one of you guys send some pics???

Thanks a lot I really appreciate the help, I would like to go with the better tires just for mounting and stuff but don't want to put a ton of cash into this deal!

[email protected]

-Tim
 

MTGTS

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Well I don't mind paying for shipping!!!! Or whatever for that matter!!! I can't NOT find any take off's around here.

I guess MTGTS how much do you want for your 888's? And how much life (estimate) is left on them???

I think shipping is usually about $20 per tire which is COOL with me. Can either one of you guys send some pics???

Thanks a lot I really appreciate the help, I would like to go with the better tires just for mounting and stuff but don't want to put a ton of cash into this deal!

[email protected]

-Tim

I'll send you some pics tommorrow sometime. I haven't looked @ them in awhile as they were my spare set
 
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Timnineside

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I'll send you some pics tommorrow sometime. I haven't looked @ them in awhile as they were my spare set


Sounds good! Let me know how much $$$ for them shipped. I am going to be pretty busy tomorrow, but maybe Sat morning I will get around to them.

-Tim
 

DrumrBoy

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I'm running at Road Atlanta now through Sunday night. Let me know on Monday if you're still interested in them (can't get to them now). I shipped wheels out west, it was about $1.50 per pound or something like that.
 
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Timnineside

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Okay thanks for the tire help guys, I am sure I will be getting that done ASAP.

Back on the the fluid situation though. Does anyone know exactly how much fluid for the full brake system? I will probably just pick up two 1/2 quarts (yeah a Quart)

Also and recomendations for the Power Steering fluid? Brand? how much will I need for that?

Thanks again!!!
 
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Timnineside

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I guess you missed this ^

Buy one quart of Mopar power steering fluid.

Nope didn't miss it. Just wondering where I can get this in pints??? :) Only seen it sold in 1/2 quarts. hahahaha.

So 1 quart of brake fluid, and 1 quart of power steering! Got it!
 

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Aside from getting your car all ready to go around the track, the best thing you can do is to take an instructor with you if possible! I cannot believe 2 pages of this thread and no one has mentioned it. An instructor with viper experience would be best, they can teach you how the car will handle and what to expect and they will start you off slow so you can get comfortable, most of all, keep the car off the wall after turn 11!
 
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