First track day with the RX7
 

So went out to my first track day with the rex. Still untuned so I was keeping it pretty easy all day. Never went above 3/4 throttle and was holding with "B" group all day (intermediate... one of the plus's of organizing the event was not having to run in the novice group).

So far after yesterday I need an IC BAD!... I could only do about 3 hard laps before the air intake temps hit 60 and I needed to cool down. Other than that my rad was OK and held at 94 at most (stock, but yes I know I need a better one it's on the lsit). Other than that, wheels/tires are the biggest thing. It was partially wet and my Kuhmo street tires were not the best.


http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...af8c4b90_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...6960571b_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...e2f34333_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...174a7a59_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...584958d5_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...7f8ce3c1_o.jpg

Cool down lap.
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...391513f1_o.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/r...1f2e6ddc_o.jpg


and my fav pic of the day....

https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576...f737d4d7ee.jpg

:bigthumb:

you don't notice how terrible stock wheel fitment is until you see a picture of your car in action.

Lookin awesome man :icon_tup:

Way to go!

Regards,
Crispy

I'm far from a track expert - but aren't you running a lot of negative camber (particularly up front)?

I've only had my FD on the track once and it was a lot of fun!

B

Nice pics. The track is the real home of the 7. I only got one HPDE in before my motor succumbed to coolant seal failure (I know what you're thinking but my max temp of the day was 194 F). I look forward to returning.

(forget to latch your hood in that 7th pic?)

-2.5. :icon_tup:


turns in on a dime and the pyrometer was reading fairly even across the board. I might pull it down to -2 for the next track day though.

Nice!!

One of my all time dreams is to track my car, at least once. But im too paranoid of it breaking, i dont know when that will happen lol

And yes stock wheel fitment is horrible. Idk why mazda put those sizes on a car like this.

Wait, so you took an a 7 with an UNtuned motor, running a stock IC, and a stock rad to the track? Sounds like a sweet recipie...

:D... well it's tuned by me. just not for power... more for safety. Knocks never went above 20 while running .6BAR. Ambient was about +10-15 or so and wet/raining outside. Water temp never went over 94 with an average of 89-90. The stock IC is just a giant POS. No questioning that. I don't know if I mentioned up top at all, but I didn't go full throttle all day and kept the car under 5-6K RPM



I wasn't planning on running at all, but since I was there anyways running the track day I decided to do a few sessions (three in total).

Right on. That makes more sense. I thought you were crazy at first.

no not crazy I swear :D. I built the car up myself. Bought an engine and threw a TD06 kit on it/fuel system/PFC/Wband etc. Just waiting for funds for a new IC and radiator and have to get some pipes fabbed up. That's the main reason I haven't had it dyno tuned yet (that and I have to go to the US for a reputable company).

Good stuff man. Looks like a fun time. Good to see you driving the car the way it was made to be driven.

You should perhaps reconsider. The double wishbone suspension of the FD doesn't need the big negative camber angles that a MacPherson strut suspension needs to maintain a good contact patch during cornering. That's the beauty of the FD. Truly a car designed for handling. -camber in the -1.0 degree range is probably more appropriate for track use unless you are doing hardcore autoX and even then -2 deg is probably too much. Regarding your pyrometer readings I'd submit, given your operating parameters (wet weather and mediocre tires) the tires weren't being really worked hard enough to reflect operating conditions nearer the limit. Too much negative camber will also kill your braking also since tire contact pressure is going to be unequal across the tire width thus resulting in poorer braking adhesion. Pettit Racing has some good suggested alignments for various use that are tried and true by many a track veteran, Cam included. http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_information.htm

Try it with less -camber. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and your tires will last longer :)

FWIW,
Crispy
- 93 FD "track tested" 422rwhp GT35R ...w/little frotn -camber
- 88 FC ITS #47...w/LOTS of front -camber

cool... that's something I didn't know. I owned a Skyline before which I stole the alignment settings for a starting point.

I do a fair bit more AutoX than track days though, so would you say it's OK to compromise with 1.75 to -2?


What about rear camber and front castor settings? Right now I'm running -1.5 rear and +6 castor.

Aaron, glad to see your car up and runnling and you tracking it!

thanks man.. you should come down sometime for an event. it would be nice to see more FD's out.

nice! Good pics too!

Good stuff, make sure you go back again after you get your car sorted out :bigthumb:

The car looks great, super clean. Whats up with the hood in the 7th pic?

I just have to say this, because it just goes to show you how well the FD was track and driver inspired. My other Fave car that also has a double wishbone and a true monocock design is the McLaren F1 :)

Cool down lap

yup, cool down lap. going pretty slow... trying to get a bit of extra airflow under the hood. the picture looks funny though..

I would love to man, you should pm me with some info!