Track upgrades - Or finding a Laguna Seca instead?

[#299]

Hey everybody,

I am considering upgrading #299 for some more serious track use (bitten by the bug....
Can you please help me finding the best upgrades to the best prices?
Initially I have considered the following:

1. Brake cooling ducts
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12491

2. Brake pads
Not too aggressive, still want to be able to use on street!

3. Brake fluid
Which one to use?

4. Caster/camber plates
Has anyone tried? Performance improvments?
These ones perhaps:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/mm-caster-camber-plates-2011.html

5. Transmission cooling scoop
I can feel the gear box being warm...
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12495

6. Laguna Seca front splitter
Is it worth the money?
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12493

7. Others??!?

Alternatively finding a Laguna Seca for sale at MSRP.... (Any tips?)

 

[cloud9]

Hey everybody,

I am considering upgrading #299 for some more serious track use (bitten by the bug....
Can you please help me finding the best upgrades to the best prices?
Initially I have considered the following:

1. Brake cooling ducts
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12491 - Yes, I have this.

2. Brake pads
Not too aggressive, still want to be able to use on street! - There is no good compromise IMO. Track pads for the track and street pads for the street

3. Brake fluid
Which one to use? - ATE Super Blue and Type 200 so you can switch back and forth and see the color change when flush is complete

4. Caster/camber plates
Has anyone tried? Performance improvments?
These ones perhaps:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/mm-caster-camber-plates-2011.html - I have these and yes there is significant improvement at turn-in

5. Transmission cooling scoop
I can feel the gear box being warm...
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12495 - A must for track driven cars

6. Laguna Seca front splitter
Is it worth the money?
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12493 Debatable. Currently I don't have it because it won't go on my trailer. I'm buying a new truck and trailer this winter and there's an even shot I'll put this on then. A friend just added it to his 5.0 (modded like a Boss) so will be waching his results

7. Others??!? - Cooling if you're going to run it hard. I have the M-8005-MGT Boss 302S radiator inbound. Depending on results, could add an air to oil cooler and possibly a new grille

Alternatively finding a Laguna Seca for sale at MSRP.... (Any tips?) - I've driven both on track. My Boss with c/c plates, DTC pads, DBA rotors, Enkei wheels and r-comp tires was faster, so no Laguna Seca for me.

 

[ArizonaBOSS]

What is your level of experience?

 

[#299]

Cloud9: Thank you very much for the reply! Can you recommend a website in the US that is reliable where I can order the stuff?

ArizonaGT: I am pretty new to track driving myself but have been in the racing scene for a few years while my brother competed. Average I would say with a lot to learn Technically ok but need to improve my fearlessness... Will try to get some more videos up soon (for judgement and feedback!)

A few more things:
Axle backs - Borla ATAK (might be "sound overkill" (possible?!?) but weight savings plus the police in Sweden is not very strict on noise...)
Racing seat: Have anyone tried mounting one?

 

[cloud9]

Some good reputable suppliers that should be able to handle export to Sweden are:

Latemodelrestoration.com

Blueovalindustries.com

americanmuscle.com

There are probably several others, but those all sell FRPP parts in addition to the other brands.

 

[2012YellowBoss]

Another good one if they can not ship is

http://www.cjponyparts.com

they have most of the parts and at good prices also.

 

[VoodooBoss]

Another good one if they can not ship is

http://www.cjponyparts.com

they have most of the parts and at good prices also.

Sign up for their email updates and every few weeks they have a 15% off most items.

 

[ChuckP]

I've have an '88 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup factory built race car that is not street legal (owned/tracked/raced since 1990). I bought the Boss for a fun weekend driver that could see occasional track action (nice drive to/from the track vs. towing a trailer!). Here's my compromise street/track setup:


1. Brake cooling ducts
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12491:
YES.

2. Brake pads
Not too aggressive, still want to be able to use on street!:
Diversified Cryogenics slotted "frozen" rotors. Hawk HT-14 front pads and HT-10 rears. Will probably switch to Hawk DTC (or PFCs) if the HTs don't work out. My experience with track pads on the street is they seem to work fine but need a bit more pedal pressure when cold. Bad news is almost all track pads will squeal like crazy on the street...very embarrasing! I'll probably swap pads betweek track and street use. Not a big job.

3. Brake fluid
Which one to use?:
ATE Super Blue swapped Type 200 for color change (just like cloud9). This is what I have used in the Porsche with excellent results. However, there are even better options like Motul RBF-600 which is more than twice as expensive as ATE. Probably not needed unless the ATE won't hack the temperatures.

4. Caster/camber plates
Has anyone tried? Performance improvments?
These ones perhaps:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/mm-caster-camber-plates-2011.html:
Not yet, but I plan to install these.

5. Transmission cooling scoop
I can feel the gear box being warm...
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12495
Just ordered one.

6. Laguna Seca front splitter
Is it worth the money?
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12493
Don't think so.

7. Others??!?
Tires, probably the most bang for the buck for track perforance. The P-Zeros (the non-Corsa versions) are nice street tires but mediocre track tires. I have seen people destroy perfectly good front street tires with one track day. Hoosiers are probably your best track choice but not if you plan to drive to and from the track. Nitto has some great R compound tires as do Michelin, Toyo, BFG and some others. These at least are suitable for highway use to and from the track. I decided to try an "extreme" street tire ("almost" R compound) to see if it could serve for some track days and just stay on the car. I went with Yokohama Advan Neova AD-08s on a set of Laguna Seca type wheels. 265/35R19 front and 295/30R19 rear. You decide to get track wheels, 18" is probably the way to go as you'll find more tire choices in that size. My next set of wheels will probably be 18" Enkei PF01s as cloud9 runs.

All that being said, none of this has been track tested yet! I'll probably be doing one day at Summit Point this month and 3 days a VIR (full course) in Sept. I'll report back on the results and will probably have some video.

Good luck and enjoy your Boss!

-Chuck

 

[2012YellowBoss]

1. Brake cooling ducts
http://fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12491:
YES.

$269

CJ 239 http://www.cjponyparts.com/FORD-RACING-BRAKE-DUCT-KIT-2010-2012/p/M2004MB/ just on sale for $202

Another good place (got my diff cover for $69) http://www.buyfordracing.com/products/2010%252d2012-MUSTANG-BRAKE-DUCT-KIT.html $219

Just sayin

Currently I don't have it because it won't go on my trailer. I'm buying a new truck and trailer this winter and there's an even shot I'll put this on then. A friend just added it to his 5.0 (modded like a Boss) so will be waching his results

Who buys a new truck and trailer for a splitter The most expensive Boss in history, can you say divorce kids

 

[cloud9]

Currently I don't have it because it won't go on my trailer. I'm buying a new truck and trailer this winter and there's an even shot I'll put this on then. A friend just added it to his 5.0 (modded like a Boss) so will be waching his results

Who buys a new truck and trailer for a splitter The most expensive Boss in history, can you say divorce kids

Hey she's the one that suggested it I think she's gone from being mad to "if you can't beat 'em, join em 8)

 

[2012YellowBoss]

Hey she's the one that suggested it I think she's gone from being mad to "if you can't beat 'em, join em 8)

Well it is a distant second but www.truckntow.com gets a lot of my money also :

 

[stuntman]

I would personally get the LS splitter, but if half a second wont matter to you and the convenience of driveways is important to you, then it's probably not worth it.


0.02

 

[cloud9]

1/2 second always matters ;D Is that based on actual experience with and without it or just an estimate? I really want to add it, but with the tradeoffs for street use and ripping it off if I have an "off", I'm just wondering what the actual lap time gain would be. If it's only 1/2 second, I'm not sure for $750 and the hassle, but if it's 1-2 seconds, I'd definitely do it.

Who am I kidding.....I'll end up buying the d*** thing after I get the new trailer this winter. :-\

 

[VoodooBoss]

I would personally get the LS splitter, but if half a second wont matter to you and the convenience of driveways is important to you, then it's probably not worth it.


0.02

It was suggested by Ford Racing that lowering the Boss splitter 1" would increase downforce as much as the LS splitter. Now if we could find someone to make a 1" spacer to lower the Boss splitter that might be a better option for many of us.

 

[svttim]

All good advise, As others have said, Track pads for the track, street pads for the street. Change em!

Get a second set of wheels and tires. Track will tear up whatever is on the car IF you go fast at all

Dont worry about the spiltter at this point. If our new at this, the car is more capable than the driver, Driver mods are worth more time