ESGN

Hi folks...I'm a n00bie so please be gentle! lol

Taking my '96 WRX Wagon import to the Nurburgring at the beginning of July (accompanied by S2000 and Elise). Shes completely bog standard at the moment so would like a few tweaks done before I go.

I'm thinking sensible mods and essentials...so may be air filter, brakes and a few style upgrades.

Any tips or recommendations please?

p1doc

full service prior to going to pick up any serious probs then new tyres brake pads at least and braided hoses uprated brake fluid
dont race the locals as they WILL be faster than you and check out northloop.co.uk
most important-enjoy
martin

Ste333

iTrader: (3)

a set of turbo 2000 UK front brakes get the 4 pots on son. I did last night and theyre so much better than the w*nk 2 pots.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Important you get some decent pads ds2500's will do. Also good brake fluid. 5.1 minimum RBF600 better.

Also your tyres will go off within a few corners so get some 2nd hand semi slicks or something.

Ensure all ur fluids are topped up and recent service. Also keep an eye on ur tyre temps.

I always run NF race octane booster to help deter DET also as the engine will get hooooooot.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

As above, brakes best place to start and nice fresh fluids. If you've not had coolant for a while it might be an idea to get some.

On track don't be tempted to go flat out on the straights, you are better holding back and caning the curves with a car under control rather than coming in hot, slamming the anchors on and getting out of shape. Trust me!

5t.

Fuzz

To be honest, even the 4 pot 2000 model brakes are a bit **** on such a big circuit, you''d be better off getting a proper brake upgrade like stoptechs/ap/Porsche kit, you might need different wheels but that will come under the styling changes idea you are thinking about anyway.
A good set of tyres like Toyo R888 or the Yokohama A048R would also be a wise move.
Other than that make sure everything is serviced and all rattles clonks and other issues sorted before you go should get you an enjoyable time away without issue.


On the other hand buy a BMW 323i off ebay and have twice the fun at half the cost.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

how u organise ur trip?

Im after doing similar soon, just wondering where to start. I.e. how do i find out when the ring is open to the public on what weekend? Ive read most of northernloop.co.uk.

??

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Depends on budget.

Service -> brakes -> suspension -> tyres

rezaP1

everyone has said it before but besides the full service, dealing with the brakes is essential ... even the 4 pots will struggle round the ring as they and will cook

BIG FUD

iTrader: (84)

After a fair few trips no matter what cars i have taken i have destroyed the pads, I would fit some very good pads as stated ds2500s and take a spair set dont want to warp them discs also.

Power steering fluid
brake fluid
clutch fluid
oil and spare filter
black tape
fuses, bulbs
vis vest
warning triangle
first aid kit
torch.

Also i would 100% invest in a.d.a.c european breakdown cover its a must..

ESGN

Cheers folks.

Yeah brakes, tyres and service are on the shopping list.

Was thinking about upgrading alloys to something larger but dont think I'll have the budget for it. So any recommendations on tyres and brakes for 16" standard alloys would be great.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

you dont have to cane the brakes to have fun/be fast round the ring/ track.

Youll find ur much quicker learning to corner quickly rather than hard on the brakes as it makes it harder to learn how to balance the car during the corner. Know what i mean?

My brother hammers his brakes in his evo which is much quicker than my car, but i still catch him up by corning much better.

AP's etc are not essential... 4 pots id say, and if ur gonna buy disks, get the godspeed 330mm upgrade kit thing. im running 4 pots with 294mm disks and they cope really well since i went for ds2500s and rbf600. Sure they could be better, but its all a question of budget. I assume you dont have 2k to spunk on AP's..?

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

my 4pots fit under my stock 16" rims.

Tyre wise you can get full slicks for 16's, some sold recently on ebay for 40 quid a set.

You can also get cut road legal slicks remoulds new for 50 quid a corner. I have just bought a set, yet to test them out.

U can pick up cheap 17" sti rims it seems, and plenty of clio cup/ wtcc / btcc slicks about.

Can you use full slicks on the ring?? Even the road/track tyres i.e. r888 will offer a big improvement over normal road tyres. Not just in grip, but in not going off to quick/badly.

ESGN

This is my first trip to the 'Ring so I'm going to try take it steady and resist the urge to nail it round the track. As boring as it sounds, I need my car to make it home as well so need to be sensible on a limited budget.

I'm new to the Scooby world...what are APs?

GlesgaKiss

A brake manufacturer with a very good reputation.

beef-on-the-bone

iTrader: (5)

highly desireable/expensive brakes...........

ESGN

Cheers! lol

So what brakes are advisable on a budget then? I'm a complete novice so manufacturer, spec, model and links would be highly appreciated. Same for tyres.

GlesgaKiss

Here's a link to a set of brakes which are excellent value for money - K-Sport. Suspension, Alignment Components and Motorsport Accessories

They do 8 pot front brakes for an Impreza, but you'll need a set of 17" alloys for them to fit under.

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

mate IMO and ive done the ring a few times now, get some decent pads, i use mintex 1155's ;ast year and they was ok,, they tyres are what let me down tbh but now im running carbon ceramic pads designed for nascar/touring cars just to see how they get on, ive still got my 1155's and my 1144's too, im running standard 4 pots and im VERY hard on brakes tbh

tyres ARE important, jsut a shame my poxy R888's aint been delivered yet meaning im gonna be running my road tyres this year

GlesgaKiss

They will be around £800-£900 if I recall correctly.

All that said, if you're just going to have a bit of a blast round the track at your own pace, you would be fine with a set of second hand 4 pot brakes from a 99-00 car as other people have mentioned. Get a decent set of pads/discs and they would be more than adequate for what you need.

But I'm saying for a few hundred quid more you could have a set of brakes that would stand the car on it's nose. Lol

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

mate do a track day first before you go the ring to give the car a shakedown of what to expect, also a powersteering fluid cooler is a good mod for the ring as my car pissed it out last year

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

yeah plenty of places do taster/novice sessions for very little money.

GlesgaKiss

Ginge ! - Did you really have your wheels painted/powder coated pink? I replied to your other thread(). I actually thought you had photoshopped them for a laugh.

A mate of mine has a black Civic Type R which he tracks, and he's got a set of wheels done pink with 888s. His road wheels are fluorescent orange.

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

most important things:

1) check your right hand indicator works properly
2) Dont go off like a bat out of hell
3) have fun
4) go to the PK for Argentinian steaks
5) Dont put pepper on the stones!

Tazz Kill Er

How would something like these fair at the ring?

EARS Motorsport LLP

orbix

Do you use spacers?

When i fitted 4 pots my original 16" alloys fouled on the calipers.

davyboy

To be honest for a first visit, make sure your car is in good condition with plenty of brake pad left and enjoy yourself.

Nothing you do at this stage will make you go quicker.

Spend the money on petrol and laps.

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

yes i have pink wheels for track use

ESGN

I hear the food is pretty limited out there but we'll be looking for some good steaks. What and where is PK?

Mark1983

iTrader: (2)

Sensible post. It's your first trip, you'll maybe do 10 laps over a weekend and you won't know the track so don't worry about going fast or getting overtaken by a local in 140bhp mk2 Golf, enjoy and savior the track and atmosphere

Just make sure you're car is in post service condition and plenty of life left in the brakes, noobs have a habit of cooking brakes.

My car is standard except PF pads and discs and PowerStations Stage 3 chassis upgrade. Touch wood I've not had any trouble in my 400ish laps. I'd save sticky tyres until you know the track well.

If you don't speak German and like a little hard work take out ADAC European recovery, it's €79.50 and it's the only recovery company that will not charge for recovery (€200). You're also covered in UK, ADACs partner in the UK is The AA