Road Course Track events?

[RichardNorman]

I'm looking at getting a Focus zx3 as my daily driver because my current car is getting a bit rough for daily use. It's a Miata that's set up for track events and CSP autocross. Rollbar, Konis, sways, springs chopped seat etc. I run on a032rs on the street and Kumhos on the track. I'm about to replace the springs on the car with GC adjustables with 550lb springs up front and 325 in back.

I see a lot of Focus (Foci'?) at autocrosses but have yet to see one at the track. Anyone here do any track work with their car. I wouldn't use it a lot for the track, just at the events that don't let convertables run even if they have arm restraints and roll bars.

Driving the car, it seems to me it needs at least a set of sways to keep it somewhat upright and probably some springs. The brakes also look sort of small but it is a pretty light car so I'm not sure.

[Daniel]

For track racing, the Focus may not do as well as autocrossing, since the car doesn't exactly perform miracles in the straightaways. However, the Focus engine responds well to mods such as cam work, CAI intakes, etc. Given decent rubber, better shocks (the stock shocks suck!) and lowering springs, the Focus's handling becomes excellent, and you can carry a lot of speed into the turns.



------------------
Daniel Ross
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2000 Malibu Blue ZX-3
K&N Filtercharger,
New Edge Racing Pedals

[teamDFL]

If you are talking driver schools, not racing, then don't worry about the lack of power as a decently run school will mandate that the faster car in the curves will get the point by. It takes no skill to hold the pedal to the mat, so they don't care who is faster down the straights.

Rich
teamDFL...faster down the straights too

[RichardNorman]

I am talking driver schools and open track lapping as well as some time trials so I am not too worried about straight line speed.

I already know what it's like not having a lot of go on the straights with the Miata but that car easily makes up for it in the turns. Most road courses are not so much about the top speed attained as they are about the highest minimum and average speeds.

I looked at the car again tonight and had not noticed until then it had rear drums??? I can't remember the last car I had that had drum brakes anywhere on it. I think it was my 84 GTI actually.

[Ducman69]

You might be able to get away with putting better pads in the front and drums as well. The brakes have a lot of bite, but I just don't know if they can hold up to the temps of track racing.

I get to watch a lot of racing over at the TWS in college station, and its awesome watching a Viper just blow by all the cars on the little straight heheh! And then watching a Porsche 914 on the tighter corners was a blast too. The body stayed perfectly flat, but it was funny watching the tires massively deform (but not roll over all that much) and the thing would still fly through the turns like a bat out of hell. I can't wait to at least try to reproduce the extreme flickability of the 914 with my Focus.

[Ducman69]

I haven't run it at the track yet. Power is one big problem I could think of. But with regard to handling, some Konis definetly go a long way. Increasing the spring rate and lowering the car a bit will also help out. I'm about to do some suspension mods myself, so I'll report the improvements here. But again, the shocks are WAY underdamped, and its almost a must to replace them for any type of competative racing.

------------------
00 Ford ZX3 / 96 Ford Cobra
90 Yam FJ1200/ 85 Yam RZ350 / 84 Yam RZ350
Engine Forum Moderator -Chris-

[ax0n]

Our stock brakes suck.

I have run laps around parking lots in excessive durations (like 20 minutes, hell of a lot longer than your average autox events) and I'll tell you, brake fade sets in quick.

Not only would I recommend EBC brake pads, but probably high-high quality brake fluid and braided lines if you're gonna go to the track. My stock brakes glazed over in less than 5 minutes. Still useable but fading. Next, the fluid got too hot. I don't know if my lines softened up on me, or if my brake fluid was just getting too hot to use, but I pretty much lost my ability to brake very well after about 10 minutes.

EBC GreenStuff pads are probably the way to go if this is gonna be your point-A to point-B car. These brakes are pretty fade resistant, but still very streetable. They work a little better once they've gotten warm, but you don't need to heat 'em up intentionally. A very well-rounded pad. They're sold through new edge performance, which is a great sposor here at FocalJet, and maybe other sponsors sell 'em too. Tell 'em we sent ya!

I wouldn't bother with drilled or slotted rotors. Have 'em Cryogenically treated and that will be a great way to go. Next, focus on brake fluid, and maybe brake cooling. Then go for braided lines.

Next up, you need suspension mods for the track. Ground control and H&R both make coilovers for our Foci, but they're expensive. Progress has an affordable 1.8 inch drop spring set that seems to flatten the car out a bit in the twisties for a cheapo budget. FocusSport (I think possibly our biggest sponsor aside rom ford motorsport) sells a Stress bar that I've heard nothing but good things about. Ask about more suspension and chassis tuning stuff in the "Suspension" forum.

What these things really lack is power. FocusSport has a Street Header that's fairly affordable, and you have a nice selection of aftermarket intake systems.

AEM, AFX, and Esslinger all make decent underdrive pulleys. IMHO this is a must.

Esslinger, AEM (I think) and Kent make adjustable cam timing gears. I've hears good things about these.

MBRP, FocusSport, Modern Performance, New Edge Performance, and almost all our sponsors carry a variety of cat-back systems and exhaust goodies. Gotta have 'em.

Cajun, Diablo, (maybe) FocusSport and Superchips all have performance chips out for us. I've heard very nice comments on how proactive Cajun is being. I think I'm leaving someone else out. I think FocusSport was also seeking active testers for something too...

you have a wealth of information here on the 'Jet. Remember: Safety and stability first, speed next. have fun and welcome to the club!

[Ducman69]

When the brake fluid gets to hot it literally boils. That may be what you are talking about. I doubt braided lines would really help much. SS lines are really just to improve the feel and response of the brakes, and the rubber is still brand new on our cars (eventually they get floppeh' though).


The EBC greenstuff pads aren't really racing pads, although their thermal limit is decently high and their Cf is also very very good. For the track, their redstuff pads may be a better choice (if they are available in our size). Some don't seem to like their quality very much, but I don't have any experience with them. I'm not sure who makes good drum pads. Perform a search in the wheels/tires/brakes section for a recent discussion on this.

From the research I've done recently, it seems that most of the coilover kits out (and the upcoming Cup kit and Eibach pro kit) are really just "sporty" and not intended for real racing (but naturally still a vast improvement upon stock). An adjustable shock like Konis with a slightly heavier weight (300-450) spring is what I've been recommended.

------------------
00 Ford ZX3 / 96 Ford Cobra
90 Yam FJ1200/ 85 Yam RZ350 / 84 Yam RZ350
Engine Forum Moderator -Chris-

[RichardNorman]

A good set of pads and some ATE fluid would do wonders for the brakes in high heat situations. I can tell you first hand that the EBC Greens are not pads to be used at the track. I have seen a set down to the backing plates just about in 60 miles of track time at Pocono's north road course.

A set of Porterfield R4 or R4s might be better if they are available for the car. Or Hawk blues or blacks.

The stock brakes seem like they have good bite because they are overboosted in my opinion.

[KC]

If you are going to the trouble to work on your brake lines, you might as well do it right. Replace all the tubing with stainless competition brake lines, replace all the flexible with heavy duty braided line. I have heard that the Countour SVT rear disk brakes can be fitted to the rear of the Focus with some work, or order a set of Focus SVT brakes.

Does the stock ZX3 use any sway bars? I think my Kona version has a rear bar to assist in turn in, but the front has none.

A strut brace front and rear will do wonders to increase turn in and reduce unibody flex. Competition dampers and springs as well as softer tires and lighter wheels will make a difference too.

One of the biggest weight saving things that you can do is remove all the glass. That stuff is very heavy and can be replaced with lexan. However, now your car is purely a racer and not very comfortable to drive around town.

A lot depends on the class and rules you have to follow. You do all these changes and you might have run against prepped performance cars with much more power and grip.

[RichardNorman]

I don't think EBC actually promotes the greens as track/street pads any longer do they?? Not in the Miata community at least.

[Ducman69]

Yeah they can be fitted, but I remember Rob or someone pointing out that it would be quite a bit of work. There are disc brakes available on Foci now, as well as the SVT. There must be some way to get your hands on some.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I can tell you first hand that the EBC Greens are not pads to be used at the track.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hmm...I think you are now the second person to complain about that (and Rob via second hand recommendation against them). I was going to get them for autocross, but I do want to be able to race on a track a couple times a year. We should come up with a list of pads that people actually have experience with. I believe TeamDFL did just that in the "Do EBC greenstuff pads suck" thread over at wheels/tires/and brakes forum.

The ZX3 has front and rear sway bars.

The frame is pretty stiff, from what I've read, I think it would be hard to notice much of a difference with a strut brace on. I haven't gotten a chance to try a Focus with one on and off though, so I can't really weigh in. But that's the general impression I've picked up from the board.