P5 at the track

[doclaw64]

I took the P5 to the track this weekend and was I in for quite a surprise. My car is completely stock and I was surprised at how good it is. The first day it was raining off and on and the dunlop oem tires suck. I knew before that they were bad but on the track they really were completely useless. On Sunday it the sun was out and the car was like night and day. I tires are good on dry pavement. The group that I went with had some very fast cars, some are race cars, but all are modded. The car has surprised me at how well it really handles. I was passing cars that easily have twice as much hp and cars that did pass me were only faster on the straights. I would gain on them in the turns. One of the biggest things this car needs, besides lack of power (lol) is a limited slip diff. I could have gotten faster times if I could have gotten the power down sooner. Even with just stock hp I was spinning the tires coming out of the turns.

If you have ever thought of taking the P5 to the track do it. It really is alot of fun.

[glyph]

cool! although I suspect you were spinning the tire( ) <--- note the lack of an "s".(chair) I severely want a LSD, too. Corksport has em, but they are pricey. I plan on looking into an alternate vendor down the road. I have sunk a lot of money in the last 2 months for the turbo kit and all the stuff that makes that usable.

[speed1016]

so what did you run?

[speed1016]

was it not a drag strip? if not what kind of track?

[glyph]

I am hoping Califonia Speedway?

[Mazda P5 driver]

besides lack of power (lol) is a limited slip diff. I could have gotten faster times if I could have gotten the power down sooner. Even with just stock hp I was spinning the tires coming out of the turns.

If you have ever thought of taking the P5 to the track do it. It really is alot of fun.

Exactly what I have been saying...I think the cars suspension either sucks ass or we need a LSD.

[glyph]

Mazda's are known for well done suspensions, so that is surely not the issue. It is the LSD. It's a common problem in many inexpensive sporty cars.

[doclaw64]

cool! although I suspect you were spinning the tire( ) <--- note the lack of an "s".(chair) I severely want a LSD, too. Corksport has em, but they are pricey. I plan on looking into an alternate vendor down the road. I have sunk a lot of money in the last 2 months for the turbo kit and all the stuff that makes that usable.

Nope I was spinning both tires. I could hear them.

[Action Jackson]

Sounds like you've had some fun :D.

The stock tires won't last long on a racetrack. I've chunked my edges off easily, and they'll overheat very easily so I couldn't stay out very long.

The stock brakes are pretty good considering Proteges are essentially an economy car. They will fade after a few hard laps. Plus if you examine the stock brake pads you might discover that they are cracked!

You're absolutely right that an LSD would help coming out of a corner.

Simple mods like better tires, springs and pads make a big difference b/c you can virtually go lapping all day long rain or shine.

It's always rewarding knowing that I can hang with or pass almost anyone in the corners even though they've got more power or spent so much on suspension mods....

Have fun!

[doclaw64]

The track was spring mountain in Pahrump, NV. It is a road course that is about 2.4 miles in length. Very technical, and not many straights.

[glyph]

perfect for our cars. I plan on taking my turbo for a spin once it's complete at the first available track day I am in town for. (clever pun hidden in that last statement)

[doclaw64]

Sounds like you've had some fun :D.

The stock tires won't last long on a racetrack. I've chunked my edges off easily, and they'll overheat very easily so I couldn't stay out very long.

The stock brakes are pretty good considering Proteges are essentially an economy car. They will fade after a few hard laps. Plus if you examine the stock brake pads you might discover that they are cracked!

You're absolutely right that an LSD would help coming out of a corner.

Simple mods like better tires, springs and pads make a big difference b/c you can virtually go lapping all day long rain or shine.

It's always rewarding knowing that I can hang with or pass almost anyone in the corners even though they've got more power or spent so much on suspension mods....

Have fun!

Yeah I started to chunk my tires as well. But you can fix that by your tire pressures. At the track you have to put the pressure up, at least 40 ft/lbs. but a set of Victorracers would be better.

And the brakes don't get me started on that... (lol2) On the first lap I had to brake early but after 1 lap they did firm up. I will have to bleed them and maybe put some better brake fluid in them. Maybe some pagids as well will help alot as well.

[Action Jackson]

Yeah I started to chunk my tires as well. But you can fix that by your tire pressures. At the track you have to put the pressure up, at least 40 ft/lbs. but a set of Victorracers would be better.

And the brakes don't get me started on that... (lol2) On the first lap I had to brake early but after 1 lap they did firm up. I will have to bleed them and maybe put some better brake fluid in them. Maybe some pagids as well will help alot as well.

I started with 52 psi of pressure and gradually lowered it for car control on the stock tires.

Then when I measured them cold it turns out that the best pressure was really 32 psi after all.

[doclaw64]

I started with 52 psi of pressure and gradually lowered it for car control on the stock tires.

Then when I measured them cold it turns out that the best pressure was really 32 psi after all.

Did you get chunking of the tires at that psi? I had them at 35/32 and got chunking. When I put them up to 40 it did not happen.

[Action Jackson]

The OEM tires chunked no matter what pressure I set them at. It's b/c they cannot take the heat too well. I wouldn't last more than say 3 or 4 laps with them at best.

And when I pitted anyone can tell that they're on the verge of being melted -> they were really soft to the touch and at times when I've stayed out too long, they would squirm under braking and cornering. I would lose the rear end b/c the tires were too soft.

Yup I did a few 180's, and couldn't stop soon enough and ran off the track with them.

Pressure did not matter that much for OEM Dunlops on the track. They are ill suited for track use.

36/34 is what I ran on my tires for the street and track. At least until I get Illuminas!

Upgrade the tires and pads!

[doclaw64]

If you are going to get track tires try Kumho Victorracers. I have used them and they are good. When I am at the track it looks like the tires melt but that is a good thing. They are getting up to temp. You need to check how far over on the sides you are wearing the tires. Most tires have a little triangle and you should not wear past that.

[Protege52003]

i am looking forward to trying some auto-X this spring/summer to try out my P5 with that kind of driving.....