I have a 20v turbo and have just started taking it out on track (mainly at Goodwood).
I really enjoy Goodwood, have done it three times now. However I've always had problems with noise levels (86db drive by), and my 20vt is not that noisy (@88-90). How do you find it?
Last time I was there last summer, I remember fondly. Was waiting to go out with a couple of well to do chaps in chinos and ironed shirts (ala Flea) in their Porsches, whilst they were talking about what sort of speeds they were hitting on the back straight. They knew I was listening in, but I could see them turning their noses up at my Coop
So when they did ask me, in their condescending way "So how are you getting on?", I said good thanks. They then repeated they were hitting 130 on the straight. They looked twice when I told them I was hitting 150-155, flat through the chicane. One went out 20 seconds before me (timed releases), and I'd caught him in around 2/3 laps
Goodwood really is the fastest circuit in the country bar none (and I've done at least 30 track days all over the country in the last 3/4 years!)
After one session last time out, I had the pleasure of the company of Lord March himself, and one of his friends. They had just shown up in his Bugatti Veyron and his friend in a Ford GT40. They came over to my pit afterwards and asked lots of questions about the car, saying it was the quickest thing out there and sounded great. Now my coop runs around 350 horses and yes, I didn't get overtaken all day despite most other machinery being at least 10 times the value of mine! Just more commitment and talent on my part
I need new front discs and pads (i've manage to warp one of the exiting ones) and want to upgrade to drilled and/or grooved. Is this worth it? What should I go for - EBC and Black daimond discs are a lot cheaper then Brembo. Are there any decent cheaper alternatives? Any issues with just changing the front and leaving the back standard?
As Neal says, first out do a compression test on your car and make sure the engine is healthy before pouring any money (and you certainly will) into the car.
Then, brakes. I've run EBC, 3G, and Brembo discs. Definitely drilled and grooved if you can, drilled helps to keep brakes cool (every little helps), and if you've been unlucky enough to cook your brakes on track, as I have several times, you want to make steps to avoid this as much as possible (last time out at 125 at Donny into a corner, brake pedal went to the floor when stomping on it!). 3G's are preferable, but EBC work fine. Yes, they warp easily, but you can get them skimmed on a lathe and they'll be good for quite a few more.
Also pads - I've had yellow stuff recommended. Any cheaper but comparable options?
I've used many types. Yellowstuff, Ferrodo DS2500, Several pagid (grey/yellow) and now I'm using Carbotech XP-10's. Yellowstuff and Ferrodo's offer decent value, but Pagids ramp up the quality (at double the cost), and top of the pile in my experience are Carbotechs. Squeal like a herd of donkeys but boy, do they stop. And they have great longevity (I went through a £220 set of Pagid Yellows in 2 trackdays and less than 2k miles), and my last set of Carbotechs have been on since April last year and I've done about 6 track days, with probably another 2 left in them.
And did I say they stop? Well, they do.
Finally tyres. I wanted Toyo R888s but am put off by the price. Has anyone used Yokohama AD08s as track tyres?
Again, Neal is spot on with getting the engine, handling and general healthcheck plus brakes sorted first. Decent road tyres of the ilk of Falken 452's, Goodyear Eagle F1's or Toyo Proxes will suffice at first.
Then, once you build up confidence in the car/circuit/yourself, try a set of track orientated tyres. 888's are imo the best, and priciest, and the soft compound has limited longevity (my last set from new cost £600 and lasted around 5 track days). Not used the AD08's yet, but used the older A048 is a cracking dry weather tyre, and slightly cheaper, but for me, I'm now using Federal RSR's and they have performed excellently for a £85 a corner budget option, have had 6 track days from them and still some good life left.
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But the best advice, get yourself on a track day with some other experience coopists, and there most will happily talk to the nth degree of detail about all aspects of tracking your car, as well as taking you out as a passenger and visa versa with you. Friendly bunch really
Phew, essay done for now! All the above is of course subjective and mainly based on my own experiences.