Track forum general chit chat.

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by dparm

I realized I never replied to this

Aww crap I didn't know a fellow m3post'r was gonna be there. Did you see me in the Interlagos Blue E92? Was my first track day and man it was great. Learned a lot and already planning my next one!

[b4hand]

What would you guys suggest for seating? I found that my last track day I was having some bad back pain from the bolster digging into my side and having to brace hard for left turns. I wanted to get a fixed back bucket (OMP TRS-E XL) but I was reading I would need a hans device to use a 5 point harness correctly.

I don't want to spend too much money on the car right now, I just want seat time until next year (building a house ATM). Any tips?

[MinionM3]

How do we feel about tracking a 275 mounted to a 10.5" wheel - it looks like its stretched too much IMO - don't want the tire to come off the bead on a hard corner - my old set up I ran 275 on a 10" wheel.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by b4hand

Aww crap I didn't know a fellow m3post'r was gonna be there. Did you see me in the Interlagos Blue E92? Was my first track day and man it was great. Learned a lot and already planning my next one!

I remember seeing one, yeah. How did it go?

Originally Posted by b4hand

What would you guys suggest for seating? I found that my last track day I was having some bad back pain from the bolster digging into my side and having to brace hard for left turns. I wanted to get a fixed back bucket (OMP TRS-E XL) but I was reading I would need a hans device to use a 5 point harness correctly.

I don't want to spend too much money on the car right now, I just want seat time until next year (building a house ATM). Any tips?

Find a local race shop that stocks lots of seats. Go sit in them all...for like 20 minutes each. And yes, if you're going to run harnesses, get a HNR.

Originally Posted by MM135

How do we feel about tracking a 275 mounted to a 10.5" wheel - it looks like its stretched too much IMO - don't want the tire to come off the bead on a hard corner - my old set up I ran 275 on a 10" wheel.

It will look stretched versus a 10", yes. Supporting the tire is key and a 10.5" on a 275 isn't too bad. Nitto shows you can run up to an 11" wheel on a 275-width NT01, for example.

[MinionM3]

Originally Posted by dparm

I remember seeing one, yeah. How did it go?

Find a local race shop that stocks lots of seats. Go sit in them all...for like 20 minutes each. And yes, if you're going to run harnesses, get a HNR.

It will look stretched versus a 10", yes. Supporting the tire is key and a 10.5" on a 275 isn't too bad. Nitto shows you can run up to an 11" wheel on a 275-width NT01, for example.

Thank you - much appreciated

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by MM135

How do we feel about tracking a 275 mounted to a 10.5" wheel - it looks like its stretched too much IMO - don't want the tire to come off the bead on a hard corner - my old set up I ran 275 on a 10" wheel.

It depends on the tire. The specs should list the range of rim width and optimal width.

[MinionM3]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

It depends on the tire. The specs should list the range of rim width and optimal width.

Dunlop Direzza ZIII

I looked for specs - but none seem to exist

[Richbot]

Almost every 275/35-18 on the market is 9-11” rim width range

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by b4hand

What would you guys suggest for seating? I found that my last track day I was having some bad back pain from the bolster digging into my side and having to brace hard for left turns. I wanted to get a fixed back bucket (OMP TRS-E XL) but I was reading I would need a hans device to use a 5 point harness correctly.

I don't want to spend too much money on the car right now, I just want seat time until next year (building a house ATM). Any tips?

I am an all or nothing type of guy. Either leave it OEM or go all out. I'm not willing to half ass seats and safety. If you want a seat then at least a half cage , six point harness, Hans, Hans seat.
FYI I drive my street car with OEM seats, OEM three point belts with Hoosier R7. It's really not that big of a deal.

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by MM135

Dunlop Direzza ZIII

I looked for specs - but none seem to exist

Tire rack lists the specs. 9"-11"

[MinionM3]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

Tire rack lists the specs. 9"-11"

You da real MVP! Looks like I'm safe to run - 🙏🏻

[dparm]

Originally Posted by MM135

Dunlop Direzza ZIII

I looked for specs - but none seem to exist

The Tire Rack website indicates the DZ3 in 275/35R18 will work on a 9-11" wheel, with 9.5" being ideal.

What's interesting is that tire in 285/30R18 only shows 9.5-10.5" with ideal being 10".


FYI this took me all of 60 seconds to find.

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

I am an all or nothing type of guy. Either leave it OEM or go all out. I'm not willing to half ass seats and safety. If you want a seat then at least a half cage , six point harness, Hans, Hans seat.
FYI I drive my street car with OEM seats, OEM three point belts with Hoosier R7. It's really not that big of a deal.

Maybe you're a smaller guy and fit in the OEM seats better but I know for me at 6'4 260, its not fun after a few sessions. I do agree about not wanting to "half ass" it but it would also be nice to know what you guys have done. I am sure everyone didn't just go full cage and hans at once. That would be something like 4-5k for everything and that is a big step into the "racecar" territory.

[roastbeef]

Test drove this cayenne gts today.
https://www.carmax.com/car/18164072
We were a little underwhelmed with the power. We both expected it to be a little more peppy. Decent power for an suv, but it's nothing to gawk over. I'm having second thoughts about it...

[slicer]

Originally Posted by MM135

How do we feel about tracking a 275 mounted to a 10.5" wheel - it looks like its stretched too much IMO - don't want the tire to come off the bead on a hard corner - my old set up I ran 275 on a 10" wheel.

The tire will actually perform better on a 10.5. The wider wheel will provide better sidewall support and a slightly wider tread width. I think a 275 on a 10.5 is great.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by b4hand

Maybe you're a smaller guy and fit in the OEM seats better but I know for me at 6'4 260, its not fun after a few sessions. I do agree about not wanting to "half ass" it but it would also be nice to know what you guys have done. I am sure everyone didn't just go full cage and hans at once. That would be something like 4-5k for everything and that is a big step into the "racecar" territory.

There's definitely some debate on this but I think a decent interim step is the Schroth QFP harnesses paired with a seat that fits you properly. You can add a crotch strap to make the QFP a 5 point. Also get a form of HANS device. The reality is a Hans can be life saving and should be a priority over other mods.

[Ngilbe36]

Originally Posted by OG Shark

The 250s are excellent. They ride great now, same room in the cab as the 1/2 tons, & the platinum trim is really nice. The short beds are fairly maneuverable if you are comfortable backing into most parking spots. Very good daily if you plan to tow a pretty decent amount.

If you like Ford's platinum trim don't overlook a non-raptor F150. The ecoboost still has a lot of pep - and it is a very capable tow rig. Comfort, tech, & all the backseat room still there..

I have DD'd a '16 and '19 F150 for the past 3+ years now and they are fantastic. The 2.7L is a great engine and I can get 21mpg (Great for a truck). I have not towed a car with it, but I have towed 4 snowmobiles in an enclosed 20ft steel car trailer many times and it pulls it amazingly well. The low end torque makes it feel even more comfortable than the 5.3 in the GMs or the 5.0 in the Fords. My 0.02.

roastbeef If you decide to buy/lease new, PM me.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Test drove this cayenne gts today.
https://www.carmax.com/car/18164072
We were a little underwhelmed with the power. We both expected it to be a little more peppy. Decent power for an suv, but it's nothing to gawk over. I'm having second thoughts about it...

With the new Uber multi speed trannies, the Chevy 6.2 or Ford 3.5t and maybe even the Ford 5.0 F150 are quicker than anything but the very newest and/or fastest trim levels of fancy foreign SUVms from just a few years ago. Like, 13second stock 1/4 miles in trucks that can tow 10k+ and have heated and cooled seats and CarPlay standard.

I have a Tundra, I get not wanting to drive a pickup often. But if you want a lot of power and a lot of luxury, and want to tow, go smash that Ford/Chevy easy button imo

Hell you can even get the Ex or Tahoekon with that powertrain without the “remove entire body for service” service position of the Uber German SUV’s

[fsmtnbiker]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Test drove this cayenne gts today.
https://www.carmax.com/car/18164072
We were a little underwhelmed with the power. We both expected it to be a little more peppy. Decent power for an suv, but it's nothing to gawk over. I'm having second thoughts about it...

I really liked my SRT Grand Cherokee. Rated to tow 5500lbs which I exceeded, very nice and stable. Great power and lots of luxury items (heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 2014+ infotainment is really solid, radar cruise, etc.) Completely reliable for the 3 years/40k miles I put on it. Sold it at 130k miles, only because I don’t live somewhere it snows anymore and also don’t need a tow vehicle. Worth a look. I also don’t like driving trucks around daily, or boring SUVs. The Jeep was a nice compromise.

[dparm]

*checks bank account balance*

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by Richbot

With the new Uber multi speed trannies, the Chevy 6.2 or Ford 3.5t and maybe even the Ford 5.0 F150 are quicker than anything but the very newest and/or fastest trim levels of fancy foreign SUVms from just a few years ago. Like, 13second stock 1/4 miles in trucks that can tow 10k+ and have heated and cooled seats and CarPlay standard.

I have a Tundra, I get not wanting to drive a pickup often. But if you want a lot of power and a lot of luxury, and want to tow, go smash that Ford/Chevy easy button imo

Hell you can even get the Ex or Tahoekon with that powertrain without the “remove entire body for service” service position of the Uber German SUV’s

mrs beef insists she won't drive a truck. otherwise this would already be done.

Originally Posted by fsmtnbiker

I really liked my SRT Grand Cherokee. Rated to tow 5500lbs which I exceeded, very nice and stable. Great power and lots of luxury items (heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 2014+ infotainment is really solid, radar cruise, etc.) Completely reliable for the 3 years/40k miles I put on it. Sold it at 130k miles, only because I don’t live somewhere it snows anymore and also don’t need a tow vehicle. Worth a look. I also don’t like driving trucks around daily, or boring SUVs. The Jeep was a nice compromise.

we test drove a v6 cherokee last night and it was better than i expected. seats seemed a bit flat and firm and i can see them being uncomfortable on a long trip. otherwise, nice trucks. price was reasonable.

we also test drove a new highlander. somewhat mediocre. not as much of a dog as i though it was going to be, but just not my flavor. very bland, rubber stamp, forgettable suv. can't tow anything. driver's seat moves six ways, passenger seat moves four... just annoying stuff like that. it was close to $40k and i just don't see $40k sitting there.

[dparm]

Anyone in Texas making the trip to COTA to watch Trans Am this weekend?