Will new shocks help?

[SIB]

I do the occassional trackday and still have the original shocks on my 91 model with 124km. Probably time to replace them and will go with OEM standard to stay in class 1. Any views on whether new shocks will make a noticeable difference going around smooth Wakefield Park? I remember Guran saying he still had original shocks, and it hasn't held him back...Thanks.

[Guran]

I was wondering the same thing myself actually. My NA6 has 177,000km on it and still has the original shocks. I read somewhere that shocks last about 100,000km. But then I spoke with a few more experienced guys at the supersprints, and they reckon that unless they're leaking fluid (which mine are not), there's not much to be gained by fitting new ones. Mine still damp OK, and their only "problem" is that the old boot covers have completely perished (bump stops still OK). I've got a new set of boot covers (thanks slub_dub!) which will go on when I get around to it.

My Wakefield PB is now down to 1:17.00 on RE001s and 1:15.85 on RE55s, so there's still a few seconds you should be able to find with your car. Hope to see you at the next club trackday on 24th October.

If you're looking for something to do to optimise your NA6, I'd suggest the following:

1) An aggressive wheel alignment. Mine is set up with zero toe front & rear, -1deg front camber, -2deg rear camber, 4.25deg castor. It feels great, even on everyday driving.

2) Ignition timing. Armed with an automotive multimeter (to set the idle speed), a timing light and paperclip, it takes five minutes to set the timing to 14 degrees for optimal power output. My NA6 put out 71rwkW on the Mania dyno which was only a few kWs down on NA8s with stock timing. It also ran without pinging on 91RON. For everyday, I now run on 95RON since NAs are not compatible with E10, and top up with 98RON for trackdays.

3) Tyre pressures. I usually aim for 38-39psi hot in RE001s. Get yourself a cheap infrared pyrometer from one of the countless Chinese vendors on ebay. It's handy to check the temperature profile across each tyre face after a track session. You can then tweak the pressures to try and smooth out the temperature profile. With stock camber you won't get it perfect - the shoulders tend to get cooked.

4) Swaybar bushes. Mine are loose and creak badly. I'm getting them all replaced very soon. Keen to see if they make any difference to laptimes. To be honest, I'm not expecting to be any quicker, but it should feel a lot tighter.

[fattima]

I changed my stock shocks when I was running standard class with some OEM equivalents and it made no real difference to my lap times. Unless your shocks are stuffed I wouldn't bother.
Biggest gains beside improving the driver came from, good alignment, tyres, brake pads and advancing the timing.

[SIB]

Thanks for the advice Guran & Fattima - most helpful. Yes, my boot covers have also perished but ride/damping is still OK so I don't think I'll bother replacing ahead of the next trackday.

Guran, my entry is in for Oct 24 so I'll come and say gday. Let's hope for a perfect spring day.

Thanks for the other tips - have fitted RE001s and done the timing, but the more aggressive alignment and some fresh pads are now on the list. Have been using 36psi cold but haven't been checking or varying the hot temps during the day, so will keep an eye on that. As everyone says though, the best improvement will come from more track time - especially in class 1.

[bensale]

If you haven't done it in a while change the brake fluid before the track day even if you don't change the pads, it will make a big difference.

I remember when Bruce was running the standard car, the lean angles around certain corners was immense. Good for photos!