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I am looking at the sway bar mod and caster. I need to get this car aligned since I knocked it out of alignment at the track. Making the steering a little quicker would be nice.
It really needs a LSD. That has been bumped to #2 on my list as of now.
Kudos to tracking it! Can't wait to see the vids from your next event. I tracked the wagon at NJMP Thunderbolt last month (made a post about it) and it felt good stretching her legs!
Road Atlanta is this Monday. I will be going out with a few good friends. Plans are to take it easy the first two sessions. I have new and improved brake fluid this time. Hoping that it saves the fade from happening so early in the sessions.
If you aren't familiar with RA, here are a few pictures. You can easily tip 130-150MPH depending on the car. I predict the E55 will be on the higher end of those speeds. There are only a few corners that are not totally blind, and the elevation changes will make you sick
"The Esses"
I'll post pictures if I can. I guess this thread will be the "track day" thread for my E
Brake fluid will not really show you any differnece my friend. I have tried them all. Its the heat transfer from the pad that is a killer. Better pads, aka race pads, will make a night and day difference.
In my C32 which I tracked hard, the stock brakes would fade around 10-12 laps at Beaverun. By changing NOTHING else except for EBC Red pads. I could stay out for a full 25 minute session, aka 18-22 laps.
Yellows are even better, and then of course step up to race pads and say good bye to brake fade.
Note: I changed to Motul 500 if memeory serves me right, didn't see any differnce, but made me feel better, LOL
Considering the old fluid looked like coffee I would hope that fresh fluid will do some good. The pedal on the street feels much better and the SBC sounds different when pressurizing. I need new rotors in the back and pads (5mm left) so after this session I am moving to a more aggressive pad and new rotors in the rear. I don't plan on doing any "HOT laps", just quick fun laps . I'm going around the rotors tonight with pipe cleaners and cleaning out the holes.
Considering the old fluid looked like coffee I would hope that fresh fluid will do some good. The pedal on the street feels much better and the SBC sounds different when pressurizing. I need new rotors in the back and pads (5mm left) so after this session I am moving to a more aggressive pad and new rotors in the rear. I don't plan on doing any "HOT laps", just quick fun laps . I'm going around the rotors tonight with pipe cleaners and cleaning out the holes.
I jumped in with a group when I arrived and spotted a S2000, Evo, STI, and a old school Vette. I figured it would be a great run and wouldn't be too embarrassing. I hit pit lane ready to go out and two Hellcat's, a 2015 Vette (I let him pull infront in pit lane), 911 Turbo and a few other stripped out cars lined up behind me. My fear became real...ha.
For tracking usually you want to equip your brake beyond just to keep it from fading. A good brake set up can inspire your confidence, brake late and shorten lap time is the ultimate goal.
Boiling brake fluid is the result of inadequate brake set up (overheat), not the cause. You can start from just replace your brake pad, to two piece rotors, or the complete brake system as your skill improved and needs justified.
RacingBrake is here to help.
Last edited by RacingBrake; Jun 8, 2015 at 04:52 PM.
Solid...solid day. The E did a wonderful job, especially on the straights. There were multiple C63's out there and ran them all down. I passed countless BMW's, Miata's, Focus ST's, and other Mercedes. I did not run into brake issues this time around, the speed at RA is much faster so the cooling on the brakes was much quicker. I had fade on the last session (6th run) but only due to no cool down and pretty much rolling through the pits and got the green flag. I pushed it a bit too hard on the last session and cooked them on the back straight going from 140+MPH to 40MPH.
I have several good videos I will be posting. One is uploading right now. I went through a tank and a half today of gas at the track and probably 40% of my brake pads. Top speed of the day was around 150MPH on the back straight. This track day made the last track day in Post 1 look like childrens play
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Wow, that track is pretty big. We dont have anything like that here in NZ. All our tracks are way tighter might hit 120-140mph on one or two of the quicker ones. And flat only one has some hills on it.
Looks good wish I could run some tracks over there.
If anyone is in the PA area try going to Pocono International. They have a 3,ooo" straight in the front into a very long banked turn and than a 2800 I think back straight. Crazy fast!!! And the banked turns are nuts!! Google You tube for it.
If there is a track day near you. Sign up! For all those saying they aren't "road course" cars...I disagree. I was running down cars that were track prepped on slicks (admittedly a lot less HP) and keeping up in the corners. The E55 on the track is breathtaking. The amount of torque gives you the advantage over everybody and the way it builds speed is shocking. Large tracks allow the brakes to stay cooler, and allow you to brake incredibly late.
I had more people coming to look at this car than the track prepped GT2 which I was looking at all the time.
If anyone is in the PA area try going to Pocono International. They have a 3,ooo" straight in the front into a very long banked turn and than a 2800 I think back straight. Crazy fast!!! And the banked turns are nuts!! Google You tube for it.
Although you are right, VERY seldom do they let rookies use that straight. AKA they go through the infield.
If there is a track day near you. Sign up! For all those saying they aren't "road course" cars...I disagree. I was running down cars that were track prepped on slicks (admittedly a lot less HP) and keeping up in the corners. The E55 on the track is breathtaking. The amount of torque gives you the advantage over everybody and the way it builds speed is shocking. Large tracks allow the brakes to stay cooler, and allow you to brake incredibly late.
I had more people coming to look at this car than the track prepped GT2 which I was looking at all the time.
My favorite buzz was when I passed a GT3 Porsche on the front straight at Beaver run. After the session he came right over to me beating his chest about how much faster he was then me. I simpley said, then how was I first through turn 1
PS: That was in my S600
MB cars are track worthy, in MANY styles. Some better, some worse. My little C32 kicked MAJOR butt at Beaverun on street tires, 160 tread ware, but still street tires. Oh the joy of passing a M3 and putting lengths on them down the straightaways.
when I took my wagon to NJMP, the one thing that stood out the most was the advantage of torque on the straights. You really need to be ready to hit the brakes because it can cover a lot of distance fast!
More of us AMG owners need to get out to the road course!
when I took my wagon to NJMP, the one thing that stood out the most was the advantage of torque on the straights. You really need to be ready to hit the brakes because it can cover a lot of distance fast!
More of us AMG owners need to get out to the road course!
Yup! I had to let off halfway down the straights to get within a reasonable braking speed. This heavy beast went from 35PSI to 52PSI on the first and second session. It was very slick in the corners. Dropped to 40PSI (hot) and it stuck like crazy. When the tires get super heated it's like trying to put the power down on wet roads. Towards the end of the 6th session (and on the 6th session the rear end was stepping out constantly. Made for some fun sliding.
I usually film the first couple of sessions and then put away all distractions and "I have a camera" in my head and just drive hard. I need to get a helmet mount to remove the cam from the window b
Yup! I had to let off halfway down the straights to get within a reasonable braking speed. This heavy beast went from 35PSI to 52PSI on the first and second session. It was very slick in the corners. Dropped to 40PSI (hot) and it stuck like crazy. When the tires get super heated it's like trying to put the power down on wet roads. Towards the end of the 6th session (and on the 6th session the rear end was stepping out constantly. Made for some fun sliding.
I usually film the first couple of sessions and then put away all distractions and "I have a camera" in my head and just drive hard. I need to get a helmet mount to remove the cam from the window b
I know the feeling of needing to brake earlier and my car is 200lbs heavier (wagon). The stock brakes are still amazing though (for OEM). It gives you the confidence in slowing down such a heavy beast in a relatively quick fashion.
Have you tried mounting the camera upside down suction cupped to the sunroof (along side your head). That's how I mount my gopro and most of time I forget it's even there. Like this -
I know the feeling of needing to brake earlier and my car is 200lbs heavier (wagon). The stock brakes are still amazing though (for OEM). It gives you the confidence in slowing down such a heavy beast in a relatively quick fashion.
Have you tried mounting the camera upside down suction cupped to the sunroof (along side your head). That's how I mount my gopro and most of time I forget it's even there. Like this - Passing Fun at WGI - YouTube
I mounted it centered on the sunroof but the mirror was blocking the trackview. I'll try next time over the passenger seat like you did. I'll post that video soon. You know that gearbox well
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. I'm going around the rotors tonight with pipe cleaners and cleaning out the holes.
