Dr Chill

I couldn't bear all the time and money spent using my car everyday while trying to race it on the track every few months going through $500+ dollars in parts for four or five 25 minute runs. After my last track day Dec 5 with the E55, this will be my next track toy.



Now I need to get a blower to be just like you, Blocktrader.

AMGfan

Dr. Chill...what about a Noble GT? I've always liked its looks and it supposed track pretty damn good.

Maestro

Best make it a Z06, and for god's sake: Not another slushbox!

Dr Chill

Z06 because
#1) 0% interest 72 months, and they are selling dirt cheap since the C6 is out
#2) lowering is easy, costs nothing, and can be done in a couple of hours just by adjusting or changing bolts.
#3) 200 addl hp from an intercooled magnacharger, headers, injectors, fuel pump, and painted high-rise hood cost less than $10,000 installed. And that also includes a 3 yr/36000 mile warranty on the engine.

And yes it is faster 0-60 and in the 1/4 than both the E55 and M5 in stock form.

AMGfan

Stand corrected...are you going to lighten the car also and add a roll cage? Have fun!!!!!

dgussin1

Don't pay a penny over 40.5K before tax and license for a new 04. Its a badass car. I recommend looking into cartek for cams and heads. IMO its a better route to go for a track car because superchargers run to damn hot.

Dr Chill

Yes heads and cam are a better track option due to the heat of the S/C, but the low end torque can't be beat from the blower. Anyway, I can ice down the blower between runs.

$41K on a new 04 is where I was at, but I wanted the 0% financing for 72 months instead of the $3000 rebate. I got a leftover never titled 03 with 27 miles for a lot less for the same car. I plan on keeping it a long time so the resale difference for the 1 year will be minimal later on.

Maestro

You plan on keeping a newer Chevy for a long time? Chevy reliability makes MB look like Honda.

dgussin1

I also suggest you take a peak at a 04 cobra...you can get one for around 29-30K new, and drop 3-4K into suspension, 2-3K into performance and wipe up the Z06's at the track...and have money left over for a big brake upgrade that would run you another $1500. so for about 38-39K you would have a race ready cobra with coil overs, tubular a arms, tubular k member, tubular control arms, + more suspension AND 490+rwhp, 480+rwtq...and one hellova track car. The car would be able to run the 1/4 mile in under 11.5 seconds at over 120...and would slalom over 70mph.

eclou

I told you so! Sorry, I had to say it.

The Z06 is an excellent choice for a street/track car. Especially considering that it comes with a warranty. The Lotus Elise could also be considered.

Based on your postings though, I would also consider another perspective prior to making your purchase. Consider where you are going to be in 2 years with road racing - my guess is that you have gotten "The BUG" and are heading towards club racing sooner rather than later. If this is at all a possibility I would then look at the series you want to compete in first, read the rules and classes, and then finally choose a platform to campaign.

I used to track an M3, which I considered to be too nice to abuse after awhile.
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/DSC00494

So I went this route, expecting to be PCA club racing with my wife:

http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/DSC02875
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/Porsche0056
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/27_8_18

So far, I have $15k total in the car, including a new roll-back trailer and 4 sets of Hoosiers. The car weighs less than 2700 lbs, has close to 400 crank hp and over 400 ft/lbs of tq, and is comparable to the Z06 performance wise (it is in fact faster than any stock Z06). This car would fit in PCA GT2 class or SCCA if desired.

Most people I have known from my years at the track, from Z06 to Z8 to 996tt to Modena owners, have eventually migrated to Spec Miata. The reason is that reality sets in as you get faster that eventually you WILL have an on or off-track excursion that will bruise the car and most people cannot stomach the thought! The Miatas, at $12k prepared and ready to go, are practically disposable.

http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/DSC00757
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/BurningPorsche
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/7_15_TWS46
http://www.986*********/gallery/eclou/DSC02871

Cheers!

Dr Chill

Yes, the Elise was considered, as was a race prepped 944 turbo and gen 3 single turbo RX-7, but the grunt and growl of a modded Chevy small block with the cheap availability of aftermarket parts was too much to resist. I've always had an affinity for the Z06 and have owned a couple of Vettes (67,69) before, so it is already in my blood. Regarding reliability, the LS6 is one of the most durable factory engines ever built, and the car albeit plagued with rattles after 50,000 miles, is very reliable. I really wanted a car that was fun to drive to and from the race track, not a dedicated track car. I've had the racing bug rekindled after a 18 year hiatus, but will likely not club race in the future. If I change my mind, then I guess I'll be forced into looking for another car. Gee, that would be tragic, wouldn't it?

I did consider a Cobra, but really don't care for the car very much. My son, age 9, has been telling me I needed a used Cobra R for the last 6 months or so. Regardless, I'm a Chevy (and AMG) guy and I cringe every time I drive my wife's T-Bird, but she loves it. From my track experiences, The Cobras, even the heavily modded ones, were not faster than the Z06's.

cte430

Chill, I didn't tell you "I told you so", but I certainly thought it! I always read with interest your trials and tribulations trying to get the most track capability out of the E55. But, I often wondered "what is he doing" LOL. No matter what you do, it's a 4 door sedan. Best of luck with the 'vette.

EWCIII2001

Good move Dr. Chill. I'll look forward to your post track reports. As far as the wisdom of tracking your E55, the up side of it is that you proved what could be done with the car and I think the exploits of people like you have given all of us just a little more pride in our ownership.

AMGe55

I agree, good move but I must admit I enjoyed reading about your track experiences with the E55. I imagine a lot of people were pretty astounded to see a big 4 door sedan go by them.

Blocktrader

It's about time. When you are ready, PM me and I'll tell you what you will need. Also, no matter what anyone tells you, if you don't mind the high rise hood, go with the intercooled Magnacharger. The centifigul like I have can make more HP, but it is peaky and takes more work to get track ready. Having met you and judging by what you like, I would say the Vette is a good choice for you.

BTW, if you decide to do some real racing get a Rotax kart and go to the new track they built at Moroso. It is an unbelievable track. I ran a race up there several weeks back and there was over 20 entries in my class (masters). The on track battles were great. I showed up the day of the race and had to use the qualifying laps to learn the track, so I only qualified 14th. During the first race I moved up to 7th and then from 7th to 3rd in the final. In between those moves I moved back a position here and there as well. Everyone was courteous and gave room (although you certainly arent going to get a wave bye.) One of the companies will even take car of your kart and transport it for you. I literally just showed up, drove and went home. I might even be able to get them to rent you a race kart for an event if you want. Racing the karts is a lot more work though. They pull 1.5-2 G's. Hustling the Mercedes or even my S/C Vette around the track in a DE is like a Sunday drive in comparison. By the end of the final, I was feeling some fatigue. Alot different than getting a back massage around the big track in the Benz.

Oh, and don't count on that Vette being faster in a straight line. You saw my cousins White Z06. We did a couple of roll-ons from maybe 5-10 MPH through his third gear. The MB had a very slight edge and I always waited for him to start. Now his car is an 01, but he has some bolt on mods so it should be about as fast as an 02+. Of course I dusted him pretty bad with my Vette. You will love a S/C vette.

ColorChange

Chill:

You're on the right track (pun intended). The vette is the best value for hte buck, and one hell of a track performer. Good call. The only other thing worth looking at is a Elise. How about a 996tt?

LYSHOLM

What were the costs that made up $500.00? I bet those costs will STILL be associated with any car used on the track. Regardless, I do agree with colorchange, it is expensive to whip a 4100lb sedan around on a track. I have an 05' NSX on order and will be selling my E55 for an S500.

PS-The NSX is $840.00/month on a 36 month lease with 15k miles/year

Dr Chill

996TT=$$$$
Elice is nice but is a rice burner under the hood.

Each track day=50% set of tires ($400) and 50% front pads ($150) and rotors ($200). Total =$750
Vette rotors $125 each, pads $100, plus they last longer on a 3100 lb car.


Fellas, it's a done deal. I bought the Vette. The next decision is how to mod.

LYSHOLM

Chill,

That is a tremenodous amount of wear! You must be an accomplished driver and be performing MAXIMUM threshold braking as well as 4 wheel drifting with traction control turned off to have that kind of wear. I am on my 5th track event with my E55 and still have all four original tires in great shape and 50% of my brakes left with the rotors being in perfect condition. I also have 16k miles on my original Contis. I strictly adhere to the brake overheat warning which comes on after 20 minutes or so. I have learned not to push my car in situations it does not like....decreasing radius turns.....the second apex of a double apex turn.....very sharp constant radius turns after a long straight. I utilize the paddle shifters to assist in deceleration of the car and keep my tire pressures way up. The straights is where this car really meant to perform.
I utilize it's massive weight to my advantage and let it's momentum carry me into and out of corners during maximum lateral g's. It is NOT a track car and trying to make it carve up the track like a GT3 is a sure way to burn everything up quickly.

My $.02

DG

eclou

If you ran Michelin Pilot Cup Sports on the track, you would be able to get about 40-60 heat cycles out of them, which equates to several weekends of track play, plus the ability to drive to and from on the same tires since they are DOT approved. Running unshaved street tires is about the equivalent to throwing money out the window.

Dr Chill

I drive to the track on my street rims/tires and switch to Hoosier R3S03's that have been heat cycled at the track. I have ducts, ss lines, Porterfield R4 race pads, AP 600 fluid. I drive very hard and run 5 or 6 20-30 minute runs. Prior to the race pads, I heeded the temp warnings, however I now run 10 minutes longer since I know the brakes can handle the additional heat. The limiting factor is the rotors which after only one track day have small cracks all over adjacent to the crossdrilled holes. Expecting more than 2 events out of them is pushing your luck, I think. The race tires allow considerably more cornering speed, better braking, and less oversteer (275/35/18 tires on 18 x 9 rims in front).

Sebring is a 3.7 mile road course that has 2 long straights which allow me to get up to 140 mph before heavy braking. It's an awesome track, far superior to Moroso and Homestead which I don't really care for. My stock Contis were shot after the first two track days with the plys showing through the sidewall on the left due to the predominance of right hand turns. I run 50% of the time with ESP on, 50% off. I run 45-50 Lbs pressure up front hot, 5-10 lbs less in rear. I agree the car does poorly with second apexes, but long constant radius turns after straights are vastly better with the slicks and wider fronts. I'm a decent driver but am extremely aggressive. I can't help it, that's what I live for.

nyrs6

I would start with full Bolt ons (Exhaust,headers,cold air etc.) Then go for a S/C
As far as suspenion i would try the stock setup first then see what you need to improve (maybe just need tires). Same thing on the brakes. You probably need to change pads. but you may not need a full brake system.

Good Luck

1115

If u want almost lotus Handeling, check out the Nissan 350Z's i had to get one after my dad got one. 206kw, it plenty fast, but the engine is made to be tuned like any riceburner,so a twin turbo u can be pushin 300+kw. handeling is rock solid and the 6 spd short throw gearbox is awesome. i can imagine the Zo6 will be hot, with that 5.7 v8. give the Z a test

not a bad car at all that Z

Finnish C32

i warped my C5 rotors TWICE in 20.000kilometers . Baer-rotors was cure for that. C5 stock brakes Sucks!

adx

Chill,

You need to pickup a project car to use for the track. The E55 wasn't really design for the track (to heavy and handling is somewhat less than desireable). I have a Infiniti G35 coupe which I am modifying to use for the track. If you want a fun project car for the track, consider a 350Z, EVO, or WRX STI. They are light cars in relation to the hp they put out and handle real well. My $0.02.