I have an IX GSR (5 spd) , I also just wrote the scca for a bigger/much better cooler for the trans just to make sure things keep nice and cool. Hopefully Itll be approved.

Marty

 

i'm sure it will, from what i've seen, if it's a relability or safety issue, they allow it.

Best of luck out there man, if you ever end up down here for an event, let me know, i'm always game to come out and assist.

 

Appreciate that, at this point Im planning on making Road Atlanta on June 2nd. I see an STI entered who appears to be pretty good (from the results of his last event).
Marty

 

I agree 100%. Anything can happen on the track and you need to be able to afford an uninsured, total loss of the car. And you can't make a car safe for the street and safe for the track both. Roll bars are a hazard to heads without helmets, harnesses are a hazard without a roll bar (don't get me started on "harness bars"), full face helmets are a hazard with airbags, etc. etc.

As I've continued to mod my Evo for autocross (coilovers, 285 R compounds, etc.), the performance differential between it and my Camaro has become enormous, but I continue to track the car I can afford to lose and that has proper safety equipment, and keep the Evo for daily driving and less risky racing duty (though I accept that there's also some uninsured risk of damage even at an autocross).

There's nothing like the look on someone's face at an HPDE after they put their shiny street car into the tire wall. Nobody ever thinks it's going to happen to them, but it's part of the sport. There's another popular saying for track driving -- it's not a matter of if, but when...

 

i agree. firsthand.

 

I have yet to have my first spin but I did have a "moment" at Mid Ohio where I found the limit of traction. I know at some point I will spin it and I hope real hard that I don't bend anything... time will tell.

Now back to Harness Bars... I do not care to put in a cage, I don't care to lose the back seat forever but I do want to slide around less while on the track.

What is the downside to adding contact points that hold us in better position?

 

Going upside down, bolted in place with your head sticking up then breaking your neck. don't run a harness bar. It's not worth the risk. Just get a nice, painted custom rollbar.

 

I had an autopower roll bar in my 05 MR. It was a much better idea and virtually the same cost as a "harness" bar.

I now have a full 6 pt cage in my IX. I want safety.

 

+1 on the rollbar. If you track regularly, you really should have one. Otherwise, it's better to stick with the stock seats without a harness. I had a harness bar for about 2 months until I could find a builder to do a custom rear cage. I was nervous (and stupid) running the harness bar and I didn't feel nearly as confident in pushing the car as I do now. I tracked 2-3 weekends per month last year and saw a variety of nasty incidents. Rollovers happen and safety should always be paramount.

 

I guess I agree and disagree. Most folks with cervical fractures from MVCs are not as a direct result of trauma due to intrusion from the roof. I must say that my experience is not based in motorsports trauma but I do see a large number of MVCs in my professional life and know what sort of injuries come from which mechanism of injury.

Now I have seen one recent cervical fracture where the person was thrown into the roof causing compression and explosion of C7. They were given excellent care at the scene and had a very good outcome but this is in part why I like the harness. It keeps me where I should be MUCH better than a 3 point and I like that.

Is there a chance that intrusion from the roof could be an issue? Yes there is but overall I find it to be a safer option than a 3 point factory system based on simple physics and mechanism of trauma.

+1 however for the real bar as it would in fact be better than a harness bar. I just don't think I care to go that far at this point.

 

+1 Esp if its DD like the original post states. But eventually...a cage will be good....once i get that truck and trailer. Just don't push the car beyond your's or it's control to the point where the % chance of rolling will increase. Well that and don't be unlucky and hit that bump in that one turn

 

Your experience is also probably based on MVAs from common street collisions with individuals wearing standard seatbelts. In a seatbelt, you are able to move more freely in comparison to a 5 or 6pt harness which leaves your head in a relatively fixed position. I'm not sure that there is much data in cases where a person was wearing a harness with harness bar and there was a subsequent rollover. The theroretical risk seems pretty apparent though.

 

Here is what I would do if I ever track my DD Evo:

1. Toyo RA1 tires
2. Bigger radiator. I have had a good experience with Koyo and run them on my race car.
3. Bigger intercooler. I have no idea what brand is best but the Nesei has grabbed my attention.
4. Motul RBF 600 brake fluid with race pads (HT14 Hawk) and SS brake lines.
5. Set the boost to about 21 psi @ peak.
6. A good solid 11:1 AFR with lower than stock timing. For a 9, I would shoot @ 14* @ 7000 rpm and 3-4* at peak boost.
7. A slightly thicker adjustable rear sway bar.
8. Change your fluids. I will use Redline heavy in the TC, Redline 75w-90 Gear oil in the rear and some combo of MT-90 and MTL in the tranny.
9. Change the hose clamps to T-clamps. This is really a good idea. It makes your track experience more pleasureable.

 

I can think of a lot of things to say, but having been there, my best advice is stick with the stock turbo. Those of us who have built up EVOs to huge hp and boost, and gone through 3, 4 or 5 motors, are all going back to pretty much stock motors now.

Do as I say, not as I do.

First modification should be front brake pads, then suspension work, then R-compounds.

 

I make decent but far from huge HP and must say that my limiting factors are my skill and things other than power. The car is stupid fast and builds speed in ways that make my rectum pucker the way it is now!