Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 4, 2015 Hi all, I've been looking through a few posts here about trackdays in the V6S. It looks like most people have been using standard tyres and brake pads. Having done a fair few trackdays in other cars, my experience is that road tyres and pads only go so far before the heat causes problems. With the V6S weighing what it does, I assume the same will happen, so I was wondering if any of you have used uprated brake pads and/or full-on (but road-legal) track tyres? I see that Pagid RS14s are the "official" track pad, as it were. Is anything else available? I also note the availability of a baffled sump, does anyone know if this is required when using track tyres? It has been advisable on other cars I've had once you start generating cornering forces beyond what's possible on the road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Pits 3,730 1 Vehicles Report post Posted January 4, 2015 The Pirelli P-Zero Corsa Trofeo is a full-on, road-legal track tyre and the only one Lotus recommend. If your car has the race pack it has already been optimised for the Trofeo tyre so I'd try that first. They don't last long but generate serious amounts of grip. The standard P-Zero Corsas are quite a few other manufacturers' idea of a track tyre too, so well up to the job for most people. Trofeos are about as hardcore as road legal tyres get. I have the floating discs and still on standard pads, I've not encountered any brake fade whatsoever to date. Lotus didn't muck about with the brakes for the V6 Exige, they are enough to pull your face off in an Evora which is over 200kg heavier. Not many owners have uprated the pads simply because not many have felt the need to. Better pads can't make it any worse so I guess why not if you want to but it might be an idea to run the car stock to begin with so you can judge any improvement more accurately. The baffled sump isn't necessary but nice to have if you plan on driving the car really hard. More peace of mind than anything else. I've not heard of a single V6S having any issues with oil starvation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LF1 560 Report post Posted January 4, 2015 I'd agree with the above, unlike the Elise where the standard brakes were like butter, I can say after 6 track days on the originals in the V6, including a great day at Silverstone the standard brakes have shown no fade at all. Ditto the comments with the tyres, the Trofeos seem excellent but wear (further discussion here). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 4, 2015 Thanks guys, that discussion on the Trofeo was in my mind when thinking about track tyres. Sounds like the Toyo 888 situation - just too soft on cars over 1000kg, so they don't last long (but the grip is pretty immense). I haven't checked Trofeo prices, I'm assuming they're pricey relative to say a Kumho V70a (or whatever the equivalent is now, it's been a while!) which I'd expect to last longer (even if not absolutely as grippy). Quick check: £1107.60 for a set on Seriously Lotus. Less than £700 for a set of V70a tyres from Camskill (although it looks like you might have to go 205/40 for the fronts as they don't list 45s). If the Trofeos wear as quickly as people are saying, there will have to be a pretty strong case for me to spend that much extra... Am I right in thinking the standard pad is a Ferodo DS2500? I suppose it's the size that matters most, the Exige brakes are certainly the largest of any car I've owned and it's the size that determines heat dissipation, so if they can shift the heat I suppose you don't need the higher-spec pads that can take it. For example, I used to run Mintex F4R pads on my Honda DC5 Integra, having found that Mintex 1144s (brilliant on the road, much better than DS2500s IMO) just got too hot and faded. The F4Rs never faded, but boy did the heat build up - they melted the paint off the wheels! God knows what state the wheel bearings were in by the time I sold it... The DC5 is about the same weight as the Exige, but obviously more weight over the front and smaller calipers/discs, so from what you're saying, it sounds like that extra size gets rid of the heat. Two piece discs (which I don't have) definitely help too, I had AP Racing two-piece discs on the Integra and they took an amazing amount of abuse. Good to hear on the sump situation - I'd be a bit disappointed if Lotus hadn't thought of that. I can understand why it might be wise on a car equipped with slicks, but for me a car like the Exige should be fit to run anything road-legal without modification. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Pits 3,730 1 Vehicles Report post Posted January 4, 2015 I've heard good things about the Avon ZZR which is used by the Lotus Cup race cars. It might fall just short of the ultimate outright grip of the Trofeos but they are said to last considerably longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 4, 2015 Love the ZZRs on my S2 Exige. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 ZZRs sound interesting, anyone know where to buy online? Can't easily find any place selling them at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 ZZRs sound interesting, anyone know where to buy online? As I understand they are a motorsport tyre and therefore not available direct to public. Back on Track in guildford fitted mine to my S2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 As I understand they are a motorsport tyre and therefore not available direct to public. Hmm, they're road legal though and mentioned on a few tyre sites. Oddly not listed on Camskill despite them showing all other Avon tyres. Looks like I'll have to do some ringing around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 7,970 4 Vehicles Report post Posted January 5, 2015 If it's the same as last year, you can turn up at any Lotus Cup event and Avon do a special deal if you get them fitted there on the day... http://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/motorsport-news/lotus-cup-uk-2015-race-calendar-confirmed/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quantum2000 76 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Hmm, they're road legal though and mentioned on a few tyre sites. Oddly not listed on Camskill despite them showing all other Avon tyres. Looks like I'll have to do some ringing around... About half way down the page here: http://www.lotrdc.com/lotrdc/support/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 About half way down the page here: http://www.lotrdc.com/lotrdc/support/ Ah ha! £804.24 for the set at 2014 prices then. Many thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quantum2000 76 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Hi all, I've been looking through a few posts here about trackdays in the V6S. It looks like most people have been using standard tyres and brake pads. Its a good idea to get at least a front towing eye too... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Its a good idea to get at least a front towing eye too... Doesn't the car come with one? Or are you talking about the big red ones that need the grill cutting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal H 599 1 Vehicles Report post Posted January 5, 2015 No it doesn't come with one or even anything to screw one into and fitting one will require cutting a hole in the grille as far as I can tell - it's very annoying! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quantum2000 76 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 As above no towing eye provided. You either have to buy the Lotus one http://issuu.com/lotuscars/docs/racing_brochure or purchase an aftermarket one Lotus one, as fitted to V6 Cup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 No towing eye, that's madness! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 7,970 4 Vehicles Report post Posted January 5, 2015 The front towing eye is an 80mm FIA approved item so couldn't be fitted on the Type Approved car from new, it would never pass pedestrian impact tests etc but all Cup cars should come with one along with removable steering wheel and 4 point harness which are dealer/customer fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Lockwood 4 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 I knew I'd forgotten something as I typed that first post... yep, towing eye, a definite requirement. Can't believe there isn't a non-destructive option for fitting one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Yes, I'd assumed it came with the same ones as the previous exige/elise variants. So if I want to do a track day I have to cut up my car - nice one Lotus! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quantum2000 76 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Yes, I'd assumed it came with the same ones as the previous exige/elise variants. So if I want to do a track day I have to cut up my car - nice one Lotus! Exactly.... Alternative is to purchase a spare grill https://www.deroure.com/search.asp?MAK=1&MDL=42&TBL=6309&SC=1&x=8&y=17&ST=A138B0011F or remove the grill for the track day to expose the towing post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyKL 103 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Alternative is to purchase a spare grill or remove the grill for the track day to expose the towing post Wonder how easy this is to do? I'd be happy to change grills/fit eye for a trackday, just not sure I want to towing eye fitted 24/7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LF1 560 Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Just a few screws, there was a guy at Brands the other day that has opted for that on a V6 roadster. My only concern would be if you need dragging out then the hook would need to go "into" the front of the car, would worry something would rub on the bodywork. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal H 599 1 Vehicles Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Just a few screws, there was a guy at Brands the other day that has opted for that on a V6 roadster. My only concern would be if you need dragging out then the hook would need to go "into" the front of the car, would worry something would rub on the bodywork. To be fair, If you've buried it in a gravel trap you're probably going to need a respray anyway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 7,970 4 Vehicles Report post Posted January 5, 2015 While not ideal of course, the front grill is only £34. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
