vipermike2002

First off I apologize if this is the wrong forum. I think I would get more educated answers here then in the 1/4 mile racing section. Anyway, I am participating in a 1/2 mile racing event at a airport near Chicago next year. Dig or roll, 1/2 mile race then shutdown, 5000ft concrete runway. I think it will be fine blasting down the half mile but I am more worried about stopping and fluids. 2003 C5Z, currently has Baer rotors, hawk pads. Off the shelf dot 4 brake fluid. Off the shelf dot 4/5 clutch fluid (Did a few turkey baster clutch fluid exchanges last season.) Royal purple in diff and trans, M1 5w30 oil, dex coolant. I will hopefully be doing 15 passes. Wondering if you would do any upgrades or change/upgrade some fluids out before such a event. I know its not much more then 1/4 mile racing but still more abuse on the car.

CHJ In Virginia

That sounds like a fun event. Prior to going, I would do the following.
1) Complete check of car especially tires.
2) Make sure that brake pads are at least 1/2
3) Change brake fluid to a high temp variety - Motul or ATE Blue - lots of high mph stops generates a lot of heat
4) Change oil shortly before event
5) Have Fun

brkntrxn

Just run it. We road race at tracks with just as much straightaway lenght and/or speed and I imagine tighter turns at the end than your runoff area. I highly doubt you will be doing runs back to back quickly enough to boil any brake fluids.

Kevin

1963GrayGray

It sounds like a "Mini" landspeed event similar to the "Ohio Mile", Texas Mile and Loring Mile.
Are you restricted to a certain speed before adding a roll cage and other safety equipment?
When we run landspeed events we must use parachutes over 175 MPH.
I think that you are going to have a blast running the 1/2 mile drag race.
Enjoy
Dave

Bill Dearborn

True, but there is no harm in getting that old fluid out of the car and getting a fresh load of fluid with a high boiling point. May not need it but it definitely is one of those things that you can truly say after an incident "I wish I had changed that".

Bill

vipermike2002

I was thinking break fluid also. Wouldn't hurt. Not sure of the quality of stuff that is in my system now or how old it is.

Yeah this car is designed to-do this, not sure why I would have any problems.

Tech requirements haven't been released yet as the event is in June but I don't think I will have any issues. Its a bolt on car.

A few guys went to the airport last weekend for some testing and promotional pictures. A guy with a stock 12 GS had trouble breaking at the end of the 1/2 mile. But it was later found out his brake fluid was low. This got me thinking about what I should do before this event.

vipermike2002

Brake "upgrades" were done in the spring BTW. Sadly no racing of any kind has been done this season.

AtomicZ

When and where is this event? I'd like to bring out a car or two for it.

I've participated in this kind of event before and you'd be surprised how many guy address the power side of the equation but neglect to address the braking and end up off the end of the runway.

AtomicZ

Unless you are running crazy HP your brake setup will do the job.

I'd just make sure you have good pads and rotors. Fresh fluid with a good brake bleed and go have fun.

VetteDrmr

If you've never flushed your brake fluid then you need to do so. You don't need a speciality brake fluid, I've used Valvoline Syntec DOT 3/4 brake fluid in many cars for years without problem. Is that what I'd use on a 9/10ths Time Trial event? No. But for what you're wanting to do it'll do just fine.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

79inSD

I have an 03Z as well, I have done two standing mile events. I had stock brakes on at the time. They were fine, as others have said just change out your fluids before hand. Now if you are hot lapping it they could get a little hot. But when I started hot lapping at the end of the day I was more worried about my trans/oil temp.

http://youtu.be/4FrYWUwaUf4

rithsleeper

A liter of blue will cost 15 bucks. I can bleed my system in 7:23 min (my record). Then dont worry about it. You will prob hit 170 once every 20 min, while we are hitting 140 every min and a half in addition to 10 other smaller braking zones... i run stock c5 brakes with hawk hp+ and get pad fade by end of 20 min sessions.


In summation, you wont have a problem... braking hard wont hurt but just dont lock up. Braking lightly long distances is what heats those suckers up, but thats when on the track. Better to brake hard, release, brake again than ligherter brake continuously.

When you start hitting 200+ then let us know... i bet when tech comes out they wont let you run over 130 anyway if you dont have a cage.

95jersey

I did 165 once in my C6Z at Pocono and I did not like it, did not like how much lift I was experiencing at that speed. Everything seems good to around 155, then the car starts feeling light.

johnsos30

Did you ever sign up for this event? If so, which day did you sign up for? I signed up and am bringing my vette on Saturday.

UstaB-GS549

Having a half mile shut down and some down time between runs you should be fine.

Your brake zone is going to be 2,680 feet. The brake markers for turn 5 at Road America start at 500 feet.

Which Hawk pads?

Scooter275

Is this a 1/2 mile or a mile. What do you think is possible mph for a stock C6 Z?

vipermike2002

I also signed up for Saturday.

Just Hawk HPS

1/2 mile. Someone posted some formula based on 1/4 mile trap but I forgot what is was for a estimate.

VGLNTE1

Are you stock? You will only hit about 140 ish if you go from a roll. Don't sweat it.

VGLNTE1

Half mile...1 5 0

Scooter275

Yes, stock went 125mph at 11.65 in 1/4 mile (4th pass) and my good years need to be replaced