Master Thread: Model 3s on the Track / drag strip- Videos, Discussion, Setup, Etc

[Lindenwood]

After nearly a year I finally beat my PB at Buttonwillow CW13. Its amazing how much better the car feels with the correct width of wheel. This was the first day running the new AF10's the @P3D-R has been working on and they did not disappoint. Next step is a rear wing and possibly the MPP Partybox. Next Goal is 54's.

Previous best: 1:57.964
New PB: 1:56.133

Mod List:

MPP Brake reservoir brace
UPP Front Upper Control Arms
MPP Rear Camber Arms
MPP Rear Toe Arms
MPP Rear Cyber Trailing Arms
MPP Rear Cyber Traction Arms
MPP Rear Spring Arm
MPP.R Rear Drive Unit Cooler
MPP.R Compression Rod Bearings
MPP Solid Front Lower Control Arm Bushing
MPP Sport Coilovers
MPP.R Super Sport Spring Kit
MPP Front and Rear Floating Brake Rotors
MPP Brake Lines
Scroth E90 QuickFit 4-Point Harness
ARP Wheel Studs
Aspira AF-10 18x10.5
Nexen Sur4g 275/40r18 Tire
UPP Competition Pads Front
Endless X99 Pads Rear
Endless Brake Fluid

Sorry, my above post was for @TacoSteve ! We’re 275/40R18 too “loose” on rims narrower than 10.5”?

 

[TacoSteve]

Sorry, my above post was for @TacoSteve ! We’re 275/40R18 too “loose” on rims narrower than 10.5”?

Imo there are two things happening. One is with a narrower wheel the tread is pulled down slightly on the edges, which could be effecting the contact patch resulting in less grip. Two is since the tire is pinched and not stretched, the contact patch moves much more in relation to the wheel. This can give a false sense of loss of grip and just overall less feel of what the tire is really doing. This is just the opinion of a guy with less than 20 track days, so take it as such.

 

[Ren.OG]

sidewall moving on turns

 

[MoreAgain]

Cool event with Vintage Auto Racing Assn (VARA)

Top 3 times of the day: 2022 Rush SR @ 1:01.3, Gutted BMW on slicks @ 1:03.0 and me @ 1:04.0. We each won our class; Race, Hooligan and Electric.
Lots of cool cars out there. If you're interested in trying it out, VARA is holding 3 more of these events this year: VARA HILL CLIMB SERIES | vara-racing

 

[Lindenwood]

Imo there are two things happening. One is with a narrower wheel the tread is pulled down slightly on the edges, which could be effecting the contact patch resulting in less grip. Two is since the tire is pinched and not stretched, the contact patch moves much more in relation to the wheel. This can give a false sense of loss of grip and just overall less feel of what the tire is really doing. This is just the opinion of a guy with less than 20 track days, so take it as such.

Thank you very much! I am looking at Enkei RPF1s in 18x9.5 for my recently-ordered M3P, and have been torn on width (between 255/45 and 275/40) for the reasons you describe.

 

[llamas]

How did you charge / manage charge at The Ridge? I've only been to Pacific Raceways, and the Auburn SC isn't far away.

Lacey and/or Tumwater Superchargers. They are a bit far (30-40 min drive each way), but that was the only option I found at the time.

 

[mattack4000]

Imo there are two things happening. One is with a narrower wheel the tread is pulled down slightly on the edges, which could be effecting the contact patch resulting in less grip. Two is since the tire is pinched and not stretched, the contact patch moves much more in relation to the wheel. This can give a false sense of loss of grip and just overall less feel of what the tire is really doing. This is just the opinion of a guy with less than 20 track days, so take it as such.

Could be worse we can listen to guys who only run the canyons

 

[tm1v2]

Could be worse we can listen to guys who only run the canyons

Canyons / twisty roads can be super fun too, but they're very different from a racetrack. An ideal car setup for one definitely wouldn't be best for the other, not even close.

Edit: In case it's not obvious, I'm bothering to write this because I like both of those kinds of driving.

 

[tm1v2]

sidewall moving on turns

That's a really cool video. Unfortunately it's not actually useful for determining what wheel diameter / sidewall height you might prefer on a Model 3.

The description says the tires are "205/60R16 Bridgestone." No mention of the actual tire model or even the tire's category. And 4.8" of sidewall is more than anyone uses on a Model 3.

 

[tm1v2]

Could be worse we can listen to guys who only run the canyons

Possibly even worse is to listen to the Miata crowd for advice. Those pads they stay work great...yeah they're not going to cut it for a car with serious power and weight. Don't ask me how I know...

 

[TacoSteve]

Canyons / twisty roads can be super fun too, but they're very different from a racetrack. An ideal car setup for one definitely wouldn't be best for the other, not even close.

Edit: In case it's not obvious, I'm bothering to write this because I like both of those kinds of driving.

The difference between Canyon and track driving is only the difference in the size of your balls and stupidity level

 

[TacoSteve]

That's a really cool video. Unfortunately it's not actually useful for determining what wheel diameter / sidewall height you might prefer on a Model 3.

The description says the tires are "205/60R16 Bridgestone." No mention of the actual tire model or even the tire's category. And 4.8" of sidewall is more than anyone uses on a Model 3.

I actually have some good gopro video of 275 A052's on 18x9.5 konigs. Shows how much movement there is. I'll need to take another one with the new wheels.

 

[tm1v2]

The difference between Canyon and track driving is only the difference in the size of your balls and stupidity level

Balls that big probably wouldn't fit in a Model 3!

Most twisty low-traffic roads I get to frequent are way way tighter and rougher than any racetrack. Which makes them super fun too but in a different way. I think even if you didn't care a lick about normal streetability, the ideal car setup for these roads would be more rally car than track car. (Disclaimer: I have zero experience with actual rally driving. I'd love to someday though.)

 

[TacoSteve]

@tm1v2 @Lindenwood Here's that video, pretty crazy how much it moves around.

 

[tm1v2]

@tm1v2 @Lindenwood Here's that video, pretty crazy how much it moves around.

That's pretty neat. I used to stick my Contour HD (remember those? ) on my car on track days, wish I had thought to try capturing tire flex like that!

Does that tire setup feel more or less "mushy" (for lack of a better word) than others you've tried on track in this car?

 

[Lindenwood]

@tm1v2 @Lindenwood Here's that video, pretty crazy how much it moves around.

Wow, thank you!

This was on a 9.5” wheel?

And it feels noticeably…less squishy on the 10.5s”?

Also, are you running 10.5s up front as well, with a square setup?

 

[TacoSteve]

I've only ran three setups, the video was 275 A052's on 9.5 wheels. The current setup is Nexen sur4g on 10.5 wheels, I also ran Nexens on 9.5" wheels. The 10.5's are noticeably stiffer judging from how much more feedback I can feel. Knowing when the tire is slipping is much easier now. This is a square setup.

 

[mattack4000]

I can’t feel a thing on the same tires and smaller wheels, but they are still faster than my 265 235 245 on the same rims.

 

[TacoSteve]

I can’t feel a thing on the same tires and smaller wheels, but they are still faster than my 265 235 245 on the same rims.

Faster yes, but they could be even better!! And no more shitty sidewall wear.

 

[mattack4000]

I forgot to post this. I also managed to hit high 1:56 in my last run at buttonwillow cw13. I gained over a sec switching over from the 265 to the 275. The carbotech also helped as I am getting more comfortable with the brakes. Way too many mods to list as it will make my retirement account cry.