430 - Track Prep Checklist | FerrariChat

430 Track Prep Checklist

Discussion in '360/430' started by GogglesPisano, Oct 27, 2024.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Got talked to doing an HDPE event at Thunderhill this coming weekend. Nothing competitive. I’ve been to the track maybe 20-30 times with my S2000 but never figured I’d take the F430 out so this is a spur of the moment thing. Wanted to see if anybody had any track day check lists for before and after now that these cars are aging a bit. I don’t plan to flog it around the track but want to give the tires a run for their money. All fluids are fresh and topped off and just double checked my fuel pumps (both newer style with no leaking). Anything else I should be examining up close or checking for proper torque?
     
    ditpixs and colorfull like this.
  2. Racer_X

    Racer_X Karting

    Oct 20, 2017
    59
    MI
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Always check that your lug nuts are properly torqued before racing.
    On a related note - check your tire pressure as well.
     
    LVP488 and GogglesPisano like this.
  3. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,322
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Put Track Tape on the front surfaces of the car. A ton of rocks and rubber chunks get kicked up.
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  4. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Good idea. I already have PPF for the front but was thinking if I should do something on the rockers.
     
  5. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,322
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Track Tape on top of the PPF on the forward facing surfaces and rockers would be best. The PPF is good for a street car, but it won’t be thick enough for track days. Track Tape is thick and peels off easily.
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  6. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Thanks. Just picked some up off Amazon.
     
  7. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,275
    France
    It may be useful to also re-check the lug nuts torque during the day; adjusting the tire pressures is also a good idea: start with slightly lowered pressures, and then check and decrease again as the tires get hot.
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  8. Lola360

    Lola360 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 26, 2023
    84
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Connor
    Give the brakes a good inspection. Make sure pad and rotors are in good order. When was last brake fluid flush and what fluid are you running?
     
  9. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Stock fluid replaced by dealer last year. I have CCB's and they look to be in good shape.
     
  10. wiley355

    wiley355 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 10, 2010
    517
    Vancouver, WA
    Full Name:
    Wiley
    colorfull, Lola360, 3POINT8 and 5 others like this.
  11. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 1, 2012
    3,284
    New Zealand
    Full Name:
    Glen
    Having tracked my 360, (now have 430) other than the obvious checks and having great tires, my first upgrade would be better brake fluid and pads.
     
  12. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Are you running ccb or steel? What fluid are you using?
     
  13. Sj_engr

    Sj_engr Formula 3

    Sep 15, 2020
    1,446
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    dc
    I think there is better pure track rated fluid but Motul RBF 600 has decent wet values.
     
    Mario Andretti likes this.
  14. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    When I was tracking the S2000, we all ran ate super blue. Haven’t seen much mention of that recently. Either way, not changing anything before the day but will likely do a quick fluid change afterwards.
     
  15. Sj_engr

    Sj_engr Formula 3

    Sep 15, 2020
    1,446
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    dc
    Yeah super blue is a bit dated compared to the Motul but I also ran it. Stained your reservoir though.

    I believe the idea was you would cycle between the ATE blue and yellow so you could tell when you had 100% swapped over.
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  16. 3POINT8

    3POINT8 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2014
    4,682
    good for you for tracking it. please give us a full repor!
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  17. swc5150

    swc5150 Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2021
    604
    Wisconsin
    Full Name:
    Scott Calderwood
    Track insurance and have fun! Our dealer sponsored a track event for club members and even supplied instructors. I got to experience our car with a pro driver and wow! After a few mind blowing laps, he pitted and told me "that was about 70% of what your car is capable of".
     
  18. Lola360

    Lola360 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 26, 2023
    84
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Connor
    Unfortunately super blue was outlawed by DOT simply because of it's color, years ago. You won't be finding it anymore. Too bad because it made flushing fluid so easy.

    I would be really careful with stock fluid, even with CCB. Or at least check the wet & dry boiling points of it and compare to something like Motul 600 / 660.
     
    GogglesPisano likes this.
  19. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,109
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Remove all floor mats and other loose items.
    Tape over headlights, don't want broken glass on track.
    Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated.
     
  20. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,275
    France
    Latest from Motul is RBF 700 :) - allegedly the best DOT4 fluid I guess.
     
  21. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,227
    link to track tape purchase?
     
  22. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    2,067
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Edward 96GTS likes this.
  23. Lola360

    Lola360 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 26, 2023
    84
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Connor
    Ah yes 700 now. Although I think title for best DOT4 fluid goes to Castrol SRF, which it ought to be the best at $55/L. It's main advantage is the wet boiling point at 518F. Compare to other fluids, RBF700 for example, wet point is 401F. It's really the wet point that matters, unless you are changing your brake fluid every event.

    https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-fluid-comparison-chart.cfm
     
  24. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,275
    France
    Indeed wet point is more important as it protects on the "long" run.
    I read that some brake ducts will not be happy with some silicon contained in the Castrol SRF, while the Motuel does not contain silicon - I wonder what the situation of the Ferrari equipment is.
     
  25. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    27,571
    socal
    Here is a very minimum list from 2 popular trackday organizations. Do this yourself or hire a pro. I would also add for streetcars remove all floormats so feet don't get stuck and pedals fouled. Bring tire gauge with you and torque wrench for wheels. A battery power air pump is nice but most likely as the day gets hotter air will be bleed off from tires to get to your hot pressures on track. Remember to air tires back on way home because you will not make as much heat on the way home. Check wheel torque before every session going out on track. I would also recommend good stock brake fluid nothing fancy until you know the car and have some trackdays with it to find the weak spots. Fluid should be the weakest link in your brake system. Boiled fluid tends to give lots of warning brake are going seen as a spongy pedal. What you don't want is the unlikely event where your fluid is so good the next failure point is the brake caliper seals. You can design a brake system where all components are on the limit and get a job with F1 team. I'm willing to carry the extra weight and rotating mass so that I can use cheap autoparts store $8/L valvoline dot 4 brake fluid. In fact for my spec corvette racecar the aftermarket brake system is so good I travel raced 7 races this year and never had to bleed brakes or change brake pads until my car got shipped back home. Contrast that with the stock OEM brakes where we spread calipers in 1 year, wore new race pads in 1 weekend and cracked the rotors on the 3rd trackday!
     

    Attached Files:

    E60 M5 and GogglesPisano like this.

Share This Page